june 2019 cover issue 05 - metropolitan chamber of ... · robi axiata ltd. innovated islamic ......

Chamber Building122-124, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000, BangladeshPhone : +880-2-9565208-10 & +880-2-9574129-31 (PABX), Fax : +880-2-9565211-12 Email : [email protected], [email protected], Web : www.mccibd.org

VISION Be the leading voice serving responsible business

MISSIONBecome the leading Chamber for providing research and

analysis related to business in Bangladesh

Attract quality membership, representative of a cross section of business

Effectively respond to changing business environment

Collaborate with local and international institutions

Engage and communicate regularly with our stakeholders

Promote best practices that benefit business and society

VALUESFairness

Integrity

Respect

Equal Opportunity

CORE COMPETENCIES - ORGANIZATION

Research based Policy Advocacy

Networking

Business Intelligence

CORE COMPETENCIES – PEOPLE

Professional

Innovative

Adaptable

Team Player

Proactive

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

The Chamber News is published for private circulation by Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka. The Chamber assumes no responsibility for the correctness of items quoted in the bulletin although every effort is made to give information from sources believed to be reliable.

DISCLAIMER

CHAMBER COMMITTEE FOR 2019

PRESIDENT

VICE-PRESIDENT

SECRETARY-GENERAL

MEMBERS

MS. NIHAD KABIR

MR. GOLAM MAINUDDIN

MR. FAROOQ AHMED

MR. SYED TAREQUE MD. ALI

MR. TAPAN CHOWDHURY

MS. UZMA CHOWDHURY

MS. SIMEEN HOSSAIN

MR. A.K.M. RAFIQUL ISLAM, FCA

MR. ANIS A. KHAN

MR. ADEEB HOSSAIN KHAN, FCA

MR. HASAN MAHMOOD, FCA

MR. SYED NASIM MANZUR

MR. M. ANIS UD DOWLA

EDITORIAL 03

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NEW PRODUCTS

Urgonight headset trains the brain for better sleep

ARTICLE 05

COUNTRY PROFILE 18Germany

NATIONAL NEWS 08WB to give $165 million for improving basic services for rohingyas

MEMBER NEWS 21Robi Axiata Ltd. innovated Islamic lifestyle app “Noor”

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MEMBER PROFILE

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Chamber News / Issue 06/ June 2019CONTENTS

App and paper funnel diagnose ear infections

Maasranga Television

Brand management: major principles for successful business

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Chamber News / Issue 06/ June 2019

EDITORIAL

Bangladesh has expressed interest to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with MERCOSUR, a large South American trade bloc, to promote exports. MERCOSUR (in Spanish) or MERCOSUL (in Portuguese), officially the Southern Common Market, is an accord calling for free movement of goods, services and factors of production between countries. It was established by the Treaty of Asuncion in 1991 and updated by the Protocol of Ouro Preto in 1994. Its full members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Venezuela joined MERCOSUR’s four founding members as a full member in 2012 but was suspended on 1 December 2016 on grounds of violation of human rights and the bloc’s rules by President Maduro’s government.

Bangladesh Keen to Sign FTA with MERCOSUR to Promote Exports

The four countries agreed to eliminate customs duties, implement a common external tariff (CET) of 35 percent on certain imports from outside the bloc, and adopt a common trade policy towards outside countries. The charter members hoped to form a common market similar to the European Union (EU), and even considered introducing a common currency.

MERCOSUR signed free trade agreements with Israel in December 2007, Egypt in August 2010, the State of Palestine in December 2011, and Lebanon on December 18, 2004. Associate countries are Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname. New Zealand and Mexico are observer countries.

Hoping that an FTA with MERCOSUR would open up new horizons for Bangladesh’s global trade, Bangladesh

Commerce Ministry has asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin primary negotiations with the bloc. The Bangladesh embassy in Brazil has accordingly sent a letter of intent to the MERCOSUR secretariat. The rationale for trying to join the four-country group is that after Bangladesh will almost certainly graduate out of the LDC group in the near future, it will cease to receive any preferential duty benefits from the developed country markets. Inevitably, then, the country will need to seek new markets for its products. The proposal to initiate an FTA with MERCOSUR, therefore, seems to be perfectly in line with the country’s market diversification efforts. Besides, MERCOSUR appears to be an attractive destination simply from its size perspective. Home to 300 million people, the bloc has large energy resources, and is the fifth largest market in the world with a combined annual GDP of $4 trillion and per capita income of $10,000. If anything, Bangladesh can only gain from entering this huge market.

Bangladesh’s current trade with MERCOSUR states is small and highly imbalanced. Its exports to MERCOSUR countries in 2017-18 amounted to US $208 million whereas its imports from

the group during the year stood at US $2.32 billion. Imports exceeded exports by a factor of 11. The main reason behind low values of Bangladesh’s exports to the bloc is perhaps the high common external tariff (CET) of 35 percent imposed by the bloc on outside countries.

A recent study has found that Bangladesh has enormous trade potential with the MERCOSUR states if only the high common external tariff were abolished, and hence it recommended signing an FTA with the bloc to derive the benefits of free trade. The study viewed that the MERCOSUR bloc could be a potential export market for Bangladesh products, especially readymade garments, leather and leather goods, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, tableware, and vegetable textile fibers.

There are, however, a few caveats which must not escape the policymakers’ attention before a final decision is made about joining the South American trade block.

