Releasing Khaleda, her sons under govt consideration

The caretaker government has attached the highest importance to humanitarian considerations like releasing detained former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and her two sons for treatment, journalists were told Tuesday, reports UNB.Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman disclosed the government step...

Long-term 'fair value' for housing extremely difficult to discern

FT Syndication ServiceNothing now creates more uncertainty for markets, and nothing has greater import for the future, than the course of house prices in the US.US housing, of course, lit the fuse for the credit crisis. Among measures of housing,...

IGLOO Sugar launched in market

IGLOO Sugar -- a merchandise of Abdul Monem Limited, the manufacturer of IGLOO Ice Cream and dairy milk, has been launched in the city Tuesday.The premium refined sugar of IGLOO will now be available in the open market in retail...

Bata starts marketing of Nike shoes

Bata Shoe company Limited Wednesday started marketing the renowned Nike shoes and sportswear across the country to provide the consumers with a variety of sports and lifestyle wears.Jorge Carbajal, managing director of Bata Emerging Markets (West) and J.D. Hearns, managing...

Fiscal measures will 'help escalate prices of reconditioned cars'

Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers' Association (BARVIDA) Wednesday demanded introduction of specific tariff on the basis of engine capacity for import of cars instead of existing variable duty structure.It said the fiscal measures, proposed in the budget, will only...

Oil costs to push some Asian airlines under

SINGAPORE, June 11 (AFP): Record-high oil prices have sparked the biggest crisis in the Asian airline industry since the SARS scare, and analysts say some carriers are likely to go under if prices do not let up soon.They say many...

Bhutan likely to join WTO by 2009

THIMPHU, June 11 (PTI): Bhutan is likely to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by 2009, but the country will not immediately open up its financial and services sectors completely, trade officials have said.Bhutan has so far agreed to open...

Hasina freed on parole

Awami League (AL) President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was released 'unconditionally' Wednesday for an interim period for her overseas treatment after a long legal and political battle, adding a new dimension to the country's political scenario, reports UNB.After...

Introducing financial trading rooms in business schools

MOST of the public and private universities in Bangladesh offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees (BBA, MBA etc.) with major concentration in Business, Finance and Accounting. However, none is aware of whether these universities offer courses on stock trading and...

Tk 7.0b in additional revenue to come from cigarette industry

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has estimated the Value Added Tax (VAT) collection to increase by about Tk 30.12 billion in the upcoming fiscal due to expansion of tax net in the proposed budget.VAT collection target for upcoming fiscal...

Registration of Ctg port freight forwarders made mandatory

CHITTGONG, June 11: The customs authority said the licence holding freight forwarders operating at Chittagong Port must be registered to get benefit from the electronic automation system.It was suggested at the orientation programme on the automation system being implemented at...

Dhaka needs more bus routes

IN last few years many new bus routes were opened in Dhaka metropolis to connect different areas except Madertek, Nandipara, Bashabo, Goran etc. Commuters are availing the bus service from different parts of Dhaka at affordable fares. More than a...

700-pound Mexican man hopes to stand for wedding

MONTERREY, (Mexico), June 11 (Agencies): Manuel Uribe, who once weighed a half tonne but has slimmed down to about 700 pounds, celebrates his 43rd birthday on Wednesday with a simple wish for the coming year: to be able to stand...

President for frequent exchange of delegations, trade fairs between Ghana, Bangladesh

President Iajuddin Ahmed Wednesday underscored the need for frequent exchange of business and official delegations and holding trade fairs to boost bilateral trade and economic relations between Bangladesh and Ghana, reports UNB.He made the suggestion when newly appointed non-residential Ambassador...

Climate change fund

IT is praiseworthy that the government has proposed to create a fund to face the climate-change effects on the country. It is proposing to allot Tk 3000 million in the next fiscal year for the purpose. The government faced problems...

Bangladesh look to upset red-hot India

After crushing Pakistan by 140 runs in the previous match, high-flying India face hosts Bangladesh in the last group match of the Kitply Cup at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS), reports UNB.The day/night match will commence at 3:00 pm.This...

Inviting tender for leasing offshore blocks challenged

The High Court (HC) issued Wednesday a rule asking the government to explain why the invitation of international tender for leasing out 28 offshore blocks for oil-and-gas exploration "should not be declared illegal", reports UNB.An HC division bench comprising Justice...

Corporate houses cashing in on Rajshahi mangoes

RAJSHAHI, June 11: Agents of various companies are purchasing a huge quantity of mangoes from various market places in Rajshahi and other adjoining districts leaving the prices of the summer fruit high this time.According to sources, agents of the companies...

India rout Pakistan by 140 runs

India showed how the hectic pace of Twenty20 cricket could be replicated in ODIs, pounding 330 on a sluggish pitch before their bowlers rounded off a thumping win in their opening match of the tournament. Pakistan, coming off 12 successive...

US trade deficit jumps to highest level in 13 months

WASHINGTON, June 11 (AP): The trade deficit soared to the highest level in more than a year as an improvement in exports was swamped by record-high levels of imported crude oil. The deficit with China also rose sharply.The gap between...

Higher import costs pressing foreign exchange market

Pressure on the foreign exchange market has been continuing due to higher import costs of essentials and gasoline despite intervention by the central bank.The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has continued its intervention in the inter-bank foreign exchange market by selling US...

Dollar mixed amid rate rise speculation

TOKYO, June 11 (AFP): The dollar was mixed against other major currencies in Asian trade Wednesday amid growing speculation that the US Federal Reserve may hike interest rates to fight inflation, dealers said.They said the market was looking ahead to...

NBR starts probe into sharp rise in import

The revenue board has started probe into sharp rise in imports of reconditioned cars as the central bank expressed concern over the state of the country's balance of payment situation due to higher outflow of foreign exchange, said a senior...

Setting criteria for the 'poor' is essential

Before the national budget was announced, Finance Adviser Mirza Azizul Islam had a series of meetings with country's intelligentia, politicians, economists, business leaders and various other professional groups. All wanted that something must be done to save the country's hardcore...

Area-wise rickshaws

A fixed number of rickshaws are allowed to ply within the Mahakhali DOHS. The rickshaw pullers in the area have their identity cards. They charge fares at fixed rates. They earn enough to support these families. The passengers and rickshawpullers...

Pak budget shows 30pc rise in outlay

ISLAMABAD, June 11(Reuters): Pakistan's fledgling government unveiled a budget for 2008/09 Wednesday showing a near 30 per cent rise in total outlay to 2,010 billion rupees.Naveed Qamar, the privatisation minister who became de facto finance minister after a coalition partner...

Financing agri sector projects under EEF to resume soon

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) plans to lift suspension of financing in the agriculture sector under the Equity Entrepreneurs Fund (EEF).Extension of EEF facility to the agriculture sector has remained suspended since August 9, 2005, due to allegations of irregularities in...

Counter-based Ctg bus services lack standard

CHITTAGONG, June 11: The so-called counter-based bus services in Chittagong city just worsened the sufferings of passengers in absence of an adequate number of specific counters.Despite launching counter-based bus service, adequate passenger sheds have not been constructed leaving the passengers...

news digest

in missile strikeISLAMABAD, June 11: At least 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed and nine were wounded when a missile fired from Afghanistan hit their border post early Wednesday, security officials told AFP. The incident happened after fierce clashes between Pakistani...

Lay-off declared at match factory in Saidpur

NILPHAMARI, June 11: Anirban Match Factory has been declared laid off recently due to increase in the price of raw materials.According to sources, the match factory situated in the bypass roadside area of Nilphamari-Saidpur national highway was established by a...