Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The BBN (Bangladesh Business News) has prepared the morning news highlights compiling reports, published by different newspapers and news portals in Bangladesh.
Enclaves fall, dwellers erupt into celebration
The clock struck 12:00am. It was the moment when around 52,000 inhabitants of 162 enclaves inside Bangladesh and India got the taste of freedom for the first time in 68 years, officially becoming citizens either of the two countries. It was also the moment when the tiny pockets of land -- or enclaves -- in each other's territories got merged with the respective countries, bringing an end to one of the most complicated and confusing border disputes in the world.
New Industrial Policy soon
The government is set to finalise the draft 'National Industrial Policy 2015' soon aiming to generate more employment in the country, officials said. The policy has given priority to establish labour-intensive industries in the remote areas of the country with a view to creating additional employment, they said.
Bangladesh’s trade deficit likely to cross $13bn in FY 16
Bangladesh’s overall trade deficit may cross US$13 billion by the end of the current fiscal year (FY) 2015-16, according to the central bank’s latest projection. The deficit is expected to rise from US$10.02 billion in the just-concluded FY ‘15 to $ 13.42 billion in the FY ‘16, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) said in its latest Monetary Policy Statement (MPS), unveiled on Thursday. The central bank of Bangladesh said the country’s current account deficit stood at $ 1.63 billion in the FY ‘15 unlike surpluses the country saw in the FYs 2013 and 2014.
No auto-rickshaws on highway from today
The ban on the movement of compressed natural gas-fired three wheeler auto-rickshaws on highways comes into effect from this morning. The road transport and bridges minister, Obaidul Quader, on July 22 announced the ban of the auto-rickshaws on the highways after findings that their growing presence led to recent spate of traffic accidents on highways across the country. On July 27 the ministry issued a circular slapping the ban.
MPS to facilitate all productive initiatives for achieving sustainable growth
The monetary programme for the current fiscal year (FY) 2015-16 and the policy stance for first half (H1) of the FY 16 outlined in the monetary policy statement (MPS) are based on our review of the expectations and outcomes of the policy stance pursued in FY15, as also on views and suggestions gleaned from our usual pre-consultations with erudite experts, business leaders and other stakeholders.
H1 MPS lacks actions to improve governance in banking system
Some noted economists find the latest monetary policy wanting in some major aspects like lack of direction for improving the quality of governance in the banking system and lending-rate cuts. They aired the fear that unpunished bad borrowers would continue to drive out good entrepreneurial ones and, consequently, high rates of interest would stand in the way of increasing investment.
NBR to fine cos illegally hired foreigners
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is going to launch a special drive soon for identifying the business firms that are recruiting foreigners illegally. Once identified, such companies will have to pay penalty as per new provisions incorporated in the finance bill 2015, that came into effect from July 1, said a NBR official. According to the recently passed bill, if found guilty, the companies will have to pay 50% additional tax from their total payable tax or Tk5 lakh fine, whichever is higher, as penalty for giving jobs to foreign nationals without necessary documents and work permits.
Weekly review: Bangladesh’s stocks break 4-week gaining spell
Bangladesh’s stocks edged slightly lower last week that ended on Thursday, breaking four-week gaining spell, as investors were cautious amid mixed corporate earnings news and concern over monetary policy statement. The week witnessed five trading sessions as usual. Of them, three sessions closed lower while two sessions ended marginally higher.
BBN/SSR/AD