Geographical proximity is often suggested to be an important, though not a sufficient, pre-condition for the success of an integration scheme. But, when we find that despite geographical

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closeness of member countries, the SAFTA agreement has now become virtually dysfunctional and the BIMSTEC agreement is limping, one wonders how Bangladesh will gain from integration with a distant MERCOSUR region inhabited by people of different cultures, thousands of miles away.

It will also be necessary for the government to look into the background and historical record of the bloc that it wants to join. MERCOSUR was created in large part to cement a rapprochement between longtime rivals, Argentina and Brazil, whose relationship had suffered early on from a competition for regional dominance and mutual distrust of their economic and diplomatic agenda.

Some critics say that Argentina and Brazil wanted MERCOSUR simply as a trade shield. However, many experts say that MERCOSUR has failed to live up to its ambition of integrating the region. The bloc “is less about opening up but actually protecting Brazilian and Argentine industries from global competition.”

Experts say that MERCOSUR’s future will largely hinge on decisions made in Buenos Aires and Brasilia. Brazil and Argentina together account for 95 percent of both GDP and population of the group. These two countries are two of each other’s most important trading partners and both countries would benefit from opening their markets more generally.

But regional integration began to slow following Brazil’s currency devaluation in 1994 and Argentina’s financial crisis in 2001, and trade disputes and other tensions flared up regularly between the two countries. Experts say that integration has been further stifled as MERCOSUR economies continued to fall back on protectionist policies.

MERCOSUR countries have failed

to coordinate their trade policies toward third countries as well. For instance, Brazil unilaterally imposed anti-dumping restrictions on steel imports from China in 2011. “Politically negotiated exception to the bloc’s rules became the norm”, The Economist wrote.

The associate countries receive tariff reductions when trading with full members but they do not enjoy free access to their markets. Bolivia was invited to join as a full member in 2012 but its accession is pending authorization from Brazil’s Congress.

MERCOSUR functions as a customs union and free trade area, and has ambition to become a common market along the lines of the EU, but even about 25 years after its founding, the group still struggles to achieve that goal.

MERCOSUR has been criticized by experts as South America’s fractious trade bloc. “Political shifts and economic challenges in Latin America could either boost Latin America’s largest bloc or lead to its obsolescence.” MERCOSUR’s one year suspension of Paraguay in 2012, which was lifted in 2013, and indefinite suspension of Venezuela in 2016 have revealed fractures within the group.

Bangladesh policymakers will need to consider the overall political instability in the MERCOSUR group before finally opting to join it. The opinion of the private sector about the desirability of signing a cooperation agreement with the bloc, including the choice of the type of cooperation i.e., whether it would be a full-scale membership or just associate membership, should be obtained from the country’s prominent trade chambers. There should be a drive to learn more about the MERCOSUR market. Trade chambers should conduct

From the perspective of Bangladesh exporters, some homework will be required of them, beyond getting accustomed to the work related to export procedures and actual export generation. As English is not spoken by everyone in the region, having some grasp of the Portuguese, Spanish, and Guarani languages will help in communicating with the mass and promoting the products. At the same time, some understanding of the legal scenario of the region and tax system would be very helpful. This will pay huge dividends in countries like Brazil which is said to have one of the most complex tax systems in the world.

Initiating an FTA with MERCOSUR certainly looks advantageous at the moment for Bangladesh. The main work, however, will be to actually make it a reality. Hard work can pay off, but here smart work will be required. Businesses should show foresight and plan well in advance to address all the trade barriers that would benefit both Bangladesh and the MERCOSUR countries. Only then could the full potential of the deal be realized.

studies to identify products that offer a competitive advantage in that market.

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ARTICLEBRAND MANAGEMENT: MAJOR PRINCIPLES FOR SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

In a situation where you are selling your product or service to many customers, it’s best to first connect all of them to a common platform, and then articulate clearly what’s there for each of them. The goal should be to generate an engaging conversation which will allow you to change perceptions, diagnose expectations, and forge clarity in the dialogue.

That, in essence, is the moot point to develop a brand management strategy i.e. the foundation of your communication which builds true relationships between you and the audience. A brand strategy helps you to utilize your advertising, marketing, public relations and the social media, to accurately and consistently reinforce your product/service character.

What is brand management?

The key principles Brand Management

Define your brand

The brand is your business model

It’s all about capturing the target market for your product or service, and generating a confidence in the minds of the present and prospective customers. The aim of branding is to vividly convey a message, raise customer loyalty, and persuade an individual to buy the product, thereby establishing an emotional connect with customers. It also builds customer perceptions about a product or service. Needless to say, the main aim of branding is creating differentiation.

A strong brand reduces the perceived safety, monetary, and social risks of the customer to buy a product or service. A customer can have a better perception of tangible goods with a brand name. A strong brand has a higher market share and should be given good support

to sustain itself over the long run. It’s important to manage all brands and build brand equity over time.

Here comes in the usefulness and importance of brand management. A good brand management plan helps to build a corporate image and the brand manager must oversee the overall brand performance. Successful brands are the result of a robust brand management system.

On a wider scale, brand management includes managing both the intangible and tangible characteristics of a brand. For product brands, the tangibles include the item itself, packaging, price etc. In case of services, tangibles comprise customer experience, whereas the intangibles include the emotional connect.

Here are 12 major brand management principles that can usher in business success.

