The Business Standard
Housing sector sinks deeper amid plunging sales, soaring costs
The country’s housing market is sinking deeper into a prolonged slump as soaring construction costs, political uncertainty, the Middle East conflict and stubbornly high inflation continue to erode both buyer confidence and developer activity. Industry...
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Metro Rail safety audit
HSC and equivalent examinees staged demonstrations in Dhaka and four other districts yesterday to press home their three demands, including the resignation of Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon within 24 hours. Protests were held in Dhaka,...
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How BSEC chairman plans to revive the stock k market by boosting institutional investors
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has undertaken a series of plans to revive the country’s long-sluggish stock market by increasing the participation of institutional investors through removal of regulatory barriers in existing...
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Relentless rain paralyses Dhaka with waterlogging, traffic chaos
Incessant heavy rainfall disrupted normal life in Dhaka and Chattogram yesterday, inundating roads, triggering widespread waterlogging and causing severe traffic congestion as an active monsoon continued to batter large parts of the country. In the...
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From Tk500 to Tk10,000cr: The phenomenal rise of bkash & City Bank’s nano loan
A private service holder Rezaul Karim first accessed the digital nano loan feature around four years ago, shortly after it was introduced, when the initial credit limit was Tk1,000. Since then, he has used the service numerous times, with the credit...
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POLLUTION CHOKES THE BAY
A dark plume of untreated waste spreads into the Bay of Bengal off Chattogram’s South Halishahar, highlighting how pollution from the city’s canals threatens a vital marine ecosystem and the livelihoods that depend on it. The photo was taken from the...
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Govt plans raising RMG’S incentive to 5% to revive struggling spinners
The government is set to step in to support the country’s struggling spinning industry by raising the cash incentive for apparel exports made with locally produced yarn from the existing 1.5% to 5%. The move would cost the exchequer an estimated...
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Ten die in Ctg, Cox’s Bazar as relentless monsoon triggers landslides
Days of relentless monsoon rain have left a trail of death and destruction across the Chattogram division, killing at least 10 people yesterday and raising the three-day death toll to at least 28, as torrential rain inundated towns and refugee camps,...
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Egypt was so close, but it was Messi again
Everything seemed to be over. The scoreboard read 2–0 and the clock had ticked into the 67th minute. Lionel Messi had missed a first-half penalty, while Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier had turned into an impenetrable wall. Argentina’s elimination...
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Why Bangladesh investigators struggling to recover laundered money
Investigators in Bangladesh attempting to claw back billions of dollars in laundered funds are facing a sophisticated global maze as money launderers deploy complex, “multi-layered” tactics to completely obscure the final destination of illicit...
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Mysterious case of 250 high-risk, loaded containers going missing from Chattogram Port
At least 250 high-risk import containers flagged for suspected customs offences cannot be physically located at Chattogram Port despite the port having one of the country’s most stringent cargo clearance systems. Official correspondence reviewed by...
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Modern housing, 60% open space: Can
Old Dhaka, the historic heart of the capital, could undergo its most ambitious transformation in decades under a government proposal to replace ageing buildings with modern housing and significantly expand open spaces. The multi-billion-taka initiative...
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Back in gear: Motorcycle market revives after five years of decline
structural evolution. A decade ago, Bangladesh relied almost entirely on imports, with more than 95% of demand met by fully built imports. Today, local manufacturing and assembly plants supply nearly 99% of the motorcycles on the country's roads. With...
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Magic vs the Wall: Messi and Vozinha set for knockout showdown
For decades, Argentina have ruled football’s biggest stages, with Lionel Messi at the heart of their most iconic nights and defining moments. From Copa America glory to World Cup triumph in 2022, Argentina’s modern identity has been built around his...
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Green energy investment RFY GEY CHEFP finfnce, tax relief
In a bid to bridge a long-standing green investment gap, the government plans to introduce a sweeping financial framework under the upcoming National Renewable Energy Development Strategy (20262030). The draft strategy proposes a statebacked payment...
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BB to allow waiver of Tk1 lakh crore interest on default loans to clean balance sheet
The Bangladesh Bank has come up with a mega offer of waiving interest for defaulters as most loans regularised under special rescheduling policy for 10 to 12 years since 2024 turned defaulted again. In a circular issued on Monday, banks were allowed...
