Posts

Bangladesh Moves to End Long IPO Drought as New Companies Prepare to Enter Stock Market

-
Image
DHAKA: Bangladesh’s capital market is set for a potential revival in new company listings after a prolonged period of stagnation, with the securities regulator taking steps to make the initial public offering process more accessible and introduce a framework for direct listing. The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) is working to create an alternative route for established companies to enter the stock market without going through a conventional initial public offering (IPO), while also moving to streamline existing public-offer procedures. The proposed direct-listing framework is aimed at bringing established, financially sound companies to the market and expanding the supply of quality securities available to investors. Market participants say the initiatives could help diversify the stock market, increase its depth and create new investment opportunities. They also argue that a greater presence of fundamentally strong companies could help address some of the confi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Trump-Modi Call Fails to Resolve Uncertainty Over India-US Trade Deal

-
Image
New Delhi/Washington, October 2, 2026: A much-anticipated trade agreement between India and the United States remains uncertain despite a recent phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Washington signalling that significant differences still need to be resolved. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Thursday that negotiations with India were continuing but that a deal was not imminent. He said officials from both countries had identified the major issues still standing in the way of an agreement and were working to address them. “I don’t think it is imminent,” Greer told reporters, while describing his recent discussions with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal as constructive. The comments came a day after Trump and Modi spoke by telephone about bilateral cooperation, including trade, defence, energy and critical technologies. According to New Delhi, the two leaders also discussed broader regional and glob...
Post a Comment
Read more

Protests Across India Demand Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner

-
Image
New Delhi, October 2, 2026: Protests were held in several Indian cities on Friday demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and the exclusion of large numbers of voters from the lists. The demonstrations, held on Gandhi Jayanti, Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, brought together opposition political parties, student organisations and civil society groups in cities including New Delhi and Mumbai. Protesters accused the Election Commission of mishandling the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged that eligible voters had been removed from the lists. The Election Commission has rejected allegations of political manipulation and maintained that the revision process is being conducted under established procedures. It has also said that eligible voters who were inadvertently left out can seek inclusion through the prescribed process. Protests in New Delhi In the cap...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jamaat Leader Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman Arrested Over Airport Incident

-
Image
Dhaka, Bangladesh, October 2, 2026: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former army officer Major (Retd.) Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman has been arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB) in connection with allegations of creating disorder and obstructing government duties at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Police took Akhtaruzzaman into custody from his residence in the Dhaka Cantonment area on Friday afternoon, according to DB officials. He was subsequently taken to the DB office for questioning. The arrest came hours after a case was filed against him over an incident at the airport involving allegations of disorder, obstruction of official duties and assaulting or harassing a security official on duty. The case was filed by airport security officer Mohammad Shahriar Alam Sajib at Airport Police Station. Police said the complaint was lodged under several provisions of Bangladesh's Penal Code. Dispute Over Airport Trolley Shortage According to the c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Protests Continue at CUET for 11th Day Seeking Reinstatement of Vice-Chancellor

-
Image
Chattogram, Bangladesh: Students at Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) staged a protest march for the 11th consecutive day on Friday, demanding the reinstatement of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem. The protesters began their march from in front of the university's Central Mosque at around 2pm and paraded through several roads across the campus before ending the procession in front of the Central Shaheed Minar. During the demonstration, students reiterated their demand that Professor Sayem be reinstated as vice-chancellor. They also said they would continue their movement until a decision was reached on their demand. The CUET Teachers' Association and Employees' Association have also announced plans to resume a full work stoppage from Sunday in solidarity with the students. Zulkarnaine Mihad, a fourth-year student in CUET's Department of Mechanical Engineering, said the students had been protesting for 11 days without...
Post a Comment
Read more

Capital Market’s Role in Industrial Financing Continues to Shrink as Bank Dependence Rises

-
Image
DHAKA: Despite the continued expansion of Bangladesh’s economy and industrial sector, the capital market has yet to emerge as a significant source of long-term financing. Banks are increasingly shouldering the burden of financing industries, infrastructure and large investment projects, while direct capital raising through the stock market remains extremely limited. The growing dependence on bank financing is placing greater pressure on the banking sector and raising questions about the balance and resilience of the country’s overall financial system. Economists and market stakeholders say excessive reliance on banks for long-term financing can increase risks within the banking sector while limiting the development of a more diversified financial system. Wide Financing Gap in Industrial Investment The weakness of the capital market is particularly evident in the country’s failure to attract new companies through initial public offerings (IPOs). According to Bangladesh Bank’s annual re...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tensions Escalate in Ujjain Over Partial Removal of Historic Shahi Masjid

-
Image
UJJAIN, India — Tensions escalated in the central Indian city of Ujjain on Monday after authorities began removing a portion of the Shahi Masjid as part of a road-widening project ahead of the 2028 Simhastha religious gathering. The development triggered clashes between police and local residents who had gathered near the mosque to oppose the removal. Police used tear gas after protesters allegedly threw stones at security personnel, according to reports. The dispute centres on a section of the mosque that falls within the proposed alignment of a road being widened to about 15 metres. The project is linked to preparations for Simhastha 2028, a major Hindu religious gathering expected to draw large numbers of pilgrims to Ujjain. Overnight Protest Turns Into Confrontation Members of the Muslim community had gathered at the mosque on Sunday and remained there overnight, opposing the proposed removal. Representatives of the mosque and local administration held discussions during the night...
Post a Comment
Read more