It all begins with authenticity, the key purpose, mission, vision, position, character and value. Focus on what you can do best and then communicate your strengths with consistency. There have been several instances where companies acquired other brands, only to sell them off later, because the acquisitions didn’t fit into the parent company’s brand architecture. Microsoft acquired Razorfish—a major internet and technological innovation company—when it bought aQuantive—a digital marketing service company—for about $6 billion in 2007. But a couple of years later, Microsoft sold off Razorfish for about $530 million. Simply put, Razorfish wasn’t a good fit for Microsoft’s brand strategy.

Support and challenge your business for maximizing the potential of your brand. Think of personal brands like Richard Branson, Martha Stewart or Barack Obama. These individuals almost built their businesses right atop

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their personal brand, and everything they offer are an extension of that brand promise.

Consistency, consistency, and consistency

Start inside out

Align your tactics with strategy

Measure the effectiveness

Keep enemies closer

Stay flexible and relevant

Connect at the emotional level

Empower brand champions

If that wasn’t enough, consistency in your message is always the key to differentiate. Own up to your position on all reference points for all that you do. Obama, for instance, focused on only one message during his 2008 presidential campaign: Change. Automobile major BMW has always been branded as the “ultimate driving machine”.

All those working for your company can tell you what they feel and think of your brand. And that’s the story you must place before your customers. Drive the impact beyond mere marketing walls. That’s how online apparel store Zappos empowers its employees to bolster customer perception about the brand.

A brand is not just a logo, name, website, public relations exercise, or TV commercials. These are merely tools and not the brand. A brand is a much larger thing, a desirable idea manifested in products or services, places, people, and experience.

Coffee major Starbucks created a third space experience that was exclusive and desirable so that people preferred staying back and pay for the overpriced coffee.

Try selling something which satisfies not only the physical needs of people, but also their emotional needs. They will slowly start to identify with your brand.

Award those who love your brand and help to drive home a message, so that they can be a part of the brand building process. If your brand advocates stops

telling you what you should do and what you shouldn’t, it’s about time you start evaluating the brand promise.

Go and speak to someone working at an Apple retail outlet, or an iPad owner and you’ll see how passionate they are about the company. It’s almost a culture and a lifestyle.

A brand that’s well managed should always remain open to adjustments. Remember, branding is not a race but a process. It’s not an eventuality. So constantly tweak the message for your target group and refresh your company’s image.

A successful brand will never cling to the traditional ways because that delivered results in the past. It has to adapt to the changing market conditions. It will always try to reinvent itself by being flexible. Companies embracing change in a positive way will be able to free themselves to become more creative and savvy.

Sample this: When the global economy went southwards in 2009, Hyundai Motors introduced an assurance program. It allowed buyers to return their cars if they suffered a job loss, with no outstanding financial obligation or damage to the owner’s credit.

The result?

At the end of February 2010, only two buyers had returned their cars. But at the same time, Hyundai’s sales saw a 14% year-on-year jump. Hyundai was one of the only two companies that was able to increase its revenue in those hard times of truncated business activity, while companies like Honda, saw sales plummeting by over 30%. The Korean automobile major again rebranded its image with another program, by guaranteeing an year’s worth of free gasoline at $1.49 per gallon across most models, when gas

prices pushed higher during the peak summer travel months. It was less of clever marketing and more of a carefully devised rebranding strategy.

Convey your brand statement on the most appropriate media platform using specific campaign objectives. Each day, consumers are bombarded with commercial messages. It often becomes overkill. Many customers actively block commercials on the internet or switch channels on TV. Invest your branding efforts on the correct platform which communicates it to the target audience.

While TV may be the most expensive, it also has a wider reach, and can come up with largely instant results. On the other hand, social media is much cheaper, but has a longer response time. The resources may not give a prompt outcome if that’s what you want.

Focus on the return on investment (ROI), which is a key indicator to measure the effectiveness of your brand management strategies. It often depends on how well your company can be inspired to carry out these strategies. The effectiveness is also reflected in your brand valuation i.e. how the customers react to your product and price adjustments. Brand readjustments should ultimately lead to better sales and profits. But make sure not to focus solely on increasing sales, when you can achieve better margins by reducing expenses and overheads.

There are several options to test various marketing tactics. Just make sure they complement your brand authenticity and also align with the strategy you have taken.

Even if you have one of the most highly desirable and innovative product or service, expect new competitors with

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Cultivate your community

Brand strategy thinkinga better value proposition to enter the market, some days down the line. A market, regardless of the product or service, is never small enough to discourage new players from entering it and create competition. You’ll always find another competitor delivering faster, better, and more importantly, cheaper products or services. Call it innovation economics or hyper-competition, peer challenge could be better for you, believe it or not. It urges you to raise your strategy and give more value.

For instance, look how the big three automobile manufacturers—Ford, General Motors (GM), and Chrysler—was crushed in the past decade by car makers from Japan and Germany. Not only the latter made better cars, they did that more efficiently and commanded a much better brand loyalty. Toyota, in 2008, beat GM, while Honda overtook Chrysler in the US market.

The community is an effective and powerful platform which can engage buyers and also create a loyalty towards the brand. In active communities, members feel an urge to connect to each other, regarding your brand’s consumption.

All of us want to be an insider to something. It is usually exciting for us to tell others in our community that we have some exclusive knowledge about something.

In several ways, we take pride in our ego to be part of a professional group or say, a sports team. Guess which car the members of a Jaguar club would consider at the time of purchasing their next vehicle?

