A recent report by the World Bank titled “Business Ready” has expressed dissatisfaction with the current business and trade environment in Bangladesh. It states that the existing conditions for business and trade in Bangladesh are far from favorable. As a result, despite having immense potential, the country is struggling to perform well in international trade. Considering the current realities of the business environment, Bangladesh has been placed fourth in the rankings. In a review based on ten indicators, Bangladesh scored 53.86 out of a total of 100 points.

Customers who were deceived by several e-commerce companies during the previous Awami League-led government are getting refunds as the present interim government has taken an initiative in this regard. So far, Tk410.69 crore has been paid.

According to the latest statistics from Bangladesh Bank, the total amount of default loans in the country's banking sector has reached 2,84,977 crore taka. This constitutes 16.93 per cent of the total loans disbursed by banks. In July, the amount of default loans was 2,11,391 crore taka. Therefore, in just three months, the amount of default loans in the banking sector has increased by 73,586 crore taka. During this period, the amount of default loans in state-owned banks has increased by 23,628 crore taka, while in private banks, the increase was 49,885 crore taka.

During a workshop titled "Inequality, Financial Crimes, and the Healing of Bangladesh's Economy," organized by Bonik Barta on November 11, 2024, at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon

Recently, the BRICS summit was held in Kazan, Russia. Initially, BRICS was formed by four countries: Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Later, South Africa joined, giving it its current name, BRICS. Last year, five more countries were admitted, raising the membership to ten, although the group retained its original name. In this recent summit in Kazan, in addition to the 10 full BRICS members, 25 countries joined as observers, many of which may soon gain full membership. BRICS is fundamentally an economic cooperation bloc, whose member states represent 57% of the world's population and account for 47% of global GDP.

The private research institution, the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), has highlighted the dire situation of the banking sector in its latest research report. According to the report, over the past 15 years, widespread embezzlement has taken place in the country's banking sector, pushing it into a state of severe risk. Of the 60 banks operating in the country, at least 29 are struggling to function properly for various reasons. Among them, at least 10 banks are on the verge of bankruptcy. What was once a symbol of public trust, the banking sector, has now become a breeding ground for corruption.

It has been less than two and a half months since the interim government took charge, making it premature to conduct an in-depth analysis of its successes or failures. This government assumed responsibility amid complex challenges in both the political and economic realms. Its primary duty is to enact effective reforms in political and economic sectors to facilitate broad-based, participatory national elections that are considered credible both nationally and internationally. With this objective, the government has embarked on various reform initiatives, forming several committees to propose recommendations, which are expected within the next three months.

In developed countries, entrepreneurs typically rely on the capital market to meet long-term capital needs. However, the capital market in our country is struggling to develop properly. For various reasons, both entrepreneurs and investors are not very enthusiastic about raising capital through the capital market. Instead, they tend to seek their desired capital from the banking sector. Yet, the capital market is the most suitable place for long-term funding.

After the students' movement, an interim government assumed the responsibility of state management under special circumstances. The interim government is now passing three months in office. Public expectations from this government are very high. People hope that it will steer the country towards sustainable development by addressing the various damages created in society. However, there are growing concerns that public trust in the interim government is gradually fading. Although several commissions have been formed for reforms in various sectors, the general public is not well-informed about their activities and progress. In particular, there is skepticism about what the interim government is planning regarding the troubled banking sector and how much of that we will be able to see reflected in the future.

Since the change in power, a climate of uncertainty has pervaded the country. Instability is evident in law enforcement and administration, affecting the economy. There is a state of paralysis in business and trade, which has been ongoing even before the interim government took office. While businesses are closing one after another, the amount of non-performing loans is rising.

A recent report by the World Bank titled “Business Ready” has expressed dissatisfaction with the current business and trade environment in Bangladesh. It states that the existing conditions for business and trade in Bangladesh are far from favorable. As a result, despite having immense potential, the country is struggling to perform well in international trade. Considering the current realities of the business environment, Bangladesh has been placed fourth in the rankings. In a review based on ten indicators, Bangladesh scored 53.86 out of a total of 100 points.

Customers who were deceived by several e-commerce companies during the previous Awami League-led government are getting refunds as the present interim government has taken an initiative in this regard. So far, Tk410.69 crore has been paid.