Jagaran Chakma

In the heart of Dhaka, amid vibrant toy displays and the hum of industry conversations at InterContinental Dhaka, sector people were talking about a quiet revolution — one that could redefine Bangladesh’s export landscape and lessen its long-standing reliance on imported toys.

Japanese investment in Bangladesh has grown steadily over the past decade. But with clearer policies, improved infrastructure and a more predictable regulatory environment, there is room to attract much more.

Some manufacturers say they are now opting to reduce office utility consumption, optimise office supplies, minimise bank dependence, and find alternative funding sources.

Bangladesh is dealing with one of its most challenging political and economic shifts, and the proposed US tariff hike to 37 percent on its exports could worsen the situation..This could turn out to be a big problem for the economy, especially for the readymade garment (RMG) industry, which

Bangladesh is on track to retain its status as the world’s biggest cotton importer in the marketing year (MY) 2025-26, with imports projected to reach 8.5 million bales, according to a record-setting forecast by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The construction of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram has gained momentum nearly a decade after its initiation, as Dhaka and Beijing look to strengthen bilateral ties and punishing Trump tariffs prompt Chinese manufacturers to consider relocating factories.

Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical exports rose by 3.46 percent year-on-year in the first ten months of the current fiscal year, despite a sharp drop in April due mainly to holidays in key markets and US aid cuts hurting merchandise shipments. 

The Chief Adviser’s Office has recently formed an eight-member committee to assess the proposed merger of several investment-related agencies under the single umbrella of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida).

Unchecked growth not an option, say planners, while builders say it is hurting home buyers

The Detailed Area Plan (DAP) aims to strike a balance between development and sustainability of Dhaka, according to the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), as it says relaxing DAP guidelines to favour real estate interests would cause long-term consequences to the liveability of the megacity.

Regulations in the Detailed Area Plan (DAP) are limiting housing responses to meet Dhaka’s growing accommodation needs, according to realtors, as they argue that current urban policies are doing more harm than good.

Just five days after issuing a gazette notification imposing export fees on raw jute and jute products, the government has withdrawn the order to review the decision, following strong concerns from industry stakeholders over what they described as an excessive hike.

Best Holdings Ltd is set to open the first five-star hotel in Bangladesh’s industrial belt by June 2026, introducing luxury hospitality to Bhaluka in Mymensingh district.

As listed companies, especially those in the manufacturing sector, have reported falling profits in recent quarters, business leaders are now turning their attention to how best to navigate 2025 amid global uncertainty, domestic inflation and rising borrowing costs.

Giordano Korea CEO sees ‘familiar signs of promise’ as he plans a factory in economic zone

Although Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest exporter of readymade garments, it continues to struggle with major challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, cumbersome bureaucracy and murky regulations.

Bangladesh’s healthcare sector has the potential to reach $23 billion by 2030, positioning the country as a major destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), according to a presentation shared at the Bangladesh Investment Summit.

Eighteen years ago, a young man from Narayanganj landed in Melbourne with a suitcase full of ambition and just a few hundred dollars to his name. Today, that man – Md Shamim – owns 108 Subway outlets across Australia, ranking him among the franchise's largest global operators.

Bangladesh’s natural rubber industry, once a bright spot in the economy, is losing its lustre as slumping demand and volatile law and order in the greater Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) send prices tumbling.

Bangladesh, long regarded as a cost-competitive destination and once hailed as the next Asian tiger, is now grappling with mounting pressure as the cost of doing business is rising sharply across key sectors.