Safeguard Policy Statement & Strategy 2020 Midterm Review slide image

Safeguard Policy Statement & Strategy 2020 Midterm Review

Bangladesh: Supporting Capital Market Reforms Third Capital Market Development Program Development impact: Sector: Drivers of Change: Project Term: ADB Financing: Enhanced capacity and size of the capital market in a strong legal and regulatory framework Finance - Money and capital markets Governance and capacity development Knowledge solutions Partnerships Private sector development 2015 2018 $400 million DHAKA STOCK EXCHANGE LTD PROJECT SUMMARY: The program will help Bangladesh continue capital market reforms which should boost private investment and support the country's drive to achieve middle-income status by 2021. The third program will strengthen the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and support the establishment of a clearing and settlement company. It will also support new areas such as strengthening the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority to promote the insurance industry's growth and stability, and encourage insurers to use the capital markets more. To improve enforcement and to boost accounting and auditing standards, a special tribunal for capital market-related cases will be put into operation and a financial reporting council with an independent audit oversight function will be established, resulting in the adoption of international accounting standards which will enhance market confidence and encourage investment. To increase the supply of high quality bonds and other market instruments, policy actions will be taken to remove the 60:40 debt-to- equity ratio ceiling that companies must adhere to, to cut the initial public offering lock-in period for private equity investors, and to draw up rules to promote Islamic finance, including sukuk. The program will also spur a more liquid bond market with pilot sales of floating-rate government bonds and by allowing primary dealers to short sell government securities. Meanwhile, rule changes on taxes and exchange-traded funds will seek to promote a more robust mutual fund industry. 48
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