Prospects of fruit export to China bright

Bangladesh has the potential to grab a share of the fruits market in China, but lack of proper certification and policy supports remains a major challenge for exporters, according to sector insiders. At present, a small quantity of fresh and...

The eco-friendly way of farming

Agriculture plays an important role in the economic development of Bangladesh, and farmers have pursued a traditional system in agriculture for quite a long time or since time immemorial, so to speak. However, in course of time, green revolution emerged...

The tale of scary rundown roads

I am, with both of my lower limbs sickly since retirement in 2003, a plain-living simple man now living almost isolated in a suburban area of Cumilla city. My domain of physical movement with the help of a walker or...

The gateway of north-east India

Nicknamed the gateway of north-east India, Siliguri (why not Shiliguri?) has a unique geographic and topographic position. Geographically, it is not exactly at the foothill of the Himalayas and yet it is not far from the mountain ranges that stand...

Enhancing trade with China

The government is now contemplating free trade agreement (FTA) with China. A team of officials recently visited China for consultation in this regard. It is said that Bangladesh also wants to invite Chinese investment in a bigger way. Investment will...

UN Secretary-General's visit to Bangladesh

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during his visit to Bangladesh on July 1-3 reaffirmed the responsibility of the international community "to do more" for the survival of the Rohingya refugees and their return to their homeland. Synchronising with...

Overcoming pitfalls of rising life expectancy

The latest figures revealed by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) show that average life expectancy in Bangladesh has increased by four months during 2017 compared to the previous year. The average life expectancy was 71.6 years, which rose to 72...

BD pays $1.27b to ACU for May-June imports

Bangladesh has made a routine payment of US$ 1.27 billion to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) against the imports during May-June period of this calendar year, officials said.After the payment, the country's foreign exchange (forex) reserve again fell below $...

Janata Exchange Co in Italy close to bankruptcy

Janata Exchange Company, Italy is on the verge of bankruptcy due to its continuous operating losses despite various steps taken by the authorities concerned, sources said. The company, a subsidiary of state-run Janata Bank Ltd, counted an aggregate loss amounting...

Deferred law's provisions now in VAT rules

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has incorporated some provisions of the deferred VAT law into the existing VAT rules-1991 through amendments. The inclusion of the provisions of the deferred Value Added Tax (VAT) and Supplementary Duty Act-2012 would be...

Attaining gender equality in education

The achievement of full human potential and of sustainable development is not possible if one half of humanity (i.e. women and girls) continues to be denied its full human rights and opportunities. Women and girls, therefore, must enjoy equal access...

Viewing socio-economy through a semi-political prism

When economists write for newspapers, they generally struggle to keep their write-ups short in length with less jargon, almost no graphs and a few numbers. The reason is limited space in newspapers and even some online outlets. A large number...

When ground reality outweighs compliance

The obvious has happened. Many banks until Thursday last did not comply with the decision of the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), the organisation of sponsors of private sector banks, on deposit and lending rates. The BAB had announced that...

Landslides are but a man-made disaster

Heavy monsoon rains have triggered a series of landslides in Rangamati and Bandarban. A number of these mudslides have claimed lives too, although the casualty figures are limited this year compared to the last year's worst such natural disasters. But...

Avoiding middle-income trap

Bangladesh has now reached an important juncture of economic growth by way of coming out of the least development country (LDC) group. The country at this crucial phase requires right policies and timely actions in order to avoid being placed...

Trump's paranoia heightening geopolitical tensions

Seemingly every day now, US President Donald Trump escalates his policy and personal attacks against other countries and their heads of state, the poor and the weak, and migrant families. Most recently, Trump has championed the heartless separation of migrant...

JICA suggests examining the seismic resistance

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has suggested examining the seismic resistance of the proposed deep-sea port in Matarbari as Bangladesh is vulnerable to earthquakes.The JICA submitted a report to the Ministry of Shipping this week on the Matarbari port,...

Developing entrepreneurial mindset

Entrepreneurship, which was once an alien word to the business students of Bangladesh, has now become a buzzword for them. But there is still a considerable knowledge chasm which prevents prospective student entrepreneurs from turning their dreams into reality. To...

What a difference between Monday and Tuesday!

Profoundly shocked! A World Cup knockout game between two football-loving nations marred by so many scuffles, fouls, and yellow cards! This was not a football of pedigree. This was not a world event worth burning the midnight oil and missing...

Achieving sustainable industrial development

Industrialistion is the process of structural transformation through which resources (especially labour) move from agriculture to industry and more specifically to manufacturing. Industrialisation has several benefits, especially in the long run, such as diversification of the economy, employment generation, technology...

RHD likely to invite tender in a month

A delay in taking the decision on the Dhaka-Chittagong expressway project by the finance ministry has compelled the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) to seek support from the PPP Authority to complete the tender process.Sources said RHD has planned to...

Monday watched a mad time at the World Cup

Spellbound, captivated, enthralled, shell-shocked - these are all old clichés so overused that none of these words could precisely describe the dramas the world witnessed on Monday night in Russia. Two unbelievable plays between Brazil and Mexico in Samara Arena...

Incentive structure needs to be streamlined

Over the years, successive governments have been providing fiscal incentives to various business sectors. The idea behind providing incentives is to help the sectors move ahead and increase their contribution to the national economy. 'The Medium-Term Macroe-conomic Policy Statement 2018-19...

Compliant businesses can apply for AEO status

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) allows businesses with satisfactory compliance records to apply for the status of authorised economic operators (AEOs).According to a new rule issued on June 28, the customs authorities will accept applications from the businesses for...

Many rly stations still remain closed for lack of manpower

Bangladesh Railway (BR) is yet to reopen half of its closed stations even after more than two years due to a shortage of manpower and infrastructure.According to sources, the manpower crisis reached such a level that reopening of the rest...

A night of penalty shoot-outs

Well done Russia! It's great to see the Host Nation win.We can now brace for this World Cup to unfurl more pleasant surprises and some horrid shocks as the clock is ticking away towards the quarterfinals. This World Cup has...

Economic activities of rural women

In rural economy, the activities that generate income for the household or save household expenditures are economic activities. These include employment in agricultural and non-agricultural labour market and also unpaid work for household in crop production activities, homestead gardening, livestock...

Four lessons from Egypt's World Cup experience

Egypt's national soccer team rode to Russia for their first World Cup finals in 28 years on a wave of lofty expectations and potent fan enthusiasm. They are now returning home having lost all of their games - no small...

You came here and yet it feels like you never did

When people are frustrated with their stars they need ways to vent their annoyances. Some numb themselves and avoid the topic. That is not a healthy way. You must take a hard look at it anyway and try to channel...

NBR misses revised target by 9.0pc, original 17.0pc

Tax-revenue mobilised by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) fell short of the revised target by Tk 200 billion in the just concluded Fiscal Year (FY), according to a provisional figure.Revenue officials and experts attributed the shortfall to the setting...