The Business Standard
Govt plans market-based property valuation to curb tax evasion, hidden wealth
The government is preparing a major crackdown on tax evasion and undisclosed wealth accumulation by mandating registration of immovable property transactions at their actual market values rather than the existing minimum mouza rates. According to land...
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Tk16,000cr invested, but Payra port still struggles with navigability crisis
Despite an investment of around Tk16,000 crore over 13 years, Payra seaport has yet to realise its full potential as silt accumulation in the 75km Rabnabad Channel prevents large vessels from entering directly, reducing the returns on public...
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Govt scraps 9 ADP projects, merges
The government is restructuring the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal 2026-27 by scrapping nine development projects with an estimated cost of Tk8,615.42 crore, consolidating 32 ongoing projects into 16 integrated schemes, and dropping...
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From Paris to Milan, protests expose Europe’s deepening woes
European cities are facing mounting unrest over rising living costs and deteriorating public services, with violent protests, looting, and clashes with police reported in France and Italy. Belgium and Portugal have also seen major demonstrations over...
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If governance matters, why does inertia persist?
The IMF’S October 2026 World Economic Outlook presents a puzzle. While developing Asia remains resilient, Bangladesh faces slowing growth and stubborn inflation. Why has Bangladesh struggled to recover from shocks that other developing economies have...
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31m in ‘fragile middle’ as poverty rises, investment stagnates in Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s celebrated economic resilience is masking a deepening structural crisis marked by surging poverty, stagnant investment, and severe household distress, top economists and business leaders warned yesterday. Nearly 31 million people —...
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No parts for repair, no buyers for auction: China-donated firefighting bikes left to rust
Specialised motorcycles donated by the Chinese government to Bangladesh’s Fire Service and Civil Defence in 2017 have remained out of service since 2019 because of battery and charger failures and a lack of spare parts. Each 250cc motorcycle was...
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Long-term LNG supplier OQT seeks spot-linked price to resume supply to Bangladesh
Oman’s OQT seeks price reset Proposed price to double costs RPGCL sends letter to OQT, rejects any revised price It argues no provision for price review under existing deals It demands 32 cargoes under existing deals for 2027 OQ Trading Limited...
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Flammables intensify Tongi medicine factory fire; brought under control after 3 hours
Unit-2 factory damaged A fire broke out at the Drug International’s pharmaceutical factory in the Tongi BSCIC industrial area, Gazipur, damaging two floors severely; the fire was brought under control after more than three hours. Flammable rubber...
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Rooppur Unit-1 reaches minimum control level
Unit-1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has reached its minimum controlled power level, the Russian Embassy in Bangladesh said in a Facebook post yesterday. This means a self-sustaining, controlled nuclear chain reaction has begun in the reactor for...
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Govt looks beyond regular WB aid for $10b to ease economic, subsidy shocks
Bangladesh is seeking an additional ditionald $10 billion in loans from the World dd Bank over the next three years, beyond its s regular assistance, to cover rising energy y subsidy costs and ease broader economic pressures. The request was raised d...
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Pay $48 more for a container as cargo clearance time drags on to 11 days
For an economy seeking to expand its manufacturing base and global export footprint, Bangladesh’s main maritime gateway remains bogged down by significant service delays that drive up import costs and, ultimately, consumer prices. The latest data from...
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Ahead of LDC exit, Bangladesh fast-tracks FTAS with key global markets
Bangladesh is aggressively pursuing Free Trade Agreements (FTAS) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAS) with 10 nations and economic blocs to safeguard its export competitiveness ahead of its scheduled graduation from the Least...
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Biometrics to watchlists: Govt eyes automated border SCREENING WITH :S firm
The government is moving to engage Us-based Securiport to modernise Bangladesh’s immigration and border management system, seeking a comprehensive technical and financial proposal through direct procurement. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home...
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National Bank to start disbursing deposits from 15 Oct
Police baton-charged protesters in Dhaka yesterday as they demonstrated against the 15-year concession handing over Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to DP World, with at least 15 people injured, according to the Communist Party of...
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Tk36 tax from Tk135 diesel: How govt’s revenue drive fuels inflationary fire
The government ment is collecting Tk35.82 in duties and nd taxes from every litre of diesel el sold at Tk135, raising sharp questions stions over whether its revenue drive ve is unfairly burdening consumers and businesses. The tax load oad on fuel has...
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Bangladesh GDP projected to grow at 3.4%, second lowest in South Asia
Bangladesh’s economy has yet to deliver the rebound expected after the return of political stability, the World Bank warned in its latest “Bangladesh Development Update”, sharply downgrading the country’s growth forecast for the current fiscal...
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Exit costly T-bonds: Govt’s new plan to ease interest burden
The government will buy back Tk6,667 crore of two-year Treasury bonds on 8 October in a move to better manage its domestic debt. This will be the first government bond buyback in 17 years. Bangladesh Bank said yesterday that the buyback auction, under...
