Sohel Parvez

Sohel Parvez is the Business Editor of The Daily Star.

Value for taxpayers’ money: Why it matters

If you visit the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), you will find it difficult to make your way through the crowded corridors between the wards. Patients lie on narrow, makeshift beds along both sides, while doctors, hospital staff, visitors, and treatment seekers shuffle through the chaos.

2w ago

Bangladesh continues to perform poorly in budget transparency

Bangladesh has continued to showcase a weak performance in the open budget rankings among its South Asian peers, reflecting a lack of transparency and accountability in the formulation and implementation of fiscal measures.

3w ago

Banks see sluggish deposit growth as high inflation weighs on savers

Banks have registered sluggish growth in deposits throughout the current fiscal year as elevated inflation and an economic slowdown have squeezed the scope for many to save, even though the interest rate has risen.

3w ago

From subsistence to commercial farming

From the north-western bordering district Panchagarh to the southern coastal district Patuakhali, farmers grow multiple crops to sell at markets

4w ago

Customs flags hurdles at 3rd terminal of Dhaka airport

Customs House Dhaka said it has found more than a dozen issues related to infrastructure, security, and operational readiness of the new terminal

1m ago

FDI slipped to five-year low in 2024

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh plunged to a five-year low in 2024, according to provisional figures released by Bangladesh Bank, raising concerns over investor confidence amid growing economic headwinds and policy uncertainties.

1m ago

Govt to rationalise tariffs on around 350 items

In the past two years, the NBR brought down tariffs on 60 items within the bound tariff rates based on the panel's suggestion.

1m ago

US loses cotton market share in Bangladesh

The United States is losing its market share in cotton exports to Bangladesh amid concerns about logistics and the lengthy shipment duration for American cotton, according to a recent report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

1m ago
March 28, 2025
March 28, 2025

NBR flags tax anomalies of former CSE president, his relatives

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has detected tax anomalies amounting to over Tk 58 crore involving five individuals and their companies, including a former president of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE).

March 27, 2025
March 27, 2025

Soybean output, imports rise amid growing feed demand

Bangladesh’s soybean production and imports are increasing steadily as demand from the poultry, livestock, and aquaculture sectors continues to grow alongside rising domestic consumption, according to the latest report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

March 26, 2025
March 26, 2025

Local soybean production, imports rise amid growing feed demand: USDA

Acreage and production are expected to continue increasing in MY26, with Bangladesh likely to produce 1.60 lakh tonnes of soybeans next year, according to the report released last week.

March 23, 2025
March 23, 2025

Toiletries market brims with opportunities

Bangladesh’s toiletries market is growing and there is a significant potential for further expansion as incomes rise alongside increasing awareness and lifestyle changes.

March 21, 2025
March 21, 2025

With four months left, tax target remains elusive

The tax target for the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has become more daunting against the backdrop of slowing collection as the economy continues to grapple with worsening consumer purchasing power due to stubbornly high inflation and declining private and public investment.

March 9, 2025
March 9, 2025

Bangladesh needs one lakh flats annually

Bangladesh requires around 100,000 new apartments every year. Despite having the capacity to meet this demand, realtors can only supply 8 percent of the required units, leaving a substantial gap.

March 4, 2025
March 4, 2025

Maize continues to win farmers’ hearts

Maize, a little-known crop three decades ago, continues its triumph over wheat, paddy and other crops due to its higher yield and profitability.

March 2, 2025
March 2, 2025

Corruption still unbridled for businesses

Although the interim government is focusing on reforms and new measures, corruption remains a major concern for businesses. Instead of waning, demands for undue payments by public officials have increased in some cases, said a top industrialist.

February 28, 2025
February 28, 2025

Islamic bank deposits fall again on fragile confidence

Depositors continued to move their funds out of full-fledged Islamic banks in the October-December period last year, a sign that many savers have yet to regain confidence in the Shariah-compliant banks due to alleged irregularities.

February 18, 2025
February 18, 2025

Imports rebound on rising exports, remittances

This growth was largely supported by a 30 percent year-on-year surge in imports in December 2024.