B Mirror Report: The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have unveiled a plan to expand the national capital market, aiming to raise its contribution from 10% of GDP to 40% within three years.

In a meeting on March 9 at BSEC’s Agargaon office, officials discussed strategic reforms, digitalization, and market diversification to ensure sustainable growth, according to a press release today.

BSEC announced a “Capital Market Diagnostic” to identify structural challenges and support evidence-based policies. The Commission also emphasized aligning governance with IOSCO standards, boosting incentives for listing, and shifting long-term industrial financing from banks to the stock market.

Plans include digitalizing market processes, strengthening investor confidence, and introducing a “Bond Guarantee Fund” to attract investors to fixed-income securities. ADB will provide technical assistance, including feasibility studies and guidance for fund management.

BSEC Chairman Khondoker Rashed Maqsood presided over the meeting, attended by Commissioner Farzana Lalarukh, Director Md. Abul Kalam, and Joint Director Syed Muhammad Golam Mowla.