World’s largest investment bankers keen to invest in Bangladesh

Buoyed by the economic success of Bangladesh, the world’s largest investment bankers are looking for investing in Bangladesh as a potentially lucrative investment destination, international investment banking sources said.

The ‘Big 4’ in investment banking J P Morgan, Price Water and Cooper (PcW), Deutsche Bank and Suisse Bank are keenly looking at the investment opportunities, here and also a few others, including an Italian bank.

Of the ‘Big 4’ PcW’s audit wing has been operating here for long and JP Morgan’s security wing has entered the capital market, for quite some time.

The investment wing of both the organisations is planning to start operating, here, soon. PcW has already upgraded its establishment by setting up a liaison office, while the others are operating through agents.

On an average, there is at least one investment proposal from Bangladesh, every month, going to the investment banks. If they find conditions satisfying they will respond positively, perhaps by opening a liaison office or going ahead with their investment projects.

According to G4 sources, most of the proposals relate to infrastructure and banking where there are huge possibilities.

Bangladesh bankers are upbeat about the interest by the world’s largest invest companies but would prefer European banks because of their better compliance with the Basel agreement, a senior Bangladeshi banker told BSS.

They are also hopeful that major financial areas like acquisition and mergers could greatly benefit from the global expertise in the short-run. But other areas, like management, technology and capital could be largely benefit from their involvement.

The creation of bond market, finding strategic partners for the bourses, securitizing of assts could give depth to our financial market as a senior banker put it.

Source : BSS