United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has launched a series of enforcement action against listed companies, their directors, auditors and issue managers following investigations into financial irregularities and violations of securities laws. In its 973rd commission meeting, chaired by BSEC Chairman Khondoker Rashed Maqsood, the regulator decided to refer the case of ACME Pesticides Limited to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for necessary action. The ACC will investigate four board members -- Chairman Shanta Sinha, Managing Director Reza-ur-Rahman Sinha, Director Ahsan Habib Sinha, Director K M Heluar -- along with Company Secretary Sabuj Kumar Ghose, Chief Financial Officer Selim Reza, and several placement holders including SK Trims & Industries Ltd, Bikrampur Potato Flakes Industries Ltd, Bengal Assets Holdings Ltd, Chittagong Pesticides & Fisheries Ltd, Heritage Capital Management Ltd, and NRB Equity Management Ltd for failing to pay against allotted shares. The BSEC also initiated proceedings to cancel the registration of Shahjalal Equity Management Ltd (SEML), the issue manager of ACME Pesticides, for submitting false or inconsistent information in the prospectus and failing to perform its responsibilities. Action will also be taken against audit firm Shiraz Khan Basak & Co. for not reflecting ACME’s true financial condition in pre-IPO audited statements. Auditor Shafiq Basak & Co. will face referral to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) for inadequately disclosing IPO proceeds in audited reports. Unilever, Nestlé among 10 MNC to enter bourse; DBA lauds BSEC initiative Genex Infosys Limited also faced penalties after BSEC found violations of securities laws during trading of Sonali Paper & Board Mills Ltd shares between December 1 and December 30, 2021. Each of the nine directors, including Chairman and Independent Director TIM Nurul Kabir, Vice Chairman Prince Mojumder, and Acting Managing Director & CEO Shah Jalal Uddin—was fined Tk 1.03 crore, while Genex Infrastructure Ltd was fined Tk 2.55 crore. The regulator further identified serious irregularities in audited financial statements of companies such as Suhrued Industries Ltd (FY2019), Ring Shine Textile Ltd (FY2017-2020), Aman Cotton Fibrous Ltd (FY2020), and Fareast Islami Life Insurance Ltd (FY2018-19). Audit firms including A Haque & Co, Ahmed & Akhtar, Mahfel Haque & Co, Ata Khan & Co, Shiraz Khan Basak & Co, and Islam Kazi Shafiq & Co failed to disclose these irregularities. Consequently, BSEC issued show-cause notices seeking explanation on why these auditors should not be barred for five years from auditing listed companies, investment schemes, and capital market intermediaries, according to a press release. BSEC said these stringent measures aim to uphold transparency, accountability, and investor protection in Bangladesh’s capital market.

We all know 'Another name for water is life and we cannot imagine the existence of plants and animals without this substance. But safe and pure water is needed to lead a healthy life. And most of the time, having safe water is a big issue in urban life. Hence, we largely depend on the bottled water or jar waters. Besides, we also rely on mineral water bottles when we travel or go to a restaurant. You may find bottled water from different brands in a local store. Bangladesh has close to 150 bottled water companies nationwide. Among all, what are the top bottled drinking water brands in Bangladesh? Let's get to know them! Best bottled water brands in Bangladesh MUM MUM from Partex Beverage is the pioneer of bottled water in Bangladesh. The company produces and supplies bottled mineral water all over Bangladesh through its 350+ distributors. Since the launching of MUM, it has become a synonym for bottled water as there was no significant alternative during that time. MUM is produced from the choicest raw material to maintain the water quality by keeping all the relevant substances. Besides, the company uses state-of-art technology while producing the water. Over the last few decades, there has not been any negative report about MUM. Hence, it is evident that they maintain the quality strictly. MUM comes in three different packages, 500ml, 1.5 liter, and 5 liters. However, 500ml and 1.5 liters are most popular as these are carriable. On the other hand, the largest one is used in households mainly. Read Top Biscuit and Bakery Companies, Brands in Bangladesh Kinley Kinley is owned by the Coca-Cola Company, which is sold in many Asian and European countries. However, Kinley came in 2016 in the Bangladeshi market but grabbed the market in a short span of time. Besides