Jagaran Chakma

Bangladeshi patients searching for better healthcare than that available at home are increasingly travelling to Thailand instead of India as the neighbouring country is limiting visa issuances for Bangladeshi nationals.

The year began with a national election, saw a mass uprising midway and subsequently progressed through a deteriorated law and order situation. These all had adverse implications for businesses.

India’s visa restrictions on Bangladeshi nationals, while initially perceived as a barrier, could serve as a wake-up call for Bangladesh to strengthen its healthcare system and regain the confidence of its patients.

Pharmaceutical exports from Bangladesh notched record growth in November this year as local drug makers secured new markets and larger orders, according to industry people.

Despite the country’s efforts to reduce pollution and transition to cleaner cars, electric vehicle (EV) sales are yet to pick up due to multiple factors, including taxes and high registration costs, which sellers describe as “impractical”.

Despite capital machinery imports decreasing sharply, the resurgence in Bangladesh’s overall imports continued for a third straight month in October due to increased production in industries, especially export-oriented sectors, signalling that there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Most of Dhaka’s five-star hotels are not faring well for a dearth of guests, as political uncertainties and security concerns following the August 5 student movement are putting off most events and travel plans.

The price of mild steel (MS) rods has continued to fall due to low demand for construction materials, especially as public consumption has declined to virtually zero since the political changeover on August 5.

Bangladesh’s exports rose for a fourth straight month in November as goods that had been stuck for the past three months were finally shipped.

Three production units owned by Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) have been sitting idle inside the Cumilla Economic Zone despite two years having passed since construction works were completed due to a lack of gas and power connections

The group's inability to open new LCs has forced its factories to halt production

Bangladesh is sending more leather footwear to foreign markets like the United States, Japan and the European Union as the country’s footwear exports during the July-October period of the current fiscal year surged to a five-year high.

Steelmakers in Bangladesh are facing a severe working capital shortage due to the sharp rise in the US dollar exchange rate and a slowdown in sales, according to industry insiders.

The demand for consumer electronics in the mid to high-end categories has declined drastically in Bangladesh as most people are shifting to cheaper alternatives or avoiding purchases altogether amid persistent inflation.

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) is considering utilising unused land to establish solar power parks at the Mirsharai Economic Zone in Chattogram, the largest industrial enclave in the country.

Grocery shelves are not clearing as quickly for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), while many are switching to mini-packs of food and toiletries -- indicating that people are losing ground in their prolonged battle against inflation.

After successful trials, three local drug makers are set to begin full-fledged commercial production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at the BSCIC API Industrial Park at Gazaria in Munshiganj.

The country’s steel production fell significantly in September compared to the previous year as the industry reeled from a damaging slump in demand and subsequent price reduction.

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) yesterday unveiled the export data for the July-September period of fiscal year 2024-25 and officially acknowledged that there was a $3.16 billion export data mismatch in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.

Sales of luxury sedans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have been almost nil since July this year as customers have reined in spending amid the ongoing economic downturn and sudden political changeover in Bangladesh.