Joel Ahmed

https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/301626/কঠোর-সুর-সত্ত্বেও-বাংলাদেশ-যুক্তরাষ্ট্র-অর্থনৈতিক-সম্পর্ক-এখন-নতুন-উচ্চতায় কঠোর সুর সত্ত্বেও বাংলাদেশ-যুক্তরাষ্ট্র অর্থনৈতিক সম্পর্ক এখন নতুন উচ্চতায় বদরুল আলম জুন ০১, ২০২২ https://bonikbarta.net/uploads/news_image/news_301626_1.jpg?t=1654078574 বাংলাদেশের বিভিন্ন বিষয়ে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের কঠোর সুর সত্ত্বেও দুই দেশের অর্থনৈতিক সম্পর্ক এখন নতুন এক উচ্চতায় পৌঁছেছে। দুই দেশের প্রত্যক্ষ অর্থনৈতিক-বাণিজ্যিক সংযোগ এখন ১২ বিলিয়ন (১ হাজার ২০০ কোটি) ডলার ছাড়িয়েছে, যা অতীতের যেকোনো সময়ের তুলনায় বেশি। এ মুহূর্তে একক গন্তব্য হিসেবে বাংলাদেশের শীর্ষ রফতানি বাজার যুক্তরাষ্ট্র। দেশে প্রত্যক্ষ বিদেশী বিনিয়োগের (এফডিআই) উৎস হিসেবেও যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের অবস্থান শীর্ষে। রেমিট্যান্সের উৎস হিসেবেও দেশটির অবস্থান দ্বিতীয়। গত পাঁচ বছরে দুই দেশের অর্থনৈতিক অংশীদারত্ব বেড়ে দাঁড়িয়েছে প্রায় দ্বিগুণে। রফতানি, এফডিআই ও রেমিট্যান্স বিবেচনায় দেশের অর্থনীতিতে সফটপাওয়ার (বাণিজ্যিক, বুদ্ধিবৃত্তিক বা সাংস্কৃতিকভাবে প্রভাব বিস্তারের ক্ষমতা) সবচেয়ে বেশি এখন যুক্তরাষ্ট্রেরই। ২০১৬ সালেও বাংলাদেশ থেকে ৫৯১ কোটি ১ লাখ ডলারের পণ্য আমদানি করেছিল যুক্তরাষ্ট্র। ইউএস সেনসাস ব্যুরোর তথ্য অনুযায়ী, গত বছর তা দাঁড়িয়েছে প্রায় ৮৩০ কোটি ৩৬ লাখ ডলারে। এ হিসেবে পাঁচ বছরে দেশটির বাংলাদেশ থেকে পণ্য আমদানি বেড়েছে ৪০ শতাংশেরও বেশি। চলতি বছরের প্রথম তিন মাসেই (জানুয়ারি-মার্চ) দেশটির বাংলাদেশ থেকে পণ্য আমদানি বাবদ ব্যয়ের পরিমাণ ৩ বিলিয়ন (৩০০ কোটি) ডলারের কাছাকাছি পৌঁছে গিয়েছে। বাংলাদেশে এফডিআইয়ের সবচেয়ে বড় উৎস এখন যুক্তরাষ্ট্র। ২০২১ সাল শেষে দেশের মোট এফডিআইয়ে মার্কিন প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর অবদান ছিল ২০ শতাংশ। ডিসেম্বর শেষে যুক্তরাষ্ট্র থেকে আসা এফডিআইয়ের স্টকের স্থিতি দাঁড়িয়েছে ৪৩২ কোটি ৮৯ লাখ ৯০ হাজার ডলারে। বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংকের হিসাব বলছে, এর মধ্যে সবচেয়ে বড় বিনিয়োগগুলো এসেছে জ্বালানি তেল ও গ্যাস, ব্যাংক ও বীমা এবং বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন খাতে। দেশের মোট গ্যাস চাহিদার অর্ধেকেরও বেশি পূরণ করছে মার্কিন জায়ান্ট শেভরন। নিজেকে বাংলাদেশের সবচেয়ে বড় বিদেশী বিনিয়োগকারী হিসেবে দাবি করছে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি। রেমিট্যান্সের উৎস হিসেবে সৌদি আরবের পরই এখন যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের স্থান। কেন্দ্রীয় ব্যাংকের তথ্য অনুযায়ী, গত অর্থবছরে (২০২০-২১) বাংলাদেশে যুক্তরাষ্ট্র থেকে প্রায় সাড়ে ৩ বিলিয়ন (প্রায় ৩৫০ কোটি) ডলার রেমিট্যান্স এসেছে। চলতি বছরের প্রথম প্রান্তিকেও (জানুয়ারি-মার্চ) দেশে মোট রেমিট্যান্সের ১৬ দশমিক ২৮ শতাংশ এসেছে যুক্তরাষ্ট্র থেকে। অর্থবছর বিবেচনায় গত পাঁচ বছরে যুক্তরাষ্ট্র থেকে আসা রেমিট্যান্সের প্রবাহ বেড়েছে ১০০ শতাংশের বেশি। ইপিবির পরিসংখ্যান অনুযায়ী, চলতি অর্থবছরের প্রথম ১০ মাসে (জুলাই-এপ্রিল) বাংলাদেশ থেকে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে পণ্য রফতানি বেড়েছে ৫২ শতাংশের বেশি। দেশটিতে মূলত তৈরি পোশাকই রফতানি হয় সবচেয়ে বেশি। দেশটির সঙ্গে বাণিজ্যিক সম্পর্ক জোরালো হয়ে ওঠার কারণ হিসেবে চীনকেন্দ্রিক ভূরাজনীতির কথা বলছেন পোশাক খাতের উদ্যোক্তারা। তাদের ভাষ্য অনুযায়ী, যুক্তরাষ্ট্র আমদানি বাণিজ্যে চীননির্ভরতা কমাতে চায়। এজন্য পণ্য আমদানির উৎস হিসেবে অন্যতম সম্ভাবনাময় বিকল্প হিসেবে বাংলাদেশকেই বিবেচনা করছে দেশটি। অতীতে আফ্রিকার দেশগুলো বা ভিয়েতনামে এ ধরনের বিকল্প তৈরির চেষ্টা করেছিল যুক্তরাষ্ট্র। তবে চীন ইস্যুতে ওইসব দেশ থেকে মুখ ঘুরিয়ে নিয়েছে ওয়াশিংটন। বাকি দেশগুলোর মধ্যে বাংলাদেশেই এখন তুলনামূলক বেশি সম্ভাবনা দেখতে পাচ্ছেন দেশটির বাণিজ্য খাতসংশ্লিষ্টরা। যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে দীর্ঘদিন ধরে পোশাক রফতানি করছে রাইজিং গ্রুপ। নিজ উৎপাদিত পণ্যের প্রায় ৪০ শতাংশ মার্কিন বাজারে রফতানি করছে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি। কোম্পানির ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক ও পোশাকপণ্য প্রস্তুত ও রফতানিকারকদের সংগঠন বিজিএমইএর সাবেক সহসভাপতি মাহমুদ হাসান খান বাবু বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, গত পাঁচ বছরে দুই দেশের সম্পর্কোন্নয়নের বড় দিক ছিল সংলাপ। সম্পর্কোন্নয়নের জন্য যে সংলাপ হওয়া প্রয়োজন তা এখন হচ্ছে। যেমন দেশটি বাংলাদেশে তুলা রফতানির ক্ষেত্রে যেসব বাধার সম্মুখীন হয়, সেসব বাধা তুলে নিতে বলছে। এর বিপরীতে আমরা বলছি, যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের তুলা থেকে তৈরি সুতা-কাপড়ের পোশাক যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে রফতানি হলে শুল্ক সুবিধা নিশ্চিত হতে হবে। সামগ্রিকভাবে দুই দেশের অর্থনৈতিক কূটনীতির ক্ষেত্রটি অনেক শক্তিশালী হয়েছে। কূটনৈতিক পর্যবেক্ষকরা বলছেন, দুই দেশের অর্থনৈতিক সম্পর্কের গভীরতা বাড়লেও এখনো এ-সংক্রান্ত সম্ভাবনাগুলোকে যথাযথভাবে কাজে লাগানো যায়নি। যুক্তরাষ্ট্র বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে বড় একক বাজার। দেশটিতে জিএসপির আওতায় যে বাণিজ্য সুবিধা পাওয়া যেত, সেটি স্থগিত রয়েছে। প্রতিযোগী দেশগুলো জিএসপির আওতায় মার্কিন বাজারে বিভিন্ন পণ্য রফতানি বাড়াচ্ছে। পোশাকপণ্যের সবচেয়ে বড় বাজার হিসেবে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে প্রবৃদ্ধি ভালো হলেও এখানে কাঙ্ক্ষিত প্রবৃদ্ধি অর্জন করতে পারেনি বাংলাদেশ। এদিক থেকে প্রতিযোগী দেশ ভিয়েতনাম ও ভারতও এগিয়ে যাচ্ছে। যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের মোট বার্ষিক আমদানি ২ ট্রিলিয়ন (২ লাখ কোটি) ডলারেরও বেশি। এতে বাংলাদেশের অংশগ্রহণ খুবই সামান্য। বর্তমানে যেসব মার্কিন কোম্পানি বাংলাদেশে ব্যবসা করছে, সেগুলোও খুব একটা শান্তিতে ব্যবসা করতে পারছে না। দেশের আইনকানুন অনেক অস্বচ্ছ। মার্কিন বিনিয়োগকারীদের জন্য সবচেয়ে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ বিষয় হলো মুনাফা। সারা এশিয়ায় মার্কিন কোম্পানিগুলো বিপুল পরিমাণে ব্যবসা করে। সে তুলনায় বাংলাদেশে দেশটির ব্যবসা খুবই অপ্রতুল। সাবেক রাষ্ট্রদূত হুমায়ুন কবির বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, বড় মার্কিন কোম্পানিগুলোকে ধরে রাখার পাশাপাশি নতুনগুলোকে আকৃষ্ট করতে যে পরিমাণ পদ্ধতিগত উন্নয়ন দরকার, এ বিষয়ে আমাদের আরো মনোযোগ দিতে হবে। কর জটিলতার মতো বিষয়গুলো দূর করা নিয়ে ভাবতে হবে। আর ভাবনার ক্ষেত্রগুলো আরো আগ্রাসী হতে হবে। ব্যবসা-বাণিজ্যের পদ্ধতিগুলো আরো সহজ করা দরকার। বাণিজ্য বিরোধ নিষ্পত্তির ক্ষেত্রগুলো আরো স্বচ্ছ হতে হবে। সব মিলিয়ে দেশটির সঙ্গে সম্পর্কোন্নয়নে দেশটিকে আরো বুঝতে পারার প্রয়োজন। তাদের কৌশলগত অগ্রাধিকারগুলোকে আরো ভালোভাবে অনুধাবন করতে হবে। দুই দেশের অর্থনৈতিক সম্পর্ক বা যোগাযোগের একটা বহুমাত্রিকতা আছে। এ বিষয়গুলো আমাদের অনুধাবন করতে হবে। সব মিলিয়ে আমরা সমন্বিত ব্যবস্থা তৈরি করতে পারি। তাহলে বিদ্যমান সম্পর্কের চেয়েও বহুগুণ বড় অর্থনৈতিক সম্পর্ক সম্ভব। যুক্তরাষ্ট্র ও বাংলাদেশের দ্বিপক্ষীয় বাণিজ্যসংশ্লিষ্ট উদ্যোক্তারা বলছেন, পরোক্ষ অনেক ক্ষেত্রেও দুই দেশের সম্পর্কের উন্নয়ন হয়েছে। দ্বিপক্ষীয় সম্পর্কের ভিত্তিও এখন অনেক শক্ত। মার্কিন কোম্পানিগুলো এখন বাংলাদেশে বিনিয়োগ বাড়ানোয় মনোযোগ দিয়েছে, যা সামনের দিনগুলোয় আরো বাড়ার আভাস রয়েছে। আমেরিকান চেম্বার অব কমার্স ইন বাংলাদেশের (অ্যামচেম) সভাপতি সৈয়দ এরশাদ আহমেদ বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, রফতানি, এফডিআই এগুলো হয়তো চোখে দেখা যাচ্ছে। কিন্তু দৃশ্যমান নয় এমন ক্ষেত্রগুলোয়ও যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের সঙ্গে বাংলাদেশের সম্পর্ক উন্নত হয়েছে, যেমন নলেজ শেয়ারিং। সম্প্রতি প্রাণের সঙ্গে প্রডাকশন শেয়ারিং শুরু করেছে প্রোক্টর অ্যান্ড গ্যাম্বল। এটি মূলত নলেজ ও টেকনোলজি শেয়ারিং। বাংলাদেশের বাণিজ্যসংশ্লিষ্টরা গত পাঁচ বছরে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের সঙ্গে সম্পর্ক নিয়ে অনেক সতর্কতা বজায় রেখেছেন। ইউএসএআইডিও বাংলাদেশকে অনেক সহায়তা দেয় টেকনোলজি ট্রান্সফারের ক্ষেত্রে। যুক্তরাষ্ট্র থেকে ফাইজারের টিকা ভারত না পেলেও বাংলাদেশ পেয়েছে। সামগ্রিকভাবে বাণিজ্যিক সম্পর্ক ইতিবাচক অনেক বিষয়ের ওপর প্রভাব পড়েছে। অর্থনৈতিক কূটনীতিতেও মার্কিনদের সঙ্গে অনেক ভালো অবস্থানে আছে বাংলাদেশ। ভূরাজনৈতিক একটি প্রেক্ষাপটও আছে। ইন্দো-প্যাসিফিক স্ট্র্যাটেজিতে দেখা যাচ্ছে বাংলাদেশ গুরুত্ব পাচ্ছে। পাঁচ বছর আগে অর্থনৈতিক কূটনীতির গতি অনেক শ্লথ ছিল, যেটা এখন নেই বললেই চলে। সার্বিক বিষয়ে জানতে চাইলে পররাষ্ট্রমন্ত্রী ড. এ কে আব্দুল মোমেন বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, গত পাঁচ বছর নয়, তার চেয়েও বেশি সময় ধরে সব ক্ষেত্রে অভাবনীয় সাফল্য দেখিয়েছে বাংলাদেশ। এজন্য অনেকের চক্ষুশূলও হতে হয়েছে। বাংলাদেশের নির্বাচন সামনেই, যা মাথায় রেখে কেউ কেউ এরই মধ্যে চাপ সৃষ্টি করতে শুরু করেছে, যেন নিজের দেশের জন্য কিছু সুবিধা নিশ্চিত করা যায়। কিন্তু সব মিলিয়ে প্রায় সব বন্ধুরাষ্ট্রের সঙ্গে অর্থনৈতিক সম্পর্ক অনেক বেড়েছে। তবে গত পাঁচ বছরে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের সঙ্গে অর্থনৈতিক কূটনীতির জায়গাটি অনেক শক্তিশালী হয়েছে। অর্থনৈতিক সম্পর্কটা শক্তিশালী হয়েছে মূলত অ্যাফর্ডেবল প্রাইসে পণ্য বিক্রি করতে পারি, তাই। আমাদের পণ্য সরবরাহ সঠিক সময়ে হয়। এসব কারণেই বাংলাদেশের দিকে ঝুঁকেছে যুক্তরাষ্ট্র। মৌলিক বিষয় হলো যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের চাহিদা আছে, যা মেটাতে পারছে বাংলাদেশ। আগে দেশটি ওষুধ ও মেডিকেল ইকুইপমেন্ট কিনত না। কভিডের সময় বাধ্য হয়ে পিপিই ও ওষুধ নিয়েছে। প্রয়োজনের তাগিদেই তারা বাংলাদেশের দিকে ঝুঁকছে। এটা একটা উইন উইন সিচুয়েশন। যুক্তরাষ্ট্রেরও লাভ হচ্ছে। বাংলাদেশেরও লাভ হচ্ছে। আমরা উদার, তাই যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের সঙ্গে অর্থনৈতিক সম্পর্ক আরো বাড়বে। দেশে গড়ে উঠতে থাকা ১০০টি অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলেও যুক্তরাষ্ট্র বিনিয়োগ করতে পারে। দেশটির উদ্যোক্তারা কারখানা স্থানান্তর করতে চাইলে আমরা তাদের স্বাগত জানাই।

