It’s unrealistic, unattainable
The proposed budget for 2023-24 is unrealistic and unattainable as the challenges that caused the economic growth to decelerate, foreign exchange reserves to dip and inflation to surge in the past one year still persist, said economists and think-tanks.
1d ago
FY24 budget is unjust, illogical, if not immoral: Debapriya
“If a person is not liable for tax, how can you really tax the person? This is a desperate attempt to increase direct taxes,” he added.
1d ago
Budget unrealistic, unattainable: CPD
In the context of ongoing crisis and problems, the macroeconomic projections announced in the budget are illusional and unattainable, the Centre for Policy Dialogue said in its instant budget reaction.
1d ago
Mobile handset prices to go up
The prices of mobile phones are set to increase in the upcoming fiscal as the government proposed raising value-added tax (VAT) on local production of handsets.
1d ago
Govt raises allocation for ICT Division by 23%
The allocation for the ICT Division may increase by Tk 452 crore to Tk 2,368 crore in the proposed budget for 2023-24 fiscal year.
1d ago
Allocation to science and technology ministry declines by 22%
The budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Science and Technology may decline by Tk 3,007 crore or 22 per cent to Tk 13,607 crore in the proposed budget for 2023-24 fiscal year.
1d ago
Mobile makers in battle for survival
"Mobile sales have dropped drastically due to the economic downturn for people. Handset sales dropped by over 40 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023"
4d ago
Mobile subscribers grow in April
Mobile subscriber numbers witnessed a slight growth in April, as two of the top operators made gains while the other two lost customers.
1w ago
Unfounded radiation fears stymie mobile network expansion: experts
Scientifically unfounded apprehensions of health risks from radio waves of phone masts have turned into a major impediment to the delivery of better services from telecom and tower service providers.
1w ago
Regulator to cap mobile data prices
The telecom regulator is set to introduce fixed maximum tariff rates for mobile data packages with the aim of ensuring simple and affordable connectivity services for consumers.
1w ago
Private investment falls for second time in 3 years
The private investment-to-GDP ratio in Bangladesh declined in the current fiscal year owing to a lower confidence among investors amid the persisting dollar crisis and global uncertainty, higher inflation and a fall in demand for goods in international markets.
1w ago
BASIS calls for long-term policy support
Players in the ICT industry of Bangladesh have urged the government to adopt long-term policies, which include extending income tax exemption for the sector by six years and incentivising exports of IT-enabled services (ITES).
2w ago
Tax rebates needed for recovery of e-commerce: e-CAB
Different tax rebates are needed to help e-commerce companies in Bangladesh regain their growth trajectory after facing a significant downturn for the past two years, according to industry people.
2w ago
Coworking spaces helping small firms save big
When Mohammad Oli Ahad founded Intelligent Machines back in 2018, finding a coworking space called Moar was a big relief as it helped save on numerous office expenses.
2w ago
Number of internet users rises in March
The number of internet subscribers rose in March as mobile network operators and broadband service providers both bagged new customers due to increased usage of different digital services other than social media.
3w ago
IT export to Japan surges
Local software and other information technology-enabled services (ITES) exports to Japan have witnessed a surge in recent times as Bangladeshi companies have established a foothold in the East Asian country.
3w ago
Foreign funding for startups in Bangladesh still low
Startups in Bangladesh raised about $35.58 million in the first three months of 2023, according to LightCastle Partners, a Dhaka-based research and business consulting firm.
4w ago
Growth in monthly wages still below inflation
Monthly wage growth for workers in Bangladesh has remained below the inflation rate for 15 months consecutively, suggesting that many people are having to reduce consumption to cope with increased financial stress.
4w ago
Growth in monthly wages still below inflation
Monthly wage growth for workers in Bangladesh has remained below the inflation rate for 15 months consecutively, suggesting that many people are having to reduce consumption to cope with increased financial stress.
4w ago
Mobile subscriber numbers grow for 3rd straight month
Mobile subscriber numbers witnessed a solid growth in March, thanks to a strong performance by all but state-owned operator Teletalk.
