High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Dhaka, Dharmapala Weerakkody held a productive meeting with the newly appointed President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Taskeen Ahmed on 16 March 2025 at the DCCI office in Dhaka. Counsellor / Commerce of the High Commission, Srimali Jayarathne accompanied the High Commissioner to the meeting.
DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed commended the strong trade...
US small business optimism index drops to 100.7 in Feb
US’ Small Business Optimism Index fell by 2.1 points in February to 100.7, marking the fourth consecutive month above the 51-year average of 98 and is 4.4 points below its most recent peak of 105.1 in December, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The unc...Insights
- US' NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 2.1 points to 100.7 in February, with economic outlook concerns rising and uncertainty reaching 104.
- Labour quality surpassed inflation as the top issue, with 38 per cent reporting unfilled job openings.
- Net 32 per cent raised prices, while profit trends remained weak.
- Loan accessibility improved slightly, but uncertainty and inflation pressures persist.
Patent barriers loom as Bangladesh exits LDC status
Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry faces the challenge of losing its Least Developed Country (LDC) status, expected in 2026. This transition may result in the loss of its ability to produce generic drugs without patent restrictions. While the European Union may grant a grace period, the industry must prepare for potential patent claims from global pharmaceutical firms.
Rethinking water security in a water-insecure world
The words came from a teenage girl standing amid the devastation of the Odisha Super Cyclone in Eastern India in 1999. At the time, I was a member of the Indian Administrative Service, coordinating relief efforts 48 hours after the storm. Her question cut through the chaos and would shape my life’s work. Relief was necessary, but the real solution lies in building strong, adaptive water systems.
The Growing Water Crisis
The devastation in Odisha wasn’t just about wind speeds and storm surges—it was about what followed.[caption id="attachment_32897" align="alignleft" width="536"]Govt expects neutral, responsible role of media: Info Adviser
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam on Thursday said, the government expects a neutral and responsible role from the mass media. The adviser was speaking at an iftar mahfil and view-exchange meeting, organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Tathya Bhaban in city’s Circuit House Road. [caption id="attachment_32892" align="alignleft" width="557"]Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam spoke at an iftar mahfil and view-exchange meeting at the Tathya Bhaban in...
Country set to achieve record remittance in March
Bangladesh is on track to set a new record in remittance inflows, with expatriates sending $2.25 billion through banking channels in the first 19 days of March. This marks a significant 78.4 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
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