https://www.newagebd.net/article/172110/time-extension-for-chinse-funded-elevated-expressway-approved Time extension for Chinse funded Elevated Expressway approved Staff Correspondent | Published: 16:07, Jun 01,2022 The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council in a meeting on Wednesday approved a proposal from the Bangladesh Bridge Authority to make an upward revision of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project funded by China. Following the revision, the new project cost now stands at Tk 17,553.04 crore from Tk 16,901.32 crore, said planning minister MA Mannan at a briefing after the meeting at the Planning Commission. The tenure of the project has been extended by four years till June 2026 from June 2022 for the project, said the planning minister. Exim Bank of China will provide a loan worth Tk 9,192.07 crore to the project. The meeting presided over by prime minister Sheikh Hasina physically first time since March 2020 also approved eight more project proposals with an overall involvement of Tk 2,665.21 crore.

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/experts-advise-govt-not-rush-universal-pension-431018 TBS Report 01 June, 2022, 02:35 pm Last modified: 01 June, 2022, 02:36 pm Experts advise govt not to rush universal pension They also said the process of enacting such an act needs to start with a holistic approach Experts have advised the government not to rush the introduction of a universal pension scheme in the country. They said it will be difficult for the government to implement initiatives that involve financial matters for people of all walks of life in the last year of their tenure. During the pre-budget discussion on universal pension and fair tax policy at the National Press Club on Wednesday (1 June) arranged by COAST Foundation, experts said that everyone's opinion should be considered before introducing a universal pension scheme. Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Chairman Dr Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed said, "We want it (pension scheme) to be quick but beautiful. Let there be a definite time within which the scheme will be implemented. In the meantime, whatever needs to be done should be done on the basis of everyone's advice." He urged the government to ensure the universality of the act. "Those who contribute between the ages of 18 and 60 will receive a pension, but we also need to think about how to cover those who are unable to do so." Emphasising pension management, he said accountability must be ensured once it starts. "The scheme should be enacted in such a way that another PK Haldar is not made," he added. The speakers also said the process of enacting such an act needs to start with a holistic approach to make the universal pension system a reality for all and increase the number of taxpayers. Former chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Mohammad Abdul Majid noted that not considering every stakeholder's opinion before enacting universal pension scheme can create problems. He also advised the government to start the process in the first year of their new term should they get reelected. "We need to increase the tax net but we have to ensure that the citizens get services through taxes because in the developed world citizens pay taxes, and the state gives them services. However, here we remain unsure if we will get the service after paying tax," said the former NBR chief. Local government expert Dr Tofail Ahmed demanded pensions for those in their 60s who have been paying taxes for the past 10 years. "If there is a guarantee of getting a pension, the tax base of the country will be strong. A pension account can be opened automatically in the name of each taxpayer And a portion paid by the taxpayer will be credited there," he added. Dr Tofail Ahmed added that universal pension is a complex process hence a roadmap should be made in at least five years after deciding on certain steps.

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangla/অর্থনীতি/news-details-95738 রিয়াদ হোসেন 01 June, 2022, 01:50 pm Last modified: 01 June, 2022, 02:19 pm আনডিসপুটেড ট্যাক্স পরিশোধ না করলে বিচ্ছিন্ন করা হতে পারে ব্যবসার ইউটিলিটি পরিষেবা ট্যাক্স অফিসারদের এমন ক্ষমতা দেওয়ার প্রস্তাব আসতে যাচ্ছে আগামী বাজেটে। মামলা নেই কিংবা মামলায় ট্যাক্স অথরিটি জিতেছে, ব্যবসায়ীদের কাছে আটকে থাকা এমন আনডিসপুটেড ট্যাক্স আদায়ে কঠোর অবস্থান নেওয়ার কথা ভাবছে সরকার। এক্ষেত্রে সংশ্লিষ্ট ব্যবসা প্রতিষ্ঠানের গ্যাস, বিদ্যুৎ কিংবা পানির সংযোগের মত পরিষেবা বিচ্ছিন্ন করার জন্য ট্যাক্স অফিসারদের ক্ষমতা দেওয়ার কথা ভাবছে সরকার। আগামী ৯ জুন সংসদে বাজেট উপস্থাপনকালে এমন প্রস্তাব আসতে পারে। অর্থমন্ত্রণালয় ও জাতীয় রাজস্ব বোর্ডের (এনবিআর) বাজেট সংশিষ্ট সূত্র জানিয়েছে, বর্তমানে আনডিসপুটেড ট্যাক্স আদায়ে ব্যবসা প্রতিষ্ঠানের সম্পদ স্থানান্তর এমনকি ব্যবসা প্রতিষ্ঠান বন্ধ করে দেওয়ার মত বিধান থাকলেও এর বাস্তবায়ন ও কার্যকারিতা তেমন নেই। এজন্য এধরনের ট্যাক্স আদায়ে এনবিআরের ডেপুটি কমিশনার অব ট্যাক্সেস (ডিসিটি) দের আলোচ্য ক্ষমতা দেওয়ার কথা ভাবছে এনবিআর। ডিসিটিরা এসব পরিষেবার সংযোগ বিচ্ছিন্ন করার জন্য সংশ্লিষ্ট কর্তৃপক্ষের সহায়তা নেবেন। তবে ব্যবসায়ীদের প্রতিনিধিরা মনে করছেন, বর্তমান বাস্তবতায় এমন প্রস্তাব যৌক্তিক হবে না। সারা পৃথিবীতেই বর্তমান কঠিন পরিস্থিতি মোকাবেলায় ব্যবসায়ীদের বিভিন্ন ধরনের কর ছাড় দেওয়া হচ্ছে। কিন্তু এখানে এমন উদ্যোগ নেওয়া হলে তা ব্যবসা ও বিনিয়োগের ক্ষেত্রে ভুল বার্তা যাবে। তবে রাজস্ব বিভাগ সংশ্লিষ্টরা মনে করছেন, অসাধু ব্যবসায়ীদের কাছ থেকে সরকারের নিরঙ্কুশ পাওনা আদায়ে কঠোর হওয়া ছাড়া রাজস্ব আদায় বাস্তবে সম্ভব হয় না। এজন্য এ ধরনের ক্ষমতা প্রয়োগ করে যদি রাজস্ব আদায় করা যায়, তা যৌক্তিক। যেসব ট্যাক্স নিয়ে এনবিআরের ট্যাক্স আপিলেট ট্রাইব্যুনালে মামলা আছে কিংবা হাইকোর্টে মামলা বা আপিল রয়েছে, ওইসব মামলায় জড়িত ট্যাক্স হলো ডিসপুটেড। আর যেসব মামলায় এনবিআর জিতেছে কিংবা এনবিআর অ্যাসেসির (মূল্যায়নকারী) কাছে দাবিনামা জারি করলেও তিনি তা ফেস করেন নি, সেক্ষেত্রে কিছু আনুষ্ঠানিকতা শেষে ওই ট্যাক্স আনডিসপুটেড হিসেবে গণ্য হয়। কিন্তু বছরের পর বছর ধরে ওই সব ট্যাক্স আদায় করা সম্ভব হচ্ছে না বলে ট্যাক্স বিভাগ সূত্র জানিয়েছে। এনবিআরের হিসাব অনুযায়ী, বর্তমানে আনডিসপেুটেড ট্যাক্স এর পরিমাণ ২ হাজার কোটি টাকার উপরে। বছরের পর বছর ধরে এসব অর্থ ঝুলে থাকলেও ফিল্ড লেভেল ট্যাক্স অফিসগুলো তা আদায় করতে পারছে না। এছাড়া রাজস্ব বিভাগের আপিলের ট্রাইব্যুনাল এবং হাইকোর্টে বিচারাধীন রয়েছে আরো ৩৪ হাজার কোটি টাকার রাজস্ব। আইনে কী আছে এবং বাস্তবে কী হচ্ছে বিদ্যমান ১৯৮৪ সালের আয়কর অধ্যাদেশ এর ১৪২ ও ১৪৩ ধারায় নিরঙ্কুশ ট্যাক্স আদায়ের উপায় সম্পর্কে বলা আছে। আইনি বিধান অনুযায়ী, এসব ট্যাক্স আদায় করার জন্য ডিসি অফিসে সার্টিফিকেট মামলা করা যায়। সেক্ষেত্রে ডিসি অফিস থেকে কাউকে দায়িত্ব দেওয়া হয় ট্যাক্স আদায়ের জন্য। এছাড়া ১৪৩ ধারা অনুযায়ী, মূল্যায়নকারীকে শুনানির সুযোগ দেওয়ার পরেও কর শোধ না করলে এই জাতীয় মূল্যায়নকারীদের ব্যবসার সাথে সম্পর্কিত যেকোনো পণ্য ও পরিষেবার সরবরাহ বন্ধ করতে পারবেন করের ডেপুটি কমিশনার। কর শোধ করার আগ পর্যন্ত বা শোধের কোনো সন্তোষজনক ব্যবস্থা করার আগ পর্যন্ত পরিষেবা বন্ধ রাখতে পারবেন তিনি। এছাড়া প্রতিষ্ঠানের ব্যাংক হিসাব ফ্রিজ করার জন্যও ব্যাংকগুলোকে চিঠি দিতে পারেন করের ডেপুটি কমিশনার। তবে আয়কর বিভাগের মাঠ পযায়ের অফিসগুলোতে কথা বলে জানা গেছে, আলোচ্য পদ্ধতিগুলোর মধ্যে ব্যাংক অ্যাকাউন্ট অ্যাটাচমেন্ট ছাড়া অন্যান্য পদ্ধতি বাস্তবে প্রয়োগ হয় না কিংবা তা কার্যকরও নয়। রাজধানীর একটি ট্যাক্স জোনের একজন ডিসিটি নাম প্রকাশ না করার অনুরোধ জানিয়ে দ্য বিজনেস স্ট্যান্ডার্ডকে বলেন, তিনি কখনো ব্যবসা প্রতিষ্ঠান বন্ধ করার কথা শোনেন নি। তবে কখনো কখনো তারা ব্যাংক হিসাব জব্দ করেন। এছাড়া ডিসি অফিসের মাধ্যমে সার্টিফিকেট মামলা করেও খুব একটা কাজ হয় না। তিনি বলেন, "আমার জোনে প্রায় ৪০০ কোটি টাকা আনডিসপুটেড ট্যাক্স রয়েছে। আমরা ব্যাংক অ্যাটাচমেন্টের বাইরে অন্যান্য পদক্ষেপ সাধারণত নেই না।" গত অর্থবছরের বাজেট প্রণয়নে নিয়োজিত সাবেক এনবিআর সদস্য মো. আলমগীর হোসেন টিবিএসকে বলেন, কখনো অ্যাসেসি বেপরোয়া হলো কিংবা কোন নোটিশের জবাব না দিলে, নোটিশ ঠিকমতো সার্ভ না হলে, অ্যাসেসির ঠিকানা পরিবর্তন হলে কিংবা বিদেশে থাকলে তিনি ট্যাক্স অফিস থেকে পাঠানো নোটিশের জবাব দিতে পারেন না। সেক্ষেত্রে কিছু আইনি নিয়ম মেনে ওই ট্যাক্স আনডিসপুটেড হয়ে যায়। আবার মামলা করার পর অ্যাসেসি মামলা ফেস করলেন, কিন্তু হেরে গেলেও তা অবিতর্কিত হয়। বর্তমানে ব্যাংক অ্যাকাউন্ট অ্যাটাচমেন্ট ছাড়া অন্যান্য পদ্ধতিগুলো তেমন কার্যকর নয়। সংশ্লিষ্টরা যা বলছেন ফেডারেশন অব বাংলাদেশ চেম্বার্স অব কমার্স অ্যান্ড ইন্ডাস্ট্রির (এফবিসিসিআই) উপদেষ্টা এবং বাণিজ্য আইন বিশেষজ্ঞ মনজুর আহমেদ টিবিএসকে বলেন, "বর্তমান বিশ্ব প্রেক্ষাপটে সারা দুনিয়া কর কমানো কিংবা মওকুফ করার মত সিদ্ধান্ত নিচ্ছে। এই অবস্থায় ব্যবসা প্রতিষ্ঠানে তালা লাগিয়ে কর আদায় চাওয়া যৌক্তিক সিদ্ধান্ত হবে না।" সাবেক এনবিআর সদস্য ডক্টর সৈয়দ মো. আমিনুল করিম টিবিএসকে বলেন, "খারাপ ব্যবসায়ীদের কাছ থেকে সরকারের পাওনা আদায়ে এমন প্রস্তাব আসলে তা অযৌক্তিক হবে না। কেননা নিরঙ্কুশ পাওনা আদায়ে কঠোর হওয়া ছাড়া উপায় নেই।" অবশ্য সাবেক সদস্য মো. আলমগীর হোসেন মনে করেন, গ্যাস, পানি কিংবা বিদ্যুৎ সংযোগ বিচ্ছিন্ন করার কার্যক্রমটি বাস্তবায়নে কিছু চ্যালেঞ্জও দেখা দিতে পারে। কেননা সংশ্লিষ্ট প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো কতটা সহায়তা করবে, তা দেখার বিষয়। তিনি বলেন, "এই পদক্ষেপ বাস্তবায়নে ব্যাংক অ্যাটাচমেন্ট এর মত অপব্যবহার হওয়ার আশঙ্কাও থাকতে পারে। আবার যে মামলাটি আনডিসপুটেড বলে পরিষেবার সংযোগ বিচ্ছিন্ন করা হবে, পরবর্তীতে অ্যাসেসি যদি মামলা লড়েন কিংবা আইনি পন্থায় যান, তখন তো তা আবার ডিসপুটেড হয়ে যাবে। সেসময় ওই বিচ্ছিন্ন লাইন সংযোগের কী হবে?" বিশ্বব্যাপী যখন অর্থনৈতিক পরিস্থিতির টালমাটাল অবস্থা, তখন এমন প্রস্তাব দেওয়া ঠিক হবে কিনা, সে প্রশ্ন তোলেন তিনি।

