Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The BBN has prepared the morning business round up compiling reports, published by different newspapers and news portals in Bangladesh.
Rail must get priority for connectivity
Railways should be given the utmost priority when developing multimodal transport connectivity in the Saarc region as it would effectively facilitate cross-border movement of people and goods, speakers at a seminar said. “Rail connectivity has to get top priority. It will bolster trade and commerce in the region,” Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said at the seminar organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue yesterday.
Disbursement of industrial loans falls by 28pc in Q3
The disbursement of industrial term loans dropped by more than 28 per cent in the third quarter (Q3) of the outgoing fiscal year (FY) 2014-15 mainly due to political turmoil, officials said. The disbursement of industrial term loans came down to Tk 133.51 billion in the Q3 of FY 15 from Tk 186.44 billion in the previous quarter, according to the central bank latest statistics.
BDT’s appreciating mode against US$ to continue until Eid
The appreciating mode of Bangladesh Taka (BDT) against the US Dollar (US$) may continue unit the upcoming Eid-ul- Fitr festival because of lower demand for the greenback in the market. The BDT remained stable against the US$ and it was traded around 77.80 levels in the inter-bank foreign exchange (forex) market in the recent months, market operators said. “The existing trend of inter-bank foreign forex market may continue unit the Eid festival,” a senior official of a foreign commercial bank told BBN in Dhaka.
Mobile cos to get direct access to NID database
The mobile phone companies would get direct access to the Election Commission database of national identity cards under a service agreement for verifying users’ SIM registration information, said telecom regulator officials. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission officials said earlier the model was regulator-led, but now the EC will come into agreement with the mobile phone companies so that they get the data from the EC.
Matia for review of interest cut on savings tools
Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury has expressed reservations regarding the decision to cut interest rates on saving certificates and has urged the finance minister to 'seriously' reconsider the matter, reports bdnews24.com. She reminded Parliament on Saturday of the government's responsibility towards low-income people. The government has cut interest rates on all saving certificates by up to two percent, claiming the schemes added to its debt burden.
Global cotton production to fall: US report
Global cotton production will fall 5 percent year-on-year to around 113 million bales in 2015-16 mainly due to a drop in cultivation in China, a major producer, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. “Production is expected to remain flat or decrease for all major producers, with the largest reductions of about 2 million bales each expected for the United States and China,” a recent report of the USDA said. China's production is expected to fall to 28 million bales (480 pounds make a bale) as producers respond to the government's new policies.
Bank Division concerned about state banks’ performance
Bank and Financial Institutions Division is concerned about the performance of the state-owned commercial and specialised banks, said official sources. Low recovery of agriculture and SME loans and slow progress of dissolving departmental cases and audit objections are the reasons behind the concern. The monthly coordination meeting attended by heads of state-owned specialised banks and financial institutions discussed the issue, held at the finance division’s auditorium recently. Banking Division Secretary M Aslam Alam presided over the meeting.
Alliance, 2 global trade unions blast Muhith, BGMEA chief
A platform of North American retailer brands and two global trade unions have strongly criticised finance minister AMA Muhith and BGMEA president Md Atiqul Islam for their recent comments on the activities of the retailers’ bodies in improving safety in the Bangladesh readymade garment sector. The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, the consortium of North American brands and retailers, on Friday urged prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her government to clarify their position over the ongoing efforts to improve safety in the RMG sector as the finance minister criticised the activities of Alliance and other initiatives.
BBN/SSR/AD