Factors behind recent increase in ownership stakes in companies

Sponsor-directors of some leading companies have been increasing their stake in their own firms at a time when institutional and general investors are selling shares, indicating that sponsors have confidence in the prospects of their companies.For example, three directors of...

Growing number, power of the rich

Globally, the number of the superrich is rising at a faster rate than before. A global real estate consultancy, Knight Frank, in a recent report says, the US's billionaires own 40 per cent of the wealth (about USD5.7 trillion) owned...

A diplomatic visit and future directions in South Asia

The recent diplomatic meeting between former Ambassador of the United States (US) to Bangladesh William B Milam and Deputy Ambassador Jon Danilowicz with Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus marks a significant convergence of democratic aspirations and diplomatic outreach for...

Private credit growth slips to 7.15pc in Jan

Private-sector credit growth declined further in January, mainly due to lower loan demand driven by ongoing political uncertainty and higher lending rates, bankers said.The growth in credit flow to the private sector came down to 7.15 per cent in January...

None else but NBR to present tax-waiver issues in parliament

The draft of a new policy framework aims to tighten tax-breaks as it bars any agency or authority but the government revenue board from placing any tax-exemption issue before parliament.The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has prepared the draft policy...

Uncertainty and hopelessness stare Rohingya in the face

The United Nations World Food Programme's (UN WFP's) plan to reduce food ration for the Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar by more than half from next month is highly alarming. Originally the allocation was $12.50 (Tk1,515) per person per month...

Meeting anaesthesiologist crisis in hospitals

Sometimes, fatalities during even minor surgeries may occur due to improper use of anaesthesia. One might recall that in February last year, a ten-year-old student of Motijheel Ideal School and College died while he was undergoing a circumcision procedure at...

Debt stock stood at $74.40b when Hasina govt fell

Bangladesh gets deeply indebted as, over the past 16 years, the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina had borrowed $74.40 billion from external sources and repaid $39.31 billion-nearly half the total-before stepping down amid a student-mass uprising.As of June...

What led to prevailing mess at BSEC?

Tension brewed at the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) even before the departure of the previous chief and his team of commissioners. The commission led by Prof Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam enforced many decisions despite opposition from commission employees....

A wonder of Mughal era stands strikingly

COX'S BAZAR, Mar 08: A historic mosque in Cox's Bazar, which is believed to have been built during the Mughal era, stands conspicuously, catering to the interests of all enthusiasts, especially tour lovers. The structure, popularly known as Ghaibi Mosque...

A major quake striking BD not a remote possibility

The frequent low-intensity tremors felt in various parts of Bangladesh due to earthquakes in neighbouring countries serve as a grim reminder of the country's seismic vulnerability. Over the past 10 days, Bangladesh has experienced four earthquakes. The most recent one,...

Fixing the problems of Islamic banks

Despite various criticisms, Islamic banking has been growing continuously worldwide for a long time due to its profit-risk sharing structure, inclusiveness, and real asset-backed transactional features. This growth signifies the potential of Islamic banking to transform the financial landscape. Islamic...

RMG: A propeller of inclusive growth and equality

Over the last four decades the ready-made garment (RMG) industry of Bangladesh facilitated millions of women's financial independence and social wellbeing. The sector acted as a catalyst of women's empowerment breaking all the stereotype social norms and gender roles. This...

Bangladeshi women need more acceleration, less brakes for empowerment

The theme of International Women's Day in 2025 is "Accelerate Action". It highlights the urgency of making faster, more effective progresses towards gender equality. Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking immediate and significant steps to achieve gender equality. It...

Emerging challenges that need redress

Nowadays, it has become common for all who get online to receive WhatsApp messages claiming that an individual is in distress and seeking monetary help through mobile financial services (MFS). Using technology, frauds offer people jobs or ways of additional...

Ctg footpaths turn into hawker markets

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 07: The footpaths of many important roads in the port city are being occupied illegally by hawkers from the first day of the Ramadan.City dwellers said maximum footpaths have been turned into hawker markets during the Eid shopping,...

Support fund afoot to import essentials

The government plans to create an import- support fund with a view to facilitating import of consumer goods and essential commodities to ensure sufficient supplies of such items in the domestic market.To this end, sources said, commerce ministry wrote to...

Over 5,000 students to receive Tk 0.1m each

Over 5,000 students severely injured in the July-August mass uprising in Bangladesh will receive over Tk 100,000 each in cash transfer from the World Bank for their medical treatment and livelihood restoration, said officials. The multilateral lender has agreed to...

BB to keep a watch on inflation trend before depreciating Taka further

The Bangladesh Bank has decided to keep close watch on the inflation trend before depreciating the Taka further in line with IMF-set conditions, officials said. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) wants exchange rate of the local currency with the US...

Citizenships on sale in the land of El Dorado

This is the fifth call a man in his late 60s receive within a couple of hours. He is at his wit's end why his friends and colleagues ask him the same question. After the first two calls, he was...

Bangladesh needs a neatly-crafted maritime policy

Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made – Robert N. Rose aptly captures the essence of maritime transport—a sector not merely pivotal as a business but fundamental to the lifeline of Bangladesh’s economy. Encircled by...

Proposal sent back, cost cut suggested

The Medical Education and Family Welfare Division under the health ministry has proposed a project to reconstruct 592 union health and family planning centres at an estimated cost of Tk 22.304 billion in the first phase. Once completed, the two-storey...

DMTCL exploring ways to raise metro rail capacity

Ridership on the metro rail has recently surged to nearly 500,000 passengers, prompting the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) to explore ways to enhance its capacity.DMTCL plans to add two more cars to each train and reduce train headways...

Labour laws fail to match global standard

The draft of the labour law reform has reportedly been finalised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment notwithstanding complaints from workers, one of the two principal stakeholders. Before presenting this draft at the governing body meeting of the International...

Ukraine needs Zelensky, Trump & Europe

The times are out of joint. That is an understatement, of course. But there's no other way of looking at the situation after the bust-up which took place at the White House last week. It is something which ought not...

Call money rate falls slightly after CRR cut

The inter-bank call-money rate edged down slightly on Wednesday, a day after the cut in daily cash reserve requirement (CRR) by 50 basis points, giving more flexibility to the banks for maintaining their CRR.The weighted average rate (WAR) of call...

Dressmakers, designers having hectic days ahead of Eid in Ctg

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 05: Tailor's and fashion houses are now crowded with buyers in the port city as Eid ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of Muslims, is set to be observed at the end of Ramadan .Tailors have submerged themselves completely...

Demolition of illegal brick kilns: who to bell the cat?

That brick kilns cause colossal damage to the environment is an established truth that needs little elaboration. However, neither the decision-makers nor the law enforcers are showing a good understanding of the issue, let alone members of the public. Decision...

Mortgaged asset auction hurdles fuel NPL build-up

Despite having money loan court (Artha Rin Adalat) decrees in their favour, banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) are not getting the desired success in selling mortgaged properties due to various complications. Bank officials are reluctant to sell such properties...

Banks' special securities fund stays two more years

Banks' special fund designated for stock-market investment survives two more years until December next year as the regulator renews its tenure amid entreaties from stakeholders and fears of securities selloffs, officials said.After deciding to extend the tenure last week, they...