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/budget/tax-free-forex-earning-flag-vessels-cards-430778 Jasim Uddin 01 June, 2022, 10:00 am Last modified: 01 June, 2022, 10:05 am Tax-free forex earning for flag vessels on cards Currently, local oceangoing flagged ships have to pay 10% tax on their income The government has decided to give tax exemption on foreign currency income by Bangladeshi flagged oceangoing ships from the upcoming fiscal year in a bid to earn $3 billion to $4 billion a year, according to finance ministry officials. Currently, these local ships have to pay 10% tax on their incomes. Ministry officials said the facility will continue till 2030 if the vessels' foreign exchange income is brought into the country through banking channels. Experts and industry insiders lauded the government decision, saying it will be a milestone towards establishing the shipping industry as a service exporting sector with huge foreign currency earnings for the country. "This will be a timely move to encourage investment in the oceangoing shipping industry, which is a very potential sector," Professor Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told The Business Standard. The government has taken initiatives to incentivize industries with earning potential in recent years, he added. He also said this is the right time to invest in the shipping industry, as the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a massive surge in freight charges. Meanwhile, industry insiders said the initiative has been a long time coming. "We are absolutely delighted. It has been a long-standing demand and a most necessary step for this industry", said Shahriar Jahan Rahat, deputy managing director of KSRM Group, the largest oceangoing fleet owner in the country. "We expect the move to boost the [shipping] industry and increase the inflow of foreign remittance through this sector", he added. According to the Mercantile Marine Department, Bangladesh currently has a fleet of 81 ocean-going vessels, with KSRM Group alone owning 23 oceangoing bulk carriers. Besides, Meghna Group of Industries owns 16 vessels, Akij Group has 10, the state-run Bangladesh Shipping Corporations owns 8, Karnaphuli Group owns 6, and Bashundhara Group and BSA Group each own 5 vessels. The sector has an investment of $2 billion, according to sources. Bangladeshi businesses have to spend over $9 billion as freight charges for export and import, but local oceangoing vessels can tap into only 10-15% of it, which is less than $1 billion. Industry leaders have urged local entrepreneurs to invest in new vessels, noting that hiked freight costs have created a lucrative opportunity for the shipping sector's growth. They said with new investment, it will be possible to earn about $3-4 billion in foreign currency every year. In the last 10 years, export and import increased around two-and-a-half times but the number of Bangladeshi flag carrier vessels did not increase. However, 2019 had been a different year from when things started to change. According to the Department of Shipping, there are 4,565 Bangladeshi registered seamen and 1,887 of them are working at Bangladeshi and foreign vessels.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2022/05/31/telecom-operators-demand-withdrawing-2-turnover-tax Telecom operators demand withdrawing 2% turnover tax Also wants waiver on SIM card tax Tribune Desk May 31, 2022 6:31 PM The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (Amtob) wants the government to withdraw the provision of 2% turnover-tax on its member operators. According to the organization, the provision contradicts the income tax principles, as taxes are collected on profit of an organization and not on turnover, for it results in capital erosion in paying turnover taxes despite incurring loss. The association also wants the National Revenue Board (NBR) to abolish the provision of slapping Tk200 in taxes on each SIM card, to make telecom services accessible and affordable, especially for the people in the rural areas who are yet to get connected. Despite rapid increase in subscribers, almost half of the country’s population is yet to get connected with mobile phone networks, Brig Gen SM Farhad (retd), secretary general of Amtob said. He said this during a pre-budget discussion with NBR held earlier this year and urged the withdrawal of 2% tax on turnover on the telecom operators of the country. Farhad also pointed out that in the last few years, the revenue of the telecom sector was 1% of the country’s total gross domestic products (GDP) and the sector’s tax payments contributed to 4% of the NBR’s total revenue collections So, the contribution of the sector to tax-revenue is four times greater than its size, with the sector’s overall contribution to GDP is 7%. To expedite further GDP growth from the sector the government needs to reduce taxes through tax reforms to ensure digital inclusion, Farhad also said. Mobile airtime has to pay 33.25% duty, which is of prepaid nature. Therefore, customers who purchase various digital non-telecom services using a prepaid airtime balance have to pay an additional 16% (SD 15% and SC1%). VAT law allows only 15% VAT adjustment. According to the association, if the proposals are implemented the mobile phone subscribers of the country will benefit and investors would also feel encouraged to make further investments based on the reduced tax rates. Amtob also proposed to the NBR for reducing corporate taxes from both listed and non-listed telecom operators. Corporate tax on the listed telecom operators should be reduced to 25 % from 40% and on the non-listed companies to 32 % from 45%, the association suggested. It also argued that the applicable taxes from the telecom should be reduced to a rational level as the telecom sector contributes to local and international trade, education and services. Additionally, Amtob urged NBR to make the country’s agreements on double taxation with 33 other countries functional by implementing the Dual Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and rationalize non-residents under section 57. Despite the country’s agreements with the countries, the people who do not have any office in the country are required to take a non-deduction certificate from NBR. Under clause 56 of the income tax act, the taxpayers have to pay taxes at the rate of 30% and the rate is significantly high, said Amtob. Referring to the VAT exemption on 2G and 3G services according to a notification from the BTRC, Farhad sought a similar facility for 4G services. He also pointed out that under the Income Tax Act of Bangladesh, payments made for the purpose of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are not considered as allowable expenditure. However, there is a list of 22 areas where taxpayers are eligible for a 10 % discount on CSR activities, and Amtob requested to include the relevant section for considering this expenditure as allowable expenditure.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/bangladesh-wont-face-sri-lanka-like-crisis-us-ambassador-1653996320 Bangladesh won’t face Sri Lanka-like crisis: US ambassador Published: May 31, 2022 17:25:20 The United States does not see any Sri Lanka-like situation in Bangladesh, noting that Bangladesh is a country which has done 'extremely well' in terms of debt management with careful borrowing and a strong foreign currency reserve. “Basically Bangladesh is not Sri Lanka,” said US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, mentioning that fundamentally there are different sets of challenges. He also mentioned that Bangladesh has taken a small amount of loan from China. The ambassador, however, said it does not mean that Bangladesh's economy does not face challenges - with inflation and growing food prices. He was responding to questions at “DCAB Talk” organised by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at Jatiya Press Club, reports UNB. “Just think for a moment about how far Bangladesh has come since its war for independence--from a newborn country devastated by conflict to a thriving country with one of the world’s fastest growing economies,” Haas said. National Elections Responding to a question, the envoy said he has been speaking about the importance of having free, fair and transparent elections here in Bangladesh where the people have the right and the ability to freely elect their leaders. He, however, said it is up to Bangladesh to decide how it is going to create those conditions required for a free election. The envoy said freedom of press, no violence and the role of the Election Commission are some of the important factors to ensure a fair election. This is the job of the Bangladesh government, Bangladeshi people, media and (Bangladesh's) civil society to ensure a free and fair election, he added. IPEF & Bangladesh Responding to a question, Haas said there will be opportunities for other countries to join in the recently launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). There have been consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March regarding the IPEF and the ambassador hoped that Bangladesh will follow it closely. President Biden launched the IPEF with a dozen initial partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Together, they represent 40% of world GDP. Regarding sanctions imposed on the elite force Rab, the US envoy said President Biden has made it clear that human rights and protection of human rights are central to the US foreign policy. And the sanctions imposed against the Rab and some of the officials were the result of that, he said. Haas said the US wants accountability for the Rab and avoid potential human rights abuses and efforts to make sure that those abuses do not happen again in the future. It is not really the question of providing the list of things that must be accomplished "So, it's not really a question of providing a list of things that must be accomplished. It's not about specifics but the underlying principles: commitment to human rights and commitment to accountability in the cases of human rights violations,” he said. DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus moderated the programme while it's General Secretary AKM Moinuddin delivered welcome remarks.

