Joel Ahmed

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/rangamati-food-products-revival-food-processor-472730 Mahfuz Ullah Babu 06 August, 2022, 09:25 pm Last modified: 06 August, 2022, 10:48 pm Rangamati Food Products: Revival of a food processor Rangamati Food Products Ltd, once a reputed exporter and local supplier of canned fish, meat, jam and jelly to big buyers such as security forces and airlines, is set to come back to business after a decade. Thanks to the new investors who took over the helm from the frustrated founders of the brand ZUICY who virtually gave up facing hard times in business. "We acquired one-third of the defunct company shares from the sponsors at 10% premium over face value and are investing in the brand Rangamati Food for a great revival," said Tania Sultana, the chairperson of the acquirer Expo Group which employed 150 people in its chemical, foam, healthcare accessories and some other businesses in less than a decade of its journey. The new investors spent over Tk4.5 crore to clear the bank liabilities of Rangamati Food and are investing in BMRE (Balancing, Modernisation, Rehabilitation and Expansion) of its factory so that production starts by September there, she said. The rise and fall of Rangamati Food Products Financed by the erstwhile Bangladesh Shilpa Rin Sangstha, Rangamati Foods began agricultural products processing in the fiscal 1982-83 and thrived in both the retail and bulk supply markets. ZUICY branded ready-to-cook protein items such as canned hilsa and mutton and processed fruits including pineapple slices, jam and juice, mango juice and canned green peas had attracted consumers. The Bangladesh Navy was procuring ZUICY protein products until 2014, while its fruit products were being supplied to the national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Alongside the local market successes, the company used to export its products to some Middle Eastern markets and the UK, said Tania Sultana. To continue its modernisation process, the company went public in 2001 and collected Tk2 crore from investors. It paid back the Shilpa Rin Sangstha loans after the initial public offering (IPO) and invested in new machinery. However, the product and process excellence might have not been accompanied by prudent financial management within Rangamati Food, believe some stock market veterans. The company did not withstand the power crisis in the fiscal 2002-03 and incurred a heavy loss of Tk1.4 crore as huge inventories of its food products were contaminated then. It went to its banker Bangladesh Krishi Bank for additional loans but got rejected. The financial struggle kept weakening the business and it continued partial production till the fiscal 2012-13 but the factory at Betbunia, Rangamati completely shut down in 2014 as soon as the Bangladesh Navy stopped procuring its canned products. That was the end. The factory remained idle with capital depleted and had incurred a cumulative loss of around Tk6 crore by last year, while after the aged first-generation entrepreneurs, none of their successors entered the company to try for a revival. A decade ago, Rangamati Food was sent to the over-the-counter (OTC) board of the Dhaka Stock Exchange due to non-compliance with regulatory orders to transform its shares into electronic ones from paper shares. The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission's master plan to initiate the revival of the old defunct listed firms attracted Expo Group as a new investor. Clearing restructured bank liabilities and securing bankers' no objection and BSEC consent for share transfer, four Expo Group individuals took over directorship from the sponsors last year. The plan Tania Sultana, the chairperson of the company, said, "Rangamati Food is a strong brand and we are investing in it." Alongside resuming its previous product lines, they are also planning to add new product lines, spring water, spices, and tea. The entire plan is subject to around Tk50 crore investments and if actuated Rangamati Food Products should generate over Tk300 crore revenue by 2024, and it might create 300 jobs. The company is filling the entire 188 decimal land at the Betbunia factory complex, continuing civil works there, and BMRE of the old German and American machinery aiming for fruit processing by September. "Thank god, the power supply is not a problem anymore," said Sultana. The hill tracks are a great source of superior fruits, vegetables and spices and Rangamati Foods would well market them both in the local and export markets, she added. The company is targeting the tourism hotspots of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and the hill tracks to capture the lucrative bottled water market there. No company bottles spring water in Bangladesh and the Rangamati Foods products might be sold a lot in the Maldives, she added. Machinery would be set up by this year or early 2023 in the water bottling plant, while Indian machinery for the spice processing plant would be set up by December this year, the board chairperson told The Business Standard. Rangamati Tea is the new directors' dream being chased to be true in a year as the Betbunia factory is geographically well positioned to procure quality tea produced in the Chattogram region. Expo Group has initiated the second Rangamati Food factory at Trishal, Mymensingh mainly for pineapple canning due to its proximity to the Madhupur pineapple growing hub. Pineapples produced in the Madhupur area are steadier than those produced in Sylhet or Chattogram and that is why the Trishal factory on 190 decimals of land should be a success in high-quality canned pineapple. The Trishal project is aimed to be accomplished in 2024 and commercial production there is to begin in 2025, Tania Sultana said. "We will keep exploring for more products in the coming days," she said, adding that the Rangamati Foods brand should be successful in export markets, alongside the fast-growing local market. Rangamati Food has plans to raise capital from qualified investors on the SME boards of the bourses to finance its planned projects.

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/denim-industry-banks-new-tech-further-leap-473426 Jasim Uddin & Ahsan Habib Tuhin 08 August, 2022, 09:05 am Last modified: 08 August, 2022, 03:06 pm Denim industry banks on new tech for further leap The country's denim cloth and apparel makers, who mostly produce low value products at present, are now going for higher technologies with an aim to increase their goods quality and value addition. With the latest technologies, which are also believed to reduce production costs by at least 30%, the exporters are dreaming of becoming leaders in the global high value denim market. Take Envoy Textiles for example. The world's first LEED platinum-certified denim manufacturing has recently signed a know-how transfer and collaboration agreement with Spanish company Jeanologia, under which Envoy will set up a state-of-the-art laboratory. The eco-efficient lab facility will cost Envoy Textiles 270,000 euros (some Tk2.62 crore) for every 12 months, according to the company disclosure. "Although it is an expensive move, it will help us produce sustainable products at lower costs," Envoy Textiles Chairman Kutubuddin Ahmed told The Business Standard. "Buyers are now looking for sustainable denim and considering the demand we are going to set up the lab, which will be the first of its kind at commercial level across the world." He also added that global consumers are ready to pay a higher price for sustainable goods. Industry insiders said the latest technologies help them make sophisticated wash, reduce usages of water and chemicals which ultimately make denim goods environmentally-friendlier. Pacific Jeans Managing Director Syed Mohammad Tanvir said they are also using the latest technologies. "Being the largest denim garment maker, it is the opportunity to get every prototype version from the world's renowned denim technology providers". As a high-value products buying company, Dutch fashion brand G-Star RAW sources about 1 million pieces of jeans, which are worth about $20 million, from Bangladesh in a year, said its Regional Operations Manager Shafiur Rahman. "Bangladesh has a huge opportunity to grow more in the denim market, as the country mostly produces low value jeans yet," he told TBS. Genesis Denim is the only Bangladeshi denim exporter working with the Dutch fashion brand for the last 10 years. Its Managing Director Munir Ahmed shared their experience of producing high value goods with The Business Standard. "Our beginning was very tough, as the brand requirements were very complicated in terms of styles, wash, chemical usages," he said, adding that they adopted some sophisticated technologies to meet the buyer's demand. "We took about seven days to make a pair of pants at the very beginning. Now we know the brand taste and fashion aesthetics." Munir Ahmed said G-Star RAW pays them up to $35 for a pair of denim pants, while low value denim exporters get $6 for that on an average. Quality denim export began with Pacific Jeans The quality denim exporting journey of Bangladesh was started by the late Nasir uddin, founder of Pacific Jeans, a Chattogram EPZ-based exporter. In 1984, its small garment factory named NZN Fashionwear started manufacturing denim pants, but there was no washing plant in the country then. They had to do laundry in Italy. A year later, they set up a washing plant in the country with the technical support from their Italian buyer. Investment in local fabric productions Considering the demand of denim fabrics for export market, Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, a second-generation entrepreneur in the textiles sector, established Shasha Denims in 1998 to produce denim fabrics particularly for exporter-oriented industries, using Swiss-German company Beninger's technology. Before the inception of the company, two other denim fabric manufacturers – Bengal Indigo and Beximco – were operating in the country but making fabrics for the local market. In 2008, Envoy Textiles started commercial operation as the first denim facility in Bangladesh to use Rope Dyed Technology. Strong backward linkage helps grow further Thanks to strong local backward linkage, Bangladesh denim jeans have captured the leading position in the global market. Despite the ongoing economic slowdown, denim jeans have maintained its growth, according to industry people. "When the economic situation will be better, buyers should come to Bangladesh with more orders, as they have no alternative to buy denim with a more lucrative price, in a shorter lead time", said Kutubuddin Ahmed, chairman of Envoy textiles. Market yet untapped Denim exporters have a scope to have high value additions with quality wash, but most Bangladeshi suppliers are yet to untap the potential. Annata Apparels Managing Director Sharif Zahir said buyers are not coming to Bangladesh for high value denim pants due mainly to prolonged lead time. "Most of our denim makers are producing low to mid segment jeans. Those who are producing high value jeans have to import the fabrics from Turkey, China and Pakistan," he added.

https://www.thedailystar.net/tech-startup/news/sharetrip-secures-bdt-5-crore-investment-startup-bangladesh-3090576 ShareTrip secures BDT 5 Crore investment from Startup Bangladesh Toggle Desk Mon Aug 8, 2022 12:26 PM Last update on: Mon Aug 8, 2022 05:51 PM ShareTrip secures BDT 5 Crore investment from Startup Bangladesh. Local travel-tech startup ShareTrip has secured an investment of BDT 5 Crore from govt owned VC Startup Bangladesh. The announcement was made during ShareTrip's third anniversary at the Hotel Sheraton, Dhaka. Startup Bangladesh Managing Director Sami Ahmed and Sharetrip Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Sadia Haque signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. State Minister of ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and several top brasses of the government were present during the signing. ShareTrip has served more than 500k customers across the country.

