Browse Author

Shahriar Islam Shovon

Adoption organic farming can improve soil, say Bari scientists

Adoption of organic farming can become the major solution to improve the soil alongside ensuring the farmholders with better profit margin and consumers with the quality food,  claims scientists at the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (Bari). Began in 2006, a field trial of organic farming over 33 decimal land at Bari has led to the doubling of the organic matter content in the soil that has also resulted in the reduction of input requirement and improvement of the quality of the crops and vegetables compared to those produced by a chemical input dependent method. Over the last seven years of the field trial, the organic matter content in the soil was increased from 1.14 percent to 2.79 percent, while the cost of fa...

RMG makers seek special law against destructive acts

Considering the recent arson attack on Standard Group an attack on the country’s RMG’s success story, apparel makers now seek a special law against such destructive acts to ensure exemplary punishment of perpetrators in a tribunal. “A special law against such destructive acts must be enacted,” President of the Exporters’ Association of Bangladesh (EAB) Abdus Salam Murshedy told UNB over phone. He said they have already talked to the Prime Minister about the formulation of such a law and also setting up of a tribunal. “I believe, the BGMEA will come up with a formal proposal soon,” said Salam Murshedy, also a BGMEA former President.

3-day national mourning for Mandela

The government announced a three-day national mourning from Saturday to pay homage to iconic anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela of South Africa. “The government has announced a three-day national mourning starting from Saturday in memory of Nelson Mandela,” Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told UNB over phone on Friday. mourning for mendalaThe national flag will be kept at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous bodies during the period...

Bangladesh key economic indicators – Dec 6

BANGLADESH DAILY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Thursday Previous Taka/US $ (inter-bank) 77.75-77.77 77.75-77.76 Call money rate (inter-bank) 05.50-07.75 05.50-07.75 Dhaka Stock Exchange index 4,277.39 4,294.22 ------------------------------------------------------------ indicatorMONTHLY CURRENT PREVIOUS Growth in: Consumer price index (BBS) Change yr/yr (pct) Nov. 7.15 7.03 M2 supply (bln taka) (BB) Sept. 6,267.23 6,199.89 Forex reserves ($bln)(BB) Nov. 17.11 17.35 Exports(FOB) ($m...

Mandela, the 20th century colossus, dies at 95

Nelson Mandela, who became one of the world’s most beloved statesmen and a colossus of the 20th century when he emerged from 27 years in prison to negotiate an end to white minority rule in South Africa, has died. He was 95. South African President Jacob Zuma made the announcement at a news conference late Thursday, saying “we’ve lost our greatest son.” His death closed the final chapter in South Africa’s struggle to cast off apartheid, leaving the world with indelible memories of a man of astonishing grace and good humor. Rock concerts celebrated his birthday. Hollywood stars glorified him on screen. And his regal bearing, graying...

IMF concludes Article IV consultation with Bangladesh

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Bangladesh on November 27. On the same day the Executive Board also completed the third review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement (ECF) with Bangladesh, and approved $140.4 million disbursement, says an IMF press release. Over the past two years, the Bangladesh economy has shown significant economic stabilization and progress in structural reforms, underpinned by the Fund-supported program. In that period, real GDP growth has averaged above 6 percent, while sustained garment exports, increasing public investment, and strong workers’ remittance inflows have supported demand and activity. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s two...