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/economic-partnership-major-deal-boost-dhaka-delhi-trade-430706 Abul Kashem 31 May, 2022, 11:00 pm Last modified: 31 May, 2022, 11:16 pm Economic partnership a major deal to boost Dhaka-Delhi trade The proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India is going to be a real shot in the arm for Bangladesh that is set to lose duty preferences after its graduation to a developing nation. Once the trade deal is signed, Bangladesh's export earnings will go up by $3-5 billion and India's by $4-10 billion in next 7-10 years, according to a final draft report of the joint feasibility study by Dhaka and Delhi. New investment windows will also open up for both the countries thanks to the proposed CEPA, which is a little different from FTA as it covers many issues, including trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property rights and e-commerce, according to the draft report submitted to the commerce ministry on Monday. Md Jafor Uddin, chief executive officer at Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute, told The Business Standard, "We have submitted [the draft report] to the ministry, which will be finalised at a meeting of the advisory committee chaired by the commerce secretary following a discussion with stakeholders." Commerce ministry officials say Bangladesh has no experience in making such agreements. So, they will cautiously complete bilateral negotiations with India over CEPA. Right now, it is not possible to say how many days it will take to sign the deal. Agreement to benefit both countries The report, prepared by Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute and India's Centre for Regional Trade, says, "It may be concluded that the estimates and analysis of this study indicate that the proposed CEPA between India and Bangladesh is not only feasible but also mutually beneficial in terms of possible gains in the realms of trade in goods and services, and investment." In FY21, Bangladesh imported nearly $8.6 billion worth of goods from India, while its exports amounted to only $1.3 billion. Under CEPA, the country will have opportunities to enhance its share in exports to the neighbouring country. Marine goods, textiles and apparels, pharmaceuticals, animal and vegetable fats or waxes, inorganic chemicals and flour-based products are among potential export items, according to the draft report. Bangladesh gets duty-free access to India for all products except 25 products, including arms and drugs under the South Asian Free Trade Area, but exports to the country are still not going up owing to non-tariff barriers. Bangladesh exports to India crossed $1b last FY For the first time in the last fiscal year, Bangladesh's exports to India crossed the $1 billion mark. In the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, exports amounted to $1.7 billion, up by more than 58% over the same period of the last fiscal year. On the other hand, the neighbouring country will get a scope to export food and food items, earth materials, mineral fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastic and plastic goods, wood products, cotton, woven fabrics, iron and steel, railway trams and locomotives and other vehicles to Bangladesh. "Bilateral service trade is likely to benefit from the trade in goods, which is expected to grow as a result of CEPA, due to the necessity of supporting trade in services, such as transport services, insurance and banking services, telecommunication and distribution services," according to the report. Under CEPA, Bangladesh will be able to export to India professional services, IT/ITes services, construction and related services, financial services, and communication services, while India's export services include other business services, tourism, personal travel and freight services, telecommunications, computer and information services, education and health services, it added. The draft study report said any efforts to augment trade in goods and services between the two countries would require cross-country and cross-sectoral investment. Besides, the feasibility study report reveals the potential sectors for investment from India into Bangladesh are food, pharmaceuticals, leather and leather products, textile and apparel sector, agro-based Industries and farm machinery plant, automobiles, light engineering and electronics, ceramics, ICT sector, banking and financial services, telecommunications and mega construction project. Similarly, Bangladesh will have potential to invest in food and beverages, agro processing, pharmaceuticals, plastics and rubber products, leather and leather products, textile and apparel, jute and jute products, cement, spinning mills, electronics and batteries, travel and tourism and ICT sectors of the neighbouring India. As per existing policy, Indian citizens are allowed to invest in Bangladesh but Bangladeshis need to take prior permission from the Indian government to do so. Recommending that businesses from both the countries get equal opportunities in terms of investments, the draft report said both sides would strive for a legally binding investment regime under CEPA so that investment flows between the two countries are not only through automatic route but also through fast-track mode and single window system. Scope to build regional value chain The study suggests that there exists scope for building regional value chains (RVCs) between Bangladesh and India. "The proposed CEPA between Bangladesh and India can help build RVCs through trade in goods and services and investment. Bangladesh and India could explore new RVCs or strengthen the existing ones in sectors, such as agro processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, leathers and electric machinery, because of the potential existing under trade in goods, services and investment and by addressing the challenges related to these, RVCs can play an important role for which CEPA could be the best enabler." Abdul Matlub Ahmad, president at Bangladesh-India Chamber of Commerce and Industries and former president at Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries, told TBS that the value chain is now the most important issue in the world. "India has cotton. We can make yarns and garments. So, if CEPA is signed, joint investment as well as bilateral trade in both the countries will increase," he said. Skills and resources of the two countries can be utilised for each other's development through the signing of CEPA. This will benefit both countries. There will also be opportunities to create many jobs in Bangladesh, he noted. "I agree with the fact that the final draft report of the joint survey has raised the possibility of increasing bilateral imports and exports," Abdul Matlub, also said, hoping that the trade volume will further increase if the existing barriers to bilateral trade under CEPA are resolved. The study report said despite existing institutional mechanisms, trade and economic relations between India and Bangladesh have not reached full potential. Thus, there was a need to integrate both the economies and enhance trade linkages, by way of creating a new institutional mechanism in the form of a CEPA that could include trade and investment between the countries, to enable creation of RVCs. Integrating both the economies through these dimensions would not only enhance trade but also lead to improve backward and forward linkages which in turn will result in overall economic growth and development on both the sides, it added. Challenges and possible policy responses through CEPA Although the possible CEPA would bring significant benefits for both Bangladesh and India, there are a number of possible challenges, including inter alia the need to balance the benefits for both the countries, seamless connectivity between two countries to be ensured through hard and soft infrastructure, securing proportionate protection to sensitive industries, which should be addressed. The study report said a lack of understanding of the trade policy between the countries can have uncertain and unfavourable implications for importers and exporters and general consumers, especially at the border check-points. Thus, there is a need for customs cooperation and trade facilitation through the mechanism of CEPA in a holistic manner. For any success of CEPA, it would be essential to address non-tariff barriers, which CEPA could give due consideration to. A lack of testing facilities has been a major problem to align food safety standards requirements in Bangladesh with India. Provisions for investment facilitation keeping such endeavours in mind would be useful while negotiating the investment chapter under CEPA. "The CAROTAR (Customs (Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements) Rules, 2020) of India needs to be studied in connection with SAFTA rules to prevent any hindrances to trade flows. This could be adequately focused upon in CEPA negotiations." May crowd out domestic employment The study report said there are concerns relating to crowding out of domestic employment on both sides if trade in services is included in CEPA. So while giving special emphasis on the potential sectors of trade in services of both the sides, CEPA negotiations could focus on provisions that allay the fear without sacrificing on the potential for enormous growth in temporary movement of natural persons. One of the most important constraints in the realm of trade in services was identified as the unduly restrictive Visa regimes. This prevented business-to-business contacts and ventures pertaining to trade as well as FDI. The study report suggests that an adequate policy mechanism is required to mitigate any effects of sudden volatility of currencies so that trade and investment flows remain stable on a bilateral basis. As a neighbouring country both India and Bangladesh have continued to consolidate their political, economic, trade and cultural relations and have built a comprehensive institutional framework to promote bilateral cooperation. The two countries have several bilateral agreements and MOUs, including for trade and connectivity, economic and development cooperation, cooperation on water resource and power, investment promotion and protection, double taxation avoidance, opening of border haats, security and border management etc. Bangladesh India's largest development partner India's development cooperation with Bangladesh has grown in size and coverage. With $8 billion in three Lines of Credit under implementation, Bangladesh has become India's largest development partner. During the bilateral commerce secretary level meeting between Bangladesh and India, held in February, 2018, the Indian side raised the issue to sign CEPA under enhancement of bilateral trade. During the bilateral meeting of commerce ministers, held on September the same year in Dhaka, both the ministers agreed that a CEPA, covering goods, services and investment, would provide a sound basis for substantial enhancement of trade and commercial partnership and directed their officials to undertake a joint study on the prospects of entering into a bilateral CEPA. During the bilateral meeting of commerce secretary level in January 2020, both the parties decided to undertake a joint feasibility study to find out whether a CEPA will be mutually beneficial for both the countries.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2022/05/31/source-tax-on-export-may-double-in-upcoming-budget Source tax on export may double in upcoming budget Exporters feel raising source tax will put more pressure on the RMG sector Meraj Mavis May 31, 2022 6:45 PM The government is again planning to double the source tax on export earnings. At present, source tax is being levied at the rate of 0.5% from the export income of all types of goods, which will expire on June 30. Economists feel the idea of raising source tax on export is one of the plans of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) or the government to increase revenue. Regarding the matter, exporters said that raising the source tax would put more pressure on the RMG sector and at the same time, on remittances. More than 80% of Bangladesh's export income comes from the readymade garment sector alone. Accordingly, entrepreneurs in this sector become the most vocal against attempts to hike the source tax on exports. “This is not the right time to raise source tax. The effect of Covid-19 didn’t wear off yet. Besides, a kind of recession has started in the world and sales outlets are closing in many places. “Production costs have increased, the cost of transporting other goods including ship freight has also increased. There is also the possibility of raising gas prices soon as well and now on top of that raising source tax on export will create huge pressure on the readymade garment industry. There will be a crisis in the management of the organizations,” said Shahidullah Azim, vice-president of BGMEA. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year (July-April), the export revenue was $43.34 billion. EPB is expecting that by the end of FY22, the total export earnings will touch $51 billion. In 10 months, the export income has increased by more than 35%. The NBR expects that around Tk250 crore will come from taxes on the source of export earnings in the current fiscal year. However, in the next financial year, the export sector is not likely to grow much. The finance department estimates that export earnings could grow by 20% in FY23. Renowned economist Debapriya Bhattacharya, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, thinks that the NBR, out of its revenue mobilization compulsion, is choosing to raise income tax at the source as it is the most efficient tax collection tool. He, however, said: “We hear about problems which transpire during the final tax adjustment of the amount deducted at source. This process should be made more transparent based on documentation and has to be specific to the performance of the taxed entity.” He pointed out that the tax rate should be applied to all exporters equally, and that no discrimination should be made between RMG and non-RMG exporters. The noted economist and public policy analyst also suggested that if the export-oriented sectors, including the RMG, feel that they need additional policy support to retain their competitiveness, they should approach other relevant agencies including the Ministry of Commerce, not necessarily the NBR. “Like earlier, the proposed increase in advance income tax on export revenue may be an opening gambit for the NBR. This rate may get negotiated downward – keeping it above the current rate – through discussions,” he said. The government imposed the source tax on exports for the first time in 2005. Initially, the rate was 0.25%. Later, it was raised at different times and was set at 1% in fiscal 2014-15. For the last two years, the government has been levying a 0.5% source tax on export earnings considering the pandemic situation. Though source tax is equal for all export-oriented sectors, non-RMG sectors have to pay taxes at a rate almost 2.5 times as high as that applicable for the RMG sector. The Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) has already urged the government to continue 0.5% tax deducted at sources, widely known as source tax, on exports for at least five years in a bid to keep up Bangladesh's export competitiveness amid the ongoing crises – soaring production costs, falling rates of taka against the dollar and surging freight charges. EAB President Abdus Salam Murshedy recently submitted the proposals to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) seeking its attention in formulating the national budget for the upcoming FY23.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/cpa-signs-agreement-with-korean-companies-for-bay-terminal-1654006060 CPA signs agreement with Korean companies for Bay terminal FE ONLINE REPORT | Published: May 31, 2022 17:22:57 | Updated: May 31, 2022 20:07:40 A formal agreement between the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) and two Korean companies was inked for the final design of the Chittagong Port Bay Terminal. Under an over Tk 1.26 billion deal, the Korean companies-Dian Yang Construction and Engineering Company Limited and Kunhwa Engineering and Consulting Company Limited- will prepare two complete designs and tender papers for the construction of the terminal and monitor the construction work. The deal was signed at a city hotel on Tuesday. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury attended the event as the chief guest. The CPA chairman Rear Admiral M Shahjahan and Kunhwa Engineering and Consulting Company Limited president Hwang Kyu Young signed the deal on behalf of their respective organisations. The cost of the entire Bay Terminal project is estimated at $2.10 billion. The terminal is being constructed to enhance the handling capacity of the Chittagong Port. Shipping ministry secretary Md Mostafa Kamal, among others, was present at the signing ceremony. Speaking at the function, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said that the Bay terminal is not a dream, rather it is becoming a reality now. Patenga Container Terminal (PCT) of Chittagong port is going to be opened soon, he said. The government is making a plan to connect the rail-link to the bay terminal and Matarbari seaport, the state minister stated. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh became a middle income country in 2021, the minister said, adding that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, it will be a developed country by 2041.

