Send BFIU head on compulsory leave, launch probe

A section of Bangladesh Bank (BB) officials have urged the governor to send AFM Shahinul Islam, head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), on compulsory leave immediately and also launch an urgent investigation as several controversial videos allegedly involving...

No immediate plan to raise gas prices: Finance adviser

The government has no immediate plan to raise the gas prices as such a move could affect businesses, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has said. "We have to plant to enhance gas prices at this moment. Rather, we are considering...

Poor coordination key barrier

The Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) has identified inadequate coordination in land acquisition and utility relocation as a key constraint on the timely implementation of large infrastructure projects. To mitigate such delays, the planning ministry's evaluation division has recommended...

Women's financial inclusion rises notably in five years

Bangladesh has witnessed steady progress in women's financial inclusion over the past five years, marked by significant rise in the number of both deposit and loan accounts held by women in commercial banks.The number of female-owned deposit accounts surged from...

Prayer Timings (2025-08-20)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-R) during his meeting with NATO Secretary-General

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C-R) during his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and...

Central bank reconstitutes Premier Bank board

The Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday reconstituted the board of Premier Bank, a leading private commercial bank. The six members of the board are Dr Arifur Rahman, sponsor director of the bank; Md Forkan Hossain, former executive director of the Bangladesh...

Pak commerce min comes tomorrow, FM Saturday

Several Bangladesh-Pakistan cooperation accords are being readied for signing as Pakistan's foreign and commerce ministers are making back-to-back Dhaka visit from tomorrow, officials said.Pakistan Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan arrives here tomorrow (August 21) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is...

H1 2025 RMG exports to EU up 17.87pc

Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) exports to the European Union (EU) during the first half (H1) of 2025 witnessed 17.87 per cent growth, earning 10.29 billion euros.In the same period last year, RMG exports to the EU fetched 8.73 billion euros,...

Higher NPLs reduce banks' capital adequacy to lowest in South Asia

Higher classified loans have dragged the capital adequacy of Bangladesh's banking sector to the lowest level among neighbouring South Asian countries, officials said. The capital-to-risk-weighted-asset ratio (CRAR) fell drastically to 3.08 percent in 2024, driven largely by weak capital positions...

Overvalued Taka likely to cut export, remittance earnings

Local-currency taka again gets overvalued against the US dollar, as per July ratings, after remaining undervalued in two consecutive months, stoking concerns about Bangladesh's trade competitiveness on the volatile global market.The real effective exchange rate (REER), a key indicator for...

Realtors hit as RAJUK’s hacked eCPS long lies crippled

Realtors are left in the lurch as the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha's (RAJUK) digital construction-permitting system has remained offline for nearly three months following massive hacking, halting design approval and land-use clearance.Industry-insiders have said the prolonged breakdown of the Electronic Construction...

PAGE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH BKASH

PAGE Development Centre, a leading microfinance institution (MFIs), and bKash signed an agreement whereby 210,000 members of the MFI can now pay their instalments of savings and loan schemes through the convenient, fast and secured 'Microfinance' payment option in bKash...

TRUST BANK SIGNS MOU WITH ACI MOTORS

Trust Bank PLC and ACI Motors Limited have signed an MoU recently. Under this MoU, Trust Bank Credit Card holders can avail 0% EMI facility up to 24 months for purchasing Yamaha motorcycles from ACI Motors showrooms. Md Mahboob Hossain,...

AL-ARAFAH ISLAMI BANK HOLDS TRAINING WORKSHOP

A training workshop on 'Investment classification and provisioning reports' was held at Al-Arafah Islami Bank under the Master Circular issued by the Banking Regulations and Policies Department of Bangladesh Bank. Managing Director (CC) of the bank Mohd. Rafat Ullah Khan...

Hotel Sarina re-launches Risotto with a fresh ambiance

Risotto, Dhaka's beloved Italian dining destination, has officially re-launched with a brand-new ambiance and an exciting new menu, bringing guests a refreshed experience of authentic Italian cuisine, says a statement.The re-launch event, held recently at Risotto, was a resounding success,...

