Poor timing for port fee hike
The decision to sharply increase tariffs at Chittagong port, Bangladesh's primary gateway for external trade, could hardly have come at a worse time. Amid an economic downturn, falling export demand and the looming threat of a 35 per cent additional duty on Bangladeshi goods entering the United Statesm, this sweeping...
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In quest for quality statistics
Despite various efforts and initiatives, the quality of the country's national statistics remains a matter of grave concern and controversy. It is disheartening to note that a significant portion of the statistics provided by the national statistical agency, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), in particular, lacks adequate trustworthiness. Several...
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Unplanned urbanisation: Will lessons be learned?
Urban planners on Friday called for gradual relocation of all the crowd-gathering structures, including the Milestone School campus, from the flying approach zone (FAZ) of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Otherwise, as they warned, similar mishaps like the Milestone tragedy might occur again.According to Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), the...
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First line of defence against Dengue
Dengue has become a recurring terror in Bangladesh, especially during the monsoon season. The year 2025 is no exception, with daily reports of children being hospitalised or even dying from the mosquito-borne disease. This raises an urgent question: how prepared are we to fight dengue, and how proactive are families...
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Empowering SMEs for economic growth
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of Bangladesh's economy, contributing nearly 25 per cent to the GDP and employing over 7.8 million people. These enterprises play a crucial role in promoting inclusive economic growth, generating employment, encouraging entrepreneurship, and reducing regional disparities. However, despite their importance, SMEs in...
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