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MetLife recognised as industry leader on Fortune World's Most Admired Companies 2026 list

2026-02-20 00:00:00

MetLife has been included in the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies™ list for the seventh consecutive year, ranking No. 1 in the Insurance: Life and Health industry for 2026.The recognition reflects MetLife's strong reputation, consistent performance and longstanding leadership in...

Bangladesh LDC Graduation Watch holds a discussion

2026-02-20 00:00:00

Bangladesh LDC Graduation Watch holds a discussion on 'Bilateral free trade agreement and the pros and cons for Bangladesh' at Jatiya Press Club in the city on Thursday. Eminent economist Prof Anu Muhammad was present on the occasion. — Focus...

Govt re-fixes land record and mouza map service fees

2026-02-20 00:00:00

The land ministry has re-fixed the land record and mouza map service fee under the land record and mouza map system, reports BSS.The information was revealed in a circular signed by land ministry's senior secretary ASM Saleh on Tuesday. "The...

BTRC adds new frequency bands for NGSO satellite

FE REPORT | 2026-02-20 00:00:00

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has appended new frequency bands for Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite services, signalling a significant regulatory move to meet the growing demand for next-generation satellite connectivity in Bangladesh.In a circular issued recently, the regulator said...

Abul Kasem Khan new chairperson of BUILD

FE REPORT | 2026-02-20 00:00:00

Abul Kasem Khan, vice chairman of AK Khan and Company Limited, has been appointed chairperson of Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) for the 2026-27 tenure.Mr Khan, a member of the BUILD trustee board since 2020, assumed the leadership role following...

Restricting yarn imports could cost $2.4b, put 0.4m jobs at risk

REZAUL KARIM | 2026-02-20 00:00:00

The country's apparel makers have warned that restrictive measures on imported cotton yarn could trigger a staggering US$ 2.4 billion annual cost shock for the country's export-oriented apparel sector and put up to 0.4 million jobs at risk.They have urged...

FTSE Russell proposes fast-entry rule for its US indexes as large IPOs loom

2026-02-20 00:00:00

Index provider FTSE Russell on Wednesday proposed introducing a "fast-entry" mechanism for initial public offerings and revising eligibility requirements for its Russell US Equity Indexes ahead of several large listings, reports Reuters.The year is shaping up to be one of...

Japan may see upheaval of funds when BOJ hikes rates to 1pc, economist says

2026-02-20 00:00:00

TOKYO, Feb 19 (Reuters): An expected rise in Japan's short-term interest rate to 1 per cent may trigger a significant reallocation of cash into deposits that could complicate the Bank of Japan's monetary policy implementation, a leading economist told Reuters...

India's equity benchmarks log steepest drop in 2 weeks

2026-02-20 00:00:00

Indian stock benchmarks logged their biggest daily losses in more than two weeks on Thursday as escalating US-Iran tensions pushed crude prices higher and dampened sentiment in the world's third-largest oil importer, reports Reuters.The Nifty 50 fell 1.41 per cent...

Asian markets rally after Wall St tech-led gains

2026-02-20 00:00:00

HONG KONG, Feb 19 (AFP): Tech firms led gains across Asian equities Thursday following a positive lead from Wall Street, where traders also welcomed strong US data that suggested the world's top economy remained in rude health.The advances came even...

BATA AND UNIVERSAL MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL SIGN HEALTHCARE AGREEMENT

2026-02-20 00:00:00

Bata Bangladesh and Universal Medical College Hospital entered into a bilateral corporate healthcare agreement on Wednesday. The agreement was signed by Malik Mehedi Kabir, Human Resources Director, on behalf of Bata Managing Director Debabrata Mukherjee, and Nita Chakraborty, Head of...

SHAHJALAL ISLAMI BANK HOLDS 913TH EC MEETING

2026-02-20 00:00:00

The 913th meeting of the Executive Committee (EC) of Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC was held at the bank's Corporate Head Office in Dhaka on Wednesday. The meeting was presided over by Md Sanaullah Shahid, Chairman of the Executive Committee. The...

New government, Ramadan mandate

2026-02-20 00:00:00

The holy month of Ramadan is a time when Muslims engage in self-purification through fasting, restraint and spiritual reflection.However, abrupt price hikes of essential commodities during this time cause serious problems for low- and middle-income families.Although imports of key Ramadan...

Cost of digital divide

2026-02-20 00:00:00

The world is changing at an unprecedented pace. In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, technology is transforming every sector from education and healthcare to agriculture and governance. While digital innovation promises progress, it also raises a critical concern...

A sleeping giant, halal industry can fetch huge forex

Shiabur Rahman | 2026-02-20 00:00:00

The halal industry is expanding at a tremendous pace globally. Market analysis suggests that the global halal economy, which includes food, pharmaceuticals, fashion, cosmetics, finance, logistics and tourism, may reach US$9.7 trillion by 2030. Of this, the halal food industry...