A brand community allows companies collaborate with customers across all sections of value creation via crowd sourcing like pricing strategy, product design, availability, and selling metrics.

CEO of IDEO, Tim Brown, calls design thinking as a “process for creating new choices.” It essentially means not to just settle for the available alternatives but to think outside the box, sans being limited. The concept, in effect, applies to the brand strategy creation process that experts often term as brand strategy thinking. It’s always easier to execute tactics, instead of introducing a new strategy because that could imply a possibility of failure. It’s always much easier to copy what worked for the competitor than come up with something creative and original.

But the fact is, you can’t do that because it violates the very basics of brand management. Branding is about creating the correct experience which involves all stakeholders to devise a better strategy.

Leveraging the ecosystem which includes your partners, employees, customers for helping you articulate the brand strategy so that they can sync together, could be a wonderful idea.

Why matters?

The take away

Customers, both present and prospective, will identify your company, the product or service, and your status in the market, via your brand. An incredible brand is built via strong messages, advertisements, and images. But whether you realize or not, your company is carving out the goodwill and reputation with everything that you and you sales channel do. Thus, you must ensure that you continuously live up to your brand’s promise every day.

Upholding your product or service’s image is the most crucial part of brand management. A proper brand management strategy must ensure that all promotional pieces, touch points, and every use of your logo, name and message, support the company and its

goals by reinforcing the brand in the planned way. This would enable you to continue strengthening the association you brand has on customers. Many reputed brands fell apart in the past for not being properly managed.

Most large companies hire a full-time brand manager for ensuring that the brand earns goodwill in the market, which at the same time, is not misused. Even with brand managers, producing top quality campaigns could be a challenge for a majority of the brand management companies.

What does all this lead to? Having an appropriate brand management strategy will bring meaning and clarity to your product or service so that you can focus to make, create, and sell things that people genuinely care about. Once you do that your brand will become unique and memorable it its own way and earn reputation in the market. But then also begins the most difficult part i.e. upholding the brand value in the days to come.

Source: https://www.educba.com

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NATIONAL NEWSWB TO GIVE $165 MILLION FOR IMPROVING BASIC SERVICES FOR ROHINGYAS

FDI INFLOW RISES BY 68% TO $3.6 BILLION

BB ASKS BANKS TO ENSURE BLOCK ACCOUNT FACILITY FOR JUTE SECTOR

Under an agreement signed recently, the World Bank (WB) will provide US$165 million worth of grant for improving basic services and disaster risk management for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. Under the Emergency Multi-Sector Rohingya Crisis Response Project, the $165 million fund will be utilized to build 53 multi-purpose disaster shelters in and around the camps; pave more than 200km of roads; provide water and sanitation services for around 200,000 people; and set up 1,500 solar street lights. The project will also strengthen emergency response services, provide community works and services, and prevent gender-based violence. Bangladesh is sheltering over 1.0 million Rohingyas of Myanmar, who fled after violence at the Rakhine state in Myanmar, at its southern part in Cox’s Bazar.

The foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow to Bangladesh saw a sharp rise of 68 percent in 2018 calendar year. The amount of FDI hit a record high of US$3.6 billion in 2018, which was $2.6 billion in the previous calendar year. China became the largest FDI provider to Bangladesh in 2018, according to the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). China topped the list by investing about $1.0 billion in 2018, the major portion of which was channelled to power sector. The Chinese FDI in Bangladesh was only $119 million in 2017. Besides China,

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has asked all the scheduled banks to ensure implementation of block account facility introduced earlier for saving the jute sector. The central bank recently issued a fresh circular as the facility mostly remained unutilized since introduction of the facility on 03 December, 2018 in accordance with a letter from the Financial Institutions Division (FID). The BB also directed the financial institutions to submit a progress report till June 30. As per the FID letter, millers and jute goods producers, especially Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA) and Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA) will be the beneficiaries of fresh block account.

API RAW MATERIAL IMPORTS TO GET VAT WAIVER UNTIL 2025

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has exempted the import of raw materials for production of Active Pharmaceuticals Ingredients (API) from VAT payment until December 2025. In an order issued recently, the VAT wing of the NBR waived 15 percent consumption tax on the import of API raw materials and reagents. However, the wing tagged a set of conditions for the pharmaceutical companies intending to avail of the benefit. For example, the manufacturing companies will have to be registered in Bangladesh and have to prepare at least five new molecules every calendar year. The drug makers will have to add at least 60 percent value to the imported products. The companies will have to maintain standards including the current good manufacturing practice, quality audit and conducting source inspection every year. The manufacturers will have to spend at least 1.0 percent of its annual turnover on research and development purpose on a mandatory basis. It will have to expand its alliance with academic and research organizations every year. The details of the required raw materials, including names, description, volume, HS code will need approval from the drug administration directorate before import. The detailed list and its certification letter will have to be furnished before the customs authority at

the second highest FDI flow, amounting to $692 million, came from the Netherlands last year. It was followed by $371 million from the UK, $174 million from the USA, $171 million from Singapore, $170 million from Hong Kong, $121 million from India, and $108 million from Norway. The major FDI-receiving sectors in the country last year were - power, food, textile, and banking and financial institutions.

