Naoki: Bangladesh at present and Japan in 1971 share almost the same level of GDP per capita (About $2,000). Japan achieved rapid economic growth after the Second World War, particularly in the 1960s and the 1970s.

Alice Labs, a startup by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, has raised $500,000 as seed fund as it aims to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia, Middle East and North African markets to cater to businesses looking to provide better customer services, said the company yesterday.

Dhaka stocks crossed the 5,700-point mark for the first time in three months yesterday with insurance and banking stocks leading the charge.

People’s desperation to visit their permanent residences for Eid celebrations brings cheers to vehicle rental services providers amidst the gloom of the pandemic.

Mahbubul Alam has been re-elected president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in an election that saw all director hopefuls emerging victorious without any votes.

Some 200 garment factories could not pay workers’ salaries and festival bonuses as of yesterday although the Eid-ul-Fitr festival is just knocking at the door, said union leaders.

Rapid coronavirus vaccination, upgrading the creaking health system and expanding social protection should be the focus of the upcoming budget to bring the crisis under control, economists said.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation has launched a digital payments solution for the apparel sector, which is the key and main currency earner of the country’s exports with an around 85 per cent contribution.

Like other parts of the country, shops in the Khulna and Barishal divisions have become inundated with customers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival in Bangladesh.

Some 200 garment factories are yet to pay the workers’ salaries and bonuses as of today although the Eid festival is just knocking at the door, union leaders said.

The stock market gained today maintaining the rising trend of the last five consecutive trading days thanks to the increased participation of investors.

UK’s Provident Financial said on Monday it was exiting its 141-year-old doorstep-lending division, adding that it has begun a consultation process for 2,100 employees, as the pandemic delivered the final blow to the loss-making business.

While the DSEX, the Dhaka Stock Exchange’s benchmark index, witnessed its lowest level in nearly seven years since January 2013, Vanguard Asset Management managed an open-end mutual fund showcasing noteworthy performance even amidst the pandemic.

World stocks ticked up to new peaks on Monday on bets interest rates will remain low and the economy continue its recovery, while oil prices jumped after a cyber attack on a US pipeline operator unnerved markets.

Some Toyota Motor shareholders have criticized its President Akio Toyoda for questioning Japan’s plans to ban conventional cars only days after the firm said it was reviewing its climate lobbying and aimed for carbon neutrality by 2050.

In the Addis Ababa Action Agenda 2015, which aims to provide a global framework for financing the Sustainable Development Goals, countries committed to enhancing revenue administration through modernised, progressive tax systems, improved tax policy, and more efficient tax collection.

Various businesses across the Rangpur and Sylhet regions are seeing an influx of customers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, which is likely to be celebrated on May 13 this year.

Not all garment factories have been able to pay workers’ salaries and festival allowances within the government-set deadline ending yesterday.

The small, marginal and landless farmers together account for around 70 to 80 per cent of the country’s food production, said agricultural analysts.

The government has formed a 22-member committee to address the challenges that Bangladesh will face as a result of its transition from a least developed country (LDCs) into a developing one.