Private investment sinks to five-year low

Private investment as a percentage of the gross domestic product has slumped to its lowest level in five years, stoking fears over waning business confidence and a slowdown in job creation.

A clear roadmap for economy is absent

Debapriya Bhattacharya, a distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), has raised questions over whether the interim government was ensuring transparency in formulating economic policies and holding dialogues with stakeholders for reforms.

BUDGET FOR FY26 / Tanners may get slight tariff relief on chemicals

The government is considering reducing customs duty on seven imported tanning chemicals in the upcoming national budget, offering slight relief to the country’s struggling tannery sector.

BSEC to punish 44 firms over shareholding rule violation

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) is going to take action against 44 listed companies whose sponsors and directors have failed to jointly retain the minimum 30 percent shareholding required by law.

Why every visionary business founder needs a great COO

Every company founder reaches a point where success invites complexity. The product is gaining traction. The team is expanding. Investors are excited. Vision feels limitless. But somewhere along the way, momentum begins to stall. Meetings multiply. Decisions get bottlenecked. Execution starts to fray.

Historic dollar fall needed to eliminate US trade deficit

If the United States is to significantly reduce or, whisper it, eliminate its trade deficit, the dollar will probably have to weaken a lot. How much is unclear, though, as history shows large dollar declines are rare and have unpredictable consequences for trade.

Regulations approved for first commodity exchange

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has approved rules and regulations necessary to run commodity exchange markets, paving the way for the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) to launch the country’s first such trading entity soon.

Starlink signing deals with local firms to expand footprint

Starlink is steadily consolidating its presence in Bangladesh through a series of partnership agreements with local companies, with deals spanning ground station development, colocation and data centre services, core site hosting, transmission, and international internet gateway (IIG) facilities.

Banks, MFS providers and PSOs told to employ AI to detect online gambling

According to the central bank directive, all PSPs must maintain continuous surveillance of both merchants and end-users to identify any involvement in online wagering.

Economy

Economy

The curious case of imposter at BB

Bangladesh Bank has recently discovered through a probe that the joint director of its Rajshahi office, who has been serving the central bank for 12 years under the name of Md Abdul Waresh Ansary, is actually an imposter.

5h ago

Trust Bank to issue Tk 800cr bond

Trust Bank PLC will issue a bond worth Tk 800 crore to bolster its capital base, the company said in a disclosure on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) website yesterday.

5h ago

Bangladesh youth unemployment rate to stay high

Youth unemployment in Bangladesh will continue to be high -- more than double the national unemployment rate -- with university graduates being the hardest hit, according to the World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) report released yesterday by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

6h ago

Dollar hits Tk 123 for first time in inter-bank trade

A majority of banks are now selling US dollars to importers at Tk 122.90 to Tk 123 while buying them from exporters and exchange houses at rates between Tk 122.50 and Tk 122.80

9h ago

Bangladeshi firms expect milder cost pressures from global tariffs: HSBC survey

Bangladeshi businesses have, thus far, experienced lower-than-average cost increases from tariffs and anticipate milder cost escalations in both the short and long term, according to HSBC’s 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey..The survey, which gathered insights from over 5,700 international fi

12h ago

“What’s changed since the fall of the dictator?" Debapriya asks

The CPD distinguished fellow also questions transparency in policy formulation

12h ago

Stocks fall for sixth day

The DSEX lost 62.72 points to close at 4,615.40

13h ago

Economy on recovery path as exports, remittance improve: MCCI

However, persistent regulatory lapses, extensive loan scams have hampered the pace of recovery

15h ago
Global Economy

Global Economy

Nissan plans $7 billion funding, including loan backed by UK government, Bloomberg News says

Nissan is also considering taking out a 1 billion pound ($1.35 billion) syndicated loan guaranteed by UK Export Finance, the report said.

17h ago

Asian stocks track Wall St rally as trade fears ease, eyes on Japan debt

Buying was also boosted by Trump's post on social media saying progress with Brussels was being made.

17h ago

Bangladesh all set to ship mango to China for first time

The first shipment will be sent tomorrow, and a second will follow if China is satisfied

1d ago

EU 'fully committed' to reaching US trade deal: commissioner

The contacts come after US President Donald Trump threatened Friday, but then postponed, to hit EU goods with a huge tariff, voicing frustration that talks with the EU were "going nowhere".

1d ago

Developing nations face 'tidal wave' of China debt: report

"Now, and for the rest of this decade, China will be more debt collector than banker to the developing world"

1d ago

Exporters of India’s northeast can use Ctg port

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud yesterday said exporters from India’s northeastern states can use the Chattogram port, but it would be better if they process their goods in Bangladesh and export those through the port.

2d ago

Ctg port gridlocked as NBR protests cause pile-up

Although the National Board of Revenue (NBR) resumed regular operations yesterday after nearly two weeks of protests and work abstentions, ship and container congestion has once again gripped the Chattogram Port, triggering concern among businesses over potential delays in cargo handling and increased logistics costs.

2d ago

Vietnamese airline to buy 20 Airbus A330s

Vietnamese airline Vietjet Air said Monday it will buy 20 widebody Airbus A330-900 planes, doubling its order from the aviation giant in a deal worth an estimated $8 billion.

