Real wage growth remains negative for 41 months

Bangladesh’s average wage growth remained negative for the 41st consecutive month in June, even as the inflation rate eased to its lowest level in nearly three years, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)..Year-on-year, wage growth stood at 8.18 percen
9 July 2025, 14:09 PM

ACI develops new Boro rice varieties

In a first for the country, ACI Seed has developed a new variety of aromatic rice suitable for cultivation in the Boro season..The seed-focused business unit of ACI PLC has also developed a short-duration, high-yielding Boro rice variety...ACI received approval for the inbred v
8 July 2025, 16:02 PM

Women’s share in agent banking remains far below requirement

The proportion of female agents in Bangladesh’s agent banking sector stood at just 9.15 percent as of March this year—well below the Bangladesh Bank's (BB) mandate that women should comprise 50 percent of total agents...The data were revealed in the central bank’s latest Agent Bankin
8 July 2025, 15:26 PM

Ctg customs logged 9.71% revenue growth in FY25

Customs House, Chattogram, the country’s highest revenue-generating customs station for more than three decades, collected Tk 75,432 crore in the just-ended fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, according to provisional estimates..This marks a 9.71 percent increase from the previous year’s collection.
7 July 2025, 15:21 PM

Energy assoc urges review of scrapped solar plans

The Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association yesterday urged the interim government to reconsider its cancellation of 31 letters of intent that the past regime had signed with potential investors in solar power projects without adopting any tender process...A letter of
6 July 2025, 06:05 AM

Islamic banks’ deposit, investment growth slows to 4-year low

Deposit and investment growth in the country’s Islamic banks fell to a four-year low in the first quarter of 2025, apparently driven by rising public concerns over the financial stability and governance practices of the commercial lenders.
5 July 2025, 18:04 PM

Spinners demand withdrawal of 2% AIT on cotton import within a week

Textile millers have demanded the withdrawal of the 2 percent advance income tax (AIT) on cotton imports within a week, warning of possible factory closures otherwise..Speaking at a press conference organised by the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at the Gulshan Club in Dhaka y
5 July 2025, 15:45 PM

Brokers can now use 75% of interest income from clients’ funds

But 25% of the interest income must go to the Investors’ Protection Fund, says a July 3 gazette
5 July 2025, 12:53 PM

Taskforce unveils roadmap for semiconductor growth

The national semiconductor taskforce has charted a roadmap to unlock the country’s potential in semiconductors, focusing on three priority areas — skills development, business environment and policy support, and global linkages...As per the roadmap, the plan includes training program
4 July 2025, 02:55 AM

Smuggled cosmetics threaten local industry

Local cosmetics makers have warned that the industry faces an uncertain future unless stricter controls are introduced to stop smuggling and misdeclared imports.
3 July 2025, 18:11 PM

Four top NBR officials sent into retirement

The finance ministry yesterday sent four top officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) into retirement on ‘public interest’.
2 July 2025, 18:09 PM

Bank booths, hotels can now get limited money changer licence

Bank branches, booths, hotels, and gift shops are now formally allowed to apply to the central bank for a limited money changer licence by paying a Tk 50,000 fee..In detailed guidelines on the matter issued yesterday, the central bank stated that it has permitted certain entities to operat
2 July 2025, 16:30 PM

BB relaxes lending limit to foreign firms

Local banks can now lend up to 60% of project cost to foreign firms
2 July 2025, 12:11 PM

Five more NBR officials under ACC scanner

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated another formal inquiry into allegations of corruption and irregularities, including illegal amassing of wealth, abuse of authority, and favouritism, against five more senior officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
1 July 2025, 21:33 PM

11 more banks to face asset quality review

Eleven more banks that were hit by irregularities and scams during the Awami League government’s tenure are set to undergo an asset quality review (AQR) by global audit firms.
30 June 2025, 21:13 PM

NBR stalemate: Business leaders meet with finance adviser

NBR officials’ work abstention hampering export, import activities, they say
29 June 2025, 12:38 PM

5-member panel of advisers formed to resolve NBR crisis

Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan will head the panel
29 June 2025, 12:27 PM

Set Tk 800 as lowest payable for broadband packages

The lowest price payable for a broadband internet connection needs to be Tk 800, not Tk 400 as per a policy drafted recently, said service providers, offering to reciprocate by raising the minimum speed to 50 Mbps..The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided t
28 June 2025, 16:05 PM

Relax rules on fund BB set aside for capital market: banks

Finance ministry sits with different banks to find ways to boost investment in stock market
24 June 2025, 15:07 PM

Scope for whitening black money goes

The interim government has finally scrapped the controversial provision allowing the legalisation of undisclosed income through the purchase of apartments and land in the upcoming fiscal year.
22 June 2025, 18:12 PM