UNOs are no longer CEOs of upazilas

The declaration of unconstitutionality of the Section 33 of the Upazila Parishad Act by the High Court (HC) puts this vital tier of local government administration in its right perspective. Such an arrangement is in conflict with the rule by...

Where non-market forces rule

A local economic think tank, the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), in a recent study has found that 74 per cent of low-income people in the country have been borrowing money from relatives or micro-finance institutions (MFIs) to...

History will remember Justice Murshed

"I sometimes hold in half a sin, To put into words the guilt I feel For words like nature half reveal And half conceal the soul within". I heard the late Justice Murshed recite these lines of Alfred Lord Tennyson...

To continue, or not to continue? A new dilemma

Uncertainty grips the future of a project taken to install an automated traffic signal system at four intersections in Dhaka city, as the government does not want to continue it amid failures to finish installation work while its Japanese financier...

Floor price to stay until DSEX tops 6,500 points

The securities regulator will not risk lifting the floor price until the main index at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) goes past 6500 points "in the interest of small investors who are a majority in the stock market", said the...

Big stocks lose big on turnover volumes since January

Investors' participation in trading of big-cap stocks, Grameenphone and Square Pharmaceuticals for example, has fallen significantly in the last three months. During the same period, small-cap companies saw share transactions in high volumes. Apart from posting high turnover, the small-cap...

Setting national Zakat guidelines

Zakat is a mandatory charity on the part of solvent Muslims who have a minimum amount of wealth after their own consumption, which is usually paid during the holy month of Ramadan. But there is no religious binding that Zakat...

Govt plans to launch DPS for migrant workers

The government is planning to introduce a deposit pension scheme (DPS) for the migrant workers - to properly utilise their hard-earned remittance as well as encourage savings.It is among a package of measures, to be discussed and decided in the...

Times opportune for Eid tailoring biz

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 31: Tailoring and fashion houses in the port city of Chattogram are doing a roaring trade, as evidenced by scenes of hectic dress-making activities.The tailors and designers have been going through a punishing schedule night and day ahead...

Rybakina in Miami Open final

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Mar 31 (AP): The hopes of American men's tennis rest largely on the talented rackets of Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.But a Spanish roadblock named Carlos Alcaraz is in the way - never more illustrated by the...

Smart Citizens

A young graduate of National University is looking for free skills-based courses to enhance his job prospects. A student in Bandarban seeks open access to an academic platform where she can learn and demonstrate her creativity simultaneously. A senior teacher...

Semiconductor industry

The semiconductor industry in the world indicates that its business will create a great influence on international trade and global power structure. On August 9, 2022, US President Joe Biden enacted the "CHIPS and Science Act" that seeks to strengthen...

Not all can make the most of sunset years

Sunset years are resplendent like the setting sun in a clear sky only for the blessed. Few people can live a most fruitful life and end it on a cherished note like A.P.J Abdul Kalam, former president of India. For...

US monetary policy & Bangladesh economy

During my February visit to Bangladesh, I had the privilege of joining a Federal Reserve's (FED) Monetary Policy discussion session organised by the Chief Economist's Unit of the Bangladesh Bank (BB). The session was attended by senior economists, moderated by...

Ctg-Dubai sea route likely to be launched in April

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 30: The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is working on the launch of a new sea route connecting Chattogram to Dubai, said officials. This will mark the first shipping route connecting Chittagong seaport with Middle Eastern countries. After the...

Meeting the challenge of growing crops other than paddy

News coming from the food front of this country is disconcerting. At a time when eleven straight monthly declines in food prices have led to a 19 per cent less costlier average edibles in the international market from their peak...

Adjusting the fiscal framework

Whether the fiscal framework of the fiscal year 2022-23 (FY23) was designed considering the correct set of assumptions remains a critically important question. While the economy was already reeling under immense pressure due to the ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic,...

BD bracing for talks with India on CEPA

Bangladesh is crafting strategies to start negotiations with India on the long-awaited proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), sources said.To this end, commerce ministry has sought opinions on trade in goods/services and investment on the CEPA from more than 58...

Austerity saves forex but at NBR’s cost

Imports of 135 products plummeted 52 per cent in volume and 41 per cent in value during the last nine months following the imposition of prohibitive duties to save Bangladesh's falling forex reserves.Official statistics show government revenue from these imports,...

Equity market to expand as 29 state-run cos eye listing

The securities regulator has identified 29 state-owned companies whose listing on the stock exchanges can help expand the market and create new opportunities for investors to inject funds. A letter was sent to the Prime Minister's Office in January with...

Govt clears financing hurdle for Eastern Refinery 2nd unit

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 29: Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) is poised to commence work on the second unit of its facility, following the resolution of financing issues that had long hindered progress. The government has approved the exemption of its share of...

Wage earners' remittance inflow and contribution to the economy

In the post-pandemic period, the world economy struggles to survive from the impact of Ukraine-Russia war by altering international business and trade pattern in sporadic ways. Developing countries like Bangladesh suffer most to cope with this scenario and noticed sharp...

Ramadan . . . when light permeates the soul

Ramadan is all about values. And fasting is a reminder not merely of what the Almighty expects His creation to do in remembrance of His munificence but also a reassertion of the belief that there are the multitudes out there...

Significance of developing innovation strategy for business growth

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, achieving success requires consideration of multiple factors. Among these, the importance of innovation strategy cannot be overstated. In essence, an innovative strategy is a deliberate plan implemented by businesses, organisations, and brands to optimise...

Bangladesh economy: weathering the storm, containing the risks

The national budget for FY2023-24 (FY24) will be the last budget prepared by the incumbent government prior to the upcoming national elections. It is being prepared amidst a number of disquieting developments - both at the global and domestic fronts....

A village of colours, a picturesque canvas

There is a small village in the Nachole Upazila of Chapainawabganj district, Rajshahi, known as Tikoil Gram. This place is popularly known as Alpana gram because house walls, floors, and yards of this village are painted with different colours during...

Panel that could guide market regulator through crises remains dormant

The 2010 stock market debacle prompted the securities regulator to form a "high profile" advisory committee to suggest changes in policies, whenever needed, to help develop the country's capital market.The committee sat only once in 2014 after its formation in...

Addressing looming water crisis

Water, freshwater to be specific, has always been a scarce resource. And stories of conflicts between territories, regions, and even nations over the control of the sources of water abound. With the increase in population and the expansion of agriculture...

Does saving banks promote 'democratic capitalism'?

Banks in the developed countries are the citadel of private capitalism and central banks are supposedly their guardians and gatekeepers. Every time there is a shockwave going through one or a few banks, it threatens to be systemic. One would...

High hopes pinned on 30 new apparel products

Emerging 30 readymade garment items in Bangladesh's export basket raise hope as their shipments continue to grow year on year, amid changing consumer taste, manufacturers and officials have said. The local apparel producers have recently requested the government to take...