Jagaran Chakma

Consumers are likely to pay more for a range of home appliances, from rice cookers and clothing irons to air conditioners (ACs), as the government phases out value-added tax (VAT) exemptions on locally manufactured electronics.

The budget for FY26 has drawn strong criticism from business leaders who say it lacks a clear roadmap for improving the investment climate, bolstering industrial competitiveness, and implementing overdue reforms in the banking sector.

The government is going to expand import duty exemptions on pharmaceutical raw materials and medical equipment, with 79 new items expected to be added to the duty-free list in the upcoming national budget.

The government is considering reducing customs duty on seven imported tanning chemicals in the upcoming national budget, offering slight relief to the country’s struggling tannery sector.

Private investment as a percentage of the gross domestic product has slumped to its lowest level in five years, stoking fears over waning business confidence and a slowdown in job creation.

In the heart of Dhaka, amid vibrant toy displays and the hum of industry conversations at InterContinental Dhaka, sector people were talking about a quiet revolution — one that could redefine Bangladesh’s export landscape and lessen its long-standing reliance on imported toys.

Japanese investment in Bangladesh has grown steadily over the past decade. But with clearer policies, improved infrastructure and a more predictable regulatory environment, there is room to attract much more.

Some manufacturers say they are now opting to reduce office utility consumption, optimise office supplies, minimise bank dependence, and find alternative funding sources.

Bangladesh is on track to retain its status as the world’s biggest cotton importer in the marketing year (MY) 2025-26, with imports projected to reach 8.5 million bales, according to a record-setting forecast by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The construction of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram has gained momentum nearly a decade after its initiation, as Dhaka and Beijing look to strengthen bilateral ties and punishing Trump tariffs prompt Chinese manufacturers to consider relocating factories.

Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical exports rose by 3.46 percent year-on-year in the first ten months of the current fiscal year, despite a sharp drop in April due mainly to holidays in key markets and US aid cuts hurting merchandise shipments. 

The Chief Adviser’s Office has recently formed an eight-member committee to assess the proposed merger of several investment-related agencies under the single umbrella of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida).

The Detailed Area Plan (DAP) aims to strike a balance between development and sustainability of Dhaka, according to the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), as it says relaxing DAP guidelines to favour real estate interests would cause long-term consequences to the liveability of the megacity.

Regulations in the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) are limiting housing responses to meet Dhaka’s growing accommodation needs, according to realtors, as they argue that current urban policies are doing more harm than good.

Just five days after issuing a gazette notification imposing export fees on raw jute and jute products, the government has withdrawn the order to review the decision, following strong concerns from industry stakeholders over what they described as an excessive hike.

Best Holdings Ltd is set to open the first five-star hotel in Bangladesh’s industrial belt by June 2026, introducing luxury hospitality to Bhaluka in Mymensingh district.

Giordano Korea CEO sees ‘familiar signs of promise’ as he plans a factory in economic zone

Bangladesh’s healthcare sector has the potential to reach $23 billion by 2030, positioning the country as a major destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), according to a presentation shared at the Bangladesh Investment Summit.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) from China in Bangladesh has risen to $2.67 billion as of September 2024, according to official data, cementing China’s position as the country’s second-largest investor.

"This downtrend will lead to severe consequences if it is not reversed"