Time-expired container terminal project now taken for revival

A tenure-expired container-terminal project, conceived by the ousted regime, is set to be placed today for interim government's seal for revival by almost doubling the time and cost, insiders said Tuesday.Although Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) had failed to...

Democracy, fair polls and economic growth

Election and democracy are mainly political issues. In Bangladesh those, however, often become relevant to socio-economic development, particularly when they accelerate or hinder economic growth process. The prospect of peace, stability and economic growth in the context of the upcoming...

Engaging challenges, reviving trust, reimagining regional unity

In 2014, the ‘Neighborhood First’ policy of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, embarked with the hope and ambitious objective to redraw the geopolitical matrix of South Asia. It was a dream based on cooperation, trust, and...

Stabilisation Fund hanging in the balance, with SEC skeptical about its role

The fate of the Capital Market Stabilisation Fund (CMSF) is hanging as it is yet to know whether it will be allowed to run operations in the changed political landscape.The uncertainty loomed after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led regime...

Mobile talk-time tariffs set to rise

Mobile talk-time is likely to get dearer as the revenue authorities have decided to increase taxes on mobile talk-time by 3.0 per cent from existing 20 per cent.An ordinance to this end might be issued this week, according to officials.In...

Blocking sun to fight climate change

To retard the process of human-induced global warming, the concerned UN bodies have been working hard to prevail upon nations to limit their levels of carbon emission. But despite commitments and promises from the main contributors to global warming, cooperation...

Cryptocurrencies in Bangladesh: a growing shadow economy

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have introduced a transformative way of handling money, offering a decentralized, digital alternative to traditional currencies. Built on blockchain technology, these virtual currencies use cryptography for secure transactions, making them resistant to manipulation by central...

Tax fair with green approach draws greater attention

An innovative digital tax fair in Tax Zone-15 has garnered significant attention for its eco-friendly approach, marking a first in the country's tax offices.This event, held in a zone dedicated to Bangladesh Bank (BB) officials and the Information Technology Enabled...

Guest birds flock to Ctg seashore

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 05: Migratory birds have come in flocks to seashore, hills and riverbanks here for vacation in winter.It is time for birdwatchers as the arrival of the guest birds has increased the beauty of nature.Sources say migratory birds come...

Price hike of rice in peak harvesting season

A fresh spurt in rice price right in the peak harvesting time is unexpected but not ruled out altogether. It may happen if the harvest is very poor and there is no arrangement for supplementing the anticipated shortfall of the...

Future of the nation depends on interim govt's success

Security issues in public life have taken a nosedive in recent months. Financial insecurity of the people at the moment, though, is not of recent origin. In fact, it is a legacy from the past, ousted government. But far from...

Foreign grants for dev projects mostly misdirected

Grants coming for development projects in Bangladesh from several foreign agencies mostly goes for revenue expenditure for consultants, foreign trips, training and salaries, leaving little for real service delivery.An analysis of five projects has revealed the state of foreign grant...

Metrorail's MRT-05 south project back on track

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-05 project finally resumes for implementation to build Dhaka city's south communications corridor from Gabtoli to Dasherkandi through Karwanbazar, ending speculations about rerouting or suspending another underground metrorail.According to officials, a development project proposal (DPP)...

A step by step guideline to build long-term network

Bangladesh's business world does not wait; rather, it adapts. Standing still means slipping behind. Cultural differences and unpredictable markets create competitive hurdles for small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). Yet, those who crack the networking code often turn obstacles into opportunities.Research...

Factors behind multinational cos' poor show on bourses in 2024

Multinational companies (MNCs) failed to perform well in the secondary market last year because of macroeconomic worries and liquidity shortage.Despite being fundamentally strong, a majority of these companies witnessed price erosion throughout the year, except for a few sessions immediately...

Adjusting the trade policy in 2025

Every year presents a unique mix of challenges and opportunities, and 2025 is no different. For Bangladesh, it brings a host of challenges on the political and economic fronts, but also significant opportunities to propel the nation to new heights....

BSF pushes back four Bangladeshis

HABIGANJ, Jan 3 (UNB): Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has sent back four Bangladeshis, who earlier trespassed on India through the border of Habiganj.Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) took custody of the four from the BSF after a flag meeting...

12 abandoned aircraft at HSIA a bane for CAAB

Twelve abandoned aircraft parked at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) have turned into a bane for the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) as auction process for selling them may face complications.The auction process may be obstructed by the...

DMP designing bus routes different from franchise plan

Dhaka's traffic-police department comes up with a new bus-route plan proposing 54 routes that include 25 circular ones while under-work route rationalization stays afoot.The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Traffic last week shared its plan with stakeholders, including Dhaka Transport Coordination...

Warm attire sales peak this winter

Sales of warm clothes, quilts and blankets have boomed, as chilly weather continues to persist with the fall of mercury in the capital and elsewhere across the country.Visiting Gulistan, Purana Paltan, Mouchak and New Market areas on Friday, the FE...

Gangsters and teenage gangs can be a dreadful combination

Sheikh Mohammad Aslam nicknamed Sweden Aslam, one of Dhaka's top underworld gangsters who mutually divided the city into zones following turf wars, was released from high-security Kashimpur jail on September 3 last. His release came after 27 years in prison....

Four bypasses, a flyover to be constructed at five points

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 03: Four bypasses and a flyover will be constructed at five important points on Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway to improve the road communication between the two districts.Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the...

Maximising benefits of agricultural production

The importance of food preservation is next to production of food. Preservation helps build a buffer stock of food and ensures price stabilisation through steady supply of the items round the year. Food preservation enables an individual, a community or...

Coherence of policy documents a must

Technological advances and environmental concerns are rapidly changing the energy landscape of the world. Renewable energy currently comprises more than 50 per cent of total primary energy and more than 90 per cent of electricity production in some countries. The...

From celebrations to integration of national expectations

The Bangalees are fond of celebrations so much so that they have invented 13 festivities of their own for 12 months. Lately they have shown growing interests in incorporating quite a few from foreign or alien cultures. While the generational...

An interview with President Carter

“The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral, and social being.” These timely utterances by Thomas Jefferson have stood the test of time in relation to the impact of...

Nov pvt sector credit growth declines

The private-sector credit growth fell significantly in November 2024 mainly due to a lower demand for loans, particularly for trade financing, amid ongoing uncertainties along with higher interest rates on lending, bankers say. The growth in credit flow to the...

Ctg Elevated Expressway toll collection starts today

CHATTOGRAM: The Chattogram Elevated Expressway, the longest of the country, opens to commercial traffic today (Friday). After four months of trial runs, toll collection on the expressway starts today. Sources said tolls for both entry and exit would initially be...

Trade turnover via DSE mobile app jumps 26pc in 2024 despite fewer users

Transactions through the DSE mobile app jumped more than 26 per cent year-on-year to Tk 214.3 billion in 2024, as tech savvy younger generations and professionals prefer to trade remotely.Investors purchased securities worth Tk 108.67 billion and sold shares worth...

DWASA's project at odds with master plan

Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) plans to spend Tk 10.52 billion on installing 62 new deep tube wells and rehabilitating 728 existing ones, aiming to extract an additional 576 million litres of water per day (MLD) from ground...