Business
DSE resolves technical glitch allowing stock brokers to trade on Monday
The technical glitch of brokerage houses at Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has been settled and trade transactions were made as usual on Monday, said a statement of DSE.
According to DSE, the technical glitches of the entire brokerage houses have been resolved before the start of trading on Monday. After finding a problem Sunday night, a technical team worked and resolved it today (Monday) and the houses have successfully participated in their trading activities.
Read: 2023 BRICS Summit: Lot of interest in how new members are chosen and which countries would be eligible
Md Shafiqur Rahman, Deputy General Manager of DSE, issued a statement in this regard on Monday.
Earlier, the trade settlement in the DSE was disrupted for about six hours yesterday due to a technical glitch. Because of the glitch, 63 stock brokers could not download trade data following trading activities and so, they could not settle any trade.
Read: Digital Security Act to be replaced by Cyber Security Act 2023
How to Make Money with AI for Beginners and Professionals
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a game-changer, transforming industries and how we use technology. As AI and its use grow, many opportunities are also becoming available for people to earn from their skills and knowledge. Whether you are new to AI or an experienced person seeking new opportunities using AI, there are several ways to make money with AI. Let's explore ten profitable ways suitable for beginners and professionals to make money with AI in Bangladesh.
How Beginners and Professionals Can Generate Income with AI
From healthcare to entertainment, AI has completely transformed various industries. As AI keeps progressing, it creates countless opportunities for individuals to utilize it and earn money.
Developing AI Applications
One of the easiest ways to make money using AI skills is by creating AI applications for companies and individuals. For example, you can make special apps like chatbots to help customers, recommendation systems to give personalized suggestions, or systems that can recognize objects in pictures. If you are just starting out, you can begin with tools like TensorFlow or PyTorch, and as you practice more, you will get really good at making AI programs for different things. This will be a strong base for creating all kinds of cool AI applications.
Read more: StarLink: What's special about Elon Musk's SpaceX satellite internet service?
AI Consulting
Having a profound understanding of AI and its practical applications can lead you to highly rewarding opportunities by offering consulting services. Numerous businesses are eager to implement AI but may lack the expertise to do it effectively. As a consultant, you can assist them in defining AI strategies, choosing suitable technologies, and optimizing existing AI models. This also enables professionals to share their industry insights and experiences.
Generative AI Content
Earning income online by sharing your content has become a popular method. Two main approaches are commonly used: placing ads on blog posts and posting sponsored content on social media.
You can research and create quality content with the help of AI and boost your earnings. However, consistency is key to maintaining a steady income. You must regularly create interesting and unique content to stand out from others.
Read more: How AI Can Improve Education
Using AI-based tools can significantly aid you in this endeavor. For instance, a tool like Jasper can assist you in generating ideas, conducting research, and writing drafts at a faster pace. It can create content for various platforms, such as blog posts, Instagram captions, or YouTube scripts. This way, you can save time, boost productivity, and expand your online presence.
General inflation virtually unchanged at 9.69 percent in July
The general inflation remained virtually unchanged at 9.69 percent on a point-to-point basis for the month of July, having been 9.74 percent in June, said the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
The inflation in Bangladesh saw a slow pace in decrease while the inflation of many South Asian countries is decreasing steadily. Economists said inadequate steps of the government failed to rein in inflation.
Read: Bangladesh Bank raises agro credit target to Tk 35000 cr in FY23-24; rooftop gardeners will also get farm loans
The country’s general inflation was 7.48 percent in July 2022, which jumped to 9.69 percent in July 2023. In May 2023 the inflation jumped to a decade-high 9.94 percent.
General non-food inflation dropped to 9.47 percent in July, down from 9.60 percent in June. However, food inflation experienced an increase to 9.76 percent in July, compared to 9.73 percent in June.
The general inflation in the rural areas decreased to 9.75 percent in July from 9.82 percent in June.
Read: Despite tightening imports, Bangladesh faces a deficit of $8.22 billion in foreign transaction
In urban areas, the general inflation has decreased to 9.43 percent from 9.45 percent in June.
Two independent sets of commodities (goods & services) are used to compute the Consumer Price Index for rural and urban areas. The rural and urban baskets cover 383 items with 749 varieties of goods and services. This index has been rebased with 2021-22 as the reference index.
Read: Bangladesh earned $4.59 billion from export in July
The CPI items for the national and sub-national indices are classified into 12 major categories such as food and nonalcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics, clothing and footwear, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, furnishings, household equipment, and routine maintenance of the house, health, transportation, communication, recreation and culture, education, restaurants and hotels and miscellaneous goods and services.
Bangladesh Bank raises agro credit target to Tk 35000 cr in FY23-24; rooftop gardeners will also get farm loans
Bangladesh Bank on Sunday announced a new agricultural credit disbursement policy with the target of disbursing Tk 35,000 crore loan to ensure food security in the country.
