Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Masud Khan on Saturday said roadshows are not necessary to revitalise the country's capital market, stressing that restoring investor confidence depends on bringing quality companies to the stock market and ensuring stronger market governance.

He also said the securities regulator is working without any political interference and has initiated a series of reforms, including more frequent audits of brokerage houses, to improve transparency and discipline in the market.

Speaking as the chief guest at a mock parliament organised by Debate for Democracy at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), according to a press release.

Mr Khan said, "There is no need for roadshows in the name of boosting the capital market. If we can attract good companies to get listed, investors will naturally regain confidence. Spending money on roadshows is not justified."

He said the commission is strengthening regulatory oversight of brokerage houses through regular audits and other reform measures aimed at curbing irregularities and enhancing market integrity.

Mr Khan said investor confidence can only be restored through good governance, accountability and a transparent regulatory framework, alongside the government's political commitment to capital market development.

"There is currently no political pressure on the BSEC. The prime minister and the finance minister have assured the commission of its operational independence, and we are carrying out our responsibilities without political interference," he said.

The BSEC chairman said the government is taking steps to fulfil its commitment to revitalising the capital market and that the commission is exploring direct listing of large domestic and multinational companies to make the market more attractive while reducing procedural delays.

He also noted that five banks and several non-bank financial institutions merged during the previous administration now have liabilities exceeding their assets.

The Bangladesh Bank, he said, will decide on measures to protect the interests of investors in those institutions.

Presiding over the programme, Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron said Bangladesh's capital market has struggled for decades due to manipulation, weak governance and declining investor confidence.

He alleged that market manipulation during the previous administration severely damaged investor trust and claimed that around Tk 1 trillion had been siphoned off from the stock market through fraud and irregularities over the past 15 years.

Mr Kiron welcomed the appointment of the current BSEC chairman on professional rather than political considerations and described the withdrawal of the floor price mechanism as a timely and courageous decision that would help restore normal market operations.

He also said nearly half of the country's investors had left the stock market over the past decade after suffering repeated losses, while Bangladesh continues to rank among the lowest in Asia in attracting foreign portfolio investment.

To improve market depth and international investor participation, he urged the authorities to encourage large multinational companies operating in Bangladesh—including Banglalink, Standard Chartered Bank, MetLife, Nestlé Bangladesh and Procter & Gamble Bangladesh—to list on the country's stock exchanges.

The mock parliament, titled "Weak regulatory oversight is the main reason behind the crisis of confidence in the capital market," ended with debaters from Prime University defeating Sonargaon University.

Trophies, crests and certificates were distributed among the participants at the closing ceremony.

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