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SETTLEMENT ROUTE FOR DEFAULTERS
Banks can settle bad loans through negotiated repayment Facility applies to loans classified up to Scheme requires board approval and borrower-bank assessment Borrowers must repay outstanding principal in a lump sum Facility remains valid...
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11 China firms willing to invest $9.21b in Bangladesh
hiChinese C firms made investment i proposals to PM P Tarique They Th show interest in energy, ports, logistics, recycling, education, connectivity Largest $4.5b proposal made to upgrade Highway t$1.65b has been proposed for e-waste recycling,...
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VAT on retailers, mandatory TIN for opening bank account may be scrapped
The government is likely rolling back several budget proposals for FY2026-27, including a package VAT on retail businesses and a mandatory TIN for opening bank accounts, while raising the personal tax-free income limit to Tk4 lakh. The government may...
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Bangladesh, China ink 13 Mous to bolster investment, trade Bida’s first overseas office soon in China to woo investors: PM Tarique
Bangladesh and China yesterday signed 13 memorandums of understanding (Mous) covering various areas of cooperation between the two countries. The Mous were signed following talks between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at...
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Is Bangladesh’s $23b textile sector edging towards collapse?
Bangladesh’s textile industry, a $23 billion pillar of the country’s export economy, is on the verge of collapse under a succession of shocks that millers say could push the sector into the hands of Indian and Chinese rivals. After years of energy...
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BB won’t cut policy rate, weighs re-imposing 4% cap on bank spreads
The Bangladesh Bank is set to keep its policy interest rate unchanged for the first half of the fiscal 2026-27 while considering re-imposing a cap on the spread between lending and deposit rates at 4%, according to officials familiar with the...
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PM Tarique invites Malaysian cos to invest in energy sector
Bangladesh has invited Malaysian companies to invest in its energy sector including exploration of oil and gas in the Bay of Bengal, extraction of untapped minerals like coal and limestone, as well as in renewable energy transition, said a joint...
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Govt seeks foreign funds for Tk71,850cr Dhaka-ctg expressway project
The government has begun the process of securing foreign financing to upgrade the Dhaka-chattogram national highway – the country’s economic lifeline – into a sixlane access-controlled expressway with service lanes on both sides. According to the...
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Investors seek cheaper loans, gas guarantees as PM offers 44 state factories for revival
Local and foreign investors have sought additional policy support, including cheaper financing and guaranteed gas supplies, to help revive 44 loss-making and shuttered state-owned industrial units. The requests were raised at a meeting chaired by...
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Biman’s passenger handling monopoly to go as global giants vie for 3rd terminal
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has decided to appoint a second ground handling operator alongside Biman Bangladesh Airlines for passenger services at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal, marking a significant...
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Auditor to assess City Group; banks’ review body to decide debt restructuring
Banks have decided to appoint an independent auditor before moving forward with any restructuring of City Group’s loans. A review committee comprising representatives from leading banks have also been formed, according to a managing director of a bank...
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PM’S China visit: Dhaka to seek investment in green energy, EVS
Bangladesh is set to seek substantial Chinese investment and technology transfer in renewable energy generation and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming official visit to China, with several memoranda of...
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Customs’ arbitrary valuation of import goods ends to make business easier
The era of customs authorities arbitrarily determining the value of imported consignments instead of accepting buyers’ declared and actual transaction values is set to end. To this effect, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued an order, under...
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Inherited assets must be valued in tax
The National Board of Revenue is set to crack down on a long-standing tax loophole by making it mandatory for taxpayers to disclose the monetary value of inherited or gifted assets in their tax returns from the upcoming financial year. For years,...
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FY27 subsidy, debt servicing estimates based on pre-mideast war data
FY27 7 projections based Finance ance ministry acknowledges Additional tional subsidy pressure sure from war: Tk42,600cr 2,600cr FY27 7 proposed subsidy sidy cuts: Tk19,000cr 9,000cr DEBT SERVICING FY25 interest payments: Tk136,123cr FY27...
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Not just signing money, landowners face 15% capital gain tax on developer-built flats
Landowners will soon have to pay a 15% capital gains tax on the value of apartments or any other financial benefits received from developers beyond the initial signing money, according to changes proposed in the new Finance Bill. The proposed measure,...
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Record allocations for health, education and social security – will quality improve?
Gold jewellery wellery Mobile network etwork services Transport rt services Vehicle rental services Tyres & tubes Cosmetics Semiconductors (imported) Musical instruments Health allocation raised to 1% of GDP, highest in history Experts say...