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/mongla-port-auction-115-cars-468902 Awal Sheikh 31 July, 2022, 10:35 pm Last modified: 31 July, 2022, 10:41 pm Mongla port to auction off 115 cars Buyers will be able to bid online for the auction scheduled to be held on 7 August https://www.tbsnews.net/sites/default/files/styles/big_3/public/images/2022/07/31/car_in_mongla_port_1.jpg?itok=8g7be5uC&timestamp=1659285629 Mongla Custom House is set to auction off 115 cars of various brands which were not discharged from the port within the stipulated time after import. Interested buyers will be able to bid online for the auction scheduled to be held on 7 August. Abu Basher Siddiqui, revenue officer (auction wing) of the Mongla Custom House, said, "Aspirant buyers will have the opportunity to go to Mongla port on 1-2 August to see the auctioned cars. Toyota Hiace, Toyota Noah, Toyota Allion, Toyota Prado, Nissan, and other brands of cars along with 10 other imported products are up for auction. Price proposals of this auction will be accepted from 9 am on 5 August to 5 pm on 7 August." He said, "As per the rules, concerned people have to discharge their cars imported through Mongla port within 30 days, but they have not done so. Thus, all those cars are being auctioned off gradually." After receiving bids from the auction participants, a list of the highest bidders will be published and the cars will be conveyed to them, the revenue officer said. Abu Basar Siddiqui said, "Bidders can participate in this year's auction online for the first time. Buyers have to go to the online auction website of Bangladesh Customs and click on the Mongla Custom House section to get the auction list." Expressing his discontent about the auction, Ahsanur Rahman Arju, chairman of the Standing Committee on the Mongla Port Affairs at the Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (Barvida), said "The government agencies and banks have stopped buying cars amid the ongoing global recession. Multinational companies are also not buying cars now." "In this situation, the Custom House's auction has created another additional pressure for us. We have repeatedly requested the authorities not to hold the auction at this time but they did not listen," he added. Car import through Mongla port began on 3 June 2009. Haq's Bay Automobiles Ltd imported 255 reconditioned (used) cars through this port in the first shipment. "A total of 34,783 cars were imported through the country's sea ports in the last fiscal year. Among them, 20,808 cars were imported through Mongla port, which is 60% of the total imported cars," said Md Makruzzaman, deputy secretary (Board and Public Relations Department) of the Mongla Port. Mohammad Neazur Rahman, the commissioner of Mongla Custom House, said, "Around 52% of the total revenue of Mongla Custom comes from the duty of imported cars. If imported cars are lying at the port for a long time, it creates a problem for the storage of other goods." "If the auction process continues, it will facilitate traders to keep cars or other products at the port. Moreover, timely revenue collection will be ensured," the commissioner added.

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/remittance-inflow-hits-2-year-high-july-468886 TBS Report 31 July, 2022, 10:20 pm Last modified: 31 July, 2022, 10:32 pm Remittance inflow hits 2-year high in July Bangladesh received $2.2 billion in remittance in the first month of the current fiscal year which is the highest in two years. Earlier in July 2020, expats sent the highest amount of $2.59 billion to the country. The remittance inflow also grew by 17.56% year-on-year in July, according to the Bangladesh Bank latest data released on Sunday (31 July). Bangladesh received $1.87 billion in July last year.

বি. আর. টি. প্রোজেক্ট ঢাকা এয়ারপোর্ট এবং গাজীপুরের মাঝে সংযোগ স্থাপন করবে, যা যাতায়াত ব্যবস্থাকে আরও তরান্বিত করে তুলবে। উত্তরার আজমপুর এলাকার ছবি। ছবিঃ মেহেদি হাসান / ঢাকা ট্রিবিউন

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangla/অর্থনীতি/news-details-104074 শাহাদাৎ হোসেন চৌধুরী 31 July, 2022, 01:30 pm Last modified: 31 July, 2022, 01:53 pm ৪৫ গার্মেন্টসের ৩,১৮৪ কোটি টাকা শুল্ক ফাঁকি কাস্টমস সূত্র জানিয়েছে, শুল্ক মুক্ত সুবিধা নিয়ে তৈরি পোশাকের কাঁচামাল আমদানি করে সেগুলো পুনরায় রপ্তানি করে না প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো। চট্টগ্রামের শতভাগ রপ্তানিমুখী ৪৫ টি গার্মেন্টস প্রতিষ্ঠানের বিরুদ্ধে ৩১৮৪ কোটি টাকা রাজস্ব ফাঁকি দেওয়ার তথ্য পেয়েছে কাস্টম বন্ড কমিশনারেট। কাস্টমস সূত্র জানিয়েছে, শুল্ক মুক্ত সুবিধা নিয়ে তৈরি পোশাকের কাঁচামাল আমদানি করে সেগুলো পুনরায় রপ্তানি করে না প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো। ২০২১-২২ অর্থবছরে গার্মেন্টস প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর নিরীক্ষায় এমন তথ্য পায় কাস্টম বন্ড কমিশনারেট। ফাঁকি দেওয়া রাজস্ব আদায় করতে প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোকে ইতোমধ্যে নোটিশও দিয়েছে কাস্টমস। চট্টগ্রাম কাস্টম বন্ড কমিশনারেট সুত্র জানায়, ২০২১ সালের ১ জুলাই থেকে ২০২২ সালের ৩০ জুন পর্যন্ত গার্মেন্টস প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর অডিটে এই শুল্ক ফাঁকির তথ্য পাওয়া যায়। কিছু কিছু প্রতিষ্ঠানে ২০১০ সাল থেকে ২০২০ সাল পর্যন্ত সময়েও শুল্ক ফাঁকির তথ্ও অডিটে উঠে আসে। সরকার দেশের রপ্তানিমুখী তৈরি পোশাক শিল্পকে উৎসাহ দিতে পোশাক তৈরির কাঁচামাল আমদানিতে শুল্কমুক্ত সুবিধা দেয়। এই সুবিধাকে বন্ড সুবিধা বলা হয়। নিয়ম অনুযায়ী আমদানি করা কাঁচামাল দিয়ে পোষাক তৈরি করে সেগুলো পুনরায় রপ্তানি করার কথা। কিন্তু কিছু প্রতিষ্ঠান বন্ড সুবিধা নিয়ে তৈরি পোশাকের কাঁচামাল আমদানি করে সেগুলো দেশের বাজারে বিক্রি করে দেয়। আবার আমদানি করা কাঁচামাল দিয়ে যে পরিমাণ পণ্য রপ্তানি করার কথা তার চেয়ে কম পরিমাণ রপ্তানি করে। চট্টগ্রাম কাস্টম বন্ড কমিশনারেটের কমিশনার একেএম মাহবুবুর রহমান টিবিএসকে বলেন, প্রাথমিকভাবে ৩ হাজার ১৮৪ কোটি টাকা রাজস্ব ফাঁকি উদঘাটনের ঘটনায় প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোকে দাবীনামা সম্বলিত কারণ দর্শানো নোটিশ দেওয়া হয়েছে। এর মধ্যে কিছু প্রতিষ্ঠান জবাবও দিয়েছে। কিছু প্রতিষ্ঠান সময় চেয়েছে। গার্মেন্টস মালিকদের শুনানি শেষে চূড়ান্ত বিচারাদেশ দেওয়া হবে। কাস্টমস বন্ড এর তথ্য অনুযায়ী বন্ড সুবিধার অপব্যবহার করে যেসব প্রতিষ্ঠানের বিরুদ্ধে শুল্ক ফাঁকির অভিযোগ পাওয়া গেছে প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো হচ্ছে লেমন্ড অ্যাপারেল অ্যান্ড টেক্সটাইল, এ অ্যান্ড বি আউটওয়্যার লিমিটেড, কোল্ড প্লে স্কুল প্রোডাক্টস লিমিটেড, ওয়াটার টেক লিমিটেড, ইয়াং অ্যান ইন্টারন্যাশনাল বিডি, জেপি সোয়েটারস লিমিটেড, এশিয়ান অ্যাপারেল লিমিটেড, জিল ওয়ারেস লিমিটেড, পিআরএম ফ্যাশনস প্রাইভেট লিমিটেড, হেলা ক্লোথিং (বিডি) ) লিমিটেড, লিজেন্ড টেক্সটাইল লিমিটেড, সি ব্লু টেক্সটাইল লিমিটেড, ওয়ার্ল্ড ইয়ে ড্রেস প্যান্টস লিমিটেড, তোয়ালে বাংলাদেশ লিমিটেড, এইচএইচএইচ এক্সেসরিজ ইন্ডাস্ট্রি লিমিটেড, এটিএস পার্ল লিমিটেড, আল গালেব ফ্যাশন লিমিটেড, কটনেক্স ফ্যাশনস লিমিটেড এবং অ্যাপোলো সেলাই অ্যান্ড গার্মেন্টস লিমিটেড। শুল্ক ফাঁকির অভিযোগ আছে রিদম ফ্যাশন লিমিটেড, সেলিম অ্যান্ড ব্রাদার্স লিমিটেড, চিটাগাং এশিয়ান অ্যাপারেলস, সুপার প্যাকেজিং, গ্লোবাল স্পেশালাইজড গার্মেন্টস, বায়োজিদ অ্যাপারেল, আল আমিন গার্মেন্টস, বারিধি গার্মেন্টস, উইঙ্ক কোম্পানি লিমিটেড, মিঠুন নিটিং অ্যান্ড ডাইং লিমিটেড, লিগ্যাসি ফ্যাশন লিমিটেড, আরডিএম আপিল, পদ্মা ওয়্যারস লিমিটেড, ড্রিম নিটিং লিমিটেড, অ্যাপস লিমিটেড, হাসিব অ্যাপারেল, নাবা এক্সপোর্ট লিমিটেড, বায়োজিদ ড্রেসেস, হংকং ডেনিম (প্রাইভেট), সাজ ফ্যাশন, সিয়াম সুপিরিয়র, পেনিনসুলা গার্মেন্টস, থিয়ানিস অ্যাপারেলস লিমিটেড, অথেনটিক গার্মেন্টস, আসিফ ফ্যাশন ইন্ডাস্ট্রিজ, আইডাস ফ্যাশন লিমিটেডের বিরুদ্ধেও। বন্ড কমিশনারেটের তথ্যমতে, চিটাগাং এশিয়ান অ্যাপারেলস তিনবার শুল্ক ফাঁকি দিয়েছে, অন্যদিকে লিগ্যাসি ফ্যাশন লিমিটেড, সেলিম অ্যান্ড ব্রাদার্স লিমিটেড, লেমন্ড অ্যাপারেল অ্যান্ড টেক্সটাইল দুইবার। চট্টগ্রাম ইপিজেডের প্রতিষ্ঠান থিয়ানিস অ্যাপারেলস লিমিটেড ২০১৮ সালের ১ জানুয়ারি থেকে ২০২০ সালের ৩১ ডিসেম্বর পর্যন্ত সময়ে ৬৮৯ কোটি ৫৪ লাখ ৭৪ হাজার ৯৪৫ টাকা রাজস্ব ফাঁকি দেয়। চলতি বছরের মে মাসে কাস্টমসের অডিটে এই তথ্য উঠে আসে। থিয়ানিস অ্যাপারেলসের ম্যানেজিং ডিরেক্টর আনিসুর রহমান খানের সাথে যোগাযোগের জন্য প্রতিষ্ঠানটির ঠিকানায় দেওয়া মোবাইল নম্বরে একাধিকবার যোগাযোগ করা হলে সাড়া দেননি। তবে শুল্ক ফাঁকির সাথে সংশ্লিষ্ট কয়েকটি প্রতিষ্ঠানের সাথে যোগাযোগ করা হলে নাম প্রকাশ না করার শর্তে তারা বলেন, অডিটের নামে গার্মেন্টস শুল্ক ফাঁকির অভিযোগ তুলে কারন দর্শানোর নোটিশ দেওয়া অযৌক্তিক। অডিট চলাকালীন সময়ে সংশ্লিষ্ট কর্মকর্তাদের আর্থিক সুবিধা না দিলেও হয়রানির উদ্দেশ্যে শুল্ক ফাঁকির অভিযোগে নোটিশ দেয় বলে জানান তারা। এদিকে কাস্টমস্ বন্ড কমিশনারেট কর্তৃক পোশাক শিল্প প্রতিষ্ঠানের বিপরীতে দাবীনামা জারিকে একতরফা বলছে পোশাক শিল্প মালিকদের সংগঠন বিজিএমইএ। বিজিএমইএ'র ভাইস প্রেসিডেন্ট রাকিবুল আলম চৌধুরী বলেন, শর্ট শিপমেন্টকৃত পণ্য চালানের তথ্যাদি কাস্টমস্ হাউজ, চট্টগ্রামে এ্যাসাইকুডা ওয়ার্ল্ড সিস্টেমে হাল-নাগাদ না হওয়ার কারণে বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংকের সার্ভারে সংশ্লিষ্ট প্রতিষ্ঠানের বিপরীতে প্রত্যাবাসিত রপ্তানি মূল্য ওভারডিউ দেখাচ্ছে। বন্ড কর্তৃক উক্ত শর্ট শিপমেন্টকৃত চালানের মূল্যের ওভারডিউ এর তথ্য সমূহের বিপরীতে দাবীনামা জারি করা হচ্ছে, বলেন তিনি। জাতীয় রাজস্ব বোর্ডের নির্দেশনায় উক্ত বিষয়টি এ্যাসাইকুডা ওয়ার্ল্ড সিস্টেমে হাল-নাগাদকরণের জন্য কাস্টমস্ হাউজ, চট্টগ্রামে জমা দিয়েছে, যা প্রক্রিয়াধীন রয়েছে। এ বিষয়ে দাবীনামা না করে সময় দেওয়া প্রয়োজন বলে মন্তব্য করেন তিনি। তিনি আরো বলেন, সংশ্লিষ্ট পোশাক শিল্প প্রতিষ্ঠান সমূহের রপ্তানিতে স্থানীয় ভাবে ক্রয়কৃত কাপড় ও আনুসাঙ্গিক দ্রব্যাদি ব্যবহার করেছে। কিন্তু ইউটিলাইজেশন ডিকলারেনে (ইউডি) তা উল্লেখ করেনি। এক্ষেত্রে বন্ড কর্তৃক উক্ত বিষয়ে দাবীনামা জারি করা হয়। পরবর্তীতে সংশ্লিষ্ট প্রতিষ্ঠান সমূহ জাতীয় রাজস্ব বোর্ডের নির্দেশনায় ৩০ জুন তারিখের মধ্যে তা ইউডি'তে অন্তর্ভুক্ত করেছে মর্মে জানা যায়। তাই এ বিষয়ে জারীকৃত দাবীনামা সমূহ সমন্বয় করা যেতে পারে, যোগ করেন তিনি।