The central bank’s new target is 13.60 percent higher than that of the fiscal year 2022-23 which was Tk 30,811 crore.
Under the policy, people who have rooftop gardens may apply for farm loans, creating a new scope for urban farming.
AKM Sajedur Rahman Khan, Deputy Governor of the central bank, announced the agriculture and rural credit policy as the chief guest at the central bank headquarters in Motijheel. Kaniz Fatema, Director of the Agriculture Credit Department (ACD), and other senior officials were present.
Considering the demand for agricultural and rural loans, state-owned commercial and specialized banks were given a target to disburse Tk 12,030 crore, private commercial banks Tk 21,923 crore, and foreign banks’ branches in Bangladesh Tk 1047 crore in agricultural loans.
In FY 2022-23, banks disbursed a total of Tk 32830 crore in agricultural and rural loans, which was 106.55 percent higher than the total target of the financial year.
In the last fiscal year, a total of 36.18 lakh farmers received agricultural and rural loans, of which 18.81 lakh women received loans of about Tk 12,752.46 crore from banks and Micro Financial Institutes (MFIs) or NGOs.
The agriculture credit policy focuses food security in the country in the changing global situation.
Apart from the target of commercial banks, Bangladesh Sambay Bank Limited and Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) were given a target to disburse Tk 26 crore and Tk 1,423 crore respectively as agricultural and rural credit.
Banks will use their own networks (branches, sub-branches, agent banking, contract farming, syndicated loan disbursements) and bank-MFI linkages to achieve credit disbursement targets.
In this case, the amount of loans distributed through the banks’ own network should be at least 50 percent of the target. Earlier it was 30 percent.
BIMSTEC Summit: High-profile Bangladesh business delegation to visit Thailand in November
A high-profile business delegation from Bangladesh will visit Thailand in November during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s participation at the BIMSTEC Summit.
The sixth BIMSTEC Summit will be held in November 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, in which Bangladesh will assume the chairmanship of the regional grouping. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the event.
Thai investors can get opportunities in Bangladesh to invest through the foreign investment friendly policy in the country as the two countries have the similar environmental and cultural ties, said Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Lokman Hossain Miah said in a recent courtesy meeting with newly elected board of directors of Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI), said the Chamber on Sunday.
BTCCI sought all sorts of cooperation and supports from BIDA to make the programme in Thailand successful.
BTCCI also requested BIDA Executive Chairman to make available data regarding investment opportunities in Bangladesh especially tax exemption facility, incentives, foreign specialists working at Foreign Companies in Bangladesh.
BIDA Executive Chairman assured the business leaders of extending their support to BTCCI’s proposals.
He emphasized on the joint venture between Bangladesh and Thailand in some sectors like agro-processing, tourism & hospitality management, jute and jute goods, fisheries, pharmaceuticals etc.
Shams Mahmud, President of BTCCI, introduced the newly elected Board of Directors of BTCCI to the BIDA Executive Chairman and its officials.
He apprised to BIDA officials regarding on the plan of BTCCI to take necessary steps for enhancing bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Thailand.
BTCCI President also emphasized on the increasing export of different products such as pharmaceuticals, jute and jute goods, leather, RMG and ceramics from Bangladesh to Thailand and relocating labor intensive industries in Bangladesh.
BIDA Executive Chairman thanked the board of Directors to come forward for the discussion of bilateral issues of Bangladesh and Thailand and extended his appreciation to BTCCI for working to enhance bilateral business relationship between Bangladesh and Thailand.
Executive members of BIDA including Mohsina Yasmin, Md. Salem Sulaiman, Vice President, Khemathat Archawathamrong, Honorary Director, Mohammad Junaed Ibne Ali, Director Finance, Shahzada A Hamid, Md. Ahsanuzzaman, Brahmanda Pratap Barua, Directors, Md. Nazmul Hossen ACS, Secretary of BTCCI attended the meeting among others.
YouTube Explainer Videos: Ways to Make Money While Sharing Knowledge
The internet has transformed the ways of sharing information and knowledge in the digital age. Among the many platforms to share ideas and expertise, YouTube stands out as a platform with vast potential for creators and viewers. YouTube offers content creators the opportunity to make money through its Partner Program, where they can earn revenue from their videos based on views and engagement. One popular format for content creation on YouTube is the explainer video, which allows creators to share knowledge and monetize their content. In this article, we will delve into the world of YouTube explainer videos, the skills necessary to create them, and the earning potential for content creators.
What is an Explainer Video?
An explainer video is a short, engaging, and informative piece of content that aims to explain a specific topic or concept to the audience in a clear and concise manner. These videos can cover a wide range of subjects, from educational tutorials and product demonstrations to explanations of complex ideas and processes. The primary goal of an explainer video is to simplify complicated information and present it in a way that is easy for viewers to comprehend and retain.
