After hovering around the $21-billion mark for the previous two fiscal years, total remittances sent home by Bangladesh’s migrant workers reached nearly $24 billion in the just concluded fiscal year of 2023-24, providing some breathing space amid the forex crunch.

A key survey of Japan’s largest manufacturers showed Monday that business confidence rose for the first time in two quarters, while revised data showed the economy contracted further.

Bangladesh is an ideal investment destination, exemplified by the fact that it is the second-largest garment exporter globally, said Maj Gen Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, executive chairman of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza), yesterday.

The cabinet yesterday approved the draft export policy for 2024-27, keeping in mind the challenges presented by Bangladesh’s graduation from a least developed country (LDC) to a developing one in 2026.

The tax administration backtracked from its decision to levy a 5 percent tax on incomes generated by manufacturers of motorcycles, air conditioners and refrigerators until 2032, raising it to the previous rate of 10 percent.

Bangladesh is expecting a formal declaration of the beginning of a negotiation of a free trade agreement (FTA) with China during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to China next week, State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu said.

The BB said the repo auctions, through which banks borrow funds from the central bank, will take place twice a week from now, according to a circular issued yesterday.

Experts discuss the use of cement sheets in the agriculture sector at ERF, BCSMA event

Besides, the Cabinet approved in principle the draft of the Institute of Frontier Technology Act, 2014, to establish the institute in Madaripur's Shibchar

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s four-day China visit begins on July 8

The port handled 31.69 lakh TEUs of containers in FY24, up from 30.07 lakh TEUs the previous fiscal

It hit $2.54 in June this year, up from $2.19 billion in the same month last year

Enhanced monitoring to prevent false declaration paid off, customs officials say

From FY25 beginning today, the maximum rate of export incentive has been set at 10% and the minimum at 0.3%

Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC has become the largest lender in the country by total deposits for the first time, surpassing Sonali Bank PLC, despite loan scams in recent years. 

Talks on Chinese loan proposals will be at the fore during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to Beijing.

Agriculture, the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, is on the brink of a technological revolution. With agriculture contributing approximately 13.6 percent to the national GDP and employing nearly half of the workforce, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) offer an unprecedented opportunity to enhance productivity and sustainability in the sector.

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia may cut prices for crude grades it sells to Asia for a second month in August, tracking weakness in Middle East benchmark Dubai, trade sources said on Friday.

Bangladesh and India are yet to begin the formal negotiation to sign the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) although nearly two years have passed since both countries agreed to kick off the talks.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) exempted various goods and services from value-added tax (VAT) payments to the tune of Tk 129,570 crore in 2022 to give some relief to citizens and facilitate industrialisation, thereby accelerating economic growth.