$

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

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

Important Business News Extracts – February 01 2017

Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) silent on NPL, capital flight

Country’s apex trade body, FBCCI, said the just-announced monetary policy statement (MPS) is devoid of direction over major financial flaws like non-performing loans (NPLs) and capital flight. Some other staggering issues like undisclosed money and cuts in the rates of interest for businesses, especially the SMEs (small and medium enterprises), also were not properly reflected in the policy, according to the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). The FBCCI made the observations over the half-yearly monetary policy Tuesday at a press conference where the federation expressed its serious concern over the revenue board’s delayed approach in reaching any decision regarding the controversial Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act 2012. Speaking at the press conference FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad said the NPL ratio in the banking sector has gradually been growing, having stood at BDT 633.0 billion in financial year (FY) 2015-16.

Source:
http://print.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/02/01/163609
http://www.newagebd.net/article/8199/fbcci-wants-npls-capital-flight-curbed
http://www.newagebd.net/article/8201/bb-improperly-keeps-credit-growth-target-unchanged-bgmea

‘Fake’ directors, Tk 701cr shady loans: scams galore in NRBC

Bangladesh Bank has found that the board of directors of recently-established NRB Commercial Bank was engaged in massive irregularities — from forging signatures of directors to sanctioning Tk 701 crore in loans flouting rules and regulations. A number of BB inspections conducted between June, 2016 and December 2016 found that the private commercial bank showed in its documents presence of four directors, all non-resident Bangladeshis, in its board meetings held during 2013-2016 although they were actually not in the country during that period. The government approved the bank in 2013 with the aim of attracting investment from NRBs to the bank.

Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/8140/fake-directors-tk-701cr-shady-loans-scams-galore-in-nrbc

Muhith to consider fat tax on junk food

Finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith told parliament on Tuesday that he would consider the imposition of 14.5 per cent ‘fat tax’ on junk food while preparing the budget for 2017-18 financial year. The junk food and fast food are gaining huge response from people as it is cheap but these foods are unhealthy, Muhith said replaying to a call attention notice placed by lawmaker Nurjahan Begum. The lawmaker demanded 14.5 per cent fat tax on junk food holding the food responsible for increasing obesity and terming it unhealthy food.

Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/8217/muhith-to-consider-fat-tax-on-junk-food

Govt bids for brightening BD global business branding

The government set a target to raise Bangladesh’s global position in doing-business index to two digits from the current 176th by creating investment-stimulating environment for both local and international investors. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) fixed the five-year target in making decision on reforming rules and regulations, procedures after two days of brainstorming discussions with all relevant ministries, agencies, chambers and think tanks. Disclosing this at a press conference Tuesday at a city hotel, BIDA Executive Chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam expressed the hope of meeting the challenging target, saying that authorities concerned have willingly determined areas of responsibilities and set respective targets for bringing down the ranking below 99.

Source: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/02/01/60649/Govt-bids-for-brightening-BD-global-business-branding

Reform package to ease doing business unveiled

The government has taken a package of reforms that includes curtailing time to complete the process for starting a business to seven days with the aim of raising the country’s position in the global doing business index. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority at a press conference on Tuesday announced the reform package that also includes reforming rules, regulations and procedures after two days of brainstorming discussions with all ministries, agencies, chambers and think tanks concerned. BIDA executive chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam said that the package of reforms, which would implemented from today, was envisioned to bring down the country’s ranking in ease of doing business index below 100th position from the current 176thposition in next five years. He said that the package was set as authorities concerned had willingly determined areas of responsibilities and set respective targets for bringing down the ranking below 100. Aminul said that different ministries and agencies had identified areas of reform in 10 indicators of the doing business ranking, including time for completion of process for starting business to seven days from 19.5 days. The package also eyes cutting time for giving construction permits to 60 days from 278 days and electricity to 28 days from the present 404 days.

Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/8200/reform-package-to-ease-doing-business-unveiled

Power transmission line from Payra to Patuakhali on cards

The government plans to construct a transmission line from Payra to Patuakhali to start supplying power to a 1,320MW coal-based power plant in Payra deep seaport area by 2018. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved a BDT 3.4 billion project yesterday for the construction of the 230 KV transmission line. The North West Power Generation Co with joint collaboration with China will build the power plant. The government’s target is to complete construction of the two-unit power plant by 2019 and start supplying power from a unit by October 2018. The Ecnec meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday approved a total of eight projects at a total cost of BDT 125.5 billion. Another project for the development of the second phase of Anannya Residential Area in Chittagong will be implemented with BDT 28.3 billion. Under the project, 2,825 residential plots will be built on a 419-acre land in Chittagong. Some of the plots will be of 4-katha and some others 5-katha. In the project, there will be 110 commercial plots in the residential area where market, office, community hall, medical college, university and theme parks will be built.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/global-business/power-transmission-line-payra-patuakhali-cards-1353901

Agriculture growth cuts poverty faster than non-farm sector

Gross domestic product (GDP) growth in agriculture sector leads to poverty reduction three times higher than similar growth in the non-agricultural sector, a study revealed Tuesday. BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), in collaboration with the UK Department for International Development (DFID), conducted the study on ‘Strategic Agricultural Sector and Food Security Diagnostic for Bangladesh’. The study results were disseminated at Brac Inn in city on Tuesday. Director of BRAC Research and Evaluation Division Prof Abdul Bayes and agronomist Dr SM Fakhrul Islam completed the study which was begun by late BRAC Executive Director and noted economist Dr Mahabub Hossain. The study used data from the Department of Agricultural Extension, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and a panel survey data of the BRAC collected from farmers of 64 districts in 2004 and 2014. The study projected that Bangladesh will have a surplus rice production of 1.2 million metric tons (MT) and surplus maize production of 1.8 million metric tons by 2030. On the other hand, the country will have marginal deficits in production of wheat, potato, pulses, vegetables, meat, egg and fresh water fish. The demand for wheat will be 3.0 million MT, an increase by 0.4 million MT from the 2015 consumption level which is 15.0% higher. The projections say that Bangladesh will have a surplus production of rice, maize, potato, vegetable and milk by 2050. It will have deficit in production of wheat, pulses, fruits, meat and fresh water fish by 2050.

Source:
http://print.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/02/01/163558
http://www.thedailystar.net/business/agriculture-vital-poverty-reduction-study-1353934

Grameenphone announces record profit

Grameenphone logged in the highest profit in its 19-year history last year thanks to healthy growth in internet subscription and a reduction in operational expenditure. The country’s leading mobile phone operator recorded BDT 22.5 billion in net profit in 2016, up 14.16% from the previous year. Data revenue continued its growth momentum along with the voice, he said disclosing the annual financial results at a press briefing in Dhaka yesterday. Grameenphone’s data revenue soared 69.7% year-on-year to BDT 14.4 billion in 2016. The user base expanded 56.1%. Typically, voice revenue declines when data revenue increases, but this time Grameenphone experienced growth in both sectors. Its voice revenue grew 5.1%. The operator ended 2016 with 58.0 million active connections, up 2.2% from a year earlier. Biometric verification might be a factor behind the growth, though other operators recorded a decline in their subscriber base.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/business/gp-announces-record-profit-1353925

Local and Global Stock Indices

Index NameClose ValueValue ChangePercentage Change
DSEX5468.34↑47.13↑0.87%
Dow Jones Industrial Average19,864.09↓107.04↓0.54%
Nikkei 2257,099.15↓19.33↓0.27%
FTSE 10019,040.74↓0.6↓0.00%

World Commodities

CommodityClose ValueValue ChangePercentage Change
Crude Oil (WTI)*$52.65↓0.16↓0.30%
Crude Oil (Brent)*$55.38↓0.2↓0.36%
Gold Spot*$1,211.09↑0.37↑0.03%

Major Currencies Exchange Rates Movement in Last Seven Days

*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

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