News Briefs-(7-11-2018)

IBFB celebrates its 13th anniv

The International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB), a non-profit and non-partisan research and advocacy based nationwide trade body, has celebrated its 13th anniversary at a city hotel on Monday. President of IBFB Humayun Rashid inaugurated the event and thanked everyone present at the event. Recalling the achievements and activities of IBFB carried out in the past, the IBFB leaders re-assured their commitments to continue its noble endeavors for establishing a business-friendly environment in the country. IBFB strives for identifying common business challenges, conducting advocacy and pursuing specific and actionable recommendations to create business friendly environment in Bangladesh. The association comprises business leaders from all over the country and abroad as well as resource and knowledge based individuals such as academia, civil society members, retired high govt. officials, lawyers, economists, journalists etc.

— Statement

UK cabinet discusses Brexit

LONDON, Nov 06: British Prime Minister Theresa May gathered her cabinet to discuss Brexit on Tuesday as she seeks an EU deal within weeks, but a key ally said a no-agreement scenario was looming. At its weekly meeting, cabinet was due to discuss the state of withdrawal negotiations and planning for the possibility that Britain crashes out of the bloc next March with no deal. Jeffrey Donaldson, an MP from the Democratic Unionist Party, which provides May with a majority in parliament, said: "Looks like we're heading for no deal". Writing on Twitter, Donaldson blamed the Irish government for the lack of agreement and said no deal "will have serious consequences for economy of Irish republic". "Can't understand why Irish government seems so intent on this course," he said. Talks with the EU continue but remain stuck on the details of a "backstop" arrangement to keep open Britain's land border with Ireland until a new, post-Brexit trade deal can be signed. London fears this will lead to Britain being tied to the EU's trade rules for years after leaving the bloc. There were signs of a possible compromise in a phone call on Monday between May and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, where he said he would consider a "review mechanism" for the backstop.

— AFP