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/us-assistant-secretary-sison-to-visit-bangladesh-soon-1659179902 US assistant secretary Sison to visit Bangladesh soon Published: July 30, 2022 17:18:22 | Updated: July 30, 2022 22:53:34 https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/uploads/1659179902.jpg US Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele J Sison will travel to India, Bangladesh, and Kuwait on August 2-10. Sison will have consultations on a range of US multilateral priorities, including combating food insecurity, advancing global health, addressing human rights and humanitarian needs, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and support for Rohingya refugees. Her meetings with senior government officials will focus on opportunities to deepen our cooperation at the United Nations, and US support for the candidacy of Doreen Bogdan-Martin to become the next Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, according to the US Department of State. In meetings with civil society leaders, the Assistant Secretary will exchange ideas on how the United States and other countries can collaborate on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, reports UNB. Sison was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs on December 21, 2021. She served as US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives (2012-2014), U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon (2008-2010), and US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (2004-2008).

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/apparel-exports-see-nearly-14-growth-july-468230 Jasim Uddin 30 July, 2022, 10:40 pm Last modified: 30 July, 2022, 10:45 pm Apparel exports see nearly 14% growth in July Bangladesh's apparel exports have raked in around $2.78 billion with nearly 14% year-on-year growth in the first 27 days of July, while the sector is bracing for around 30% shortage of work orders in the coming months. The sector enjoyed a whopping 1,128% growth year-on-year in a single day during the period, but the shipment also witnessed zero export on 10 July, said sources at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The BGMEA came up with the calculation based on the National Board of Revenue data as the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is yet to make the official announcement. Industry leaders fear that if the global economy does not recover soon from the economic slowdown caused by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, apparel exports may fail to achieve the last fiscal year's record receipts amounting to $42.2 billion. The government has set a target to earn $46 billion through RMG exports in the current fiscal year. Bangladesh's major export destinations – the United States and European countries – are now facing a 40-year high inflation. In FY22, readymade garment shipments amounted to $42.2 billion with about 35% year-on-year growth, according to data published by the EPB. Sparrow Group Managing director Shovon Islam told The Business Standard that apparel exports in July came down significantly because of Eid holidays – a number of exporters completed shipments of their goods in June ahead of their fixed schedules, considering the vacation. "Issuance of utilisation declaration certificates by the BGMEA also dropped about 15%, which will be reflected in coming months' export earnings," he also said. USA buyers, such as Walmart and Target, officially announced that they will procure 30% less for the spring season as they have huge unsold inventory, he added. For the first time, exports to a single country – the USA – are crossing $10 billion. Of this $10 billion, $9 billion came from the RMG sector, according to the EPB. Bangladesh may lose a share in the US market in FY23 as its economy is facing inflationary pressure, Shovon Islam noted. Spring season apparels are scheduled to be produced in September-December, he said, adding that other buyers, including H&M, Inditex, American Eagle, are also placing less volume of orders as their stores saw less demand for apparels. Shovon Islam hoped the next summer season may bring good news for apparel exporters. Last year, apparel exports got about $4 billion in additional value owing to high cotton prices, but currently, cotton prices are going down, which may be reflected in annual export value, he added. "Overall exports might fall 20% compared to last fiscal year's value or reach $34 billion by the end of FY23," said the Sparrow Group managing director. Fazlul Hoque, managing director of Plummy Fashion, said the apparel sector will face challenges to reach its last fiscal year's value as the industry is witnessing a slowdown in orders. It will bring a very tough time for every exporter, he also said, adding that those are expanding capacity, riding on the higher volume of orders last year, may face a shortage of orders. Every exporter should focus on diversifying products and exploring new markets and strengthening their marketing capacity, he noted. "We are in talks with a Brazilian buyer, which is a new market for us," the managing director of Plummy fashion noted. Team Group Managing Director Abdullah-Hil-Rakib said it is very tough to make any prediction due to the global energy crisis that has had effects on everything, from supply chain to freight costs to raw materials to end products demand. "The crisis is bigger than the pandemic," he also said, adding that if the global economic situation does not improve by October this year, many factories might cut 50% of their capacity. The government may have to provide factories with another stimulus support to prevent termination of workers," said Abdullah-Hil-Rakib, also a director of BGMEA.

