A strong and efficient stock market can make a significant contribution to a country’s economy, said M Saifur Rahman Majumder, managing director of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE).
He made the remarks on Sunday at an event organised at the CSE office in Chattogram for around 65 students of the Business Administration Department of Halishahar Cantonment Public School and College (HCPSC) as part of an educational visit.
Majumder said the stronger the foundation on which the stock market operates, the more effectively its various components can contribute to the national economy.
He described the stock market as a vital component of a country’s financial structure and stressed the need to enhance the knowledge, skills and professionalism of all stakeholders to build an effective and sustainable market.
According to him, the stock market should not be viewed merely as a platform for buying and selling shares. It provides opportunities for people to invest their savings while enabling businesses to raise fresh capital for expansion, creating a direct link between the market and different sectors of the economy.
Emphasising practical experience for students, the CSE MD said academic education should be complemented by practical knowledge. Gaining real-world exposure to different sectors while still in student life can help young people better define their future professional goals.
He also stressed the importance of developing diverse skills in the current global environment, saying knowledge of a single subject alone would not be sufficient. Young people should also understand the practical operations and working environment of the sectors in which they intend to build careers.
Discussing the stock market, Majumder said a proper understanding of trading and settlement, investor protection, market surveillance and technology is essential to fully comprehend its operations. The market is both technology-driven and governed by a specific regulatory framework, he added.
He further said those interested in pursuing careers in the capital market should prepare themselves by acquiring appropriate knowledge and skills. The CSE has consistently played an important role in developing Bangladesh’s stock market and has contributed to the introduction of new products, he added.
As part of this process, the CSE has taken an initiative to establish a commodity derivatives exchange in Bangladesh, he said.
CSE Chief Regulatory Officer Mohammad Mehdi Hasan, CFA, ICT officials Abdullah Bin Hossain and Md Ariful Islam were present at the event. CSE Head of Training and Awareness M Sadek Ahmed and officials from the IT department gave presentations on the stock market’s operations and practical aspects.
HCPSC Principal Lt Col Md Golam Morshed, PSC, along with teachers of the institution, also attended the programme.
During the educational visit, students were briefed on the current operations of Bangladesh’s stock market and various products expected to be introduced in the future. Discussions also covered financial planning, investment risks and potential returns, and investor protection.
CSE officials later answered students’ questions on the stock market and investment.