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BB to limit borrower’s sector-wide exposure, target each bank’s top defaulters to tame bad loans
The central bank has unveiled a five-year roadmap to clean up the country’s crisis-hit banking sector, after non-performing loans soared to a record Tk6.06 lakh crore, accounting for a third of all disbursed credit. The 13-point reform plan, presented...
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Open customs, closed payments
In a letter sent to the Shipping Ministry on 1 September, the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) called for imme Ctg, Dhaka customs houses now operate 24/7 But digital payments not available round the clock Limited holiday operations by stakeholders...
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Four months on, Tk20,000cr factory revival scheme disburses just Tk110cr
A Tk20,000 crore refinancing scheme launched by Bangladesh Bank to revive shuttered factories has met with a sluggish response, as commercial banks remain hesitant to assume fresh risks on financially distressed businesses. Four months after the...
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5 digital banks, including bkash and Robi-backed ventures, get BB approval
The Bangladesh Bank has given initial approval to five proposed digital banks, including ventures backed by bkash, Robi and Banglalink, after selecting them from 12 applicants in the latest licensing round. The decision was taken at a meeting of the...
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Frantic fertiliser search: Govt looks to alternative sources as war threatens supply
Fearing major supply disruptions from traditional Middle Eastern suppliers amid escalating regional conflicts, the government is moving to secure government-to-government (G2G) agreements with Russia, Brunei, and Malaysia to safeguard urea imports...
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Govt shies away from fuel tax cut amid pay hike
The government has raised fuel prices to curb losses at the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), prompting economists to question the move as the state prepares to spend more on a new pay scale for public employees while other countries are offering...
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From bus fares to farming: Tk20 fuel hike spreads pain across economy
Essentials transport costs may rise per truck Diesel costs for some factories rise by lakh monthly Export costs may increase, weakening competitiveness Irrigation costs may rise for diesel-dependent farmers TBS Insights by Businesses may scale...
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Fuel prices hiked by Tk20 per litre
The government has increased the retail prices of diesel, octane, petrol and kerosene by Tk20 per litre, with the revised rates coming into effect from today. This is the second major fuel price hike since the BNP government assumed office, following...
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Petrobangla to buy rigs as it gears up for gas discovery
Petrobangla has launched preparations to expand its drilling fleet and auction off project bids as it attempts to execute a four-year strategy to drill 118 wells by fiscal year 2029–30. The plan aims to inject roughly 1,466 million cubic feet per day...
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Among costliest globally, Bangladesh’s spectrum renewal to put telco investment to test
When 28-year-old ride-sharing driver Aminul Islam tops up his mobile phone with Tk150-200 a week, he does not think about spectrum renewal fees, VAT, or government revenue targets. He only knows that mobile data feels increasingly expensive and...
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Govt fast-tracks 6,000 tax cases, some decades-old, to recover Tk35,000cr
The Attorney General’s Office and the National Board of Revenue (NBR) have launched a joint drive to expedite decades-old tax cases pending before the Supreme Court, aiming to unfreeze nearly Tk35,000 crore tied up in prolonged litigation. Official...
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PDB seeks Tk9,750cr to clear power dues ahead of Boro season
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has requested the finance ministry to urgently release Tk9,750 crore in outstanding subsidies. The funds are needed to clear mounting dues to power producers and guarantee an uninterrupted electricity...
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Universal Pension revamp planned:
The government is planning to add a range of benefits, including a lifetime pension for the spouse of a deceased pensioner and health insurance, to make the Universal Pension Scheme more attractive to citizens. The proposals are expected to be placed...
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House rents lowered for all
The proposed new pay scale will introduce lower annual increment rates for higher-grade employees across the military and civil services, state-owned companies and autonomous institutions, meaning those with higher basic salaries will receive smaller...
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Capital shortfall in 21 banks hits nearly Tk3 lakh crore
The capital shortfall in 21 banks rose to nearly Tk2.94 lakh crore in March 2026 from Tk2.74 lakh crore three months earlier, amid a rise in non-performing loans and provisioning requirements. As some banks have capital surpluses that offset part of...
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Bangladesh’s trade and energy lifeline under fresh threat as Red Sea tensions rise
Bangladesh’s import-export trade and fuel supply could come under fresh pressure if growing Houthi control over Yemen’s Red Sea coast disrupts shipping through the Bab el-mandeb Strait, an alternative route that has gained importance amid the...
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The British-era trade controls Bangladesh never let go
Businesses in Bangladesh must navigate multiple layers of administrative formalities to engage in international trade, including trade licences, taxpayer identification numbers, business identification numbers, VAT, and customs registration. As if...
