Bangladesh SOEs cost treasury Tk 882 billon in a year: WB study

Bangladesh’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have drained nearly Tk 882 billion from the national exchequer in a single year, emerging as one of the country’s biggest fiscal risks, according to a World Bank study. The study highlighted that the deteriorating financial condition of public enterprises has become “unsustainable” at a time when Bangladesh is already facing falling revenue collection, slower economic growth and mounting pressure on public finances.It said the growing losses of SOEs are consuming resources that could otherwise be invested in healthcare, education and social protection. The findings were presented at a dissemination workshop on the report titled “Financial Performance and Fiscal Risk of SOEs in Bangladesh” held at a city hotel on Thursday.The study was conducted under the “Strengthening Public Financial Management for Better Service” programme, with support from the Policy Research Institute of Banglade...

Jute workers block road in Khulna for 3rd straight day over raw jute export curbs

UNB, Khulna:: Jute workers in Khulna blocked road for the third consecutive day on Thursday, demanding the unconditional withdrawal of the ban on raw jute exports and compensation for workers who lost their jobs due to the suspension of exports.The workers – under the banner of Daulatpur Jute Press and Baling Workers’ Union – took to the Khulna-Jashore Highway around 10:00am and blocked the stretch from Religate to Daulatpur in the city.A large number of women also joined the d...

Years of plunder pushed banks, capital market to brink: Finance Minister

Bangladesh’s banking and capital market sectors have been pushed to the brink of crisis by years of plunder, poor economic management, weak financial discipline, and the failure of regulatory institutions, Finance ...

BNP conducts outreach campaign at Motijheel against ‘propaganda’ about July Charter, referendum

Dhaka South City BNP on Thursday conducted a leaflet distribution and public outreach campaign at Motijheel against what the party described as propaganda by vested interests about the July National Charter and referendum, and in support of the positive steps taken by the BNP government.The programme was organised in the morning around the Bangladesh Bank headquarters under the initiative of ward No. 8 unit of BNP under Dhaka South City Corporation.Dhaka South City BNP Convener and MP from Feni-1 constituency Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Senior Joint Convener Harunur Rashid Harun, Motijheel Thana BNP Convener Alamgir Hossain, Member Secretary Zahid Hossain and Joint Convener Ismail Hossain were present.During the campaign, the BNP leaders distributed leaflets among people on important roads, alleys...

People will never bring Jamaat to power: Fakhrul

Bangladesh crush Pakistan in 2nd test to sweep series

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam claimed a match-winning six-wicket haul as Bangladesh thrashed Pakistan by 78 runs in the second Test, completing a dominant 2-0 series sweep at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today.The victory followed Bangladesh's 104-run triumph in the opening Test and marked their second successive Test series whitewash over Pakistan after also securing a 2-0 sweep in 2024, that too on Pakistan's soil.Having done so, they won a Test series against a top-flight nation in both home and away for the first time, other than Zimbabwe.Pakistan resumed Day 5 at 316-7, still needing 121 runs with three wickets in pursuit of a daunting 437-run target, a summit that no team has ever succeeded in Test cricket's 149-year history.Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 358, just less than 30 minutes before the lunch session on the final day, after losing the remaining three wickets in 12 balls for no runs.But the visitors threatened to do the unthinkable with their vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan showing staunch determination.He continued to frustrate Bangladesh with a determined counterattack.Rizwan struck fast bowler Nahid Rana, who claimed 2-58, for consecutive boundaries in the third over of the day to give Pakistan a psychological edge.Rizwan struck fast bowler Nahid Rana, who claimed 2-58, for consecutive boundaries in the third over of the day to give Pakistan a psychological frame.His overnight partner Sajid Khan also scored freely, threatening to pull off an extraordinary chase.The pair added 54 runs for the eighth wicket to put Bangladesh under p...

Reform RAB, ensure accountability

The government’s decision to restructure the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as a more people-friendly and accountable force deserves cautious appreciation. Over the years, the elite force has play...

Quick development of waterways needed

Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam on Sunday last said 16 government agencies under the ministry are working to keep the waterways operational across the country, according to a media report published on Monday.It augurs well that the government ha...

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