Jagaran Chakma

Only 10 economic zones (EZs) have become operational since the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) rolled out its massive industrialisation plan in 2015, raising questions about whether its goal of setting up 100 enclaves will be materialised on time.

Locally assembled cars and the range of electric vehicles (EVs) offered by Mercedes-Benz were the main attraction during the 17th Dhaka Motor Show at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center on Friday.

Ashit Chowdhury, managing director of AAPON, a manufacturer of shataranji and various jute home decor products, applied for a loan of Tk 30 lakh from a private commercial bank.

Imagine walking into a shop and finding products that are identical to those at branded outlets but are being sold for only a fraction of the price levied by the well-known companies.

Although there are around 40 steelmakers in Bangladesh, just four based in Chattogram are currently catering to 53 percent of the total demand, according to market studies and industry insiders.

The government is currently faced with a lack of funds, evidenced by a reduction in allocations it provided from the exchequer for the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP), said Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue.

Competition in the cement industry of Bangladesh could become even narrower as smaller producers are at risk of going out of business due to overcapacity in production and increasingly higher input costs.

Steel consumption in Bangladesh is projected to rise by 25 percent to around 1.06 crore tonnes in 2027 from 85 lakh tonnes in 2024 thanks to growing infrastructure development projects and individual consumption, according to Bigmint.

The consumer market in Uttara, a planned suburb in Dhaka city, has witnessed steady growth over the years, prompting many retailers and brands to expand their operations in the area.

Before the 90s, Uttara offered little aside from open fields of green and waterlogged land.

Bangladesh is going to seek more than 36 billion yuan, equivalent to $5 billion, as soft loans from China to reduce pressure on its dollar reserves.

The three state-run oil companies in Bangladesh booked double-digit growth in profits during the first nine months of the current fiscal year even after a decline in sales mainly due to a rise in income from bank deposit interests.

However, although ACs provide a much-needed respite from the heat, the home appliance also draws a lot of power, leading to higher electricity bills and putting a further strain on people who are already suffering due to heightened inflation.

While Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector has exceeded expectations and surpassed many comparator countries, the industry’s reliance on imports for raw materials has long been a limiting factor.

The year 1982 was a watershed in the history of the pharmaceutical industry of Bangladesh as the government stepped in to lay the foundation for its stellar growth in the subsequent decades.

He now holds 17 percent or Tk 499 crore worth of shares of the company

Of the investment, $19 million came from its own pockets whereas $26 million in the form of a syndicated loan, which was released recently, he said.

Wood plastic composites in the form of kitchen cabinets, bathroom and balcony doors are slowly gaining popularity in Bangladesh for being an alternative to wood, according to industry insiders and realtors.

Following two years of dull demand, home furniture sales went up slightly in the lead-up to Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival for the Muslim community in Bangladesh, as people went on a buying spree despite ongoing inflationary pressure, according to industry people.

Although there is no accurate data on the market for electronic home appliances, industry insiders believe that sales during Eid-ul-Fitr account for around 60 percent of their annual receipts.