4w ago
Facebook ads thru Httpool halted for businesses
Httpool, Meta’s sales partner in Bangladesh, has suspended services after it failed to repatriate funds following curbs on dollar outflows, in what can be viewed as a crushing blow to local businesses.
People with 85.52 lakh SIMs left Dhaka in 4 days
People with a total of 85.52 lakh mobile connections left Dhaka in four days until April 21, as holidaymakers travelled to their homes to celebrate Eid.
Landline use down drastically
The number of public switched telephone network (PSTN) users has decreased over the past decade, falling below half a million as mobile phones have become ubiquitous while landline operators failed to expand network coverage.
Eid shopping hits full steam
It was 11.45 pm on Tuesday. Shopping malls and markets usually remain shut at this hour of the day. But, the bustling shopping district for clothing and lifestyle items in the Mirpur-1 area was abuzz with shoppers.
Gender gap in mobile money use still wide in Bangladesh
The gender gap in mobile money account ownership is 55 per cent in Bangladesh as mobile ownership among men is growing at a faster pace than among women, according to a global report.
4G smartphone production down 61% in Q1
Production of 4G smartphones has plummeted by over 61 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, as import costs have increased for the taka’s depreciation against the dollar.
BTRC asks for spending details from telcos, ISPs
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has directed mobile network operators and internet service providers (ISPs) in the country to provide information on their spending for digital advertisements on different social media platforms last year.
Online courier business rebounds on Eid optimism
A spike in orders during the ongoing Eid shopping season has brought back a bright smile to online courier service providers, a development that is a sigh of relief for the industry that witnessed a downturn in growth over the past one and a half years.
A trailblazer for women in business
A pioneering businesswoman, a champion of women’s entrepreneurship, a mentor and guide -- Rokia Afzal Rahman’s exit from the world has left a trail of bereft loved ones, friends, relatives and admirers.
Inflation jumps to 7-month high in March
Inflation in Bangladesh jumped to a seven-month high of 9.33 per cent in March as food prices rose and the adjustment of oil, gas, and electricity prices took hold, highlighting the pains low-income households are going through.
Business process outsourcing industry growing steadily
Bangladesh’s business process outsourcing industry is growing steadily, creating jobs and bringing in foreign currencies, but the growth has failed to live up to expectations due to a lack of human resources and language skills among graduates.
Internet subscriptions rebound after six months
The number of internet subscribers in Bangladesh saw its first rebound after six months in February this year thanks to a jump in mobile internet users.
Telcos’ payment service set to spark debate
Mobile network operators have launched a service that would allow subscribers to make payments to secure some government certificates using their mobile balances, a move that may generate a debate about its legality.
‘Dearth of communication skills hinders IT sector growth’
The lack of basic communication skills -- speaking clearly, understanding the needs of their customers and writing properly -- among fresh graduates is a major drawback for local industries, especially for the information technology (IT) sector in Bangladesh.
Fashion brands expect huge Eid sales as Covid fear goes away
Though Eid is still a month away, shopping centring the festival has already begun as consumers are flocking to fashion outlets to buy lifestyle items.
Mobile subscriber numbers up in Feb
The number of mobile subscribers in Bangladesh continued to grow for a second month in February on earlier falling for several months, with all but Teletalk displaying a solid performance.
‘Smart Bangladesh needs proper policy’
Bangladesh has set its target to go beyond becoming a digitalised nation and so it needs to ensure proper policy framework to realise its “Smart Bangladesh” vision, said Vivek Sood, joint acting group chief executive officer of Axiata Group
Local firms show manufacturing capabilities
From locally manufactured televisions and printed circuit boards to jeans made out of jute, a diverse range of products are being displayed by Bangladeshi companies at Bangladesh Business Summit 2023 to attract foreign clients.
E-commerce buoyant riding on women entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs are playing a vital role in keeping Bangladesh’s digital commerce segment buoyant using their skills and resilience, giving a much-needed fillip to a sector reeling under crisis because of plummeting sales, scams and unprecedented inflation.
Banglalink tops the chart in customer acquisition
The mobile subscriber base in Bangladesh saw a slight growth in January this year compared to that a month earlier, with Banglalink continuing to showcase a strong performance in expanding coverage.