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How govt plans to finance Tk2.51 lakh crore deficit
The government has set a target Tk1.16 lakh crore from external Tk1.35 lakh crore from the banking the upcoming FY27 to meet the upcoming fiscal budget for development non-development expenditure The foreign loan target is than the revised one for the...
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19 sectors may see cuts in AIT, source tax
To create a more investment-friendly environment and reduce the cost of doing business, the government may lower advance income tax (AIT) at the import stage and source tax rates at the local level for at least 19 categories of businesses. At the same...
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MPS won’t get direct funds, PMO to allocate projects
The BNP government plans to replace the previous system of direct constituency allocations for MPS with a centralised mechanism under the Prime Minister’s Office, allowing lawmakers to propose development projects while removing their direct control...
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Not for shopping: Alibaba bets on Bangladesh as sourcing hub, links exporters to buyers
Many Bangladeshis know Alibaba Group as a giant Chinese shopping platform similar to Amazon or Aliexpress. So, when they learn that Alibaba already has a growing business in Bangladesh and they visit its website to order products, they are surprised –...
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Solar, EVS, electronics in line for big tax breaks
The government is considering a package of incentives in the upcoming budget to boost investment in renewable energy, aiming to reduce pressure from energy supply uncertainty and continuously rising energy prices. At the same time, it may announce new...
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Iran war pushes subsidy demand to Tk1.20 lakh crore in FY27
The Us-israel war against Iran is expected to inflate the government’s subsidy burden in the fiscal 2026-27, with ministries asking for additional funds to make up for the surge in energy, fertiliser and food import costs. Finance ministry officials...
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UN panel backs Bangladesh’s plea for 3 more years before LDC graduation
UN CDP recommends Bangladesh’s LDC graduation ation on 24 Nov 2029 CDP says extension should accelerate reforms, not delay them Multiple domestic, external shocks cited as justification for deferral The UN Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has...
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Fresh tension erupts at Islami Bank over leadership and control
A fresh wave of tension has gripped Islami Bank as disputes over ownership control and leadership escalated into street protests in Dhaka’s Motijheel area, raising fresh concerns over depositor confidence in the country’s largest private...
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How Bangladesh squanders its leather potential – hide by hide, Eid by Eid
Rawhide prices plummeted again during this year’s Eid-ul-adha, leaving traders and seasonal collectors facing heavy losses as the country’s long-running leather sector crisis resurfaced with renewed intensity. Many traders who purchased hides des in...
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From Dhaka to deadlock: Eid travel misery keeps worsening every year
Passengers travelling from Dhaka to various parts of the country face the worst suffering during Eid journeys, with traffic conditions deteriorating each year despite massive spending on infrastructure projects aimed at easing congestion. Eid-ul-adha...
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Govt to tax retailers at source, eyes Tk6,000cr more revenue
The government is now targeting retail shopkeepers to widen the tax net further through a new 0.20% source tax levied on goods at the supply point, aiming to generate at least Tk6,000 crore in additional revenue annually, according to officials and...
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Cenbank rolls out Tk60,000cr stimulus to restart factories, create 25 lakh jobs
The central bank has unveiled a massive Tk60,000 crore stimulus package, aiming to reopen shuttered factories, revive stalled exports, and create jobs for unemployed youth through loans priced as low as 4%. The package is a “production and employment...
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Tk35,000cr stuck, factories idle, jobs delayed – all for want of gas connections
City Group around six years ago established the Hosendi Economic Zone in Munshiganj, investing nearly Tk11,000 crore to build six large industrial units. But without gas connections, the factories are yet to go into production. The economic zone has...
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Business, living cost rise feared as BERC proposes Tk1.25 power tfriff hike
The Technical Evaluation Committee of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has recommended a weighted average increase of Tk1.25 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) in retail electricity tariffs, triggering fresh concern among businesses, economists...
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Govt plans higher value-addition rules for exports
Exporters may need to add more value – at least by 50% – to products as the government drafts a new policy with a stronger push for reduced reliance on imported inputs and the development of backward linkage industries. One of the biggest changes...
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Forests felled, streams buried: Illegal timber trade devastates Bandarban’s Dim Pahar
At nearly 2,500 feet above sea level, the Alikadam– Thanchi road winds through some of Bandarban’s most beautiful landscapes. Clouds drift between steep green ridges, waterfalls cut through the hills, and sharp bends disappear into silence. But beyond...
