Textile and garment manufacturers and exporters yesterday demanded the government allow keeping factories open during the coming lockdown to help them offset the losses caused by the pandemic.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal yesterday indicated that the government may consider reducing corporate tax rates for listed firms in the upcoming budget.

Chattogram-based Denim Expert’s managing director, Mostafiz Uddin, has been sending an open letter to some leaders in Europe, the UK and the US since February 26 urging reopening clothing stores to ensure sustainable supply chains in garment business.

The repayment period for loans from the stimulus package aimed at cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) should be extended by two years as those firms have been severely impacted by the pandemic, according to speakers at a virtual discussion.

Fishermen and fish traders have found themselves in hot water as the ongoing nationwide pandemic restrictions have hampered sales ahead of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla calendar.

Stocks of 66 listed companies, for whom the floor price was recently lifted, will be allowed to fall a maximum of 2 per cent a day instead of the usual 10 per cent.

Bangladesh Finance and Investment Company Ltd (BD Finance) has signed a deal with US-based Sovereign Infrastructure Group (SIG) to attract $2 billion worth of investment in infrastructure projects in the next two years.

Garment factory owners and union leaders are at loggerheads over the imminent tough lockdown the government is set to impose across the country to curb the rising cases of coronavirus infections.

People can open bank accounts from anywhere as an increasing number of lenders have made digital options available, helping customers avail financial services without visiting branches during the coronavirus pandemic.

The government is developing the country’s first industrial park for electrical and light engineering product manufacturers at a cost of Tk 300 crore in Munshiganj, which could herald a beginning to bring the highly scattered and unorganised industries under a single platform.

Aiming to revive its tourism industry and get ahead of rival destinations, Malta plans to offer foreign visitors a handout of up to 200 euros ($238.10) each if they stay at least three days on the Mediterranean island this summer.

Stocks were mixed last week as several policy decisions impacted investor confidence amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Bank Asia has recently witnessed the appointment of a new director.

Telenor Group and Axiata Group Berhad are in advanced discussions about a potential merger of their Malaysian mobile operations Digi and Celcom, Telenor said yesterday.

Bangladesh needs to negotiate with the European Union (EU) over the trade threshold for enjoying the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus once it graduates from the least developed country category, said a noted economist on Wednesday.

After paying rent, buying daily necessities and providing educational expenses for the children, most of the salary of an average professional is gone.

The nor’wester and accompanying heat wave that swept over the country on Sunday massively damaged Boro paddy in both plain and haor areas of at least seven districts in northeast and southern divisions, dampening hope for increased production of rice and decline in prices to ease pressure on low income people’s budget.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) yesterday said its field offices would remain open to receive monthly VAT returns from businesses during the days of restrictions imposed by the government to slow the spread of coronavirus infections.

Solar home systems (SHS) saved Bangladesh $1,852 million while providing clean energy for the past 15 years since 2003, says a World Bank survey.

Despite a bumper yield of watermelon in Barishal division, the top producer of the popular summer fruit, farmers and traders fear massive losses because of the new containment measures aimed at curbing the rise in coronavirus infections.