Not the torrents of spring but the queer and the unusual

There was a time when patriotism was revered. Lord Nelson who won the Battle of Trafalgar and in whose memory the Trafalgar Square in London was commemorated , was knighted by the Queen of England. That was something very aptly...

More perils ahead for the economy: WB and IMF

Global finance chiefs warned on April 16 that rising food prices, unanswered joblessness, Mideast turmoil and weak finances in advanced economies could still derail economic recovery. We are one shock away from a full-blown crisis," said World Bank president Robert...

High maternal mortality and stillbirths

The health profile of Bangladesh's population, particularly with women and children being the most vulnerable, is the most disconcerting aspect of its human development indicators. A good number of women in the country still die during the act of giving...

Need for constant price monitoring

Economic factors such as scarcities of goods against their higher demand, snags in production or distribution and the better purchasing power of consumers, are normally held responsible for driving up prices. But to a very large extent and most of...

Statistical pocket book of Bangladesh

Every year the Planning Division under the Ministry of Planning publishes the statistical pocket book of Bangladesh in an old fashion, with backdated data and many basic and important information like per capita income, population per square mile in Bangladesh,...

A really brave lady!

A report published on April 5 in a local English daily on Capt. Ferdousi of Bangladesh Army, is indeed the description of an exemplary brave lady; an example to all of us! Despite being in the peace time army; she...

10,000 orphan street kids to get shelter in DAM children city

FE Report Ten thousand orphan street children will soon get shelter in 'Ahsania Mission Children City' in phases. At present, there are about 1.3 million street children across the country, said a press release. Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) President Kazi...

LPG importers seek duty waiver

Jubair HasanImporters of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have demanded duty waiver on the import of relevant raw materials and capital machinery with a view to making available the fuel at an affordable price. They said the higher duty structure makes...

Most commercial banks raise interest on deposit, lending

FE Report Most of the commercial banks raised interest rates on both deposits and lending this month to keep the interest at rate spread around five per cent, officials said. At least 26 commercial banks out of 47 increased interest...

Japan nuclear crisis 'over in nine months'

TOKYO, April 17 (AFP): The operator of Japan's tsunami-hit nuclear plant said Sunday it aims to reduce radiation leaks within three months and to achieve a "cold shutdown" within six to nine months. Japan's embattled Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)...

Jonathan takes major lead in Nigerian presidential vote

LAGOS, April 17 (AFP): Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has taken a major lead in elections in Africa's most populous nation, results showed Sunday, putting him on a possible course for a first-round victory. Results from 30 states showed Jonathan had...

No decision on transit against 'interests of country'

The government will not take any decision on transit or transshipment issue that might go against country's interests, according to Commerce Minister Faruk Khan. "Discussion on the transit issue is on among the government high-ups. Things are yet to be...

Russian team arrives tomorrow

A deal is likely to be signed in the next few days between the Bangladesh and Russian governments for long-term energy cooperation, reports UNB. Official sources said a high-powered delegation from Russia will arrive in the city tomorrow (Tuesday) and...

BB governor asks banks to pay heed to climate change

FE ReportCentral bank governor Atiur Rahman Sunday urged local banks to back energy efficient and renewable power projects and build in-house capacity to assess environmental risks of their industrial investment. "Financial institutions must be pro-active," Mr. Rahman told the launching...

10,000 orphan street kids to get shelter in DAM children city

FE Report Ten thousand orphan street children will soon get shelter in 'Ahsania Mission Children City' in phases. At present, there are about 1.3 million street children across the country, said a press release. Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) President Kazi...

GP AGM tomorrow, 39 banks to distribute dividend warrants

Kamrun NaharGrameenphone Ltd, country's top mobile phone operator earned Tk 74.7 billion (Tk 7473 crore) revenues in the year 2010, a 14.4 per cent increase from the previous year while its subscribers growth was 29 per cent during the period....

DSE for slashing corporate tax by 5pc in budget

Asaduzzaman Pallab Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the premium bourses of the country, will propose the government to slash corporate tax by 5.00 per cent for listed financial institutions in the next national budget. The current corporate tax for banks, insurances...

DSE listing body says no to MI Cement again

FE ReportThe listing committee of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) Sunday once again rejected the listing proposal of MI Cement, sources said. The committee will convey its decision to the board of DSE which will take the final decision on the...

Funds disclose NAV

ICB Mutual Funds: On the close of business operation on April 12, the ICB Mutual Funds have reported Net Asset Value (NAV) for First ICB MF of Tk 11,415.58, Second ICB MF of Tk 3,195.70, Third ICB MF of Tk...

Dhaka bourse asked to probe price hike of three 'Z' cos

FE ReportThe securities regulator has asked the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) to investigate the unusual price hikes of three 'Z' category companies' shares, officials said. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sent a letter to DSE Sunday asking it to...

SEC to discuss B Fund today

FE ReportThe securities regulator is likely to give its green signal to the country's largest ever mutual fund -- Bangladesh Fund -- today (Monday), sources said. An official of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said the regulator would discuss...

Stocks close lower on DSE

FE ReportDhaka stocks closed in negative territory Sunday with low turnover as investors booked profit in the major sectors. This was consecutive two sessions loss in the prime bourse of the country. Market insiders said, although there were some glimpses...

Senior Standard Chartered official due today

Venkataramanan Anantharaman, Managing Director and Regional Head, Origination and Client Coverage, India and South Asia for Standard Chartered Bank will arrive in Dhaka today (Monday) for a two-day official visit. He will be accompanied by Nirukt Sapru, Managing Director &...

Housing finance loans ceiling raised

Md Mazadul HoqueState-run housing financier has raised its lending ceiling by Tk 1.0 million to keep pace with the rising costs of house building, its top official said Sunday. Managing director of Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation (BHBFC) Kazi Faqurul...

Govt can give local entrepreneurs scope to invest in Africa

FE ReportThe government can ensure food security for the people of Bangladesh by giving scope to the local entrepreneurs to invest in the African countries, speakers at a seminar Sunday said. The speakers of the seminar exchanged their views relating...

Govt plans to boost cotton output

Talha Bin HabibThe Ministry of Textiles and Jute has planned to increase cotton production to reduce country's dependency on import of the vital textile item that costs a significant amount of foreign currency every year, officials said. The cotton prices...

Govt guidelines for environ-friendly ship breaking industry on cards

FE Report Industries Minister Dilip Barua said Sunday the government will formulate policy guidelines for an environment-friendly ship breaking industry, officials said. "The government will formulate guidelines for protecting the interests of labourers and environment of the ship breaking industry,"...

Deal to be signed with Vietnam for rice import

Bangladesh will import rice from Vietnam in a deal intended to meet its growing food demand in the long term. A three-member delegation headed by food and disaster management minister Abdur Razzak left Dhaka for the Vietnamese capital Saturday to...

Nature's herbal cosmetics acquires brand rights in EU

CHITTAGONG, April 17: Nature's Beauty Creations Ltd., manufacturers of leading cosmetics brand 'Nature's Secrets' in Sri Lanka acquired the trade mark rights of Nature's Secret in the United Kingdom and 12 other countries of the European Union from its previous...

Stocks close lower on DSE

FE ReportDhaka stocks closed in negative territory Sunday with low turnover as investors booked profit in the major sectors. This was consecutive two sessions loss in the prime bourse of the country. Market insiders said, although there were some glimpses...