Publish : 28 Oct 2021, 12:57 AMUpdate : 06 Mar 2022, 02:39 PM
After successfully setting off Bangla Bond in London and various local business establishments, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group now wants to raise money from local bourses through Taka-denominated bonds, or "Taka Bonds."
The multilateral lender has already informed the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of its interest in issuing Taka-denominated bonds.
However, sources in the ministry said that their letter did not specify how much money would be withdrawn from the bonds, how much coupon rate would be given to investors to withdraw the money and at what interest the money would be reinvested.
Analysts, however, said that the Taka Bond may have a positive impact on the country's capital market, but before the country's weak bond market moves, they urged transparency and investor protection before bringing in foreign institutes in the local bond market.
On the other hand, those involved in the country's financial intuitions sector are already worried about the news.
They think the inclusion of this foreign investment company may shrink their business.
Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank's Dhaka office, suggested strengthening the weak bond market and protecting investors before giving foreign companies a chance to enter the bond market.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday, he said: “So far, our bond market has not been strong. In this situation, the issuance of bonds means the interest of a few big companies like the bonds of Bangladesh Bank.”
Due to this weak bond market, a general investor does not want to put his money in bonds. This is because the policies have been set in such a way that any investor who is suddenly in need of funds, cannot sell their bonds even if they wanted to. Their money remains in limbo, he explained.
"The government needs to ensure financial security of investors in these foreign institutions. Undoubtedly IFC is a good organization. But if you judge in that way, what is the need to take a guarantee from them?" the former World Bank lead economist asked.
"If they invest in the country (Bangladesh), it is for the benefit of the country. However, if you can make extra profit by investing abroad, it is the profit of the investors in the bond market. They will get more and more dividends," Hussain added.
Asked about the current bond market and the IFC's bond issuance process, Mohammad Rezaul Karim, spokesperson of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) told Dhaka Tribune that the BSEC was trying to strengthen the country's bond market.
"However, we have not yet received any letter from the IFC regarding the release of the taka bond," he informed.
The company had earlier invested in the country by raising money through a Bangla bond in London. Now if they want to do it in the country, they have to get permission from the Finance Ministry and BSEC. Apart from this, if there is a matter of money transaction from abroad, it is also under the jurisdiction of Bangladesh Bank.
“Moreover, before taking permission to issue bonds, the IFC must inform them about how much money they want to withdraw from the bond market and what the coupon rate will be,” he added.
Nuzhat Anwar, senior country officer at the IFC Bangladesh office was unreachable for a comment, despite repeated attempts.
Earlier, the IFC for the first time had issued BDT-denominated “Bangla Bond” on the London Stock Exchange, worth Tk160 crore, to help expand operations and distribution of funds in Bangladesh.
The three-year bond, listed on the UK stock market, was placed with asset managers dedicated to emerging markets, with the deal arranged by Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
The proceeds from the bond were used to provide financing to Pran-RFL Group to boost their processing capacities and deepen the rural distribution reach.
IFC'S TAKA BOND
A boon or bane for the local bond market?
After successfully setting off Bangla Bond in London and various local business establishments, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group now wants to raise money from local bourses through Taka-denominated bonds, or "Taka Bonds."
The multilateral lender has already informed the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of its interest in issuing Taka-denominated bonds.
However, sources in the ministry said that their letter did not specify how much money would be withdrawn from the bonds, how much coupon rate would be given to investors to withdraw the money and at what interest the money would be reinvested.
Analysts, however, said that the Taka Bond may have a positive impact on the country's capital market, but before the country's weak bond market moves, they urged transparency and investor protection before bringing in foreign institutes in the local bond market.
On the other hand, those involved in the country's financial intuitions sector are already worried about the news.
They think the inclusion of this foreign investment company may shrink their business.
Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank's Dhaka office, suggested strengthening the weak bond market and protecting investors before giving foreign companies a chance to enter the bond market.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday, he said: “So far, our bond market has not been strong. In this situation, the issuance of bonds means the interest of a few big companies like the bonds of Bangladesh Bank.”
Due to this weak bond market, a general investor does not want to put his money in bonds. This is because the policies have been set in such a way that any investor who is suddenly in need of funds, cannot sell their bonds even if they wanted to. Their money remains in limbo, he explained.
"The government needs to ensure financial security of investors in these foreign institutions. Undoubtedly IFC is a good organization. But if you judge in that way, what is the need to take a guarantee from them?" the former World Bank lead economist asked.
"If they invest in the country (Bangladesh), it is for the benefit of the country. However, if you can make extra profit by investing abroad, it is the profit of the investors in the bond market. They will get more and more dividends," Hussain added.
Asked about the current bond market and the IFC's bond issuance process, Mohammad Rezaul Karim, spokesperson of Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) told Dhaka Tribune that the BSEC was trying to strengthen the country's bond market.
"However, we have not yet received any letter from the IFC regarding the release of the taka bond," he informed.
The company had earlier invested in the country by raising money through a Bangla bond in London. Now if they want to do it in the country, they have to get permission from the Finance Ministry and BSEC. Apart from this, if there is a matter of money transaction from abroad, it is also under the jurisdiction of Bangladesh Bank.
“Moreover, before taking permission to issue bonds, the IFC must inform them about how much money they want to withdraw from the bond market and what the coupon rate will be,” he added.
Nuzhat Anwar, senior country officer at the IFC Bangladesh office was unreachable for a comment, despite repeated attempts.
Earlier, the IFC for the first time had issued BDT-denominated “Bangla Bond” on the London Stock Exchange, worth Tk160 crore, to help expand operations and distribution of funds in Bangladesh.
The three-year bond, listed on the UK stock market, was placed with asset managers dedicated to emerging markets, with the deal arranged by Standard Chartered Bank and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
The proceeds from the bond were used to provide financing to Pran-RFL Group to boost their processing capacities and deepen the rural distribution reach.
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