Energy security and banking stability should get priority
The business community wants to see the government prioritise energy security, banking stability and practical reforms in the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2026-27, Taskeen Ahmed, the president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), has said.
25 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Local cashew industry under pressure from cheaper imports
Investors, processors and farmers in the country’s cashew sector are under growing pressure as cheaper imported cashew nuts continue to undercut locally processed products.
15 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Japanese EZ shows early promise as investment flows in
The Bangladesh Special Economic Zone is showing promise as a manufacturing hub, with swift land handover and private-sector efficiency drawing investments into the zone, according to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza).
11 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Red tape hobbles Japanese investment in Bangladesh
Says Akiko Okumura, executive vice-president of Jetro
6 May 2026, 00:00 AM
New venture eyes major share of garment hanger market
Bangladesh’s fast-growing garment exports are attracting fresh investment into support industries, with a new hanger manufacturing venture targeting a significant share of the $400 million apparel-related market.
5 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Novo Nordisk eyes Bangladesh as an insulin hub
Novo Nordisk’s decision to localise production was driven by both market need and manufacturing potential
30 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Cement makers under strain as war drives up input costs
Forced to import key raw materials from Asian countries at higher prices
29 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Chinese economic zone still stalled after a decade
Beza chief sets 180-day roadmap to break deadlock
27 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Business leaders demand swift FBCCI polls
Business leaders have called for the urgent appointment of a private-sector administrator and the swift holding of elections at the apex trade body, warning that prolonged administrative uncertainty is weakening the trade body and undermining business confidence.
20 April 2026, 00:00 AM
FDI growth masks slowdown in fresh capital inflow
Bangladesh’s net foreign direct investment witnessed a sharp 39 percent increase in 2025, reaching $1.77 billion, according to central bank data.
8 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Evening shop closure risks hurting 60% of retail sales
Say businesses, proposing shop hours from 1pm to 9pm and smart energy management
6 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Plastics sector at risk as supply chains falter
Bangladesh’s plastics industry is facing a severe disruption, as the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran rattles global energy and petrochemical markets, industry insiders say.
2 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Eid fails to lift electronics sales amid weak demand
Sales of electronics and home appliances are witnessing an unusual slowdown even close to Eid-ul-Fitr, with demand for products such as televisions and refrigerators showing only marginal improvement and remaining near regular-day levels instead of the customary festive surge.
19 March 2026, 00:00 AM
Hormuz crisis strands country’s food exports to Middle East
Bangladesh’s processed food exports to key Middle Eastern markets have come to a standstill as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran have halted shipments, leaving containers stranded and exporters fearing mounting financial losses.
12 March 2026, 00:00 AM
Net FDI outflows soar as local firms eye global markets
Bangladeshi companies are increasingly investing abroad, with net foreign direct investment (FDI) outflows soaring more than ninefold in the July-September quarter of 2025 compared with the same period the year before.
11 March 2026, 00:00 AM
Low occupancy, fewer foreign guests strain Dhaka’s luxury hotels
Despite a slight improvement toward the end of the year, Dhaka’s luxury hotel industry struggled through much of 2025 amid political uncertainty, economic slowdown and declining foreign tourist arrivals.
5 March 2026, 00:00 AM
Furniture industry stabilising after two-year slump
The country’s furniture industry is showing signs of stabilisation after nearly two years of decline, though recovery remains fragile and uneven across segments, according to leading manufacturers.
3 March 2026, 00:00 AM
Car sales hit 13-year low amid economic strain
Private passenger car sales in Bangladesh have plunged to the lowest level in 13 years, reflecting persistent economic headwinds, high import costs and tightening consumer purchasing power, according to market insiders and official data.
26 February 2026, 00:00 AM
Abrupt ouster of Ahsan H Mansur draws sharp criticism
The government’s abrupt cancellation of Ahsan H Mansur’s appointment as governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB) yesterday has drawn sharp criticism from stakeholders, including economists and bankers.
26 February 2026, 00:00 AM
Rising borrowing costs stall mid-segment housing market
Surging home loan interest rates have brought Bangladesh’s mid-segment housing market to a near standstill in 2025, squeezing salaried buyers who depend heavily on bank financing and sharply raising monthly instalments beyond affordability.
23 February 2026, 00:00 AM