Bangladesh’s signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia should not be just for the duty free benefits on export but also for securing massive investments, according to economists.

Various trade bodies in Chattogram have urged the government to increase its special allocation for the port city’s development projects in the national budget for fiscal 2021-22.

The government has made the quality testing of imported bitumen mandatory to ensure product standards.

Unit holders of Southeast Bank 1st Mutual Fund have given the go-ahead for VIPB Asset Management Company to convert the closed-end fund into an open-end one.

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) is establishing an economic zone at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) to diversify exports.

People will be able to transfer funds from their mobile wallets to other accounts belonging to another carrier and banks by December in a development that would give the mobile financial service (MFS) industry a massive boost.

After a long six-and-a-half years, betel leaf export to the European Union has resumed following a recent lifting of its ban, with the first consignment of one metric tonne being sent off for the United Kingdom yesterday.

Bangladesh has failed to achieve its target to raise the share of renewable energy to the total power generation to 10 per cent by 2020 amid constraints of resources, technologies and policies.

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday said it expects to provide an additional $1.6 billion in financing to Egypt after its executive board approves the funding in coming weeks.

British retailer Marks & Spencer forecast a rebound in profit this year after an 88 per cent slump in 2020-21 that reflected a collapse in clothing sales due to the Covid-19 pandemic but warned investors not to expect a dividend this year.

US Senate Republicans plan to unveil a counteroffer to President Joe Biden’s $1.7 trillion infrastructure proposal on Thursday, though one of their leaders said on Tuesday the two sides remain far apart.

China’s market regulator has begun an investigation into suspected anti-competitive practices by KE Holdings, the country’s biggest housing broker whose top backer is Tencent Holdings, two people who know of the matter said.

India is preparing an economic stimulus package for the sectors worst affected by Covid-19, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Britain’s competition regulator is reviewing AstraZeneca’s $39 billion buyout of US-based Alexion on concerns it could reduce competition in the UK market or elsewhere.

A trade deficit may not be too bad even amidst the coronavirus challenges if you have a healthy foreign exchange reserve, strong remittance inflow, foreign direct investment, and aid flow. More importantly, when capital machinery or industrial raw materials import is the cause of this possible trade deficit.

The litchi season may end earlier than usual this year as unfavourable weather conditions led to lower production of the sugary tropical fruit, according to industry insiders.

Profits of the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) almost doubled in nine months of fiscal 2020-21 thanks to higher turnover with the same operating costs amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Khyaati Leather Innovations BD Ltd, an India-Bangladesh joint venture, is set to establish a garment accessories and bags manufacturing factory at the Ishwardi Export Processing Zone in Pabna at an investment of $2.95 million.

Bangladesh Bank yesterday asked banks to keep their branches open in areas where lockdowns have been imposed amid a surge in Covid-19 infections, but only through consultations with respective metropolitan and district administrations.

Bangladeshi IT companies have been deploying blockchain solutions across the world through training provided by the government, said State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak yesterday.