BSEC to create a pool of independent directors to ease appointments

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) will create a pool of independent directors to help companies select those best suited to their business, BSEC Commissioner Farzana Lalarukh said today..She made the announcement at an event on independent directors, jointly orga

Bangladesh needs a truth commission for economic crimes: Lutfey Siddiqi

The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh organised the discussion on bank failures and the resolution regime

VAT dominance squeezes consumers as income tax lags

VAT is charged at every stage of production and sale, and consumers always bear the final cost

Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut, signals higher bar ahead

Wednesday's reduction by a quarter percentage point brings rates to a range between 3.50 percent and 3.75 percent

Islami Bank’s bad loans surpass Tk 1 lakh crore

Scams and irregularities by S Alam Group pushed the shariah-based bank into crisis, as toxic assets continue to surface

Put domestic industry and business first

Historically, governments have used construction to fight stagflation and recession

ICDs postpone decision to suspend container handling

ICDs have postponed their earlier decision to suspend handling of export, empty containers for a month

ADB lowers Bangladesh’s growth forecast further

The Manila-based lender said GDP growth in FY26 may reach 4.7 percent

Economy

Economy

After a decade of decline, poverty rising again since 2022: Salehuddin

The government has now publicly acknowledged that the number of people living in poverty is growing

22h ago

Govt exempts excise duty on Hajj air tickets

The exemption will remain in place until June 2026

1d ago

Regulator cancels TradeCap’s licence renewal application

BSEC spokesperson says the brokerage house’s ownership transfer was not done properly

1d ago

Govt delays blocking of unauthorised handsets by 3 months

The mobile phone traders left after blocking the Karwan Bazar streets for around two hours

1d ago

Banglalink given primary approval to launch digital wallet

The operator has already received regulatory go-ahead to operate as a payment service provider

1d ago

BICDA postpones decision to suspend container handling

The association agreed to the CPA chairman’s call to postpone the suspension decision by a month

1d ago

Rules eased for capital goods import

The new instruction aims to simplify access to import finance for industries against the import of capital goods for a tenor of three years

1d ago

Bangladesh economy projected to grow 5% in 2026: Mastercard report

The Mastercard Economics Institute 2026 Outlook was released today

1d ago
Global Economy

Global Economy

Analysis / How China Inc is marching into Vietnam amid US tariffs​​​

Hanoi's overtures to Beijing may reflect its long-standing policy of balancing foreign ties

1d ago

Trump says US will allow sale of Nvidia AI chips to China

President Donald Trump said Monday he had reached an agreement with President Xi Jinping to allow US chip giant Nvidia to export advanced artificial intelligence chips to China.

1d ago

Bitcoin’s 2025 rollercoaster may end on a low

With a series of record highs and crushing sell-offs, 2025 has been a rollercoaster ride for bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, which is at risk of ending the year with its first annual decline since 2022.

1d ago

Warner Bros fight heats up with $108 billion hostile bid from Paramount

Financing for Paramount offer includes Jared Kushner's firm and Middle Eastern funds

2d ago

European CEOs downbeat on Europe

Chief executives of large European companies are downbeat on Europe’s economic prospects, albeit less so than six months ago, and have become more bullish about investing in the US than at home, according to a survey published on Sunday.

2d ago

China’s exports top expectations on strong sales to non-US markets

China’s exports topped forecasts in November, driven by a surge in shipments to non-US markets as manufacturers deepen trade ties with the rest of the world in light of President Donald Trump’s prohibitively high tariffs.

2d ago

India flies into airline turbulence of own making

The chaos at India’s airports stems from more than just IndiGo. The number of flights the airline has been cancelling a day surpassed 1,000 on Friday after executives neglected to plan for tighter pilot rest rules that came into effect at the start of November.

2d ago
Organisation News

Organisation News

PBIL signs MoU with Bluenergy, Gtech Infrastructure to accelerate renewable energy

Prime Bank Investment PLC (PBIL) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the consortium of Bluenergy Solutions Ltd and Gtech Infrastructure Ltd, two pioneers in solar engineering and industrial clean energy development in Bangladesh..Under the agreement, PBIL will provide

47m ago

Bangladesh Lamps declares 10% dividend

Bangladesh Lamps PLC, the authorised manufacturer and distributor of Transtec lighting products, including smart LED bulbs, tube lights and other lighting accessories, yesterday declared a 10 percent cash dividend for the year that ended on June 30, 2025..The declaration was made at the co

1h ago

Fuel shortages, weak transmission put energy security at risk: AmCham

Energy security has become “critically important” for Bangladesh as the country grapples with fuel shortages, outdated transmission systems and declining gas reserves, said Syed Ershad Ahmed, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham)..He made the comment at a foc