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/industry/hazaribagh-now-promising-hub-diversified-leather-products-467730 Joynal Abedin Shishir 30 July, 2022, 12:15 pm Last modified: 30 July, 2022, 02:34 pm Hazaribagh now a promising hub of diversified leather products Many who became jobless during the tannery relocation process have turned their lives around after they started producing and selling leather goods Hazaribagh has been transformed into a diversified leather products hub from a rawhide tannery zone in the span of only five years since the tanneries were shifted to Savar. The hub now manufactures products such as shoes, slippers, jackets, office bags, wallets, purses, belts, school bags and ladies' handbags and registers an annual turnover of Tk100 crore. According to the Hazaribagh Leather Shoes and Goods Association, around 150 small and medium factories are in operation in Hazaribagh, the total number of factories in the country being 400. Tania Wahab, a successful businesswoman in Hazaribagh, launched her factory – Athene – in 2005 with only one machine and one worker in a 100 square-foot room. Today her factory has grown to 6,500 square feet and employs more than 200 full-time and contractual workers. Tania produces leather jackets, shoes, wallets, vanity bags, etc. Her annual turnover now stands at more than Tk4 crore. "After the tanneries were shifted in 2017, leather goods manufacturing started to boom significantly," she said. "The demand for locally manufactured products has largely increased in the domestic market," she added. Tania also supplies products to various reputed shoe brands, among which are Bata, Apex and Bay, as well as exports 10% of her products to Italy and Canada. SALAM's entrepreneur Manager Mazharul Islam told The Business Standard, "The number of customers in the hub has been increasing steadily. During Eid, we usually sell TK12-15 lac worth of products. We are committed to produce 100% leather goods and sell at a low profit margin. That's why our products' reputation has been spreading across the country." Mamunur Rashid, another entrepreneur, started his leather goods brand "Time" after the tanneries shifted in 2017. Some 25 workers are employed in his factory and his annual turnover is TK60-70 lakh. There are small and large leather goods shops on both sides of Sher-e-Bangla Road in Hazaribagh. These shops sell products at both wholesale and retail prices. After the tanneries moved out, these shops came up. "The tanneries operated in Hazaribagh for 66 years until they were shifted in 2017. Many factories also closed down due to complications regarding the relocation. Many also ended up becoming jobless at the time," said Mamunur Rashid. "They slowly started the business of selling leather products by renting one or two rooms in an abandoned factory building at low rent. Now all of them are financially solvent," he said, adding that he easily sells Tk3-4 lakh worth of products per month. Suman, the owner of a shop named SP Leather, said, "Traders at the famous markets in Dhaka buy our products at low prices and sell them at much higher prices." "There are not that many sales at the retail level due to a lack of promotion and lack of awareness about the place. But we know this situation will change," said a self-assured Suman. Leather-BD.com's salesman Junied Ahmed told The Business Standard, "Compared to previous Eid season, sales were higher this time as the prices of our products are the lowest compared to other markets." Maksuda Khatun and her husband took a gamble to try their luck in the leather industry. The couple arranged some Tk15 lakh by selling ornaments and resorting to family savings to set up a leather goods factory. That is how Shabab Leather began its journey in August 2016 with five employees. Shabab Leather, also located in Hazaribagh, now has 48 regular employees and mainly produces bags, wallets, long wallets, belts, jackets, key rings, files and all other corporate items. These products have now spread beyond the country's borders to the international market of Japan, Switzerland, Morocco, the Netherlands, Malaysia and Canada. Maksuda recently received corporate orders for 6,000 bags, each costing Tk6,500. She has also received an order from Switzerland for 4,000 pieces of wallets, and 2,000 pieces of key boxes. "I dream of gradually expanding my business. I used to produce very little, but now my factory produces 10,000 pieces of leather goods a month," she said. "Hopefully, at some point I will be able to reach the production target of 30-40 thousand pieces a month, because Hazaribagh is becoming popular day by day as a leather products hub." Mujibur Rahman Mujo, president of Hazaribagh Leather Shoes and Goods Association, said that after the tanneries moved, the places they had occupied were left empty for many days. "Many who opened shops and businesses here were involved in this industry in various ways. Some were workers, some were managers, and some were technicians or engineers," he said. "Apart from this, based on the supply of leather processed in Hazaribagh, many businessmen have moved here from the leather product manufacturing factories in Chawkbazar and Keraniganj. Many of those who lost their jobs in the tannery relocation process, who did not go to work in Savar, are trying to settle here," said Mujibur Rahman, adding that the number of shops has increased rapidly as a result. Hazaribagh Leather Shoes and Goods Association secretary Sakwat Ullah told The Business Standard, "At present demand for 25% of leather goods is met by products manufactured in this hub. We are wholesalers countrywide. If we get support from the government we will be able to supply TK1500 crore worth of leather goods."

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/family-vegetable-gardens-boosting-farmers-income-467742 Shawkat Ali 30 July, 2022, 09:20 am Last modified: 30 July, 2022, 09:41 am Family vegetable gardens boosting farmers’ income A three-year project aims to create 4.88 lakh gardens across the country, which will provide 2.18 lakh tonnes of vegetables More than one lakh families across the country are benefiting from growing vegetables in their yards under the three-year Family Vegetable Nutrition Garden Project. PHOTO: TBS Atiyar Rahman, a farmer in Magura Sadar upazila, has always cultivated crops like paddy and jute on 2.5 bighas of land throughout the year, but he never thought of growing anything on the yard in front of his house until a government project gave him incentives in this regard. The garden that Atiyar started last year meets the demand for vegetables in his family, his brother's family and his neighbours. Besides, Atiyar makes some extra income from the vegetables grown in his home garden. Currently, over one lakh families across the country are benefiting from growing vegetables in their yards under the project, "Family Vegetable Nutrition Garden Project". These families are provided with seeds, seedlings, fruit tree saplings, pest control technology, garden sprinklers, fertilisers and protective nets for year-round cultivation. Against a target of creating vegetable gardens at 100 homes in each union, 22 have been created in about a year and a half. These gardens are producing about 366 kg of vegetables on average in three seasons. In addition to meeting the demand for vegetables at home, these gardens also add around Tk4,000-7,000 to the farmers' income in the three seasons. Each farmer under the project receives seeds of 15 types of vegetables and two types of fruit tree saplings free of cost. Seeds of various vegetable and fruit trees, including data shak (stem leaf), pui shak (Basella alba), kalmi shak (water spinach), okra, brinjal, pat shak (jute leaf), spinach, satkara (Kaffir Lime), papaya, amrha (hog plum), lemon, amlaki (Indian gooseberry), malta (citrus), mango, guava, are distributed under the project. Different types of vegetables are distributed in different areas. Officials concerned have said the three-year project involving around Tk438 crore aims to create 4.88 lakh gardens across the country, which will provide 2.18 lakh tonnes of vegetables. The project spent Tk5,000 on each garden in the first year. To sustain their production, Tk2,000 is allocated for the distribution of fertilisers and seeds for the second year. The government provides organic fertilisers for the gardens. Some farmers are also receiving incentives to produce only organic fertilisers. The project was taken up in January 2021 but its implementation started in April that year. To be eligible for the project, a farmer must have at least 1.5 decimals of land Project Director Dr Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury told TBS, "These gardens are examples of how to get more yield in less space through proper management methods." "We aim to increase vegetable production significantly through these family gardens," he added. Sahib Ali, a farmer in Cumilla's Lalmai upazila, prepared five vegetable beds in his 1.5 decimal garden as per instructions of agriculture officials. He also planted fruit trees around the garden. "I have not had to buy leafy greens since I started the garden at my home. Sometimes I sell leafy vegetables grown in my garden and buy other types of vegetables I want. I also grow papaya and lemon in my garden," Saheb Ali told TBS. "I did not know that such a beautiful vegetable garden could be created in such a small space. Many of my neighbors recently have started gardening in empty spaces around their houses after following me. They seek my advice frequently," he added. Project Director Dr Md Akram Hossain Chowdhury said, "Maintaining the gardens that are being developed with all kinds of support is a big challenge. The agriculture officers are monitoring them regularly and advising the farmers so that they do not stop growing vegetables in their gardens after the project ends."

https://www.dhakatribune.com/nation/2022/07/30/dragon-fruit-farming-makes-rajshahi-economy-vibrant Dragon fruit farming makes Rajshahi economy vibrant Farmers raking in huge sums of money by growing and selling dragon fruit File photo of a Dragon Fruit orchard Dhaka Tribune BSS July 30, 2022 1:11 PM Dragon fruit farming has started making the agro-based economy of Rajshahi vibrant, as many people have made fortunes through its cultivation in the region, including its vast Barind tract, during the last couple of years. Commercial farming of the fruit, a cactus species, originally from Central America, South America and nowadays common in Southeast Asia and China, is gaining popularity in the region and gradually generating entrepreneurship. As a whole, the cash crop is considered lucrative because it can be cultivated round the year. Many other enthusiastic farmers have developed themselves as successful entrepreneurs through dragon fruit farming in the region after the best uses of its suitable climate condition and topography. Asadul Islam Helal, a farmer from Bidirpur village under Godagari upazila, has become as a new successful entrepreneur in this field. He had planted some dragon seedlings being inspired by his lasting hobby around five years back and subsequently he started farming on four acres of land in 2019 commercially. "I have to spend around Tk9 lakh for farming on each acre of land," Helal said, while talking to BSS on Thursday, adding that around one year is needed to get fruit after the planting of seedlings. During the summer season, fruits are harvested from June to November. "I have already harvested and sold dragon fruits worth around Tk16 lakh during the current season," said Helal on his smiling face. He is now a job provider after leaving his institutional job. An orchard of dragon fruit has been established on seven bighas of land in Pirijpur area under Godagari in a joint venture, namely Pirijpur Agro Farm Limited. Shish Muhammad, a shareholder of the farm said they are harvesting and selling dragon both offline and online and they are getting huge response from wholesalers and retailers. Rafiqul Islam along with three of his friends first started to cultivate the fruit on an experimental basis in Kendobona area under Nachole upazila in Chapainawabgonj. After getting some profit, they became more interested in cultivating the profitable fruit on a large scale. Rafiqul mentioned that the cultivation of the fruit is profitable and they are expecting good profit this year. He said the cultivation process is not only easy but also the required investment is very low. Abdul Matin, another farmer of Gofanagar village under Mohadevpur upazila in Naogaon, has set an example by becoming successful through dragon fruit farming in the area. On behalf of the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Project, various forms of cost-effective irrigation technologies like drip irrigation, fertigation and alternate furrow irrigation are being promoted for dragon farming in the drought-prone Barind area to reduce the gradually mounting cost for irrigation besides boosting soil productivity. IWRM Project Manager Jahangir Alam Khan said dragon fruit is suitable for everyone to eat. Flesh and seeds are edible parts and they are eaten together. It supplies fiber which is digestive and helpful for a healthy liver. The rest of the fruit contains carbohydrates and water. Dr Khalilur Rahman, professor at the department of internal medicine of Rajshahi Medical College, said the fruit has mild sweet taste and is especially low in calories and the seeds are digested only if chewed. The flavonoids in dragon fruit lower the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. According to study, it also reduces oxidative stress and artery stiffness and it is thought to prevent complications associated with diabetes. The high antioxidant levels lower the risk of many types of cancer, Dr Rahman added.