Import of capital machinery and export diversification are integral

Nilratan Halder | 2026-02-20 00:00:00

It is premature to conclude that import of capital machinery has peaked up in the first half of the fiscal year 2025-26 riding on the assumption of economic and political stability during this elected government. But the 24 per cent...

Deregulation and reduction of cost of business

2026-02-20 00:00:00

The statement by the newly appointed finance and planning minister that his immediate priorities are deregulation and lowering the cost of doing business is both timely and pragmatic. Speaking to the media shortly after being sworn in, he underscored that...

Zero tariffs, new horizons

Serajul I Bhuiyan | 2026-02-20 00:00:00

The recently negotiated reciprocal trade agreement between Washington and Dhaka is more than just a tariff adjustment. It is a strategic shift in Bangladesh's economic path. Bangladesh, a country where the ready-made garments (RMG) industry plays a major role in...

Starbucks' investor group urges shareholders to replace directors over labor row

2026-02-20 00:00:00

Starbucks faced fresh pressure on Wednesday from a coalition of investors including public-sector pension funds that urged shareholders to vote against the reelection of two directors, citing persistent failure to manage labor relations, reports Reuters.The move against Starbucks' lead independent...

EBL PARTNERS WITH THALASSEMIA FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT THE UNPRIVILEGED

2026-02-20 00:00:00

Eastern Bank (EBL) has partnered with Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation to strengthen healthcare support for underprivileged patients suffering from thalassemia. To support the foundation's activities, Ziaul Karim, head of Communications and External Affairs at EBL, recently handed over a cheque to...

AL-ARAFAH ISLAMI BANK LAUNCHES RAMADAN REMITTANCE CAMPAIGN

2026-02-20 00:00:00

Al-Arafah Islami Bank has launched "Ramadan Remittance Campaign - 2026" to encourage and honour its expatriate remittance clients on the occasion of Ramadan. Under this campaign, remittance customers will have the opportunity to win attractive prizes including motorcycle, laptop, refrigerator...

Major Gulf bourses retreat on US-Iran tensions

2026-02-20 00:00:00

Major Gulf stock markets retreated in early trade on Thursday as investors assessed efforts by the US and Iran to de-escalate tensions through talks over Tehran's nuclear programme, even as both sides stepped up military activity in the region, reports...

Olympic Industries' chairman to buy 10m shares from market

FE REPORT | 2026-02-20 00:00:00

The chairman of Olympic Industries is set to acquire more than five per cent of the company's shares from the market.According to a disclosure on Thursday, Aziz Mohammad Bhai plans to purchase 10 million shares from the block market at...

Robi earns record profit in 2025 on lower operating costs

FE REPORT | 2026-02-20 00:00:00

Robi Axiata secured a record profit of Tk 9.37 billion in 2025, riding on the lower impact of currency devaluation and reduced operating expenses amid a challenging business environment.The second-largest telecom operator's profit jumped more than 33 per cent year-on-year...

Nitai Roy for working with new dream to build new Bangladesh

2026-02-19 00:00:00

Newly appointed Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury on Wednesday stressed the need for working with new dream to build a new society and a new Bangladesh, reports BSS.To this end, he said, the country's heritages should be highlighted.The minister...

We’ll present workplan to ensure media freedom: Zahiruddin Swapan

2026-02-19 00:00:00

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahiruddin Swapan visited the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) on Wednesday before going to his ministry at the Secretariat, reports UNB.State Minister for Home Yaser Khan Chowdhury accompanied him. They reached the Press Club at around 01:00...

We’ll get back to Zia's foreign policy: Khalilur Rahman

2026-02-19 00:00:00

Newly appointed Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday said they want to get back to the foreign policy of martyred President Ziaur Rahman which was very positive and expansive, stressing that the government wants to maintain a good relationship...

ICT services to reach every upazila: Mahbub Anam

FE REPORT | 2026-02-19 00:00:00

Newly appointed Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Fakir Mahbub Anam said on Wednesday that transparency and accountability will be the guiding principles of the country's ICT sector.Speaking at a reception organised by the ICT Division at its conference...

Rabiul Alam focuses on efficient functionality

FE REPORT | 2026-02-19 00:00:00

Sheikh Rabiul Alam, the minister for rail, road and shipping ministries, on his first day at office, focused on efficient institutional functionality of these three important ministries, as BNP's target is to ensure proper utilisation of the taxpayers' money."My priority...

Asaduzzaman vows to prosecute corrupt officials

2026-02-19 00:00:00

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman has warned that anyone involved in corruption will face not only administrative measures but also legal action, reports bdnews24.com.On his first official day at the Secretariat on Wednesday, the minister addressed ministry officials in an introductory...