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Syndicate still bends new tender rules
The interim government’s attempt to ensure more competition in public procurement through sweeping amendments to tender rules has instead given rise to a new form of cartel-like practice among contractors — everyone competing to be the ‘lowest...
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Budget may bring relief for cardiac and kidney patients
The upcoming national budget is likely to include tax reductions on cardiac stents, dialysis equipment and pharmaceutical raw materials in a bid to lower healthcare costs, alongside higher duties on tobacco and alcohol products aimed at increasing...
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PM pledges Family Card for 50 lakh women in a year
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday announced a significantly increased allocation for the Family Card programme in the upcoming national budget, with plans to distribute cards to 50 lakh mothers and women within a year as part of an expanded...
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New budget to lay foundation for womb-to-old age support
The government is set to unveil plans in the upcoming budget to transform Bangladesh into a welfare state by introducing a life-cycle based social security system within the next five years, alongside expanding the BNP’S pledged Family Card and...
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PM directs tax regime friendly for businesses, not burdening poor
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed tax officials to design a business and investment friendly, predictable tax regime in the upcoming budget, while ensuring no additional tax burden is placed on low-income groups. He also stressed that tax...
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Supermarkets finally get critical footfall
Supermarket chains in Bangladesh are witnessing a sharp rise in customers and store expansion, driven by VAT relief, changing urban lifestyles and improved consumer trust that are reshaping how middle-class families shop for daily essentials. The...
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Tk10,500cr syphoned thru inflated export orders at Premier Bank: BB probe
A Bangladesh Bank investigation has uncovered the syphoning of nearly Tk10,500 crore through inflated export orders routed via Premier Bank’s Narayanganj branch between 2018 and 2023. The probe found that 29 clients at the branch opened back-to-back...
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NBR mulls new taxes for bikes
The National Board of Revenue is weighing a new advance income tax (AIT) regime for the country’s lakhs of motorcycles, while simultaneously eyeing to hike existing AIT on high-capacity (CC) vehicles, finance ministry sources said. The tax regulator...
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Beximco sukuk’s tenure proposed for 6-year extension to avert default
A high-powered committee led by the Bangladesh Bank has recommended extending the maturity of Beximco Ltd’s Tk3,000 crore green sukuk by six years to 2032, instead of its scheduled maturity in December 2026, to avoid a potential default and protect...
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Govt begins probe into measles outbreak and child deaths, 1.73cr vaccinated so far
The government has begun an investigation into the measles outbreak and the deaths of several children across Bangladesh amid growing concerns over vaccine shortages, disruptions in immunisation campaigns, and possible negligence within the public...
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Clean and green: Dhaka revamp begins to reclaim roads, rivers and parks
Dhaka is set for a major facelift with a cleaner, greener outlook, as the capital’s two city corporations have begun groundwork to clear encroachments from roads and footpaths, strengthen the drainage system, renovate parks and playgrounds, and restore...
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Tk35,708cr set for expanded safety net for FY27
The BNP government, through its flagship initiatives – the Family Card, Farmer’s Card, canal excavation, and tree plantation programmes – plans to bring around 1.2 crore people under the social safety net in the upcoming fiscal year. Besides, the...
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If loans taken in yuan, yen, it would be cheaper THAN DOLLAR, ERD FINDS
Bangladesh could save over $200 million in repayments on a single $399 million loan by borrowing in yen instead of US dollars, and the government has the analysis to prove it. A recent policy brief by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) found that...
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Why our technical training centres failing to deliver
At the Feni Technical Training Centre, three computer numerical control (CNC) machines were installed in 2018 at a cost of Tk20-30 lakh each to train workers for modern industry. But the systems, which control machine tools for precise cutting and...
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Most listed manufacturers record losses on high interest, weak demand
Manufacturing firms posted a modest growth in net profits last year, yet most of the sectors, including paper, tannery and cement faced massive declines due to soaring cost of finance and slowing demand, according to an analysis of listed firms. Data...
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Govt moves to reopen airports to boost economy, exports in North
The government has taken an initiative to gradually reactivate closed domestic airports in northern districts to boost regional economic activity through improved connectivity. Bogura Airport tops the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (Caab)’s...
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Supply up but relief limited as fuel distribution stays uneven
Even though fuel supply in the country has increased, with higher allocations and improved depot dispatches easing some of the earlier pressure at filling stations, persistent gaps in supply management and uneven distribution continue to blunt the...
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