B Mirror Report:  The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has taken several policy decisions aimed at simplifying capital raising and improving dividend management for listed companies in the country’s capital market.

The decisions were approved at the 1013th commission meeting held on Tuesday, chaired by BSEC Chairman Khondoker Rashed Maqsood, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.

Under the new decision, the mandatory requirement of jointly holding at least 30 percent shares by directors will no longer be considered a barrier to capital raising in cases where the board of a listed company has been restructured by a primary regulatory authority.

As a result, companies with restructured boards will be allowed to proceed with capital raising activities such as rights share offerings and bonus share issuances even if the board’s combined shareholding falls below the 30 percent threshold. BSEC said a notification in this regard will be issued soon.

The commission also decided to allow ‘A’ category listed banks to maintain dividend accounts within their own banks, easing dividend management procedures for the banking sector.

In another key development, BSEC announced that it will continue organising the “BSEC Capital Market Journalism Excellence Awards and Fellowship 2026” to encourage transparent, research-based and responsible journalism focused on the capital market.

According to the regulator, the initiative is intended to promote professionalism, ethics and integrity in financial journalism, which would contribute positively to the development of the country’s stock market and overall economy.

The fellowship programme will also provide journalists with opportunities to enhance their understanding of global financial markets, strengthen analytical skills and improve standards of ethical journalism.

Last year, BSEC organised the awards and fellowship programme for the first time, recognising nine journalists from print, electronic and online media across three categories.