The economic potential of the Padma Bridge is important to change the fates of millions of people of the southwestern parts of Bangladesh as the much-awaited bridge will connect more than 30 million people of 21 Southern districts, economists said today.

Bangladesh and the European Union today agreed to form a joint committee to find out the challenges standing in the way of smooth customs clearances and the opportunities a simplified procedure can offer for both express and non-express air cargoes.

The Bangladesh Bank today removed SM Shamsul Arefin from the post of managing director of Uttara Finance and Investments Ltd (UFIL) for his alleged involvement in financial irregularities.

Mobile financial service provider upay today signed an agreement with Pran-RFL Group to facilitate salary disbursement and merchant payment.

Bangladesh has 1.21 crore sacrificial animals available this year for the Eid-ul-Azha, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said today.

The government should focus on restoring macroeconomic stability, containing inflation and keeping the foreign exchange market stable this year, economists said in a webinar today.

The districts are Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar under Sylhet division and Netrokona under Mymensingh division, Md Dilder Hossain, project director of the census, told The Daily Star today.

Shares on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rose today, extending yesterday’s turnaround from a three-day losing streak.

The global economy has been passing through turmoil since the pandemic outbreak in early 2020. And when the economy had started to bounce back after a disastrous couple of years, the Russia-Ukraine war began in February this year, aggravating the situation.  

Farmers and traders of agricultural products in Barishal, Jhalakathi and Pirojpur are counting the days until June 25, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will officially open Padma Bridge, as the resulting increase in connectivity will ensure better prices for their produce.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has started to have a heavy impact on garment shipments to Russia as export earnings are declining significantly from this promising market for Bangladeshi apparel goods. 

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal told parliament yesterday that people had defaulted on repayments against loans amounting to Tk 126,389 crore in the country as of March this year according to Credit Information Bureau. 

Private sector credit growth in Bangladesh accelerated to 12.94 per cent in May, the highest in more than three years, but rising inflation and deepening volatility in the exchange rate have paled the attainment. 

Propelled by inflation, the price of air tickets has begun to take off again after tumbling during the pandemic, a reversal that looks set to intensify due to environmental pressures, experts say.

Saudi and Egyptian companies signed agreements worth a total of $7.7 billion during a visit to Cairo by the Saudi crown prince, state media in both countries said.

The government has formed a national council to develop the automobile industry which, in conjunction with a policy framed recently, is expected to facilitate the sector’s expansion and cut Bangladesh’s over-reliance on imported vehicles. 

The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), in association with the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, will organise the “Best of India Expo 2022” to be held from June 23-25 at Bashundhara International Convention City in Dhaka.

Shares on the Dhaka Stock Exchange ended marginally higher yesterday, breaking a three-day losing streak.

Bangladesh, in association with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Germany and the Netherlands, yesterday rolled out the pilot project of the country’s first employment injury scheme for workers.

The Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) yesterday expressed concerns over a provision in the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2022-23 that would require companies to pay tax on their contributions towards the Workers’ Profit Participation Fund (WPPF).