United News of Bangladesh

The private-sector Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC has received approval from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) to issue subordinated bonds worth Tk 1,200 crore in the market. The approval follows the bank's application on December 28, 2023, seeking to issue the bonds to strengthen its capital base under the Basel III international regulatory framework. According to the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the bonds will be unsecured, non-convertible, and redeemable in nature. Dutch-Bangla Bank plans to issue a total of 1,200 bonds, each priced at Tk 1 crore. The bank's financial performance has shown a declining trend in recent quarters. Read: MTB invests in treasury bills, bonds as private sector credit growth declines In the third quarter of last year, the bank's earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk 0.38, a significant drop from Tk 1.97 during the same period in 2023. For the first three quarters of 2024, the bank reported an EPS of Tk 2.70, compared to Tk 4.71 during the same period the previous year.

A high-level delegation from the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) visited the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Tuesday. The visit aimed at discussing workers’ rights issues and exploring ways to enhance the partnership between the US and Bangladesh in the readymade garment (RMG) sector. The BGMEA delegation, led by Administrator Anwar Hossain, engaged in discussions with the AAFA and FLA representatives. Members of the BGMEA Support Committee — Miran Ali, Asif Ashraf, Rezwan Selim, ANM Saifuddin, Shehabudduza Chowdhury and Shams Mahmud accompanied the administrator. The meeting highlighted opportunities of cooperation in fostering a more sustainable and ethical RMG industry in Bangladesh while strengthening trade relations with the United States. They discussed elaborately the issues of workers' rights, workplace safety, labour law and reforms in Bangladesh. Read: Bangladesh Bank extends import bill payment period to 360 days Several key areas, including increasing trade access for Bangladeshi apparel in the US market, promoting responsible purchasing practices, and the industry’s impressive progress in sustainability initiatives got due importance in the meeting. The delegation also explored potential collaborations in workers’ training programmes and initiatives to further enhance workers’ welfare in the RMG sector. During the meeting, the BGMEA urged AAFA, which represents over 1,000 globally renowned brands, retailers, and manufacturers, and FLA to promote responsible purchasing practices that benefit both buyers and suppliers. BGMEA also requested AAFA’s support in advocating for Bangladesh’s trade interests in the US market, ensuring continued growth and mutual benefit. The delegation appreciated Bangladesh’s progress in workers’ rights and the government’s initiative of forming the labour reform commission and labour law reforms. Read more:Bangladesh's RMG exports reach $38.48 billion in 2024, with strong growth in non-traditional markets The delegation included Nate Herman, Senior Vice President - Policy, American Apparel & Footwear Association; Shelly Han, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, Fair Labor Association; Ismail Murad, Manager - Corporate Social Responsibility | Bangladesh & Jordan, Columbia Sportswear Company; Kate Miller, Social Impact Manager, KMD Brands Limited; Tayob Muhammed, Head of Finance/HR, Bangladesh, Perry Ellis International; Stella Mondol, Social Compliance Officer, Bangladesh, Perry Ellis International; Viola Wan, Director of Social Sustainability, Puma; Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Manager of Social Sustainability, Bangladesh, Puma; Moyeen Chowdhury, Branch Manager - Apparel & Accessories, Bangladesh, Puma; Bushra Baten, Manager - Corporate Responsibility, Bangladesh & Pakistan, PVH; Jessica Nursoo, Regional Director - South Asia and Indonesia, VF Corporation; Tiffany Rogers, Director - Innovation and Development, Manufacturing, Fair Labor Association; Chaimae Azmi, Fair Compensation and Member Engagement Manager, Fair Labor Association; and Hannah Larson, Social Compliance Associate, Fair Labor Association.

