Shahidul Islam

Why restricting use of IPO proceeds misses the real problem

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) recently released its draft rules for initial public offerings (IPOs), which propose a strict prohibition on using IPO proceeds to repay loans. The draft also introduces several other controls over how companies may deploy funds raised from the public. These rules raise a key question about the appropriate level of flexibility companies should have when allocating capital raised from shareholders.

6d ago

Open-ended mutual funds can rebuild capital market trust

Mutual funds play a vital role in modern capital markets. By pooling savings from thousands of small investors and investing them in diversified portfolios of stocks and bonds, they help make the market more efficient, liquid and stable. For ordinary investors, mutual funds offer a simple way to take part in the market without having to research or monitor individual securities.

2w ago

Why our financial sector lags behind the real economy

Bangladesh’s economy presents a striking contrast. Its markets for real sector products such as consumer goods, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, and real assets like land and apartments are relatively robust, with their share of GDP comparable to peer countries.

1m ago

Let the market decide IPO prices

For decades, Bangladesh's capital market has been trapped in a policy mistake of its own making: regulators, not the market, have set the prices of initial public offerings (IPOs).

2m ago

Can decentralisation improve primary school outcomes in Bangladesh?

Effective schools and learners through decentralised governance may make a difference in primary school education.

4m ago

Between bullets and borders Fleeing the Rajshahi massacre

I was in a deep sleep in my room when a loud, relentless pounding on the door jolted me awake.

8m ago

Whom does education serve in Bangladesh?

To serve the purpose of education, meeting the parents' demands through focusing on learning outcomes and reforming the education system are the need of the hour.

1y ago

An education memorandum

The interim government has to decide guidelines for the minimum reform targets to achieve, and where to begin.

1y ago
December 1, 2025
December 1, 2025

Why restricting use of IPO proceeds misses the real problem

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) recently released its draft rules for initial public offerings (IPOs), which propose a strict prohibition on using IPO proceeds to repay loans. The draft also introduces several other controls over how companies may deploy funds raised from the public. These rules raise a key question about the appropriate level of flexibility companies should have when allocating capital raised from shareholders.

November 19, 2025
November 19, 2025

Open-ended mutual funds can rebuild capital market trust

Mutual funds play a vital role in modern capital markets. By pooling savings from thousands of small investors and investing them in diversified portfolios of stocks and bonds, they help make the market more efficient, liquid and stable. For ordinary investors, mutual funds offer a simple way to take part in the market without having to research or monitor individual securities.

October 15, 2025
October 15, 2025

Why our financial sector lags behind the real economy

Bangladesh’s economy presents a striking contrast. Its markets for real sector products such as consumer goods, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, and real assets like land and apartments are relatively robust, with their share of GDP comparable to peer countries.

September 25, 2025
September 25, 2025

Let the market decide IPO prices

For decades, Bangladesh's capital market has been trapped in a policy mistake of its own making: regulators, not the market, have set the prices of initial public offerings (IPOs).

July 26, 2025
July 26, 2025

Can decentralisation improve primary school outcomes in Bangladesh?

Effective schools and learners through decentralised governance may make a difference in primary school education.

March 26, 2025
March 26, 2025

Between bullets and borders Fleeing the Rajshahi massacre

I was in a deep sleep in my room when a loud, relentless pounding on the door jolted me awake.

October 28, 2024
October 28, 2024

Whom does education serve in Bangladesh?

To serve the purpose of education, meeting the parents' demands through focusing on learning outcomes and reforming the education system are the need of the hour.

September 10, 2024
September 10, 2024

An education memorandum

The interim government has to decide guidelines for the minimum reform targets to achieve, and where to begin.

July 31, 2023
July 31, 2023

Education for most Indians is still a ‘bust.' What about Bangladesh?

In Bangladesh, the government could call on the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) to change the system of remunerating government schoolteachers.

July 13, 2022
July 13, 2022

Bridge schools: A local solution to a global problem

In its latest education intervention, Bridge school has strived to improve the five elements required in any working education system.