Jagaran Chakma

Japanese companies doing business in Bangladesh are facing challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, including a lack of information and support from authorities, which may dent the flow of investment, according to investors and a recent survey.

PHP Float Glass Industries, a concern of PHP Family, has started manufacturing reflective glass for the first time with plans to export it on meeting local demand.

The pandemic is showing no signs of abating but still 41.8 per cent of Japanese companies in Bangladesh during 2020 wanted to expand business in the next two years, according to a survey by Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro).

The country’s ceramic manufacturers have demanded low-cost funds on easy terms for payment of their workers’ salaries, allowances and Eid bonuses.

The domestic plastic pipe industry is growing at around 20 per cent a year thanks to its rising demand in the ongoing government development projects and modern water supply, sewerage and irrigation systems.

Home appliance makers and retailers are witnessing better sales than previous year on the back of online shopping, promotional offers and free delivery ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Bus operators in Bangladesh are losing Tk 500 crore every day as they have been off the road because of the lockdown, which may turn many owners into loan defaulters as their income has fallen to zero.

The price of each 50-kilogramme bag of cement has increased by around 12 per cent, or Tk 50, to Tk 450 to Tk 460 -- a development that will push up construction costs, be it the government’s development projects or privately-owned buildings.

The number of ambulances hitting the streets is on the rise as businesses are spending more on import amid an increase in its demand during the ongoing pandemic.

Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla calendar, is the busiest day for sweet makers in Bangladesh as customers throng outlets to buy delicious items.

The market for the equipment used in power generation, distribution and transmission is growing very fast in Bangladesh in keeping with expanding electricity production and consumption.

Bangladesh Finance and Investment Company Ltd (BD Finance) has signed a deal with US-based Sovereign Infrastructure Group (SIG) to attract $2 billion worth of investment in infrastructure projects in the next two years.

Ceramic manufacturers have demanded the withdrawal of supplementary duties on tiles and sanitary products at production stage to protect the local firms and recover from the losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Industrialists have found it difficult to instantly implement emergency measures for the smooth continuation of manufacturing operations after the government suddenly announced a nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The government should take immediate steps to protect the poor and low-income groups as it is set to impose fresh lockdowns to curb the spread of coronavirus infections, economists said yesterday.

Energypac Engineering has begun exporting transformers to Adani Electricity Mumbai, in a testament to the company’s capacity to produce high-quality products.

Juned Ahmed, an official of a private bank, bought a 1,525 square-feet used flat in the Sector 10 of the capital’s Uttara at Tk 83 lakh. Had he wanted to purchase a new one, he would have to shell out at least Tk 1.20 crore, an amount that would have been tough for him to manage.

Motorcycle manufacturers have demanded duty benefits on component and raw material imports in order to reduce the cost of production and develop the local two-wheeler industry.

Beacon Pharmaceuticals, the local pioneer of oncology product manufacturing, may export $5 million worth of pharmaceuticals to Syria by December this year -- a huge development for the local pharma industry.

Ask any well-known realtor for a flat ready for sale, chances are there will be just a handful of offers. However, assurances will be aplenty that more are being erected in some ongoing projects.