https://samakal.com/whole-country/article/2205114153/থাই-আমে-বদলে-গেছে-জীবন থাই আমে বদলে গেছে জীবন কাজী সামসুর রহমান, জীবননগর (চুয়াডাঙ্গা) প্রকাশ: ৩১ মে ২২ । ০০:০০ | আপডেট: ৩১ মে ২২ । ১৫:২৩ । প্রিন্ট সংস্করণ নিজের আম বাগানে আবুল কাশেম- সমকাল জীবননগর পৌরসভার তেঁতুলিয়া গ্রামে নার্সারি ব্যবসা আবুল কাশেমের। সেই সুবাদে ব্যবসায়ী নূর ইসলামের সঙ্গে তাঁর পরিচয়। নূর ইসলাম ২০০৮ সালে থাইল্যান্ড থেকে আমগাছের দুটি ডগা এনে দেন। সেই ডগা থেকে কলম তৈরি করে ভাগ্য বদলেছে আবুল কাশেমের, এখন তিনি কোটিপতি। আবুল কাশেম বলছিলেন, জমি লিজ নিয়ে নার্সারি করায় প্রথমদিকে দিনমজুরদের টাকা পরিশোধ করতে হিমশিম খেতে হতো। তখন এনজিও থেকে ঋণ নিয়ে ব্যবসা টিকিয়ে রাখেন। সফল এই নার্সারি ব্যবসায়ী জানান, ২০১০ সালে ছয় বিঘা জমি লিজ নিয়ে রোপণ করেন চারা। তাঁর লাগানো গাছে সাত মাসের মাথায় মুকুল আসে। দেখতে বেশ ছোট গাছে থোকায় থোকায় ধরে আম। একই সময়ে দেখা মেলে মুকুল ও গুটির। এখন ১২ বিঘা জমিতে প্রায় ১ হাজার ২০০ আমগাছ রয়েছে। প্রতিটিতে ২০ থেকে ২৫ কেজি আম ধরে। সঠিক মাত্রায় সার দিতে পারলে বছরে তিনবার ফলন পাওয়া যায়। মাঝেমধ্যে দু'বার আম আসে। চলতি মৌসুমে প্রথম গতকাল সোমবার এই জাতের ৪০ মণ আম বিক্রি করেছেন আবুল কাশেম। কেজিপ্রতি ৬০ টাকা হিসেবে প্রতি মণের দাম ২ হাজার ৪০০ টাকা। তবে অসময়ে এই আমের দাম হয় ২৫০ থেকে ৩০০ টাকা কেজি। মৌসুম শুরুর তিন মাস আগেও প্রায় ৮ লাখ টাকার আম বিক্রি করেছেন তিনি। নার্সারির প্রতিটি চারা বিক্রি করেন ১০০ টাকায়। ১৫ বিঘা জমিতে প্রায় তিন লাখ চারা অন্তত দুই কোটি টাকায় বিক্রি হবে বলে জানান এই ব্যবসায়ী। আমটি খেতে বেশ সুস্বাদু। পাকলে কিছুটা হলুদাভ হয়। দেশে জনপ্রিয় অন্য জাতের চেয়ে এর স্বাদে তেমন পার্থক্য নেই। আরেক আমচাষি আবুল কালাম বলেন, তিনি আমটি চাষ না করলেও খেয়ে দেখেছেন। মৌসুমে এটি তিন-চারটিতে কেজি হলেও অসময়ে বেশি লাগে। সঠিক নিয়মে চাষ করলে মুনাফা করা সম্ভব। বাগানে আম কিনতে আসা তেঁতুলিয়া গ্রামের আমির হোসেন বলেন, আম্রপালি ও ল্যাংড়ার চেয়ে এই আম খেতে বেশ মিষ্টি ও সুস্বাদু। তবে দাম একটু বেশি। আঁশ কম হওয়ায় তিনি এই আম কিনছেন। হাসাদহ গ্রামের সার ও কীটনাশক ব্যবসায়ী নূর ইসলাম বলেন, ভালো স্বাদ হওয়ায় তিনি থাইল্যান্ড থেকে ডগা এনে আবুল কাশেমকে দেন। উপজেলা কৃষি কর্মকর্তা শারমিন আক্তার বলেন, বাংলাদেশে প্রথম বারোমাসি আমের চাষ করেছেন আবুল কাশেম। এই আমের চারা বিক্রিও লাভজনক। অসময়ে আমের দামও বেশি পাওয়া যায়।

জমি থেকে সরাসরি ক্রেতার হাতে, দেশী ফার্মার জনপ্রিয় উদ্যোগ https://www.facebook.com/tbsnews.net/videos/690472595395062

গরু মোটাতাজাকরণে যেখানে অনেকেই নানা অসুধাপায় অবলম্বন করছেন সেখানে রাজশাহীর নাবা ডেইরি অ্যান্ড ক্যাটল ফার্ম একেবারেই ব্যতিক্রম। গরু মোটাতাজা করণে স্বাভাবিক এবং বৈজ্ঞানিক উপায় ছাড়া আর কোনো কিছুই ব্যবহার করছে না ফার্মটি। https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=756819202165717

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangla/অর্থনীতি/news-details-95594 রিয়াদ হোসেন 31 May, 2022, 12:35 pm Last modified: 31 May, 2022, 12:55 pm টিআইএন আছে, রিটার্ন দেননি? আগামী অর্থবছরে রিটার্ন দিলে জরিমানা লাগবে না এর ফলে প্রায় ৫০ লাখ টিআইএনধারীর জন্য জরিমানা না দিয়ে হয়রানিমুক্তভাবে আয়ের হিসাব দিয়ে কর দেওয়ার সুযোগ তৈরি হতে যাচ্ছে। ট্যাক্স আইডেন্টিফিকেশন নম্বর (ই-টিআইএন) রয়েছে কিন্তু আয়কর রিটার্ন জমা দেন না, এমন ব্যক্তিদের আয়করের আওতায় আনতে জরিমানা মাফ করতে যাচ্ছে সরকার। অর্থাৎ আগে যারা রিটার্ন জমা দেন নি, আগামী ২০২২-২৩ অর্থবছরে তারা রিটার্ন জমা দিলে অতীতের বছরগুলোর জন্য কোন ধরণের জরিমানা দিতে হবে না। এর ফলে প্রায় ৫০ লাখ টিআইএনধারীর জন্য জরিমানা না দিয়ে হয়রানিমুক্তভাবে ট্যাক্স অথরিটির কাছে তাদের আয়ের হিসাব দিয়ে কর দেওয়ার সুযোগ তৈরি হতে যাচ্ছে। সংশ্লিষ্ট সূত্র জানিয়েছে, আগামী বাজেটে এ ধরণের প্রস্তাব তৈরি করেছে জাতীয় রাজস্ব বোর্ড (এনবিআর), যা ৯ জুন অর্থমন্ত্রী ঘোষণা দিতে পারেন। এমন প্রস্তাব আসলে ইতিবাচক হবে বলে মনে করছেন বিশেষজ্ঞরা। তারা বলছেন, টিআইএন নিলেও হয়রানি ও জরিমানার ভয়ে অনেকে পরবর্তীতে রিটার্ন দিতে আগ্রহী হন না। এনবিআর তাদেরকে জরিমানা মওকুফের মাধ্যমে সুযোগ দিলে তা সময়োপযোগী প্রস্তাব হবে। এতে রাজস্ব আয় বাড়ার পাশাপাশি দেশের আর্থিক খাতে শৃঙ্খলা তৈরির সুযোগ তৈরি হবে। দেশে বর্তমানে ই-টিআইএনধারীর সংখ্যা ৭৫ লাখের উপরে, যার দুই-তৃতীয়াংশই আয়কর রিটার্ন জমা দেয় না। সর্বশেষ ২০২১-২২ ট্যাক্স ইয়ারে রিটার্ন জমা হয়েছিলো ২৫ লাখের কিছু বেশি। ব্যক্তি হিসেবে, যাদের বছরে আয় আড়াই লাখ টাকার উপরে, কিছু ব্যতিক্রম বাদে তাদের টিআইএন নেওয়া ও প্রতি বছর আয়ের হিসাব তথা ইনকাম ট্যাক্স রিটার্ন জমা দেওয়া বাধ্যতামূলক। এছাড়া ৩৭ ধরণের সেবা নেওয়ার ক্ষেত্রে ই-টিআইএন বাধ্যতামূলক করা হয়েছে, তিনটি খাত বাদে, যাদের রিটার্ন জমা দেওয়ার শর্ত রয়েছে। এনবিআরের আয়কর বিভাগের সংশ্লিষ্ট সূত্র জানিয়েছে, টিআইএনধারীদের মধ্যে ২৬ লাখের কোন হদিসই পাওয়া যাচ্ছে না, যা 'ফাইল্ড কেইস' হিসেবে রাখা হয়েছে। এর অর্থ হলো, এসব টিআইএন বাতিল করা হচ্ছে না, কিন্তু স্থগিত আছে। ভবিষ্যতে কোন ধরণের সেবা নেওয়ার ক্ষেত্রে (যা আয়কর বিভাগের সঙ্গে ইন্টিগ্রেটেড আছে বা থাকবে) তাদেরকে ট্রেস করা সম্ভব হবে। দুই বছর আগে পর্যন্ত কেবল যাদের করযোগ্য আয় ছিলো, টিআইএনধারীদের মধ্যে কেবল তাদেরই রিটার্ন জমা দেওয়ার বাধ্যবাধকতা ছিলো। তবে গত দুই অর্থবছর আগে প্রায় সব টিআইএনধারীর রিটার্ন জমা দেওয়া বাধ্যতামূলক করা হয়। তা সত্ত্বেও রিটার্ন জমা প্রত্যাশিতহারে বাড়ছে না। ব্যক্তি করদাতা ছাড়াও দেশে রেজিস্ট্রার অব জয়েন্ট স্টক কোম্পানিজ এন্ড ফার্মস (আরজেএসসি)-তে প্রায় পৌনে দুই লাখ রেজিস্টার্ড কোম্পানি রয়েছে, যার মধ্যে রিটার্ন জমা দেয় ৩০ হাজারের কম সংখ্যক কোম্পানি। অর্থ মন্ত্রণালয় ও এনবিআরের বাজেট সংশ্লিষ্ট সূত্র জানিয়েছে, যেসব ব্যক্তি টিআইএনধারী কখনোই রিটার্ন জমা দেননি কিংবা অতীতে দুয়েক বছর রিটার্ন জমা দিলেও বেশ কয়েক বছর ধরে আর রিটার্ন জমা দিচ্ছেন না, আগামী এক বছর রিটার্ন জমা দিলে তাদের উপর অতীতের কোন জরিমানা চাওয়া হবে না। গত অর্থবছরের বাজেট প্রণয়নের সাথে সংশ্লিষ্ট এনবিআরের সাবেক সদস্য মোঃ আলমগীর হোসেন দ্য বিজনেস স্ট্যান্ডার্ডকে বলেন, 'এ ধরণের প্রস্তাব আনা হলে তা খুবই ইতিবাচক হবে করদাতা এবং কর বিভাগের জন্যও। বেশকিছু খাতে টিআইএন নেওয়া বাধ্যতামূলক করা হয়েছে। কিন্তু রিটার্ন আসছে না। যদি রিটার্নই না আসবে, তাহলে টিআইএন নিয়ে লাভ কী? এজন্য মাঠ পর্যায়ের অফিসগুলো থেকে এক বছরের জন্য জরিমানা মওকুফের প্রস্তাব এসেছিলো।' 'যদি এক বছরের জন্য জরিমানায় অ্যামনেস্টি দিয়ে তাদেরকে রিটার্ন তথা করের আওতায় আনা যায়, তাহলে তাদের সম্পদ বিবরণী এনবিআরের কাছে রেকর্ড হয়ে যাবে। ফলে ট্যাক্স খাতে শৃঙ্খলা আনার সুযোগ তৈরি হবে। আরেকজন সাবেক এনবিআর সদস্য ড. সৈয়দ মোঃ আমিনুল করিম এ উদ্যোগ নেয়া হলে তা ইতিবাচক হবে উল্লেখ করে বলেন, 'আগে জরিমানা ও কর্মকর্তাদের হয়রানির ভয়ে মানুষ রিটার্ন দিতে আসতে চাইতেন না। কেননা রিটার্ন দিলেই ডিসিটি থেকে জয়েন্ট কমিশনার হয়ে উপরের স্তরে ওই ফাইল যেতেই থাকবে এবং করদাতাকে প্রশ্নের মুখে পড়তে হয়। এক বছরের জন্য জরিমানা বাতিল করা হলে, এ সুযোগ থাকবে না, ফলে করদাতা ও রাজস্ব বিভাগ– উভয়েই উপকৃত হবেন।' জিডিপিতে করের অবদান বিবেচনায় বাংলাদেশ বিশ্বের অন্যতম পিছিয়ে থাকা একটি দেশ। দক্ষিণ এশিয়ার প্রায় সব দেশই ট্যাক্স টু জিডিপি রেশিওতে বাংলাদেশের উপরে অবস্থান করছে। ধীরে ধীরে এতে বাংলাদেশের অবনমন হচ্ছে। একসময় ট্যাক্স টু জিডিপি রেশিও ১০% থাকলেও সর্বশেষ ২০২০-২১ অর্থবছরের হিসাব অনুযায়ী, তা ৮ শতাংশের নিচে নেমে গেছে। সাবেক অর্থমন্ত্রী আবুল মাল আবদুল মুহিত অর্থমন্ত্রী থাকাকালে বলেছিলেন, দেশে অন্তত দুই কোটি মানুষ কর দেওয়ার সামর্থ্য রাখে। অথচ ওই সময় রিটার্ন দাখিলকারীর সংখ্যা ছিল ১৭ লাখের মতো। আইনে কী আছে আর বাস্তবতা যা বলছে বিদ্যমান আয়কর অধ্যাদেশের ১২৪ ধারা অনুযায়ী, যুক্তিসঙ্গত কারণ ছাড়া কোনো ব্যক্তি নির্ধারিত সময়ের মধ্যে আয়কর রিটার্ন দাখিলে ব্যর্থ হলে আগের রিটার্ন এর অ্যাসেসমেন্টের ১০% বা এক হাজার টাকার মধ্যে যেটি বেশি, ওই পরিমাণ অর্থ এবং প্রতিদিনের জন্য ৫০ টাকা জরিমানা গুনতে হবে। যেসব টিআইএনধারী কখনোই রিটার্ন জমা দেননি, তাদের জরিমানা পাঁচ হাজার টাকার বেশি হবে না। অবশ্য এ ক্ষেত্রে সর্বনিম্ন জরিমানা কী হবে, সে ক্ষমতা ডেপুটি কমিশনার অব ট্যাক্সেস (ডিসিটি)-এর হাতে দেওয়া হয়েছে। আয়কর বিভাগের মাঠ পর্যায়ের কর্মকর্তাদের সঙ্গে কথা বলে জানা গেছে, আইনে জরিমানার কথা বলা থাকলেও সর্বনিম্ন কত হবে, সে বিষয়ে কিছু বলা নেই। ফলে মাঠ পর্যায়ের কর্মকর্তারা কখনো কখনো তাদের সুবিধামত সিদ্ধান্ত দেন, যাতে করদাতা নাখোশ হন, আবার একেবারে কম জরিমানা করলে কর অফিস থেকেও প্রশ্নের মুখে পড়তে হয়। এই ব্যবস্থায় অনিয়মেরও সুযোগ থেকে যায়। এনবিআরের মাঠ পর্যায়ের একজন ডিসিটি নাম প্রকাশ না করার শর্তে টিবিএসকে বলেন, সাধারণত নতুন করে রিটার্ন জমা দেওয়া করদাতাদের ক্ষেত্রে ছাড় দেওয়া হয়। সাবেক এনবিআর সদস্য আলমগীর হোসেনও বলেন, কম কর ধরা হলে আবার ওই কর্মকর্তাকে জবাবদিহি করতে হয় কোনো কোনো ক্ষেত্রে।