https://www.tbsnews.net/features/panorama/onethread-first-home-grown-bangladeshi-project-management-software-465178 Sabyasachi Karmaker 26 July, 2022, 11:10 am Last modified: 26 July, 2022, 02:23 pm Onethread: The first home-grown Bangladeshi project management software Dedicated and customised project management softwares are costly. Onethread, a Bangladeshi startup, provides the same service for a fraction of the cost If you are a project lead or work in project-based tasks in any big business company, chances are you are using internationally-known project management solutions such as Asana, Trello, Microsoft Teams, etc. On the flipside, if you are someone who works at a SME or small company, you probably cannot afford these project management solution tools due to their high monthly subscription fees. However, all hope is not lost – not anymore at least. A Bangladeshi project management tool has come to your rescue. This local startup asks for a fraction of what global market leaders in the category charge, but offers all the top solutions. Onethread is a Bangladeshi startup that offers a smooth multi-team project management tool for effective team collaboration; and a team of three Bangladeshi tech enthusiasts has built it. Project management tools refer to a collection of planning, tracking and administrative features that are intended to assist project teams in order to meet the objectives of the projects within the allotted time. It helps members of the team interact more effectively and speeds up the process. Some of the features include dashboards, gantt charts (commonly used in project management and one of the most popular and useful ways of showing tasks or events displayed against time), scheduling system, timesheets, project baselines, communication plan, data analytics, real-time reporting, invoicing features, etc. Traditionally, much of these can be done on Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. However, as projects get complicated, a dedicated software is often needed in big companies. The startup is first of its kind in Bangladesh. In an interview with The Business Standard, CEO and co-founder Erfanul Rashik shared his company's journey. "Onethread is a simple project management solution. Companies in our market have been dependent on WhatsApp/Google sheets, etc to manage work. Onethread helps you organise all your work, put everything in one platform and gives you features for communication and file sharing. We provide a simpler alternative to international solutions while making it the most affordable solution," said Erfanul Rashik. The development of the startup took over three years as most team members worked on a part-time basis before it officially launched in July 2021. Rashik's vision for the startup is to help solve a basic problem among local businesses. "My family business is in the RMG sector, so I saw first-hand how unstructured internal communication is. We looked into the market and saw there are only a few solutions but when we talked to different businesses, we realised that they can't implement solutions because of the complexity and price. So we figured if we can provide a simple solution at an affordable price, we can disrupt the market," said Rashik. So far, Onethread has been working with startups, SMEs and agencies. They are in talks with a few corporations as they are looking to provide slightly customised solutions to them. "We have a full fledged task management solution; now adding project management features as well. We are open to new opportunities," added Rashik. Over a short period of time, Onethread has gained considerable traction; not only from Bangladesh but also from global audiences. Rashik said that there are over 1,000 registered users on the platform. And, almost 30% of their user base is outside Bangladesh. "We have 12+ paying companies in our portfolio already in Bangladesh and it's growing exponentially," said the CEO, adding "We are now talking to a few major enterprises who can easily help take our user base up to 2,000. We are also planning on a major launch event to attract overseas attention as well." At this stage they have no local competition. The closest competition is their target group's dependency on WhatsApp/Google Sheets. Onethread targets small enterprises as well as big businesses who use international products and "it is an intuitive and most affordable [project management tool available in Bangladesh]" reiterated Rashik. Rashik completed his graduation from BUET. After that, he completed MBA from DU-IBA. Now he looks after sales, marketing and investment. Co-founder Robat Das Orvi, a CSE graduate from BRAC, leads the tech team. The other co-founder, Seeam Shahid Noor – graduated from Harvard and currently in IBM – looks after the product team on a part time basis. Onethread's team comprises 13 members, all of whom work completely remotely. Being remote helps them to onboard talent from anywhere and "we have teammates beyond Dhaka as well," according to Rashik. Differentiating Onethread from global competitors But how does it differ from global competitors? "We are a small team of Bangladeshis. We emphasise on the most basic tools. Many of the well-established competitors offer lots of options. As a result, their expenses go up. On the other hand, as we mainly focused on the local market, our first target was to familiarise people with this software and then gradually roll out newer updates," replied Rashik. Onethread has three pricing plans. For a team of up to five users, they can use the software for free. It costs only $1.5 monthly for a team of 5-60. And for teams of over 60 users (or larger), they provide custom solutions and charge accordingly. As the startup always emphasises on localization, they have also made the tool available in Bangla language. The software can be used from multiple devices – through computer browsers or smartphones. Team members can collaborate on tasks and communicate with each other in real-time as it also has an integrated messaging system. Erfanul Rashik, CEO and co-founder, Onethread. Illustration: TBS

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/chinese-foreign-minister-visit-bangladesh-6-7-august-officials-467598 UNB 29 July, 2022, 06:50 pm Last modified: 29 July, 2022, 07:02 pm Chinese foreign minister to visit Bangladesh 6-7 August: Officials Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is likely to visit Bangladesh first week of next month to discuss ways to further strengthening Dhaka-Beijing bilateral relations, official sources said on Friday. The visit is scheduled for 6-7 August, said the officials familiar with the development. The Chinese foreign minister is likely to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apart from his bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart AK Abdul Momen to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues. The visit is taking place amid geopolitical tensions and conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming met Momen on Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed various issues of mutual interest including the proposed visit of the Chinese foreign minister. Momen told reporters on Friday said he will be happy to receive Wang, noting that the visit has been finalised. He trashed some local media reports that he gave more importance to his upcoming visit to Cambodia than receiving the Chinese foreign minister in Dhaka. The Chinese side initially proposed 5-6 August for the visit but Foreign Minister Wang Yi's Bangladesh counterpart Momen has prescheduled engagement abroad at that time. "I proposed to shift the visit by a day or two if he could delay. That's what I said. Nothing else," Momen said, adding that this is a normal thing to find a date convenient to both through mutual discussion. "That is why it is discussed. So it's not an issue that will come to the media. This is very surprising," the foreign minister said. "The Chinese Foreign Minister is a very respectable man, very close to me. He will come here. I said that the Chinese foreign minister will come to my city and I will not receive him or I will not be able to meet him, it does not look good," he told reporters expressing displeasure over a section of media reports quoting him. Wang is a member of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, State Councilor and a member of the Leading CPC Members Group of the State Council.

https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/policing-forex-mkt-cools-dollar-price-1658944598 Policing forex mkt cools dollar price BB pits 10 teams against suspected manipulators SIDDIQUE ISLAM | July 28, 2022 00:00:00 An eventual policing drive against suspected manipulators brought down the overheating cash-dollar price on the open market that hit Tk 112 Tuesday amid growing concerns about Bangladesh's foreign-exchange reserves. Market operators said the exchange rate of the US currency came down to Tk 108 Wednesday on the kerb market, as the central bank launched the spot monitoring. The Bangladesh Bank (BB) set ten teams that conducted drives at different moneychanger houses in Dhaka a day after the dollar price showed a quirky rise, giving economists and analysts to talk why and how. Sources said the crackdown would continue Thursday (today), the day before the weekend, in the regulator's bid to tame the wayward market. "We'll take actions against moneychangers if found in gross violation of the existing rules and regulations," Md. Serajul Islam, spokesperson for the central bank, told the FE. Currently, the central bank is empowered to suspend the licence of a moneychanger anytime, without assigning any reason, in case of violation of any rules and regulations governing foreign-exchange transactions. Earlier, the BB had amended the order for moneychangers aiming to ensure enforcement of such rules and regulations properly. The moneychangers now submit the transaction reports of only four major currencies - US dollar (USD), Pound Sterling, Euro and Japanese Yen - on a monthly basis to their commercial banks concerned in line with the BB directives. The commercial banks have already been asked to submit their monthly statements by the 15th of each month to the relevant departments of the central bank. Currently, 238 moneychangers are operating across the country. "We sold the cash US dollar at Tk 108 Wednesday," Money Changers' Association of Bangladesh President A K M Ismail Haq told the FE, without elaboration. A demand-supply mismatch of the US dollar on the money market is the main cause behind the rising trend in cash-dollar rates recently, according to traders. They say cash dollar is mainly used for medical treatment, education and business purposes. Sources, however, say the rate of cash dollar normally increases when illegal transactions like smuggling and under-invoicing go up. And such tricks, according to economists, are related to fund flight from the country that results in erosion of reserves. However, the central bank continued providing its foreign-currency support to the scheduled banks for managing the forex-market volatility. It sold $90 million more directly to different banks at market rate on Wednesday to help them meet the growing demand for the greenback. On Tuesday, the central bank sold $50 million to two state-owned commercial banks on the same ground. The US dollar was quoted at Tk 94.70 each on the inter-bank market Wednesday, unchanged from the previous level, according to the operators. The US dollar was quoted at a maximum of Tk 94.75 for the sale of bills for collection, generally known as BC, on the day, unchanged from the previous working day. Some banks, however, traded the greenback at rates ranging between Tk 94.75 and Tk 105 to their customers for settling import-payment obligations, ignoring their announced rates, they added. The BB has so far injected $1.08 billion from the reserves directly into commercial banks as liquidity support for settling their import-payment obligations in the current fiscal year (FY), 2022-23. In FY'22, the central bank sold $7.62 billion from the reserves to the banks for the same purposes. Bangladesh's forex reserves came down to $39.49 billion on Wednesday from $39.60 billion of the previous day - following higher sales of the greenback from the reserves to feed the market.

