A high-level roundtable hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has called for expanding the national pipeline of board-ready female Chartered Accountants to strengthen corporate governance.
The discussion, held at CA Bhaban in Dhaka, convened regulators, corporate leaders, and governance experts to address slow progress in appointing women independent directors to listed companies. Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Commissioner Farzana Lalarukh noted that only 138 of 360 listed firms have so far complied with the requirement, despite an extended deadline of 31 December 2025.
ICAB president NKA Mobin, who chaired the session, stated that boards must have access to skilled and diverse talent, highlighting a growing pipeline of qualified women Chartered Accountants prepared for such roles. The roundtable’s moderator, Zareen Mahmud Hosein, chair of ICAB’s Gender Inclusion and Leadership Committee, announced that ICAB and IFC will launch structured independent director training in 2026.
Presenting research findings, Sanjida Kasem, managing partner of A Qasem & Co, reported that 21 female Chartered Accountants currently hold board positions, with an additional 134 identified as fully board-ready, most possessing postgraduate qualifications.
Corporate leaders outlined key governance priorities. Syed Mahbub Rahman, CEO of Mutual Trust Bank, pointed to the need for better alignment and clarity in the director approval process. Apex Footwear managing director Syed Nasim Manzur stressed the importance of merit-based appointments and broader eligibility criteria.
Other participants included Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Kamran T Rahman, who emphasised streamlined documentation and enhanced director training; Green Delta Insurance managing director Farzana Chowdhury, who highlighted the value of experiential leadership in family firms; and Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh president Hossain Sadat, who focused on raising the profile of independent directors.
IFC environment, social and governance officer Lopa Rahman cited global evidence linking gender-diverse boards to improved governance and business performance. ICAB and IFC affirmed their commitment to building a transparent, merit-based national pipeline of independent directors to foster more inclusive and effective corporate governance in Bangladesh.