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REVENUE COLLECTION FROM DSE THRIVES 84% IN APRIL

BB ALLOWS FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS FOR IGW OPERATORS

BSEC RETAINS LOCK-IN PROVISION

BB RELAXES RULES TO FACILITATE FDI

‘BLOCK MODULE’ TO STRICTLY REINFORCE DECLARATIONS ON TRANSFERRING SHARES

The government’s tax collection from the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) jumped 84 percent month-on-month in April 2019 riding on shares sales by sponsor-directors and placement holders despite sharp fall in trading activities. According to statistics available with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the sponsor-directors and placement holders sold shares worth Tk 7.26 billion during the month under review. The government collected revenue worth nearly Tk 433 million in April which was Tk 235 million in March, 2019, registering an increase of 84 percent month-on-month, the DSE data shows. Of the total earnings in April, Tk 363 million came from share sales by sponsor-directors and placement holders.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has allowed the International Gateway (IGW) operators to make their transactions for international calls by opening foreign currency accounts. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) issues operator licence to IGW operators under Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation Act, 2001 to handle international calls in accordance with the International Long Distance Telecommunications Services (ILDTS) Policy, 2010. In doing so, IGW operators receive or pay in foreign currency against international incoming or outgoing calls, according to a BB circular issued recently. To facilitate the transactions, BB said, it has now decided that the authorized dealers (ADs) may open and maintain foreign currency accounts in the name of IGW operators having valid operator licences issued by the BTRC.

The lock-in period applicable to non-general shareholders will remain in place from the date of debut trading instead of issuing IPO prospectus. The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). Lock-in is a predetermined amount of time after an initial public offering where large stakeholders are restricted from selling their shares. The companies that are going for Initial Public Offering (IPO) will come under the coverage of the new decision. The decision will also be applicable to the older companies whose lock-in period has not expired yet. Recently, the securities regulator took the decision of amending public issue rules for both book building method and fixed price method.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has relaxed regulation allowing foreigners to open temporary non-resident Taka account

the time of assessment. The companies willing to avail the facility will have to submit application to the NBR and give an undertaking on the judicial stamp that it would comply with all the conditions.

(NRTA) with any scheduled bank along with authorized dealer (AD) bank branches to facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh. Under the relaxation, interested foreign investors are now allowed to deposit their funds in the name of proposed companies through opening temporary NRTA with both scheduled and AD bank branches. Earlier, the foreign investors were eligible to open such NRTAs with only AD bank branches of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) approved a ‘Block Module’ to strictly reinforce the mandatory declarations required in case of transferring shares of listed companies and units of mutual funds by sponsors, directors and placement holders. The Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL) introduced the Block Module following a BSEC’s instruction in the wake of many transfers of these types of shares without required declarations. As per existing rules, the sponsor-directors and placement holders of the listed companies have to make declaration before selling or transferring their shares. The transactions of such shares are executed within 30 days of making declarations through block or public market subject to payment of stipulated amount of tax. As per the new decision, all listed companies will keep the shares of their sponsors, directors and placement holders blocked using the module introduced by the CDBL. On the

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other hand, the asset management companies will keep the units of their sponsors blocked.

BAN ON USE OF MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS FOR COLLECTING INSURANCE PREMIUM

BIMAN ADDS ANOTHER BOEING TO ITS FLEET

SPONSORS, DIRECTORS BARRED FROM SELLING SHARES IF THEY FAIL TO HOLD 30% STAKES

BANGABANDHU SATELLITE’S COMMERCIAL OPERATION BEGINS

4TH INSTALLMENT OF CASH INCENTIVES RELEASED

Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) recently issued a notice imposing a restriction on use of multiple bank accounts by non-life insurance companies for

A Boeing 737-800 aircraft was added to the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines recently. The aircraft was brought on lease from Kuwait’s Alfaco. With the latest addition, the number of aircraft in Biman fleet reached 16. Next month, a sixth Boeing 737-800 aircraft is scheduled to be added to Biman fleet while two Boeing Dreamliner 787 will be added in July and September, according to a UNB report. Currently, Biman operates on 16 international and domestic routes. It carried 2.6 million passengers in the last fiscal year.

The commercial operation of Bangladesh’s first communication satellite Bangabandhu-I began on 20 May 2019 providing feed to local television channels. To this end, six TV channels struck deals with Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited, the assigned entity for handling BS-I. The six televisions – Dipto TV, Samoy TV, Jamuna TV, Bijoy TV, Bangla TV and MY TV will now broadcast their programs through BS-I. Currently, most of the TV channels are using the country’s lone satellite on trial basis.

The government has released the 4th installment of cash incentives amounting to Tk 11.19 billion for the disbursement among major exporters during the fiscal year (FY) 2018-19. The ministry of finance issued a notification in this connection recently. The money will be disbursed among the exporters for the period of April-June 2019. Of the amount, the jute and jute product sub-sector will get Tk 1.19 billion. The government has decided to release a total amount of Tk 45 billion in cash incentive to the exporters during the current fiscal year. Of the total allocation, the government has disbursed Tk 44.94 billion. At present, a total of 36 export-oriented sectors including apparels, frozen foods and fish, leather products, agro-based products, agro-processing, are receiving cash incentives on their export earnings.