https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/last-page/annual-debt-servicing-crosses-201b-1658945036 BD begins repaying big foreign loans Annual debt servicing crosses $2.01b FHM HUMAYAN KABIR | July 28, 2022 00:00:00 Bangladesh's debt servicing crossed US$2.01 billion in the last fiscal year as payment for some previously borrowed big loans began, officials say, amid reported strains on the country's foreign-exchange reserves. Out of the debt-servicing amount, $1.42 billion is paid as the principal and $468.36 million as interest for medium-to-long-term (MLT) outstanding loans during the period from July 2021 to June 2022, Economic Relations Division (ERD) data show. This is for the first time that the debt serving leapt over the two-billion mark, and economists say the amount would climb up when repayment of foreign loans against some megaprojects would start in two years or so. In the previous FY2021, Bangladesh repaid $1.91 billion worth of funds against outstanding loans, $1.73 billion in FE2020, $1.59 billion in FY2019 and $1.41 billion in FY2028, as per the official count. "The debt servicing will be rising in the coming years as the grace period for many big loans will be finished. So, the loan repayment will be rising," also says a senior ERD official. Meanwhile, the country's foreign-aid inflow hit a record US$10 billion in the last fiscal year (FY), 2021-22, some 25-percent higher than previous fiscal's. The foreign development partners disbursed $7.97 billion worth of MLT loans and grants during the previous FY2021, they said Wednesday. The ERD officials said an impressive amount of external assistance released by three major development partners-the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan and the World Bank (WB)-boosted the amount of foreign aid. According to the ERD statistics, the foreign lenders disbursed $9.81 billion in loans and $197.62 million in grants during the just-concluded FY2022. Out of the $10 billion total assistance during the last July-June period, the ADB alone released some $2.2 billion, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) $1.8 billion and the WB $1.6 billion. Besides, Russia disbursed nearly $1.2 billion and China $800 million worth of aid during the past fiscal. Meanwhile, the development partners released a total of $7.38 billion worth foreign aid in the FY2020 and $6.54 billion in FY2019. They in the last FY2022 also made a significant amount of MLT loans and grants commitment through signing deals for $8.20 billion.In the previous FY2021, Bangladesh had received commitments for $9.44 billion worth of MLT loans and grants. A senior ERD official said the government received some $1.13 billion as budgetary support during last fiscal which also contributed to the record-high foreign-aid inflow. Out of the $8.20 billion worth of aid commitments in the last fiscal, the development partners confirmed $7.83 billion in concessional loans and $377.89 million in grants. The disclosure on dollar-denominated aid comes on the day when government high-ups dispelled 'scaremongering' over foreign-exchange reserves-some of the analysts drawing into reference the Sri Lanka situation. [email protected]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/55pc-us-apparel-buyers-want-to-increase-sourcing-from-bangladesh-study-1658942624 55pc US apparel buyers want to increase sourcing from Bangladesh: Study Published: July 27, 2022 23:23:44 | Updated: July 28, 2022 09:22:18 A recent US study has suggested that top American apparel buyers are more interested in sourcing their products from Bangladesh than from Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Cambodia and other competitors in the course of the next two years. The news came on the back of the Reuters report which suggested that Bangladeshi garment manufacturers have been bracing for a slowdown as sales at key customers such as Walmart are hit by a spike in inflation, reports bdnews24.com citing Apparel Resources. Walmart, a US bellwether for the retail sector, cut its full-year profit forecast on Monday and pledged to reduce prices of clothing and general merchandise more aggressively. The United States Fashion Industry Association, or USFIA, 2022 Fashion Industry Benchmarking Study, however, suggested that a staggering 55 per cent of the US apparel executives have expressed interest to increase sourcing from Bangladesh till 2024, including three per cent who expected a strong increase. The report further underlined when asked which countries or regions the US fashion companies planned to increase their sourcing value in the next two years, India led the way, followed by the CAFTA-DR region and Bangladesh with all three selected by more than half of the respondents, while Mexico came in the fourth place in this regard, with Indonesia and Vietnam tied for the fifth position. CAFTA-DR or Dominican Republic-Central America FTA is the first free trade agreement between the United States and a group of smaller developing economies, which includes Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. Bangladesh started exporting readymade garments in the early 80s and with goods worth $31.57 million, or 4 per cent of the total exports, sent abroad from the sector in the fiscal year 1983-84. The industry accounts for more than 80 per cent of total exports for Bangladesh now. After four decades, Bangladesh has become the second largest apparel exporter in the world, with the garment industry contributing $42.61 billion, or 81.81 per cent of the total, to the country’s exports in the financial year that ended on Jun 30. The European Union accounts for about 60 per cent of Bangladesh's total garments sales, followed by about 20 per cent for the United States. Other buyers include Japan, Australia, India and China. Bangladesh's garments exports last shrank in July 2021 when COVID-19 cases were high around the world. Since then, sales have surged, growing by a multi-month high of 60 per cent year-on-year in March this year and 41 per cent in June, according to data released by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, or BGMEA. Meanwhile, the apparel exporters of Bangladesh will organise a weeklong event in November to showcase the strength the industry has gained. The BGMEA in partnership with the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange will organise the “Made in Bangladesh Week” starting on Nov 12 in Dhaka. The event aims to highlight the progress being made, and the potential ahead and to draw a strategic alignment among the broader stakeholders toward a sustainable, resilient, modern, fair and equitable supply chain, the organisers said. They expect Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate the event. Industrial disasters such as the 2012 Tazreen Fashions fire and the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse led to rapid reforms in the industry with the help of Western retailers. The weeklong event will have several programmes, including the 3rd Dhaka Apparel Summit, the 37th World Fashion Convention by the International Apparel Federation, Dhaka Apparel Expo, Bangladesh Denim Expo, the Sustainability Leadership Award, and Sustainable Design & Innovation Award. For details, the organisers opened a website (https://www.madeinbangladeshweek.com).

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/forex-reserves-stabilise-40b-now-466438 Jebun Nesa Alo 27 July, 2022, 10:55 pm Last modified: 28 July, 2022, 02:59 pm Forex reserves stabilise at $40b, for now The intensive effort by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) to hunt dollars to meet its import demand coupled with the suspension of LNG purchase from the international spot market has eased pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves. The forex reserves have remained stable between $39 billion and $40 billion this month as the Bangladesh Bank has cut back on dollar sales for importing petroleum products. The central bank has been selling $50 million to $70 million per day to banks this month, which was over $100 million in June. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh would be able to import food for six to nine months with its existing foreign currency reserves. While addressing the 28th founding anniversary programme of Bangladesh Awami Swechasebak League on Wednesday, the premier, however, mentioned that the government will have to take steps to grow more crops in order to save foreign currency for any emergency. For the first time in two years, Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves dropped below $40 billion on 12 July this year, reaching $39.77 billion, after the central bank cleared $1.99 billion in import payments to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU). But the central bank did not let the reserves come down below $39 billion. The foreign exchange reserves stood at $39.49 billion on Wednesday, according to the Bangladesh Bank. On the other hand, a shortage of US dollars created panic among stakeholders, causing an unusual price hike of cash dollars in the kerb market. The cash dollar rate surged to a record high Tk112 on Tuesday but fell to Tk108 the following day. Meanwhile, the LC settlement rate has climbed to Tk104-105 this week, raising import costs which will ultimately fuel inflation. While speaking to The Business Standard, a senior executive of the Bangladesh Bank said keeping forex reserves stable was their first priority, not inflation. Mentioning that surging inflation is now a global phenomenon, he observed that the main focus should be on ensuring the availability of dollars in order to keep economic activities rolling. In this perspective, the central bank is taking up all-out measures to cut import expenditures to ease pressure on reserves, he added. The BPC has slowed down imports as it is trying to get foreign currency loans to meet its demand for additional dollars in the wake of hikes in petroleum prices in the global market. The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank, has already approved a $1.4 billion loan to the BPC for this fiscal year, which is almost double the amount, $850 million, received last year. Now the Petroleum Corporation is negotiating for another $1 billion because of an acute dollar crisis in banks, said its General Manager (finance) Moni Lal Das. He went on to say that a lender has already agreed to provide $500 million, which will be used to support the additional dollar requirement. Moreover, the government has recently suspended LNG purchasing from the spot market for the time being, which also has helped save the country's forex reserves. On the other hand, overall imports slowed down in June after the Bangladesh Bank tightened the import of luxury goods. Imports declined 6% month-on-month this June, according to the central bank's data. The volume of LC (letter of credit) opening fell to almost half the previous level in most banks in the first week of July, bankers said. Meanwhile, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has said that stern action will be taken against people trying to artificially increase the dollar price. His warning came in a briefing to reporters following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase in Dhaka on Wednesday. "Many are making import arrangements by hiking the [dollar] price. Denied by one bank they are moving to another offering a higher price. The government is working to put an end to this," he said. The dollar crisis will end soon, he said, adding that remittance inflow and exports also will increase this year. Remittance inflow offers a ray of hope as the country has received $1.64 billion in remittance in the first 21 days of this month, thanks to Eid-ul-Azha when Bangladeshi migrants sent more money home for their families to celebrate the festival, according to data obtained from the Bangladesh Bank. This June, the last month of fiscal 2021-22, Bangladeshi expatriates sent home $1.83 billion through the banking channel. A faster devaluation of taka also has contributed to the surge in remittance receipts, observed industry insiders. The Bangladesh Bank has devalued the local currency thrice this month setting the inter-bank exchange rate at Tk94.70. In June, exports clocked the $4.90 billion mark – the highest in a single month in the last fiscal year, and the June growth was over 37% when compared to the same month a year ago. For the first time, Bangladesh's export earnings crossed $52 billion in the just-concluded fiscal 2021-22.

https://bdnews24.com/economy/2yyo6d6vb9 IMF says Bangladesh seeks loan under fund's resilience trust The creditor's Resilience and Sustainability Trust is designed to help countries ensure sustainable growth, IMF's Asia and Pacific Department director says Bangladesh asked the International Monetary Fund to start talks on a new loan under the creditor's Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST), which is designed to help countries ensure sustainable growth, said Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department, in a Tuesday interview. Bangladesh's $416 billion economy is the first in Asia to put such a request forward to the Washington-based lender as it seeks to ramp up its attention on how to mitigate the impact of climate change. "The RST comes also with an (upper credit tranche) programme, so it's a joint initiative. The amounts will have to be discussed subsequently," Srinivasan told Reuters. This means that Bangladesh will need a regular IMF-supported programme such as a stand-by agreement or an extended fund facility to be able to get this new type of financing. "This facility is aimed at addressing transformational changes in countries, notably climate change and pandemic preparedness," he said. "One would hope that other countries would also take advantage of this instrument." RST funds are capped at 150% of a country's quota or, in Bangladesh's case, the maximum of $1 billion. Bangladesh is seeking a $4.5 billion loan from the IMF, local newspaper The Daily Star reported on Tuesday. The IMF expects to begin lending from the RST in October. Low-income and vulnerable middle-income countries can apply to get the financing, which has channelled special drawing rights from countries with strong external positions, according to the fund's website. The loans will have a 20-year maturity and a 10-1/2-year grace period. "We would hope that it is one among more to come down the road," Srinivasan said.

