Bangladesh

The proponents of the new banks argue that the new operators will infuse more competition into the banking industry and thus bring benefits to the clients. "The (Bangladesh Bank) Board has finalized a set of guidelines including new conditions with the older regulations," said A F M Asaduzzaman, a deputy general manager in the governor's office. "The old regulations have been amended substantially. Later, a senior official who did not want to be named said the new banks would require a minimum paid-up capital of Tk 400 crore from its sponsors. "And in three years, they have to go public," said the official, who attended the Board meeting, "and raise an amount equal to the paid-up capital." The official said the new guidelines took a tough line against "loan and tax defaulters" and would not allow anyone even with a family member having such a record. Those criticizing the move say the already overcrowded market does not need new ones ...

A proposal concerning the issue has already been sent to prime minister Sheikh Hasina, civil aviation secretary Shafique Alam Mehedi told on Monday. "The cell will be formed as soon as the prime minister approves the proposal," he said. Airport Planning & Management The civil aviation ministry has proposed formation of a cell to speed up the construction of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib International Airport. Ministry officials preferring not to be named said that the civil aviation authorities were thinking of building the new airport close to Dhaka. It will be built on about 6,000 acres according to the sources. The civil aviation has initially selected three sites — two in Madhupur, Tangail and one in Mymensingh's Trishal. The airport will start operations with two runways at the beginning but there will be sufficient space to make a third one. The budget for this airport, including expenses for constructing an elevated expressway between Dhaka and the airport and a ...