According to a recent decision by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the listed companies will be allowed to declare stock dividend only for important purposes such as BMRE (Balancing, Modernization, Rehabilitation and Expansion) and further qualitative development. While publishing the price sensitive information (PSI) regarding bonus declaration, the listed companies will have to mention the reason of issuing such kind of shares and the sector in which the fund will be utilized. According to another decision, the sponsors and directors, other than independent ones, of the listed companies will not be allowed to sell or transfer or mortgage their shares if they fail to hold 30 percent shares jointly. The listed companies will not be allowed to raise capital through issuing right shares or bonus shares or RPO (repeat public offer) or merge with other companies if the sponsor-directors fail to hold 30 percent shares collectively.

premium collection. Only one bank account can be used and the same must be used to pay taxes to the government. The insurance companies were asked to close the multiple bank accounts by May 13, 2019 and send updates. Later, the time was extended till June 30, 2019 in response to a request from Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA). The IDRA also asked the non-life insurance companies not to pay claims in cash. Currently, 46 non-life insurance companies are in operation in the country.

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CORPORATE NEWS

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) recently gave consent for issuance non-convertible zero coupon bond of Tk 3.0 billion of the Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation (DBH). As per the BSEC approval, denomination of the fully redeemable, unsecured and unlisted non-convertible bond is Tk 1.0 million per unit with tenure up to five years. The bond will be issued to the institutional investors, insurance companies, corporate entities and other eligible investor thorough private placement within the range of interest from 7.0 percent to 8.0 percent per annum. The fund will be raised to strengthen the company’s current fund for financing projects. The company declared 25 percent cash and 10 percent stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2018.

The board of directors of Peoples Insurance Company Limited recommended 6.0 percent cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2018. The company also reported EPS of Tk. 1.56, NAV per share of Tk. 25.87 and NOCFPS of Tk. 3.19 for the year ended on December 31, 2018 against Tk. 2.20, Tk. 25.31 and Tk. 2.93 respectively for the same period of the previous year. The company’s paid-up capital is Tk 462 million and authorized capital is Tk 2.0 billion while the total number of securities is 46.20 million. The sponsor-directors own 17.79 percent stake in the company, while the institutional investors own 29.64 percent and the general public 52.57 percent as of March 31, 2018.

Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited, the fast-growing manufacturer of generic pharmaceutical products and active pharmaceutical ingredients, recently announced it had received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for anti-allergy drug Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride Tablet (4 mg), a generic equivalent to Periactin® Tablets (4 mg) from Merck and Company, Inc. Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as hives, watery eyes, sneezing and itchy eyes or nose. The total US market for Cyproheptadine tablets was approximately $16 million in 2018. It may be mentioned that in August 2016, Beximco Pharma became the first Bangladeshi pharmaceutical company to export medicine to the US market, following the approval of its oral solid dosage facility by the US FDA in June 2015. Cyproheptadine is now Beximco’s seventh Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approved for the US market.

The board of directors of Islamic Finance & Investment Limited recently approved to issue IFIL Mudaraba non-convertible fully redeemable subordinated bond of Tk 3.0 billion. The company will issue the bond only for raising fund subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities - Bangladesh Bank (BB) and Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). The company declared 10 percent cash and 4.50 percent stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2018. As per the Q1 financial reports for January-March 2019, the company’s earnings per share (EPS) was Tk 0.37 against Tk 0.31 for January-March 2018. The net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) was negative Tk 3.44 for January-March 2019 against negative Tk 5.18 for January-March 2018. The net asset value (NAV) per share was Tk 15.02 as of March 31, 2019 and Tk 14.59 as of March 31, 2018.The company’s paid-up capital is Tk 1.34 billion and authorized capital is Tk 2.50 billion while the total number of securities is 134.28 million. The sponsor-directors own 36.59 percent stake in the company, while the institutional investors own 33.75 percent, and the general public 26.66 percent as of March 31, 2019.

Eastern Bank Ltd. (EBL) and Infrastructure Development Company (IDCOL) as Joint Lead Arrangers recently arranged US$ 67.25 million, Tk 920 million and Working Capital Facility of Tk 4,165 million for the Midland East Power Limited at Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria. A joint venture of Viyellatex Group and Youth Group, the 150 MW HFO Power Plant has been in commercial operation since November, 2018.

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Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), a non-bank financial institution owned by the government, recently declared dividends of Tk 700 million from the profit made in financial year (FY) 2018. Out of the dividend, Tk 200 million were paid to the government as cash dividend while Tk 500 million would be used for increasing the company’s paid up capital to Tk 6.5 billion by issuance of bonus shares. IDCOL also paid Tk 200 million to the government as cash dividend in the previous year. IDCOL is one of the few government-owned entities that operate independently and pays dividends on a regular basis. IDCOL finances large and medium infrastructure projects as well as renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the country. Solar home systems, solar irrigation pumps, solar mini-grid, solar rooftop, biogas plants and improved cook stoves programs are some of its successful interventions in the renewable energy sector.

The board of directors of Premier Bank Limited recently decided to issue additional non-convertible subordinated bond of Tk 5.0 billion. The bank will issue the bond only for raising fund to have regulatory capital support of the bank under Tier-2 category of BASEL III. The issuing of bonds is subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities — Bangladesh Bank (BB) and Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). The bank’s consolidated earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk 0.57 for January-March period of 2019 against Tk 0.39 for January-March period of 2018. The consolidated net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) was Tk 0.66 for January-March 2019 against Tk 0.64 for the same period last year. The consolidated net asset value (NAV) per share was Tk 19.83 as of March 31, 2019 and Tk 16.79 as of March 31, 2018. The bank’s paid-up capital is Tk 8.0 billion and authorized capital is Tk 10 billion, while the number of securities is 800 million. The sponsor-directors own 35.22 percent stake in the bank, while institutional investors own 17.06 percent, and the general public 47.72 percent as of March 31, 2019.

