The discussants at a webinar on Thursday focused on stakeholders' large-scale involvement to enhance investors' awareness along with reducing malpractices on the country's stock market.
The Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL) organised the webinar - 'Market Malpractice and Investors' Awareness' - as part of the regulator's move to observe the World Investor Week 2021.
CDBL Chairman Sheikh Kabir Hossain said awareness programmes, held for one week in a year, are not enough to achieve the desired target of creating awareness among investors.
"All stakeholders should come forward to organise investors' awareness programmes throughout the year. Malpractices should also be contained to ensure good governance in the stock market," he added.
Md. Abdul Halim, a commissioner of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), said the securities regulator is working to ensure due role of the stock market in the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
"All stakeholders should work together to facilitate the desired development of the stock market." He also said the stock market would make a significant contribution to the GDP by 2025.
Mohammad Rezaul Karim, a BSEC executive director, presented the keynote paper at the webinar.
CDBL Managing Director Shuvra Kanti Choudhury, IDLC Investment Managing Director Md. Moniruzzaman, and representatives of different organisations attended the programme.
Meanwhile, the BSEC and the Venture Capital and Private Equity Association of Bangladesh (VCPEAB) held another webinar titled 'Shaping a Resilient Economy through Impact Investment' on Wednesday.
Planning Minister M A Mannan MP attended the programme as the chief guest, while BSEC Chairman Prof. Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam was the special guest.
"The government, businesses, investors, entrepreneurs, non-profit organisations, philanthropists, and social enterprises should work together for further development of the economy," the planning minister said in his speech.
The securities regulator chairman said the country's economy is considered to be one of the most resilient economies in the world.
"Impact investment is essential, as it adds immense value to the society and generates a measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial return."
He also opined that Bangladesh is now in a position where it can embrace the world of impact investment because of its vibrant economy.
BSEC Commissioner Prof. Shaikh Shamsuddin Ahmed said the country needs additional US$20 trillion investment fund within 20 years to meet the global impact investment requirement.
BSEC Commissioner Prof. Md. Mizanur Rahman noted that Bangladesh has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
"Our economy expanded more than five times since 1991. We need a vibrant capital market to realise the benefit of impact investment," he mentioned.
Dr. Md. Hamid Ullah Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Financial Reporting Council Bangladesh, said impact investment observed an enormous growth over the past decade.
VCPEAB President Shameem Ahsan said majority number of global organisations would initiate impact-driven businesses in next 15 years.
"Major part of the world population will also consume products and services from the impact-driven companies," he noted.
Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said global warming is a problem, which cannot be ignored anymore.
"Every country should come forward to reduce the effects of global warming. We must maintain intergenerational equity for preservation of natural resources."
Mahmudul Hasan Khusru, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB), and Nurun Nahar, an executive director of the Bangladesh Bank, among others, also spoke at the programme.
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