Dholaikhal, the machine hub

Dholaikhal is one of Dhaka's most significant commercial and historical areas. Over time, it has transformed from a river into an industrial hub. This area is a major centre for manufacturing, renowned for producing industrial equipment, machinery, and car parts....

Improving train service

As one of the country's primary modes of transportation, trains have long earned the trust of the general public. However, in recent times, frequent schedule disruptions, indefinite service suspensions, a shortage of trains, and declining service quality have made train...

AI agents in the workplace

Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents are revolutionising the workplace by automating tasks, analysing vast amounts of data, and making intelligent decisions. Powered by machine learning and natural language processing, AI systems like ChatGPT enhance workplace communication, while autonomous robots improve efficiency...

Will counter-based bus operation fail again?

The authorities concerned, in partnership with private transport operators, recently launched counter-based ticket-selling bus service on a few routes in Dhaka city to provide commuters a safer and more comfortable experience by maintaining scheduled operations and preventing overcrowding and fare...

Bangladesh's corruption rank is unsurprising

The common people in Bangladesh cannot help feeling unease at the yearly 'sobriquet' of one of the top corrupt countries in the world that hangs around its neck like the Ancient Mariner's dead albatross, courtesy of the Berlin-based Transparent International...

Diversification can meet post-LDC challenges

The government's initiative to speed up export diversification in preparation for post-LDC challenges is a complex task requiring both persistent efforts and innovative approaches. A FE report says the relevant authorities are developing a strategy to maintain the competitiveness of...

Strengthening financial literacy in Bangladesh

Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively manage personal financial behaviour. It encompasses knowledge about budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, and financial planning for the future of an individual. A financially literate person is able to make informed and...

Walton's free float surges to 30pc: What does it mean to investors?

Free float of Walton Hi-Tech Industries was 1.49 per cent even six months back. Then by January this year, the number of publicly tradable shares jumped to more than 30 per cent. The free float increased so quickly, as six...

There was traffic congestion in various parts of the city

There was traffic congestion in various parts of the city, causing immense suffering for commuters. The photo was taken from the Shaheed Jahangir Gate area on Wednesday evening. — FE Photo by Asad-Uz-Zaman

This govt backed by legal means, people's will: HC

The High Court has said that the interim government, led by Noble laureate Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, is backed by legal instrument as well as by the will of the people of Bangladesh."It's pertinent to mention that the President of...

Laid-off Beximco workers to get due wages by Feb

The government will pay all the due wages of over 27,000 laid-off workers of Beximco Group by this month (February), said Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain on Wednesday."We want to clear the dues before Ramadan...

Danish recipe for BD labour market

Bangladesh should organise its labour market, establish fair wages, ensure employment and social protection, and upskill the unskilled workers for successful reforms in its labour market.The suggestions came at a recent virtual view-exchange meeting of the Labour Reform Commission with...

Ramadan price hike feared as unloading at Ctg port delayed

CHATTOGRAM, Feb 12: A total of 269 lighterage ships carrying thousands of tonnes of imported goods have been floating in the sea and rivers in different parts of the country for several weeks, creating a crisis of such vessels at...

Consumers grappling with VAT overdose amid high inflation

Consumers are struggling with rising taxes amid higher inflation, experts observed on Wednesday, criticising overuse of the indirect taxation, particularly VAT, which is disproportionately affecting lower- and middle-income groups.Besides, weak revenue collection raised concerns among the economists and business leaders...

Prayer Timings (2025-02-13)

Nagad admin attacked 'with hammers'

Muhammad Badiuzzaman Didar, the administrator of the mobile financial service provider Nagad, on Wednesday came under attack on Road Number 12 in the capital's Banani.The incident took place at about 4:30 pm after he said to the media that preliminary...

Tk 51.09b shares of S Alam, family

A Dhaka court Wednesday ordered freeze on over 4.37 billion shares of 42 companies, worth Tk 51.09 billion, owned by beleaguered S Alam Group chairman Mohammad Saiful Alam and his family members. Judge of the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court...

Govt cuts target of borrowing from banks

The government has slashed its bank borrowing target by 28 per cent, or Tk 385 billion, for this fiscal year, due to lower expenditures and slower implementation of the Annual Development Programme (ADP).Under the revised target, the government will borrow...

Faruque Ahmed made MD of DMTCL

Faruque Ahmed, a Bangladeshi expatriate having experiences to work on different metro rail projects worldwide, has been selected as the managing director of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).Sources said a six-member committee, headed by Bangladesh University of Engineering...

Planning commission under pressure to green-light MRT-5 south project

The planning commission is under pressure to approve the MRT-5 southern line project, although it was sent back more than a month ago for bloated costs and having less priority than another MRT line, officials said on Wednesday.The commission is...

Fitch sceptical of govt projections

Global rating-agency Fitch paints a downbeat outlook for Bangladesh economy on several grounds that include political unrest surrounding polls. Fitch Solutions in its latest appraisal report forecasts headline inflation to average 8.5 per cent and intends to revise down its...

'Horrific', 'unbelievable', says Dr Yunus

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has described the secret torture cells (known as Aynaghar) as horrific after visiting three of those, reports UNB."If I want to narrate it can be said that it is a horrific scene! Everything that happened...

Hasina, minions blamed for serious HR violations

Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her minions in government, security services and her Awami League party systematically engaged in serious human-rights violations during last year's student-led protests, according to UN findings. A 105-page report prepared by the fact-finding...

Weather (2025-02-13)

Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country in the next 24 hours from 06:00 am today (Thursday), according to the Met Office. Temperature may rise by (1-2)°C over the country.The highest temperature in the...

DoE, UNOPS ink deal to strengthen environmental governance

The Department of Environment (DoE) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) signed an agreement to strengthen environmental governance, promote sustainable development, and accelerate climate resilience in Bangladesh.DoE Director General Md. Kamruzzaman and UNOPS Asia Pacific Regional Director...

Labour ministry seeks govt mediation to encash FDRs

The labour and employment ministry has sought the government's intervention to encash its Central Fund (CF) Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs) stuck at three crisis-hit banks and one non-bank financial institution (NBFI), sources say.Labour and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman requested the...

Environment ministry launches drive to clean St. Martin's Island

The government has launched a cleanup drive to protect the environment and biodiversity of ecologically vulnerable St. Martin's Island, reports UNB.The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change started the two-day drive on Wednesday in coordination with the local administration...

Ex-DCCI chief Waziullah dies

Former president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) ATM Waziullah died of old-age complications at the age of 87 at United Hospital in the capital on Wednesday. He left behind a son, two daughters and a host of...

Govt issues directives to protect air passengers from overcharging

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT) has issued a circular mandating airlines and travel agencies to ensure transparency in airfare, aiming to protect passengers from overcharging and facilitate fair ticket sales.The directives issued on Tuesday night outlined several...

Local ad market shifting to digital media, traditional media getting marginalised

Digital media, led by social media platforms, is grabbing stakes in the country's advertisement market over the past several years, gradually taking away shares of the conventional media, market insiders said.Social media platforms like Facebook, Google, YouTube, and Netflix are...