Stocks
Women’s Participation Key to Stock Market Growth: BSEC Chief
The growth of Bangladesh’s stock market will accelerate with more female investors participating alongside their male counterparts, stated Professor Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam, Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). He emphasized that women can play a significant role in the country’s economic development by becoming active in the financial market.
Speaking at the “Women in the Stock Market and Golden Jubilee of Independence Awards 2023” event held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday evening, he highlighted the potential of women in smart investment from savings. He said that as more women enter the stock market, the greater the market’s growth will be, positively impacting the overall economy.
The BSEC Chairman also remarked that the combined strength of the money market and capital market is essential for a country’s economic progress. He reiterated the need for short to mid-term business activities to be financed through the money market, while long-term investments should be facilitated by the capital market.
The ceremony was presided over by BSEC Chairman Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, with special guests including State Minister for Finance Wasika Ayesha Khan and Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance Abdur Rahman Khan. Additionally, BSEC Commissioners Sheikh Shamsuddin Ahmed, Abdul Halim, Rumana Islam, and ATM Tariquzzaman were in attendance.
One of the Listed companies, National Polymer Limited has recommended 10.50% Cash Dividend for the year ended June 30, 2024.
It has reported Consolidated EPS of Tk 2.27 paisa, and Consolidated NAV per share of Tk 30.63 for the year ended March 31, 2024.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company will be held on December 18, through the digital platform. The record date for this has been fixed at October 22.
The Company also discloses its financial reports for the second quarter, (April – June 24).
As per the company’s consolidated life revenue account for April to June 2024, the excess of total income over total expenses, including claims (surplus), stood at Tk 1,394.24 million. This marks a significant increase from the surplus of Tk 823.68 million during the same period in 2023.
For the first half of 2024, from January to June, the company reported a surplus of Tk 2,177.57 million, compared to Tk 1,290.39 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Additionally, the Life Insurance Fund balance as of June 30, 2024, reached Tk 55,188.62 million, showing a net increase of Tk 5,892.25 million from Tk 49,296.37 million on June 30, 2023.
One of the Listed companies, Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC has recommended 20% Cash dividend and 10% Cash Dividend to Sponsor Shareholder and Directors for the year ended June 30, 2024.
It has reported EPS of Tk 2.26 paisa, and NAV per share of Tk. 26.37 for the year ended June 30, 2024.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company will be held on December 23, through the digital platform. The record date for this has been fixed at October 27.
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has removed three audit firms from its panel for their failure to secure enlistment with the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), according to a notice issued today.
The firms—A Hoque & Company, FAMES & R, and SK Barua & Company Chartered Accountants—were delisted following the FRC’s request. In December last year, the FRC published a list of enlisted audit firms and subsequently, in February, requested the BSEC to remove any firms that were not included on that list.
BSEC regulations mandate that financial statements signed by auditors outside its approved panel will not be accepted. With the removal of these three firms, the total number of audit firms on the BSEC panel has been reduced from 48 to 45.
Sources from the FRC revealed that 15-20 audit firms failed to secure enlistment last year, and approximately 45 chartered accountants are currently under restrictions imposed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Although the delisted firms can no longer audit issuer companies or listed securities, they are allowed to complete audit and assurance services that were initiated before their removal, the BSEC clarified.
