Capital
Markets
Lawyer
Expert capital markets legal advisory in Bangladesh — IPO structuring, BSEC compliance, DSE & CSE listings, bond issuance, sukuk, rights issues, and cross-border securities transactions. Barrister Meheruba Mahbub — Legal 500 ranked, triple qualified.
Bangladesh's Capital Markets Are Growing Fast.
Bangladesh's capital markets are undergoing a structural transformation. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) together list over 700 companies with a combined market capitalisation exceeding $50 billion. The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has introduced sweeping reforms — from mandatory corporate governance codes to new alternative investment fund regulations — creating both opportunity and complexity for issuers, investors, and intermediaries.
Barrister Meheruba Mahbub brings a rare combination of qualifications to capital markets work in Bangladesh: a Barrister at Law from Lincoln's Inn, a Solicitor of England and Wales admitted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 7266913), and an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. This triple qualification enables her to advise on cross-border securities transactions, dual listings, and international capital raisings with a depth of regulatory understanding that few practitioners in Bangladesh can match.
As a Legal 500 ranked lawyer and Name Partner at TRW Law Firm — Bangladesh's largest international law firm — Barrister Meheruba has advised on transactions spanning the DSE, the London markets, UAE exchanges, and the Saudi Exchange (Nomu), bringing genuinely international capital markets expertise to Bangladeshi clients.
Book a ConsultationCapital Markets Legal Services
Comprehensive capital markets advisory from initial structuring through to ongoing regulatory compliance and enforcement matters.
Governing Laws & Regulations
Bangladesh's capital markets are governed by a comprehensive legal framework administered by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).
Bangladesh's Two Exchanges
Capital markets in Bangladesh operate through two regulated exchanges, both supervised by BSEC.
A Market at an Inflection Point
Bangladesh's capital markets are at a pivotal moment. Regulatory reforms under BSEC, a growing middle class with increasing investment appetite, and the government's push to deepen the bond market are creating significant opportunities for issuers and investors alike.
The DSE's SME board has opened the market to smaller companies, while BSEC's Alternative Investment Fund framework is enabling the growth of private equity and venture capital. The government's ambition to develop a deep sukuk market — aligned with Bangladesh's large Muslim population — is creating new avenues for Islamic capital markets transactions.
For foreign investors, Bangladesh's capital markets offer high-growth exposure to one of Asia's fastest-growing economies, with a young population of 170 million and a GDP growth rate consistently above 6%. Barrister Meheruba advises both domestic issuers and international investors navigating this dynamic market.
Discuss Your TransactionDhaka Stock Exchange
Bangladesh's primary exchange — 600+ listed companies, Main Board, SME Board, and Alternative Trading Board (ATB). Established 1954, demutualised 2013.
Chittagong Stock Exchange
Bangladesh's second exchange — 300+ listed securities, based in Chittagong. Established 1995, fully electronic trading platform.
Bangladesh Securities & Exchange Commission
Primary regulator — approves IPOs, regulates listed companies, oversees market intermediaries, and enforces securities laws under the BSEC Act 1993.
Central Depository Bangladesh Ltd
Central securities depository — maintains electronic records of securities ownership for all listed securities in Bangladesh.
Capital Markets Transactions
Barrister Meheruba advises on the full spectrum of capital markets transactions in Bangladesh and cross-border.
The Bangladesh IPO Process
A typical IPO in Bangladesh takes 12 to 18 months from initial preparation to listing. Here is how Barrister Meheruba guides clients through each stage.
Selected Transactions
A selection of capital markets and securities transactions handled by Barrister Meheruba and TRW Law Firm.
Triple Qualified. Internationally Recognised.
Capital markets transactions in Bangladesh increasingly require lawyers who can bridge local regulatory requirements with international standards. Barrister Meheruba Mahbub is uniquely positioned to do this — holding qualifications as a Barrister at Law (Lincoln's Inn), a Solicitor of England and Wales (SRA No. 7266913), and an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
As a Legal 500 ranked lawyer and Name Partner at TRW Law Firm — Bangladesh's largest international law firm with 220+ lawyers across 8 global offices — she brings the resources of a full-service firm to every capital markets mandate, whether a domestic DSE listing or a cross-border Regulation S offering.
Her international network, built through events including the APAC General Counsel Summit hosted by The Economist in Singapore (as the first VIP guests from Bangladesh) and GITEX Global in Dubai, gives her clients access to the global legal and financial community.
Common Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about capital markets law in Bangladesh.
Ask a QuestionA capital markets lawyer in Bangladesh advises on IPO structuring and BSEC approval, DSE and CSE listing requirements, bond and sukuk issuance, rights issues, private placements, and ongoing securities law compliance. They also handle regulatory filings with BSEC, corporate governance compliance for listed companies, and enforcement matters.
A typical IPO in Bangladesh takes 12 to 18 months from initial preparation to listing on the DSE or CSE. The process involves pre-IPO restructuring (months 1–4), BSEC application and approval (months 4–8), public subscription (months 8–10), allotment (months 10–12), and exchange listing (months 12–18). An experienced capital markets lawyer can significantly streamline this process.
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) is the primary regulator of capital markets in Bangladesh. It approves IPOs and other public offerings, regulates listed companies' disclosure obligations, oversees market intermediaries (brokers, dealers, issue managers), enforces insider trading and market manipulation rules, and registers Alternative Investment Funds. All capital markets transactions in Bangladesh require BSEC approval or notification.
Yes, foreign companies can list on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) subject to BSEC approval and compliance with the Securities and Exchange Ordinance 1969, BSEC listing regulations, and Bangladesh Bank foreign exchange requirements. TRW has advised on cross-border listings including a UAE IPO with listing on the Nomu Parallel Market of the Saudi Exchange — demonstrating the firm's capability in international capital markets transactions.
A sukuk is an Islamic financial certificate that complies with Sharia law, structured as an ownership stake in an asset rather than a conventional interest-bearing bond. Bangladesh has a growing sukuk market regulated by BSEC under the Debt Securities Rules 2021. Given Bangladesh's large Muslim population and the government's commitment to Islamic finance, the sukuk market is expected to grow significantly. Barrister Meheruba advises on sukuk structuring, BSEC approval, and Sharia compliance for both domestic and cross-border sukuk issuances.
Ready to Access Bangladesh's Capital Markets?
Whether you are planning an IPO, issuing bonds, structuring a sukuk, or navigating BSEC compliance, Barrister Meheruba Mahbub provides the legal expertise to get your transaction done.