Explainer videos often utilize a combination of visuals, animations, voiceover narration, and sometimes background music to convey the message effectively. The visuals help to reinforce the content, making it visually appealing and engaging. By breaking down complex ideas into bite-sized pieces, explainer videos have become a popular tool for teaching, marketing, and communication across various industries.
Read more: How to Protect Your YouTube Channel from Getting Hacked
What Skills are Necessary to Make an Explainer Video?
Creating an effective explainer video requires a combination of technical expertise, creativity, and communication skills. Let's take a closer look at the essential skills necessary to produce compelling explainer videos:
Scriptwriting
A well-crafted script forms the foundation of any explainer video. The script should be concise, engaging, and tailored to the target audience. It should communicate the key points clearly and effectively while maintaining a consistent tone throughout the video.
Storyboarding
Before jumping into animation or recording, it's crucial to create a storyboard that outlines the visual elements of the video. A storyboard serves as a roadmap, guiding the creator through each scene and ensuring a smooth flow of information.
Video Editing
Proficiency in video editing software is essential for assembling the visual and audio components of the explainer video. Editors can enhance the video's quality, add animations, incorporate graphics, and synchronize the narration to create a polished final product.
Readmore: Top 10 Free Video Editing Apps for iOS, Android
Animation and Design
Depending on the style of the explainer video, animation skills might be necessary. Animators can bring static elements to life, making the content more engaging and captivating. Design skills also come into play when creating visually appealing graphics and illustrations.
Voiceover Narration
A clear and pleasant voiceover is essential to convey the message effectively. Content creators can either narrate the video themselves or hire a professional voice actor with suitable vocal qualities for the target audience.
Knowledge of Target Audience
Understanding the target audience is crucial for tailoring the content to their needs and preferences. A successful explainer video must resonate with the intended viewers, addressing their pain points and providing valuable insights.
SEO and YouTube Algorithm
To maximize reach and potential earnings, creators should be familiar with search engine optimization (SEO) techniques. Optimizing video titles, descriptions, tags, and thumbnails can significantly impact discoverability on YouTube's platform.
Read more: Why is Local SEO Important for Small Businesses in Bangladesh?
Engagement and Call-to-Action
Encouraging audience engagement through likes, comments, and shares is vital for YouTube's algorithm. Additionally, including a compelling call-to-action (CTA) can prompt viewers to subscribe, follow, or visit external websites.
Walton to host int’l industrial fair 'ATS Expo' on August 10
Electronics manufacturing company Walton is going to host the country's first-ever mega industrial fair titled “International Advanced Components and Technology (ATS) Expo-2023” in Dhaka from August 10 to 12.
The expo will take place at Hall-1 of the International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital, according to a press release.“The registration process is going on for industrialists, buyers and visitors interested in participating in this industrial fair. The interested participants can complete their registration by visiting the web page https://ats.waltonbd.com. Already, a large number of representatives from government, domestic and foreign private industries have completed the registration process to participate in the fair” said Walton's Senior Deputy Executive Director and ATS Expo's Coordinator A F M Nasir Uddin.
“All the preparations for organizing the ATS Expo are almost done. A total of 21 stalls based on industrial components, materials and services are being constructed in the fair. Besides, a panel discussion meeting titled 'Role of Domestic Industry in Building Smart Bangladesh' will be held at the fair on August 11, 2023 (Friday),” said Walton's Deputy Managing Director and ATS Expo's Chairman Md Humayun Kabir.
He added that there is a giant market for industrial components and materials worldwide. Through ATS Expo, he hoped that Walton's path to create a strong position in this giant global market will be smoother, the release said.
The ATS Expo aims to discover the world of possibilities by showcasing an impressive repertoire of machining, mold and die, industrial raw materials, components, testing lab and other industrial services to domestic and international industrialists and visitors, added the release
In the ATS Expo, products will be showcased in four categories - Technology, Industrial Materials, Components and Testing Lab.
In these categories, refrigerator components, air conditioner components, television components, home appliance components, electrical appliance components, elevator/lift components, fasteners, mold and die, casting components, chemical solutions, PCB and PCBA, testing solutions etc. will be showcased, added the release.
Despite tightening imports, Bangladesh faces a deficit of $8.22 billion in foreign transaction
Despite tightening imports in the fiscal year 2022-23, Bangladesh faced an overall foreign transaction deficit of $8.22 billion, which was $6.65 billion in FY22, said a latest report of Bangladesh Bank (BB).
The Bangladesh Bank's balance of payment of foreign currency transactions revealed the information on Thursday.
The report said that in the recent past FY23(July-June) Bangladesh imported goods worth $69.49 billion. During this period $52.34 billion worth of products were exported.