https://bangla.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2022/07/27/16589316152381 প্রথমবারের মতো পদ্মা সেতু হয়ে পোল্যান্ডে যাচ্ছে গার্মেন্টস পণ্য মোংলা বন্দর কর্তৃপক্ষ জানায়, পদ্মা সেতু চালু হওয়ার পর সবচেয়ে বড় চালান হিসেবে পোল্যান্ডে যাচ্ছে ঢাকার এসব গার্মেন্টস পণ্য। এর আগে পদ্মায় ফেরি চলাকালে বন্দর দিয়ে অল্প পণ্য বিদেশে রপ্তানি হয়েছিল ট্রিবিউন ডেস্ক প্রকাশিত: ০৬:৩০ বিকাল জুলাই ২৭, ২০২২ পদ্মা সেতুর কল্যাণে দেশের অর্থনীতি চাঙা হতে শুরু করেছে। সেতুটি দিয়ে পারাপার করে বাংলাদেশি পণ্য বিদেশে রপ্তানি শুরু হয়েছে। ইতোমধ্যে সেতু পার হয়ে ঢাকার বিভিন্ন কারখানার গার্মেন্টস পণ্যবাহী কন্টেইনার মোংলায় পৌঁছেছে। সেতু দিয়ে পারাপার হওয়া প্রথমবারের মতো এসব পণ্য যাবে পোল্যান্ডে। মোংলা বন্দর কর্তৃপক্ষের বরাতে অনলাইন সংবাদমাধ্যম বাংলা ট্রিবিউন জানায়, ঢাকা-গাজীপুর-সাভার ও নারায়ণগঞ্জের ২৭টি কারখানার গার্মেন্টস পণ্যবাহী ১৭টি কন্টেইনার পদ্মা সেতু হয়ে মোংলা বন্দর জেটিতে পৌঁছেছে। এসব পণ্য বন্দরের ৮ নম্বর জেটিতে পানামার পতাকাবাহী এমভি মার্কস নেসনা জাহাজে বোঝাই করা হচ্ছে। এসব পণ্যের মধ্যে রয়েছে শিশুদের পোশাক, জার্সি ও কার্ডিগান, টি-শার্ট, ট্রাউজারসহ বিভিন্ন পণ্য। এসব গার্মেন্টস পণ্য নিয়ে বৃহস্পতিবার (২৮ জুলাই) সকালে মোংলা বন্দর ত্যাগ করবে বিদেশি জাহাজ মার্কস নেসনা। ৪০ ফুট দৈর্ঘ্যের ১৭টি কন্টেইনারে গার্মেন্টস পণ্য নিয়ে জাহাজটি যাবে পোল্যান্ডে। এর আগে এসব পণ্য নিতে সোমবার বন্দর জেটিতে আসে বিদেশি জাহাজ মার্কস নেসনা। মোংলা বন্দর কর্তৃপক্ষ সূত্র জানায়, পদ্মা সেতু চালু হওয়ার পর সবচেয়ে বড় চালান হিসেবে পোল্যান্ডে যাচ্ছে ঢাকার এসব গার্মেন্টস পণ্য। এর আগে পদ্মায় ফেরি চলাকালে বন্দর দিয়ে অল্প পণ্য বিদেশে রপ্তানি হয়েছিল। মূলত পদ্মায় ফেরি জটিলতার কারণে ঢাকার এসব গার্মেন্টস পণ্যের বেশিরভাগই চট্টগ্রাম বন্দর দিয়ে বিদেশে রপ্তানি হতো। পদ্মা সেতুর কল্যাণে মোংলা বন্দর দিয়ে গার্মেন্টস পণ্য রপ্তানিতে আগ্রহী হয়ে উঠেছেন ঢাকার ব্যবসায়ীরা। কারণ, সেতু চালু হওয়ার পর ঢাকা থেকে মোংলা বন্দরের দূরত্ব এখন ১৭০ কিলোমিটার। আর ঢাকা থেকে চট্টগ্রাম বন্দরের দূরত্ব ২৬০ কিলোমিটার। মোংলা বন্দরে জাহাজ হ্যান্ডলিং দ্রুত ও নিরাপদ হওয়ায় এবং ঢাকার সঙ্গে দূরত্ব কমে যাওয়ায় সময় ও অর্থ সাশ্রয়ে এ বন্দর দিয়ে আমদানি-রপ্তানিতে আগ্রহী হয়েছেন গার্মেন্টস ব্যবসায়ীরা। মোংলা বন্দর কর্তৃপক্ষের চেয়ারম্যান রিয়ার অ্যাডমিরাল মোহাম্মদ মুসা বলেন, “মোংলা বন্দর হয়ে এসব গার্মেন্টস পণ্য রপ্তানির বিষয়টি একটি স্মরণীয় ঘটনা। প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা পদ্মা সেতু উদ্বোধনের পর এক মাসের মধ্যে সেতু হয়ে মোংলা বন্দরের মাধ্যমে গার্মেন্টস পণ্য রপ্তানির নবযাত্রা শুরু হলো। ভবিষ্যতে আমদানি-রপ্তানি আরও বাড়বে।”

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/rmg/french-company-proparco-supports-ananta-huaxiang-138m-loan-business-expansion-466806 TBS Report 28 July, 2022, 04:05 pm Last modified: 28 July, 2022, 04:09 pm French company Proparco supports Ananta Huaxiang with $13.8M loan for business expansion Proparco, the French Development Finance Institution, has extended a $13.8 million loan to Ananta Huaxiang Limited (AHL), a subsidiary of Ananta Group in Bangladesh, to expand the latter's sweater production capacity by expanding its manufacturing facility located in Narayanganj. This operation will allow Ananta Huaxiang to emerge as a large volume sweater manufacturer and strengthen its competitiveness in the international market, reads a joint statement issued on Wednesday (28 July). Bangladesh is the second largest ready-made garment exporter in the world after China, representing 81% of Bangladesh's total exports and employing 4.4 million workers. According to the statement, AHL ranks among the top 10 sweater producers in Bangladesh exporting mostly to Europe for various international brands. With this project and the increase in high-end sweater manufacturing capabilities, AHL will be better able to serve its customers by producing over 10 million pieces of sweaters by 2023 at a higher quality level and price points than before, the press statement added. "It gives us immense pleasure to support AHL, a responsible actor in Bangladesh's garment industry committed to gender diversity. By supporting the growth of a job-creating company committed to the well-being of its employees, women empowerment as well as the sustainable use of resources, Proparco is supporting the largest exporting sector of Bangladesh", said Diane Jegam, Regional Director – South Asia, Proparco. Due to the quality of AHL's working conditions and its various commitments towards women empowerment, the project qualifies for the 2X Challenge, a global gender finance initiative that Proparco has been contributing to since its launch in 2018. The Project also addresses 3 SDGs: SDG#9 by developing operations at best standards, SDG#8 due to above average salary package, and to SDG#5 due to the women-dedicated program that will be implemented. "This partnership with Proparco will greatly support our vision of sustainable factories scoring high on environmental and social compliance standards. Moreover, the new capacity expansion financed by Proparco has been completed in record time and the factory is already in operation employing a gender balanced workforce and contributing to the export earnings of the country. Further, we are delighted to work with Proparco and look forward to growing this partnership in the coming year", says the Managing Director of the Group, Sharif Zahir.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/imf-advises-avoiding-forex-misclassification-1658890092 IMF advises avoiding forex 'misclassification' SIDDIQUE ISLAM | Published: July 27, 2022 08:48:12 | Updated: July 27, 2022 22:43:25 Bangladesh has assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of complying with latest global standards of reporting foreign-exchange reserves, officials say, as an IMF mission mentioned 'miscalculation' of the amount. The assurance was made in a meeting with an IMF economic appraisal mission, held at the central bank headquarters in Dhaka on July 17. High-ups of the Bangladesh Bank (BB), including deputy governors Ahmed Jamal, Kazi Sayedur Rahman and A.K.M Sajedur Rahman Khan, were present at the meeting. The central bankers, at the meeting, informed the mission that Bangladesh would go by IMF's Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual Sixth Edition (BPM6) properly in reporting on the country's reserve position in the near future, they added. Earlier, the Washington-based monetary watchdog had raised the issue through submitting Safeguards Assessment Report, January 10, 2022 to the central bank with the mention of few cases of misclassification of the currency assets, which are not high-quality claims on non-residents readily available for meeting balance-of-payments financing needs. "We'll examine the issue further giving priority to national interest before complying with the accounting standards," a top central banker told the FE while replying to a query. The IMF found the central bank having overstated its foreign-exchange reserves by nearly US$7.2 billion end of June 2021 through inclusion of non-reserve assets by underestimating related risks. The figure of overstatement in the case of official forex reserves now stand at more than $8.0 billion as the central bank has increased the allocation of Export Development Fund (EDF) scheme to $7.0 billion from previous $6.0 billion. The non-reserve assets as identified by the IMF are foreign-currency loans to local banks worth $6198 million, deposit with a state-owned commercial local bank of $651 million, deposits with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) of the Islamic Development Bank Group, worth $288 million, and fixed-income securities below investment grade $60 million. The IMF recommends an immediate revision of the composition of the official foreign-currency reserves by removing these no-liquid, earmarked and/or not readily available items as they inflate the total amount of forex available to the central bank. Regarding disbursement of $200 million to the central bank of Sri Lanka as foreign-currency support, the IMF in its report said the reciprocal deposits acquired by the BB under the 2021 swap arrangement with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka after end-June 2021 do not qualify as reserve assets because they are denominated in Sir Lankan rupee, which is not a convertible currency. The IMF also raised question about BB's involvement in non-core central-banking activities through the financing of the Bangladesh Infrastructure Development Fund (BIDF), saying that such use of official foreign reserves is inconsistent with lending practices. The BIDF was formed to make lending from the reserves to development projects. The annual investment target from the fund would be no more than $2.0 billion. The central bank has committed to financing the BIDF using the reserves for up to $2.0 billion per annum for the next five years, on condition that the reserves cover import payments for at least six months, project earnings are in foreign currencies, and a sovereign guarantee is provided. Bangladesh's foreign-exchange reserves now remained under pressure following higher import-payment obligations alongside lower inflow of remittances in recent months. Meanwhile, the central bank continued providing its foreign-currency support to the scheduled banks for managing the forex-market volatility that causes recurrent depreciation of the local currency in exchange with the US dollar. It sold $50 million more directly to two state-owned commercial banks (SoCBs) Tuesday to help them meet the growing demand for the greenback. On Monday, the central bank sold $132 million to five commercial banks on the same ground. The BB has so far injected $990 million from the reserves directly into commercial banks as liquidity support for settling their import-payment obligations in the current fiscal year (FY), 2022-23. In FY'22, the central bank sold $7.62 billion from the reserves to the banks for the same purposes. Bangladesh's forex reserves came down to $39.60 billion Tuesday from $39.61 billion of the previous day - following higher sales of the greenback from the reserves to feed the market. [email protected]

