BSEC makes transaction easier on SME platform

Any investor now can trade on the SME platform as long as he has an investment of Tk 20 lakh in the stock market. 

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the regulator of the capital market, issued a directive in this regard on Thursday.

Earlier, investors had the opportunity to transact on the SME platform if they had invested Tk 50 lakh in the stock market.

The BSEC guidelines state that any investor who invests Tk 20 lakh in listed companies can register as a qualified investor. And registered investors will be able to trade securities listed on the SME platform.

BSEC Executive Director and Spokesperson Mohammad Rezaul Karim said that previously there was an obligation to invest Tk 50 lakh in the stock market from a qualified investor of SME platform. Now it has been reduced to Tk 20 lakh, he said.

Investors do not have to pay any fee to register as a qualified investor. However, in the case of security transactions on the SME platform, the commission of the brokerage houses has to be paid, Karim added.

Currently 10 companies are listed on DSE’s SME platform. Among them, Nialco Alloys, Krishibid Feed, Master Feed Agrotech, Mostafa Metal, Mamun Agro and Oriza Agro Industries have been listed through QIO process.

The other four companies, Apex Weaving, Bengal Biscuit, Himadri and Wonderland Toys, have been brought to the SME platform from OTC market under the direction of BSEC.