Bangladesh's journey to vaccine self-sufficiency

For decades, the robust immunisation programs of Bangladesh, a cornerstone of its public health success, were entirely dependent on imported vaccines. During the pandemic, this dependency often placed the nation in a vulnerable position, leading to supply shortages and subsequently...

BB's strict LC rules hinder import of foodstuffs

A good number of imported food items, including the nutritious ones for babies and elderly people, are gradually disappearing from the market due to Bangladesh Bank's stringent rules on opening Letters of Credit (L/Cs).Importers said they find themselves in a...

Fire burns down CEPZ factory

CHATTOGRAM, Oct 16: A fierce fire burnt down a multi-storey apparel-factory building in the Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) Thursday, barely two days after a tragic garment blaze in Dhaka. The fire erupted at around 2:20pm from the top floor...

Bangladesh struggles to lure foreign visitors despite natural wonders

Bangladesh's natural diversity, from the world's longest sea beach to the largest mangrove forest, offers all the makings of a thriving tourism economy. Yet, the country remains far from realising its potential as a global travel destination. Industry insiders say...

Beyond observance of the World Standards Day

Observance of the World Standards Day or International Standards Day on October 14 in this country has become routine but its confinement to the official circle and some private agencies has little helped create the mass awareness and spread the...

Two shipping lines row back amid CPA’s tough stance

Two major shipping lines which announced Port Cost Recovery (PCR) Surcharge and Emergency Cost Recovery Surcharge to and from Chittagong have backtracked on realising those following the port authority's tough stand, officials say.They announced the surcharges to adjust the rise...

Bangladesh economy: a case of incipient stagflation?

To state the obvious, an economy at any point of time has three states of being in terms of its gross domestic product (GDP): moving forward, regressing backward and standing still. As is well known, the first is designated as...

'Political will must to make South Asian cooperation a success'

Financial Express (FE): You have been a firm believer in regional cooperation in South Asia for a long time. Despite the growing geopolitical tension and rivalry in the region, do you still think that there is a possibility of enhancing...

Maintenance delays may aggravate road condition

The condition of the country's road network is likely to get worse this year due to multiple complications over starting the periodical and regular maintenance (PRM) works amid unusual rains and delays in contractor selection.Officials say the Roads and Highways...

DMTCL to invite fresh tenders

The Dhaka metro rail company has decided to invite fresh tenders for the universal ticketing service (UTS) at all stations by cancelling the previous one.It says the decision has been made to avoid complications that arose over receiving applications by...

Connectivity row threatens its smooth launch

A prolonged row over mobile network installation at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's (HSIA) new Terminal 3 has dragged into its 21st week, sparking concern that passengers may face poor or no mobile connectivity when the state-of-the-art terminal becomes fully operational...

Dithering clouds solar power future

Bangladesh's solar ambitions seem losing steam as 17 recently proposed solar-power plants, each offering the reduced tariffs ever, have been left waiting for approval while some previously contracted ones lie in limbo. Sources say the "bureaucratic dithering" is frustrating sponsors,...

Chevron Bangladesh: Advancing SDGs through community empowerment

Chevron Bangladesh has long demonstrated a commitment to sustainable development, aligning its community engagement efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through strategic partnerships and targeted social investment initiatives, the company has made significant contributions in improving health,...

Falling yields give fresh bout of energy to T-bond secondary market

Trading in Treasury bonds in the secondary market has surged by 64 per cent year-on-year to Tk 537 million in the July-September quarter, against the backdrop of declining yields of the debt securities.Bond prices are inversely related to interest rates,...

Protesting teachers and some pertinent questions

At a time when students' final exams are just two months away, classes in non-government secondary educational institutions across the country are being badly hampered as thousands of MPO-listed teachers of these intuitions are protesting in Dhaka demanding a hike...

Foreign investors flee Bangladesh stocks amid political turbulence

Foreign investors have retreated from Bangladesh's equity market once again amid persistent economic challenges and fears of political friction during the electoral transition.Economic reform measures taken by the interim government after the political changeover had given rise to optimism about...

5-year bond yield dips below policy rate

The yield on five-year treasury bonds fell below the central bank's policy rate on Tuesday, as banks channelled surplus liquidity into government securities amid subdued private sector credit demand in the run-up to the national election.According to auction results, the...

Bending NTBs must to unlock BD-EU trade bonanza

On a note of readiness to expand trade and investment with Bangladesh, the European Union (EU) has listed out 60 types of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) as major hindrances and sought remedies. The 27-nation economic bloc has outlined such barriers under...

Empowering rural women beyond donor dependency

Every year, International Rural Women's Day reminds us of the indispensable role rural women play in ensuring food security, sustaining families, and driving the local economy. Yet, behind this celebration lies an uncomfortable truth: many of the initiatives that have...

Bangladesh at the Crossroads

Bangladesh finds itself at a watershed moment in its economic life today. Previously regarded with disdain, as a frontier economy beset by inherent problems, Bangladesh has registered tangible gains in its efforts to eliminate obstacles that had discouragingly deterred investment...

Fully paperless customs in Bangladesh by 2028

Bangladesh is advancing towards a fully paperless customs system by 2028 with the move to expand the digital window for the clearance of imports.Recently, the Chief Adviser's Office instructed the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to include 18 more public...

BIWTA cuts components after tenure ends

After the end of the project's tenure, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has decided to cut the procurement of some dredgers, a key component of the scheme, as execution drags on for seven years, insiders said on Saturday.Since...

A baby formula that can heal acute malnutrition

International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), which first started as Cholera Research Laboratory (CRL) in 1960 in Dhaka to study the microbiology of cholera, earned international fame by innovating Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) in mid-1960s.The findings of the...

How Bangladesh's Nano SMEs can conquer global markets

Trade and competition are fundamentally linked, with exports serving as an important component of the gross domestic product (GDP) and a key driver of global economic integration. Export competitiveness refers to a country's ability to produce goods and services that...

Bangladesh Bank at crossroads

Bangladesh today stands at a monetary and financial crossroads. The country is grappling with persistent inflation, exchange rate volatility, dwindling reserves, and external debt obligations that feel heavy in a fragile global economy. At the centre of these challenges is...

Trade bodies protest Ctg port tariff hike effective from October 15

CHATTOGRAM, Oct 12: After a one-month deferral, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is set to implement a tariff hike on port services from 15 October, marking the first increase in nearly four decades. The move has drawn strong opposition from...

NPC assessing govt's ability to hike public servants' pay

The National Pay Commission (NPC) is now assessing the government's fiscal ability before it recommends pay hikes for the government employees, which is scheduled for December 2025.The move came as the government's fiscal space had shrunk due mainly to its...

Films on Hasina family swallow half of ICT project budget

A government project that set out to train young Bangladeshis to build mobile apps and video games has ended up spending nearly half its budget making animated films about ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family.The flagship "Mobile Game...

Abdul Monem Group seeks 12-year loan rescheduling, policy supports

Debt-burdened Abdul Monem Group, a local business conglomerate, has sought a set of policy supports including a 12-year loan rescheduling facility with a two-year grace period from the government, aiming to restructure its overall business and restore financial stability, sources...

Child marriage and sexual violence against girls

Much as the nation strives to bring an end to child marriage, the unlawful matrimony continues in this country. The consequences of such premature marriage for underage girls with adult youths or men are devastating. It is the brides who...