Play store
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has urged companies interested in listing on the capital market to apply through initial public offerings (IPOs) under the existing regulations.
The regulator said companies that have already applied for an IPO, or are planning to apply, need not delay their applications in anticipation of possible changes to IPO rules.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, BSEC said companies can currently raise capital from the capital market under the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Public Offer of Equity Securities) Rules, 2025.
The commission also said that if the IPO regulations are reformed, amended or relaxed in the future, companies that have already applied will, where applicable, receive the benefits of those changes.
BSEC said established companies that do not need fresh capital for business expansion or operations but want to list by allowing existing shareholders to sell their shares could instead consider direct listing.
Under the proposed direct-listing framework, a company would not issue new shares or raise fresh capital from investors. Instead, its existing shareholders would be able to sell their shares through a stock exchange to facilitate the company’s listing.
BSEC has already drafted the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Direct Listing of Securities on Stock Exchanges) Rules, 2026 and published the draft for public consultation.
Under the proposed rules, companies meeting specified eligibility criteria would be able to apply for direct listing.
The regulator said the proposed framework could expand the participation of new and capable companies in the capital market while creating opportunities for existing shareholders to sell their holdings. This, it said, could also help deepen and broaden the market.
BSEC said the draft rules would be brought into force soon through gazette notification and urged eligible companies interested in direct listing to make necessary preparations.
The commission said companies requiring fresh capital could use the IPO route, while established companies without a need for new capital could consider direct listing as an alternative route to market listing.
BSEC said it would continue regulatory and policy reforms to expand listing opportunities according to companies’ characteristics and needs and encourage the participation of sound and capable businesses in building a deeper, more diverse, transparent and efficient capital market.
