Solid trust, fair treatment key to private investment
The country’s private sector remains hamstrung by red tape, political uncertainty, and rising costs, all of which pose a serious threat to economic progress, according to Mohammed Amirul Haque, founding managing director and chief executive officer of Premier Cement Mills Limited.
5 July 2025
High interest rates threaten SME jobs, stability
Banks charge SMEs interest rates ranging between 13 and 15 percent, among the highest across all sectors except services.
2 July 2025
Exporters fear losses as India slaps new restrictions
Bangladesh’s exporters fear losses as India has barred the import of several products—including some jute items—through land ports, threatening crucial trade flows and millions of dollars in earnings.
28 June 2025
Mango Moment: A sweet deal for Bangladesh
Bangladesh's delicious mangoes: untapped economic potential, requiring a national strategy
13 June 2025
FDI falling—experts call for urgent policy overhaul
Bangladesh must urgently adopt a strategic, reform-driven foreign direct investment (FDI) policy by removing existing barriers to attract and retain investment to remain competitive in the region, experts suggest.
12 June 2025
Synthetic footwear exports soar as global demand shifts
Bangladesh’s non-leather footwear sector is emerging as a steering force in the country’s export landscape, driven by global shifts in consumer preferences, strong manufacturing capacity, and competitive pricing
12 June 2025
Synthetic footwear exports soar as global demand shifts
Non-leather footwear exports rose 30.25% in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year
12 June 2025
Home appliances to cost more as VAT relief ends
Consumers are likely to pay more for a range of home appliances, from rice cookers and clothing irons to air conditioners (ACs), as the government phases out value-added tax (VAT) exemptions on locally manufactured electronics.
4 June 2025
No clear roadmap for investment
The budget for FY26 has drawn strong criticism from business leaders who say it lacks a clear roadmap for improving the investment climate, bolstering industrial competitiveness, and implementing overdue reforms in the banking sector.
2 June 2025
Cancer drugs, insulin to get cheaper as NBR plans tax cuts
The government is going to expand import duty exemptions on pharmaceutical raw materials and medical equipment, with 79 new items expected to be added to the duty-free list in the upcoming national budget.
29 May 2025
Tanners may get slight tariff relief on chemicals
The government is considering reducing customs duty on seven imported tanning chemicals in the upcoming national budget, offering slight relief to the country’s struggling tannery sector.
28 May 2025
Private investment sinks to five-year low
Private investment as a percentage of the gross domestic product has slumped to its lowest level in five years, stoking fears over waning business confidence and a slowdown in job creation.
28 May 2025
Procurement law revised to cut graft, boost transparency
Scrapping the price range cap for bids, making e-GP mandatory for all public procurement and allowing NGOs to compete for tenders, the government has overhauled the public procurement law.
24 May 2025
Toy industry: From import reliance to export growth
In the heart of Dhaka, amid vibrant toy displays and the hum of industry conversations at InterContinental Dhaka, sector people were talking about a quiet revolution — one that could redefine Bangladesh’s export landscape and lessen its long-standing reliance on imported toys.
22 May 2025
Japanese FDI rising, still there’s room to attract more
Japanese investment in Bangladesh has grown steadily over the past decade. But with clearer policies, improved infrastructure and a more predictable regulatory environment, there is room to attract much more.
20 May 2025
High inflation, costly loans force firms to cut spending
Some manufacturers say they are now opting to reduce office utility consumption, optimise office supplies, minimise bank dependence, and find alternative funding sources.
18 May 2025
Address banking, energy issues to restore business confidence
Bangladesh is dealing with one of its most challenging political and economic shifts, and the proposed US tariff hike to 37 percent on its exports could worsen the situation..This could turn out to be a big problem for the economy, especially for the readymade garment (RMG) industry, which
17 May 2025
Bangladesh set to remain world’s top cotton importer in MY26
Bangladesh is on track to retain its status as the world’s biggest cotton importer in the marketing year (MY) 2025-26, with imports projected to reach 8.5 million bales, according to a record-setting forecast by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
14 May 2025
Construction of Chinese economic zone gains momentum
The construction of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram has gained momentum nearly a decade after its initiation, as Dhaka and Beijing look to strengthen bilateral ties and punishing Trump tariffs prompt Chinese manufacturers to consider relocating factories.
13 May 2025
Despite April decline, pharma exports maintain upward trend
Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical exports rose by 3.46 percent year-on-year in the first ten months of the current fiscal year, despite a sharp drop in April due mainly to holidays in key markets and US aid cuts hurting merchandise shipments.
12 May 2025