Briefing 2024-02-02
Friday, 2 February 2024
GPH Ispat on path of recovery from
Q2 as raw materials get cheaper
GPH Ispat returned to profit in the second quarter through December 2023 from losses in the same quarter a year before, supported by higher sales coupled with falling raw materials prices in the global market. The steel maker also reaped the benefit of an increase in product prices and a reduction in selling & distribution expenses. Page 9
Cut rate, expand tax net: Salman F Rahman
The tax rate should be reduced and the tax net should be expanded instead, Prime Minister's adviser Salman F Rahman said, urging businesspeople to cooperate with the revenue regulator to expand the tax net further. Page 20
EU unlocks $55b package for Ukraine
European Union leaders approved a $55 billion support package for Ukraine on Thursday that the bloc's President Charles Michel described as "steadfast, long-term, predictable funding" for the country. "We have a deal," Michel wrote on X. The agreement follows months of delays caused by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had blocked the package. Page 17