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
Inefficiency, poor planning waste 80% of health budget
Bangladesh’s healthcare system has become capable of meeting the majority of domestic demand, but chronic mismanagement and poor planning are draining nearly four-fifths of the sector’s public spending, according to AM Shamim, general secretary of the Bangladesh Private Hospital, Clinic and Diagnostic Owners Association.
10 February 2026, 00:00 AM
Akij Resource set to enter electronics retailing
Akij Resource is making its debut in the electronics retail market with a new brand, Orca
5 February 2026, 00:00 AM
Rod price recovers as demand, scrap costs climb
The price of mild steel (MS) rod has inched up in recent months, supported by seasonal construction demand and a rebound in international scrap steel prices since December.
23 January 2026, 00:00 AM
Japanese brands take the lead as motorcycle market recovers
Japanese motorcycle brands tightened their grip on Bangladesh’s two-wheeler market in 2025, capturing the bulk of new demand as consumers increasingly favoured reliability, fuel efficiency and long-term value over lower upfront prices.
16 January 2026, 00:00 AM
Commercial courts introduced to settle business disputes faster
Ordinance sets strict timelines, dedicated benches, and digital management to tackle slow contract enforcement, case backlog and attract foreign investment
15 January 2026, 00:00 AM
AkijBashir to set new benchmark for safety in cable industry
Its chief operating officer says on Eminence acquisition
13 January 2026, 00:27 AM
Investment climate hinges on post-poll political reset
Investor confidence remained weak, and the effects are expected to linger into 2026.
6 January 2026, 18:00 PM
Comforters replacing blankets as urban winter favourite
Comforters are not just a passing trend but a long-term change in how urban Bangladesh keeps warm in winter
31 December 2025, 18:00 PM
Exports fall for 4th month as US tariff continues to bite
Bangladesh’s merchandise exports have declined for the fourth consecutive month, as the reciprocal tariff measures by the United States and a slump in global demand continue to weigh on the apparel sector, the backbone of the country’s export industry.
4 December 2025, 18:00 PM