Taxmen\\\'s sweeping powers irk taxpayers

Auditing of tax files, submitted under the universal self-assessment method, is creating dissatisfaction among the taxpayers. Allegations have it that some taxmen are exercising their discretionary powers taking advantage of the absence of specific criteria for auditing tax files, sources...

Next dev programme for MDGs to top agenda

Next development programme for the MDGs, pinpointing areas of regional and south-south co-operation, will be high on the agenda of the upcoming 2nd meeting of cabinet secretaries of the SAARC countries, officials said. The high-powered meeting will be held in...

Karnaphuli Water Treatment Plant likely to be ready by Dec

The construction work of the Karnaphuli Water Treatment Plant at Rangunia in Chittagong is likely to be completed this year. After completion the plant will be able to supply 143 million litres drinking water per day to Chittagong Water Supply...

1200 sub-contracting RMG units yet to implement new wages

The country's 1,200 sub-contracting readymade garment (RMG) factories are yet to implement the new wage board even after more than four months of its announcement, which could spark violence in apparel industrial hubs, officials said. The state-run Department of Inspection...

Stocks break losing streak

The market witnessed a positive week after five consecutive weeks of negative trend as investors went on a buying spree, mainly multinational companies' stocks. "The market closed higher as the investors reacted positively on time extension of the margin loan...

Govt\\\'s policy support to local fashion houses can save big amount of forex

The government's policy support to the local fashion houses could help the country save a significant amount of foreign currencies as a large volume of foreign made fashioned clothes enter into the local market annually, industry insiders said. The market...

Market swamped with fake computers

The local market is flooded with low quality and fake computers and accessories as a section of unscrupulous importers procure these items to get windfall, buyers and sellers have alleged. Sellers say higher prices of branded items and dumping tendency...

South Asia needs to establish a regional human rights mechanism

In the era of globalisation, nothing exists like 'individual in nature'. Rather everything has a global flavour and dimension. Human rights as a global phenomenon has already crossed the level of individual state concern and become a part of international...

Crimea: Too small to matter

Crimea is permanently lost to Russia. That is implicit in President Barack Obama's remarks about where the Ukraine crisis heads next; the terms of the Paris talks between Secretary of State John Kerry and the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov,...

Bangladesh to help double rice production up in Himalayas

On March 26, the Red Green Flag of Bangladesh flew in the backdrop of Himalaya to mark the Independence Day of Bangladesh. Bishnu Roy Choudhury, the Bangladesh Ambassador in Bhutan gratefully remembered Bhutan as the first country that recognised independence...

Concepts of Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. The nanotechnology has its roots date back to a 1959 talk given by Richard Feynman (http:/nano.xerox.com/nanotech/feynman.html) in which he said, "The principles of Physics, as far as...

Place of Bangladesh in global sanitation graph

Eighty per cent of the diseases in developing counties are caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation, as well as their inadequate facilities. Open defecation is one of the main causes of diarrhoea, which results in the death of more...

In search of a recipe for resurrection of films

That the middle class -let alone the upper class - has long stopped visiting cinema halls is a common complaint. Many cites the ever presence of the idiot's box, TV that is, as the reason for the reluctance of people...

Price stability during Ramadan

The government has decided to build stocks of essentials including edible oil and sugar to keep prices stable in the holy month of Ramadan. The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is to sell the items in three phases---15 days...

Firms given until April 24 to submit financial offers

The time was extended by three weeks for the technically-responsive international firms to submit financial offers on construction of the main Padma bridge. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) extended Thursday the time till April 24 on request from two firms...

GSP action plan review, easing rules of origin to top agenda

A review of the generalised system of preferences (GSP) Action Plan and relaxation of the rules of origin will top the upcoming TICFA meeting agenda, officials have said. The meeting of the Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (TICFA) is...

Concerned about democratic rights

When a well-known business leader attempts to write on economic and trade matters, the exercise becomes worthwhile as it is believed to reflect on the subject in myriad shades and forms. Then, when it comes from someone inextricably linked with...

Of freedom and security

Freedom is as important as security. We humans need both freedom and security. Security needs to be balanced with freedom because without freedom we would be living in fear of the state or the government demanding of us, or dictating,...

Socially responsible financing

The concept of Socially Responsible Finance (SRF) and Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) continues to grow, especially in the wake of one of the most devastating financial crises in history. This includes responsibility from the corporate side (corporate social responsibility) as...

Primary growers deserve better

Poultry farmers from different areas under Dhamrai upazila registered a novel protest on Tuesday last in order to draw the attention of the authorities concerned. More than 500 owners of poultry farms smashed about 20,000 eggs on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway...

Tongi-Bhairab double track rly now to be completed by 2015

With more than 75 per cent construction of the Tongi-Bhairab double track railway project complete, the scheduled time for the project is likely to be extended up to May 2015. Upgrading the existing single track to double to increase line...

FPMU will submit proposals to government soon

The food planning and monitoring unit (FPMU) will submit a set of recommendations to the government soon that include developing proper marketing system to ensure fair prices of the growers product. Earlier the FPMU, which is under the ministry of...

65 RMG, textile units fail to start production for want of gas supply

Owners of more than 65 readymade garment (RMG) and textile units are facing bankruptcy as they have failed to start production in their factories for want of gas connections, industry insiders said. The government has stopped providing new gas connections...

DSEX crosses 4,600-mark

Stocks extended gaining streak for the fourth consecutive session Thursday with improved turnover and the key index of the prime bourse crossed 4,600 point-mark as investors continued to take position amid optimism. The key index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange...

DSE, CSE open positive

Share prices on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed positive trend in early hours of trading on Thursday, maintaining the previous day’s upward trend. DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, went up by...

Tk 6b spent beyond approved cost

The government has spent at least Tk 6.00 billion beyond the approved cost of Padma Bridge project due to delay in starting the construction of the country's longest bridge. Experts apprehend the spending will go up further for additional plan...

Bangladesh to seek power import from Bhutan

Dhaka will request Thimphu to export power to Bangladesh during the upcoming commerce secretary level meeting next week in Bhutan, a high trade official said. The commerce secretary level meeting of Bangladesh and Bhutan will be held on April 9-10...

FDI falls by 30 per cent in two months

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country has fallen drastically in the first two months of the current calendar year as the investors are still in 'wait-and- see' mood fearing further political turmoil, officials and industry insiders said. They also...

BGMEA working to comply with action plan

The apex trade body in the apparel sector is implementing fast the Bangladesh Action Plan, as set out by the US, in a bid to get the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility revived in the US market. A good...

Russia-Bangladesh relations in the context of Crimean vote

If we could for a moment forget we are in 2014 and also be unaware in which year we are, then a few events occurring in the country's politics in recent times could mislead us into believing that the Cold...