The Ministry of Industries has initiated a move to offload government and foreign-held shares in multinational companies (MNCs) where the state holds equity, aiming to deepen and diversify Bangladesh’s capital market.
The plan, discussed at a high-level meeting on Thursday, seeks to release at least 5 per cent of both government and foreign-owned shares in selected companies, according to officials involved in the process.
Industries Secretary Obaidur Rahman chaired the meeting at the ministry’s conference room on 31 July as part of the interim government’s broader directive to strengthen the capital market through increased supply of quality stocks.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Industries, including Additional Secretaries Rashidul Hasan and Nuruzzaman, Joint Secretary Sajedur Rahman, and Deputy Secretary Nurun Nahar.
Representatives from Unilever Bangladesh, Nuvista Pharma, Sanofi Bangladesh, IPDC Finance, Reckitt Benckiser (Bangladesh), The Bengal Glass Works, Mirpur Ceramic Works, Himadri Ltd, and Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company were present during the discussion.
From the financial sector, Investment Corporation of Bangladesh Managing Director Niranjan Chandra Debnath and ICB Capital Management CEO Majeda Khatun participated in the talks. The chairman of Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation and the director general of Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation also attended.
According to meeting participants, the government is prioritising the listing or expanded float of high-performing companies to improve investor access to fundamentally strong firms and stimulate market liquidity.
Stakeholders reviewed the readiness of the companies concerned to comply with the share offloading policy, discussed legal and procedural aspects, and outlined steps to ensure a coordinated transition to the market.
The Ministry of Industries said the move is part of a broader policy to increase public participation in profitable enterprises and restore investor confidence by bringing more reputed names to the trading floor.