Sohel Parvez

Maize, a little-known crop three decades ago, continues its triumph over wheat, paddy and other crops due to its higher yield and profitability.

Although the interim government is focusing on reforms and new measures, corruption remains a major concern for businesses. Instead of waning, demands for undue payments by public officials have increased in some cases, said a top industrialist.

Depositors continued to move their funds out of full-fledged Islamic banks in the October-December period last year, a sign that many savers have yet to regain confidence in the Shariah-compliant banks due to alleged irregularities.

This growth was largely supported by a 30 percent year-on-year surge in imports in December 2024.

Bangladesh is growing horizontally and vertically, with new multistoried complexes being erected on fresh land in suburbs and towns to replace more modest structures.

Cultivation of wheat has hit the lowest on record in the current season in Bangladesh as many producers opted to grow potato and other high-value crops on land previously used for the second most important staple food after rice.

Local air conditioner (AC) manufacturers in Bangladesh are pushing for “fair” government procurement policies, arguing that existing rules favour foreign brands despite local companies meeting global standards.

Over the last several years, Ahsan, a rickshaw puller in his 50s, has been eagerly waiting for relief from the high prices of food and other essentials. Days and months have passed, but his pursuit of a better living by escaping the curse of elevated inflation has remained a distant dream. 

Bangladesh remained the global shipping industry’s first choice for scrapping vessels in 2024, even though the overall import fell to a six-year low amid dollar constraints and subdued demand due to economic woes. 

Farmers in different parts of the country are being compelled to buy fertiliser, a key ingredient for crop production, by paying more than government-fixed prices.

Anyone of over 30 years of age might recall radio advertisements aired during their childhood and adolescence on contraceptives—Raja and Maya.

December has brought some good news! Remittance hit a record high, taking the total for the 2024 calendar year to $26.87 billion. Exports surged too, pushing the final annual figure to $50 billion.

Just a year ago, this newspaper ran a story leaving a question for our readers as to whether Bangladesh would be able to put its economy back on track in 2024.

Jute millers are struggling as exports show no sign of recovery and demand in the domestic market remains lukewarm amid slack implementation of the mandatory jute packaging act.

Improving law and order has become imperative in recovering Bangladesh’s global image that took a beating for domestic politics over the past decade, said a top chamber leader.

The sooner the country returns to a democratic process, the better it is for the economy, said top industrialist Ahsan Khan Chowdhury.

Bangladesh is losing $355 million in tax annually because of outward profit shifting by the corporates, particularly multinational firms, and abuses by individuals who have wealth, especially in tax havens.

Without proper institutions, it’s not possible to prevent abuse of power, prevent corruption, and improve public life, said business leader Abdul Awal Mintoo.

Without proper institutions, it’s not possible to prevent abuse of power, prevent corruption, and improve public life, says business leader Abdul Awal Mintoo

The Awami League regime's economic strategy was not always based on equity.