Japanese garment retailers and brands want the continuation of duty-free market access to Bangladesh after the latter’s graduation from least developed country (LDC) status in 2026, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori said yesterday.

Banks are holding an increased amount of foreign exchange, bolstered by falling imports and higher export proceeds, said bankers.

Businesses in Bangladesh will face challenges in managing the impacts of higher inflation and exchange rate in 2024 as well while the cost of production and operation may increase amid the rising bank interest, several business and corporate leaders warn

The government has approved proposals to set up four solar power plants to generate 420 megawatts (MW) of electricity for 20 years.

As many people tighten their belts to manage daily expenses amid high inflation, books have become the ultimate luxury

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has tightened rules regarding import of capital machinery at a reduced rate in its bid to plug the loopholes which enable tax evasion.

Remember a Bangladeshi aircraft crash in Nepal and the Rana Plaza collapse? In both incidents, the authorities had to respond to the society communicating on their behalf. The aircraft company, as observed, seemed reactive, but the apparel exporters, seen in the media, were quite proactive.

Abu Dhabi (AD) Ports Group has offered to invest $1 billion to construct a multipurpose terminal, one of four under Bay Terminal, in a joint venture with Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), said CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail yesterday.

Sikder Insurance Company Limited has invested most of its assets in the capital market, parking funds in a single stock of scandal-ridden National Bank Ltd (NBL), in a corporate wrongdoing influenced by family ties.

Earnings from garment export from Bangladesh increased by 4.35 percent in the January-November period to $42.83 billion, mainly to non-traditional markets, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

LankaBangla Finance PLC, a non-bank financial institution, got approval from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission for the issuance of its zero-coupon bond to raise Tk 200 crore.

Abu Dhabi (AD) Ports Group has offered to invest $1 billion to construct a multipurpose terminal, one of four under Bay Terminal, in a joint venture with Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), said CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail today.

The Bangladesh Bank has asked Islami Bank Bangladesh to explain why it is buying US dollars from foreign exchange houses at a rate that is higher than the fixed price.

Bangladesh and India on July 11 rolled out the cross-border trade settlement in the rupee to cut the dependence on the US dollar, but transaction figures illustrate a dearth of interest in carrying out businesses in the Indian currency.

Some international clothing retailers and brands have already agreed to pay more to their respective suppliers to absorb an increase in wages, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said yesterday.

Most South Asian countries succeeded in reining inflation in 2023 in a major relief for their populations who struggled after prices spiralled owing to the shocks stemming from the lingering impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war

Three important measures, including implementation of the financial act, and exchange rate and interest rate reforms, are needed to restore balance to the economy within one or two years although there may be growing pains, a noted economist said yesterday.

National Bank, the country’s first private sector bank with a prosperous past, became a losing concern due to massive loan irregularities, lack of good governance and conflict among directors.

For the second year in a row, the Chattogram seaport may face a drop in annual container throughput due to frequent declines in monthly container handling.

Three important measures, including implementation of the financial act, and exchange rate and interest rate reforms, are needed to restore balance to the economy within one or two years although there may be growing pains, a noted economist said yesterday.