DHAKA, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS) - The government has given its consent to bring in shares of profitable state-owned enterprises (SoEs) and multinational companies (MNCs) with government shareholding to the capital market aiming to deepen the market and restore investor confidence.

Several profitable state-owned enterprises will be listed through direct listing, while multinational companies have said that any decision on stock market listing will be taken through their respective board meetings.

The decision came following a meeting held today at the Ministry of Finance, chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, with a primary target of listing 10 companies in the capital market. 

Dr Salehuddin Ahmed and Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) Chairman Dr Abu Ahmed briefed reporters after the meeting.

Chief executive officers of the 10 companies attended the meeting, along with the Commerce Adviser, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser, Industries Adviser, and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant (Finance Ministry). 

The Chairmen of the ICB and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) were also present.

The companies include Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited, Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO), North-West Power Generation Company Limited, West Zone Gas Company Limited, Syngenta Bangladesh Limited, Sylhet Gas Fields Limited, Unilever Bangladesh Limited, Synovia Bangladesh Limited, Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited and Nestlé Bangladesh PLC.

The Finance Adviser said the stock market has now largely returned to a rule-based framework and the focus should be on increasing market depth and restoring confidence.

“To restore confidence, we have decided to offload shares of strong, fundamentally sound state-owned companies,” he said.

Replying to a question on multinational companies, the Finance Adviser said the government holds shares in some of these companies, but they are not listed. 

“The listing process will begin. The companies have said that decisions will be taken by their boards. From the government side, we have given our consent,” he added.

When asked whether such discussions had taken place earlier, he said, “Previously, it did not go this far. This time, the ministry has formally given its approval.”

Regarding timelines, Dr Salehuddin said he had urged the companies to act quickly and start the process. However, he acknowledged that listing is a complex matter and company law must be followed.

Addressing concerns about past meetings failing to yield results, he said the Industries Ministry has already sent letters confirming their willingness to offload shares.

ICB Chairman Abu Ahmed said the government’s initiative is driven by public interest. “There is no greater interest than public interest. If Nestlé can be listed in Bombay (Mumbai), what is the problem in Bangladesh?” he questioned, citing examples of Unilever and other multinational companies listed in India, Pakistan and Thailand.

He said incentives, including tax benefits, could be considered to encourage listing. “If they do not come forward, taxes may have to be increased. Otherwise, we will have to wait for many more years,” he warned.

Asked whether companies gave consent at the meeting, Abu Ahmed said they were clearly informed of public expectations and the strong demand for their listing in the capital market.

On the state-owned enterprises, he said the Industries Ministry and the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry have given their consent, but delays often occur. “I see no reason for delay in direct listing,” he added.

Abu Ahmed also noted that the government holds around 40 percent shares in Unilever Bangladesh. “We are not even asking to sell five percent of that. Can’t the government sell its own shares? They say board approval from abroad is required,” he said.