2d ago
Organisation News

Organisation News

Bangladesh, Argentina eye deeper trade ties through joint ventures

There is immense potential in Bangladesh, and both Argentina and Bangladesh must actively explore avenues for joint ventures particularly in energy, agribusiness, medical technology, and the cotton trade, said Marcelo Carlos Cesa, ambassador of Argentina to Bangladesh..The ambassador made

9h ago

ICCB holds workshop on back-to-back LCs for bankers in Ctg

ICC Bangladesh recently conducted a daylong workshop titled “Export Operations, Back-to-Back L/C Mechanism and Challenges of Export Finance” in Chattogram..The event drew participation from 90 representatives across 28 banks, including officials from Bangladesh Bank, Karnaphuli Fertiliser

1d ago

ACI Motors sets record in Sonalika tractor delivery

ACI Motors Limited, a subsidiary of ACI Limited, has achieved a new milestone by delivering over 151 Sonalika tractors in a single day at the Sharsha Mini Stadium in Jashore, marking a significant event in the country’s agricultural sector..To commemorate the achievement, the company organ

1d ago

Mastercard launches Eid-ul-Azha campaign with rewards

Mastercard, the global digital card payment services provider, has unveiled a new promotional initiative titled the “Eid Electronics Campaign”..Under this campaign, Mastercard cardholders can avail themselves of an array of discounts and opportunities to win exclusive rewards across electr

2d ago

BNPS organises two-day workshop on localisation of women, peace, security agenda

Organised by Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha (BNPS) with support from the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP), the workshop brought together key stakeholders from across the country, said a BNPS press release today

3d ago

Air Astra honours top business partners

Astra Airways Limited, known as Air Astra -- a private airline in Bangladesh -- has recognised its top 20 business partners for their outstanding contributions to the airline..The event, titled “Business Partners Award- 2025”, was held at a hotel in the capital recently, according to a pre

3d ago

Aga Khan Academy Dhaka celebrates graduation of its first IB Diploma Programme cohort

The ceremony honoured 32 students who completed the rigorous two-year programme and embodied the academy’s core values of leadership, global citizenship and service to society

3d ago

Dabir-Sohani-Suraiya Foundation: DU students get scholarships

The Dabir-Sohani-Suraiya Foundation awarded scholarships to meritorious and financially challenged students of the Faculty of Business Studies at Dhaka University yesterday, at the Professor Dr Abdullah Farouk Multipurpose Hall

4d ago
Business Multimedia

Business Multimedia

How is Bangladesh being affected despite the US tariff suspension?

Watch today's episode of Star Explains to find out more

What's stopping the govt from breaking market syndicates?

Watch to find out more in today's episode of Star Explains with Ahsan

Which savings certificate offers the highest returns?

In recent years, treasury bills and bond interest rates have exceeded those of savings certificates

Food prices stubbornly high despite govt measures

When prices of widely consumed staples like potatoes, edible oil, sugar or onions spike and remain inflated for extended periods, it understandably hits the poor and low-income people where it hurts the most: in their wallet.

Remittance rises 21% in October

Migrant Bangladeshis sent home $2.39 billion in October

Uneven enforcement undermines our FDI aspirations

Concerns over legal unpredictability and uneven regulatory enforcement continue to cast a shadow over Bangladesh’s investment climate. In recent years, several senior executives of multinational firms have been drawn into criminal proceedings over alleged labour law violations -- cases many in the business community view as excessive and disproportionate.

1w ago

Weaker Donald Trump will struggle to keep promises

Donald Trump can still cut deals and issue orders. But the US president’s power has waned since he imposed sky-high tariffs in April, only to backtrack. In particular, the balance of power between the United States and China, which should be critical to his promise to “Make America Great Again”, has shifted in Beijing’s favour.

1w ago

Japanese FDI rising, still there’s room to attract more

Japanese investment in Bangladesh has grown steadily over the past decade. But with clearer policies, improved infrastructure and a more predictable regulatory environment, there is room to attract much more.

1w ago

Farmers are the main risk-takers in value chain

Shortfalls in supply are the primary cause of price increases of major essential commodities such as rice, potatoes, onions, and eggs, while farmers are the main risk-takers, a central bank study found.

1w ago

Only 5 of 28 locally developed tea varieties popular

Out of the 28 varieties of tea plants developed by state-run Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI), only five are widely cultivated in the country, based on their high yield, quality, and climate resilience.

1w ago

To appease US, NBR to offer zero-duty for 100 more goods

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is set to propose zero import duties on an additional 100 goods in the upcoming national budget, aiming to boost bilateral trade with the United States and cushion higher tariffs on Bangladeshi products entering the American market. 

1w ago

China cuts key rates to aid economy as trade war simmers

China cut benchmark lending rates for the first time since October on Tuesday, while major state banks lowered deposit rates as authorities work to ease monetary policy to help buffer the economy from the impact of the Sino-US trade war..The widely expected rate cuts are aimed at stimulati

1w ago

'Talks not fruitful'

NBR officials were left 'unhappy', saying the finance adviser was rigid about not repealing the ordinance.

1w ago

Kerosene, diesel to no longer cost the same

Kerosene and diesel will no longer cost the same, as per a new fuel pricing formula introduced by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division yesterday. ..As per the formula, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s (BPC) administrative costs and Eastern Refinery’s fuel processing costs hav

1w ago

EXIM Bank opens relocated branch in Madhabdi

Export Import Bank of Bangladesh PLC, known as EXIM Bank PLC, has recently inaugurated a relocated branch at Madhabdi Bazar in Madhabdi upazila of Narsingdi..M Akhter Hossain, managing director (current charge) of the bank, inaugurated the branch as the chief guest, according to a press re

1w ago