DHAKA, Sept 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) and the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), to strengthen cooperation in professional development through joint expertise and resources.

ICAB Chief Operating Officer Shubhashish Bose and ERF General Secretary Abul Kashem signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations, in presence of ICAB President NKA Mobin FCA and ERF President Doulot Akter Mala, at an event at the ERF office in the city on Monday, said a press release today.

The signing was held alongside the inauguration of the ERF Institute and a seminar on “Financial Transparency in the Corporate Sector.” 

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed inaugurated the institute as chief guest, while Financial Reporting Council (FRC) Chairman Dr. Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan attended as special guest.

Under the agreement, ICAB and ERF will collaborate on education, training, workshops, research, roundtables, and dialogues on economic issues. 

The MoU also provides a framework for managing professional training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Emphasizing transparency, ICAB President Mobin noted that foreign investors first examine a country’s corporate governance framework before investing. 

He highlighted ICAB’s Document Verification System (DVS) as a tool to strengthen financial discipline. 

“If properly applied, the DVS will enhance the country’s financial ecosystem,” he said.

Mobin added that transparency is not only a legal requirement but also essential for sustainable growth, stability, and foreign investment.