Since the country’s independence in 1971, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have played a pivotal role in GDP growth, employment, income generation, and local development.

Asian markets saw big fluctuations Tuesday as Donald Trump took office warning he could impose stiff tariffs on Canada and Mexico next month but appeared to delay any action against China for now.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has launched efforts to reform the country’s telecom licensing regime to align with contemporary demands.

Handset production in Bangladesh increased by 17.17 percent year-on-year in 2024, but local assemblers faced significant challenges due to sluggish sales and the rapid expansion of the grey market.

The recent hike in value-added tax (VAT) and supplementary duty (SD) rates will not have any significant effect on the prices of goods, said Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed yesterday.

The flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh fell to $104.33 million in the July-September quarter of fiscal year 2024-25, the lowest in at least six years, as foreign investors stayed away from Bangladesh amid deadly political unrest, labour agitation, and a persistent economic crisis.

How have local private sector businesses fared in recent years?

Monetising infrastructure and shifting loans can strengthen the financial system

AI and business reinvention will drive future growth, according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ 28th Annual Global CEO Survey

Increased turnover led to profit growth

DSEX gained 21.93 points as of 11:50 am  

Bangladesh has the highest per capita power subsidies among its four neighbouring countries, including India and Pakistan, despite having the second-lowest per capita consumption, according to an analysis by the Bangladesh Independent Power Producers Association (BIPPA).

Abandoned and closed state-owned jute mills in Bangladesh will be turned into fertiliser storage facilities, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Over the past two days, Bangladesh exported 84 tonnes of potato to Nepal through the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh, which also connects the country to neighbouring India and Bhutan.

Germany’s Hellmann Worldwide Logistics International GmbH, one of the world’s largest international logistics service providers, is going to buy a 40 percent stake in Container Transportation Services Ltd (CTSL) to strengthen its presence in Bangladesh.

Hold or fold?

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin questioned why foreign investors would be interested in investing in Bangladesh if even local entrepreneurs do not find the country’s business environment conducive.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) plans to install nearly 20,000 electronic fiscal devices (EFDs) in jewellery shops across the country to boost revenue collection from the sector.

The Bangladesh Bank has rejected NRBC Bank’s application to appoint Md Rabiul Islam as its managing director (MD) due to his alleged involvement in irregularities.

A state advisory council yesterday remained undecided on whether to sell 16 textile and garment factories of Beximco Group, citing that further scrutiny of bank statements was required.