Stocks
Bangladesh is the Right Destination for Chinese investment: BSEC Chief
Bangladesh is the right destination for Chinese investment, says Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). He emphasized that the initiatives to attract Chinese investment will yield positive results and significantly contribute to the country’s economic development.
The summit, titled “The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities Between Bangladesh & China,” showcased Bangladesh’s potential to Chinese businesses. Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam highlighted that Chinese businesses are well aware of the opportunities in Bangladesh, noting the presence of 7,000 Chinese companies operating in the country, creating 550,000 jobs, with 25% of investors in Export Processing Zones (EPZ) coming from China.
He further underscored Bangladesh’s impressive GDP growth since 1971, emphasizing that China would benefit from both the local and export markets in Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) facilities in Europe, Canada, and other countries make it an attractive export hub for China, providing access to these markets through Bangladesh.
Incentives for Investment
The chairman detailed the numerous incentives for investment in Bangladesh, including exemptions on import duties, 100% foreign ownership, double taxation treaties with 40 countries, bonded warehouse facilities, and full repatriation of capital and profit. He also mentioned that both China and Bangladesh have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for projects worth over $25 billion, inviting Chinese investors to seize the significant opportunities in Bangladesh.
Growing Sectors
The agro-processing industry in Bangladesh is booming, with agricultural exports growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% over the last five years, particularly in processed snacks. The global demand for agricultural products is expected to grow by 15% between 2019 and 2028, offering substantial opportunities for Bangladesh’s processed food industry to expand its exports.
Other promising sectors include the jute industry, light engineering, electrical and equipment manufacturing, the automobile industry, and the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which remains the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy.
Advantages of Doing Business with Bangladesh
Bangladesh is the 8th most populous country in the world with a growing purchasing power and rapid economic growth. The country benefits from various trade agreements, a stable political climate, strategic geographical location, and lower production costs due to reasonable wages. These factors make Bangladesh an attractive destination for trade and business.
Benefits from Investment
Investing in Bangladesh promises fast economic growth, resilience against global volatility, favorable monetary and fiscal policies, and an investment-friendly government. The country also offers no pre-approval requirements for repatriating investments with profit, alongside a resourceful blue economy and a green environment conducive to sustainable development.
In summary, Bangladesh is positioning itself as a prime destination for Chinese investment, offering a range of opportunities across various sectors and a supportive investment climate.
The event was attended by Salman Fazlur Rahman, the Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Advisor; Abul Hasan Mahmud, the Finance Minister; Md. Atiqul Islam, the Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation; Nasrul Hamid, the State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources; Zunaid Ahmed Palak, the State Minister for Post, Telecommunications, and Information Technology; Ahasanul Islam Titu, the State Minister for Commerce; Mohammad Tofazzal Hossain Miah, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; ambassadors, various institutional and individual investors, and stakeholders.
Other notable speakers at the event included Lokman Hossain Miah, the Executive Chairman of BIDA; Yao Wen, the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh; and investors, industrialists, and businesspeople from China and Bangladesh.
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
