Over 700 rivers, but Bangladesh’s waterways are dying
Esrat Jahan:
Bangladesh, often called “The Land of Rivers,” is home to over 700 rivers, including major waterways such as the Padma, Jamuna, Meghna, and Karnaphuli. These rivers are the lifeblood of the nation, providing essential water for farming, fishing, transport, and daily life. Yet, despite this abundance, Bangladesh’s rivers are in a perilous state, ranking among the most degraded river systems in the world.
Bangladesh bags $1.25B in investment proposals
Bangladesh has received investment proposals totalling $1.25 billion in the first six months of 2025, covering both domestic and foreign projects, officials reported at the 5th meeting of the Investment Coordination Committee.
The meeting was held at the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO) under the chairmanship of the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs, Lutfey Siddiqi, with Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur and National Board of Revenue Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan in attendance.
Key Figures at a Glance
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EC unveils election roadmap ahead
The Election Commission (EC) has announced the roadmap for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, confirming that the official schedule will be released at least 60 days ahead of polling day.
The announcement was made by EC Senior Secretary Md. Akhtar Ahmed at a press briefing held at the commission’s headquarters in the capital on Thursday.
Key Dates at a Glance
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🗓️ Constituency demarcation: 30 September...
US tariff hike threatens entire economy, not just garment exports
A proposed 35 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi garment exports to the United States is expected to have far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the $8 billion in annual shipments, according to industry experts and economists. The impending tariff hike, scheduled to take effect on August 1, could ripple through Bangladesh’s entire economic ecosystem, impacting fabric suppliers, textile mills, banks, insurers, and millions of workers.
In a roundtable recently organised in the city, business leaders expressed deep concerns over the potential fallout. AK Azad, chairman and CEO of Ha-Meem Group, warned that if Bangladesh fails to negotiate effectively, the entire supply chain, from raw material suppliers to exporters, could suffer.
Policy barriers, inflation weigh on Dhaka’s property market
Bangladesh’s housing market, particularly in the capital Dhaka, continues to reel under mounting pressure, as soaring construction costs, restrictive urban policies, and rapid urbanisation deepen the country’s affordable housing crisis. Despite a slowdown in new developments, residential property prices remain on a steep upward trajectory, exacerbating the burden on urban dwellers. The absence of reliable official data on property values has further obscured market transparency, though anecdotal evidence and industry reports consistently point to rising costs across the board. [caption id="attachment_33693" align="alignleft" width="491"]Farrukh Khosru:
Yunus to succeed in bringing positive changes, Fakhrul hopes
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed the hope that very good things await the nation as interim government head Dr Muhammad Yunus will succeed in addressing political and other problems.
“We have problems, and these will be resolved. In fact, a lot of progress has already been made. I want to thank Professor Yunus for taking on the responsibility (of running the country). I believe he will be successful. Let us all help him, help ourselves and move forward,” he told a discussion.