https://bangla.dhakatribune.com/economy/2022/07/28/1658940854210 জাপানে পোশাক রপ্তানি বিলিয়ন ডলার ছাড়াল গত ১০ বছরে দ্বিগুণ হয়েছে জাপানে পোশাক রপ্তানি ট্রিবিউন ডেস্ক প্রকাশিত: ০৯:২৮ সকাল জুলাই ২৮, ২০২২ ২০২১-২২ অর্থবছরে জাপানে বাংলাদেশের তৈরি পোশাক রপ্তানি বিলিয়ন ডলার ছাড়িয়েছে। আর গত ১০ বছরে দ্বিগুণ হয়েছে দেশটিতে বাংলাদেশের পোশাক রপ্তানি। সংশ্লিষ্টরা রপ্তানি বৃদ্ধির জন্য জাপানের চীন-প্লাস নীতি এবং নিয়মের শিথিলতার কথা বলছেন। বাংলাদেশের তৈরি পোশাক শিল্পের সংশ্লিষ্ট ব্যক্তিরা আরও জানান, ২০২১ সালের ১ এপ্রিল থেকে জাপানের বাজারে শুল্কমুক্ত সুবিধা উপভোগ করছে বাংলাদেশের তৈরি পোশাক শিল্প। বাংলাদেশ গার্মেন্টস ম্যানুফ্যাকচারার্স অ্যান্ড এক্সপোর্টার্স অ্যাসোসিয়েশনের (বিজিএমইএ) তথ্য অনুযায়ী, বাংলাদেশ জাপানে ১.০৯৮ বিলিয়ন ডলার মূল্যের পোশাক রপ্তানি করেছে যা চলতি ২০২২-২৩ অর্থবছরে ১৬% বেড়েছে। পোশাক রপ্তানি করে ২০২১-২২ অর্থবছরে ৯৪৪.৮২ মিলিয়ন ডলার আয় হয়। তৈরি পোশাক রপ্তানিতে বাংলাদেশ প্রথমবার বিলিয়ন ডলার অতিক্রম করে ২০১৮-১৯ অর্থবছরে। যা ছিল ১.৯১ বিলিয়ন ডলার। ২০১২-১৩ অর্থবছরে নিট এবং ওভেন আইটেমের পোশাক রপ্তানি হয় ৪৭৮.৪৮ মিলিয়ন ডলার। যা ২০০৮-০৯ অর্থবছরে ছিল মাত্র ৭৪.৩৩ মিলিয়ন ডলার। রপ্তানিকারকরা অবশ্য জাপানে পোশাক আইটেম রপ্তানিতে বেশ কিছু সমস্যার কথা জানিয়েছেন। মানের বিষয়ে জাপানি ক্রেতাদের জিরো টলারেন্স নীতি, সময়মতো চালান পাওয়া এবং ভাষাকে জাপানে পোশাক রপ্তানিতে বাধা হিসেবে উল্লেখ করেছেন তারা। সম্প্রতি ইউনাইটেড নেশন্স কনফারেন্স অন ট্রেড অ্যান্ড ডেভেলপমেন্টের (ইউএনসিটিএডি) এক প্রতিবেদন অনুসারে, জাপানের বাজারে টেক্সটাইল এবং পোশাক পণ্যগুলো শুল্কমুক্ত সুবিধার জন্য মূলত অ্যাসোসিয়েশন অব সাউথইস্ট এশিয়ান নেশনসের (আশিয়ান) সদস্য পদের ওপর নির্ভর করে। বাংলাদেশ এবং নেপাল যেহেতু আসিয়ানের অংশ নয়, তাই তারা জাপানে রপ্তানির ক্ষেত্রে জিএসপি বা এমএফএনে (মোস্ট ফেভারড নেশন)-এর অধীনে থাকবে। তাই এই দুই দেশ তাদের পোশাক রপ্তানিতে ৮.৫-৯% পর্যন্ত শুল্কের সম্মুখীন হবে। অন্যদিকে, কম্বোডিয়া, লাও পিডিআর এবং মিয়ানমার আঞ্চলিক বাণিজ্য চুক্তির মাধ্যমে জাপানে শুল্কমুক্ত বাজারের সুবিধা পেতে থাকবে। তৈরি পোশাক শিল্পের সংশ্লিষ্ট ব্যক্তিরা মনে করেন, ২০২১ সালের মধ্যে জাপানে পোশাকের বাজারের আকার ৯০ বিলিয়ন ডলারের বেশি হবে। জাপানি ক্রেতারা মানের ব্যাপারে খুবই কঠোর। তারা প্রতিটি পণ্য আলাদা আলাদা করে পরীক্ষা করে। তারা জানান, জাপানি ক্রেতাদের সঙ্গে সম্পর্ক করতে যথেষ্ট সময় লেগেছে। কারণ তারা দেশের রপ্তানিকারকদের কাজের মানের বিষয়টি পরীক্ষা করে এবং সময়মত চালান করতে পারবে কি-না সেটাও পরীক্ষা করে। এছাড়াও জাপানি ক্রেতাদের সঙ্গে সরাসরি সম্পর্ক তৈরিতে ভাষা আরেকটি বড় বাধা বলেও জানান তারা।

আন্তর্জাতিক বাজারে বাংলাদেশে তৈরি আসবাবপত্রের চাহিদা ক্রমাগত বাড়ছে এবং এই চাহিদার উপর নির্ভর করেই বাংলাদেশ ২০২১-২২ অর্থবছরে ১১০ মিলিয়ন ডলার সমমূল্যের আসবাবপত্র রপ্তানি করে, যা দেশের ইতিহাসে সর্বোচ্চ।এটি আগের অর্থবছরের ৭৯ মিলিয়ন ডলারের আসবাবপত্র রপ্তানির তুলনায় ৩৯ শতাংশ বেশি এবং ২০১২-১৩ অর্থবছরের ৩১ মিলিয়ন ডলারের তুলনায় ২৫৫ শতাংশ বেশি।#বাংলাদেশ #আসবাবপত্র #রপ্তানি

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/external-debt-servicing-payment-peak-515b-2030-3080191 External debt servicing: Payment to peak at $5.15b in 2030 Finds ERD in its projections Rejaul Karim Byron Wed Jul 27, 2022 08:30 AM Last update on: Wed Jul 27, 2022 09:12 AM Bangladesh's foreign loan servicing burden will peak in fiscal 2029-30 with repayment of $5.15 billion, which experts deem to be very much within the safe territory -- quelling fears that the country might become the next emerging economy after Sri Lanka and Pakistan to run into external debt distress. The projection was made by the Economic Relations Division, which manages foreign debt repayment activities, in May-June as part of the government's updated medium-term debt strategy (MTDS). This fiscal year, $2.78 billion would be paid against foreign loans, up from $2.45 billion last year. Repayment amounts would progressively increase and hit a peak in fiscal 2029-30. After that, it would successively decline. For instance, in fiscal 2034-35, it would be $4.45 billion. Similarly, the country's external debt to GDP ratio would also be contracting. For instance, it would be 13.4 percent in fiscal 2031-32, down from 18.1 percent in fiscal 2021-22, said the International Monetary Fund in its most recent Debt Sustainability Assessment that was published in March. Historically, Bangladesh's average external debt to GDP ratio has been 18.7 percent. It is projected to come down to 15.1 percent, according to the IMF's DSA calculations. "Bangladesh remains at a low risk of external and overall debt distress," the IMF said in the report. External and domestic debt indicators are below their respective thresholds under the baseline and stress test scenarios, it added. Subsequently, one of the four strategies earmarked in the government's MTDS, which was finalised this month, entails increasing external financing. The strategy envisages meeting 36 percent of gross financing needs through external financing at concessional and semi-concessional interest rates. Semi-concessional financing comes with floating interest rates and concessional financing has a fixed interest rate. Another strategy entails doubling the share of semi-concessional loans from the current level while maintaining the share of traditional concessional financing. The updated MTDS also ruled out the possibility of issuing any international bonds, which tipped Sri Lanka's debt burden over the hill. The publication was presented to the IMF staff mission that concluded its nine-day tour of Bangladesh on July 21. The mission endorsed the strategy, it said in its concluding statement. "Bangladesh's external debt-GDP ratio is so low that even if the cost of debt rises, the chances of the debt burden becoming unsustainable are minimum," said Zahid Hussain, a former lead economist of the World Bank's Dhaka office. However, there are tail risks, which are events with a small probability of happening. Tail risks mostly come from endogenous factors such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has sent the prices of commodities spiralling in the global market, causing a drain on Bangladesh's foreign currency reserves and widening the current account deficit. "Such a situation cannot be written off," Hussain said. In future, if exports or remittance, the two main sources of foreign currency for Bangladesh, plummet or imports soar, there would be cash flow constraints on the government. This would make it tricky to service debt on time. "Austerity measures might be needed then to maintain debt repayment such that the country does not face any problem in getting loans in future," he said. Since independence, Bangladesh has been able to repay its foreign loans on time and has never applied for rescheduling of instalments, according to the ERD. To prevent such a scenario, Hussain advised caution in project selection with foreign funding. "If the mega projects are not commercially viable, they may end up being mega liabilities. We need to select projects that would have a visible contribution to the economy, which could be in production, export earnings or import cost savings. There must be a concrete contribution, there must be commercial viability." The source of foreign funding must also be assessed carefully too such that the terms are favourable to the country. "Are we ensuring all concessional facilities? Do the funds come with conditions that the procurement must be done from a select source, or do we have to make a high down payment? Do we have to take all our advice from them; do the contractor must come from them? These things must be considered."