Economy
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.
Country set to achieve record remittance in March
According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, the surge in remittance is largely attributed to the upcoming Eid celebrations, as non-resident Bangladeshis are remitting more funds to support their families.
Bangladesh’s pharma revolution against all odds
In May 1982, a committee of eight experts submitted a report to Bangladesh’s health ministry proposing an overhaul of the country’s drug regulation regime. At the time, Bangladesh was almost entirely reliant on imports for its pharmaceutical needs, just like many poor countries in Southasia and beyond continue to be today. Most medicines on the market were expensive, and often unsafe cocktails of antibiotics, cough syrups, digestive enzymes and palliatives were ubiquitous. Some three-quarters of the country’s pharmaceuticals were manufactured by just eight multinational companies, which typically sold their products at exorbitant prices. But medicines were not always easily available even to those willing and able to pay, owing to inadequate and poorly distribute...
Ctg customs revenue up 11pc in 8 months of FY25
Despite political instability, Chattogram Customs House, the country's largest customs station, collected Tk 48,271 crore in revenue in eight months of fiscal year 24-25, a significant increase of 11 % compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. The business leaders thought that it had been possible to collect a huge amount of revenue due to the availability of the opening of letters of credit (LCs) and stricter enforcement of tax regulations to prevent evasion.
![]()
NFAs grow by 4.22pc year-on-year
The number of No-Frill Accounts (NFAs) increased by 0.9 per cent compared to the previous quarter and 4.22 per cent year-on-year, according to a report. The largest proportion of these accounts is linked to Social Safety Net (SSN) programmes, comprising 37.12 per cent of the total, followed by farmer accounts, which represent 36.95 per cent.
These accounts, which feature minimal or zero balance requirements and no-fee services, provide low-cost banking access to a broader...



















