Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Anisuzzaman Chowdhury has urged the securities regulator to expedite the launching of Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited (CCBL) to unlock new trading tools in the capital market.
He made the call while speaking at the fourth monthly coordination meeting between the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and capital market stakeholders held on Wednesday at the regulator’s office.
An unusual delay in making CCBL operational is hindering the introduction of new instruments such as short selling to enable investors to trade both ways, along with various derivatives.
“We must change our mindset and practice democracy and integrity while prioritising collective interests,” said Anisuzzaman Chowdhury.
“We cannot lose hope over the capital market. Everyone must work together to bring stability and growth. Coordination and realism must guide our actions, and rumours must not be allowed to spread,” he added.
He said the BSEC should enjoy institutional autonomy similar to Bangladesh Bank, noting that once the central bank achieves full autonomy, the capital market regulator should also gain the same level of independence.
The meeting discussed progress on capital market reforms, implementation of new regulations, and modernisation of market surveillance and structure, including reducing settlement time and introducing commodity exchange, futures markets and script netting systems.
BSEC Chairman Khondoker Rashed Maqsood said the Commission is finalising the Margin Rules 2025, Mutual Fund Rules 2025 and Public Offer of Equity Securities Rules 2025. “These will be completed soon, marking a major phase in the capital market’s legal reform,” he said.
“The Margin Rules will be implemented soon through gazette publication,” he said, adding that there is no cause for concern.
“We have revised the rules after thorough review and consultation with all stakeholders. Even after implementation, a six-month to one-year adjustment period will be available where necessary.”
He said BSEC remains committed to protecting investors’ interests, ensuring transparency and advancing sustainable market development.
The meeting also discussed strengthening API connectivity among market institutions, ensuring cybersecurity, encouraging the listing of state-owned, large domestic and multinational companies, and improving governance in mutual fund and merchant banking operations.
Other topics included financial reporting in the XBRL format, enhancing investor education, building investor confidence and developing the capital market as a source of long-term financing.
The meeting was attended by senior representatives from the BSEC, stock exchanges, brokerage community, investment banks and other market intermediaries.
