Md Asaduz Zaman

Reporter at The Daily Star, covering economics, planning and agriculture sectors in Bangladesh.

Debt servicing costs outweigh incoming loans

Bangladesh’s cost to service loans from multilateral and bilateral lenders surpassed the amount received from them during the first two months of fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, indicating that the country’s already fragile foreign exchange reserves may be stressed further.

3d ago

Revenue receipts drop 11% in July-Aug

The government’s revenue collection in the first two months of the current fiscal year has been 11 percent lower year-on-year, which the tax administration attributed to the recent political unrest and the interim government’s emphasis on doing away with inflated figures.

1w ago

Duty exemptions surged 20% in FY23

Duty exemptions provided by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) have been increasing over the years despite Bangladesh’s low tax-to-GDP ratio and the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recommendation to rationalise such expenses.

2w ago

Inflation eases in August but stays above 10%

Inflation eased in August but remained at over 10 percent, as higher prices of goods and services continued to strain the purchasing power of consumers.

3w ago

Real estate still a haven for black money

The scope for legalising undisclosed income without facing any questions remains as the tax administration has not scrapped the provision of whitening black money in case of the purchase of flats and land, raising criticism.

4w ago

Hike in airfreight puts vegetable and fruit exporters in trouble

Fresh vegetable and fruit exporters are apprehending a drop in sales of perishables following a hike in cargo freights, particularly by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, last month..Biman, the state carrier, hiked cargo fares in August anywhere from 56 percent to 150 percent depending on the rout

1m ago

Industrial output growth slows to four-year low

Industrial output in Bangladesh grew at its slowest pace since the Covid-19 pandemic, hitting 6.66 percent last fiscal year owing to declining exports, import restrictions and a slowdown in domestic demand due to persistent inflation.

1m ago

How life is like when prices go through the roof

Fatima Khatun, dressed in a washed-out kameez, came to Muslim Bazar in Mirpur 12 to shop with her four-year-old son on August 16.

1m ago
October 1, 2024
October 1, 2024

Debt servicing costs outweigh incoming loans

Bangladesh’s cost to service loans from multilateral and bilateral lenders surpassed the amount received from them during the first two months of fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, indicating that the country’s already fragile foreign exchange reserves may be stressed further.

September 24, 2024
September 24, 2024

Revenue receipts drop 11% in July-Aug

The government’s revenue collection in the first two months of the current fiscal year has been 11 percent lower year-on-year, which the tax administration attributed to the recent political unrest and the interim government’s emphasis on doing away with inflated figures.

September 19, 2024
September 19, 2024

Duty exemptions surged 20% in FY23

Duty exemptions provided by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) have been increasing over the years despite Bangladesh’s low tax-to-GDP ratio and the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recommendation to rationalise such expenses.

September 9, 2024
September 9, 2024

Inflation eases in August but stays above 10%

Inflation eased in August but remained at over 10 percent, as higher prices of goods and services continued to strain the purchasing power of consumers.

September 5, 2024
September 5, 2024

Real estate still a haven for black money

The scope for legalising undisclosed income without facing any questions remains as the tax administration has not scrapped the provision of whitening black money in case of the purchase of flats and land, raising criticism.

September 2, 2024
September 2, 2024

Hike in airfreight puts vegetable and fruit exporters in trouble

Fresh vegetable and fruit exporters are apprehending a drop in sales of perishables following a hike in cargo freights, particularly by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, last month..Biman, the state carrier, hiked cargo fares in August anywhere from 56 percent to 150 percent depending on the rout

September 1, 2024
September 1, 2024

Industrial output growth slows to four-year low

Industrial output in Bangladesh grew at its slowest pace since the Covid-19 pandemic, hitting 6.66 percent last fiscal year owing to declining exports, import restrictions and a slowdown in domestic demand due to persistent inflation.

August 31, 2024
August 31, 2024

Is govt action enough to curb inflation?

Persistent inflationary pressure, particularly in terms of food inflation, has been taking a toll on low- and fixed-income people in Bangladesh, forcing them to spend most of their income on nutrition.

August 31, 2024
August 31, 2024

How life is like when prices go through the roof

Fatima Khatun, dressed in a washed-out kameez, came to Muslim Bazar in Mirpur 12 to shop with her four-year-old son on August 16.

August 28, 2024
August 28, 2024

Workers bear the brunt of politically motivated attacks on businesses

Vandalism and arson attacks on factories since earlier this month have created deep concerns among entrepreneurs and plunged thousands of employees who work in these firms into uncertainty.