Briefing 2023-08-20

Brokers not incentivised enough to help retail investors buy debt securities
It is not retail investors' lack of appetite, rather brokerage firms' lack of interest that has kept bond trading limited to institutional investors and high net-worth individuals. Brokers do not feel encouraged enough to cater to the demand of small investors for bonds. In case of Treasury bonds, they can charge their clients at 0.10 per cent of the transacted volume per transaction. Page 9
Sweden win another bronze in Women’s WC
It has been a history-making, game-changing Women's World Cup for Australia, but the Matildas' participation in the tournament ended in a 2-0 defeat to Sweden in the third-place playoff on Saturday. Still, this match marked new frontiers for women's soccer in Australia following a World Cup which has seen soccer mania grip the nation as the Matildas achieved its best ever result in the tournament. Page 13
Iran's FM meets Saudi de facto ruler
Iran's foreign minister (FM) met Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler on Friday during his first visit since the Middle East rivals announced a surprise rapprochement, officials said. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who travelled to Riyadh on Thursday, held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, the Saudi foreign ministry announced. Page 14
BTRC may waive audit claims from Banglalink
The telecom regulator is considering waiving a part of audit claims amounting to Tk 8.23 billion from Banglalink, the third largest operator in the country, in response to its request. The operator had formally applied to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to waive over Tk 4 billion in late fees and interests, according to both BTRC and Banglalink. Page 16