The decline of democracy in the West

Democracy is in deep crisis in the West. That is a bit of a surprise for the good reason that it has been the West which, till now, has been seen by many as a model for democratic governance across...

New Kalurghat rail bridge not before 2030 as contract signing deferred

Almost a century-old rail bridge at Kalurghat near Chattogram city is unlikely to be replaced with a new one before 2030 as the project's financier postponed the contract-signing time.This deferment in signing the Tk 140-billion project contract means a delay...

Overvalued taka undercuts trade competitiveness

Bangladesh's currency remains overvalued for long and thus dents the trade competitiveness with overseas trading partners who are enjoying economic pickup and inflation downturn, economists say.Data show that the taka remained overpriced by more than 5.6 per cent or Tk...

An emotional journey to the house of Allah

Experiencing the sight of the Kaaba is an emotion unmatched. From the first time I set my heart on Kaaba back in 2013, there was no coming back. Fortunately, I was blessed to perform Umrah 4 times within ten years,...

Unfavourable business climate stymies IPO flow

Fund raising from the primary market through initial public offerings (IPOs) has fallen sharply to Tk 2.68 billion this year, the lowest in six years, as entrepreneurs adopted 'go-slow' policy ahead of the national election.Market experts also attribute this to...

More trees the answer for city's air pollution

Role of trees in protecting environment, helping animals to survive by releasing oxygen into the air and providing shade to keep earth surface cooler is well-known. These are too familiar truths to repeat. But humans often forget some familiar truths...

PBIL eyes wider investor pool with new discretionary portfolios

Diversifying its offerings to cater to the varying appetite for risks and returns, Prime Bank Investment Ltd (PBIL) unveiled five new discretionary products in October.The leading investment bank says these products allow them to meet the diverse needs of investors...

Govt tasks officials abroad with urgent onion mission

The government is exploring alternative markets apart from India for onion imports to keep supply and local prices of the bulb stable during the lean period from October to December each year, sources said.The Ministry of Commerce recently tasked commercial...

Six NSW services opening up for faster trade

A part of National Single Window (NSW) is set to open next month for expediting export-import trade through digital integration of six clearance-providing entities that helps leapfrog port hurdles.After the opening of the NSW, importers and local manufacturers would get...

A less chilly winter with adverse consequences

There was a false alarm of cold waves. Even the Bangladesh Meteorological Department was misled to issue forecasts that moderate to severe cold waves were likely to sweep across the northern region of the country in the middle and at...

Enhancing efforts to boost forex reserve

Rate of foreign remittance inflow had been falling over the past few months and last September it went down to USD1.34 billion, the lowest in 41 months till then. However, from the following months (October and November) remittance inflow has...

The battle of resistance at Kalurghat

The Battle of Resistance at Kalurghat of Chittagong, officially now Chattogram, was one of the first battles that took place between the Pakistani army and the freedom fighters of Bangladesh from 26 March to 11 April in 1971. The Pakistani...

Bangladesh: the idea and the ethos

It is Victory Day we celebrate today, fifty two years after the liberation of the land. It is the three million martyrs we remember, the 200,000 persecuted Bengali women we do not forget. It is the guerrillas of the Mukti...

Reliving memories of liberation war and victory

Amidst the hullaballoo of filing of nomination papers ---including approval or disapproval of those--- for January 7 national election, this year's Victory Day celebration is quite muted. Lighting decoration of government and landmark buildings in the capital and elsewhere is...

Consumers squeezed as govt reduces market monitoring

While essential commodity prices have been on a rollercoaster ride for the past two years, a surprising twist has emerged: the government has drastically scaled back market monitoring -- leaving consumers vulnerable to price manipulators.In the financial year 2022-23 (July...

Talks with leading global port operator underway on NCT lease out

CHATTOGRAM, Dec 14: Discussions are currently underway with a private port operator that complies with international standards for the lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), as the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) looks to lease out this important container...

Rise of crorepatis and woes of the marginalised

The Indian reality or game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' hosted by celebrated actor Amitabh Baccchan had its premiere in 2000 giving contestants the opportunity to win Rs 1.0 crore or 10 million in 96 minutes at the latest or even...

Onion shortage--a case of market failure

Is the current onion shortage a supply-demand imbalance or an episode of market failure? Whatever the reason, exorbitant onion price spirals are an indication of the failure of coordination of the market by the government. Despite multiple measures being taken...

What message to get from owners' share purchase in bear market?

Sponsor-directors of some companies have purchased or have declared to purchase shares of their own firms at a time when investors have shown reluctance to put money in the stocks. For example, three directors of Square Pharmaceuticals, announced last week...

Little headway in eight years

Bangladesh Railway's plan to develop three inland container depots (ICDs) in different locations across the country has made little or no headway due to non-cooperation from different quarters.Therefore, freight service of the state rail operator could not be improved, although...

NBR's fresh to-do list for VAT boost

In a do-over-again exercise, the revenue board considers a remake of the failed electronic fiscal device and spot cashback or lucrative lottery as new bets to make VAT attractive to consumers.The VAT authority's lottery programme, launched in 2020, could not...

Mastering the art of business competition

Business competitions are the ultimate battleground for teams to showcase and test their strategic thinking and business acumen. In today's landscape, the growing appeal of business competitions has expanded the participation pool beyond individuals pursuing business degrees, intensifying the competition...

Bangladesh Bank's PCA framework & commercial banks' preparedness

In a landmark move, Bangladesh Bank (BB) issued a pivotal circular, BRPD Circular No. 17 dated December 05, 2023, unveiling the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Framework for commercial banks. The initiative aims to bolster financial stability and instill public confidence...

Silenced ... on the eve of liberation

They were led to their death fifty two years ago. Hands and eyes bound, prodded by the guns and knives of their abductors, accomplices of the Pakistan occupation army, they walked to an end that the killers made sure would...

Businesswomen need better financial access: Rupali Chy

The government may consider offering incentives to commercial banks to encourage their loan disbursement to small and medium enterprises, particularly those led by women, said Rupali Chowdhury.In an exclusive interview with The Financial Express, Ms Chowdhury -- the managing director...

Fragmented EFD installation foils revenue purpose

Fragmented installation of electronic fiscal device in retail shops in a market or area won't help plug VAT leaks, even if done through a third party, experts say and suggest a well-calibrated blanket coverage. Businesses and economists both agree on...

Most machines dysfunctional, new placement, replacement in dilemma

This one happens to be a classic example of how huge revenue is suspected to be evaded. One Jabbar Ali sought electronically generated invoice after buying two whole grilled chickens from a restaurant but eventually had to receive manual one....

Israel's 'final solution' in occupied Palestine

Premature babies gasping for breath in a bombed-out hospital without functioning incubators, a father collecting the pieces of what was once his child from the shell-shocked streets, a blood covered garment of a young girl camouflaging her body beyond recognition,...

Onion market again turns explosive

It is common knowledge that people cry when they chop onions. But in Bangladesh, even a look at this essential kitchen item at the grocer's can bring tears to a buyer's eyes. Why that is so everyone knows here. And...

When cricket's home advantage backfires

The friendship as delineated in the fable of a fox and a crane could not be more appropriate for the relationship between two cricket teams, one hosting the other. While the fox invited his friend crane to offer a delicacy...