BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. File Photo

DHAKA, July 14, 2025 (BSS) – Former commerce minister and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury today said that all the capital market related institutions and stakeholders must function ‘hand in hand’ to yield much better outcomes in the share market.

He also stressed the need for bringing necessary reforms and changes in the capital market through a holistic approach.

“The big companies will come to the capital market if they see changes are being brought in the capital market through a holistic approach,” he said.

Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury was addressing a workshop jointly organized by DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh and ERF on “Capital market restructuring and reality” at the auditorium of the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) in the capital.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) Chairman Mominul Islam, Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Chairman AKM Habibur Rahman, President of DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh Saiful Islam, DSE Director Minhaz Mannan Emon spoke as special guests.

Capital Market Journalist Forum (CMJF) President Golam Samdani Bhuiyan also spoke while ERF President Doulat Akter Mala was in the chair.

Amir Khasru said all the capital market related institutions like the central bank and BSEC should work with ‘hand in hand’ and in an integrated manner for ensuring smooth operations of the bourses.

He alleged that the country’s capital market has become a ‘vicious cycle’ at all levels over the years apparently due to the misguided policies of the past regime. 

“We have to convert it as a virtuous cycle and we also have to bring large-scale reforms and changes in the capital market,” he said.

Underscoring the need for turning BSEC into a complete transparent and professional body, Khasru, also the founder Chairman of Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), said there is no need to bring experts from abroad to revamp it since the country has good manpower in this field with international exposure.

Putting emphasis on overcoming the crisis on ‘lack of confidence’ in the capital market, he said whatever needed is to adapt with the globally accepted ‘fair practices’ which are already there.

If the BNP assumes power through winning the next general election, Khasru said they would own the capital market adding, “Without ownership of the government, no capital market could grow and develop,”

In this regard, he cited that the national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines can go to the capital market and raise its own fund instead of relying on the government.

He mentioned that during the tenures of the BNP, there were no debacles in the capital market and in the banking system since there were no political appointments in those sectors.

Expressing his strong resolve on country’s economic progress, Khasru said the country would turnaround within a very short time if there is political will.

He also put emphasis on capacity building of the concerned institutions saying, “We have to convert our population into human resources.”
  
DSE Chairman Mominul Islam said that extra efforts are needed from all concerned to restructure the capital market in a bid to revive the share market.

Mentioning that work is on to digitalize fully the IPO process, he said that they are working to enlist some 10 large-cap companies over the next one year alongside working to enhance the qualitative standard of financial disclosures.

CSE Chairman AKM Habibur Rahman underscored the need for ensuring political stability so that both local and foreign investors come forward to invest in the capital market.

DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh President Saiful Islam alleged that the country’s share market was destroyed over the last 16 years of the previous regime since no such foreign investment came during that period.

DSE Director Minhaz Mannan Emon said that they do not want any market manipulation to happen in the capital market in future for which everybody needs to be cautious. 

“We don’t want any capital market which will be a bubble,” he said.