Over the years, the government has significantly eased customs duties to facilitate local industries but a lot of challenges still exist, said Zaved Akhtar, chief executive officer and managing director of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd.

The price of mild steel (MS) rod may soon cross Tk 1 lakh per tonne as production costs have risen due to a recent hike in fuel and energy prices amid the ongoing US dollar crisis, according to industry people.

Life has become exceedingly difficult for craftsmen that make different bamboo products used in agriculture and fishing as production costs have soared in recent years.