The government has finally decided to enact a legislation, named Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act 2013, to draw private investors to its public-private initiatives to accelerate development. And this after losing a substantial amount of money, time and projects during the last four years, sources in the PPP office said. The draft bill is likely to ... Read more
bangladesh
WB lines up $500m budget aid for Bangladesh
The World Bank (WB) is going to provide USD 500 million budgetary support to Bangladesh for the next fiscal year, sources at the Economic Relations Division (ERD) told The Independent on Thursday. The government has to utilise the money in three
Dipu Moni backs proposed trade pact with US
The proposed Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (TICFA) will help in expansion of trade between Bangladesh and the US, foreign minister Dr Dipu Moni said on Wednesday. “TICFA is an official platform that can resolve problems in trade and commerce. Of course, the agreement will be mutually beneficial for Bangladesh and US and
BNP may call hartal soon
A meeting of the national standing committee of main opposition BNP was held on Wednesday night to discuss latest political situation of the country and to chalk out the next programmes of the party. The meeting of the party’s highest policy-making body began around 8.30 pm at the party chiefs Gulshan office with BNP Chairperson ... Read more
A case for stronger ties with Myanmar
Greater engagement and increased connectivity between Bangladesh and Myanmar can remove all existing challenges and boost bilateral relations. Speakers said this at a seminar, “Bangladesh-Myanmar Relations: Political and Economic Dimensions”, on Wednesday. The event was organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS)
Docomo cuts massive stake in Robi
Japanese mobile giant NTT Docomo is going to reduce its holding of Robi Axiata to 8 per cent as it decided not to invest further due to unpredictable regulatory environment in the telecom industry of Bangladesh, said Robi officials on Wednesday. ‘The Docomo already signed an agreement with Axiata
Malaysian Chinese investors want industrial park in Bangladesh
Malaysian Chinese business leaders on Wednesday expressed their desire for an industrial park dedicated to the Malaysian investors so that they could set up industries in Bangladesh. At a meeting with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the visiting Malaysian Chinese business leaders said that setting up such
JS panel for speedier internet
A parliamentary standing committee on Tuesday said it would recommend authorities to increase internet bandwidth while maintaining that it was a correct decision to decrease upload speed. The committee for information and communication
No upset as Thais feast on hosts
The Bangladesh national women’s football team had their first real taste of football beyond the sub-continent when they suffered an enormous 9-0 defeat against Thailand in their first match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday. Bangladesh proved far poorer in all departments
Rights group demands action to implement CHT Accord
The Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) on Monday demanded time-bound actions to implement the CHT Peace Accord. The rights body also urged the government to take immediate measures to ensure the land rights of indigenous people, and appoint an acceptable head
REHAB demands BB revive refinance scheme
Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh on Monday demanded the Bangladesh Bank should revive a refinance scheme of Tk 700 crore for real estate sector in a bid to save the housing market. A six-member team of the REHAB led by its general
Bangladesh not allowed to join global programme
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Bank (WB) have refused to let Bangladesh join a textile industry monitoring programme until the country overhauls its labour laws and conditions for unions improve, reports The Washington Post quoting a top ILO official. The strict stance by the ILO and World Bank, which jointly run the ... Read more
EU, Japan, Canada urge AL, BNP to resolve crisis
European Union, Japan and Canada on Sunday urged the two major parties to resolve the ongoing political impasse over formation of election-time government. Ambassadors of European Union and Japan and High Commissioner of Canada to Dhaka made the appeal during a meeting with Leader of the Opposition
Agricultural growth hits 11-year low
Growth in the agriculture sector has hit an 11-year low in the current fiscal year as farmers, disheartened by low prices of rice, reduced cultivation of the major crop, agriculturists and economists said. The sector that included sub-sectors like crops and
Bangladesh faces crisis of reputation: Canadian envoy
Canadian high commissioner in Bangladesh Heather Cruden on Sunday said Bangladesh was now facing a crisis of reputation due to political violence and lack of workplace safety in the industrial sector. She made the comment at the launching ceremony of
WB wants to assist in building RMG industrial park: BGMEA
The World Bank expressed its willingness to provide financial and technical assistance to help build the proposed garment industrial park at Gazaria in Munshiganj district, said garment industry leaders. At a meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Garment
Honda motorcycle assembling begins in Sept: officials
Motorcycle assembling in Bangladesh by a joint initiative of Honda Motor Company and the Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation is going to begin in September aiming to tap a good share of the market in the country, officials concerned said. Motorcycles assembled by the joint venture will hit
ILO, WB demand labour law changes in Bangladesh
The International Labour Organisation and World Bank have refused to let Bangladesh join a textile industry monitoring programme until the country overhauls its labour laws and conditions for unions improve, according to a top ILO official. The strict stance by the ILO and World Bank, which
BB launches financial literacy campaign
Bangladesh Bank on Sunday launched a financial literacy campaign in a bid to educate the people about the country’s financial sector. BB governor Atiur Rahman inaugurated the campaign at the central bank headquarters in the capital.
Nat’l dialogue on draft post MDG dev plan on June 2
The General Economic Division is going to organise a national dialogue on June 2 on the government’s new development agenda that has set many targets of the social sector development in the county. The GED, under the Planning Commission, has drafted