Construction of Chinese economic zone makes no progress in 8 years
Construction of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram has not started despite eight years having passed since the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) first took the initiative to build the enclave in a bid to attract foreign investment.
8 July 2024, 18:00 PM
PM’s visit to China: Dhaka to seek $20b fresh loans from Beijing
Bangladesh will seek fresh loans amounting to $20 billion during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to China, which Beijing hopes would be a “game changer” in the bilateral relationship.
3 July 2024, 18:00 PM
A bright spot: Govt project costs Tk 100cr less than estimate
There is a common allegation that the actual implementation costs of government projects inevitably exceed the estimated costs due to a number of reasons, including time extensions and unnecessary expenditures.
3 July 2024, 18:00 PM
Dhaka looks to Beijing for fresh loans
Talks on Chinese loan proposals will be at the fore during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to Beijing.
30 June 2024, 18:00 PM
Phasing out tax holiday in EZs a violation of deals
Implementation of the budgetary proposal to phase out a tax holiday for investors and developers of private economic zones (EZs) will be a violation of agreements signed over developing the zones, according to the Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh.
26 June 2024, 18:00 PM
Two Indian SEZs saw no visible progress in over two years. Here’s why
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the need for initiating operations fast at two special economic zones (SEZs) meant for Indian companies on meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina in Delhi on June 22.
24 June 2024, 18:00 PM
What’s in the budget to boost private investment?
The government’s target in the proposed budget for 2024-25 on increasing private sector investment is ambitious and will be difficult to achieve, said businesspeople and experts citing high bank interest rates and a shortage of US dollars.
23 June 2024, 18:00 PM
Refrigerator sales decline despite Eid
Sales of refrigerators and chest freezers declined by 13 percent ahead of Eid-ul-Azha as consumers contended with persistent inflationary pressures as well as an increase in the prices of the home appliances, according to industry players.
22 June 2024, 18:00 PM
A project for coffee and cashew nuts
Seeing the huge potential in agriculture, the government is implementing a Tk 211.84 crore project in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region to introduce modern technologies and enhance research initiatives with a view to promoting coffee and cashew nut cultivation.
21 June 2024, 18:00 PM
From Bare To Bountiful
“You are being transferred to the Chittagong Hill Tracts.”
21 June 2024, 18:00 PM
Bida identifies 814 vulnerable factories in 2nd phase
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) has identified 814 more factories as risky under a countrywide initiative as the government looks to prevent avoidable fire incidents and other disasters.
21 June 2024, 00:00 AM
Full-scale rawhide trade yet to start
Full-scale rawhide procurement across the country has yet to begin due to rainfall and subsequent delays in animal sacrifices.
19 June 2024, 18:00 PM
State enterprises’ loan rising, so is govt guarantee
The government needs to provide guarantees against an increasing amount of loans of state-owned enterprises every fiscal year, especially for power generation, fertiliser and fuel imports, and aircraft purchases.
16 June 2024, 00:25 AM
Blow for private economic zones, hi-tech parks as tax benefits go
Currently, investors in the EZs and hi-tech parks qualify for a tax break for a decade starting from the first year of their operations. They are entitled to a full tax waiver in the first three years.
11 June 2024, 00:16 AM
Solutions not offered
The proposed budget for 2024-25 lacks creativity and offers no solutions to the many complex challenges facing the country’s economy, economists have said.
6 June 2024, 18:00 PM
Only 10% of planned economic zones get off the ground in a decade
Only 10 economic zones (EZs) have become operational since the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) rolled out its massive industrialisation plan in 2015, raising questions about whether its goal of setting up 100 enclaves will be materialised on time.
30 May 2024, 00:30 AM
EVs, locally assembled cars steal the show
Locally assembled cars and the range of electric vehicles (EVs) offered by Mercedes-Benz were the main attraction during the 17th Dhaka Motor Show at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center on Friday.
25 May 2024, 18:06 PM
Challenges abound for aspiring entrepreneurs
Ashit Chowdhury, managing director of AAPON, a manufacturer of shataranji and various jute home decor products, applied for a loan of Tk 30 lakh from a private commercial bank.
24 May 2024, 18:00 PM
SMEs come together in a show of strength
Imagine walking into a shop and finding products that are identical to those at branded outlets but are being sold for only a fraction of the price levied by the well-known companies.
24 May 2024, 18:00 PM
Four steelmakers control 53% of the market: study
Although there are around 40 steelmakers in Bangladesh, just four based in Chattogram are currently catering to 53 percent of the total demand, according to market studies and industry insiders.
19 May 2024, 18:06 PM