The initial public offering (IPO) application of Islamic Oxygen Limited, seeking to be listed on the stock market through the primary public offering, has been rejected by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). The institution’s application was canceled by the regulatory authority due to the involvement of controversial figure Kazi Saifur, who had multiple previous convictions by the BSEC for various offenses. Moreover, Kazi Saifur had also been banned from the stock market for an extended period of time.
On Thursday, June 1, the Managing Director and spokesperson of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), Mohammad Rezaul Karim, confirmed the cancellation of the IPO application of Islam Oxygen Limited. It had been pending for a considerable period. However, the company has showcased its financial stability by demonstrating substantial assets. Nevertheless, the company failed to provide evidence of sales. In addition, there is an ongoing writ petition in the High Court regarding the value-added tax (VAT) exemption by the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Considering these factors, the IPO application of the company has been revoked.
Kazi Saifur, who had previously been involved in facilitating the listing of several weak companies in the stock market, was working as a pathway to bring Islam Oxygen into the share market. He particularly assisted these companies in preparing fabricated financial statements for listing.
Notably, Islam Oxygen Limited had sought to raise Tk 93 crore through the book-building method from the stock market. The company held its roadshow on October 25, 2021. Janata Capital and Investment Limited was responsible for managing the issue, while Sonali Investment Limited acted as the registrar to the issue. However, indirectly, the primary responsibility of the issue management was carried out by the controversial Shahjalal Equity Management. This same institution had already listed several weak companies in the stock market by providing fabricated financial statements. Furthermore, Kazi Saifur Rahman, a controversial figure in the stock market, is also associated with the ownership of Shahjalal Equity Management.
