Govt to issue Tk 25b Sukuk for rural development

The government is set to raise Tk 25 billion through the issuance of its seventh Sukuk bond in early December 2025 to finance rural infrastructure projects in Bangladesh's southern districts. The decision was made at the first meeting of the...

Hopes fade for legal hurdles, interagency conflicts

A much-hyped drive by the post-uprising interim government to recover a cache of stolen assets may not see success during its term as intelligence-insiders find no hope yet for formidable hurdles.Even evaded tax-recovery steps have stagnated as legal barriers restrict...

Rising costs, weak demand drag down SME earnings in FY25

Most of the listed small and medium enterprises (SMEs) witnessed a year-on-year decline in profit in FY25, driven by higher business costs amidmacroeconomic challenges.According to market analysts, overall economic activities remained subdued after the political shift last year that squeezed...

Govt raises BKB's capital base to Tk 15.5b to bolster its balance sheet

The government has increased the paid-up capital of the state-owned Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) to Tk 15.5 billion to strengthen the bank's balance sheet.The increase was materialised through conversion of the previously reserved recapitalization worth Tk 6.50-billion into permanent paid-up...

On pre-approval regulations for high-value LCs

With the holy month of Ramadan coming closer, there is a growing need to import essential commodities. In the wake of the previous Ramadan, in January 2025, Bangladesh had imported US$1 billion worth of dates, sugar, wheat, lentils, onions, chickpeas,...

Govt restrictions stifle St Martin's tourism

The government-imposed restrictions have got in the way of the development of tourism on the Saint Martin's Island.Introduced on the pretext of environmental protection, these measures have significantly limited local visitors' access to the island and disrupted the flow of...

Future of megaprojects funded by JICA remains clouded

Six major infrastructure projects involving an investment worth nearly Tk 1.94 trillion--- 76 per cent of which is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)--- are now encountering problems of varied nature.Behind the glossy images of progress surrounding these...

Revised IPO rules carve out separate quotas for mutual funds, wealthy investors

The securities regulator has revised the IPO (initial public offering) quota, separating mutual funds from the category of eligible investors and high-net-worth individuals from that of general investors.The revised public issue rules, which will introduce the reclassification of investor categories,...

Unregulated battery recycling plants

Lead poisoning has been a serious public health issue in Bangladesh since early 1990s affecting mostly children. Suspecting that burning of leaded-gasoline was a source of lead pollution in the environment, in 1999, the government of the time banned the...

BSEC seeks to remove IPO discounts for retail investors, tighten valuation

The revised public issue rules propose the removal of the provision that allows retail investors to purchase primary shares at a discount to the cut-off price determined by eligible investors (EIs) through institutional bidding.The market watchdog has sought public opinion...

Growing concern over e-waste in Bangladesh: laws exist, action lax

Electronic waste or e-waste is emerging as one of the fastest-growing waste streams in Bangladesh, mirroring a global trend driven by technological proliferation and shorter device lifespans. As the usage of mobile phones, televisions, computers and home appliances surges amid...

Lax enforcement of laws and security of life

The Odhikar and the Manabadhikar Sangskriti Sangstha, two human rights organisations, in their latest reports have come up with alarming pictures of the lax law and order and worsening security of life in the country. While the number of extrajudicial...

Is the world closer to the doomsday?

As Trump directed his country's Department of War to what he said start testing their Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis in response to other countries' testing programmes, the world is going to enter the insanely competitive era of nuclear...

Improvisation with Dhaka's metro rail has a cost

Liabilities of Dhaka metro -rail company are likely to multiply as it has to bear the cost of mending many defects and deficiencies recently identified in all systems and sub -systems in the under-operation overhead rail.A recent tragic accident of...

American markets: dependency yes, but free ride no

Critics of the United States (US) trade policy often argue that America is deeply protectionist. Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and Chinese imports, subsidies for farmers, and new industrial supports like the CHIPS and Science Act are frequently cited as proof...

Putting an end to food wastage

In recent years, Bangladesh has been under a rising threat of food insecurity. This concern is not merely a matter of public perception; several international rankings that measure poverty and food security, such as the Global Food Security Index, Global...

Bangladesh's struggle to make trade sustainable

Can the trade and environmental policies interact? If yes, what will be its influence on climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and global trade flows? The questions are not new, and the answer to the first question is a resounding 'yes':...

Political uncertainty drags down foreign cos' income in Jan-Sept

Most multinational companies saw their profits plummet in January-September this year compared to the same period last year, largely due to high finance costs and macroeconomic challenges amid political uncertainty.Economic activities have remained sluggish following the political changeover last year,...

The comedians of the digital era

Gary Hart was the frontrunner candidate from the Democratic camp in 1987 for the 1988 US presidential race. But his extramarital affairs with model Donna Rice put an abrupt end to his presidential campaign. Based on an anonymous tip, the...

220MW Sonagazi solar plant to get Tk 2.46b cost cut ahead of approval

The cost of the proposed 220-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Sonagazi, Feni, is set to be reduced by Tk 2.46 billion before final approval, following recommendations from a recent meeting of the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) of the...

Diplomatic channels move to settle HSIA 3rd terminal payment impasse

Diplomatic efforts are underway to resolve a financial dispute between the contractor of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's (HSIA) third terminal and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), after the issue drew the attention of both the South Korean and...

New act allows administrative fix outside court

The government has taken an initiative to recover encroached land and help the real owner get it back through an administrative process.A high official at the Ministry of Land says according to the Land Crime Prevention and Remedy Act 2023,...

Riding Dinajpur Commuter thru northern vista

It is a damp September morning. The early morning rain has left the long platforms of the Lalmonirhat railway station wet. The chirping of birds is heard from time to time amid the babble of passengers waiting under the blue...

The blue sea beckons

The first tourist trip of the season to the Saint Martin's is going to start today (Saturday). Tourists and locals are very happy to have the opportunity to go to Saint Martin's after a lapse of about 9 months. Local...

Financial autonomy in doubt as separate judiciary secretariat nears reality

Although most disagreements over establishing a separate secretariat for the judiciary have been resolved, questions persist over whether it will actually enjoy financial independence.The uncertainty arises from objections raised by the inter-ministerial committee on legal scrutiny of the Cabinet Division...

Ridership sees little impact in absence of viable alternatives

The recent Dhaka metro-rail bearing-pad accident has had little impact on overall ridership, as most passengers continue to use the service due to a lack of alternatives.However, analysts say the incident's effects are visible in operational disruptions, resulted a temporary...

IMED flags irregularities, mismanagement in Padma Oil HQ project

The Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) under the Planning Ministry has found serious irregularities, fund misuse, and mismanagement in the project to construct the head office of Padma Oil Company Limited in Chattogram, which has remained incomplete for over...

Top banks' inherent strengths drive profit growth in Jan-Sept

Well-performing banks offset a year-on-year decline in net interest income in the nine months through September with higher returns from investments in government securities.Market-based interest rates helped lenders earn more in interest during the period compared to the same period...

No room for independent media commission!

Old habits die hard. Reportedly, the information ministry essentially run by bureaucrats are once again up to the task of foiling the independence of media stipulated in the draft report submitted to the chief adviser. The reported striking off the...

Court to be off-limits to litigants from 2026

The government has decided not to allow land owners to file cases with courts for land record or khatiyan-related correction from next year. As part of the move, the Ministry of Land (MoL) has taken a measure to resolve the...