Economy

Economy

Govt to amend NBR ordinance

In the face of turmoil amid continued protest by employees, the government yesterday backtracked from its position and stated it would bring “required amendments” to the new ordinance that split the National Board of Revenue.

15h ago

Govt plans 31% hike in food subsidy in FY26 budget

The government plans to raise the food subsidy allocation by 31 percent to Tk 9,500 crore in the upcoming fiscal year, aiming to ensure access to affordable food for poor and low-income households.

15h ago

Govt to allow rawhide exports despite tanners’ objections

Although tanners have voiced opposition, the government will allow rawhide exports during the Eid-ul-Azha season with the aim of fostering demand and ensuring better prices for traders at the field level, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said yesterday.

15h ago

External debt doubles in seven years

Bangladesh’s external debt soared to $103 billion by the end of December 2024, doubling from $51 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2016–17, as the sharp increase in borrowing coincided with a rapid expansion of the economy.

15h ago

Toy industry: From import reliance to export growth

In the heart of Dhaka, amid vibrant toy displays and the hum of industry conversations at InterContinental Dhaka, sector people were talking about a quiet revolution — one that could redefine Bangladesh’s export landscape and lessen its long-standing reliance on imported toys.

15h ago

BPO summit to begin on June 21

A two-day BPO Summit Bangladesh 2025 is set to begin for the sixth time on June 21 at Senaprangan in the capital, bringing together firms in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

15h ago

Mastering what doesn’t exist

There is a special breed of professionals in every Bangladeshi office, those who seem to know everything from quantum physics to kebab recipes. They speak with such confidence that even Google starts to doubt itself. But here is the twist: a new study by Stav Atir, Emily Rosenzweig, and David Dunning reveals that the more of an expert you are, the more likely you are to claim knowledge of things that don’t actually exist. Welcome to the glamorous world of overclaiming with “I know it all syndrome” or as we like to call it in Dhaka boardrooms, “Bhai, I already have the idea!” 

15h ago

Gold prices hit two-week high

Gold prices rose to a two-week peak on Thursday as investors leaned toward the safe-haven asset, driven by concerns over the US government’s growing debt and soft demand for 20-year Treasury bonds, a sign of low appetite for US assets.

15h ago

China holds off on new stimulus, shows composure in US trade war

China has advanced this year’s stimulus plans but is holding off on fresh measures as it tries to maintain composure, betting on Washington blinking first in a protracted trade war.

3w ago

FDI scenario in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has struggled for decades to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Occasionally, promising prospects emerged, only to fade away for various reasons. For a country with no significant mineral resources and a large population of unskilled and semi-skilled workers facing high unemployment, FDI is vital.

3w ago

Beximco Pharma seeks more time to publish Q3 financials

Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd informed the London Stock Exchange yesterday that it has requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) for more time to submit and publish its financial statements for the period from July 2024 to March 2025.

3w ago

Bangladesh, Pakistan RMG exporters keen to boost trade

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral trade between the two countries.

3w ago

Small machinery tailored for farmers can boost output: experts

Small agricultural machines tailored for Bangladesh’s smallholder farmers could drive a new wave of cost-efficient productivity and rural prosperity, experts said at a seminar yesterday.

3w ago

BB urges Fitch to reconsider outlook on Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank (BB) yesterday urged global credit rating agency Fitch to reconsider its outlook on Bangladesh, reasoning that the country’s economy, especially the external sector, was recovering.

3w ago

Small machinery tailored for farmers can boost output: experts

Small agricultural machines tailored for Bangladesh’s smallholder farmers could drive a new wave of cost-efficient productivity and rural prosperity, experts said at a seminar yesterday.

3w ago

BTRC to ask Banglalink to pay at least Tk 70cr in tower sale fees

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to issue a final directive to Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd, asking the mobile operator to deposit 5.5 percent of the total value of its tower sales, along with all applicable VAT and late fees, to Summit Towers Limited within ten working days.

3w ago

Walton plans Tk 114cr lithium battery factory

Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC, a leading electrical and electronic appliance manufacturer, has announced plans to establish a facility to manufacture lithium-ion cells at a cost of nearly Tk 114 crore.

3w ago

Banks face higher risks without swift climate action: BB

Banks could face financial risks unless immediate climate action is taken, said the Bangladesh Bank (BB) in its first climate stress testing report published yesterday.

3w ago