Business

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam has said that the government will purchase both Boeing and Airbus aircraft for the national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines. This initiative is being taken with the aim of building a sustainable mixed fleet while safeguarding national interests. Talking to reporters at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday afternoon (July 16), he said, ...

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI), automation and technology-driven production could put nearly 1.22 million jobs in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry at risk, with women expected to bear the brunt of the disruption, according to a new report by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). Released on Wednesday, the report warns that unless Bangladesh adopts comprehensive policy measures, technological ...

The government has undertaken a comprehensive initiative to raise the country’s strategic fuel storage capacity to 90 days for further strengthening energy security and safeguarding the economy against global geopolitical and market uncertainties. “The government has undertaken the move to ensure uninterrupted industrial production and sustain economic growth even during disruptions in the international energy market,” Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) ...

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has frozen assets worth about Tk 76,000 crore linked to the Hasina family and 10 widely discussed business groups as part of its anti-money laundering drive. Of the total amount, Tk 57,000 crore has been frozen in Bangladesh, while the rest has been blocked overseas. The information was disclosed on Wednesday by BFIU chief ...

Global crude oil prices have surged past $80 per barrel due to prolonging US-Iran military tension. President Donald Trump has put a sanction on Iranian sea ports while Iran launched fresh strikes on US military infrastructures around the Middle East. On Wednesday (July 15), Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose by $1.46 or 1.72 per cent. It reached $86.19 per ...

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today reaffirmed the government’s commitment to signing trade agreements with high-potential countries to expand Bangladesh’s bilateral trade and investment. “The government is actively working to conclude trade agreements that will help strengthen economic ties with African countries and other promising markets,” she said. The state minister made the remarks during a courtesy ...

US-Bangla Airlines has expressed interest in operating Hajj flights from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia for the 2027 Hajj season, proposing a net one-way fare of Tk 98,000 per pilgrim. In a letter sent to the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Monday, the airline said it is prepared to operate Hajj flights in compliance with all required conditions. ...

Mercantile Bank PLC has launched a 100-hour entrepreneurship development training programme in Chattogram under the Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Program (SICIP), aimed at enhancing entrepreneurial skills. The month-long training is being conducted under the supervision of Bangladesh Bank as part of the Ministry of Finance’s SICIP, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The inaugural ceremony was presided ...

Bangladesh’s paper industry is facing a multifaceted crisis, with rising production costs, energy shortages, escalating raw material prices, high interest rates, weakening domestic demand, and the import of finished paper at artificially low prices through under-invoicing pushing local manufacturers to the brink. Industry stakeholders say the government is losing substantial revenue while domestic paper mills are struggling to survive due ...

Experts on Sunday underscored the need for following Bangladesh roadmap to International Labour Organization (ILO) for the upcoming labour rules and labour law reforms. They made the remarks at a programme organised by IndustriAll Global Union (IGU) in collaboration with IndustriAll Bangladesh Council (IBC) at Asia Hotel in the capital. IBC President Kutubuddin Ahmed gave welcome address in the event ...