The World Bank has warned that Bangladesh’s urban progress is being held back by deep-rooted institutional and governance weaknesses that limit cities’ ability to manage rapid growth. In its Bangladesh Development Update, the Bank said overlapping responsibilities among ministries, weak fiscal decentralization and poor coordination have led to inefficiencies in planning and investment. Subnational governments […]
The World Bank has urged Bangladesh to empower its urban local governments with greater financial and technical authority to manage the country’s rapid urbanization and job creation needs. In its Bangladesh Development Update, the Bank said most city and municipal bodies lack the resources and autonomy to plan or deliver essential services effectively. It recommended […]
The World Bank has called on Bangladesh to overhaul its urban planning and investment strategy to align development spending with the country’s shifting economic geography and boost job creation. In its latest Bangladesh Development Update, the Bank said the government must adopt “spatially oriented planning” that recognizes the different needs of regions across the country. […]
Hilsa fish prices in Bangladesh have soared as exports to India fell to a seven-year low, officials said Tuesday. Prices jumped 28 to 52 percent from last year, rising by about $1.80 to $9 per kilogram depending on size. Large hilsa now sell for up to $27 per kilogram in Dhaka markets. The government imposed […]
Bangladesh’s dengue outbreak has surpassed 50,000 cases this year, prompting renewed calls for stronger government action to contain the mosquito-borne disease. Health officials reported 782 new infections and three deaths Sunday, raising the total to 50,689 cases and 215 fatalities, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. Experts warned that infections will likely peak […]
Bangladesh plans to purchase 20 Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter jets for about $2.2 billion to modernize its air force and strengthen national defense, officials said. The deal, expected to be finalized by fiscal years 2026–27, includes procurement, training, and maintenance, with payments spread over 10 years through fiscal 2035–36. An inter-ministerial committee led by Air […]
Tarique Rahman’s plan to return from exile and seek power threatens to derail the spirit of Bangladesh’s revolution that ended Sheikh Hasina’s rule. The student-led movement was driven by demands for honesty, justice and an end to corruption, not a revival of the old political elite. Rahman has long been accused of graft and described […]
American companies have long exploited the H-1B visa and related programs to cut labor costs rather than address genuine skill shortages. Though the visas were designed for hard-to-fill specialized roles, many firms have used them for basic coding and support jobs easily staffed domestically, according to a report in the New York Times. Nearly two-thirds […]
As Nike braces for an estimated $1.5 billion hit from tariffs this fiscal year, analysts say it may be time for the footwear giant to reconsider where its shoes are made, and Bangladesh offers one of the most compelling alternatives. Nike’s manufacturing network remains heavily reliant on China, Vietnam and Indonesia, countries where tariff rates […]
Bangladesh remains on the U.S. State Department’s Tier 2 list for human trafficking, as political turmoil has undermined the country’s law enforcement response. Civil unrest in August 2024 toppled the previous government and collapsed parts of the police force, hampering prosecutions. Authorities investigated 811 cases involving 3,334 suspects, down from 975 cases a year earlier. […]
