Chittagong, Bangladesh (BBN) – The country’s capital market watchdog has urged the big companies to list on the stock exchange to help stabilize the market.

“Supply of quality securities is necessary to bring stability and depth in the market,” Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ziaul Haque Khondker reportedly said on Tuesday while inaugurating a two-day capital market fair organized by the Chittagong Stock on Exchange (CSE).

The SEC chief also said during the last few years, the market had gone through a number of positive and far-reaching reforms in the regulatory front as well as in the operational aspects.

In a span of just four to five months the number of active Beneficiary Owners (BO) account increased to 1.8 million from 1.2 million, generating a lot of interest towards the market, according to reports.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) President Rakibur Rahman has expressed his disappointment over dilly-dallying in offloading shares of the State-owned Enterprises (SoEs).

He also said it is urgently needed right at the moment for the SoEs to list on the bourses in order to increase shares in the shallow market and to bring depth in it.

The two-day capital market fair organized by the CSE began on the day with the call to bring qualitative change in the share market to boost up investment from locals and non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs).
About 30 companies, including banks and brokerage houses, are participating in the fair.

The concluding ceremony of the fair will be held on Wednesday.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-28October09-12:52 am (BST)