A group of private sector entrepreneurs has called for meaningful deregulation to improve the ease of doing business and attract more foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly from the United States.

European Central Bank policymaker Joachim Nagel said on Monday there would be no immediate relief from an energy-driven spike in inflation even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon because it will take months for oil supply to recover to its pre-war level. 

Riad Mahmud Chowdhury has been appointed as the managing director (MD) of Standard Islami Bank PLC.

Bangladesh is preparing a formal response to the USTR’s claim that the country has failed to prevent imports of goods made with forced labour, in a bid to avoid a proposed 10 percent tariff on its exports to the United States.

Governor Mostaqur Rahman has remained true to his announcement. He committed to helping reopen closed factories and has launched stimulus packages to create synergy in the economy, though much depends on commercial banks, government guarantees and, more importantly, entrepreneurs themselves.

The parliament yesterday passed the supplementary expenditure plan of Tk 56,117 crore for fiscal year 2025-26 to meet increased expenditure under different ministries and divisions.

Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC shares rebounded significantly after Bangladesh Bank’s intervention restored investor confidence, triggering a price surge on the stock market. However, trading halted due to a shortage of sellers afterwards.

The government has formed a high-level committee to simplify and expedite the issuance of licences, permits and other regulatory approvals required to set up new industries and factories, as part of efforts to improve the ease of doing business and attract fresh investment.

Customers whose MTDR, MSB, MMPDS, and MSS accounts were closed between June 1 and June 15 will be allowed to reopen those within the next seven working days upon application

The seven-member inter-ministerial committee will recommend measures to streamline approval procedures and remove regulatory bottlenecks

Shares of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC soared 32 percent over the past three consecutive trading days

the minister said after chairing the fourth meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Family Card Distribution at the secretariat in the capital

ABB said it expects substantial progress in good governance, accountability, a banking environment free from political influence, and the recovery of non-performing loans

He added that a five-member board was being constituted through a thorough vetting process to ensure it comprised qualified and entirely neutral individuals

The government has announced a series of tax incentives for semiconductor and chip-related activities in a bid to develop a domestic ecosystem for the high-tech industry and create skilled jobs.

The gas subsidy has more than trebled this fiscal year, along with subsidies for electricity and fertiliser, due to costly purchases from the international spot market as a result of the Iran war.

Every budget tells a story. Some focus on spending, some on growth and some on reform.

Omega’s Constellation watch has been flashed in campaigns, movies and at the Met Gala by stars like George Clooney and Nicole Kidman, turning it into a symbol of luxury and glamour. But with gold prices near record highs struck in January, some such classic watches are being melted down as the value of their metal content outstrips their resale worth. 

The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) industrial estate in Sherpur is grappling with poor infrastructure, inadequate utility services and security concerns, with entrepreneurs warning that the problems are discouraging investment and constraining industrial growth.

The Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) has welcomed the government’s effort to recapitalise banks by spending over Tk 40,000 crore in the current fiscal year, but said the move needs to be matched by swift legal recovery of misappropriated assets for lasting effects.