Tk 480m project to enhance beauty

The government has taken a Taka 480 million (48 crore) project to further enhance the beauty of Dharmasagar Dighi, a symbol of history, tradition, culture and social gathering of the ancient city Cumilla, reports BSS.Under the project, beautification works including...

Rafius Sajjad joins BWDB as ADG

Engineer Md Rafius Sajjad joined Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) on Tuesday as its Additional Director General (ADG), reports BSS.Previously, he served as Chief Engineer (Civil), Central Zone of the BWDB.Engr Sajjad earned a BSC in Civil Engineering degree from...

Much-awaited 3rd Teesta Bridge to open today

KURIGRAM, Aug 19 (UNB) : The long wait for residents along the Teesta riverbank is finally coming to an end, as the much-hyped Third Teesta Road Bridge will officially open to traffic on Wednesday.Stretching 1,490 metres, the new bridge fulfills...

Yield on long-term treasury bonds falls further

The yield on long-term treasury bonds fell further on Tuesday, as banks preferred risk-free government securities to park their surplus liquidity amid subdued private sector credit demand.The cut -off yield, generally known as interest rate, on the 10-Year Bangladesh Government...

Rice imports resume thru Hili port after duty cut

Rice imports restarted on Tuesday through the Hili land port in Dinajpur after the National Board of Revenue (NBR) reduced import duties recently, sources said.Normally subject to a 63.25 per cent duty, rice imports will now face only 2.0 per...

Sheltech sponsors Scholastica Club for community wellness initiatives

Sheltech, a leading conglomerate of Bangladesh, sponsors Scholastica Club Limited. Esha Ahmed, Director of Sheltech Group, has become the first Donor Member of Scholastica Club Limited. The signing ceremony was held on Saturday at Envoy Tower in the city in...

ICB HOLDS MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE MEETING

The 106th meeting of the Management Co-ordination Committee of the Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) was held at the head office of the corporation on Monday. The meeting reviewed the achievements and progress made in implementing the decisions taken at...

SBAC BANK HOLDS 12TH AGM HELD

SBAC Bank PLC held its 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at RAOWA Convention Centre in Dhaka on Tuesday via a hybrid mode, with its Chairman Md. Moklesur Rahman in the chair. At the AGM, shareholders approved the audited financial statements...

Pubali Bank opens Green Road Islamic Banking Sub-Branch

With the commitment to providing modern Islamic banking services based on Sharia, Pubali Bank PLC opened its Green Road Islamic Banking Sub-Branch at Panthapath in Dhaka on Tuesday. Mohammad Ali, Managing Director and CEO of Pubali Bank inaugurated the sub-branch...

NCC Bank rolls out 'TakaPay'

NCC Bank has introduced the national debit card 'TakaPay', initiated by Bangladesh Bank and operated entirely through domestic infrastructure. This will serve as a local alternative to international payment networks, such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. The debit card...

Japan's SoftBank to invest $2 billion in Intel

TOKYO, Aug 19 (AFP): Japan-based tech investor SoftBank Group said Tuesday it will invest $2 billion in Intel, as the US government reportedly considers taking a 10-percent stake in the troubled US chip giant.The move is the latest in SoftBank's...

Titas disconnects illegal gas connections in Dhaka, Gazipur, N'ganj

The Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company has conducted drives in Dhaka city and Gazipur and Narayanganj districts yesterday (Monday) for disconnecting illegal connections and realized fines amounting to about Taka 5,90,000, reports BSS.The company, during the drives led by...

Walton Plaza provides over Tk 20m financial assistance to hire-purchase families

Walton Plaza, the largest sales and distribution network of electronics, electrical, and ICT products in Bangladesh, has provided more than Tk20 million (2 crores) financial assistance to a total of 800 families over death of hire-purchase customers and any member...

US Commercial Counselor meets FBCCI Administrator

US Commercial Counselor in Dhaka Paul G. Frost met Administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md. Hafizur Rahman on Tuesday, reports BSS.During the meeting held at the FBCCI office in the capital's Motijheel area,...