Md Asaduz Zaman

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

Hunt for OMS food grows desperate

In the bustling area of Mirpur-10 in the capital, over 300 people gathered early Monday morning, hoping to buy subsidised essentialsthat serve as a lifeline for low-income families.

1d ago

Pran now making flour, semolina

Pran-RFL Group, one of the country’s leading conglomerates with diversified interests, including in food processing, has started producing both whole wheat and refined flour alongside semolina. 

1w ago

Stocks jump as NBR cuts capital gains tax

Stocks soared yesterday as investors cheered the substantial cut in capital gains tax by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to encourage big local and foreign investors.

2w ago

The hidden cost of healthcare

Private facilities spring up around public hospitals as govt services fall short

2w ago

Interim govt to strengthen universal pension scheme

The interim government plans to strengthen the universal pension scheme (UPS) with the aim of bringing people from all walks of life under a sustainable social security framework.

3w ago

ADP spending in first quarter lowest in 15 years

Amid cautious spending by the interim government and disruptions due to political turmoil, the implementation rate of the annual development programme (ADP) in the current fiscal year’s first quarter hit the lowest in at least 15 years.

3w ago

Revenue receipts fall 6% in Jul-Sep

Revenue collection in the first quarter of the current fiscal year showed a 6 percent year-on-year decline, raising concerns that the interim government’s fiscal space may be squeezed further amid the contractionary monetary policy.

1m ago

Half of banks’ CSR spending went to disaster management

Of their total corporate social responsibility (CSR) expenditure, banks spent 45 percent on disaster management violating rules in the first half of 2024, with bankers saying it mainly went to various funds maintained by the Prime Minister’s Office before the political changeover on August 5.

1m ago
July 2, 2024
July 2, 2024

NBR abandons plans to cut tax for AC, fridge and bike makers

The tax administration backtracked from its decision to levy a 5 percent tax on incomes generated by manufacturers of motorcycles, air conditioners and refrigerators until 2032, raising it to the previous rate of 10 percent.

July 1, 2024
July 1, 2024

VAT exemptions dropped 17% in 2022

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) exempted various goods and services from value-added tax (VAT) payments to the tune of Tk 129,570 crore in 2022 to give some relief to citizens and facilitate industrialisation, thereby accelerating economic growth.

June 29, 2024
June 29, 2024

Highest income tax rate stays unchanged at 25%

The government has moved away from its decision to raise the highest income tax rate to 30 percent and end tax holidays for investors in economic zones and hi-tech parks.

June 28, 2024
June 28, 2024

No ray of hope for migrant workers in budget

The government has neglected to outline adequate initiatives in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year to support migrant workers, meaning the country may miss out on opportunities to raise remittance earnings on the back of a higher number of Bangladeshis going abroad.

June 28, 2024
June 28, 2024

NBR receipts up 15% in 11 months

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) logged a year-on-year tax collection growth of nearly 15 percent in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year. 

June 27, 2024
June 27, 2024

Budget Infocus: Direct spending on poverty reduction shrinks

The share of the total allocation for spending directly on poverty reduction has come down for the upcoming fiscal year despite persistently higher inflation, deepening the uncertainties of the poor.

June 26, 2024
June 26, 2024

Amnesty to black money may continue despite criticism

Despite widespread condemnation from economists, watchdogs, businesspeople and even multiple lawmakers, the government is expected to retain the amnesty allowing individuals and businesses to whiten black money without scrutiny by paying a 15 percent tax in the upcoming fiscal year.

June 25, 2024
June 25, 2024

What’s missing for young people in the budget?

Bangladesh’s high youth unemployment rate necessitates specific remedial steps, including ways for employment generation and adoption of prerequisite education and training, which the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2024-25 did not include, according to analysts.

June 23, 2024
June 23, 2024

NBR sets new rules for firms seeking customs privilege

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has revised rules, including raising the capital requirements, for businesses to be listed as authorised economic operators (AEO), a status an increasing number of firms are expressing interest in.

June 13, 2024
June 13, 2024

­­­­­­­Return filing a must for hotels, restaurants and clinics

Nearly five lakh additional establishments are expected to come under the tax net as the government is going to make proof of submission of return (PSR) mandatory for hotels, restaurants, clinics, and diagnostic centres.