RMG exporters seek open banks during Eid holidays to maintain lead times

In a bid to keep the wheels of the export industry turning during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, garment exporters have formally requested the government to keep all customs houses and relevant bank branches operational during the public and weekly holidays.The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) sent a letter to the Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) recently, specifically urging that operations remain active from March 17 to March 23.BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, told UNB that the garment sector is entirely dependent on fashion cycles and strict delivery windows. Failure to ship goods within the "lead time" dictated by foreign buyers carries a high risk of order cancellations."In the current global economic climate, missing a shipment deadline doesn't just mean a financial loss for the entrepreneur; the country loses vital foreign exchange and, more importantly, the long-term trust of international buyers," he said.T...

No fuel shortage in country, two more shipments to arrive March 9: Energy Minister

Bangladesh has no shortage of fuel and two more fuel-carrying ships are scheduled to arrive at the country’s ports on March 9, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said on Saturday.“There is no chance of a fuel shortage but since a war is ongoing, we have to plan and manage carefully and maintain austerity,” he said.The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime ...

How to choose the right air conditioner for your home in Bangladesh

As temperatures continue to rise across Bangladesh, air conditioners are quickly becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. Whether you are planning to install an AC in your bedroom, living room, or office, cho...

Reforming registration law key to strengthen women’s rights

International Women’s Day 2026 will be observed tomorrow, 8 March, under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” Ensuring legal identity is fundamental to safeguarding women’s rights. Without official recognition through birth and death registration, women and girls often face barriers in accessing education, healthcare, social protection, and legal justice. Strengthening the birth and death registration law is therefore a crucial step toward protecting women’s rights and ensuring justice.Birth registration is the first step in securing the future of a girl child. Without it, proving age becomes difficult, which creates significant challenges in preventing child marriage. Child marriage increases the risk of early motherhood, deprive...

PM seeks deeper engagement with int’l community

BFIU seeks bank account details of former adviser Asif Mahmud

Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has sought the bank account details of Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, a former adviser to the interim government and a key leader of the July uprising.BFIU issued a directive to all banks and financial institutions on Monday, instructing them to submit all records related to Mahmud’s personal accounts within three working days.Asif Mahmud, a former adviser to Prof Yunus-led interim government, held portfolios in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and later the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives.He resigned on December 10 last year ahead of the 13th Parliamentary Election and is currently serving as the spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP).Response from Asif MahmudSpeaking to the media on Tuesday night, Asif Mahmud said, "As far as I know, the bank account details of four advisers including myself have been sought."However, the identities of the other three advisers  could not be immediately verified.In a social media post on Tuesday night, the former adviser  said he has already submitted his wealth amstatement to the Cabinet Division before resigning from his post."I will open my bank statements to everyone tomorrow to ensure transparency," he wrote.The BFIU’s move comes amid ongoing financial scrutiny of individuals who held high-ranking positions following the political transition on August 5, 2024....

Restore trust, enforce discipline at Sammilito Islami Bank

The launch of Sammilito Islami Bank marks a critical turning point for Bangladesh’s troubled banking sector. After months of frozen accounts, uncertainty and public anxiety, the resumption of no...

Violence against children must end

We are deeply concerned about a media report that children are increasingly falling victim to rape, murder and various other forms of violence across the country. Acts of violence against children have become a common phenomenon in the country. It so...

KFC's 'Eidi for Angels' Spreads Eid Joy to Underprivileged Kids

To stem the scourge of smoking, follow the science, not the dogma

Benefits of Having an Oven in Your Kitchen