China halts over 40 IPOs amid regulatory probe

Chinese bourses have halted more than 40 initial public offerings (IPOs) in Shanghai and Shenzhen amid a regulatory probe into several intermediaries in the deals, according to official exchange disclosures. 
23 August 2021

Taliban inherit untapped $1tr trove of minerals

The Taliban now hold the keys to an untouched trillion-dollar trove of minerals including some that could power the world’s transition to renewable energies, but Afghanistan has long struggled to tap its vast deposits.
22 August 2021

US deploy choppers to rescue of Americans trying to escape Kabul

The US military in Afghanistan sent helicopters to rescue over 150 Americans unable to reach the Kabul airport gates, an official said Friday, in the first evidence that US forces were willing and able to go beyond the US-secured compound to help people seeking evacuation.
21 August 2021

IMF stops funds to Afghanistan

Despite its swift takeover of the government in Afghanistan, the Taliban will not have access to most of the nation’s cash and gold stocks, while the IMF announced it won’t provide aid.
19 August 2021

Toyota to slash production for chip shortage

Toyota Motor Corp will reduce global production for September by 40 per cent from its previous plan due to the worldwide shortage of semiconductors, the Nikkei business daily reported on Thursday.
19 August 2021

Oil steadies, Delta outbreaks cloud demand prospects

Oil prices steadied on Wednesday, after four days of declines with investors still wary about prospects for stronger fuel demand as the use of rail, air and other forms of transport remained constrained amid surging Covid-19 cases worldwide. 
18 August 2021

China’s steel curbs could cripple price control efforts

China is facing a high profile test of its commitment to curbing industrial pollution after steel output surged in the first half of the year to well beyond its target of capping production at 2020’s peak, sending emissions to new highs. 
18 August 2021

China steps up tech scrutiny with rules over unfair competition

China moved on Tuesday to tighten control of its technology sector, publishing detailed rules aimed at tackling unfair competition and companies’ handling of critical data.
17 August 2021

Asia markets down on Delta variant gloom

Asian markets were broadly down Tuesday as investors weighed record gains on Wall Street against fears the resurgent Delta coronavirus variant may put the brakes on the global economic recovery.
17 August 2021

Afghan central bank chief flees Kabul

The head of Afghanistan’s central bank has fled Kabul, questioned the loyalty of Afghan security forces and blamed President Ashraf Ghani and his inexperienced advisors for the country’s swift and chaotic fall to the Taliban.
17 August 2021

Afghan changeover won’t affect trade: local businesspeople

The changeover of state power in Afghanistan may not affect business with Bangladesh as the bilateral trade volume is not that significant, said local businesspeople yesterday.
17 August 2021

$250m currency swap: Sri Lanka gets first tranche of $50m this week

The central bank will lend $50 million to under-pressure Sri Lanka this week as part of Bangladesh’s efforts to support the Island nation suffering from a foreign exchange crisis.
17 August 2021

Safe-haven currencies hold firm

Safe-haven currencies such as the yen held firm against riskier currencies on Tuesday as disappointing economic data from China, the spreading Delta variant of the coronavirus and political tension in Afghanistan weighed on risk appetite.
17 August 2021

Japan economy rebounds despite virus surge

Japan’s economy grew slightly in the second quarter, recovering from a slowdown at the start of the year despite continuing virus surges and restrictions, data showed Monday.
16 August 2021

China economy under pressure

China’s factory output and retail sales growth slowed sharply and missed expectations in July, as new Covid-19 outbreaks and floods disrupted business operations, adding to signs the economic recovery is losing momentum. 
16 August 2021

China urges automakers to strengthen data protection

The Chinese government has asked automakers to strengthen data security and store key data generated locally in the country. 
12 August 2021

China signals crackdown on privacy, data, anti-trust to go on

China will draft new laws on national security, technology innovation, monopolies and education, as well as in areas involving foreigners, the national leadership said in a document published late on Wednesday. 
12 August 2021

China auto sales tumble for a third straight month

China’s vehicle sales slid in July for a third consecutive month, hit hard by flooding in some areas of the country, Covid-19 outbreaks in other areas and the global shortage of semiconductors. 
11 August 2021

Chinese firm to maintain Bangabandhu bridge

China Communications Construction Company will be tasked with ensuring maintenance of the Bangabandhu bridge for the next five years for Tk 170 crore.
11 August 2021

Gold rush ends for smugglers as foreign troops leave Afghanistan

Once brimming with combat boots, flak jackets and other war paraphernalia, the smugglers’ markets in Pakistan are being forced to rethink their business model as foreign troops exit Afghanistan and contraband dries up.
10 August 2021