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/transport/news/dhaka-mawa-bhanga-expressway-higher-toll-proposed-3035641 Dhaka-mawa-bhanga expressway: Higher toll proposed Previous rate still not implemented; collection to begin on July 1 Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary Tue May 31, 2022 12:00 AM Last update on: Tue May 31, 2022 12:00 AM "The increase in expressway toll will ultimately drive up the transport fare and people will have to bear it." Rustam Ali Khan Executive president of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners' Association Even before implementing the toll rate fixed for Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway, the government is planning to increase it, a move that will ultimately push up the transportation cost. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has proposed four base toll rates -- Tk 18.40, Tk 25, Tk 33.71 and Tk 34.70 -- 84 to 250 percent higher than the rate fixed earlier. The finance ministry in April last year approved Tk 10 as the base toll -- proposed by the Road Transport and Highways Division -- for an interim period, until the opening of Padma Bridge. The per kilometre fee for a medium-size truck (two axle) is considered the base toll. The authorities could not implement it mainly because the infrastructures required for this -- including four exits and entrances of the expressway and the toll plaza -- were not ready yet. Meanwhile, observing the newly proposed rates are high, the Road Transport and Highways Division at a recent meeting opined for Tk 15 or 18.40 as the base toll. However, a final decision would be taken following a meeting with stakeholders expected to be held next month. RHD, which is the custodian of the country's first expressway, will start toll collection from July 1 and until a new rate is fixed, they will follow that of the interim period, officials said. The toll would be added to the amount a vehicle has to pay for using the Padma Bridge which is in the middle of the expressway. The authorities have already fixed tolls for the bridge, which is around 1.5 times higher than the average toll paid by ferries plying the Padma river. HOW MUCH A VEHICLE HAS TO PAY? As per the interim rate of Tk 10 per kilometre, a medium-size truck would have to pay Tk 550 for using the entire 55km expressway. The toll for a bus would be Tk 495 (90 percent of the base toll), for a car (sedan) Tk 138 (25 percent) and for a bike Tk 28 (5 percent). For using the Padma bridge, a medium-size truck has to pay Tk 2,100 while Tk 2,400 for a bus, Tk 750 for a car and jeep and Tk 100 for a motorcycle. If the base toll is Tk 15, a medium-size truck has to pay Tk 833 to use the expressway. If the base toll is fixed at Tk 18.4, then it has to pay Tk 1,020 and if the base toll is at Tk 33.71, then it has to pay Tk 1,854. Rates for other vehicles will increase accordingly. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in March 2020 opened the 55km expressway, implemented at the cost of Tk 11,003 crore, making it the most expensive road (considering per kilometre expenditure) in the country. During an Ecnec meeting in September 2019, she instructed the authorities concerned to collect tolls from long-haul vehicles on the national highways. The amount collected would be spent for maintenance. RHD the next year had prepared a toll structure for the expressway following the Toll Policy-2014 and under the policy, the base toll is Tk 2 on each kilometre on important highways and Tk 400 for a bridge above 750 metres. It was vehemently opposed by stakeholders including bus operators. Then, following the recommendations of a committee, and instruction of Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, the division proposed Tk 10 as base toll and the finance ministry on April 4 last year approved it. NEW PROPOSALS The Roads and Highways Department submitted four proposals for fixing the toll rate as the Padma Bridge is going to be opened on June 25. One of the rates is Tk 18.40 per km -- which comes as the base toll according to the 2014 policy. The department proposed Tk 33.71 per km, adjusting the inflation over seven years since 2014 when the toll policy was formulated and considering the quality of expressway compared to other roads. Interestingly, it also proposed Tk 25 as base toll by just multiplying the interim toll rate with 2.5, without giving any expiation for this. The department also mentioned Tk 34.70 as proposed by another committee earlier. However, the Road Transport and Highways Division, after holding a meeting on May 19, found the proposed rates high and they recommended that the rate should not be more than Tk 15 (1.5 times higher than the interim rate) or 18.40 as per the toll policy, sources said. Meanwhile, the division had called a stakeholder meeting on May 24 to discuss the toll rate. But the meeting was postponed as, what the sources said, the outgoing secretary of the division Nazrul Islam wanted that the toll would be fixed after a new secretary takes over from June 4. WHAT AUTHORITIES WILL DO? Sabuj Uddin Khan, additional chief engineer of RHD for Dhaka zone, under which the expressway falls, said that they would start collecting toll from the expressway from July 1 this year. "A new toll rate would be fixed. If the new toll rate is not fixed before July 1, we will start collecting toll following the interim toll rate," told The Daily Star yesterday. In August last year, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved a proposal to give Korean Expressway Corporation (KEC) the responsibility to collect toll from the expressway. However, no formal agreement has been signed yet. Asked about it, Sabuj Uddin said, "We are expecting to sign the contract [with KEC] within seven to 10 days. However, they have already started background work." Replying to another question, he said the main infrastructure required for toll collection is completed. However, KEC will introduce an automated system for collecting toll but they would require three more months to install it, he said, "Till then, we will collect toll manually." Rustam Ali Khan, executive president of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners' Association, said the increase in toll will ultimately drive up the transport fare and people will have to bear it. Rustam, also general secretary of Bangladesh Truck Covered-Van Owners Association, when they were planning to hold a press conference to request the prime minister to have the toll rate for Padma Bridge reduced, the news about the expressway's toll rate further concern them. Contacted, Nazrul Islam, outgoing secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division, said the toll rate would be increased as the interim rate for the period until the opening of Padma Bridge. Currently, a vehicle has to pay tolls for three bridges on this route. "With all three bridges included, the toll for the entire expressway would not be that much." The proposed rate is lesser than the rate fixed for Dhaka Bypass expressway and Rampura-Amulia-Demra expressway. Both projects are under implementation, he told this newspaper last night. People will benefit from the development. So, they have to pay for it like other countries, he said, adding that the authorities will try to keep it at "tolerable level." Asked about possible impact on transport cost, Nazrul Islam said the bus operators think of increasing fares but they have to consider that the expressway would raise their trips and cut the travel time and cost.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/editorial/2022/05/31/towards-greater-trade-with-italy Towards greater trade with Italy The authorities would do well to assess current trade conditions and make necessary arrangements Tribune Editorial May 30, 2022 10:34 PM Despite the many challenges elicited by the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh has been making strides in establishing and strengthening its ties with various developed countries, paving the way forward for our economy. This has been editorialized by this newspaper, and the government, relevant authorities, and all stakeholders deserve to be applauded for recognizing the importance of diplomacy. A case in point is the improved trade between Bangladesh and Italy, garnering a two-way trade volume of over $2.2 billion. While a major reason can be attributed to the direct container ship route from Chittagong port to the port of Ravenna, which became operational in February this year, no doubt the ongoing discussions between the two nations have only gone from strength to strength and have also been a major reason for this uptick. The direct container ship route has not only cut down the cost and duration of transportation significantly, but also encourages both countries to explore more efficient and frequent trade options for added mutual benefits. This is an extremely favourable development for our country. Italy is currently our sixth largest export destination, with RMG products making up the majority of the exports. Yet, as Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Md Shameem Ahsan rightfully identified, given that other items such as leather, jute, and ceramics can also be exported to Italy, and with faster and cheaper trade being facilitated, it is a golden opportunity for our export industry to not only grow more, but also be diversified. With more negotiations in the cards, the authorities would do well to assess current trade conditions and make necessary arrangements to enable further avenues to be explored effectively. The trade target with Italy accounts for $1.4bn of the total target of $4.35bn for the current fiscal year. Needless to say, it is an extremely promising relationship that can, if cultivated with care, advance us on our path to building stronger and more long-term bilateral ties.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2022/05/22/bsmmu-intake-of-excessive-gastric-medicine-leads-to-45-of-ulcer BSMMU: Intake of excessive gastric medicine leads to 45% of ulcer Experts suggest that the sale of gastric medicine without a doctor's prescription should be stopped UNB May 22, 2022 5:15 PM Intake of excessive amounts of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) or gastric medications can cause gastric ulcers among 45% of patients, said the doctors at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) on Sunday. “If we lead life in a disciplined manner, we can get rid of acidity. If you do not suffer from acidity, you do not need to take medicine either,” said BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Sharfuddin Ahmed at a seminar titled “Overuse of PPI: A review of emerging concern”. According to the doctors, proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are drugs whose main function is to reduce the secretion of acid from the parietal cells of the stomach. Therefore, excessive consumption of this drug damages micronutrients, resulting in fractures of the body. PPI also creates a deficiency of Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin-12, and Iron in the human body. However, consumption of PPI cannot be stopped suddenly. PPI has to be reduced gradually by two weeks, one week. Medications can be taken once a day, one after two days, said the doctors. Most of the gastric medicines are being sold without any prescriptions. Pharmacy shopkeepers are providing gastric medicine when the patients come with various complications including diarrhoea, constipation, and different kinds of stomach pain to gastric issues, which can be solved by drinking water or using some light medicine. Besides, in the case of treating gastric issues, intake of medicines may cause malnutrition, dementia, cancer and many other health complications, the doctors observed. At the same time, the experts demanded that policy needs be formed to reduce the use of excessive gastric medicine. They said the sale of gastric medicine without a doctor's prescription should be stopped. They added that, If it were possible to supervise the trading of medicines, it would be possible to control the use of these excessive gastric medicines. Meanwhile, due to antibiotic resistance, more people will die by 2050 than coronavirus in the country, BSMMU doctors warned. “Many of us consume a steroid from time to time which is also alarming for our body,” said one of the doctors. Prof Dr Md Sharfuddin called for adherence to hygiene rules to contain the coronavirus outbreak as well as to be aware of Monkeypox.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2022/05/29/square-pharma-to-manufacture-drugs-in-kenya-this-july Square pharma to manufacture drugs in Kenya this July Square looks to get hold of the $30 million drug market in Kenya and five other East African countries — Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan — and fulfill the unmet demands of medicines in those countries Zisan Bin Liaquat May 29, 2022 5:51 PM Square Pharmaceuticals has constructed a state of the art pharmaceutical plant at EPZ Athi River in Machakos County of Kenya. It is expected to be commissioned in July this year. “Square Pharmaceuticals’ first overseas manufacturing unit in Kenya has received the good manufacturing practices (GMP) approval today (Friday). This is also the first investment of Bangladesh in the pharmaceutical sector outside the country,” General Manager at Square Pharmaceuticals Prosenjit Chakraborty wrote in a LinkedIn post on Friday. The offshore plant is set to help the company diversify its supply chain and mitigate any impact of Bangladesh's LDC graduation a decade later. Square looks to get hold of the $30 million drug market in Kenya and five other East African countries — Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and South Sudan — and fulfill the unmet demands of medicines in those countries. “This is a milestone for not just Square, but the country itself, as it not only diversifies the export basket but also speaks volumes about our expertise in the pharmaceutical and medicine sector and the quality product we can produce,” Jahangir Alam, the executive director of Square pharma, told Dhaka Tribune. The company had extended its range of services towards the highway of the global market, pioneering exports of medicines from Bangladesh in 1987 and has been exporting antibiotics and other pharmaceutical products. It currently has an export market that covers 42 countries manifesting the credibility of Square Pharmaceuticals Limited, as per the company. The top brass also thanked the initiative of the government that helped the local pharma giant to step foot abroad and tap into the foreign market. The central bank earlier gave permission to four private business entities to invest $10 million in foreign countries in a major leap forward for reining in capital flight alongside easing global marketing of local products. As one of the permitted companies, Square Pharmaceuticals will also invest $1 million in the Philippines, opening up an opportunity for the company to gain a foothold in the import-dependent $6 billion pharmaceutical market — the third-largest in the Asean region. Square had been waiting to begin manufacturing in its newly built Kenyan plant much earlier. However, the pandemic delayed the commencement of operation abroad, according to the official of the company. The plant, which is the largest in East and Central Africa, is in its final stages of getting operational licenses from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, according to Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Betty Maina. “The plant is expected to get the licences this week to enable it to start full commercial operations for the production of malaria and diabetes drugs, and other essential medicines,” Maina told reporters on Friday. She said when the plant commences full operations, Kenya would benefit from additional 500 direct jobs from the plant, lower costs of essential medicine and increased foreign exchange earnings from exports of drugs. The CS was speaking during a meeting with visiting senior officials from Bangladesh at her office at the NSSF building to discuss the commissioning of the Square Pharmaceuticals plant. Maina, who lauded the company for investing over $75 million in the country, encouraged the firm to inform other potential investors from Bangladesh to take advantage of Kenya’s conducive business environment and set up manufacturing facilities in Kenya. During the meeting, it was agreed that Bangladesh would share with Kenya its extensive knowledge in pharmaceutical production, as well as set the required requisite skills. “We agreed that Bangladesh will also enter into collaboration with Kenyan Universities on the training of industrial pharmacists in addition to the clinical pharmacists that Kenya is currently training to assist in the management of modern pharmaceutical plants like the one set up by Square Pharmaceuticals in Kenya,” said the CS. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary for Industrialization Amb Kirimi Kaberia, Director of Industries in charge of Private Sector Development Stephen Odua, and the visiting officials from Square Pharmaceuticals who included the Executive Director (Finance and Strategy) Muhammad Zahangir Alam, General Manager (International Marketing) Prosenjit Chakroborty and General Manager (Human Resources) Fakhrul Hasan. Square Pharmaceuticals posted Tk1,594 crore in annual profit for the 2020-21 fiscal year, which is 19.38% higher compared to the previous year, boosting the top pharmaceutical company's earnings per share to Tk17.99 for the year, up from Tk15.07. The profit figures include that of its subsidiary companies. But the individual companies also posted growth in profits on a standalone basis. The pharma market of the country is growing by 15% every year, according to the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries. The market is expected to grow four times to Tk1 lakh crore by 2030.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2022/05/30/jaishankar-india-to-supply-additional-1500-mw-of-electricity-to-bangladesh Jaishankar: India to supply additional 1500 MW of electricity to Bangladesh The road project connecting Baruerhat to Ramgarh on the India-Bangladesh border is also being implemented, says the Indian minister UNB May 30, 2022 8:57 PM Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said an additional 1500 MW of electricity is in pipeline from India to Bangladesh. India currently supplies 1160 MW of electricity to Bangladesh. Addressing a “NADI (River) Conclave 2022” in Guwahati recently, Jaishankar also said that, inside Bangladesh, India is collaborating on a series of road projects, including improving the Ashuganj River Port-Akhaura Land Port Road under an LoC of more than US$400 million, reports The Economic Times. “The road project connecting Baruerhat to Ramgarh on the India-Bangladesh border, which will increase Tripura’s road connectivity with Bangladesh, is also being implemented under another LoC of US$80.06 million,” he said. The minister mentioned that cross-border power transmission lines and digital connectivity infrastructure offered additional dimensions of connectivity. The international gateway between Agartala and Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh is helping to provide faster internet access and broadband services in Tripura, he observed. Jaishankar further said: “We will be reviewing all these developments and more at the Joint Consultative Commission Meeting with my Bangladesh counterpart in mid-June. Hydropower too offers great scope for cooperation, and this is relevant even more in an era of climate action.”

