Bangladesh

As the sun rises on Pohela Boishakh , the Bengali New Year, Dhaka undergoes a sensory transformation. The city becomes a canvas of red and white, filled with the rhythmic beat of Dhol drums and the irresistible aroma of traditional spices. While this festival finds its origins in the historical tax reforms of the Mughal era, it has evolved into a magnificent celebration of identity. Today, this cultural legacy is being kept alive through a unique collaboration between history and the modern hospitality industry. For those exploring the city, the most remarkable feature of the modern New Year is the rise of the "Boishakhi Buffet." Dhaka’s luxury hotels have turned the act of dining into a cultural tour, made even more enticing by the widespread availability of Buy One Get One (B1G1) and Buy One Get Three (B1G3) offers. Bridging the Past and Present The hospitality landscape in Dhaka, featuring iconic landmarks like the InterContinental and Pan Pacific Sonargaon , serve...

The northern region of Bangladesh, historically recognized as Varendra, serves as a profound repository of the Indian subcontinent’s palimpsest history. From the dawn of urban civilization to the zenith of medieval craftsmanship, North Bengal offers a chronological journey through the rise and fall of ancient empires.   1. Mahasthangarh: The Citadel of Pundranagara Located in Bogra, Mahasthangarh stands as the earliest urban archaeological site in the region, dating back to at least the 3rd century BCE. Once the capital of the Pundra Kingdom, this fortified citadel flourished under the Mauryas, Guptas, and Palas. Archaeological findings, including the famous Brahmi inscription, reveal a sophisticated administrative center that bridged the gap between the Vedic age and the medieval era. 2. Somapura Mahavihara: The Beacon of Wisdom The Paharpur Buddhist Vihara in Naogaon is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a testament to the Pala Dynasty's patronage of Mahayana Buddhism. Bu...

As the FY2026-27 National Budget approaches, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) is navigating a period of intense uncertainty, balancing a fragile recovery against a tightening macroeconomic environment.   The market has been characterized by sharp fluctuations. In early April 2026, the DSEX bounced back by 1.82%, reaching 5,272 points after a prolonged 17-day downturn that erased approximately Tk 29,500 crore in market capitalization. This pre-budget uptick was largely driven by the government's intervention to stabilize domestic fuel prices amid a severe global gasoline shortage. Although this move offered a reprieve for industrial sectors, the broader economic foundation remains under pressure.   Key Economic Constraints The DSE currently faces a "triple threat" of rising costs and supply constraints: Sticky Inflation: With inflation hovering near 9.13%, the central bank has kept the policy rate at 10%, which has significantly restricted the liquidity required fo...

For over two years, the architectural jewel of Bangladesh’s aviation sector—the $2.1 billion Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA)—has stood as a silent monument to bureaucratic gridlock. Today, April 3, 2026, marks a potential watershed moment as high-level negotiators convene at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to break a deadlock that has left the nearly 542,000-square-meter facility largely idle.   The Profit vs. Policy Tug-of-War At the heart of the delay is a high-stakes disagreement over the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) contract. Investigations reveal that the Japanese consortium—comprising giants like Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, and Narita—initially balked at the Bangladesh government’s revenue-sharing demands. Sources familiar with the talks indicate that the previous administration’s rigid stance on "regional benchmarks" for service charges nearly collapsed the deal in late 2025.   The tide shifted last month. Under direct orders from the P...

The Anatomy of a Default A deep dive into the financial records of Taufika Foods and Lovello Ice Cream PLC reveals a company operating on thin ice. As of early 2026, the firm is grappling with a staggering Tk550 crore in total liabilities. The most damning evidence lies in the "Bad & Loss" classification of nearly Tk200 crore of these loans. Major creditors, including Shimanto Bank, AB Bank, and Trust Bank, are now facing the reality of a massive capital sinkhole that the company’s modest Tk100 crore annual revenue can no longer bridge. Regulatory Lockdown and Flight Risk The board of directors is currently under a microscope as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) intensifies its probe into fund misappropriation. In a significant legal move, a travel ban was enforced against Managing Director Md. Ekramul Haque, his wife (Chairman), and their daughters (Directors). While Haque recently obtained a narrow 15-day medical reprieve for overseas travel, the rest of the fa...

Bangladesh's jute industry is set for a significant export boom, fueled by the global push for sustainable and eco-friendly products. As a leading exporter of jute yarn and a major player in the overall jute and jute goods market, Bangladesh holds a natural edge in this expanding green economy. To fully leverage this, strategically targeting new, high-value markets with diverse, eco-conscious products is key.   Recent Export Performance The past five fiscal years reveal both fluctuations and strong growth, showcasing the industry's resilience and potential. While detailed year-on-year breakdowns for all jute categories and destinations vary, overall trends indicate robust performance: FY 2019-2020: Jute and Jute Manufactures brought in approximately $882.35 million. FY 2020-2021: A remarkable surge saw earnings hit $1161.48 million, breaking records and exceeding the $1 billion mark—a 31% increase from the previous year. FY 2021-2022: Exports remained strong at $112...

Grameenphone, Bangladesh’s premier mobile network operator, is grappling with an escalating dispute with its former workforce, a situation that has grown increasingly contentious in recent months. The ongoing saga, marked by persistent protests and a tragic incident, is casting a shadow over the company’s public image and attracting investor scrutiny.   The heart of the contention lies in the former employees' demand for a 5% share of Grameenphone’s annual profits, as stipulated by the Bangladesh Labour Act. Protesters, organized under the "Laid-Off and Deprived Grameenphone Workers Unity Council," allege years of withheld payments and accumulated penalties. Based on Grameenphone's reported net profits from 2020 to 2024, the cumulative 5% share owed to workers is estimated to be a staggering BDT 8.54 billion. This substantial claim, alongside demands for job reinstatement and other lawful dues, forms the core of their intensified agitation.   Recent weeks have...