Staff reporter :
Khandkar Rashed Maqsood, Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), has stated that the regulatory body is in ongoing discussions with the government and the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to consider a reduction in the 15 percent capital gains tax imposed on the capital market.
“Our efforts to address the capital gains tax issue are continuing, and we hope to achieve a positive outcome soon,” he said.
Maqsood made these remarks during a meeting with senior officials of the Capital Market Reform Task Force, DSE, CSE, and CDBL at Securities Bhawan in Agargaon on Saturday.
“BSEC is committed to pursuing reforms for the development and welfare of the stock market. I aim to implement beneficial changes by coordinating with all stakeholders,” he noted.
Maqsood also emphasised that BSEC is focusing on enhancing the stock market’s surveillance system and has engaged in discussions with the World Bank to support these modernisation efforts.
During the meeting, officials from BSEC, the Capital Market Reform Task Force, DSE, CSE, and CDBL discussed various stock market policies aimed at safeguarding investors and promoting stock market development.
Key topics included the need for reforms in existing tax policies, improvements in stock market surveillance, and expedited settlement times for common share transactions to benefit investors and other market stakeholders.
The discussion also addressed plans for the modernisation of surveillance activities to prevent irregularities and ensure that those engaging in manipulative practices are held accountable.
Maqsood further stressed the importance of strengthening the exchanges’ own surveillance systems alongside BSEC’s efforts.
BSEC Commissioner Md. Mohsin Chowdhury, Commissioner Md. Ali Akbar, Commissioner Farzana Lalarukh, BSEC officials, and all members of the Capital Market Reform Task Force were present, along with representatives led by the Managing Director of the DSE.