American retailers and brands want more workers' rights in Bangladesh

The BGMEA urged the AAFA, which represents over 1,000 globally renowned brands, retailers, and manufacturers, and the FLA to promote responsible purchasing practices that benefit both buyers and suppliers. 
22 January 2025, 03:40 AM

NBR plans to install nearly 20,000 EFDs in jewellery shops

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) plans to install nearly 20,000 electronic fiscal devices (EFDs) in jewellery shops across the country to boost revenue collection from the sector.
20 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Forex market in disarray

Bangladesh Bank has officially given the green light for banks to trade foreign currency at freely negotiated rates, but there’s a catch. An unofficially imposed mechanism has upset the foreign exchange market, undermining the intent of liberalisation.
19 January 2025, 18:00 PM

BSTI to develop LED lamp standards

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) is planning to formulate “Minimum Energy Performance Standards” (MEPS) for light-emitting diode (LED) lamps to promote energy efficiency and reduce electricity consumption. 
18 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Can IMF prescriptions salvage our economy?

There seems to be much confusion among the citizenry regarding how our economy is being managed, and challenges are addressed.
18 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Chinese firms bullish on manmade fibre exports to Bangladesh

Non-cotton garments are particularly lucrative, fetching higher prices than traditional cottonwear for having better flexibility, durability
18 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Smuggled consignments meet half of local spice demand

The abundance of foreign spices and dry fruits in the market suggests that illegal imports are playing a significant role, as imports through formal channels are substantially lower than the demand in Bangladesh.
18 January 2025, 18:00 PM

‘Most difficult time in 34 years’

Consumer confidence in Bangladesh is at a low level, while investor confidence is negative both domestically and internationally, said a former president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) yesterday.
18 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Motorcycle sales hit six-year low

Interestingly, the premium motorcycle segment bucked the trend, showing significant growth in 2024.
18 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Bangladesh sees window of opportunity in Trump’s trade war

US President-elect Donald Trump’s trade policies towards China and Mexico could ultimately benefit Bangladesh, according to local apparel exporters.
18 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Polythene ban: A litmus test for will and eco-innovation

Although Bangladesh became the first country in the world to announce a complete ban on the use of polythene bags in 2002, strict enforcement of the much-lauded initiative has only started taking shape recently.
17 January 2025, 18:00 PM

NBR to reduce VAT on restaurants

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is set to revise the value-added tax (VAT) on restaurants, reducing it from the standard rate of 15 percent.
15 January 2025, 18:00 PM

US top remittance source in Nov, Dhaka top recipient

The biggest source of all the remittance received by Bangladesh last November was the US, according to the latest report of Bangladesh Bank (BB)..Moreover, Dhaka secured the lion’s share of the foreign currencies..Bangladeshi migrants sent home $2,199.99 million in November. Of it, $
13 January 2025, 18:37 PM

Rising interest rates deter new investment, expansion plans

Rising rates are creating headwinds for at least 40 listed conglomerates
12 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Large loan restructuring: lessons learned from Hallmark

Classified loans in Bangladesh have exceeded Tk 284,000 crore. Various agencies are even talking of Tk 4 lakh to Tk 7 lakh crores of stressed assets in the banking sector, which tends to be 25-45 percent of the total loans.
11 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Financial inclusion evolves with focus on rural Bangladesh

Financial inclusion in Bangladesh is evolving, as evidenced by the increasing penetration of agent banking, mobile financial service (MFS), and no-frills accounts (NFAs), alongside a strong commitment to rural outreach, according to
11 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Consensus reached for BGMEA polls in April

The administrator and two panels of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have reached a consensus to hold the election of the garment exporters’ platform in April this year.
11 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Trade deficit narrows in Jul-Nov

Bangladesh’s trade deficit in the first five months of the current fiscal year was 20 percent, or $1.97 billion, lower than in the same period of the previous fiscal year.
11 January 2025, 18:00 PM

VAT, tax hikes: Short-sighted state policies to hurt people

The recent decisions of the interim government—tax hikes and the suspension of the TCB truck sale programme—clearly reflect the short-sightedness and inconsistency in state policies.
11 January 2025, 18:00 PM

Local airlines worried over excise duty hike

The government’s recent decision to increase excise duty on domestic and international air tickets will have a serious negative impact on the aviation market, especially domestic passenger growth, said top officials of the country’s air operators.
11 January 2025, 18:00 PM