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has unveiled the FDI Heatmap, a data-driven framework designed to drive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country. Focusing on 19 high-potential sectors, the Heatmap offers a strategic approach to attract global investors. According to BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, the Heatmap will serve as the guiding framework for all future investor engagements, from roadshows to bilateral treaties and policy support. “This is more than just a plan; it’s the blueprint for all our future touchpoints with investors,” he said. While Bangladesh’s economic fundamentals remain strong, FDI contributions currently stand at just 0.5% of GDP, well below the global average of 3-4%. The Heatmap aims to address this gap by prioritising sectors, identifying key investor markets, and aligning investment strategies with national development goals, including SDGs and ESG priorities. Read: Govt to facilitate business, won’t engage in it: BIDA Executive Chairman The Heatmap categorises 19 sectors into four groups based on market readiness, resource availability, and strategic alignment: Category A (Immediate Targets): Core Apparel, Pharmaceuticals (without API), Agro Processing, IT-Enabled Services, Advanced Textiles, and Renewable Energy.Category B (Enable Quick Entry): Automotive Parts, Footwear, Light Engineering, and Leather.Category C (Customized Deals): Logistics and Electronics & Assembly.Category D (Policy & Capacity Development): EV Batteries, Medical Devices, Technical Textiles, Toys, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Semiconductors, and Plastics.Developed with input from industry leaders including Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, PwC, EY, BCG, and several other local and international partners, the Heatmap will be operationalised through targeted activities like international investment roadshows and the formation of a public-private advisory council. Read more: Govt approves National Semiconductor Taskforce headed by BIDA The Heatmap will be reviewed annually to ensure its relevance in an ever-evolving global market.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) witnessed a slight rise in its key index during the first hour of trading on Sunday, the first working day of the week. In the opening hour, the DSEX, the benchmark index of the DSE, gained 1 point. Among the other indices, the Shariah-based DSES also rose by 1 point, while the blue-chip DS30 index declined by 3 points. During this period, the total turnover on the DSE stood at Tk 94.36 crore. Of the traded companies, the share prices of 165 increased, 116 decreased, and 83 remained unchanged. In a notable development, Power Grid Company Limited announced the removal of its price limit on share trading. Read: DSE ends Sunday’s trading with a downtrend; prices of 282 companies go down Besides, the company revealed that it would not declare any dividends for investors for the July quarter of the last year. Despite the absence of dividends, the company's earnings per share (EPS) for the period stood at Tk 5.01. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also started the week with an upward trend. The CSE All Share Price Index (CASPI) increased by 11 points in the first hour of trading. On the CSE, share prices of 37 companies rose, 19 fell, and 8 remained unchanged. Read more: DSEx and DS30 indexes slide while DSES up by 4.16 points in 1st hour The total turnover at the CSE during this time amounted to Tk 62.29 lakh. Both markets reflect cautious optimism among investors as the week begins, despite mixed movements in individual indices and shares.

The 4-day Dhaka Int'l Yarn and Fabric Show, organized at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) from January 15-18, was concluded on Saturday with a call to foreign investors to invest more in the textile and apparel sector in Bangladesh. Conference and Exhibition Management Services (CEMS-Global USA) and the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT Tex China) jointly organized the four-day exhibition titled: 23rd Dhaka International Yarn and Fabric Show 2025. The 7th Dhaka International Denim Show 2025 also took place alongside the expo. Organisers said the inauguration ceremony of the exhibitions took place on January 15 at Rajdarshan Hall of the ICCB. Besides, four international seminars took place during the exhibition. A series of seminars on different topics were held during the expo where traders and investors got an opportunity to exchange their views on doing business in Bangladesh. Dhaka Int’l Trade Fair: Families flock to Purbachal venue despite distance The exhibitions were open to the Business visitors upon registration every day from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm. Over 325 Exhibitors from 15+ Countries showcased their premium yarns, fabrics, trims, and accessories. Anwar Hossain, Vice Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) & Administrator of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) was present as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of exhibitions on January 15, 2025. Song Yang, Commercial Consulate of the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka and Mohammad Hatem, President, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, Secretary and Executive Member (Investment Ecosystem), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Zhang Jian, Secretary of Chinese Embassy were present on the occasion. Bangladesh's RMG exports reach $38.48 billion in 2024, with strong growth in non-traditional markets Panelists in the seminar highlighted the importance of training and education to develop people's behaviour on certification on compliance and how it adds value. The panelists also emphasized the benefits of employees and their functionality. More than 150 participants from different sectors attended the seminar. Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi, Pro-Vice Chancellor, BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology talked about the potential of Bangladesh becoming export driven, making imports to zero percent. He said that Bangladesh can expect 100-billion-dollar exports by 2030. A.K.M Saifur Rahman, Vice President, Bangladesh Garment Buying Housing Association (BGBA), emphasised on industry sustainability rather than garment sustainability. Businesses that are inherited should be run well by the consecutive generations coming next. This way industries can sustain. Amer Salim, Director of Knit Asia Ltd. a LEED -Certified Green Garment Factory in Bangladesh said about designing green garments and making them sustainable. A factory should be made green starting from buying land to making finished products-said he.

The Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) has led a remarkable transformation in the country’s ICT sector evolving from just 18 members in 1998 to over 2,650 thriving national business organisations today, said its Administrator Dr Muhammad Mehedi Hasan on Saturday. “Through this journey, millions of jobs have been created, and local innovative products and services have achieved global recognition. In the fiscal year 2023-24, ICT exports reached $840 million, spanning over 137 countries" he said at a seminar titled “Bangladesh: The Emerging ICT Powerhouse”, held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal. "To sustain this progress, I urge all stakeholders to work together towards fostering new innovations, collaboration, and sustainable development,” he added. The seminar underscored Bangladesh’s potential as a global digital hub. Rafael Kabir, Chairman of BASIS's Advisory Committee, emphasised the need to nurture skilled professionals to realise the ICT sector’s vast potential. “With a talented youth base and proper training, Bangladesh can lead globally in ICT. BASIS is instrumental in achieving this, and this seminar will pave the way for new opportunities,” he added. Fida Haq, a member of BASIS’s Advisory Committee, hosted the event, while members Raisul Kabir and Syed Mosharraf Ali shared inspiring success stories of their companies. Policy Advisor Faiz Ahmed Tayeb highlighted BASIS’s ambitious targets for 2030, which include creating 6 to 8 million skilled ICT professionals, contributing 5% of the GDP through ICT, and establishing a robust data governance framework. He also outlined plans to reform high-tech parks and implement the Bangladesh National Data Architecture (BNDA) design. Baby Rani Karmakar, Director General of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), lauded young innovators’ contributions to building a tech-driven Bangladesh. She noted how initiatives like reducing entry times at the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2025 exemplify the effective use of technology. Special guests included Faiz Ahmed Tayeb, Chief of JICA Bangladesh Ichiguchi Tomohide, JETRO Bangladesh Chief Representative Yuji Ando, and KOTRA Director General Samsu Kim, alongside senior officials. The seminar showcased BASIS’s achievements, such as implementing transformative projects like the E-Tax Filing System, Land Registration Process, and Telehealth Contact Centres. These initiatives, managed by BASIS members, exemplify the sector’s dynamism and success.

The Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2025 has become a vibrant weekend attraction for families, drawing large crowds to the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center (BCFEC) in Purbachal despite its distance from central Dhaka. Eighteen days into the month-long event, the fair became a bustling hub on Friday and Saturday, with visitors eager to shop, explore, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Sarah, a resident of Shyamoli, said, “I came with my husband and children, and it’s been a great experience. Although the venue is far, the well-maintained roads made our journey smooth.” Moinul Hasan from Goran, visiting for the first time since the venue moved to Purbachal, said, “It’s not as convenient for Dhaka residents as the Agargaon location was. I used to visit frequently before, but now it’s harder to come.” Najat and Nihan, enjoying the outing with their parents, said, “We’re having so much fun! We had ice cream, and we’re buying toys. We want to come again.” As the day progresses, crowds continue to grow, especially around toy shops, food stalls, and grocery outlets. However, some sellers expressed concern about sales performance. They said many visitors are here to look around rather than shop.

