Economy
Haor village in Moulvibazar now a hub for ridge gourd farming
The vast low-lying depressions in the northeastern part of Bangladesh, called haors in Bangla, remain inundated for almost half the year centring the monsoons.
Govt decision on power, gas connections to hurt investment
On March 21, the cabinet committee on economic affairs took the decision not to provide electricity and gas supply to new factories if they are set up in any other places except in government-designated economic zones or industrial enclaves.
Maiden PMI points to slower business expansion in April
The PMI is a number from 0 to 100, with a reading above 50 indicating expansion and a reading below 50 representing contraction.
PM asks state-run firms to go public
She also directed the secretary to the finance ministry to analyse and identify which of the companies were eligible to get listed.
Rural food inflation hit 15% in Dec: study
The national food inflation rate in the same month stood at 9.58 percent, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
Dollar price rises up to Tk 125 in kerb market
Bankers said the exchange rate was already hovering at around Tk 117 unofficially, meaning the impact of easing the restrictions was yet to come about in the forex market.
Will BB steps build up reserves? Not so soon
Bangladesh Bank’s steps to boost the country’s foreign currency reserves will not yield any positive results overnight.
bKash's profit surged in 2023
Mobile financial service provider bKash logged a massive 504 percent year-on-year rise in profit in 2023.
Exporters cheer weaker taka
Owing to a chaotic and volatile exchange rate, local exporters were desperate for the introduction of a floating exchange rate so they could draw more money and be more competitive.
Journey to be painful, but necessary
Mansur, a former economist at the International Monetary Fund, said interest rates would rise. This may slow the economy further, but it is necessary to overcome the challenges.
Market-driven interest rate returns after four years
The central bank took the decision as people have been struggling with the high level of prices for around two years.
‘Market-based interest rates will be painful for businesses’
CPD Distinguished Fellow Mustafizur Rahman says
Nearly 80% of households have no access to credit: report
Nearly 80 percent of households of plainland ethnic minority communities have no access to credit, be it formal or informal sources, as per a new study made public yesterday.
Three difficult choices to heal economy
Bangladesh yesterday made three major decisions to cushion the economy against critical risks such as stubborn inflation and depletion of foreign currency reserves.
More banking reforms, subsidy cuts prescribed
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) emphasised more reforms in the banking sector and tax collections and reducing subsidies to help the economy turn around.
Best Holdings sees 32% rise in profit
Best Holdings, which operates five-star hotel Le Méridien Dhaka, registered a 32 percent year-on-year growth in profit in the July-March period of the current fiscal year of 2023-24, attributing it to an increase in occupancy.
BSEC gets two new commissioners
The government yesterday appointed two commissioners at the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) for a four-year term while extending the tenure of an existing commissioner by another term.
Removing SMART system a significant step: economist
Zahid Hussain, a former lead economist of the World Bank’s Dhaka office, termed as the most significant step the abolition of the SMART system among the three changes brought yesterday by the central bank.
