United News of Bangladesh

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the country’s primary capital market, experienced mixed trends during the first two hours of trading on Wednesday, with total transactions reaching Tk 191 crore by 12 pm. During this period, 5.56 crore shares and mutual fund units were exchanged through 68,680 transactions. Initially, the market showed an upward trend in the morning but reversed course, declining after 11:30 am. A total of 386 companies participated in trading. Of these, prices for 149 companies rose, 168 declined, and 69 remained unchanged. The market's main index, DSEX, saw a modest gain of 6.58 points, closing at 5,304.95 points by midday. Meanwhile, the DSES Shariah Index edged up slightly by 0.14 points to 1,183.42 points, but the DS30 Index, representing blue-chip companies, fell by 3.68 points to 1,985.74 points.

The second IHSB Business Carnival, powered by AukoTex and organised by the IHSB business club of International Hope School Bangladesh will begin on Friday. The programme will be held on the premises of International Hope School Bangladesh at Uttara from November 15 to November 17, said a press release. Over 600 students from 50 different institutions across Dhaka will partake in any of the three competitions which comprises Friedman’s fallacy, Pitch perfect and Marketing mania. Friedman’s fallacy where participants will present solutions for various economic problems while Pitch perfect, in which young individuals will present an unique business idea, the competition promoting entrepreneurship and the best idea shall receive special Courtesy Award by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Lastly, Marketing mania where they must create a captivating commercial that resonates with their fellow competitors and judges. The goal is to enhance their creative and communications skills, kindle entrepreneurial spirit as well as engage in situations that will prepare them for real life business applications and how to tackle them, competing for a total prize pool of TK1.8 lakh British Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director to Bangladesh James Goldman, Director of Trade and Investment Dan Pasha and International Trade and Investment Manager Syed Habibur Rahman will be present as the guest on the opening day.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the nation’s premier capital market, experienced an upward trend during the first hour of trading on Tuesday, with transactions totaling Tk 192 crore by 11 am. According to DSE data, 5.51 crore shares and mutual fund units were exchanged through 56,675 transactions during this period. The market recorded participation from 393 companies, of which 223 saw a rise in share prices, 83 faced declines, and 76 remained unchanged. Read: DSE index rises by 67.57 points amid upward stock price trend The main index, DSEX, gained 20.98 points, reaching 5,354.41 points, reflecting investor optimism. The DSES Shariah Index, which tracks Shariah-compliant stocks, rose by 2.43 points to 1,197.73 points, while the DS30 Index, comprising blue-chip stocks, climbed 8.29 points to 1,985.74.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the country's main capital market, indexes saw an upward trend in the first one hour on Monday amid huge selling pressure. Till 11 am, the trading record in the DSE shows, shares and units of 4.75 crore exchange through 43288 transactions. In this time shares and mutual funds worth Tk 155 crore were traded. A total of 373 companies participated in trading this time. Among these, prices of 223 companies increased, 86 companies decreased and 63 remained unchanged at the DSE. The main index DSEX increased by 32.98 points to 5298.83 points, the DSES Shariah index rise by 10.03 points to 1185.55 points and the DS30 special blue chip index up by 8.36 points to 1962.04 points during the period.

Ruhul Amin, Executive Director (ED) of Bangladesh Bank (BB) has been appointed as 'receiver' at the leading manufacturer Beximco Group. The central bank took the decision at its board meeting, chaired by governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur on Sunday. Three new members -Nazma Mobarak, Habibur Rahman and Dr. Fahmida Khatun- have been included in the central bank board. The audit committee of BB has been reconstitued too. "The work of receiver will be to ensure proper management of all the institutions of the group in view of the order of the High Court," said Husneara Shikha, spokesperson of BB. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's private industry and investment adviser Salman F Rahman is the vice chairman of Beximco Group. He has been imprisoned after the fall of the Awami League government in a student-led uprising. Beximco is one of the top companies in garment export and pharmaceutical manufacturing. On September 5, the High Court ordered Bangladesh Bank to attach all the properties of Beximco Group and appoint a receiver for six months to manage them. The meeting also decided to appoint an international legal or money recovery farm to help recover money laundered from Bangladesh. The central bank board has decided to conduct a forensic audit to look into the operations of the postal department's digital financial service, 'Nagad'.

