Government may go frugal on incentive, subsidy handouts

Finance authorities may go frugal on subsidy and incentive handouts in the new budget as the interim government walks a tightrope in making two ends meet in current domestic and global economic realities. Officials say as the government is calculating...

How does BRAC Bank achieve outstanding deposit growth?

BRAC Bank PLC has achieved impressive deposit growth, recording a 35 per cent compound annual growth rate over the past three years-significantly outperforming the industry average of 7.5 per cent. Notably, branches contributed 75 per cent of this growth, said...

Market needs immediate actions, not endless debates: Experts

There is a notable overlap between terms of references (ToRs) set for two separate reform committees of the country's capital market, posing a question as to whose recommendations will get priority during enforcement. Also, there are too many ToRs to...

Developing roadmap for MSMEs' digital transformation

Digital transformation is the transition of process-flow from manual to digital intervention in enterprise management. The world economy is moving towards embracing the digital transformation in every sphere of business practices. The majority of business entities in the global market...

Threat to Padma Bridge posed by river erosion

The embankment built to protect the Padma Bridge project area is under severe threat, according to a report carried in a contemporary. A two-kilometre segment of the embankment at Jajira point of Shariatpur has started experiencing river erosion. The river...

Is water war in the offing?

Shorter winter followed by prolonged summer marked by heatwaves with the level of mercury rising over 40 degrees centigrade has become a new normal. The congested cities like Dhaka with receding greenery and advancing concrete cover, are turning into veritable...

Mamun Agro anticipates transfer to main boards despite financial flaws

Mamun Agro Products looks to move to the main boards of the bourses from SME boards though its latest financial statement exposed the weaknesses in its business operation. Its auditor has already given qualified opinions over its financial statement for...

BD convinces IMF to reduce addl revenue target by Tk170b

The government has successfully convinced the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to relax its ambitious tax revenue mobilization target for the National Board of Revenue (NBR).The IMF has agreed to cut down the additional tax revenue collection target by Tk 170...

Why young achievers still doubt themselves

Do you feel like a character in the "Among Us" game, where at any moment someone will hit the emergency meeting button and scream, "You don't belong here!"? Or, maybe, after you have landed the job or secured the degree,...

How to create a robust pitch deck for VCs

In recent years entrepreneurs have discovered that passion and vision alone rarely open investor wallets. Venture capitalists now insist on evidence of sustainable unit economics, demonstrable product market fit and a clear grasp of regulatory requirements before they commit capital....

Protecting basic rights of the poor, their children

The World Bank's Bangladesh Development Update, released on April 24, painted a gloomy picture of Bangladesh's economic outlook, warning of rising poverty, deepening inequality, and slowing growth. It indicates that an additional 3 million people may fall into extreme poverty...

Trade diversion may benefit LDCs

Global trade is going through a turbulent year due to United States (US) President Donald Trump's tariff coupled with policy uncertainty. Least Developed Countries (LDC), especially export-oriented ones like Bangladesh, will face severe repercussions due to their concentration of trade...

JBC seeks to grab big chunk of life ins biz

Jiban Bima Corporation (JBC) wants to grab a big chunk of the country's life-insurance business with legal blessings, officials said.To this effect, the corporation has recently requested the Financial Institutions Division (FID) under the Ministry of Finance to amend two...

Inclusion of 42 projects worth Tk 113b in ADP proposed

A total of 42 projects, with a preliminary cost of Tk 113.65 billion, have been proposed by various ministries and divisions for inclusion in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) to support government's social-security initiatives. Of this amount, Tk 103.27 billion...

Govt set to launch app, management centres in BD, KSA

The government is set to launch a dedicated mobile application (app) to ensure hassle-free services of the country's Hajj pilgrims. Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Muhammad Yunus is expected to launch the app formally on Monday (April 28), said a high...

How labour issue impacts foreign investment decisions

Bangladesh today has entered the highway of development in a confident journey - where progress in a new direction is not just a dream, but a matter of realization. The country is becoming a centre of interest for international investors...

A tribute to William Shakespeare on his 461st Birthday

Literature has a profound and diverse influence on society. It acts as a mirror reflecting current values, beliefs, and social dynamics. It also holds the power to shape minds, challenge prevailing norms, and initiate social change. Therefore, there is a...

Man's narrow interests get the better of his intelligence

The most predominant instinct in animal is self-preservation. Different species--- from the tiniest insect to the largest behemoth ---have developed different mechanisms of adaptability over the millennia for their survival. Birds, for example, have a special brain capacity to measure...

Signalling system to be restored in over 100 crossings in Dhaka

A fresh initiative has been taken to restore operation of signalling system in the city's over 100 crossings which remained almost stopped for a long time even after taking different projects spending more than Tk1.5 billion during the last two...

IsDB to lend $167m for 220MW solar plant

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has agreed to provide $167 million in loans - roughly Tk 20.10 billion - to develop a 220MW solar power plant in the Sonagazi area of Feni district, a facility with the highest solar capacity...

CPA marks 138 years today

CHITTAGONG, Apr 24: The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) will mark the completion of its 138 years on Friday.The CPA held a view exchange meeting with senior journalists at Shahid Fazlur Rahman Munshi hall in the port city on Thursday .Addressing...

Should battery-run rickshaws be allowed to operate or not?

The ban imposed on the operation of battery-run rickshaws in Gulshan and Banani took effect from Saturday last. This time the inhabitants of the two posh areas took the initiative for keeping the streets and alleys free from the illegal...

Unlocking new horizons for BD’s economic future

The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, held from April 7 to 10 in Dhaka, marks a defining moment in the nation's economic trajectory. As the renowned business magnate Richard Branson once said, "Business opportunities are like buses, there's always another one...

Cargo air-shipment from home ports getting into gear

Air-cargo facilities are being ramped up for exporters as the government braces for getting over the challenges stemming from Indian embargo on the third-country transshipment arrangement for Bangladesh.Officials say the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is considering several freight-facilitating...

Five 'I's that prompt multilateral entities to choose BRAC Bank as their dev partner

BRAC Bank is widely recognised as a preferred development partner by multilateral organisations for its capability to deliver inclusive financial solutions that create meaningful and measurable impacts.From securing strategic financing to implementing development-driven innovations, BRAC Bank has consistently demonstrated its...

Five 'I's that prompt multilateral entities to choose BRAC Bank as their dev partner

BRAC Bank is widely recognised as a preferred development partner by multilateral organisations for its capability to deliver inclusive financial solutions that create meaningful and measurable impacts.From securing strategic financing to implementing development-driven innovations, BRAC Bank has consistently demonstrated its...

How BD can withstand India's transshipment withdrawal

The old proverb "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" inspires optimism and a proactive approach in the face of adversity. Even though it is viewed as a simple encouragement at personal level, history suggests that adversity can indeed be...

When sudden death strikes the mighty

Death sometimes strikes when one least expects it to. On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis briefly showered his blessings on the crowd gathered at the Vatican. On Easter Monday, early in the morning, he was dead. One could certainly affirm that...

Overloaded vehicles cause annual damage worth at least Tk 8.61b

The damage caused to the Dhaka-Chattogram highway due to the overloading of goods-carrying vehicles is estimated to be at least Tk 8.61 billion annually.The assessment, conducted by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), even deducted the costs associated with the...

Govt slashes FY26 ADP by Tk350b amid revenue shortfall

All ministries are set to receive an allocation of Tk 2.16 trillion for ongoing projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year against Tk 2.08-trillion demand made by the implementing agencies.However, this allocation falls short...