Also read: Bangladesh Bank working to normalise inflation and dollar crisis despite geopolitical challenges
Due to this, Bangladesh has a trade deficit of $17.15 billion. In FY23, imports decreased by 15.76 percent, while exports increased by 6.28 percent.
The concerned BB officials said that imports are more than exports, the prices of all kinds of products including energy on the rise in the world market. The remittances and exports are not as expected, foreign investment is decreasing, in this effect, Bangladesh is falling into a trade deficit in external trade.
The trade deficit of FY23 created a large gap in the overall trade balance. This deficit is over $8.22 billion.
An increase in the deficit in the overall current account means the amount of foreign exchange coming into the country from various sources is greater than what is being paid out. In this, the central bank has to sell dollars from foreign exchange reserves.
Also read: Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves now $23.57 billion as per IMF formula
Bangladesh Bank sold $13.5 billion in FY23. The BB also sold $7.62 billion in the previous FY22. Thus, the foreign exchange reserves are continuously decreasing due to the sale of dollars. The reserves stood at $30.84 billion as of June 25.
The foreign direct investment (FDI) decreased by 2.87 percent to $4.50 billion in FY23 that was $4.63 billion in the FY22.
Bangladesh received remittances of $21.61 billion in the FY23 that was $21.03 billion in the FY22.
The country faced the foreign exchange deficit due to higher import than export, slowdown of remittances and FDI flow, said BB officials.
Also read: Forex reserves likely to increase due to govt steps: PM Hasina tells Parliament
Himalayan conqueror Shakil visits Nagad after successful expedition
Ikramul Hasan Shakil, the first Bangladeshi mountaineer who climbed the Great Himalayan Trail, met with Nagad Founder and Managing Director Tanvir A Mishu after successfully completing his expedition in Nepal.
The mountaineer could not come back home despite his successful trekking of 1,700 kilometres of the Great Himalayan Trail in 107 days, owing to his inability to repay the money that he took from different people in Nepal. Then,Nagad MD Tanvir came to know about his financial crisis through a media news and extended his helping hand immediately to ensure Shakil’s return to home, according to a press release.
Also read: Nagad now has 8 crore customers
Shakil expressed his gratitude to the Nagad MD for the kind gesture, it said.
Shakil, hailing from Gazipur, is the 33rd person in the world to pull off the expedition. The Nagad founder congratulated Shakil on this achievement for Bangladesh, the release also said.
Also read: Nagad welcomes govt’s move to increase safety net allocation
“After completing the expedition to the Great Himalayan Trail, I became worried as I did not know how to repay the borrowed money. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Nagad and Tanvir Bhai who not only helped me return home but they also salvaged Bangladesh’s image,” said the mountaineer.
Shakil, from Gazipur’s Kaliakair, has been involved in various social activities since childhood. After having passed from Uttara Engineering College, he joined the “Bangla Mountaineering and Trekking Club” out of his passion for adventure. With basic training in mountaineering, he travelled for the Kyajo Ri mountain top, added the release.
Also read: Nagad becomes Bangladesh’s fastest unicorn
With further training from India’s Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, he went out again in 2019 to trek the inaccessible passes of mountains, it said.
In his latest expedition, July 98, Shakil reached the Kanchenjunga base camp and completed his expedition to the Great Himalayan Trail.
The mountaineer walked more than 96 days after having commenced his expedition from Hilsa town, at the north-west of Nepal-Tibet border, on August 1, 2022. He had to cross 29 difficult mountain passes to reach the Great Himalayan Trail amid hostile weather. Of them, some 14 passes were inaccessible and dangerous with a height of more than 5,000 meters, the report concluded.
Bangladesh earned $4.59 billion from export in July
Bangladesh’s export earnings grew by 15.26 percent year-on-year in July, the first month of the current fiscal year, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Bangladesh exported goods worth USD $4.59 billion in July of the current fiscal year which is 15.26 percent higher than in July in the previous fiscal year, it said.
Also read: July export earnings up 15% over a year back to $3.98 billion
The EPB released this updated data on commodity exports on Thursday.
Bangladesh exports 26 types of products and among those export of 17 items have increased.
The export target in 2023-24 fiscal year was set at $62 billion and the growth was fixed at 11.59 percent.
Also read: Bangladesh export income grows by 34.38 pc to $52.08 bn in FY 22
In the previous fiscal year 2022-23, the income from export was $55.56 billion and the growth was 6.67 percent.
According to the sector wise export data, the highest export income in July came from readymade garments. Export growth in this sector was 17.43 percent. The total export of clothing products was $3.95 billion.
Also read: Leather sector can hit $12 bn in export earnings by 2030: Speakers
Among these, knitted garments worth $2.26 billion and woolen garments worth $1.68 billion were exported.