The board of directors of Pragati Insurance recommended 13 percent cash and 7.0 percent stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2018. The company also reported EPS of Tk 3.02, NAV per share of Tk 53.05 and NOCFPS of Tk 0.61 for the year ended on December 31, 2018 against Tk 2.66, Tk 54.54 and Tk 0.54 respectively for the same period of the previous year. The company disbursed 13 percent cash and 5.0 percent stock dividend in 2017.

Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) as the lead arranger and agent arranged a syndication term loan of Tk 4,656 million for Bangla Trac Power Unit-2 Limited, one of the sister concerns of Bangla Trac Group. The 100 MW HSD Power Plant at Noapara, Jashore has been in commercial operation since April, 2018. The other participating lenders are Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited, Saudi-Bangladesh Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company Limited (SABINCO), Rupali Bank Limited and Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited. Meanwhile, the board of directors of the bank recommended 25 percent cash and 10 percent stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2018. The bank also reported consolidated earnings per share (EPS) of Tk4.22, consolidated net asset value (NAV) per share of Tk 31.67 and consolidated net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) of Tk16.13 for the year ended on December 31, 2018 against Tk3.29, Tk29.64 and Tk9.21 respectively for the same period of the previous year.

Phoenix Insurance Limited recently recommended 12 percent cash dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2018. The company also reported EPS of Tk 2.56, NAV per share of Tk 37.01 and NOCFPS of Tk 1.85 for the year ended on December 31, 2018 against Tk 2.78 (restated), Tk 39.85 (restated) and Tk 3.48 respectively for the same period of the previous year. In 2017, the company disbursed 16 per cent cash dividend.

13


Energypac Power Venture, a subsidiary of Energypac, recently signed a joint-venture agreement with UAE-based EMA Power Investment, bringing in $16 million foreign direct investment into the country’s booming power sector. The investment is for implementing a 115 megawatt heavy fuel oil-fired power plant project at Thakurgaon. The EMA Power Investment is a joint venture between South Korea’s Daelim Energy and IDB Infrastructure Fund II managed by ASMA Capital. Daelim Energy will avail 49 percent stake of the project through the investment. The agreement will also facilitate several other power projects and enhance the capacity of Energypac.

IDLC Finance Limited reported that its net profit after tax rose by 1.42 percent year-on-year to Tk 55.8 crore in the first quarter of 2019. Its earnings per share hit at Tk 1.48, up from Tk 1.46 in the same period of the previous year. The company’s data shows annualized return on equity and return on assets were 16.85 percent and 2.04 percent respectively against 17.90 percent and 2.29 percent in the equivalent prior period. IDLC’s standalone loan book is currently composed of 42 percent SME, 34 percent consumer and 24 percent corporate portfolio. Nonperforming loan ratio stands at 2.29 percent, compared to 2.80 percent at the end of the same period last year. However, capital market subsidiaries of the company have reported declines in net income year-on-year, largely on the back of lower levels of investment income. The company expects to add more to its revenue lines within the medium term through the recent attainment of alternative investments licence by IDLC Asset Management Ltd.

The board of directors of Union Capital Limited recommended 5.0 percent stock dividend for the year ended on December 31, 2018 (subject to the approval of Bangladesh Bank and shareholders). The company also reported consolidated EPS of Tk. 0.56, consolidated NAV per share of Tk 14 and consolidated NOCFPS of Tk 0.62 for the year ended on December 31, 2018 against Tk 1.08 (restated), Tk 13.44 (restated) and Tk 4.17 (restated) respectively for the same period of the previous year. The company’s paid-up capital is Tk 1.64 billion and authorized capital is Tk 2.0 billion while the total number of securities is 164.35 million. The sponsor-directors own 42.82 percent stake in the company, while the institutional investors own 21.80 percent and the general public 35.38 percent as of March 31, 2018.

The board of directors of The City Bank Ltd recently decided to raise Tk 3.0 billion through issuance of zero coupon bonds. The bank will issue bonds to support its continuous business growth subject to approval from the regulatory authorities. The banks’ consolidated earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk 0.79 for January-March 2019 against Tk 0.38 for January-March 2018. The consolidated net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) was negative Tk 11.56 for January-March 2019 against negative Tk 0.32 per cent for January-March 2018.The consolidated net asset value (NAV) per share was Tk 26.20 as on March 31, 2019 and Tk 25.74 as on December 31, 2018.The company’s paid-up capital is Tk 9.67 billion and authorized capital is Tk 15 billion while the total number of securities is 967.98 million. The sponsor-directors own 30.29 percent stake in the bank, while the institutional investors own 22.32 percent, foreign investors 11.69 percent and the general public 35.70 percent as of April 30, 2019.

