The dependency ratio of the people who are over 65-plus years rose to 9.4 percent in 2023 from 8.6 percent in 2022.

Although the foreign sale pressure was not huge, the buying interest from institutional investors was insignificant either. As a result, the indices dropped.

A total of 12 NBFIs in Bangladesh are running without an MD or CEO and a majority of them have had their top post vacant for more than three months in a clear breach of laws.

According to industry people, the dollar crisis in the country is gradually easing and the global supply chain is getting smoother, positively impacting the pharmaceuticals sector.

Here, the steady growth of Bangladesh’s economy -- around 6 percent annually -- for the last two decades, and subsequent increases in overall buying capacity, played a big role. Another factor is the increasing domestic assembly of these items by local companies.

The NBR, however, missed the overall collection target by 45 percent during the eight-month period.

The new act will replace the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001.

Experts tell Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies seminar

Initially, it is the general stock investors who might be at the receiving end of the process while the loan defaulters, whose misdeeds are largely responsible for Padma Bank’s current misfortunes, might come out victorious.

The number of shoppers has been increasing since Friday, said brands and retailers. But with about 18 days left until Eid, consumers are yet to start buying clothing items in large quantities, they said.

Mohammad Arif Hossain, CEO of payment service provider Dmoney, said if the government gives merchants a 1 percent incentive and customers a 2 percent cashback, it could yield big results.

Both banks are weak as per a Bangladesh Bank health index of banks and it is very difficult to get any positive result by merging two weak banks, said Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue.

Yuji Ando, the country representative of the Jetro, said Japanese companies present in Bangladesh are also facing troubles in customs clearance and settlement of letters of credit.

Bangladesh’s access to cheap loans is closing in with its rising per capita income, making foreign borrowing costlier.

The gap broadened to 16.06 percentage points in December last year from 3.25 percentage points in the same month in 2019, according to the data.

Capital machinery imports are recovering slowly as concerns over political uncertainty ease and banks show more willingness to facilitate investments amidst increased liquidity in terms of US dollars and stability in the exchange rate. During the July-January period of this fiscal year (FY), LC openings for capital machinery grew three percent year-on-year to $1,557 million, according to Bangladesh Bank data.

Major indices of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) maintained their upward trend for the second day in a row yesterday.

Since the interest rates may rise further, the companies are taking steps to quickly pay back loans using funds from alternative sources, according to business leaders.

Bangladesh’s external debt has crossed the $100 billion mark for the first time, indicating a challenging future amid foreign exchange shortage.

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