A wake-up call for Bangladesh to reform its healthcare
India’s visa restrictions on Bangladeshi nationals, while initially perceived as a barrier, could serve as a wake-up call for Bangladesh to strengthen its healthcare system and regain the confidence of its patients.
22 December 2024
Non-leather footwear on course to half-billion export club
Bangladesh’s synthetic and athletic footwear exports have been growing rapidly, emerging as a bright spot in the country’s export basket, which is heavily dominated by readymade garments.
16 December 2024
Pharma exports hit record high in Nov
Pharmaceutical exports from Bangladesh notched record growth in November this year as local drug makers secured new markets and larger orders, according to industry people.
12 December 2024
High registration cost, taxes slow Bangladesh’s shift to cleaner EVs
Despite the country’s efforts to reduce pollution and transition to cleaner cars, electric vehicle (EV) sales are yet to pick up due to multiple factors, including taxes and high registration costs, which sellers describe as “impractical”.
10 December 2024
Signs of trend reversal as imports continue to rebound
Despite capital machinery imports decreasing sharply, the resurgence in Bangladesh’s overall imports continued for a third straight month in October due to increased production in industries, especially export-oriented sectors, signalling that there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.
10 December 2024
Dhaka’s 5-star hotels facing a dearth of guests
Most of Dhaka’s five-star hotels are not faring well for a dearth of guests, as political uncertainties and security concerns following the August 5 student movement are putting off most events and travel plans.
8 December 2024
Businesses call to curb red tape, corruption to spur investment
Investment barriers at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) must be addressed immediately to bolster investor confidence and increase investment growth, according to experts and top business leaders.
7 December 2024
Investment abroad hits $2b in 6 years
Bangladesh has long been hungry for foreign direct investments (FDI) but that has also been coupled with the outflow of funds through local companies seeking to generate business abroad.
7 December 2024
No respite for steelmakers as sales depressed since July
The price of mild steel (MS) rods has continued to fall due to low demand for construction materials, especially as public consumption has declined to virtually zero since the political changeover on August 5.
4 December 2024
Buoyancy in exports continues
Bangladesh’s exports rose for a fourth straight month in November as goods that had been stuck for the past three months were finally shipped.
4 December 2024
MGI’s $700m investment in Cumilla EZ stuck in energy crisis
Three production units owned by Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) have been sitting idle inside the Cumilla Economic Zone despite two years having passed since construction works were completed due to a lack of gas and power connections
24 November 2024
24 factories of Beximco shut amid liquidity crunch
The group's inability to open new LCs has forced its factories to halt production
18 November 2024
Leather footwear exports hit 5-year high in Jul-Oct
Bangladesh is sending more leather footwear to foreign markets like the United States, Japan and the European Union as the country’s footwear exports during the July-October period of the current fiscal year surged to a five-year high.
17 November 2024
Businesses should be allowed to operate in peace
The business community had to toe the government line during the Awami League rule of the past 15 years, Mohammed Amirul Haque, managing director of Premier Cement Mills, told The Daily Star in an interview recently.
15 November 2024
Steelmakers face capital shortage as sales nosedive
Steelmakers in Bangladesh are facing a severe working capital shortage due to the sharp rise in the US dollar exchange rate and a slowdown in sales, according to industry insiders.
12 November 2024
Graft was biggest hurdle in drawing FDI over last 15yrs
Says Ashik Chowdhury, head of government’s key investment promotion agencies BIDA, BEZA
3 November 2024
Map out economic priorities
The head of DCCI has urged the government to map out its economic priorities once the committee to prepare a white paper on the economy, and other task forces on various reform agendas finish their jobs.
30 October 2024
High-end electronics sales hurt by runaway inflation
The demand for consumer electronics in the mid to high-end categories has declined drastically in Bangladesh as most people are shifting to cheaper alternatives or avoiding purchases altogether amid persistent inflation.
29 October 2024
Beza may build solar parks in Mirsharai EZ
The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) is considering utilising unused land to establish solar power parks at the Mirsharai Economic Zone in Chattogram, the largest industrial enclave in the country.
28 October 2024
I have learnt to respect workers: Kihak Sung
Kihak Sung, chairman of Youngone Corporation and a pioneer in Bangladesh’s readymade garments (RMG) and textile sectors, has been instrumental in the country’s rise as a major global exporter.
26 October 2024