the mineral water, the company also sells carbonated beverages in many varieties such as ginger ale, tonic, lemon, soda, fruit-flavored and more. Although it comes in different packages and sizes in other countries, 500ml is popular in Bangladesh. Over the last five years, Kinley has become one of the top competitors of MUM and other local brands. Though they are not leading the market, the water quality and taste attracted many mineral water consumers. Fresh Fresh mineral water from Meghna Group of Industries is one of the top bottled water brands in Bangladesh. Besides, the water Meghna Group also has a product line on chemicals, cement, real estate, consumer products, securities, insurance, and more. The fresh water brand is highly popular for its taste and bottle size. Whether it's a small or large bottle, it is robust and can fit in your hand easily. The water is transparent, clear, and free from any sort of microorganism. It is produced through the seven-stage purification processes such as De-Iron, Pre-Ozone, De-Odor, Softening, Reverse Osmosis, Ultraviolet Treatment, and Ozonation. It comes in 500ml, 1 liter, 2 liter, and 5-liter bottles. However, the company has launched another brand of water named "No.1 Drinking Water" in 2013.  Read Top FMCG Companies in Bangladesh: At a Glance Mukta Mukta is a water brand from the Bangladesh government. It has been the official water bottle for almost all the government organizations such as the prime minister's office, secretariat, all ministries, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, and various other autonomous institutions. Mukta started its operation in 2004. It ensured the quality since the inception in 2004. The best thing about Mukta is that 75 out of the 81 employees are disabled. This state-owned company has been supporting disabled people by employing them in the production process. However, it is a government-owned company. The plant is owned by the Maitri Shilpa and run by the Sharirik Pratibandhi Surakkha Trust (SPST). Mukta made it available for the general people in 2019 and started selling nationwide. However, the company is still developing its distribution channel. Therefore, it is not widely available all over Bangladesh. Acme Acme bottled water is a sister concern of the ACME group. They run the production through The ACME Agrovet and Beverages Ltd. The company started its liquid product line via a small range of products such as juice, and then they introduced the ACME mineral water. According to a report from 2019, Acme holds a 9% market share, which is relatively lower than the market leader MUM's 45%. It comes in 500ml and 2-liter bottles. Aquafina Aquafina is from PepsiCo, Transcom Beverages. PepsiCo launched its new product line in 2015. However, it is one of the top water brands in the USA and is currently sold all over the world. The company has been using PepsiCo's distribution channel to spread the product across the country. The Aquafina production process starts with the pre-filtration stage, and the water enters into the static mixer, and then particles are removed through the activated carbon purifier that helps to isolate the trace elements. Next, the water goes through the polishing process and catches the small particle, and then is removed. Aquafina offers half a liter and 1.5-liter bottles.   Read Best Tea Brands in Bangladesh Spa The Spa is another famous Bangladeshi bottled water brand manufactured as well as marketed by "AKIJ FOOD AND BEVERAGE LIMITED" company owned by the reputed AKIJ GROUP of INDUSTRY. It is mainly sold in the local market. Akij Food and Beverage started its operation in 2000. However, Spa got the popularity of its bottle size and quality. Compared to other local brands, Spa water tastes slightly different. The Spa offers half-lite, one liter, and two liters bottles. PRAN Although the brand name is PRAN, it is manufactured by Mymensingh Agro Limited. PRAN drinking water is claimed to be produced through 13 purification steps with Reverse Osmosis technology, which ensures water quality, maintaining the mineral levels. PRAN water bottles come in six different sizes, 250ml, 500ml, 1 liter, 1.5 liter, 2 liters, and 5 liters. None of the brands in Bangladesh has such variation in the bottles. Hence it grabs the attention of all types of consumers from official to home. Bottom Line These are the top bottled water brands in Bangladesh. However, occasionally, you may find other brands in the local stores, such as Evian, Jibon, Rong Dhonu, No. 1, Duncans, Delta, etc. But you will hardly find any store that doesn't have any of these eight brands. Read Best Water Filter price in Bangladesh with Buying Tips