Robi Axiata to keep supporting local startups
Robi Axiata Ltd is keen to remain a catalyst for local startups through its digital entrepreneurship programme, r-ventures, as the second-largest operator is optimistic about Bangladeshi talents to solve real-life problems, its chief executive officer said.
BASIS expo stood out for new tech, youths’ optimism
Some youths were experiencing immersive and interactive environments of augmented and virtual reality with headsets, some were amazed to see a simulation that a robot can rescue the people trapped in a collapsed building, while others were competing with each other in virtual tournaments.
Bangladesh's IT export surges despite global economic crisis
The higher earnings were driven by the shipment of computer data-processing and hosting services, which cover most business process outsourcing and IT-enabled services
Smartphone shipment shrinks
The smartphone market in Bangladesh witnessed a double-digit decline for the first time in seven years in 2022 while the feature phone market grew slightly at the same time, according to the latest Market Monitor report by Counterpoint Research.
IT firms going all out to attract clients
Local software and IT-enabled service companies will display their technological advancement and look to attract local and global clients at the BASIS SoftExpo 2023 as Bangladesh plans to raise IT exports to $5 billion by 2025 and become a smart nation in two decades.
Foodpanda lays off employees
Foodpanda Bangladesh and its affiliates have laid off dozens of employees recently amid a significant fall in food delivery orders since customers are tightening their belts owing to higher inflation and deepening economic woes.
Banglalink gains most customers in 2022
Top mobile operator Grameenphone lost a huge chunk of its subscriber base in 2022 due to mainly a six-month-long SIM sales ban while Banglalink emerged as the winner of the year with a big gain in customer numbers.
MFS transaction rises over 18% in December
Transactions through mobile financial services (MFS) rose 18.53 per cent year-on-year to Tk 96,132 crore in December thanks to a rise in merchant payments, cash-in and person-to-person transfers.
May 21, 2023
Private investment falls for second time in 3 years
The private investment-to-GDP ratio in Bangladesh declined in the current fiscal year owing to a lower confidence among investors amid the persisting dollar crisis and global uncertainty, higher inflation and a fall in demand for goods in international markets.
May 18, 2023
BASIS calls for long-term policy support
Players in the ICT industry of Bangladesh have urged the government to adopt long-term policies, which include extending income tax exemption for the sector by six years and incentivising exports of IT-enabled services (ITES).
May 15, 2023
Tax rebates needed for recovery of e-commerce: e-CAB
Different tax rebates are needed to help e-commerce companies in Bangladesh regain their growth trajectory after facing a significant downturn for the past two years, according to industry people.
May 14, 2023
Coworking spaces helping small firms save big
When Mohammad Oli Ahad founded Intelligent Machines back in 2018, finding a coworking space called Moar was a big relief as it helped save on numerous office expenses.
May 9, 2023
Number of internet users rises in March
The number of internet subscribers rose in March as mobile network operators and broadband service providers both bagged new customers due to increased usage of different digital services other than social media.
May 8, 2023
IT export to Japan surges
Local software and other information technology-enabled services (ITES) exports to Japan have witnessed a surge in recent times as Bangladeshi companies have established a foothold in the East Asian country.
May 5, 2023
Foreign funding for startups in Bangladesh still low
Startups in Bangladesh raised about $35.58 million in the first three months of 2023, according to LightCastle Partners, a Dhaka-based research and business consulting firm.
May 5, 2023
Growth in monthly wages still below inflation
Monthly wage growth for workers in Bangladesh has remained below the inflation rate for 15 months consecutively, suggesting that many people are having to reduce consumption to cope with increased financial stress.
May 4, 2023
Growth in monthly wages still below inflation
Monthly wage growth for workers in Bangladesh has remained below the inflation rate for 15 months consecutively, suggesting that many people are having to reduce consumption to cope with increased financial stress.
May 4, 2023
Mobile subscriber numbers grow for 3rd straight month
Mobile subscriber numbers witnessed a solid growth in March, thanks to a strong performance by all but state-owned operator Teletalk.
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