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/budget/revenue-collection-target-be-set-tk433-trln-budget-next-fiscal-429902 UNB 30 May, 2022, 08:20 pm Last modified: 30 May, 2022, 09:56 pm Revenue collection target to be set at Tk4.33 trln in budget for next fiscal The upcoming budget is set to have a Tk4.33 trillion revenue target that is Tk44,000 crore higher than the target in the current fiscal budget The government is to set an ambitious revenue collection target of Tk4.33 trillion for the national budget of fiscal year (FY) 2022-23, comfortably the highest ever, although meeting this target has never been the point. Bangladesh's national budget is set to be placed in parliament on 9 June 2022 for the next fiscal, 2022-23. The size of the national budget is to be set at Tk6.77 trillion (Tk6,77,864 crore) which is 15.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP), sources at the finance ministry said. The National Board of Revenue (NBR), a wing of the Internal Resources Division (IRD), usually collects revenue for the government. The upcoming budget is set to have a Tk4.33 trillion revenue target that is Tk44,000 crore higher than the target in the budget for the current fiscal and 9.8% of the GDP. That target has of course not been met – it never has been in the era of the expansionary budgets adopted by ex-finance minister, late AMA Muhith. But that hasn't stopped them from expanding. It goes to show Muhith's legacy is still very much alive in the country's governance. Given the very low tax-GDP ratio, it is better to aim high and miss, than aim low, has been the driving philosophy to the approach. Though the government is raising the revenue collection target for NBR, the margin of the missed targets of the revenue board has been widening over the last several fiscal years. Lack of technical know-how of officials, friendly revenue collection approach and backdated technology are obstacles for the revenue board. As per the calculation, the budget deficit would stand at Tk2.44 trillion that is 5.5% of GDP. According to finance ministry sources, the government would borrow Tk1,28,341 crore from the domestic sources and Tk1,16,523 crore will be borrowed from abroad to meet the budget deficit, in the proposed budget. Of the domestic borrowing, Tk93,889 crore would be borrowed from the banking system while Tk34,452 crore from savings certificates.

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/islami-insurances-profit-jumps-167-five-years-429938 TBS Report 30 May, 2022, 09:40 pm Last modified: 30 May, 2022, 10:46 pm Islami Insurance’s profit jumps 167% in five years With the increase in the profit of Islami Insurance, the rate of paying dividends to the shareholders has also increased Islami Insurance Bangladesh Limited's net profit jumped 167% in the last five years riding on a robust growth in foreign trade which requires mandatory insurance coverage. A senior officer of the company, seeking not to be named, said a large part of the general insurance business comes from LCs (letters of credit). "For import-export business, opening LCs is a must. And insurance is compulsory for every LC. Imports and exports have increased in the last five years. So the company's business has grown," he told The Business Standard. In 2020, the insurance regulator cancelled the 15% agent commission on the sale of general insurance policies. And insurance companies had to spend a lot of money every year on the agent commission. Which did not happen in 2021. Therefore, the profit increased by 60% in that year. With the increase in the profit of Islami Insurance, the rate of paying dividends to the shareholders has also increased. The company, which has been paying dividends at the rate of 10% for the last seven years, has paid a 12.50% cash dividend to its shareholders for 2021. Although the business looks good, there are allegations against the company for not complying with rules and regulations. It does not comply with the guidelines of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (Idra) for holding a minimum of 60% shares jointly by its sponsors and directors. The Insurance Act-2010 has clear guidelines in this regard. Last year, Idra again issued circular asking sponsors and directors of insurance companies to hold 60% shares. Islami Insurance's sponsors and directors have sold 8.33% of the shares in the last year. They did not even announce the sale of shares to stock exchanges in line with the securities law. At present, sponsors and directors jointly hold a 31.16% stake in the company. In the year following the general holidays due to the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, the share price of the company on the Dhaka Stock Exchange rose by 285% to Tk77 without any reason. But at present, its shares are being traded at Tk43. Share market insiders said a group manipulated the share price of the company. The names of more than one person behind this manipulation were under discussion. However, the regulatory body did not take any action against them. And with this opportunity, some sponsors of the company have sold their shares. Islami Insurances' Company Secretary Mujibur Rahman did not answer when he was called on his mobile phone for comments on this matter. Meanwhile, the auditor has raised questions about the company's premium income despite its business growth. In its 2020 report, the auditor said that the company has a deficit of Tk6.16 crore in premium income with value-added tax (VAT) returns. But they could not resolve the issue as the company could not provide any documents in this regard.

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/rmg/mexicos-coppel-keen-increase-rmg-imports-bangladesh-429994 Abul Kashem 30 May, 2022, 10:40 pm Last modified: 30 May, 2022, 10:49 pm Mexico’s Coppel keen to increase RMG imports from Bangladesh Mexico's retail giant Coppel aims to import more RMG and other products from Bangladesh Mexican retail giant Coppel is keen to import more readymade garments from Bangladesh as well as bicycles, home textiles, undergarments, home appliances, jute products, and ceramics. To this end, a 10-member delegation led by the retailer's sourcing manager Jorge Gomez Garcia will visit Bangladesh in July, said Abida Islam, Bangladesh ambassador to Mexico, to the commerce ministry in Dhaka. In a 27 May letter to the ministry's Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, the ambassador said Coppel had been conducting successful and satisfactory business with Bangladesh for several years – its imports from Bangladesh having increased from $5 million to $20 million in a few years. "During a recent discussion with me, Coppel expressed interest in purchasing readymade garments as well as bicycles, home textiles, undergarments, home appliances, jute products, and ceramic products from Bangladesh. They are interested in meeting with manufacturers and suppliers of these products," Abida said in the letter. Founded in 1941, Coppel has about 1,600 department stores in 700 cities across Mexico and has about 3 crore customers. In 2021, the company's total sales exceeded $12 billion. Coppel purchases various products such as cell phones and accessories, computers and accessories, bicycles, motorcycles, tyres, luggage, linen, furniture and home decor, jewellery, home appliances and electronics, from suppliers of nearly 2,700 national and international brands, to sell in its department stores.

