Business

Bangladesh’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reached 52.9 in April, signaling continued expansion across key sectors of the economy, though at a slower pace, according to data released by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Policy Exchange. The overall growth was driven by mixed sectoral performances. While manufacturing, construction, and services all posted slower rates of expansion, the ...

The UK and India have agreed a trade deal that will make it easier for UK firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India, and cut taxes on India’s clothing and footwear exports. The British government said the “landmark” agreement, which took three years to reach, did not include any change in immigration policy, including towards Indian students ...

Malaysia warned on May 7 that tensions between India and Pakistan could potentially disrupt rice imports to the heavily dependent South-east Asian nation, prompting it to look elsewhere for supplies. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated with India launching strikes on Pakistan following April’s deadly attack on tourists in the Indian-administered side of the contested Kashmir region. Malaysian Agriculture ...

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) on Monday raised the gold prices by Tk 2,310 per bhori, pushing the cost of 22-carat gold to Tk 171,286. The new rate is set to take effect from Tuesday. The decision was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by Masudur Rahman, the chairman of the BAJUS Price Determination and Monitoring Committee. This adjustment ...

As Bangladesh’s economy evolves, a new class of local investors is stepping into the spotlight, playing a transformative role in driving growth, innovation and resilience across key sectors. With increased focus on domestic capital, experts and entrepreneurs are calling for greater involvement of local investors in shaping a sustainable economic future, highlighting the importance of security, stability and a conducive ...

The price of 12-kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder has been reduced by Tk 19—from Tk 1,450 to Tk 1,431 for the month of May. The new pricing was announced on Sunday, by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), and will take effect from the evening. Prices for autogas, the LPG variant used in motor vehicles, have also been adjusted. ...

The Bangladesh Jewellers’ Association (BAJUS) has lowered the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 3,570 per bhori, bringing the new rate to Tk 168,976. BAJUS announced the revised pricing in a statement issued Saturday evening, stating that new rates will take effect from Sunday. According to the notice, the price adjustment comes in response to a decline in the rate ...

‘Bedana litchi’, a famous and high-quality litchi variety in Dinajpur, has been recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product. Confirming the matter, Dinajpur Additional Deputy Commissioner Nure Alam said that Deputy Commissioner M Rafiqul Islam received the GI certificate on behalf of Dinajpur district. He received the certificate in a ceremony organised on the occasion of ‘World Talent Resource Day’ ...

Hong Kong’s economy grew by 3.1 percent in the first quarter of the year, the city’s government said Friday, though it warned US tariffs had heightened “downside risks” in the global economy. US President Donald Trump’s stinging tariffs of 145 percent on many Chinese products came into force last month. Beijing has responded with fresh 125 percent levies on American ...

Sales of Tesla cars in France plunged 59 percent in April, piling on more bad news for the electric vehicle company run by Elon Musk, the billionaire advisor to US President Donald Trump, reports AFP. French car body PFA, which compared registration figures from April with the same month last year, also said that since the beginning of 2025, there ...