The Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh (ICSB) has been urged to update its professional practice rules, strengthen ethical standards and draw on international best practices to address emerging professional challenges.
ICSB Professional Development Committee Chairman Mohammad Sanaullah made the call at a continuing professional development (CPD) programme on “Challenges of Chartered Secretaries Practice in Bangladesh” in Dhaka on Saturday.
Sanaullah highlighted challenges arising from business internationalisation, emerging areas of practice and opportunities for specialisation. He stressed continuous professional learning, ethical conduct, professional excellence and creating value for clients. He also discussed the qualities required of chartered secretaries in employment and private practice, compensation packages, professional responsibilities and the scope of practice.
Sanaullah called for reviewing ICSB’s professional practice rules, learning from practices in other countries and adopting practical measures to strengthen the profession’s contribution to the corporate sector.
Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Commissioner Hossain Sadat identified three priorities for strengthening the profession: updating professional knowledge and adopting artificial intelligence (AI), collaborating with other stakeholders and discharging duties responsibly.
Presenting the keynote paper, SARashid & Associates Practising Chartered Secretary S Abdur Rashid outlined opportunities and challenges facing chartered secretaries in full-time employment and private practice.
He cited professional competence, regulatory compliance, competition, client acquisition, ethical independence, professional liability and technological change as key concerns, while emphasising integrity, continuous professional development, confidentiality and independent professional judgement.
ICSB President Mohammad Shahajahan stressed professional development, knowledge sharing and stronger skills and competencies to help chartered secretaries adapt to changing corporate demands. He also highlighted emerging challenges and the importance of personal branding.
Monirul Alam & Associates CEO and Key Consultant Md Monirul Alam and Jasmin & Associates Managing Partner Jasmin Akter shared practical insights on regulatory expectations, client engagement, emerging challenges and the role of practitioners in strengthening corporate governance. Both thanked the keynote presenter.
Established under the Chartered Secretaries Act, 2010, ICSB is Bangladesh’s sole recognised professional body responsible for developing, promoting and regulating the chartered and company secretary profession. It also works to promote corporate governance excellence.
