Briefing 01-07-2022

MPS targets growth of capital market

The central bank focuses growth of the capital market to ensure a much-needed transition in long-term financing away from the banking system. Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Fazle Kabir spoke of the shift while rolling out Thursday a new monetary policy for the 2022-23 fiscal. Releasing the monetary policy statement (MPS) that aims to curb inflation without hampering the country's economic growth, he said investors now can transact government securities such as treasury bills and bonds through their BO accounts. Page 9

Thousands rubber-stamp Taliban rule

Thousands of Afghan religious scholars and tribal elders gathered in the capital Thursday for a men-only meeting the Taliban hope will rubber-stamp their hardline Islamic rule. Officials have provided scant details of the "jirga"-a traditional gathering of influential people that settles differences by consensus-and the media is also barred from attending. Page 17

IMF tells Lanka to tackle graft, raise taxes

Sri Lanka should stamp out corruption and substantially raise taxes to rescue its economy, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday after bailout talks with the bankrupt island nation. Representatives from the global lender of last resort have just concluded a 10-day visit to the capital Colombo to map out a resolution to the South Asian country's unprecedented economic crisis. Page 18

Taskin, Mehidy added to Tigers’ T20 squad

Bangladesh on Thursday called up fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan for the three-match Twenty20 international series against the West Indies in Dominica from tomorrow (Saturday). Taskin picked up eight wickets in three matches against South Africa in April until he aggravated an old shoulder injury. Page 15