The movement of travelers through the Benapole immigration checkpost to India has seen a dramatic decline following the Indian High Commission's restrictions on visa issuance for Bangladeshis. The sharp reduction in traveler numbers has caused significant revenue losses, with the monthly collection dropping to a fraction of its previous levels. Since the visa restrictions after August 5, the daily number of travelers crossing through Benapole—a major gateway to India—has dropped from 7,000–8,000 to less than half. This has led to a sharp decline in revenue collection from passport-holding travelers, a sector that previously generated Tk 15 crore monthly but now brings in just Tk 3 crore. Benapole Land Port immigration officials estimate that the government earns approximately Tk 200 crore annually from passport-carrying travelers entering India. However, the current slowdown has disrupted this revenue stream, dealing a blow to the local economy and trade. "Passenger numbers have virtually dropped to zero since the Indian High Commission restricted visa issuance," said Imtiaz Bhuiyan, Officer-in-Charge of Benapole Immigration Police. "Previously, 7,000 to 8,000 passengers crossed daily, but now that number has drastically decreased." The restrictions have had an acute impact on travelers seeking medical treatment in India. Benapole is a vital route for many medical patients due to its proximity to Kolkata. Other categories of travelers, including tourists, students, and businesspeople, have nearly disappeared from the checkpost, further exacerbating the crisis. Passenger Zubair Hossain, who managed to secure a medical visa after a long wait, expressed his frustration: "I’m traveling to India for treatment, but getting a visa has become very difficult. There’s no chance of getting a travel visa now, and I don’t know if I will get one in the future." Another traveler, Deepa Rani, noted the stark change at the checkpost: "I expected to see the usual crowds at immigration, but it was almost empty. Our visas are about to expire, and I don’t know if we’ll be able to get new ones since India has stopped issuing them." The suspension of business visas has also begun to impact trade operations at Benapole, which is Bangladesh’s largest land port. Many traders fear that prolonged restrictions could severely affect import and export activities between the two neighboring countries. Benapole’s strategic location makes it a critical hub for cross-border travel and trade. However, with the current visa restrictions in place, the ripple effects are being felt across multiple sectors, from healthcare to commerce.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the country's main capital market, indexes saw a mix trend in the first hour amid rising selling pressure. The market shows flactuating trend on Sunday. In the beginning boad index saw downtrend, which returned to upward trend around 10:30am on the day. After 20 minutes, again the indexes went downtrend. After 11 am the DSEX and DSES again got upward. In the last week, the share market indexes rose with rising the prices of stocks. Till 11 am on Sunday, the trading record in the DSE shows, shares and units of 5.06 crore exchange through 46569 transactions. In this time shares and mutual funds worth Tk 154 crore were traded. In this time, a total of 378 companies participated in trading. Among these, prices of 169 companies increased, 132 companies decreased and 77 companies remained unchanged at the DSE. The main index DSEX increased by 0.45 points to 5315.47 points, the DSES Shariah index rise by 0.76 points to 1147.14 points and the DS30 special blue chip index up by 3.83 points to 1961.70 points during first 1:0 hour on Sunday.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur on Thursday said that implementing the government’s monetary policy aimed at curbing inflation will require 12 to 18 months. “After tightening the monetary policy, it takes 12 to 18 months to bring down the inflation rate. So, we have to be patient,” Dr. Mansur said during a press briefing following a meeting on inflation at the Finance Ministry, chaired by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. The governor clarified that the central bank’s approach is focused on controlling inflation rather than reducing the overall price level. “We manage inflation; we don’t aim to lower the price level itself. No country seeks to reduce prices to avoid the risk of deflation,” he explained. Inflation in Bangladesh went up in Oct Deflation, a sustained drop in the price level of goods and services, can initially seem beneficial as money gains purchasing power. However, prolonged deflation can hamper economic growth and often arises during periods of economic instability. Its impact, Dr. Mansur noted, can have both positive and negative effects on the economy. Addressing public expectations, Dr. Mansur urged citizens to remain patient as the policy gradually takes effect. “This isn't something that can be achieved in two to three months. At best, we might see results in 12 months, but 18 months is a more realistic timeframe,” the Bangladesh Bank governor said. BB will ask banks not to impose LC margin on essentials import until Ramadan

Bangladesh Bank is likely to issue a circular on Sunday asking all banks not to impose LC margin on import of essential goods until at least Ramadan. “We will issue a circular on Sunday next from Bangladesh Bank not to impose LC margin on essential goods,” Bangladesh Bank governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur said. Bangladesh Bank raises interest rate again to tamp inflation He said this while briefing reporters after holding a meeting to discuss inflation at finance ministry with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair. The meeting also decided to relax the single borrower limit for the next two to three months to ensure supply of essential food items during Ramadan. “We have some big importers in our country for whom single borrower limit is a constraint. I think that is a very important criteria not to violate this limit which will become a risk for the banks,” he said. The central bank governor said that for this the capital of the banks should be increased. “We will try to bring that reform in our banking sector. For the time being, ahead of the Holy Ramadan the single borrower limit should not be the constraints for the big importers.” He said that the central bank will withdraw this temporarily for the next two-three months. Bangladesh Bank Governor and Chief Adviser hold meeting: Decide on Banking Commission, inflation control, and forex stabilization “This is a temporary decision for the time being for some handful of items,” he said adding that the items included are chick peas, edible oil and dates. Mansur said that the ultimate aim of the government is that the single borrower limit must remain. “We will strongly enforce that. And we will not violate that,” he said.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has nominated six of its officials to continue the process of attachment of C&F agents of importers. The officials are Farhad Khan Pathan, Rajeev Das, Md Mutarrif, Md Habibul Islam, Md Ruhul Amin and Shamsun Nahar. In order to ensure transparency, accountability and prevent fraud in the customs clearance process, the process of linking the designated C&F agents of the importer to the Asycuda World System is ongoing through the Bangladesh Customs Agent Management System website, the NBR says. Presently, importing companies under IM-4 can take up the C & F agent nomination process through the mentioned website. According to the instructions of the National Board of Revenue, the applications filed in various offices, customs houses and land customs stations, related VAT commissionerates and IT officers are taking the process of entry into the Asycuda World system after the approval of the operations manager or the responsible officer. Due to the transfer of IT officers posted at Customs House, Chittagong, Customs House, Dhaka, Customs House, Benapole and Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Khulna and Sylhet to other offices, the process of connecting importer's designated C&F agent is being hampered. The responsible officers will take the necessary access to the Bangladesh Customs Agent Management System and the Asycuda World System and will undertake the process of managing the system subject to the approval of the Operations Manager or the responsible officer of the application offices of the importing establishments under IM-4.