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Rice intake falls 25%, we are now eating more fruit and protein
For generations, the essence of a proper Bangladeshi meal was simple: a mound of white rice anchored by a modest splash of dal or a small piece of fish. To be full meant to be satisfied by rice. Not anymore. A quiet revolution is happening across the...
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Money gets cheaper, yet takers are hard to get
Money is getting cheaper in Bangladesh, esh, but the falling cost of credit reflects a slugluggish economy rather than a recovery. Internterest rates have steadily declined as banks anks accumulate vast excess liquidity amid weak credit demand....
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US cotton to reach Bangladesh faster as private warehouse opens in Nov
Bangladeshi textile businesses will be able to buy American cotton locally from November through the country’s first privately operated US cotton warehouse, a move expected to significantly reduce import lead times and lower reliance on...
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PRAN-RFL, Walton go big on solar equipment manufacturing amid energy crisis
Amid the ongoing energy crisis and a strong government push for renewables, industrial conglomerates Walton and PRAN-RFL are establishing local manufacturing units for solar inverters and lithium-ion batteries. Walton is also planning a dedicated solar...
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EU wants ‘level-playing field’ FOU $IUEUS
The European Union has urged Bangladesh to ensure a “level-playing field” for European companies including Airbus in government procurement and remove regulatory barriers that hinder the bloc’s business and investment in the country. At a meeting with...
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9.5-hour trip takes 75 hours – locomotive crunch derails freight movement
A journey scheduled for nine and a half hours ended up taking nearly three days. On 28 June, a freight train left Chattogram Goods Port Yard for the Kamalapur Inland Container Depot in Dhaka, only to breakdown in the Hasanpur-nangalkot section. Without...
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How Bangladesh became an energy-importing nation despite early warnings
The country’s energy crisis was not created overnight. Since 2002, it was widely known that Bangladesh’s primary source of affordable energy – natural gas – would be comompletely depleted by 2030-31. To deal with this looming deadline, successive...
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DHAKA-ASHULIA EXPRESSWAY: SERVICE BRIDGES NOW OPEN
Two 3.71km-long service bridges from Dhawr intersection to Ashulia under the Dhaka-ashulia Elevated Expressway project were opened to traffic on 2 September. The bridges are toll-free. The photo was taken on Thursday.
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After Metro’s costs, Japanese loan rates also set to rise
Revised proposals for Dhaka’s MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 Northern reveal that Bangladesh faces not only sharp project cost overruns, but also significantly higher interest rates on its Japanese loans. Estimates indicate that interest rates on Jica...
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Rooftop solar boost: Govt promises Tk10.50 per unit for surplus power
The government has launched a new incentive scheme offering rooftop solar producers a guaranteed rate of Tk10.50 per kilowatt-hour for feeding surplus power into the national grid, bolstering efforts to expand renewable energy generation and stabilise...
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BNP marks 48th founding anniversary today as Khaleda Zia’s absence weighs heavily
PAY RISE FOR GOVT EMPLOYEES Maximum rise from to Minimum rise from to Full implementation to raise expenditure to Equivalent to of NBR’S total revenue last fiscal To increase in three phases by 1 July 2027 pensioners The BNP will observe its...
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AI monitoring boosts RMG productivity by up to 25%
Bangladeshi readymade garment exporters are increasingly installing artificial intelligence-driven Internet of Things (IOT) devices on their production lines to boost productivity and maintain global competitiveness. Some factories have installed the...
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PM orders Karwan Bazar kitchen market, Fulbaria terminal relocation
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has issued a series of directives to ease Dhaka’s traffic congestion, including the introduction of an electronic toll collection (ETC) system, relocating Fulbaria bus terminal to Keraniganj, and Karwan Bazar kitchenmarket...
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Nepal faces another flood threat from new lake as death toll rises to 579
Himalayas Langtang Valley NEW BARRIER LAKE FORMED HERE The death toll from devastating flash floods and landslides in Nepal has risen to 579, according to the latest update issued by the country’s national disaster risk reduction and management...
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BB’S Tk60,000cr stimulus package: 17 banks sign deal to provide Tk41,000cr
Seventeen banks have completed agreements to provide Tk41,000 crore for Bangladesh Bank’s Tk60,000 crore stimulus package aimed at reopening closed factories, boosting private sector investment and reviving the stagnant economy. The 17 banks are...
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Govt turns to CNG rationing, oll-firhg powhr to savh GAS for industries
The government has decided to restrict gas supplies to CNG stations to specific time slots in a bid to increase availability for industries ustries grappling with production disruptions ruptions amid an ongoing gas crisis. In a dual approach h to free...
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Beximco now struggles to pay salaries, service debts and revive
Once a titan of Bangladesh’s corporate landscape and home to its premier manufacturing hubs, Beximco Group is struggling to maintain basic operations. Hundreds of administrative staff remain unpaid, and the vast majority of its industrial plants sit...
