Regional & International Economy

Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves have slipped to a six-year low of $31.15 billion after the central bank cleared import bills to the tune of $1.05 billion with a number of Asian countries, official figures showed. This means the reserves have fallen by about 30 per cent from $44.14 billion recorded …

Sri Lanka’s president said Tuesday that China has given crucial debt restructuring assurances that mean the bankrupt Indian Ocean nation could get its $2.9 billion bailout package approved soon. President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament that a letter from China’s EXIM bank with the necessary assurances was received on Monday night …

Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday placed a five-point recommendation, including at least six-year extension of preferential market access for Bangladesh and other graduating least developed countries, before development partners. ‘I wish to make five suggestions for our development partners: first, extend preferential market access for graduating LDCs like …

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Dhaka together with the Sri Lankan expatriate community and associations organised an evening programme today at the Dhaka Sheraton to showcase trade, investment, and tourism opportunities in Sri Lanka. The event, attended by diplomats, government officials, corporate sector workers, and travel agents, was …

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Sunday demanded a 2.5% reduction in corporate tax rate for non-listed companies in the upcoming budget for FY24. Currently the corporate tax rate for the non-listed firms is 27.5%. The chamber made the demand during a pre-budget meeting at the head …

France, having expertise and experience in tackling climate change issues, is keen on meeting Bangladesh’s financing needs by providing AFD concessional loans for green investments and through supporting the government in addressing climate related issues, says Agence Française de Dévelopment (AFD) Executive Director Philippe Orliange. With the upgrade from least …

Qatar would stand beside Bangladesh to meet its increasing demand of energy as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a meeting with the Emir of the country Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the 5th United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries here in the Qatar National …

Fostering a tech-savvy workforce is a critical element in paving the way for a “smart Bangladesh”, according to the Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, as he said the endeavour is imperative to effectively confront the hurdles that arise from graduating from LDC status. FE After …

Jatiya Sangsad speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Monday said that women in Bangladesh were still facing difficulties in setting up businesses as well as getting banking support. Addressing as chief guest the monthly ‘Luncheon Meeting’ organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh in the capital Dhaka, she categorically …

The increasing foreign debt will create problems for Bangladesh unless structural problems in the country’s financial sector are addressed, said economists at an inter-department dialogue at the University of Dhaka yesterday. “The ongoing IMF credit programme will not become effective if discipline in the financial sector cannot be improved,” said …