Footwear Industry of Bangladesh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-dynfJ9DPM

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2022/05/30/expatriates-send-165-bn-in-26-days-of-may Expatriates send $1.65 bn in 26 days of May Bangladesh Bank data shows that foreign exchange reserve is increasing thanks to growing inward remittance in the recent months despite huge import payment demand UNB May 30, 2022 4:16 PM The ministry of finance is expecting the growth of inward remittance by 16% in the fiscal year FY2022-23. Bangladesh has, meanwhile, received inward remittance of $1654.94 million (1.65 billion) in 26 days of May. The ministry in a report said that over 5.5 lakh workers went abroad in the post-Covid-19 period from the country. The trend of manpower export will continue as many countries of the Middle East and Europe are hiring more workers to meet the huge non-skill and semi-skilled manpower. Besides, Qatar's football World Cup preparations have also created huge job demand in the service sector in the Middle East. Bangladesh Bank data shows that foreign exchange reserve is increasing thanks to growing inward remittance in the recent months despite huge import payment demand. If the remittances reach this trend the amount of inward remittance is likely to cross $2 billion in May, said Md Serajul Islam, executive director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank. The remittance inflow will increase in the next month ahead Eid-ul-Azha, as the expatriates are expected to send additional money on the occasion of the festival, he said. He said that remittance inflow has increased due to the ease of incentive delivery process and devaluation of the Bangladeshi taka. Bangladesh has received $189,662.71 million or $18.97 billion from June 1 to May 26 of FY 22.

https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/higher-education-supplement/news/brac-university-inspiring-excellence-3035091 Brac University: Inspiring Excellence An in-depth look at BRAC University’s top departments Mon May 30, 2022 12:00 AM Last update on: Mon May 30, 2022 07:07 PM BRAC University (BRACU) is one of the leading universities of Bangladesh. It was founded by the famous social entrepreneur, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed KCMG, who created BRAC – one of the largest NGOs in the world. The University follows a liberal arts approach to education. It aims to educate talented leaders to serve South Asia and beyond. BRACU has had global connections since its foundation in 2001. The university now partners with more than 250 universities around the world and has collaborations with reputed university networks. There are increasing numbers of international students from 22 countries, building a diverse and multicultural student community at BRACU. It is also mentionable that in 2022, for the consecutive second year, BRACU emerged as the country's top university in research investment. BRACU has been ranked GLOBAL TOP 50 for the United Nations 'Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1: No poverty' in Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2022. All of the different schools or departments in BRACU emphasises and encourages its faculty members to apply innovative and creative teaching and learning methods so that students find value in their classes. Another unique feature that applies to BRACU's undergraduate programmes is that students have to spend one semester at the Residential Campus in Savar. This continues to be a prominent feature that helps in the development of BRACU's students. In addition to academic learning, student's active participation in extracurricular activities (public speaking, sports, cultural activities, etc.) during their stay in the Residential Campus helps them become empathetic and socially responsible human beings. Aside from this, BRACU also hosts a wide variety of facilities in its lab and library to ensure students receive top quality resources to further their learning. There are also a multitude of workshops and clubs within the different departments that enable students to pursue interests that both align with or are outside of their line of education. BRACU offers quality tertiary education, as well as financial support to meritorious students. Each semester, BRACU honours academically talented and exceptionally skilled students with a variety of scholarships and awards. The university annually awards more than BDT 100 million in terms of scholarships to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations (OCSAR) works together with the different departments to inform students of their potential career opportunities and facilitate their work placements through offering career counselling, organising job fairs in collaboration with leading corporations and non-corporate employers. Students also have access to academic supervisors from whom they can receive consultation and career advice. BRAC Business Schools (BBS) BBS's undergraduate programme, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), and two graduate programmes, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), are some of the major degrees available in the department. The school believes that every student is unique and hence, the right to choose a major depends on the students' interests and career goals. The BBA programme offers majors/specialisations in a variety of business disciplines including Accounting, Finance, E-Business, Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, Information System, Management, Marketing, and Operations and Supply Chain Management. During the initial years, students of this 4-year undergrad programme get the opportunity to explore their interests by taking foundation courses in all business disciplines prior to choosing a major, and undertaking relevant courses during the later years. MBA and EMBA programmes offer majors in Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Operations Management and Management Science. One key feature that prospective students should note is that BBS has recently entered into meaningful collaboration arrangements with a number of reputed international institutions. These include academic cooperation with Texas A&M University-Commerce (TAMUC) and the University of Lincoln. BBS's vision is "to become a globally-recognised centre of excellence in developing business leaders and knowledge dedicated to championing human values"; and it's two-fold missions are to offer bachelor-level, cutting-edge business education for grooming competent and ethical future leaders who cater to the interests of all stakeholders, and to advance knowledge - in the local and global contexts – promoting sustainable development, equity and universal well-being. Being an institution that always focuses on quality education and developing competent business leaders, BBS has positioned itself as one of the best business schools in the country with its distinguished faculty pool. As of date, 54 percent of the faculty members possess doctorate degrees and 82 percent of the faculty members gained their highest degree from overseas. Students of BBS undertake internship across many industries, and in top companies of the country. Renowned organisations like Unilever Bangladesh, Banglalink Digital Communication Ltd, BRAC Bank, bKash Ltd., Hungrynaki, Aarong, Robi Axiata Ltd., Chevron Bangladesh, etc. are common destinations. The Dean of BRAC Business School, Professor Sang H Lee, PhD stated, "As its mission statement says, BRAC Business School offers cutting edge business education for grooming competent and ethical future leaders. We are proud to provide future leaders of Bangladesh who can stand for the social purpose of promoting the welfare of all stakeholders." Farah Sharmeen Aolad, Country Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Lead at Coca-Cola Bangladesh Limited and Alumna, EMBA Programme, Class of Spring 2016 stated, "My EMBA from BRAC University ignited the spirit in me to pursue my desire to be a public speaker to encourage and motivate others. The skills and learning that I attained from this degree have helped my career engagements". School of Data and Science BRACU's School of Data and Science consists of two departments, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNS). At present, the CSE department is the largest department of the university, comprising of approximately 5,700 students. Two majors are available for CSE students, which are Computer Science and Engineering, and Computer Science. In the MNS department, majors are offered on Applied Physics and Electronics, Mathematics, Physics, Biotechnology and Microbiology. The CSE department, in particular, started offering many new elective courses since the pandemic. Some worth noting are courses on quantum computing, bioinformatics, advanced robotics, machine learning, data science, computer vision, randomised algorithms, cloud computing, neural computing and many new development-oriented courses such as e-commerce, advanced web development and web services. Students can join the BRAC University Computer Club (BUCC) and the Robotics Club (ROBU), under the CSE department, to enhance their learning experience and technical knowledge. BRACU's Robotics Club is quite well renowned for major achievements in international and national level robotics competitions. Students of the CSE department have the opportunity to join as a Student Tutor or a Research Assistant once they complete their graduation. Alongside this, during the bachelor's programme, students are acquainted with some organisations through workshops and seminars conducted by the department. For example, Therap, Kovair, BJET, etc. have taken CVs and written tests of students at BRACU after such seminars and workshops, and have given many students job offers even before their graduation. When asked about the vision of the CSE Department, Dr Sadia Hamid Kazi, Chairperson, CSE Department said, "At BRAC University, our goal is to provide quality education in both the theoretical and applied aspects of computer science and guide students to apply this knowledge to solve real-world problems successfully. This will ensure that we are providing them a competitive advantage to address the ever-changing and complex challenges." In similar fashion, MNS also periodically organises seminars and workshop on different aspects including recent innovation in basic sciences, professional grooming and meeting employers and roundtable discussion on recent public health concerns like COVID-19, Dengue, etc. There are a lot of existing and emerging job opportunities for graduates of the MNS department. Graduates of the department are already working in different government and multinational organisations. On top of that, a large number of students are pursuing higher education in USA, Canada, Australia and Europe. Job opportunities for graduates of MNS are primarily in the pharmaceutical sector, academia, research institutes like National Institute of Biotechnology, BCSIR, icddr,b, and so on. Prof AFM Yusuf Haider PhD, Chairperson, MNS, when asked about the department mission of MNS stated, "Science is continuously evolving. It is not just a source of new ideas, but a constant driving force for innovation. We, at the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, nourish and nurture this philosophy wholeheartedly. Our departmental mission is to be an internationally recognized community of scholars who contribute fundamental new knowledge at the cutting edge of science. We are committed to the intellectual and spiritual development of each of our students." Department of Economics and Social Sciences (ESS) At present, ESS offers three degrees. At the undergraduate level, the department offers two Bachelor of Social Sciences degrees in Economics and Anthropology. At the postgraduate level, the department offers a Master of Science degree in Applied Economics (MSAE). It is notable that ESS is also engaging in academic collaboration with reputed institutions from abroad. The department regularly organises public lectures and seminars on important topics. Very recently, it organised a public lecture by Nobel Laureate in Economics Professor Vernon Smith. Graduates of Economics and Anthropology are known to get jobs in academia, as well as in research institutions, think-tanks, multi-lateral and bi-lateral organisations, MNCs, NGOs, etc. When asked about her perspective on the department, Professor Farzana Munshi, Chair, Department of Economics and Social Sciences said, "Our three excellent academic programmes are designed to train students as well-rounded individuals with critical skills and strong ethical values, enabling them to become global citizens. Our curriculum is regularly updated and internationally reputed faculty members help students prepare for higher studies, increase their employability and also help them gain skills for future jobs. ESS alumni are working in the top public and private sector organisations, research organisations, and the development sector. The department has recently signed a unique MoA with the University of Kent under which BRAC University economics graduates and Kent's MSc in Development Economics students will have the opportunity to undertake a research placement in BRAC University as part of their degree." Ishmam Al Quddus, former graduate, Spring'15, had this to say about his time in ESS, "I find myself extremely lucky to have completed my undergraduate in the Department of Economics and Social Sciences, BRAC University. Looking back, I realise how ESS played a vital role in my overall development thought during my undergraduate studies. The respected faculty members used to motivate the students to pursue their passion, enjoy their studies, interact with others, and actively participate in co-curricular activities. ESS advocated for a holistic development of its students. The courses offered in ESS helped me greatly in my Master's programme abroad which was a testament to the rigor of the economics courses offered in BRAC University." Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) Currently, EEE under the School of Engineering (SoE) offers two undergraduate and two graduate programmes: Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (BSEEE), Bachelor of Science in Electronic and Communication Engineering (BSECE), Master of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (MSEEE) and Master of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (M.Eng.EEE). EEE is ideal for students, who are keen towards physical science, mathematics, computing and cutting-edge technology in the field of electronics, power and communications, with the BSc in EEE and ECE programmes offering the perfect combination for them. Many thrive to get an opportunity to contribute to the growth of technology via extensive research and project work as well. Working professionals and fresh graduates who are keen to keep themselves abreast with the rapidly changing technology in electrical and electronic engineering that characterises today's knowledge-based economy, and prepare themselves for research-oriented careers in academia, industry and in the government should pursue the MSEEE graduate programme. The MEng in EEE programme helps prepare and guide students for the best professional engineering career paths in the industry, both in terms of the private and public sector. It is worth mentioning that BRAC University's student team created 'BRAC Onnesha', the country's first nano-satellite that was launched into space. BRACU's Mongol-Tori rover was also ranked third globally in the University Rover Challenge (URC) 2020, after the first ranked University of Michigan and runners up Stanford University. Besides introducing a new area of specialisation in the Programme Electives, all other existing elective streams such as Power, Electronics and Communication, are also enriched by adding new courses being developed recently, that are of immense practical significance. For example, Smart Grid and Renewable Energy Systems are added to the Power area; Hetero-Structure Device, Nanotechnology, Introduction to Photonics, and Solar Cells and Systems are added to the Electronics area; Introduction to Biomedical Engineering and Nanotechnology added to the Interdisciplinary/Emerging Topics area among others. Studying at the EEE department of BRACU enables students to access a myriad of opportunities in the job market. An Electrical and Electronic engineering graduate has to be quite familiar with multitasking as most employers seek candidates with this ability. From power generation companies to the electronic industry to signal processing and communication systems, electrical engineers may be working in offices, labs, or even factories. There are also great opportunities to work under the power division in Bangladesh such as Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC), Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO), etc. Moreover, the semiconductor industry is also rapidly growing in Bangladesh with an increase in the use of electronic devices. Bangladesh can also contribute to the global semiconductor industries if the domestic chip manufacturer workforce is established. This offers a lot of prospects for EEE graduates. Dr Mosaddequr, PhD, Chairperson, Department of EEE, when asked why students should pick the EEE department stated, "The Department of EEE started its journey in 2009. It has come a long way since its inception. Today our students are making great strides in both the national and international arena. Our students are the first ones in the country to make a nano-satellite and launch it in the space. We have one of the best curriculums in the country, which is on par with top-ranked universities in the world. We have faculty members who are highly committed and dedicated to the well-being of the students. We have lab facilities that are state-of-the-art and we are continually upgrading and developing new facilities to keep pace with the fast-evolving technology and changing needs of the industry. Here at BRACU, we aim to not only produce graduates who will be successful in their career, we aim to create leaders who will lead their team, organisation, society and the nation." Former student Md Tazzamul Hossain Tamim had this to say about his time in the EEE department, "BRAC University has always been on the forefront of revolutionising higher education in Bangladesh. The Department of EEE at BRAC University is working tirelessly alongside other departments to make this revolution a reality. The Department of EEE offers a wide range of courses from foundation level to specialisation level, where students can pursue their dream by picking courses according to their choices in a structural way. This department does not finish its duty by only offering courses, as it ensures quality engineering education by providing world-class lab facilities along with every theory course, which helps students to learn practically. Overall, everyone in this department is working to bring change and is determined to do so. As an ex-student of this department, I am proud to be a small part of that journey and willing to contribute more for the sake of this dream."