1d ago

Riad Mahmud elected BAPLC president

Riad Mahmud, managing director of National Polymer Industries PLC, has been elected president of the Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies (BAPLC) for a two-year term (2026-2027)..The BAPLC, the top body representing companies listed on Bangladesh’s stock exchanges, also elec

1d ago

Fahmida Khatun appointed to UN expert panel

The 15-member panel, comprising global experts serving in their personal capacities, will guide the future development and application of the MVI

1d ago

NCC Bank Securities signs loan deal with ICB

NCC Bank Securities and Financial Services Limited (NCCB Securities), a subsidiary of NCC Bank PLC, has recently signed a loan agreement with the Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB)..Under the agreement, ICB has approved a loan of Tk 2,500 crore for NCCB Securities to invest in its

2d ago

bKash redefines ‘Amar bKash’ icon based on customer needs

The country’s leading mobile financial service (MFS) provider, bKash, recently redefined its app to make it simpler and more efficient, tailoring its features to each customer’s usage patterns and needs..The new presentation of the ‘My bKash (Amar bKash)’ icon now gives users an instant sn

2d ago

Shaathi Foundation holds digital violence awareness session at JAAGO School

Over 40 students attended 40‑minute session on legal steps and reporting mechanisms for online abuse

2d ago
Business Multimedia

Business Multimedia

How prepared is Bangladesh for signing FTAs?

The Daily Star's Senior Reporter Refayet Ullah Mirdha tries to tackle these questions with Khondoker Md Shoyeb in today's episode of Star Viewsroom

How is Bangladesh being affected despite the US tariff suspension?

Watch today's episode of Star Explains to find out more

What's stopping the govt from breaking market syndicates?

Watch to find out more in today's episode of Star Explains with Ahsan

Which savings certificate offers the highest returns?

In recent years, treasury bills and bond interest rates have exceeded those of savings certificates

Food prices stubbornly high despite govt measures

When prices of widely consumed staples like potatoes, edible oil, sugar or onions spike and remain inflated for extended periods, it understandably hits the poor and low-income people where it hurts the most: in their wallet.

Sadiqur Rahman promoted to AMD of Meghna Bank

Meghna Bank PLC has promoted Md Sadiqur Rahman to the post of additional managing director (AMD)..Prior to this promotion, Rahman was serving the bank as a deputy managing director and also held the role of managing director and chief executive officer (current charge), according to a pres

32m ago

Islami Bank holds 42nd AGM

Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC held its 42nd annual general meeting (AGM) at the Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka today..Prof M Zubaidur Rahman, chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, presided over the meeting as the chief guest, according to a press release..In his speech, Rahman said

35m ago

StanChart, BRAC University train next-gen financial crime experts

Standard Chartered Bangladesh and BRAC University celebrated the success of their Financial Crime and Compliance (FCC) certification programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s defences against financial crime and enhancing compliance standards across the banking sector..

43m ago

BRAC Bank surpasses $2 billion in remittances inflow

BRAC Bank PLC has surpassed $2 billion in remittance inflows in 2025, climbing from the 17th to the 4th position in the past five years. .The bank’s steady growth from $427 million in 2020 to $1,605 million in 2024 reflects rising customer confidence, according to a press release..To

50m ago

Bank Asia organises AML & CFT awareness programme

Bank Asia PLC recently organised an awareness programme on anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) at Bank Asia Tower in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka..The objective of the programme was to strengthen institutional knowledge and awareness on AML and CFT..Md M

53m ago

Trust Bank launches UnionPay cards

Trust Bank PLC has launched a new card service, titled “UnionPay International Card Issuance”, expanding its card portfolio and enhancing global payment convenience for customers..Ahsan Zaman Chowdhury, managing director and chief executive officer of Trust Bank PLC, inaugurated the servic

1d ago

Prime Bank offers loan benefits for BYD car buyers

Prime Bank PLC has signed an agreement with CG Runner BD Limited, the authorised distributor of BYD vehicles in Bangladesh, to provide special loan benefits for customers purchasing BYD cars..Md Nazeem A Choudhury, deputy managing director of Prime Bank PLC, and Hafizur Rahman Khan, chairm

1d ago

VAT often fails to reach government exchequer: finance adviser

It is an unfortunate and persistent weakness in the VAT system, said the adviser

1d ago

Govt gives green light to 12 solar power plants

The power ministry will buy electricity from these plants at an estimated cost of around Tk 40,000 crore

1d ago

Banking in the 2030s

Banking is going through a rapid global transformation unlike anything seen before. Large international banks are shifting from retail banking to wealth management.

1d ago