The Dhaka stock market ended the week with a decline in the index for all five trading days. On Thursday, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the DSEX, fell by 8 points, closing at 5,133 points. The blue-chip DS-30 index decreased by 4 points, while the Shariah-based DSES index dropped by 6 points. Compared to the previous day, trading volume was reduced by Tk 43 crore. A total of 1,29,000 shares, worth Tk 363 crore, changed hands through 14.83 million transactions. Along with the index decline, the share prices of most companies also fell. But 141 companies saw price increases, while 196 experienced price drops, and the share prices of 62 companies remained unchanged. Among the companies in DSE's A-category, out of 220, 88 saw price increases, 96 saw price declines, and 36 remained unchanged. In the B-category, 88 companies recorded price increases for 24 companies, while 53 saw price drops, and 11 stayed constant. In the Z-category, 86 companies had 26 with rising prices, 46 with falling prices, and 14 that remained unchanged. Most mutual funds also saw a drop in their share prices. Out of 37 mutual funds, 7 experienced price increases, 12 had decreases, and 18 remained the same. On Thursday, the DSE moved C & A Textile Company from the B-category to the Z-category. A directive was issued to brokerage houses and merchant banks to refrain from providing any loans for purchasing shares of this company. In another development, IFAD Autos PLC paid its dividend to investors for the July quarter of last year. This marked the lowest dividend payout by IFAD in the last decade, offering just 1% per share. The downward trend continued in the Chittagong stock market as well. The Chittagong Stock Exchange's (CSE) CSE-50 index fell by 3.43 points, and the CSE-30 index dropped by 55.31 points, ending at 1,096.35 and 11,759.50 points, respectively. Besides, the CSI index dropped by 5.14 points, closing at 934.59 points. Alongside the decline, trading volume also decreased on the CSE. Continuous decline in stock indices for four days Compared to the previous day, turnover dropped by Tk 4.68 crore as the total turnover for the day was Tk 4.72 crore, down from Tk 9.40 crore in the previous trading session. Out of the 178 companies and mutual funds listed on the CSE, 57 experienced price increases, 96 saw declines, and 25 remained unchanged. Stock market sees early gains on week's final trading day

Bangladesh Bank is considering raising the policy interest rate again as the nation grapples with persistently high inflation and increasing living costs. “The central bank typically increases the repo rate—considered the policy interest rate—to curb high inflation. An announcement may be made in the upcoming monetary policy for the January-June period of the current fiscal year,” said a Bangladesh Bank assistant director, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official added that the repo rate, or the rate at which commercial banks borrow from the central bank by pledging treasury bills, is likely to be raised from 10 percent to 10.50 percent. This potential hike has sparked concerns among business leaders. Executive President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Mohammad Hatem, warned that higher interest rates will increase borrowing costs at the consumer level, further driving up the cost of business and commerce. Hatem also criticized the timing of the decision, pointing out that the government recently raised VAT and other taxes on over 100 goods and services, compounding the challenges posed by high inflation. Despite the possible increase in the policy interest rate, the interest rate on loans for government officials and bankers is expected to remain fixed at 4 percent, a point that has drawn criticism from stakeholders who claim it creates inequality in the credit market. Economic analysts have noted that the persistent dollar crisis and Bangladesh Bank's contractionary monetary policy have significantly hampered private sector investment. Private sector credit growth slowed to 7.66 percent in November, one of the lowest rates in recent years. Inflation remains a key concern, with average inflation hitting 10.34 percent in December. This marks over two and a half years of inflation hovering around 10 percent. The government has set a target of bringing inflation down to 7.50 percent by the end of this fiscal year. Analysts warn that recent increases in customs duties and taxes on over 100 products, along with the dearness allowance for government employees, could push inflation even higher in the coming months.

The Department of National Savings (DNS) has resumed its services, including the sale and redemption of savings certificates, following the completion of a server upgrade. The upgrade work caused a suspension of all savings certificate transactions for about six days. DNS officials confirmed that the server became fully operational on Wednesday, allowing normal services to resume from Thursday. Despite the restoration of services, customer turnout was notably low on Thursday at the Bangladesh Bank’s Motijheel office. Officials attributed this to a lack of public awareness about the server’s reactivation. Many customers who visited during the outage may not know that the system is now operational, said an official from the central bank. Read: Savings certificate sales suspended amid server upgrade; customers frustrated A source from DNS further explained that some customers returned today to submit the necessary forms and documents for purchasing savings certificates. However, since Thursday is the last working day of the week, a significant increase in customer visits is expected from Sunday. An official from DNS’s public relations department reassured customers that all systems are functioning smoothly.