Foreigners are seeking long-term investment tools
The chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission stated this on Monday, after participating in an investment roadshow in Dubai
Foreign investors are interested in investing in long-term financing schemes, said Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on Monday.
The government wants to borrow money for large projects by issuing bonds at a low-interest rate, he said at a press conference after returning from an investment roadshow in Dubai.
The securities regulator, at the roadshow in Dubai, observed that foreign investors are also keen on investing in such bonds for the long term.
On 9-12 February, the commission arranged a roadshow in Dubai to attract foreign investors to the Bangladesh capital market.
Professor Shibli Rubayat said, "We presented our economic situation at the roadshow in Dubai. They directly asked many questions about our economy."
"Now, we get emails every day. Some of them want to invest in mutual funds. They have suggested what kind of correction is needed here," Professor Shibli told the media.
The BSEC chairman further said, "Arranging funds for our upcoming large projects is not possible only through the equity market. So, we are focusing on bonds."
He also said after the keynote presentation on Bangladesh's economic situation at the roadshow, they had separate meetings with world-renowned investors who are not getting any returns by investing in their countries.
"The foreigners had negative information about Bangladesh, but we tried to present the exact position of our country. They were surprised to see our data," he added.
"We told them about long-term investments in the bond market though they showed interest in the equity market, " he continued.
"For the development of the capital market, in the next budget, we want to propose a few issues like a minimum of 15% corporate tax gap between listed and non-listed firms, a tax waiver on Sukuk bonds as like as zero-coupon bonds, and minimising the margin loan interest rate and double taxation as well.
BSEC Executive Director Md Mahbubul Alam was present at the conference.