Sohel Parvez

Record remittances lift reserves, but economy burdened by sluggish tax, bad loans, high joblessness

Government borrowing from domestic banks and non-bank sources rose 55 percent year-on-year during the July-April period of the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, due mainly to weaker foreign loan disbursements and poor tax collection.

Bangladesh’s expenditure on poverty reduction has been gradually declining, and in the upcoming fiscal year of 2025-26, it is set to hit a four-year low due to a decrease in spending that directly impacts hunger.

The government plans to amend the existing sovereign guarantee guidelines to streamline the process and mitigate fiscal risks if public entities fail to make repayments on time, according to a finance ministry report.

If you visit the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), you will find it difficult to make your way through the crowded corridors between the wards. Patients lie on narrow, makeshift beds along both sides, while doctors, hospital staff, visitors, and treatment seekers shuffle through the chaos.

Bangladesh has continued to showcase a weak performance in the open budget rankings among its South Asian peers, reflecting a lack of transparency and accountability in the formulation and implementation of fiscal measures.

Banks have registered sluggish growth in deposits throughout the current fiscal year as elevated inflation and an economic slowdown have squeezed the scope for many to save, even though the interest rate has risen.

From the north-western bordering district Panchagarh to the southern coastal district Patuakhali, farmers grow multiple crops to sell at markets

Customs House Dhaka said it has found more than a dozen issues related to infrastructure, security, and operational readiness of the new terminal

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh plunged to a five-year low in 2024, according to provisional figures released by Bangladesh Bank, raising concerns over investor confidence amid growing economic headwinds and policy uncertainties.

In the past two years, the NBR brought down tariffs on 60 items within the bound tariff rates based on the panel's suggestion.

The United States is losing its market share in cotton exports to Bangladesh amid concerns about logistics and the lengthy shipment duration for American cotton, according to a recent report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

High tariffs, investment hurdles and entrenched corruption continue to undermine American businesses operating in Bangladesh, according to the latest report by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

As the United States moves to impose reciprocal tariffs, concerns are mounting among Bangladeshi exporters, particularly in the footwear and pharmaceutical sectors, over potential implications for the country’s trade prospects.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has detected tax anomalies amounting to over Tk 58 crore involving five individuals and their companies, including a former president of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE).

Bangladesh’s soybean production and imports are increasing steadily as demand from the poultry, livestock, and aquaculture sectors continues to grow alongside rising domestic consumption, according to the latest report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Acreage and production are expected to continue increasing in MY26, with Bangladesh likely to produce 1.60 lakh tonnes of soybeans next year, according to the report released last week.

Bangladesh’s toiletries market is growing and there is a significant potential for further expansion as incomes rise alongside increasing awareness and lifestyle changes.

The tax target for the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has become more daunting against the backdrop of slowing collection as the economy continues to grapple with worsening consumer purchasing power due to stubbornly high inflation and declining private and public investment.

Bangladesh requires around 100,000 new apartments every year. Despite having the capacity to meet this demand, realtors can only supply 8 percent of the required units, leaving a substantial gap.