'We are in the midst of all sorts of challenges,' says the finance adviser
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The interim government expects that mobile operators will reduce prices of mobile internet services soon as there were a series of wholesale-level price drops across different layers of the internet value chain in Bangladesh, said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the chief adviser’s special assistant with executive authority over the ICT and telecom sectors.
Says Uber official in an interview with The Daily Star
The government has increased the monthly salary for outsourced manpower of state-owned and state-run organisations after around six years by Tk 570 to Tk 1,102 in several cities and categories.
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.
Just five days after issuing a gazette notification imposing export fees on raw jute and jute products, the government has withdrawn the order to review the decision, following strong concerns from industry stakeholders over what they described as an excessive hike.
With the central bank halting direct financing by printing new notes, the government also has no option but to turn to commercial banks to meet its fiscal needs.
Held meeting with officials of foreign companies, introduced dedicated emergency contact line
In addition, 40 percent of the surveyed companies reported facing problems while adjusting their tax refunds.
The private lender said its profit grew 18 percent year-on-year to Tk 279.59 crore in 2024