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Steelmakers burn expensive alternative fuel as gas pressure hits near-zero
A severe and prolonged gas supply shortage has brought Bangladesh’s steel manufacturing sector to a virtual standstill, pushing major plants to cut output and forcing nearly 40% of rerolling mills to shut operations completely. Industry leaders warn...
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Paypal in Bangladesh: How close is the long-awaited entry?
The Bangladesh Bank has stepped up efforts to attract international digital payment platforms to the country, opening new avenues for freelancers, travellers, and businesses to conduct legitimate cross-border foreign-currency transactions. Over a...
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Mirza Fakhrul sworn-in as Bangladesh president
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has taken oath as the 23rd president of Bangladesh. He formally assumed office as the country’s highest constitutional post through an swearing-in ceremony at the historic Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban yesterday. Acting...
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LIBERTY PIZZA: DOES BANANI’S NEW YORKSTYLE PIZZERIA LIVE UP TO THE HYPE?
net F www. tbsnews. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the power, energy and mineral resources ministry to take urgent steps to increase power generation from coal-fired plants to free up more gas for industries and ensure timely LNG imports...
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Narsingdi factories burn wood to keep production going
As more than 100 factories in Narsingdi have remained shut for three days due to a severe gas shortage, at least 50 factory owners are now burning wood as an alternative fuel to keep some production running. Sizing mills, which process yarn, are using...
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$8b of World Bank finance stuck in long project procedures, design flaws
Of the roughly $12 billion in project aid pledged by the World Bank, more than $8 billion remained undisbursed as of June, for reasons including procedural delays at various stages – from project conceptualisation and appraisal to board approval and...
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38 banks seek Tk28,000cr in stimulus funds for struggling businesses
Thirty-eight banks have signed agreements with Bangladesh Bank, seeking over Tk28,000 crore under its stimulus scheme, a senior central bank official told The Business Standard on Sunday. The central bank has cleared the path for loan disbursements to...
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VAT refunds pile up as NBR’S online system stalls
Hundreds of businesses are facing liquidity challenges as thousands of crore taka in value-added tax (VAT) and supplementary duty refunds remain trapped with the National Board of Revenue, months after its online refund system effectively ground to a...
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Switching to electricity only way out of gas crisis
1,000 000 800 600 400 200 0 With Bangladesh’s gas reserves set to run dry by 2031, the country began importing costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2018-19 to partially bridge the demand gap. But this stopgap has become another headache –...
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Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir set to be country’s 23rd president
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is set to become Bangladesh’s 23rd president after the ruling BNP yesterday submitted his nomination for the presidential election. His election is now virtually a formality as the ruling BNP commands 249 votes in...
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High bids, weak competition drive Metro Line-1 cost surge by 130%
The cost of Bangladesh’s first underground metro rail project, MRT Line-1, which will connect the airport with Kamalapur, has been proposed to increase by 129.82% to Tk120,794.13 crore by the implementing agency, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited...
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Banks turn to retail as corporate lending piles up bad loans
One in every three taka lent by Bangladesh’s banking sector has now turned into a classified loan, exposing the danger of banks’ long-standing dependence on large corporate borrowers. But there is one segment where bad loans are far lower: retail...
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Expedite Hasina’s extradition, return Hadi’s killers: Dhaka to Delhi as Indian envoy meets PM
The extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the return of those accused in the murder of Osman Hadi were among the key issues discussed between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi yesterday, said a...
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PM stresses efficient use of existing infrastructure for power, energy security
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday stressed the maximum and efficient use of existing infrastructure to strengthen Bangladesh’s power and energy security, alongside ensuring transparency and accountability in project management, regular...
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Arbitration meant to be swift, but slow pace puts foreign investment at risk
Foreign companies and investors increasingly face years of delays in Bangladesh when seeking to enforce or resolve commercial disputes through arbitration, undermining a mechanism intended to provide a faster and more effective alternative to court...
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Govt picks Chinese, Korean e-buses in big EV push
As part of its plan to modernise urban public transport and d reduce emissions, the government is preparing to procure 800 electric ric buses from South Korea and China at an estimated cost of Tk4,584 crore. ore. The Bangladesh Road Transport...
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SYMBOLIC GRAVES HONOUR JULY MARTYRS
Hundreds of symbolic graves commemorating the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising stand at the entrance of the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum at Ganabhaban in Dhaka, which was opened to the public from 11am on Thursday, a day after its official...
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How freelancing changes rural economy – but exposing it to crypto risks
In a remote village in Lalmonirhat, a 25-year-old former rental car driver now earns at least Tk2 lakh a month after leaving his driving job to work as a freelancer. The freelancer, who requested anonymity, told The Business Standard that he now...
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