Macro
Apparel exports to US grow slightly to $7.34b in 2024
Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the United States grew by 0.75%
year-on-year to $7.34 billion in 2024, despite fluctuations throughout
the year.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/rmg/apparel-exports-us-growslightly-734b-2024-1064131
ADB projects slower growth amid political uncertainty
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected Bangladesh’s GDP
growth rate to slow to 4.3 percent in fiscal year (FY) 2025, reflecting
a subdued outlook amid political uncertainty, supply disruptions and
tight monetary policy. This marks a decline from its earlier projection
of 5.1 percent in September last year.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/adb-projectsslower-growth-amid-political-uncertainty-3819346
NBR to fully operationalise bond automation this month to boost trade
efficiency
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is set to fully operationalise its
bond automation system this month, aiming to enhance efficiency,
transparency, and accountability in the country’s trade operations.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/nbr-fully-operationalise-bondautomation-month-boost-trade-efficiency-1064111
Sovereign securities buyback envisaged for even annual debt service
The government may consider buybacks of securities to reduce future
repayment burdens. Never did the government buy back such
sovereign securities in the past. People familiar with the matter told
the FE that the new system, called Liability Management Operations
(LMO), has two primary objectives: smoothing out government
liabilities to ensure predictability and creating benchmark securities to
improve market efficiency.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/last-page/sovereignsecurities-buyback-envisaged-for-even-annual-debt-service1739039553
Higher interest, sluggish business dampen fund demand
Credit flow to private sector ebbs further as higher lending rates and
ongoing business uncertainty dampens demand for funds, according
to bankers. The growth in credit flow to private sector came down to
7.28 per cent in December 2024 on a year-on-year basis from 7.66
per cent a month before, according to the central bank’s latest
statistics, released Thursday.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/public/first-page/higherinterest-sluggish-business-dampen-fund-demand-1738868494
Japanese economic zone now looks to attract foreign investors
The Bangladesh Special Economic Zone, also known as the Japanese
Economic Zone, in Araihazar of Narayanganj, is now targeting foreign
direct investment (FDI), especially from export-oriented companies.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/japanese-economic-zone-nowlooks-attract-foreign-investors-1064156

Engineering
Local AC industry seeks ‘fair’ govt procurement policy
Local air conditioner (AC) manufacturers in Bangladesh are pushing
for “fair” government procurement policies, arguing that existing
rules favour foreign brands despite local companies meeting global
standards.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/local-acindustry-seeks-fair-govt-procurement-policy-3819336
Insurance
Regulator seeks power to discipline errant insurance companies
Insurance regulator now wants requisite power to adequately punish
errant insurers for bringing them under control in the wake of
widespread allegations of noncompliance, especially non-settlement
of huge claims of policyholders.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/public/first-page/regulatorseeks-power-to-discipline-errant-insurance-companies-1738953683
Fuel & Power
Overdue payments to LNG suppliers mount to $455m
The government’s overdue payments to the liquefied natural gas
(LNG) suppliers stood at around US $ 455 million as state-run
Petrobangla has been struggling to clear the bills due to the shortage
of US dollar, said sources. If the payment situation doesn’t improve,
the suppliers might go harsh, including ceasing LNG supplies and
adjustment of the unpaid amount from the standby letter of credit
(SBLC).
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/last-page/overduepayments-to-lng-suppliers-mount-to-455m-1739039506
Bank
Southeast Bank to issue Tk1,000cr bond
Southeast Bank, a private sector lender, has decided to raise the
bond amount to Tk1,000 crore from its previous decision of Tk500
crore aiming to enhance its capital base.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/southeast-bank-issuetk1000cr-bond-1064106
Janata Bank crippled by record default loans
Janata Bank’s defaulted loans surged to a record Tk 67,300 crore by
the end of last year, as politically exposed persons and business
conglomerates became defaulters following the recent political
changeover, reflecting the fragile condition of the state-run bank.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/banks/news/janatabank-crippled-record-default-loans-3819351

Capital Markets
Asia Frontier Capital sees green shoots in Bangladesh stock market,
said its fund manager
The lucrative prices of well-managed company shares, a stabilising
economy, and expectations of political stability together are showing
Hong Kong-based Asia Frontier Capital (AFC) green shoots in the
Bangladesh stock market, said its fund manager Ruchir Desai. “I feel
the economy, as well as the stock market here, has already bottomed
out,” the chartered financial analyst told The Business Standard.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/asia-frontier-capital-seesgreen-shoots-bangladesh-stock-market-said-its-fund-manager
Stocks
BAT Bangladesh declares Tk1,620cr dividend for 2024
British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh – a leading multinational
cigarette manufacturer – has declared a 150% final cash dividend for
2024, according to a stock exchange filing. This brings the total
dividend payout for the year to 300% cash.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/bat-bangladesh-declares150-cash-dividend-1062246

ACI logs Tk291cr loss in Shwapno, foods, plastics, healthcare in H1
ACI Limited’s pre-tax loss rose by 15% year-on-year to Tk291.42
crore in its retail chain Shwapno, as well as its foods, consumer
plastics, and healthcare businesses during the July-December period
of FY25.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/aci-logs-tk291cr-lossshwapno-foods-plastics-healthcare-h1-1064121
United Power’s profit up 5% in Q2
The power producer’s profit grew 5 percent year-on-year to Tk
292.59 crore in the October-December quarter of FY25. The
company’s revenue rose 12 percent to Tk 953.53 crore in the same
period. Its consolidated earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk 4.98 for
October-December 2024, up from Tk 4.71 in the same period a year
ago
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/united-powers
-profit-5-q2-3819321
Power Grid Company reports strong profit driven by foreign exchange
gains
In the October–December quarter, the state-owned power
transmission firm made a profit of Tk398.22 crore, which is 387.47%
higher than Tk81.69 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal
year. The company generated revenue of Tk678.62 crore, up from
Tk592.65 crore a year ago. According to the quarterly statement, the
company recorded a foreign exchange gain of Tk338.42 crore,
compared to Tk22.21 crore in the same period of the previous year.
However, in FY24, its foreign exchange loss stood at Tk1,098 crore.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/power-grid-companyreports-strong-profit-driven-foreign-exchange-gains-1062831
City Insurance posts 2pc growth in profit
City Insurance PLC posted a 2 per cent year-on-year growth in profit
to Tk 210 million for 2024 amid ongoing macroeconomic challenges.
The company announced a 10 per cent cash dividend for the year.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/public/stock-corporate/cityinsurance-posts-2pc-growth-in-profit-173895180