Perennially deficient in production and dependent on import of sugar, Bangladesh stands hardly any chance of overcoming this problem in the near future. The mismatch between sugarcane cultivation and the obsolete production facilities is best illustrated by the closure of six sugar mills out of 15
The country's export sector faced troubles as shipments were being handled manually following the shutdown of internet. However, according to a report published in this newspaper on July 24, the "Customs authorities Tuesday restored some of its networks to release some key commodities and raw mater
Money and politics are by no means strange bedfellows. Economists and social scientists the world over have continuously attempted to propound economic theories aimed at maximising national and individual wealth. Ever since the transition of political orders from the old world of kings, emperors or
A sound feasibility study is the key to successful implementation and effective functioning of any project. But in Bangladesh, the importance of conducting a feasibility study before project implementation is often overlooked, leading to implementation delays and cost overruns. Worse still, in some
By now it is clear that following LDC graduation in less than two years, Bangladesh is poised to face many fresh challenges due to its elevated country status. A good deal of these relates to preferential benefits in the realm of trade and commerce the country so long enjoyed and is still enjoying
Although it has been a wild guess that vast swathes of forest lands of the country are being grabbed every year, no statistics of the lost lands was available until an official statement weeks ago said that the government was going to intensify its efforts to recover 187,000 acres of illegally occu
Last Friday, Dhaka City went under knee-to-waist deep water, courtesy of this season's heaviest rainfall, measuring 130mm in just six hours---6 am to 12 noon. Life came to a grinding halt, not just for those six hours. Residents of most parts of the city had to remain confined to their houses. Tho
The annual inflation rate last month was 9.72 per cent, a welcome decline from seven-month high at 9.89 per cent in the previous month of May. Despite this temporary easing in comparative terms, there is nothing reassuring for the common consumers in this small numerical fluctuation of the figures
Is protectionism in global trade rising and also eroding global business? The answer is 'yes', as per the head of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Last week, she told BBC: "We are seeing increasing protectionism, some undermining of the WTO rules, and some of this is leading to fragmentation." D
Seaweed typically grows in salty sea water or on rocks below the high-water marks. It is an aquatic resource that is rich in iodine, vitamins and minerals and has been used widely in food supplements and pharmaceutical products. Research in many nations has shown that it has properties to help figh
The arrest of 17 people including six officials of the Public Service Commission (PSC) has exposed not only the magnitude of the problem but also a deeper rot set in the administrative, social and moral systems. It seems that the government has at last made it a point to nab the corrupt elements in
In recent months, financial or other scams have been hitting the news headlines one after another. Indeed, it has become difficult for people to keep track of those who are coming at them thick and fast. First came the incidents of bank money plundering that eroded the financial health of many pri
The slide in youth workforce as reported in a recent BBS survey reflects not only the growing unemployment of youths but more importantly, the sorry state of competence and skills that makes jobs unreachable to many young people. According to the survey, Bangladesh's youth labour force is shrinking
