Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

DSEX 12.48 Gold (Ounce) $1336.50 Dollar 81.75 (Buy)  83.00 (Sell) CSCX 24.95 Oil (Barrel) $62.13 Euro 100.05 (Buy)  105.64 (Sell)

JULY-JAN REVENUE SHORTFALL TK 148B ...... 2 GOVT GOES SLOW AS INFRASTRUCTURE NOT READY YET ...... 3 NEC APPROVES TK 1.58TN REVISED ADP ...... 4 IDLC TO EXPAND ITS FOOTPRINT INTO HOUSING FINANCE ...... 5 STOCKS BOUNCE BACK ON DSE ...... 6 EBL SIGNS DEAL WITH PATHAO ...... 7 GDCL AND RLPCL ENTERS INTO ISSUE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT ...... 7 SUGAR DEARER DESPITE DROPOFF IN INT'L PRICES ...... 7 ERRANT RMG UNITS TO FACE LEGAL ACTION IN MAY ...... 8 CSE SEEKS 1 YEAR MORE FOR FINDING STRATEGIC PARTNER ...... 9 GOVT CUTS ADP BY TK 4,950CR ...... 10 RIDESHARING SERVICE GUIDELINE COMES INTO EFFECT TOMORROW ...... 11 APP LAUNCHED TO MONITOR LABOUR INSPECTION DATA ...... 12 VIETNAMESE KEEN TO INVEST IN TELECOM, TEXTILE ...... 12 DOMINO'S PIZZA TO SET FOOT IN BANGLADESH SOON ...... 13 ALLOCATION FOR ROHINGYAS IN NEXT BUDGET: MUHITH ...... 14 SOFTWARE, ICT NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION IN BUDGET: BASIS ...... 15 ADP OUTLAY SLASHED 4PC ...... 15 APP LAUNCHED FOR BETTER LABOUR MANAGEMENT ...... 16 TASKFORCE FORMED TO INVOLVE NRBS IN NATIONAL DEV ...... 17 ICCB TEAM OFF TO TOKYO ...... 17 VIETNAM PRESIDENT TRAN DAI QUANG WANTS TO INVEST IN BANGLADESH ...... 17 STEADY GDP GROWTH VITAL TO KEEP MARCH TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT: BG CHAIRMAN...... 18

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

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JULY-JAN REVENUE SHORTFALL TK 148B Government's tax-revenue collection suffered about a Tk 148-billion shortfall until January of this fiscal year against its target mainly for slow-paced reform to expand the tax net, sources said. Officials said such large amount of shortfall in the first seven months of the FY 2017-18 would make it difficult for the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to achieve the "ambitious" target. Despite an impressive import growth, all of the three NBR wings -- income tax, customs and value- added tax (VAT) -- failed to meet their respective target in the July-January period. However, compared to the previous corresponding period, the NBR achieved 15.37 per cent growth in revenue collection, while the current target has been set expecting around 35 percent growth. The NBR is lagging behind target this year on revenue-collection growth compared to the same period last year. Last year, revenue growth was 19.78 per in July-January period. However, average revenue-collection growth was 14.28 billion in the last five financial years. The tax authority collected Tk 1.10 trillion in tax revenue in the first seven months of FY 2017-18 against its target set at Tk 1.25 trillion for the period. A senior NBR official said the aggregate target of the NBR was focused on a new VAT law that the government failed to push through for opposition from businesses and deferred it for two years. Through implementation of the new VAT law from the current FY, the government had expected around Tk 200 billion in additional revenue. Dr Ahsan H Mansur, Executive Director of the Policy Research Institute (PRI), said there would be 12 to 15 per cent deficit in the aggregate revenue collection this fiscal. "There would be around 20 per cent growth in tax-revenue collection by end of this FY while the government set the target expecting 35 per cent growth," he said. Income tax and VAT are the main sources of tax revenue where supporting reform initiative is absent, he noted. The revenue collection is being carried out in traditional system for lack of effective reform measures, the economist said. "Economic activity, domestic demand for consumer products and import growth are impressive, but those indicators hardly bring any significant impact on tax-revenue collection," he said. According to Bangladesh Bank (BB) data, import settlement grew by 28 per cent in the last one year (January 17 to January 18). Dr Mansur said import growth helped the NBR to achieve higher growth in customs revenue. In the July-January period, import and export revenue grew highest by 17. 27 per cent followed by VAT at local stage 16.01 per cent and income tax 12.59 per cent. The Customs collected Tk 352.97 billion in the first seven months against its target of Tk 376.63 billion. The NBR collected Tk 424.18 billion worth of VAT in July-January period against its target for Tk 489.02 billion. Income-and travel-tax collection amounted to Tk 327.94 billion in that period against Tk 387.48 billion. The government has set an aggregate target of collecting Tk 2.48 trillion for FY 2017-18. Officials said the aggregate revenue-collection target would be revised downward by end of this FY as per trend of the last fiscals.

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Source: http://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/july-jan-revenue-shortfall-tk-148b- 1520358411 GOVT GOES SLOW AS INFRASTRUCTURE NOT READY YET The government has adopted a go-slow strategy to sign sales and purchase agreements (SPAs) with LNG suppliers as necessary infrastructure to 'evacuate' the fuel is not ready yet, officials said. They said the market for consuming the liquefied natural gas (LNG) was also inadequately ready, prompting the government high-ups to dawdle the final deal signing procedure. Moreover, they added, signing of master sales agreements (MSAs) with already short-listed 30 firms to purchase LNG from spot market would also take longer-than-expected time. Initial deals and memorandum of understandings (MoUs) to import the energy were, however, inked with half a dozen global suppliers during a period of last one year. The government has so far inked only one SPA with RasGas of Qatar to import around 2.50 Mtpa of LNG. It has taken the go-slow strategy due to delay in construction of necessary transmission pipeline to evacuate the re-gasified LNG, a senior official at Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) told the FE Tuesday. He also pointed out that the market was not ready yet to absorb the imported energy. One LNG receiving terminal having a capacity of 500 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) is expected to be readied by next month, followed by another one with similar capacity by October next. Only half the capacity of the first terminal could be used now with the existing transmission pipeline. The country is expecting the first LNG cargo in April 2018. Officials said the government considered that it would have to make a 'capacity payment' to the terminal operators as the evacuation pipeline is unlikely to be prepared before readying the terminal. If the government signs SPAs with the prospective suppliers now, it also might have to pay some sort of demurrage for not taking the contracted LNG delivered, they said. "We want to see the consequences before inking too many SPAs that are binding deals," a senior official at state-run Petrobangla said. "We want to see smooth entry of LNG into the country's energy market." More than a month ago, Petrobangla initialed two separate deals with Oman's state-run enterprise Oman Trading International and Switzerland-based private firm AOT Energy AG to import around 2.25 Mtpa of LNG. It also inked a letter of intent (LOI) deal with Indonesia's Petramina to import 1.0Mtpa of LNG early last month. Gunvor Singapore Pte Ltd is among several other firms that inked MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Petrobangla to supply LNG to Bangladesh under term deals. The delay in construction of a 30-kilometre 42-inch diameter Anwara-Fouzdarhat gas transmission pipeline has pushed the government at 'capacity payment' risk from the day one of starting commercial operation of the country's first LNG import terminal. Officials concerned fear the pipeline is unlikely to get ready before starting operation of the FSRU (floating, storage and re-gasification unit), expected next month (April). It will be possible to evacuate only 250 mmcfd of the re-gasified liquefied national gas (LNG) capacity from the day one with the existing gas pipeline in the region. US-based Excelerate Energy Bangladesh Ltd is now at final stage of constructing the FSRU-based LNG terminal, having a capacity to re-gasify 500 mmcfd equivalent of LNG. On the other hand, the government could not yet complete necessary infrastructure to evacuate the entire quantity of re-gasified LNG to be produced at the terminal. The Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Ltd (KGDCL), the state-run distribution company for Chittagong region, could be able to consume only around 250 mmcfd of natural gas as the port city

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018 does not have significant number of new industries or extensions over the past one decade, said a senior KGDCL official. Additional re-gasified LNG to consumers beyond the Chittagong region could not be possible if the Anwara-Fouzdarhat pipeline is not constructed. Petrobangla inked the country's first ever SPA with RasGas to buy annually around 2.5 million tonnes of lean LNG over 15 years on September 25 last year. During the initial five years of the deal, RasGas will supply annually around 1.8 million tonne of LNG, which will increase upto 2.5 million tonne annually in next 10 years, said a senior Petrobangla official quoting the terms of the SPA. The purchase price has been set at around 12.65 per cent of the three-month average price of Brent crude oil plus US$0.50 constant per MMBTu (1 million British thermal units), he said. If Petrobangla has more demand during the first five years, it can increase the LNG import volume annually to 2.5 million tonne and during the next 10 years Petrobangla has the option to reduce the amount by 10 per cent every year, according the terms of the SPA. If Bangladesh takes less than the base amount of LNG, in any year, it will have to pay the price on a take-or-pay basis. Bangladesh will be receiving LNG in floating terminals and its first LNG import terminal, a 3.75 million tonne per year FSRU being developed by US-based Excelerate Energy, is expected to be commissioned in April and its second, also with a capacity of 3.75 million tonne per year, being developed by Summit Group, is expected to be commissioned by October. Source: http://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/govt-goes-slow-as-infrastructure-not- ready-yet-1520358820

NEC APPROVES TK 1.58TN REVISED ADP The National Economic Council (NEC) approved on Tuesday a Tk 1.58 trillion Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) for the current fiscal year (FY18) downsizing the original ADP of Tk 1.64 trillion, reports UNB. "The NEC today approved the revised original ADP making a Tk 49.50 billion cut from the part of foreign sources," said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal at a briefing after the meeting held at the NEC conference room in the city with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. Besides, the amount of the organisations' own fund was cut by Tk 15.40 billion and it now stands at Tk 92.13 billion in the revised ADP, he said. So, the ADP size excluding the organisations' own fund now stands at Tk 1.48 trillion of which Tk 963.31 billion coming from local sources while the rest Tk 520.50 billion from foreign sources. The Planning Minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed him to consider the additional demands of various ministries and divisions and thus make additional allocations during the final formulation of the revised ADP. There will be no additional fund constraints for the ministries and divisions which will be able to utilize the additional funds, he said. The Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Commission placed the ADP implementation progress report at the NEC meeting. Mustafa Kamal said the ADP implementation during the July-February period (8 months) of the current fiscal year (FY18) reached 38.01 per cent with an expenditure of Tk 623.72 billion. "The ADP implementation rate during the July-February period of the last fiscal year, however, was 36.91 per cent with an overall expenditure of Tk 453.52 billion," he said. The ADP implementation rate during the 2015-16 fiscal year was 34 per cent. "In terms of expenditure, the ADP implementation rate almost doubled in the past three years. The GDP growth will comparably high as all indexes of current fiscal year were positive", the minister said.

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Talking about the economic growth, the Planning Minister said the country's overall macroeconomic situation will be much better at the end of the current fiscal compared to the last fiscal year's as the major macroeconomic indicators like export earnings, remittance inflow and revenue generation are on the rise. He said the possible GDP growth in the current fiscal year will exceed the fiscal target of 7.4 per cent growth. The minister, however, did not make any specific projection of GDP growth saying that they will come up with the projection in mid-April. Mustafa Kamal said the Prime Minister has directed the authorities concerned to avoid wasteful expenditures while revising any project, installing signboards in the project areas raising the briefs of any project before people and providing the rate of return and risk measurements in the DPP (Development Project Proforma) to avoid the lengthy process in project approval. Planning Division Secretary Md Ziaul Islam said the NEC meeting adopted a total of seven proposals, including one on the overall number of projects. He said a total of 1,658 projects were included in the RADP including 1,365 investment projects, 143 technical assistance projects, 3 projects from the Japan Debt Cancellation Fund and 147 projects from the organisations' own funds. Source: http://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/nec-approves-tk-158tn-revised-adp- 1520358861

IDLC TO EXPAND ITS FOOTPRINT INTO HOUSING FINANCE The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed to provide up to $40 million in senior financing in IDLC Finance Ltd (IDLC), the largest non- banking financial institution in Bangladesh. In a pre-investment disclosure, IFC said the proceeds, which will be in Bangladeshi Taka equivalent, will be utilized by IDLC for supporting affordable housing finance for purchase or construction and extension of houses to individuals under low and medium income group in Bangladesh. Registered with the Bangladesh Bank, the country's central bank, IDLC has a substantial SME portfolio and presence in tier II and tier III cities across the country. When contacted, Arif Khan, CEO & Managing Director said, "If the proposed financing from IFC goes through, it will help IDLC extend financing to middle and lower middle income population of the country, enabling many of them to realise their dreams of owning a home." "Our home loan now comprised 40 per cent of our loan portfolio. We process home loan faster than any other financial organizations in the market. We have one of the largest home loan portfolios in the market. As of now, we have disbursed over Tk 100 billion worth of home loan. This is even higher than the amount disbursed by the House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC)," the IDLC CEO said. IDLC Finance is the first Bangladeshi leasing company (now financial institution) established in 1985 through the alliance of IFC, DEG, Kook-min Bank and Korean Development Leasing Corporation of South Korea, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, the City Bank Limited, IPDC of Bangladesh Limited, and Sadharan Bima Corporation. IFC was one of the original sponsors of IDLC, according to dealstreet asia.com. IFC invested BDT 25 million ($301,000) to pick up a 10 per cent stake in IDLC before fully divesting from the latter in 2005. Currently, there are ongoing advisory projects with IDLC via FIG. The proposed IFC investment will be for a longer tenor than is currently available to IDLC, at seven years. IFC expects the proposed investment to provide commercially viable affordable housing finance product that can open up a new frontier segment for financial institutions contributing to the financial sector development and create additional jobs. "Real estate & housing industry is one of the largest job creators in Bangladesh. By supporting the expansion of housing finance, this project will also contribute to job creation in Bangladesh," IFC said in its disclosure.

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The project will be supported by the Local Currency Facility of the IDA18 IFC-MIGA Private Sector Window (PSW), created by the World Bank Group to catalyze private sector investment in IDA countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected states. "The Local Currency Facility will help deepen the housing market by supporting longer-term local currency lending, and will contribute to making homeownership more affordable thanks to the extension of mortgage loans maturities," the IFC said. Source: http://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/idlc-to-expand-its-footprint-into- housing-finance-1520353174

STOCKS BOUNCE BACK ON DSE Stocks rebounded Tuesday, after single-day break, largely supported by Grameenphone, the largest market cap company shares. Brokers said the market rose after previous day's correction largely supported by GP and Square Pharmaceuticals, the second largest market cap issue. Share prices of GP, which accounted for more than 19 per cent of the country's premier bourse's total market cap, jumped 1.18 per cent or Tk 5.70 each to close at Tk 487.40. The square Pharma's share price also ended 0.35 per cent higher to close at Tk 317.30 each on the day. "Strong buying pressure on stocks mainly from Grameenphone and Square Pharmaceuticals issues jacked the index up as the largest and second largest market cap issues," said an analyst at a leading brokerage firm. However, a section of investors remained cautious amid concern over ongoing liquidity crunch coupled with ambiguity over the Dhaka bourse's share sales to a strategic partner, said the analyst. The market became negative on the first hour, then managed to become positive and continued the positive trend till the end with investor's buying spree. Finally, the key index of the major bourse ended more than 12 points higher while CSE All Share Price Index (CASPI) rose 45 points at closing. DSEX, the core index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), settled at 5,848, gaining 12.47 points or 0.21 per cent over the previous session. According to International Leasing Securities, the market witnessed choppy trading as both the bargain hunters and shaky investors were active in the session. The stockbroker noted that the opportunist investors' buoyancy in telecom, engineering and cement sectors helped the prime index to close in green. However, some other investors opted to liquidate their holdings in bank and financial institution sectors as some recent crises have affected the banking sector. "Trading activities has increased by 10 per cent over last session as some of the investors rebalance their portfolio ahead of quarterly earnings disclosures and year-end dividend declarations," the stockbroker said. The two other indices also saw marginal gain. The DS30 index, comprising blue chips, advanced 3.50 points or 0.16 per cent to finish at 2,156. The DSE Shariah Index (DSES) gained 7.39 points or 0.54 per cent to close at 1,375. The market activities crossed the 4.0 billion-mark and the total turnover on the DSE rose to Tk 4.26 billion, which was 10 per cent higher than the previous day's Tk 3.89 billion. "Investors' sentiment regarding the market remained positive and buoyancy prevailed throughout the session," commented EBL Securities, in an analysis. The stockbroker noted that the core index passed a positive session riding on stocks from telecommunication, engineering, and pharmaceuticals issues.

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Major sectors showed mixed performance. Telecommunication posted the highest gain of 1.20 per cent riding on Grameenphone, followed by cement with 0.70 per cent, engineering 0.50 per cent, pharmaceuticals 0.20 per cent and fuel & power 0.10 per cent. On the other hand, food & allied issues sustained the highest correction, losing 1.60 per cent, followed by banking and non-bank financial institutions, losing 0.10 per cent each. CSE also ended marginally higher with its CSE All Share Price Index - CASPI -gaining 36 points to settle at 18,066 and selective Categories Index - CSCX -advancing 25 points to finish at 10,907. Here too, the gainers beat the losers as 127 issues closed higher, 72 loser and 33 remained unchanged on the CSE. The port city bourse traded 6.81 million shares and mutual fund units worth more than Tk 303 million in turnover. Source: http://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/stocks-bounce-back-on-dse- 1520353245

EBL SIGNS DEAL WITH PATHAO M. Khorshed Anowar, Head of Business, Retail Banking of Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) and Hussain M. Elius, CEO, Pathao exchanging documents after signing an agreement on behalf of their respective organisations in the city recently, according to a statement. EBL cardholder are offered 40 per cent discount during the first use of the Pathao app and will get 25 per cent discount on 3 bike rides and 25 per cent discount on 3 car rides every week. Md. Bin Mazid Khan, Head of Agent Banking, M. Riyadh Ferdous, Head of Retail Propositions of EBL, Kishwar Ahmed Hashemee, Vice President, Pathao were present, among others, on the occasion. Source: http://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/ebl-signs-deal-with-pathao- 1520353353

GDCL AND RLPCL ENTERS INTO ISSUE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT Green Delta Capital Limited (GDCL) and Raj Lanka Power Company Limited (RLPCL) Tuesday entered into an Issue Management Agreement for issuance of IPO in Bangladesh under Book Building Method. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Managing Director & CEO of Green Delta Capital Limited and U Gamini Sarath, Director of Raj Lanka Power Company Limited inked the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Nasir A Choudhury, Chairman of GDCL; Thamaka Thimbiripola, Country Manager of RLPCL, Finance Head, Md. Sumanof RLPCL along with other officials from both GDCL and RLPCL were present in this signing ceremony. Source: http://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/gdcl-and-rlpcl-enters-into-issue- management-agreement-1520353592

SUGAR DEARER DESPITE DROPOFF IN INT'L PRICES Sugar has become pricier in the country, though prices of the essential commodity fell on the international market. Prices of the item went up by Tk 2.0-Tk 4.0 a kilogramme both at wholesale and retail markets of the country in the last two weeks. Sugar was retailing at Tk 58-Tk 60 per kg on Tuesday. State-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) recorded nearly a 5.0 per cent hike just in a week. Wholesale sugar price increased by Tk 2.0-Tk 3.0 a kg at Khatunganj in Chittagong, Moulvibazar and Karwan Bazar in Dhaka during the period.

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The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, in its latest report, said global sugar prices declined by 3.4 per cent in February from January when overall food prices showed an upward trend (1.1 per cent). The FAO Sugar Price Index averaged 193 points in February, down 7 points from January and hitting its lowest level in two years. International sugar prices remained under downward pressure as production by major producers such as Thailand and India continued to expand, the FAO report said. President of Bangladesh Chini Babosayee Samity, an organisation of Moulvibazar-based sugar wholesalers in the city, Sher Mohammad told the FE sugar prices increased by Tk 2 a kg at refiners' end in last two weeks. He said refiners are now selling sugar at Tk 51-Tk 51.50 per kg. However, traders at Moulvibazar sold sugar at Tk 1,900 a maund (37.32 kgs) or Tk 51.90 a kg on Tuesday. "Prices of sugar have increased at a time when global prices have kept declining," said Golam Rahman, president of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB). At present, he said, production cost of sugar at refiners' end is maximum Tk 40 a kg including import duty. "But they are making profits illogically by selling the product at Tk 48-Tk 52 a kg," he said. Mr Rahman also requested the Bangladesh Tariff Commission (BTC) to reveal production costs of sugar at refiners' end so that the commerce ministry could take necessary steps in this regard. "The authorities concerned should take immediate steps long before the month of holy Ramadan as big players might raise the prices further during the fasting month when demand usually rises," he said. Global commodity web-portal Indexmundi data showed that bulk sugar prices declined to US$ 300 a tonne in February from US$ 330 a tonne in November. When contacted, general manager of City Group, one of the leading refiners, Biswajit Saha said that prices haven't increased at mill-gates as refiners are selling the product at Tk 48 a kg. The refiners will further adjust the price keeping pace with the world market but it would take a few weeks. Bangladesh consumes more than 1.65 million tonnes of sugar annually while it produces only 0.06 million tonnes, according to the data-2017. Top ten refiners and importers in the country dominate 90 per cent of the sugar market including City Group, S Alam Group, Meghna Group, Abdul Monem Ltd, HRS Global, ACI, Deshbandhu, Masud and Brothers. The refiners have the capacity to refine more than 3.5 million tonnes of sugar a year. City Group is claimed to have the biggest refinery plant in the world with a capacity of refining 5,000 tonnes of raw sugar a day. Source: http://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade-market/sugar-dearer-despite-dropoff-in-intl- prices-1520354135

ERRANT RMG UNITS TO FACE LEGAL ACTION IN MAY The government has decided to take legal action against the readymade garment factories inspected under the national initiative that will fail to complete remediation work by April. The labour ministry in a recent meeting to review the progress of Remediation Coronation Cell came to a firm decision that the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishment would file case against factories, which will fail to complete remediation in time, in May. This would be imminent as the company authorities have signed agreements to fix the safety issues by April.

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At the same time, the labour ministry would request Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association to not issue utilisation declaration against the errant factories, meeting sources said. A plan of action for remediation was presented at the meeting by DIFE identifying four challenges for the remediation including unwillingness of the factory owners, non-cooperation from building owners, lack of experienced engineers and shortage of engineers at DIFE. A total of 3,780 garment factories were assessed under the three initiatives Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety and the government lead and ILO supported national initiative. Out of 3,780 garment factories, 1,549 were inspected under the national initiative, from which 531 were closed down, 69 relocated and 193 units shifted to the Accord and Alliance lists. Currently, the DIFE were monitoring remediation work in 745 factories through the remediation coordination cell formed in May last year. Of 745 factories, 300 were operating in own buildings while 445 were running its business in shared or rented buildings. The DIFE informed labour ministry that the inspection department held 32 meetings with the factory owners to expedite the remediation and signed agreement with the owners to fix a deadline for the completion of remediation by April. In the meeting, the representative of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology opined that unwillingness of factory owners to submit Detailed Engineering Assessment of building was the major impediment toward remediation. In the meeting, the ministry asked DIFE to prepare a concrete list of required support for the remediation and a time-bound plan of action for the taskforces which were engaged to approve DEAs for structural, electrical and fire related aspects. Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/36189/errant-rmg-units-to-face-legal-action-in-may

CSE SEEKS 1 YEAR MORE FOR FINDING STRATEGIC PARTNER The Chittagong Stock Exchange has requested the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission to extend time for selecting a strategic partner by one year more as the port city bourse has so far failed to reach any agreement with any institution in this regard. CSE managing director M Shaifur Rahman Mazumdar told New Age that the bourse on Sunday sent a request letter to the commission after its board of directors decided on March 1 to seek an extension of the timeframe by one year for entering an agreement with a strategic partner as required by section 14 of exchanges’ demutualisation act, 2013. Earlier, on November 29 last year, the BSEC extended the deadline to March 8 for both of the bourses of the country regarding execution of agreement with strategic investors. The matter was placed before the commission on Tuesday and the regulator may give its decision at a commission meeting today, BSEC officials said. The CSE has appointed Asas Capital Limited, a Dubai-based DFSA-regulated investment firm, to form a consortium to finalise the deal, said CSE officials. The officials said that the selected firm offered to a number of institutions including Singapore Exchange, Gateway Partners Private Equity, SEDCO Capital, a Qatari institution, a Chinese consortium, Eagle Investments, Indian Financial Services, Gulf Islamic Investment, Canaccord Genuity and a Hong Kong-based institution and the firms showed their interest to be part of the consortium. About the Asas Capital’s investment plan, the CSE managing director said that the firm did not provide any specific idea about what would be its investment in the 25 per cent stake of the CSE kept reserved for a strategic partner.

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Moreover, a Hong Kong-based financial institution APH Finance agreed to take 7.5-10 per cent of the stake and submitted a letter of intent in this regard. National Stock Exchange of India is also reviewing the offer made by the bourse directly and also through the Asas Capital, said the officials. ‘We spent 7-8 months in pursuing the Shanghai Stock Exchange, China and the bourse had initially agreed to take the CSE stake. Now, the bourse has backtracked on its previous position as it is participating in a consortium led by the Shenzhen Stock Exchange to buy the Dhaka Stock Exchange’s strategic partnership stake,’ a senior CSE official said. Shaifur, however, said that the SSE would give its final decision after the DSE’s share sales to the consortium got a direction. Johannesburg Stock Exchange is also reviewing the bourse’s offer, CSE officials said. The DSE’s share sales to a strategic partner have hit snags as the DSE and the BSEC are at loggerheads over selecting the strategic partner of the country’s premier bourse, DSE sources said. Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/36194/cse-seeks-1-year-more-for-finding-strategic- partner

GOVT CUTS ADP BY TK 4,950CR The National Economic Council at a meeting on Tuesday approved the revised annual development programme at Tk 1,48,381 crore, slashing the size of the outlay by Tk 4,950 crore or 3.23 per cent from the original ADP adopted for the current fiscal year of 2017-2018. The revised ADP was approved as proposed by the Planning Commission of the planning ministry at the meeting held at the NEC auditorium at Agargaon in Dhaka with prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. The size of the original ADP was Tk 1,53,331 crore with an estimation that Tk 96,331 crore would come from the domestic fund and Tk 57,000 crore would come from the foreign source as project assistance. The NEC meeting also downsized the allocation for the self-funded projects to Tk 9,213.39 crore by reducing Tk 1,540.19 crore from the original allocation of Tk 10,753.58 crore. If the allocation for the self-funded projects is included, the size of the overall ADP now stands at Tk 1,57,594.39 crore, down from the original Tk 1,64,084.83 crore. Planning minister AHM Mustafa Kamal disclosed the information at a press briefing after the NEC meeting. He said that in the revision the total cut was made from the allocation from foreign resources as per proposal of the Planning Commission due to a slower progress in implementation of foreign-funded development projects. ‘The government’s ADP implementing agencies, ministries and divisions, will not be able to spend the original allocation under project assistance head as the implementation of foreign-funded projects got slower for few months due to the Holey Artisan attack and other related issues,’ he said. Of the allocation for the revised ADP, Tk 96,331 crore would come from the domestic sources while Tk 52,050 crore would come from the foreign sources, he said. He also said that the size of the revised ADP might increase in future as the prime minister authorised him to consider the demands of ministries for additional allocation after proper scrutiny. Replying to a question, he said that the NEC did not set any ceiling. The planning ministry will finalise the allocation after considering the need and performance of the ministries, he said. It will be finalised at the second NEC meeting to be held in the second week of May, he added. Kamal said that the GDP growth rate might cross the government’s estimation of 7.4 per cent for the year amid better performances of the macroeconomic indicators including export and remittance. ADP implementation will also be better this year, he said.

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

Planning Division secretary Md Ziaul Islam said that the number of development projects increased to 1,658 in the revised ADP from 1,308 projects in the original ADP. He said that the prime minister had also instructed the ministries for completing 300 projects by June this year. The NEC also approved a proposal made by the Planning Division under which the line ministry would be able to transfer a portion of allocation to other projects from the original project based on the performance and necessity. Based on the proposal of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the planning ministry, Hasina also instructed all ministries to take steps for reducing cost and time of implementation of development projects, said IMED secretary Mofizul Islam. The planning minister said that she (prime minister) also asked the ministries not to appoint a single official to more than one projects as project director. ‘Ministries should also include the possible outcomes, rate of returns and risks of projects in the detailed project proposal,’ Kamal said quoting the prime minister. Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/36190/govt-cuts-adp-by-tk-4950cr

RIDESHARING SERVICE GUIDELINE COMES INTO EFFECT TOMORROW The Ridesharing Service Guideline 2017 allowing commercial use of private vehicles across the country is going to be implemented from tomorrow (Thursday). Under the service, private companies and vehicle owners are being allowed to run private vehicles, like cars, motorbikes, jeeps, microbuses and ambulances commercially. Introduced in 2016, app-based ridesharing services offered by Uber, Pathao, Sohoz, FlitBD and SAM, particularly in Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan cities, have gained popularity even without government approval. The government published a gazette notification in this regard on February 28 which says the guideline comes into effect from March 8, 2018 in the country. The cabinet on January 15 approved the guideline in the face of crisis of comfortable private transports at affordable charges in the city in particular. The guideline says that the fare rate of private cars will not be higher than the fare fixed at the Taxicab Service Guideline, 2010 while the government can fix or re-fix the fare rates in cases of the passengers’ dissatisfaction. It did not mention about fare rates of motorcycles. All ridesharing companies and motor vehicle owners have to receive enlistment certificates from Bangladesh Road Transport Authority. The vehicles also need registration certificates, owners’ TIN certificates, Owners and drivers’ national identification cards and updated fitness certificates, tax tokens, driving licences for enlistment. In cases of any irregularities, action will be taken as per law, it adds. According to the guideline, the service will ease traffic congestion by controlling the number of small vehicles and reduce passengers’ sufferings by carrying them in private cars. On November 22 in 2016, Uber Technologies Inc launched their ride sharing service in Dhaka for the first time in Bangladesh, only to be declared illegal by BRTA on November 26 of the same year as the company did not have prior permission from the regulatory body. But the ride sharing services - providing car and bike services - have attracted a growing number of commuters who said that the services were comfortable, cheaper and faster while anyone could avail these services anytime, even at midnight at their doorstep with better service and comparatively lower fares. As a result, many commuters were turning their backs on compressed natural gas-run auto- rickshaws as the drivers of these vehicles’ often appear reluctant when approached by anyone for a ride and deny following government fixed fare rate.

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/36191/ridesharing-service-guideline-comes-into-effect- tomorrow

APP LAUNCHED TO MONITOR LABOUR INSPECTION DATA The government with the support of International Labour Organisation on Tuesday launched a digitalised Labour Inspection Management Application (LIMA) system with an aim to improve the collection, storage and analysis of labour inspection data in all industrial sectors. ‘LIMA is a milestone in the march towards digital Bangladesh and testament to the commitment of the government to ensure that every workplace is a safe workplace and that the rights of workers are respected,’ said state minister for labour Md Mujibul Haque while addressing the launching ceremony of the application held at Amari Hotel in the city. British high commissioner Alison Blake, Dutch ambassador Leoni Cuelenaere, Canadian high commissioner Benoit Prefontaine and the labour ministry officials attended the programme. Some 250 android tablets were handed over to the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments, on the same occasion, to be used during inspections. LIMA is set to make DIFE’s operations more effective by combining its key data gathering and management needs in one platform. The application will enhance data accessibility and transparency by making certain information available to employers and workers while facilitating day-to-day tasks such as factory licence applications or the submission of complaints. State minister for labour requested the envoys to carry the message to their respective governments that Bangladesh was investing to ensure workplace safety and buyers should provide ethical prices for Bangladeshi products. Mujibul also requested Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association to prepare biometric database of workers with in the short time. BGMEA has already made significant progress in this regard while the progress of BKMEA was very little, he added. ‘The LIMA system is much more than inspectors simply using a tablet computer instead of a pen and paper. It represents the progress made in the reform of the labour inspectorate and the commitment of DIFE’s leadership to digitalisation and transparency,’ Snehal Soneji, officer in charge of the ILO. Md Shamsuzzaman Bhuiyan, inspector general of DIFE, said that the launch of LIMA marked the beginning of a new chapter for the labour inspectorate. It would make the operations of DIFE more effective and thereby help to enhance the welfare and safety of working people while also improving productivity of industries, he said. Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/36193/app-launched-to-monitor-labour-inspection-data

VIETNAMESE KEEN TO INVEST IN TELECOM, TEXTILE Vietnam wants to invest in telecom, agriculture, IT, textile, oil and gas, infrastructure sectors of Bangladesh due the country's low-cost production facilities and large market, said Tran Dai Quang, president of the Southeast Asian nation. “There is a lot of opportunity for investment given the current size of the economy of Bangladesh,” he said at the 'Vietnam-Bangladesh Business Forum', organised yesterday by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Tran went to recommend the Bangladesh government to reform the policies for attracting more foreign investment.

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

At present, Vietnam has $320 billion of foreign investment due to its improved infrastructures, liberal economic policies and its 6.5 percent to 7 percent growth over the last few years. He suggested Bangladesh for more innovation, higher productivity, adoption of green technologies, expansion of domestic markets, greater transparency and enhanced competitiveness for attracting higher foreign investment. Vietnam is also keen on taking the bilateral trade between the two countries to $1 billion by the end of this year and to $2 billion by 2020, he said. At present, bilateral trade between the two countries is heavily tilted towards Vietnam. In fiscal 2016-17, Bangladesh imported goods worth $417 million and exported goods worth $66.44 million, according to data from the FBCCI. “We would like to encourage bilateral trade in rice, agricultural products, textile and food processing.” Tran also commended Bangladesh on its poverty reduction efforts. “Actually, I am impressed with Bangladesh's enormous social and economic development. Bangladesh is a role model in the world in poverty reduction,” he added. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said Bangladesh is already a lower middle-income country and very soon the country would graduate to the middle-income bracket. The minister offered a special economic zone for Vietnamese investors as the government has been developing 100 such zones across the country for both local and foreign entrepreneurs. The businessmen of both the countries agreed to form a Bangladesh Vietnam Business Council to focus on sectors and modalities to promote trade and investment between the two countries, said Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, president of FBCCI. At the business forum, three investment agreements were signed in the presence of Tran. In the first agreement, TBS Group, which counts global brands like Coach, Tory Burch, Skechers and Decathlon as its long-term customers, agreed to invest $100 million in Bangladesh's leather and leathergoods sector. The agreement was signed between Saiful Islam, president of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh, and Diep Thanh Kiet, vice-chairman of Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association. The other two agreements involve setting up two joint venture seafood processing companies in Bangladesh. “We will seek technologies on shrimp farming from the Vietnamese companies,” said Belayet Hossain, vice-president of the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association, after signing the agreements. Vietnam has been performing very well on the export of vannamei variety of shrimp. The local fish farmers will also cultivate the vannamei variety of shrimps as this is more profitable than the black tiger and fresh water shrimps that they currently farm. Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/vietnamese-keen-invest-telecom-textile- 1544443

DOMINO'S PIZZA TO SET FOOT IN BANGLADESH SOON Domino's, the world's largest pizza chain, is set to serve its famed pies to Bangladeshi customers within the next three months, tapping into the growing demand for Western fares among the upwardly mobile population. The American pizza brand's entry comes after Golden Harvest QSR, a subsidiary of Golden Harvest Agro Industries, entered into a joint venture agreement with Jubilant FoodWorks, the master franchise holder of Domino's in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

Jubilant FoodWorks, which also holds the franchise of Dunkin' Donuts in the four countries, will be the major shareholder in the joint venture entity -- Jubilant Golden Harvest Limited -- with a 51 percent share. Golden Harvest will have a 49 percent stake. Domino's would be the fourth American pizza chain to enter Bangladesh after Pizza Hut, Pizza Inn and Sbarro. As the eighth most populous country in the world with the highest population density and a young demographic, the Bangladesh market presents a great growth opportunity for Domino's, said Pratik Pota, chief executive officer of Jubilant FoodWorks. The deal has been in the works for the last two years, according to Mohius Samad Choudhury, a director of Golden Harvest Group. “We have surveyed the market and found that there will be huge potential for pizza.” The first Domino's store, which would be in Dhaka, is expected to open its doors within the next three months, according to Choudhury. The pricing would be reasonable, he said, adding that a 30-minute delivery service will also be rolled out. “We are confident that with Jubilant's strong operational expertise and Golden Harvest's deep understanding of the Bangladesh market, we will be able to carve a strong position in the food services market in the country,” Pota added. Golden Harvest would be providing the pizza ingredients, while Jubilant FoodWorks, which operates 1,128 Domino's restaurants and 43 Dunkin' Donut stores in India, will be in charge of the stores and the other logistics. “This partnership has huge potential and with Jubilant FoodWorks' support, we are confident that we would be able to deliver a great pizza experience to customers in Bangladesh,” said Rajeeb Samdani, managing director of Golden Harvest Group. The paid-up capital of the joint venture company would be Tk 10 crore and about Tk 15 crore would be spent to set up the joints and other logistics, according to Choudhury. Shares of Golden Harvest Agro Industries closed 2.46 percent higher at Tk 41.50 yesterday. Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/retail/dominos-pizza-set-foot-bangladesh-soon- 1544422

ALLOCATION FOR ROHINGYAS IN NEXT BUDGET: MUHITH The government will allocate funds for the Rohingyas in the next budget as all the financing needed to feed them will not come from international sources while uncertainty over their return is growing. Finance Minister AMA Muhith said a proposal has already been received from the Prime Minister's Office about the allocation of the funds for the Rohingyas. The amount has not been fixed yet, and an estimate will be made within a month on the basis of the proposal, he told reporters at his secretariat office yesterday. He made the remarks after a meeting with a four-member UK team led by Stephen Twigg, chair of the Commons International Development Committee. Muhith said an accommodation is being built at Bhasanchar, a remote island near Hatiya, where the Rohingyas who came to Bangladesh before the latest crisis unfolded would be rehabilitated. Fresh infiltrators from Myanmar will also be taken there, according to the minister. He said the international community has provided generous assistance so far but there is doubt how long it would continue. The minister also said the UK team was denied entry to Myanmar and he had detailed discussion on the Rohingya issue with the delegation. Muhith expressed doubt whether the government's move to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar would succeed. Bangladesh would have to bear the brunt of the Rohingya inflow, he added. Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/allocation-rohingyas-next-budget-muhith-1544413

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

SOFTWARE, ICT NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION IN BUDGET: BASIS The Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) has demanded that at least 5 percent of the allocation for digitisation in the upcoming national budget be especially reserved for software and ICT items. The government allocated Tk 9,242 crore to specifically ensure digital services for citizens through the implementation of 76 projects by some ministries and agencies in the current fiscal year. The figure was Tk 5,765 crore for fiscal 2016-17. “This is a huge amount of money and almost all of it has been spent for infrastructure construction in the name of digitisation,” said Syed Almas Kabir, president of BASIS. But digitisation cannot be ensured solely through infrastructure while leaving out software, he said. The BASIS has prepared a budget proposal and is giving immense importance on this issue, he said adding that it has already shared it with the National Board of Revenue and would submit it before the finance minister soon. All the ministries and divisions will get the allocation, the education ministry the highest, said the association. If the government gives importance to the issue, the country's software sector will grow further which will fast track digitisation, he added. The BASIS also demanded removal of procedural challenges to get a 20 percent government cash incentive on exports of their members. Kabir also sought simplifying the process of getting a tax exemption certificate, which helps availing such benefits meant for the ICT industry. The apex trade body of software and information service sector also urged the revenue regulator to lift value-added tax on all methods of internet usage. Earlier, the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh also demanded the same. A 15 percent VAT is charged for internet usage through land connections while a 21.75 percent VAT, supplementary duty and surcharge for usage through mobile phones. Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/software-ict-need-special-attention-budget-basis- 1544416

ADP OUTLAY SLASHED 4PC The government has slashed the development budget for the current fiscal year by about 4 percent by reducing its reliance on aid and trimming allocation for state enterprises. As a result, the annual development programme's outlay has come down to Tk 157,594 crore, from Tk 164,084 crore in the original plan. A meeting of the National Economic Council chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the revised ADP yesterday. The government's contribution to the revised ADP remained the same at Tk 96,331 crore, but it would go up later this month. On the other hand, the project aid was cut by 8.68 percent, or Tk 4,950 crore, to Tk 52,050 crore. The allocation for the state-owned enterprises was trimmed by Tk 1,540 crore, or 14.32 percent, to Tk 9,213 crore. After the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal told reporters that some ministries have demanded an increase in the allocation. He said the prime minister has given him the responsibility to weigh the demand for the increased allocation. He said no ceiling has been set for him and he can raise the amount after looking into valid need.

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

In the last fiscal year, the government's contribution rose by Tk 7,000 crore in the revised ADP over the original allocation, while the foreign fund was slashed by the same amount. As a result, the ADP size remained the same even after the revision. In the end, however, Tk 33,435 crore of the Tk 110,700 crore ADP was unused. Among 17 sectors, the highest allocation went to the transport sector at 25.28 percent, followed by the power sector at 15.06 percent, rural development and rural institutions 11.27 percent, infrastructure, water supply and housing sectors 10.26 percent, and education and religion 9.56 percent. The number of projects has increased by more than 300 to 1,658 in the revised ADP. Usually, when the projects are more in numbers, small allocations are made to them and they are included in the original ADP. As a result, their implementation delays, raising the cost of projects finally. A list of 1,027 projects has been included in the ADP, but no funds have been allocated to them. These projects will be given a place in the original ADP with small allocations in the next three months. According to the original ADP, 411 projects were scheduled to be completed by this fiscal year. But the number was brought down to 300 in the revised one. Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/adp-outlay-slashed-4pc-1544410

APP LAUNCHED FOR BETTER LABOUR MANAGEMENT The government yesterday launched a mobile application to ensure quality labour management in the industrial sector. The Labour Inspection Management Application or LIMA will improve the collection, storage and analysis of labour inspection data. The development of LIMA has been supported by the International Labour Organisation's Improving Working Conditions in the Ready-Made Garment Sector programme funded by Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Md Mujibul Haque, state minister for labour and employment, inaugurated the LIMA at an event held at the Amari Dhaka hotel. Around 250 android tablets were also handed over to the Department of Inspections for Factories and Establishments or DIFE, to be used during inspections. “LIMA is a milestone in the march towards digital Bangladesh and testament to the commitment of the government to ensure that every workplace is a safe workplace and that the rights of workers are respected,” the state minister said. LIMA is set to make DIFE's operations more effective by combining its key data gathering and management needs in one platform, International Labour Organisation's Dhaka office said in a statement. It will also enhance data accessibility and transparency by making certain information available to employers and workers while facilitating day-to-day tasks such as factory licence applications or the submission of complaints, according to the statement. “The launch of LIMA marks the beginning of a new chapter for the labour inspectorate,” said Md Shamsuzzaman Bhuiyan, inspector general of the DIFE. “It will make our operations more effective and thereby help to enhance the welfare and safety of working people and also improve productivity of industries. It will also help DIFE to generate a variety of reports. Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/app-launched-better-labour-management-1544407

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

TASKFORCE FORMED TO INVOLVE NRBS IN NATIONAL DEV The government has for the first time formed a taskforce to increase involvement of non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) in national development, taking into account the around $14 billion they remit every year on an average. The Economic Relations Division (ERD) formed the 11-member taskforce to formulate an institution framework and work method specifying ways to achieve the involvement and take it forward. The taskforce will be dissolved once the framework is formulated, said an ERD circular last week. The additional secretary to the ERD will be the taskforce convener while Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN AK Abdul Momen a member. Other members include representatives of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), ministries of expatriate welfare and overseas employment, and labour and employment; Finance Division, Financial Institution Division, a2i programme at the PMO, UNDP Bangladesh, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry and deputy secretary to the ERD. The principal secretary and chief coordinator (SDG affairs) at the PMO and the ERD secretary will be advisers. The circular identified a number of government institutions as associate members. These include the divisions of secondary and higher education, technical and madrasa education, health services, health education and family welfare, and information and communication technology. The others are the ministries of primary and mass education, and social welfare, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority and Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority. Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/taskforce-formed-involve-nrbs-national-dev-1544404

ICCB TEAM OFF TO TOKYO A delegation of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Bangladesh left for Tokyo yesterday to take part in a 10th ICC Asia Pacific Regional Consultative Group Meeting and fourth ICC Asia Pacific CEO Forum on March 8-9. The delegation comprises ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, Vice President Latifur Rahman and Secretary General Ataur Rahman. Latifur Rahman, chairman and CEO of Transcom Group, will also attend another ICC Executive Board Meeting as its member. The ICC Asia Pacific CEO Forum is scheduled to bring together over 200 high-level global and Asia- Pacific CEOs and leaders of international organizations, Japanese business leaders and key ministers, ICC Bangladesh said in a statement yesterday. Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever; John WH Denton AO, first vice chair of ICC; and Karien Van Gennip, vice chair, will take part in the forum. Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/iccb-team-tokyo-1544398

VIETNAM PRESIDENT TRAN DAI QUANG WANTS TO INVEST IN BANGLADESH Visiting Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang today expressed his eagerness to invest in Bangladesh's telecom, agriculture, information technology, textile, oil and gas and infrastructure sectors. “There is a lot of opportunity for investment with the current size of the economy of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has a big market and low-cost production facility,” Quang said. Quang was addressing a programme of the ‘Vietnam-Bangladesh Business Forum’ at a hotel in Dhaka organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). A number of businessmen from both the countries were also present at the programme.

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

Suggesting the Bangladesh government for reforming its policies to attract more foreign investment here, the Vietnam president said his country would like to encourage bilateral trade between the two countries in rice, agricultural, textile and food processing sectors. “We would like to take the bilateral trade between the two countries to $1billion at the end of this year. And, we have a target to take the balance of the bilateral trade to $2billion by the end of 2020,” Quang said. Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/vietnam-president-tran-dai-quang-wants-invest-in- bangladesh-1544287

STEADY GDP GROWTH VITAL TO KEEP MARCH TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT: BG CHAIRMAN Bangladesh will have to maintain the steady GDP growth to continue the momentum towards achieving the Visions 2021 and 2041 of the government, country’s leading business conglomerate Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said on Tuesday. He made the suggestion while addressing a conference of correspondents of daily Bangladesh Pratidin and TV station News24 at East West Media Group Ltd (EWMGL) conference room in Bashundhara Residential Area in the capital. Referring to a World Bank statement suggesting that Bangladesh needs to raise its GDP growth to 10 percent in order to graduate to the developed country status, the Bashundhara Group chairman said: “It’s a big challenge for Bangladesh.” The media outlets of EWMGL have been portraying Bangladesh positively to contribute to the building of image of the country, he said. “EWMGL newspapers, TV channel, radio and online news portal always lay emphasis on positive news and highlight the potential sectors of the country to be a part of the government’s development activities,” he added. Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said: “We are involved in the politics of development. Our business ventures work for the economic development of the country and its people.” Underscoring the need promoting the pro-liberation spirit to continue the ongoing development process in the country, he said: “The spirit of the liberation war remains very close to our heart no matter what party or ideology comes to the power. All concerned at Bashundhara Group have proved through their activities that they embrace the pro- liberation spirit.” Ahmed Akbar Sobhan termed drug, corruption and irregularities the biggest foes to the nation and its march towards development. He said the EWMGL outlets have become a strong voice against these ordeals and cover reports showing zero tolerance against the menace. He called upon the journalists to dig out information on misdeed, irregularities, corruption, persecution and discrimination. Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam said Bangladesh Pratidin, News24 and other media outlets of the EWMGL are doing objective journalism highlighting liberation war spirit and secularism. “We have reached a huge number of readers and viewers through objective journalism, which has been possible due to freedom of press ensured by the government.” Kaler Kantho Editor Imdadul Haque Milon said Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan has made significant contributions to the nation and its economy over the past three decades. Daily Sun Editor Enamul Hoque Chowdhury said Bashundhara Group has ensured full professional freedom of the journalists at its media outlets. “At the daily sun, we have been able to take the newspaper to the strongest position in terms of content, readership and revenue by exercising professional freedom and covering reports for the people,” he said. Source: http://www.daily-sun.com/post/293592/Steady-GDP-growth-vital-to-keep-march-towards- development:-BG-Chairman

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

নগ ( ) ন ন ন । গ ১৯ ন গ ২০০ । ন ন । - ন ন ন ন ন গ । ন , ন ন ৬ ৬০০ । ৬ ন গ ৪৩০ । নগ ন ন ' । ন গ ২০০ । গ ২০ ন । ঋ ন , ন । ন ন, ন ন ন । ন ন ন . গ ন, , ন ন , ন ন ন ন । ন ন ন , ন ন ন ন । ন । ন ন, ন ন ন ন । ন । ন । ন ন, ন ন ন ন ন গ । - ন ন ন ন । ন ন ন । ন ন ন ন ন । ন ন গ ন ন ন ন ন । ন । ন ন ন ন ৫০০ ন ন । ন ন ন , ন । নগ ন ন । ন ' ন - গ ৬ ন ন ন ৬ । - ( ) গ ১৩ ৫ । ১৯ ১২ । ন ১০ ন । ন ন । ন ন, ন । ১৫০ ১২ ন । ন ন ঋ ন ন ঋ ন ন ( ) ন গ । গ ৩০ ন ন ৮৩ ন ৮৯ । । Source: http://www.samakal.com/todays-print-edition/tp-industry-trade/article/18031242/ - - ন - -

ন ন । ন ন -ন ন । ন ন গ গ ন গ । ন ন । ন ন ন ন । ন । ন ন ন

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

ন । ন ন ন ন ন । ন ন, ন ন ন ন ন ন। ন ন ন ন। ন ন ন । ন ন গ ন , , ন ন ন । গ ন ন ন ন ন ন ন । ন ৪ ন গ ন ন ১৫ ৭ ৩৬৯ । গ ন । ন ন ন। Source: http://www.samakal.com/todays-print-edition/tp-industry-trade/article/18031239/ - ন - - - -

গ ন ন ১৪০ ন ঋ , ন ঋ । গ ন ঋ , ৫৩ । ২০১৭-১৮ ( - ন ) ন ঋ ২৮ ৯৬৩ , ৯৬.০৬ । ন ৩০ ১৫০ ঋ ন । ন গ , গ ন ন ন গ ৬০ । গ ন ৯২০ ন গ । ন ঋ ১৩৯ ৭৩ । গ গ ন ঋ ৬৫১ । গ ন ন ঋ ন ৮৫৭ , ৬২০ , ন ৬৬৫ , গ ন ৯৭৫ ৫৩ ন ঋ । ন গ ন । ন , গ ২০১৬-১৭ - ন ঋ ২৩ ৪৭৩ , ন ঋ ন ন ঋ ১১৯.৭০ । ন ঋ ১৯ ৬১০ । ন ঋ ৫২ ৩২৭ ।

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

ন ন ন গ গ। গ ন গ । ন ন ন গ । ন ন ন ঋ । ন ঋ গ ন ন, ‘গ ন ন । ন ন গ । ন । ( ) । ন ন গ ! ন গ ন ন ।’ ন , ন গ । ন গ ন ঋ ১০ ৪৪৫ । ন ন , ন ঋ ৮১২ । ন ন ন ঋ ৪৪০ । ন ঋ ৭৭ । ৫৫১ । ন ন ঋ ১৮২ । ৩২ ১৪৯ ঋ ন । ন ৩০ ১৫০ । Source: http://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/industry-business/2018/03/07/610341

ন ( ) ৪ ৯৫০ ১ ৪৮ ৩৮১ ন ন ন ( ন )। গ ৯৬ ৩৩১ । ৫২ ৫০ ন গ । গ ন ন। ৪ ৯৫০ ন গ ঋ গ । গ ন নগ ন ন ন ন ন ন। গ ন ন ন, , গ। । ২৬ । ন । ন ন ন ন ন, ন । , ন ন ন ন । ন ন ন, গ , ; ন। ন ন ৪৮ ৩৩১ ন ন , ন ন । ন ন ন ন, , ; , ন ন ন। ন ন, ‘ । । , ।’ ন । ন । ন ন ন , ন গ । ন । ১ ৩০৮ । ১ ৬৫৮ । ন ৩৫০ । ন ন ন ন, ন গ ন ন ন ন গ গ ন। ন ন গ ন। ন, ন ন। ন, ন ন। ন। ন । ন ন, ন ন গ ন । ন ন ন। ন । ন ন, ন ন । ন ন ন । ন ন , ন ন। ন ন, ন ন ন । ন । ন , গ । গ ন ন- ন , ন , ন । ন । ন ৫.৭২ । ন

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

ন গ । ন , গ । ন । Source: http://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/industry-business/2018/03/07/610344

ন ন ( গ গ নন ন ) । গ ন ন ন । ন ন ন । গ ন । ন ন ন ন ন ন ন ন ন ন ন ন। ন ৮৫.২২ ন । ন ন ২০১৭ । গ নন ন গ নন ন ন ন ১৯৬৪ । ২০০৬ ন ন ন ন ন । ন ন । ( ) ন ন ন ন । ন ন ন ন । ন ন ন ন, । ন ন গ , নন ন ন ন । ন ৫০ ন ন , ন । Source: http://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/industry-business/2018/03/07/610376

ও ১ গ গ । ন ন গ । ন গ , ন গ । , ন ( ) ন ১২ ৪৮ ২১ ৫ ৮৪৭ ৮২ । ৩ ৫ ১৬ ২ ১৫৫ ৮৬ - ৩০। ৭ ৩৯ ৫৪ ১ ৩৭৫ ১১ ন । ন ৯ ৯৯ ৬৪ ১০৬ , ন , ৪২৬ ৯০ ৮০ । গ ৩৮৯ ৫৩ ৪৫ । ন ন ন ১৬৭ , ১১৬ ৫০ । ( ) ন ২৪ ৯৫ ১০ ৯০৭ ৫৯ । ৫ ১৯ ১৬ ৩৯৬ ২৬ ন ন ন ৩০। ন ৩০ ৩২ ৬৫ ৪৬৬ , গ ২৬ ৩০ ৯৮ ৬৩২ । ন ন ন ১২৭ , ৭২ ৩৩ । ন ন ( ) গ , , ন ন , ন ন , , ন ন , ন, , । , , , ন ন , , , ন , ন, । ন , ন , , ন, ন , ন, ন , ন , । Source: http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2018-03-07/150339/

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

ও ৭ ২ ৩৭ ৪৯৯ ন ন । ( ) ন গ , ন ন ন ন । ন গ ন ন ন ( ) ন ন ন । Source: http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2018-03-07/150337/

ন ন ন ন ন ন ন । ( ) ন । গ , ন ন ৯ ন ১ । ১ ন ১৩৩ ২০ । ৫ ১৪৫ ২০ । ৩০ ন ২০১৭ ন ন ন ২০ নগ ন । ন ( ) ২ ৭৬ , গ ২ ৭৯ । ৩০ ন ন ন ( ন ) ৫২ ৭৭ । ( - ) ১ ৩১ ন । গ ১ ২৫ । ৩১ ন ৫১ ৯৯ । ২০১৬ ৩০ ন ১৫ ২২ নগ ন । গ ন ২০ নগ ন । ১৪২ ৬০ ন ন ন । গ ১৫৮ ৬০ ন ১০৫ । ন ন - ( ) ন ৫২ ৬১, ন গ ন ন ৫৫ ৪২। Source: http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2018-03-06/150302/

( ) ন , , ন ন ন ন ( ) ন ‘ ন ন ন ’ গ ন । ন ন ন . ন । ন গ ন ন ন। ন ( ) ন ন ন ন ন । , গ ন ন ন । ২০১৩ ১৯ ন ন ন । ন ন ন ৫০ ন ন ন । . ন ন, ন ২০৩০ ন গ ন ন ৫ ন । গ ন গ ১৫ ন ন ন । ন ন ন ন ন ন। ঋ ন ন ন ন ন। ন গ ন, ন নগ ন ন । ন ন ন ন। ন , ন ৫০ ন ন ন। Source: http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2018-03-07/150349/

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

১০ ন ন ( ) ন , গ ন ( ) ন গ গ - । গ ন ন ন গ ন ন ন । ন , ন ১০ ন গ । ১০ ন । । ন ন ন ন— ন, ন- ন ন ন । ন ন ন। ন ন ন, ন — । গ গ । Source: http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2018-03-07/150348/

ন ন ন ন ন । ন ন গ ন ন ন, ন । গ ন ন ন । । । ন ন ন, ন ন ন । ন। ন ন গ । ন ন- গ ন , । ন ন, । । ন গ । ৩ ঋ , গ ন । ন - ন , - ন ন ন গ ন । ন ন , - । ন ন ন ন। ন ন । ন গ , ন , । ন ন, , ন । গ , ন । গ , গ ন ন, ১০০ ন গ , ন । ন , ন ন ন ন , ন ন - ন ন গ । । ন ন - ন ন ন, ন - ২০০২ । ২৫ - ন। ’৯৬ গ ন । গ ১১ ন ন । গ ন ন ন ন। ন ন, ন গ ন ন ন ন ন ন । ন ন ন ন, ন ন, । ন ন গ ন ন ন, । ন , গ । ন ন ন ন ন গ ন। Source: http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2018-03-07/150369/

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

৩% ৯০%!

ন গ ন গ । ২০১৬-১৭ ন ৩ । গ ন ৯০ । ন । ন ন। ন , ন ন । ন, ন গ , ন ন ন । গ ন ন ন । ন ন গ । ন । ন ( ) , ২০১৬-১৭ গ ন ৩ ৫১ ন। গ ৩ ৬০ ৫৭ ন। গ ন ন ন ন। ন ন ন । ন গ ন । , - ন গ ন ৬৮ ৪০ ন। গ ন ৩৬ ৩৭ ন। ন ন ন ন ৩২ ন। ন ন ন ন ন ন গ ন ( ) গ . ন। ন ন, ন ন ন গ , ন । ন , ন ন গ । ন ন ন । গ ন। ন ন , । ন ন । ন ন , ন ৭ ৬৩০ । গ ন ৮৮ । ন গ ন ২০১৭-১৮ - ৫ ৭১৭ । গ ন ৪ ১৮৩ । ন ন গ । ন গ ন ন ( ) ন ন ( ) ন ন ন, গ ন । ন। ন , ন । গ ন ন । ন ২৮ ২ ন ন । ন ন ন গ । ন । ন ন ন , ন ন ন . ন, ন ঋ । ন , ন ন ন । । ন ন ন , ন ন ।

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Daily News Flash, 7th March, 2018

ন ন ন । ন ন, ন , । ন ন ন ন। ন ন । Source: http://bonikbarta.net/bangla/news/2018-03-07/150374/

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