Sukanta Halder

Bangladesh's delicious mangoes: untapped economic potential, requiring a national strategy

Sales of cattle, as reflected in the number of animals sacrificed during this Eid-ul-Azha, declined this year amid an economic slowdown and political uncertainty in the country, said dairy producers and stakeholders yesterday.

Rawhide prices during Eid-ul-Azha have once again dropped below government-set rates across the country, frustrating traders and raising concerns about the effectiveness of recent policy steps, including the temporary lifting of the export ban on raw and wet blue leather.

Prices of most spices have dropped in Dhaka’s kitchen markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, giving some relief to consumers, but rising vegetable prices are putting extra pressure on fixed middle-income people.

The government has proposed a 3.55 percent rise in the budget allocation for agriculture, food, livestock and fisheries in the next fiscal year, setting aside Tk 39,620 crore.

The government has introduced stricter regulations on the import of gold bars and ornaments under newly updated baggage rules while offering some leniency in other areas.

The government has proposed a 3.55 percent rise in the budget allocation for agriculture, food, livestock and fisheries in the next fiscal year, setting aside Tk 39,620 crore..But agro-economists say the increase is far from sufficient to ensure the country’s long-term food security..<p

Hotels, motels and resorts at popular tourist destinations across the country are almost fully booked during the ten-day Eid-ul-Azha holidays, which begin in the first week of June.

The liquidity crisis in the sector worsened significantly in 2024, with only 57 percent of insurance claims being settled,

The interim government is likely to impose a 10 percent supplementary duty on over-the-top (OTT) platform services in the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 — a move that is expected to raise consumer costs and increase spending on paid streaming services.

Bangladesh’s agriculture sector recorded its weakest growth in over a decade this fiscal year, prompting fresh concerns about food security, rural incomes and overall economic recovery.

About 69 percent of low-income people view the value-added tax (VAT) on essential items as excessive, according to a survey, with most seeing it as a significant financial burden.

In a move to develop an effective public transport system in the country’s major cities, the interim government may reduce customs duties on the import of public buses.

In order to feed a growing population with ever-diminishing farmland, the country’s agriculture has undergone a notable transformation since independence, buoyed by high-yielding varieties, chemical fertilisers, and pesticides.

Fareast Islami Life Insurance Company Limited is selling its vehicles and slashing its workforce in a desperate effort to cut costs and counter a deepening financial crisis.

Out of the 28 varieties of tea plants developed by state-run Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI), only five are widely cultivated in the country, based on their high yield, quality, and climate resilience.

The authorities are drafting amendments to the Competition Commission Act, enacted in 2012, to establish clearer criteria for identifying dominant market players across various sectors, according to officials.

Although inflation has remained at elevated levels for over two years, the sale and distribution of essential food items by public agencies showed a year-on-year drop until May of fiscal year 2024-25, raising fears that many vulnerable people in the country could be left contending with food insecurity.

Bangladeshi farmers are receiving higher prices for freshly harvested Boro paddy this season compared to the year prior, thanks to increased demand driving up market rates.

Once considered high-priced, cold brew coffee and espresso-based drinks have become a defining feature of urban life in Bangladesh, blending community, creativity and culture in every cup.