Butterfly fair more than an exhibition

Most people view butterfly, a unique creation in the living world, as an aesthetic treat to the eye or a source of entertainment. But whoever could think of a butterfly fair instead of a show of the most decorated wingy...

Foreign investors pull money from stocks ahead of polls

Foreign investors have continued to withdraw funds from Bangladesh's equity market over the past year through November this year amid persistent political and macroeconomic uncertainties.Economic reform measures taken by the interim government after the political changeover had given rise to...

Gender differentials in workforce

In the midst of the demographic transition, Bangladesh is experiencing rapid shifts in the relative numbers of children, the working-age population, and elderly persons. Here, changes in the age structure suggest that two-thirds of the total population are of working...

The headwinds export sector faces

Bangladesh's export sector has of late been facing headwinds mainly from the dual impact of the fall in demand in the international market and the reciprocal tariff imposed by the USA. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), last November...

The controls indicate the scale of discrimination

The trade and business at the commercial hub of Chattogram are suffering a lot, as the local businesses cannot supply the imported goods to other parts of the country smoothly due to the restrictive weighing scale set up at Boro...

The human onslaught on Karnaphuli

Karnaphuli is the lifeline of the country's economy as the Chittagong Port, the prime seaport of the country, is situated on this river. But the river is being polluted rampantly due to unabated dumping of toxic chemicals and solid waste...

Prospect of ship building in Bangladesh

Across the world, demand for new ships is on a rapid rise. This surge comes at a time when many traditional shipbuilding nations, particularly Japan, South Korea, and several European countries, face major labour shortages. Shipbuilding is a labour-intensive industry,...

Bay Terminal: a future port of Bangladesh

A megaproject conceived for building a future port named "Bay Terminal of Chittagong Port" for harbouring big-hull ships will be completed by 2031. An agreement was signed for breakwater construction and access-channel dredging at the foreign-aided shipping terminal. So, the...

Reforming local journalism structures

I have been working with district journalists for almost one and a half decades now. Over the years, I have witnessed many different incidents and experienced lived realities of this field. Those of us who learned about the problems and...

Bangladesh's love for imported fruits

Bangladesh, a land blessed with abundant fertility and six vibrant seasons, should have fruit markets overflowing with local flavours that reflect our identity, yet the reality tells a different story. Walking up to a fruit cart in Panthapath, a bustling...

Promulgating ordinance to protect fast-shrinking farmland urgent

Bangladesh is a country of 175.7-million-strong population, with a limited landmass. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Growing population coupled with shrinking agricultural land has appeared as a matter of big concern in respect...

Building a modern, pluralistic, globally connected BD

Bangladesh is at a critical turning point of either becoming a modern, high-growth nation attracting foreign capital or risking stagnation by falling back into old collectivist patterns of paralysing self-pity. The formula for success is simple yet challenging: practical pluralism...

Bangladesh's ESG moment: an ESG whisperer's viewpoint

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away was there a country where in any programme, people would wear a heavy complete suit with a flashy red or orange tie, despite being drenched in sweat like sauna in...

Unfreeze, change, refreeze Bangladesh's journey towards democratic renewal

Dr Muhammad Yunus faces a great struggle to maintain the political reforms in Bangladesh; among these is resistance of the existing institutions such as the military and bureaucracy, public distrust due to a perceived lack of inclusion in the reforms...

Meeting the challenges of brain drain

The problem of brain drain encountered by poor and underdeveloped countries is both a cause and consequence of a grand scheme. Its roots lie in the colonial exploitation of subjugated countries by the conquering powers such as the Indian subcontinent...

Energy efficiency is Bangladesh's invisible power plant

Every unit of energy saved carries more value than one produced, because imported fuel travels long distances, accumulates technical losses and costs the country twice over. A kilowatt hour conserved at the source prevents the need for two kilowatt-hours of...

JICA seeks BB's steps to repurpose its funds for failed projects

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has sought necessary steps from Bangladesh Bank (BB) to either refund or re-purpose the funds that it disbursed for certain projects.The funds were disbursed for three sub-projects under the Two-Step Loan Component of the Urban...

Debit, credit cards planned to be integrated with Rapid Pass

In a major step towards modernising urban mobility, the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) is planning to integrate bank-issued credit and debit cards with the Rapid Pass system.The move is intended to make metro travel smoother and more convenient, allowing...

PC sends ICT project back for revision over cost concerns

The Planning Commission has returned a project proposal submitted by the ICT Division that aimed to provide reliable high-speed broadband connectivity to 39 million people and expand digital public services to boost annual ICT export capacity to $5.0 billion.Citing excessive...

Patenga interchange work to end by June

CHATTOGRAM, Dec 06: The construction of the Coastal Road, popularly known as Chattogram Ring Road, with updated design is nearing completion.To date, 70 per cent of the intersection work has been done at the Patenga junction, which connects three mega...

Bondholders may have to wait until 2032 for Beximco Sukuk principal

The maturity period of the Beximco Green Sukuk has been proposed to be extended by up to six years to 2032, as repayment of principal to bondholders has become uncertain amid changes in the political climate.The recommendation came from a...

Traders raise oil price defying govt order

As the saying goes, old habits die hard. This is particularly true for market manipulators in Bangladesh, who have once again resorted to their familiar tactic of creating artificial crises to drive up the prices of essential commodities such as...

Global scrutiny of agricultural trade

International trade in agricultural products has remained static over the last few years, as reflected in global export trends. The combined share of these products is still less than one-tenth of the international merchandise trade. Nevertheless, the rule on trade...

Government, AIIB in talks over $400m budget support credit

The government is discussing with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) a $400 million fund in budget support credit to advance policy and institutional reforms, focusing on climate adaptation in the urban and water sectors.The programme aims to support the...

BTB asks customs not to allow any tea import consignment

The Bangladesh Tea Board (BTB) has requested the customs authorities not to allow any tea import consignments without prior approval from the regulator, sources saidThe move comes amid growing concerns over the influx of foreign tea brands into local super...

Corporates’ profit drop dents govt’s tax revenues

Collection of corporate taxes from large taxpayers has declined for a fall in their business profitability for factors like high-rated interest, rising costs and falling purchasing capacity for inflation, sources say. Corporate insiders say their ability to pay taxes squeezing...

Education heading for the wilderness

When annual examinations of government primary and secondary schools along with pre-test examinations of grade 10 are used as a pawn for realising demands by teachers, the rot set in the country's education is laid bare. Although the Bangladesh Government...

Healthy soil for a healthy nation: why soil health matters

Soil alone contributes significantly to sustaining resilient food, water and energy security. Bangladesh's fertile and sacred soil bears the legacy of historical triumph, cultural pride and agricultural revolution. However, we are careless and cruel to our soil, ignoring its health...

AI, automation & the future of work in Bangladesh

There come tipping points in the economic life of a nation when small changes will just not be enough anymorea period when the very fabric of working, learning, and adding value is being turned upside down by new technologies that...

A slew of 7,379 BD products getting free market access

Bangladesh's maiden bilateral free-trade agreement is being signed this month with Japan that will accord 7,379 Bangladeshi products duty-free quota-free (DFQF) market access to world's third-largest economy immediate after the deal-making, officials say.The deal, coming under the umbrella of Economic...