Budget should be realistic, focus on employment

In an interview, Sayema Haque Bidisha, a professor at the economics department and also a former pro-vice-chancellor of Dhaka University,
17 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Widen tax net, cut leakages to ease fiscal pressure

Ahead of the fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27) national budget, the government faces mounting fiscal pressure amid high inflation and low investment at a time when the global geopolitical situation remains volatile, said Prof Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
17 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Budget should prioritise resilience over expansion

Bangladesh’s next national budget should focus on strengthening economic resilience rather than increasing spending, said Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank’s Dhaka office.
17 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Improve climate planning to access more global funds

Climate budgeting in Bangladesh must become more knowledge-based and technically stronger to help the country access global climate financing more effectively, said Sharmind Neelormi, professor in the Department of Economics at Jahangirnagar University.
17 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Urgent reforms vital for a trillion-dollar economy

The government’s ambition to build a trillion-dollar economy by 2034 will remain out of reach without urgent reforms in banking, taxation, and business costs, as the country’s current economic structure is too weak to sustain the level of growth required, a leading economist said.
17 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Reforms tied to $1.7b WB loans: Govt mulls changing bank merger clause

Eight projects have been identified for repurposing, and officials expect funds by June once respective ministries complete technical procedures and send proposals to the WB
17 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Bangladesh offers cost edge for Chinese firms: Bangladesh China Club VP

Bangladesh offers a competitive cost structure that enables Chinese firms to maintain global price dominance while relocating production, said Mohammad A Hafiz, vice president of the Bangladesh China Club Limited.
16 May 2026, 19:44 PM

Bangladesh targets top-20 position in global telecom services: PM’s telecom adviser

Bangladesh plans to position itself among the world’s top 20 countries in telecom and technology services within the next five years through a holistic digital economy strategy focused on connectivity, affordable access, startup growth, electronics manufacturing and skilled human resources.
16 May 2026, 19:19 PM

Printing money claim 'baseless', says PM's Adviser Titumir

The economic and planning adviser to the prime minister attends a pre-budget shadow parliament
16 May 2026, 18:10 PM

Inflation cuts deep into consumer spending: DCCI’s economic index

The leading chamber launched Economic Position Index (EPI)
16 May 2026, 17:09 PM

5 key developments of the economy last week

The following is a recap of those major stories as covered by Star Business
16 May 2026, 17:01 PM

Commerce minister seeks Chinese investment in green tech

Chinese investment, technology transfer, and innovation-driven collaboration are crucial to transforming Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector into a more sustainable, eco-friendly, and technology-oriented industry, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said yesterday.
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Sustainable financing hit Tk 8,375cr in Q4 2025

Sustainable financing in Bangladesh reached Tk 8,375 crore during the October-December quarter of 2025, accounting for 35.87 percent of total disbursed loans, reflecting growing momentum in the country’s sustainable finance sector, experts said.
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Govt raises Tk 42,400cr thru sukuk so far

The government has raised Tk 42,400 crore through sukuk, a shariah-compliant investment instrument akin to bonds, since its launch in December 2020.
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM

When AI becomes HR

In Bangladesh, we have a beautiful management tradition. When an employee is stressed, we first advise him to “take pressure positively.”
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Local cashew industry under pressure from cheaper imports

Investors, processors and farmers in the country’s cashew sector are under growing pressure as cheaper imported cashew nuts continue to undercut locally processed products.
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Govt seeks to end ‘June syndrome’ in project execution - Titumir says

The government wants to end hasty spending on development projects in June every year, which Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, finance and planning adviser to the prime minister, termed the “June syndrome”.
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Nigeria’s Jiji acquires Bikroy.com

Jiji, a Nigerian classifieds marketplace, has acquired Bikroy.com, expanding into Bangladesh’s digital commerce sector just over a year after entering the local market.
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM

PPP solar plant planned in economic zone

Bangladesh has moved to build its first public-private partnership (PPP)-based solar power project in a special economic zone, as the government seeks to ease pressure from costly fuel imports and attract private investment into renewable energy.
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Govt plans tax relief for middle class

The government is planning to ease the tax burden on lower- and middle-income taxpayers in the 2026-27 budget by gradually raising the tax-free income limit and introducing multi-year tax declarations to provide greater certainty for individuals.
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM