$

TT-Clean: 77.1 | TK BC-Selling: 78.1
TK OD-Sight: 76.88 TK | TC-Selling: 78.1 TK

TT-Clean: 77.1 | TK BC-Selling: 78.1
TK OD-Sight: 76.88 TK | TC-Selling: 78.1 TK

£

TT-Clean: 77.1 | TK BC-Selling: 78.1
TK OD-Sight: 76.88 TK | TC-Selling: 78.1 TK

Click to Close

Rate last updated: 02/01/2014 11:15:04 AM

Important Business News Extracts – November 01, 2017

BB approves changes in SIBL top brass hurriedly

Bangladesh Bank has hurriedly approved the newly elected board members and managing director of Social Islami Bank following Chittagong-based S Alam Group’s move to tighten its grip on the private commercial bank. The BB on Monday evening approved the appointment of new chairman Anwarul Azim Arif, executive committee chairman Belal Ahmed and managing director Quazi Osman Ali after they were elected and appointed to the posts on Monday afternoon at a meeting of SIBL, officials of the central bank said. They all have links with S Alam Group which recently bought around 40 per cent share of the bank through various companies owned by the Group or family-associated companies. With the SIBL ‘takeover’ and the recent tightening its grip on Islami Bank Bangladesh, S Alam Group or people having links with it now hold control over at least seven banks including First Security Islami Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, Union Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank and NRB Global Bank. Economists said that taking control of so many banks by a single business group would result in family-controlled loan disbursement and hider corporate governance in the banks. Senior officials at different branches of SIBL, however, expressed their deep concern about the dramatic changes in the bank’s board and management.

Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/27368/bb-approves-changes-in-sibl-top-brass-hurriedly

Does Bangladesh need more banks?

The government is planning to increase the number of banks in Bangladesh at a time when the nine most recently-launched institutions are already unsettling the market over their poor performances. Finance Minister AMA Muhith has personally written to Bangladesh Bank for the approval of two new institutions. Other government agencies and senior officials have also put forward their proposals for new banks to the central bank. “There is nothing to be worried about with launching new banks,” the finance minister said at a recent event. “Many people in the country are still unbanked. We have also taken steps to update the merger laws so that the banks which will not be able to compete in the market can be merged.” Although there are 57 active commercial banks in the country, the government believes more banks can help the economy. However, former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed was among the economists and bankers to oppose the finance minister’s views in no uncertain terms.

Source: http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/banks/2017/11/01/bangladesh-need-banks/

NBR requests BB to freeze Premier Bank’s account

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Tuesday requested the Bangladesh Bank (BB) to freeze the current account of Premier Bank Limited as a strategy to realize taxes worth BDT 201.0 million that the private commercial bank allegedly evaded, officials said. The Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) of the Value Added Tax (VAT) wing wrote a letter to the central bank governor, Fazle Kabir, requesting him to freeze the account for three working days. According to officials, the account is set to be frozen from today for next three working days. A senior official of the VAT wing said the unit detected the unpaid tax revenue that was realized at source from clients and against other banking services. It identified unpaid VAT worth BDT 216.2 million deducted at source and BDT 13.2 million deducted from banking services.

Source:
http://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/nbr-requests-bb-to-freeze-premier-banks-account-1509475259
http://www.thedailystar.net/business/nbr-seeks-freeze-premier-banks-account-1484611
http://www.newagebd.net/article/27369/nbr-asks-bb-to-freeze-premier-bank-account

Bangladesh Bank appoints new executive director

The Bangladesh Bank has appointed a new executive director in its Barisal office, according to a circular issued on Tuesday. SM Rabiul Hassan, the new executive editor, was previously working as general manager in the central bank’s Department Off-Site Supervision. The circular, issued by the central bank’s Human Resources Department 1, said Rabiul had been promoted to the position of executive director and transferred to the bank’s Barisal office. The incumbent executive director in Barisal office, Md Sohrawardy, has been transferred to the headquarters in Dhaka, it further added. Rabiul joined the central bank in 1988. In his career in the Bangladesh Bank, he has worked in the Governor’s Secretariat, Department of Banking Inspection, Department of Banking Regulation and Policy, Human Resources Department and the central bank’s Bogra and Sylhet offices.

Source: http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/banks/2017/11/01/bangladesh-bank-new-executive-director/

BSEC approves rights offer of LankaBangla, prospectus of a new unit fund

The securities regulator has approved the rights offer of LankaBangla Finance and the draft prospectus of HFAML Unit Fund. As per another BSEC approval, Paramount Textile will raise capital worth BDT 500.0 million through non-convertible zero coupon bond. The LankaBangla Finance will issue one rights share against two existing shares at a price of BDT 10. The company will raise a capital worth above BDT 1.59 billion through the rights offer to comply with the condition of BASEL-III. As per the rights share offer document, the company’s earnings per share (EPS) and net asset value (NAV) per share are BDT 2.87 and BDT 24.16 respectively for the year ended on December 31, 2016. AFC Capital is working as manager to the rights issue of LankaBangla Finance. The BSEC Tuesday also approved the draft prospectus of HFAML Unit Fund with an initial size of BDT 500 million. The sponsors of the fund will contribute BDT 50.0 million, while remaining BDT 450 million will be collected from public. The face value of the units of the fund will be BDT 10.0 each. The units of the fund will be sold to investors under a systematic investment plan.

