Inflation went up for the third consecutive month in April owing to the rise in the prices of major food items such as rice, wheat, lentil, and sugar.

Three private banks posted higher earnings for the January-March quarter compared to the same period a year ago with NRB Commercial Bank registering the highest growth in profits.

Edible oil manufacturers have reinstated a hike of around 2 per cent to take the price per litre to Tk 144, making availing daily essentials even more difficult for pandemic-hit people.

Women entrepreneurs may receive a relief in tax payment on their incomes from businesses in the coming fiscal year, said an official of the finance ministry.

The Bangladesh-US economic relations have largely remained unutilised 50 years past independence, exemplified by bilateral trade which is too poor when compared with that gained by some competitors, businesses said yesterday.

Farmers in Bangladesh have already harvested 90 per cent of the Boro paddy in the current season, dispelling worries that the impending cyclonic storm could have a major effect on the production of the biggest crop and hurt food security, the agriculture ministry said.

Banks are aggressively installing cash recycling machines (CRMs) to provide faster deposit and cash withdrawal services to clients, a move that is helping customers cut reliance on branches and giving them more freedom to carry out banking.

The special tax treatment was given in different regimes since independence. An undisclosed income of about Tk 30,824 crore was disclosed so far, and an amount of about Tk 3,900 crore was collected as tax.

Business leaders and trade bodies in Barishal have urged the government to ensure adequate support for them in the upcoming national budget such that they can survive the Covid-19 fallouts.

The central bank yesterday extended banking hours in line with the easing of coronavirus-linked lockdown rules, giving more time to customers to carry out financial transactions.

Bangladesh-US economic relation has largely remained unutilised although after 50th anniversary of independence of the Asian country as Bangladesh’s bilateral trade with the US is too poor compared to that of its competitive countries, experts said today.

Bangladesh Bank today extended the banking hour by half an hour and decided to keep banks open from 10am to 2.30pm from tomorrow until May 30.

The national budget for fiscal 2021-22 should include measures that will help sustain the rich agriculture industry in the country’s northern districts, according to various economists and businesspeople in the region.

The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday urged the government not to provide any scope to legalise black money in the next budget, terming the facility discriminatory, unconstitutional and conducive to corruption.

The Bangladesh Restaurant Owners’ Association has urged the government to allow them to reopen the restaurants following health guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The government should implement the current stimulus packages for the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) and announce another round of support in the upcoming budget to help them survive, said experts and entrepreneurs.

Listed textile and garment makers are still suffering from falling profits, impacted by lower sales of clothing in the markets abroad amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The use of both credit and debit cards went up heavily in March as people purchased more products and services through digital means amid the recent resurgence of Covid-19.

Japanese companies doing business in Bangladesh are facing challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, including a lack of information and support from authorities, which may dent the flow of investment, according to investors and a recent survey.

The cost and management accountants have urged the government to double the tax rebate to Tk 120,000 from Tk 60,000 at present for investment on deposit pension scheme.