Productivity reforms key to restoring Bangladesh's growth: PRI

Bangladesh needs a new round of productivity-enhancing reforms to restore high and sustainable growth, as macroeconomic stabilisation alone will not suffice
55 MIN(s) ago

Haor Boro fetching throwaway prices

Atikur Rahman braved lightning and waist-deep water to harvest his half-ripened Boro crop. Rain lashed the haor almost without pause. Upstream water surged in. He raced against nature, trying to salvage whatever paddy he could.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Less than 3% of manufacturing units use computers

Fewer than 3 percent of manufacturing units in Bangladesh use computers or information technology (IT) in their production work, according to the latest Economic Census 2024.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

NBR set to miss tax target for 10th year in a row

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is on course to miss its annual revenue target for the current fiscal year, extending its run of shortfalls to a tenth straight year.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Private credit growth hits historic low. What does it mean?

Private sector credit growth fell to 4.72 percent -- a record low -- in March, marking another month of slowdown.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Money whitening provision may return

The government is likely to reintroduce a provision allowing the legalisation of undisclosed income through investment in selected sectors in the national budget for the next fiscal year.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Misreporting, fraud deepened private capital shortage: Khosru

Major banking scandals, market manipulation, and financial misreporting have created severe capital shortages in banks and the private sector, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said yesterday.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Dollar rises to six-week high

The US dollar hit a six-week high on Wednesday as investors came to terms with the possible need ‌for higher interest rates to tackle inflation resulting from the Iran war.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Bangladesh needs stronger intellectual property rules

As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from least developed country (LDC) status, the country needs to modernise its intellectual property (IP) laws to attract more foreign investment, especially from the United States, and strengthen confidence among global businesses, a US diplomat said yesterday.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Sunshine Outdoor to invest $15m in Bepza EZ

Sunshine Outdoor (BD) Co Ltd, a British Virgin Islands- and Hong Kong-based company, will invest $15 million to establish a tent and camping products manufacturing facility at the Bepza Economic Zone in Mirsharai, Chattogram.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Bangladesh, Morocco discuss free trade pact

Bangladesh and Morocco are considering a free trade agreement (FTA) to deepen bilateral trade and economic engagement.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Uber re-launches in Chattogram

Uber has re-launched its ridesharing services in Chattogram, extending its presence in Bangladesh beyond its existing markets.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Can Brazil become a major rare earths supplier?

Brazil sits atop a potential bonanza of rare earths that has sparked global interest, led by Washington, as demand surges for the increasingly vital minerals.
21 May 2026, 00:00 AM

Private sector credit growth: a symptom of deeper investment malaise

Impaired banking intermediation has become a central part of the problem
20 May 2026, 20:43 PM

Biman suspends senior official hours after promotion amid corruption allegations

Md Mizanur Rashid’s promotion to HR director was cancelled amid internal criticism; sources say ACC is still probing earlier allegations over software procurement
20 May 2026, 19:31 PM

$15m investment comes for tent factory at Bepza economic zone

The factory will manufacture a wide range of outdoor products, including tents, canopies, backpacks, duffel bags, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, waterproof dry bags, inflatable pillows and mattresses, mosquito nets, carpets, mats, folding chairs, and storage baskets
20 May 2026, 18:47 PM

Bangladesh should modernise IP rules to attract more FDI: US diplomat

Shilpi Jha, senior commercial specialist and IP policy advisor for South Asia at the US embassy in New Delhi, attends AmCham roundtable
20 May 2026, 18:22 PM

Uber re-launches services in Chattogram

Riders in the city can now book rides through the Uber app
20 May 2026, 16:03 PM

Banking scandals, market manipulation deepen capital crisis, says finance minister

The finance minister said economic management and related institutions in Bangladesh have grown increasingly ineffective
20 May 2026, 14:42 PM

BB tightens rules for card-to-MFS cashouts

Bangladesh Bank has introduced new rules for cashing out money from card-based mobile financial service (MFS) accounts, aiming to strengthen verification and transaction security.
20 May 2026, 00:00 AM