Source:
http://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/bsec-approves-rights-offer-of-lankabangla-prospectus-of-a-new-unit-fund-1509472760
http://www.thedailystar.net/business/lankabangla-raise-BDT-159cr-1484605
http://www.newagebd.net/article/27373/bsec-okays-lankabangla-rights-offer-to-raise-BDT-159cr

Bhola gas real

The new gas in Bhola turns out to be real. Country’s energy explorer Bapex has completed two pending geological tests to confirm existence of high-pressured extractable natural gas, only 3km away from Shahbazpur field. “The gas is burning,” an excited Meherul Hasan, the project director and a DGM of Bapex, told The Daily Star. Early in the morning today, the Bapex conducted the perforation test, a method to determine the flow pressure of the gas field, which is believed to be an extension of Shahbazpur field. The high gas pressure also confirmed a rich reserve, which was disclosed prematurely by the government last week. Bapex finished another crucial test direct steam method to determine the extractable reserve two days back.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/country/bhola-gas-real-bapex-geological-tests-confirm-existence-high-pressured-extractable-natural-gas-bangladesh-1484749

Exports of non-RMG items buoyant

Shipments of non-apparel items rose 7.5% year-on-year to USD 1.5 billion in the first quarter of the fiscal year as the country is diversifying its export basket to cut reliance on garments. Tea, frozen fish, jute and jute goods, leather and leather goods, furniture, ceramics, shrimps, vegetables, bicycles and terry towel performed better in the export markets during the quarter from a year earlier. The garment sector accounts for more than 80.0% of national exports and its dominance continued in the first quarter as well, with apparel shipment fetching USD 7.1 billion with 7.17% year-on-year growth. The target for leather and leather goods for fiscal 2017-18 has been fixed at USD 1.38 billion. In the July-September period, leather and leather goods fetched USD 324.6 million, up 1.74% from a year earlier, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau. Jute and jute goods export increased 15.5% year-on-year to USD 236.12 million.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/exports-non-rmg-items-buoyant-1484620

Bangladesh export earnings may slow down

Growth of earnings from the merchandise export in Bangladesh may slow down in the next year, according to the latest forecast of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). ESCAP released its latest version of The Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report (APTIR) on Monday which reveals the forecast. It showed that value of export may post 4.6 per cent growth in next year which is also estimated to grow by 5.2 per cent in the current year (2017). The report, however, mentioned that volume of export growth would increase to 3.5 per cent in the next year from 1.3 per cent estimated in 2017. ESCAP projected that the price of the country’s export would drop significantly in the next year. It projected only 1.1 per cent growth in price in the next year against the estimated 3.9 per cent growth in 2017. The report mentioned that in 2017, exports by the Asia-Pacific region are expected to grow by 4.5 per cent in volume, and imports may reach nearly 8.0 per cent. ESCAP also anticipated that export volume of the Asia-Pacific region in 2018 would grow modestly at 3.5 per cent while the import volume will increase by less than 3.0 per cent.

Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/bangladesh-export-earnings-may-slow-down-unescap-1509432958

Maiden railway carriage plant in the making

Bangladesh’s maiden railway carriage-production plant is going to be established at Syedpur hub to meet a growing demand of the popular mass transport, now up for expansion. Officials said Monday the state-owned Bangladesh Railway (BR) will first conduct a feasibility study on the carriage-manufacturing workshop before starting construction of the import-substitution unit, which holds the potential of saving the country billions of dollars that go for import financing. “We have taken a Tk 7.54 billion project to set up the plant at Syedpur. We have sought approval for the project from the Planning Commission (PC). After getting endorsement, we will begin the building work,” said a senior BR official. He said Bangladesh will have to import hundreds of railway-carriage units over the next one decade to meet local demand due to the shortage of those passenger coaches, as the government has undertaken and plans mega-projects for expansion and uplift of the railway services. Besides, the BR has invested billions of US dollars over the last few years to upgrade the railway tracks, supporting facilities and its overall services.

Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/maiden-railway-carriage-plant-in-the-making-1509429372

Ride-hailing accelerates

The popularity of ride-hailing apps Uber and Pathao that brought in convenience in commuting within Dhaka is tempting other local and international players into the field and compelling the existing ones to expand their services. For instance, a new player Ezzyr is set to hit the Dhaka roads this month, said Kamrul Hassan Imon, a director of Innovadeus Pvt Ltd, the app’s parent company. On average, Uber, Pathao and Bahon altogether log in 10,000 rides a day, according to market sources. But a top official of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority thinks the actual number is higher. Every ride costs about Tk 150 to Tk 200 on average and if there are about 2,000 rides a day, the market size is quite huge, Imon said. No doubt Uber and Pathao have changed the city dwellers’ riding habit and we are targeting to grab a fair share of this segment. There is enormous potential for growth,” he added. By way of the Ezzyr app, which is now in the testing phase, one can hail a car, bike or ambulance. It is now available on the Google Play Store and will soon be on Apple’s App Store. Meanwhile, following the huge response it got for the bike-hailing service it has been running in Dhaka since July last year, Pathao is set to introduce the option of cars from today.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/ride-hailing-accelerates-1484635

US-Bangla adds more flights on int’l, local routes

US-Bangla Airlines has increased the number of flights on its three international and two domestic routes, said the private airline in a statement. The airline will operate seven flights weekly on Dhaka-Singapore route, 10 flights on Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur route and six flights on Chittagong-Kolkata route. Currently, US-Bangla Airlines operates four flights weekly on Dhaka-Singapore route, seven flights on Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur route and two flights on Chittagong-Kolkata route. At home, it will operate four flights daily on Dhaka-Jessore route from three now and six flights on Dhaka-Rajshahi route from four now. US-Bangla has increased the number of flights in response to stronger customer demand, according to the statement.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/us-bangla-adds-more-flights-intl-local-routes-1484596

Local and Global Stock Indices

Index NameClose ValueValue ChangePercentage Change
DSEX6,019.59↑ 23.34↑ 0.39%
DJIA23,377.24↑ 28.5↑ 0.12%
FTSE1007,493.08↑ 5.27↑ 0.07%
Nikkei 22522,324.64↑ 313.03↑ 1.42%

World Commodities

CommodityClose ValueValue ChangePercentage Change
Crude Oil (WTI)*$54.62↑ 0.24↑ 0.44%
Crude Oil (Brent)*$61.20↑ 0.26↑ 0.43%
Gold Spot*1,270.10↓ 1.35↓ 0.11%

Major Currencies Exchange Rates Movement in Last Seven Days

Exchange Rates
USD 1BDT 82.99
GBP 1BDT 110.17
EUR 1BDT 96.53
INR 1BDT 1.28

*CURRENCIES AND COMMODITIES ARE TAKEN FROM BLOOMBERG.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM

EMRANUL HUQ

MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO OF DHAKA BANK LIMITED

Dear Valued Patrons,

At the very onset, let me express my heartiest gratitude for allowing us to serve you and I also wanted to reach out to you directly with an assurance that Dhaka Bank is fully equipped to support you during this difficult time.

Last couple of weeks ago we all were living in a peaceful condition, performing our daily tasks freely and perfectly. Entire economy and business environment was also in a good shape, until COVID-19 put a forceful stoppage to the overall life style and economy of the world. We all know that social distancing and cleanliness are the keys to prevent this pandemic. Hence, we urge your conscious effort to limiting public interaction and suspending wherever possible.

YOUR SAFETY MEANS EVERYTHING TO US
In this current situation, Dhaka Bank and its employees are beside you where we are fully online, either working from home or at our offices under a robust Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to serve you with limited branch banking and a full-fledged alternate delivery channel services.

WE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR BANKING NEEDS
Our state of the art Mobile App, Dhaka Bank GO (Click https://bit.ly/2WVfieu) and Internet Banking - Dhaka Bank Direct gives you the freedom of banking online anytime from anywhere. You can check the balance and transfer money to any designated Banks including any Dhaka Bank or bKash Account, make utility bill payments and mobile top-up through our Mobile App and Internet Banking Services. Our ATMs are also running efficiently with availability of sufficient cash for your convenience where you can make cash withdrawals whenever the need arises. Mentionable, the withdrawal of cash from any ATMs within Bangladesh with Dhaka Bank Debit Cards are absolutely free of charges up till April 30, 2020 (Dhaka Bank will bear the cost). Our corporate customers can also use our completely safe and secured online platform Dhaka Bank C-Solution for Payments, Inter Bank Fund Transfers, etc.

Moreover, to fulfill your urgent requirement, we have a limited no. of branches up and running by ensuring all kinds of precautionary and safety measures for you.

GET IN TOUCH IF YOU ARE IN EXTREME EMERGENCY
In case of extreme emergency and facing difficulties in conducting banking transactions, please let us know through our 24/7 Contact Center number 16474 (or, dial +8809678016474 for ISD/Overseas Calls). We are always with you to combat your difficulties.

WE WILL FREQUENTLY UPDATE YOU
As you know we are going through a critical phase and the situation is novel to all of us. We are getting lot of new information from various sources everyday about COVID-19 which will be shared at www.dhakabankltd.com.

Thank you for your trust and continued support to us. I firmly believe that jointly we will be able to combat this situation and win against all the odds.

Please stay home, stay safe and take care of yourself and family.

Best regards,

Emranul Huq
Managing Director & CEO
Dhaka Bank Limited

×