Macro
Exports grow 11.68pc in Jul-Jan, FY25
Bangladesh’s merchandise-export earnings posted an 11.68-percent
growth to US$28.97 billion during the first seven months of the
current fiscal year, with a January downturn. However, a leading
exporter sees a silver lining over emergent global ‘trade wars’
following a regime change in the economic superpower-the United
States. According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data released on
Monday, the country’s export earnings were US $25.94 billion during
the July-January period of last fiscal year.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/last-page/exports-grow1168pc-in-jul-jan-fy25-1738609613

Containerised cargo transport through Ctg port jumped in January
The import and export of container cargo through Chattogram port
increased significantly in January, driven by rising imports ahead of
Ramadan and a gradual increase in export orders for readymade
garments.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/containerised-cargotransport-through-ctg-port-jumped-january-3815206

Banking
Mutual Trust Bank set to buy commercial building worth Tk 450cr
Mutual Trust Bank decided to purchase a commercial building costing
Tk450 crore. According to its disclosure filed on the Dhaka bourse,
the bank will purchase 15 floors of a newly constructed building at
Gulshan for its corporate head office.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/mutual-trust-bank-buyscommercial-building-worth-tk450-crore-1059426

Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals
Tax breaks, cash incentives, low-cost loans on the table for API
investors
The interim government is weighing a set of incentives – including
VAT and tax exemptions, cash incentives, and low-interest loans – to
spur investment in the production of Active Pharmaceutical
Ingredients (APIs), the key raw materials for medicines.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/tax-breaks-cash-incentives-lowcost-loans-table-api-investors-1060356

Textiles
Apparel exports grew by 12% in Jul-Jan of FY25
The country’s apparel exports grew by 12% year-on-year to $23.55
billion in the first seven months of fiscal 2024-25, according to
government data. Overall exports exceeded $4 billion for four
consecutive months from October to January. In January, shipments
reached $4.44 billion, marking a 5.70% year-on-year growth,
according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data released on Monday
(3 February).
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/rmg/apparel-exports-grew-12-jul
-jan-fy25-1059716

Most listed textile firms show resilience in H1, post growth despite
challenges
Despite facing political instability, economic uncertainty, and worker
unrest, the majority of listed textile companies posted year-on-year
revenue and profit growth in the first half of the current fiscal year
2024-25. Out of 58 listed textile firms, 43 have released their
financial statements for the July-December period. Of these, 26
companies recorded profit growth, eight reported a decline, another
eight incurred losses, and one posted unchanged profits.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/most-listed-textile-firmsshow-resilience-h1-post-growth-despite-challenges-1060256

Ceramics
Ceramics face double blow: gas crisis and tax burden
The country’s ceramic industry is facing a severe crisis due to an
ongoing gas shortage and the recent imposition of supplementary
duty (SD) on the sale of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware, according to
industry leaders. Between 2015 and 2023, industrial gas prices
surged by 345 percent, including by 150 percent in 2023 alone, it
said. This has led to an 18 percent to 20 percent increase in
production costs, making it increasingly difficult for local
manufacturers to compete with imported products, it said.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/ceramics-face-doubleblow-gas-crisis-and-tax-burden-3815586

Food & Allied
Tea production falls amid bad weather, quality push
After a record high output in 2023, the country’s tea production
declined last year because of unfavorable weather conditions and tea
estates opting for quality improvement to secure better rates. Tea
production stood at 9.30 crore kilograms in 2024, down from 10.2
crore kilograms the previous year, according to the Bangladesh Tea
Board (BTB).
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/tea-production-fallsamid-bad-weather-quality-push-3815571

Capital Market
Market intermediaries feel forced to shut down business amid low
turnovers
Prolonged bearish trend of the country’s capital market threatens the
survival of intermediaries. A majority of them are unable to meet
expenses with income derived from operations. The situation is so
dire that stockbrokers, merchant banks and asset management
companies may feel pushed to cut down workforce as bearing the
expenditure of their current set-ups seems no longer possible.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/marketintermediaries-feel-forced-to-shut-down-business-amid-low-turnovers
-1738605392

Stocks
GPH Ispat eyes $150 million Hong Kong listing to expand production
GPH Ispat Limited has announced its intention to raise $150 million
through an initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange to finance its new project aimed at expanding production
capacity.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/gph-ispat-eyes-150-
million-hong-kong-listing-expand-production-1060121

DSE downgrades Kay and Que to Z category for failing to disburse
dividend
The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has downgraded Kay & Que
(Bangladesh), a publicly listed company, to the Z category due to its
failure to disburse the approved dividend within the stipulated
timeframe. In a disclosure regarding the downgrade, it was stated
that the company has been placed in the Z category from the existing
B category, effective 3 February, in line with a directive from the
Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/dse-downgrades-kay-andque-z-category-failing-disburse-dividend-106030