Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– The BBN has prepared the morning business round up compiling reports, published by different newspapers and news portals in Bangladesh.

Mamata: form joint business council to end disputes
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday proposed forming a joint business council for quick resolution of disputes in bilateral trade and investment. The proposal comes at a time when the business community in Bangladesh points at tariff, non-tariff and para-tariff barriers as hurdles to increasing exports to India. India had withdrawn all kinds of duties on the import of Bangladeshi products, except 25 alcoholic and drug items, in November 2012.

Bangladesh Bank purchases $30m more from two banks
The central bank purchased US$30 million more from two commercial banks on Thursday to help keep the inter-bank foreign exchange (forex) market stable, officials said, “We’ve bought the US currency from the banks directly at market rate to protect the protect the interests of exporters and migrant workers by keeping the exchange rate of the local currency against the US dollar stable,” a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) told BBN in Dhaka on Saturday.

Bank credit falls for unrest
Bank loans decreased 0.98 percent or Tk 5,197 crore in January compared to December mainly due to political unrest. Banks’ total outstanding amount stood at Tk 523,558 crore on January 29, which was Tk 528,755 crore on December 31, according to central bank statistics. Even if no new credit was given out, the interest imposed on the outstanding amount would have increased the loan figure for January. But that was not the case.

Bangladesh Taka remains stable against US dollar
Bangladesh Taka (BDT) remained stable against the US dollar during the last week due mainly to the ongoing political turmoil, treasury officials said. “The market is expected to see the same mode in the next week if the political unrest continues,” a senior treasury official of a leading private commercial bank told BBN in Dhaka on Saturday. He also said the political turmoil has adversely impacted on import orders which led to lower demand for the US dollar recently.

Local poultry producers look to enter global market by 2018

Bangladesh poultry producers plan to enter the global market in next three years, said President of World’s Poultry Science Association-Bangladesh Branch (WPSA-BB) Moshiur Rahman yesterday. “By 2018, we can begin to export our poultry products,” he said at the concluding session of the 9th International Poultry Show and Seminar 2015 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital. “Bangladesh’s poultry sector is growing by 16% annually and if the growth rate is raised to 18%-20%, chicken meat will be the most preferred meat by 2030,” he added.

World Bank Vice President Dixon arrives in Bangladesh
World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region, Annette Dixon, arrives in the capital on Saturday to build on the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank Group. This is Dixon’s first visit to Bangladesh since assuming her position on December 15, 2014, a World Bank statement said. “I am coming for my first visit to Bangladesh to learn about its development experience, as it is a global success in reducing poverty and increasing shared prosperity, with advances for women, increased life expectancy, literacy, and improved nutrition,” said Dixon.

BBN/SSR/AD-22Feb15-10:40 am (BST)