Stocks
IFC Seeks $4b Bond to Issue in Local Market
International Finance Corporation (IFC) seeks to issue taka-denominated bonds worth $4 billion, among local investors to lend the proceeds to projects in Bangladesh.
IFC has already issued local currency bonds among domestic investors in the Philippines and India, where the funds were lent to priority sectors.
Prior, the IFC successfully issued a three-year Tk 80 crore taka-denominated bond, coined “Bangla Bond”, at London Stock Exchange.
Its iconic bell ringing ceremony was held in November 2019 and the proceeds were used to support food safety with an agribusiness client in Bangladesh.
The Bourses analysts welcome the move, saying it would inspire local stock investors to make new investments in the bond market.
The World Bank Group member sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance last year requesting approvals required under its “Articles of Agreement”.
In response, the ministry sent a dsiclosure to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) asking whether the stock market regulator has any objection.
The BSEC replied it had none. “Hence, the IFC will have to apply and take approval to issue bonds from the BSEC following the securities rules and regulations,” it added.
The IFC is keen to expand its financing in taka for clients in Bangladesh who do not generate USD as a part of their daily operations, the IFC said in its letter.
The bonds will help support the growing financing needs of various priority sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, those related to climate change, microfinance and lenders focusing on small and medium enterprises and women-owned enterprises.
It will also support the government’s efforts to develop and grow the domestic capital market in Bangladesh.
BSEC Chairman Prof Shibli Rubayat-Ul-Islam agreed that the bond would give new impetus to the development of the country’s bond market.
The BSEC is trying to make the bond market vibrant as the market can give a good source of funds to entrepreneurs, he said.
It has already made treasury bills and bonds tradable on the stock exchanges with the help of Bangladesh Bank and the National Board of Revenue.
There are about 270 treasury bonds worth more than Tk 2.5 lakh crore and with tenures ranging from two years to 20 years, showed data from Bangladesh Bank.
Of them, 222 were listed on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) as of August, with a combined value of Tk 59,359 crore.
But they were not traded like shares and mutual fund units, which require availing a beneficiary owner’s account first.
Rather they could be bought and sold straight over the counter, much like savings certificates.
“The IFC wants to issue bonds worth $4 billion and the IFC is not alone. Asian Development Bank (ADB) also wants to issue bonds in the Bangladesh stock market. It would be better for our stock market,” added Islam.
Major General Mohammad Quamruzzaman (retd) has stepped down from his role as an independent director of the board of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, citing personal reasons.
He also served as a member of the DSE’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC).
Quamruzzaman was appointed to the DSE board on 1 September 2024, following the fall of the Awami League-led government. After serving for nearly one year and nine months, he submitted his resignation on Saturday (24 May).
Speaking to Quamruzzaman confirmed his resignation, saying, “Yes, I have resigned as an independent director for personal reasons.”
Md Shafiqur Rahman, Deputy General Manager of Public Relations and Publications at the DSE, said Quamruzzaman submitted a resignation letter mentioning personal reasons behind his decision.
“The DSE board will now take a decision regarding the resignation,” Shafiqur Rahman said.
He also indicated that Quamruzzaman may be planning to join another company, which could have influenced his decision to resign.
Earlier, another independent director of the DSE board, Shahnaz Sultana, also resigned from her position. She was likewise a member of the NRC.
According to the DSE annual report, Shahnaz Sultana is the CEO and Chief Consultant of FINS Alliance Risk Advisory and Consultancy and has served as the Founder and Chairperson of the WE Global Women Foundation since 2020.
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has today approved appointment of Ms. Nuzhat Anwar as the new Managing Director of Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC. (DSE).
Ms. Nuzhat Anwar brings over two decades of experience in financial markets, banking, and development finance. Prior to her appointment, she worked at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, where she held multiple senior leadership roles across Africa and South Asia. Her positions included Resident Representative for Liberia and Sierra Leone, Senior Country Officer for Bangladesh covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, and acting Cluster Manager during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent transition period.
Ms. Anwar also served as an IFC Country Officer in Botswana and Namibia, where she played a key role in establishing IFC’s presence in Gaborone and advancing a sustainable investment program, including IFC’s first investment in Botswana. She offers deep expertise in capital management, treasury and liquidity, transaction services, portfolio optimization, and market advocacy. Earlier in her career, she spent 16 years with Citibank Bangladesh and Standard Chartered Bank Bangladesh in various senior management roles.
Ms. Anwar holds a Master’s degree in Commerce (Finance) from the University of Dhaka.
On her appointment as the Managing Director of DSE, the Chairman of the Board of DSE Mr. Mominul Islam said, “We are pleased to receive the approval of BSEC for appointment of Ms. Anwar as the new Managing Director. Over the last one year the NRC and Board of have worked hard to recruit a competent leader as the MD of DSE. We are confident that Ms. Anwar, with her excellent leadership trait, vast experience in the financial sector in home and abroad and deep passion for transformation in the Capital Market of the Country, is the right candidate to lead DSE in the days ahead. Now, we will complete the internal processes to onboard Ms. Anwar at soonest.”
Dhaka Stock Market DSE, Bourse on the second working day of the week, 30th September, ended with a negative performance in Indices and a hike in Turnover from the previous working session. This information is known from DSE sources.
503 crore 90 lakh taka shares were traded on this day. 22 crore 58 lakh more tradings were done in DSE today compared to the previous workday, 29th September, Shares worth Tk 481 crores 31 lakh shares were traded last time, Sunday.
The benchmark DSEX lost 33.61 points or 5,624 The Shariah-based index DSES dropped 7.36 point or 1,263 and the blue-chip index DS30 decreased by 9.57 points or 2,053.
Of the issues traded, 72 advanced, 299 declined and 25 remained unchanged.
Shahjibazar Power Company Limited ranked top gainer on DSE, the share price increased by Tk 4.00 paisa or 9.76 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 45.00 paisa.
Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited ranked top loser on the DSE, the share price dropped by Tk 1.80 paisa or 7.56 percent. On this day, the share was last traded at Tk 22.00 paisa.
DSE topped on trade is Pragati Life Insurance Limited 25 crore 35 lakh takas of company shares have been traded.
A total of 27 companies’ shares were traded in the Block on Dhaka Stock Exchange. A total of 1 crore 50 lakh 42 thousand 956 shares of the companies were traded. The financial value of which is 65 crore 60 lakh taka
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