The board of directors of IFIC Bank Limited recently decided to issue rights shares to raise paid-up capital and to meet future capital requirement. The board decided to offer one rights share for existing one share with an issue price of Tk 10 per share. The board also decided to hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to raise the authorized capital from Tk 20 billion to Tk 40 billion by way of making amendments

in the relevant clauses of Memorandum and Articles of Association. The bank’s paid-up capital is Tk 13.38 billion, authorized capital is Tk 20 billion and the total number of securities is 1.33 billion. The sponsor-directors own 8.33 percent stake in the company, while the government owns 32.75 percent, institutional investors 20.44 percent, foreign investors 1.85 percent and the general public 36.63 percent as of March 31, 2019.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

SRI LANKA

CAMBODIA

PAKISTAN

MALAYSIA

SINGAPORE

INDONESIA

Cambodian rice exports to China have surged after the European Union imposed duties on imports of the grain from the Southeast Asian nation, the World Bank said. The EU in January imposed tariffs for three years on rice from Cambodia and Myanmar to curb an increase in imports from those two countries and to protect EU producers such as Italy. Cambodia has filed a challenge with the European Court of

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a new agreement securing a $6 billion bailout for the cash-strapped country, following months of painstaking negotiations between the two sides. The agreement marks Pakistan’s 22nd bailout with the Fund, as the country struggles to stave off a looming balance-of-payments crisis while its economy teeters due to low growth, soaring inflation, and mounting debt. the country is set to receive $6 billion from the IMF in addition to $2 to $3 billion from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank over the next three years. Pakistan has had 21 bailouts since it joined the IMF in 1950. Its most recent loan was issued in 2013, worth $6.6 billion. The United Arab Emirates -- Pakistan’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and a major investment source -- recently offered $3 billion to support the battered economy.

Indonesia’s economy grew slower than expected in the first quarter, as exports contracted for the first time since 2016 owing to softer demand for key commodities. Southeast Asia’s biggest economy expanded 5.07 percent in January-March, 2019, nearly flat from a year earlier and missing market estimates of 5.18 percent. An uptick in government and household spending buoyed growth, but imports and exports fell from a year ago while gross domestic product declined from the last quarter of 2018, the statistics agency said. The commodities-driven economy has been faced with widening trade deficits and rocky global demand for export drivers like palm oil and coal.

MONGOLIA

Sri Lanka’s $4.4 billion tourism industry is reeling from cancellations as travelers shun the sun and sand Indian Ocean island after multiple suicide bombings that killed over 250 people recently. Tourism, which accounts for 5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, has suffered as tourists from around the world canceled hotel and flight bookings fearing more attacks. Net hotel bookings dropped a staggering 186 percent on average over the week following the attacks compared to the same period last year, data from travel consultancy ForwardKeys showed. A decline of more than one hundred percent indicates more cancellations than bookings. Cancellation rates at hotels across the country averaged 70 percent recently, with the capital Colombo taking a

bigger hit, Sri Lanka’s Tourism Bureau Chairman said.

Malaysia’s central bank recently cut its key interest rate for the first time in almost three years as it looks to boost slowing growth as China-US trade tensions weigh on the economy. The move comes as central banks around the world adopt a more dovish stance in the face of a weak global outlook. Bank Negara Malaysia cut the rate from by 25 basis points to 3.00 percent, the first reduction since July 2016. The last change was in January 2018 when borrowing costs were increased to 3.25 percent.

Singapore has attracted high-tech manufacturers with incentives and a well-educated workforce but growing demands for highly skilled labor and government moves to curb numbers of foreign workers may mean a tougher path ahead. The country is a major producer of products ranging from aircraft engines to medical

equipment and oil rigs, and top firms such as Rolls-Royce and German industrial conglomerate Siemens have operations there. But a potential shortage of more specialized skills as firms shift into fields such as robotics and 3D printing, as well as moves to make it more difficult to hire foreigners in the space-starved country, may make it less attractive to set up shop in Singapore in the future.

Mongolia earned US$701.4 million from the exports of copper concentrates in the first four months of this year, up 4 percent year-on-year, according to the Mongolian Customs General Administration (MCGA). The Asian country exported a total of 489,100 tons of copper concentrates in the period between January and April in 2019, an increase of 30,500 tons from the same period last year, the MCGA said in a statement. Mining is the most important sector of Mongolia’s economy. The country is rich in natural resources such as gold, silver, iron, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, and fluorspar. The mining industry accounted for 72 percent of industrial output, 87 percent of total exports, 24 percent of the gross domestic product and 75 percent of foreign investment in 2018, according to the country’s Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry.

15


UK

CUBABAHRAIN

NEW ZEALAND

Bahrain recently received the first installment of a $10-billion support package from key Gulf allies aimed at balancing its budget by 2022. The initial payment of $2.292 billion for the year 2018 had been received “in full”, the government said a statement carried by the official BNA news agency. With 80 per cent of its revenues from oil and a large budget deficit, Bahrain announced in October 2018 an economic reform plan backed by the package from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. The plan, Bahrain says, was designed to save 800 million Bahraini dinars ($2.1 billion) annually as the kingdom looks to curb its debt after years of low oil prices. The reform program includes cutting public expenditure and government waste, voluntary retirements for government workers and “redirecting” state subsidies.

New Zealand’s government recently introduced an ambitious climate change bill that aims to make the nation mostly carbon neutral by 2050 while giving some leeway to farmers. The bill would require all greenhouse gases except methane from animals to be reduced to net zero by 2050. Methane emissions would be reduced by 10 percent by 2030 and by between about

The UK economy grew by 0.5% in the first quarter, boosted by companies stockpiling ahead of Brexit, official data showed today. British gross domestic product expansion outpaced the 0.2% seen in the final three months of 2018, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement. The ONS added that UK manufacturing jumped 2.2% in the first quarter with recent surveys showing Brexit-facing companies building inventories, said to include key car parts and medicines. The strong manufacturing performance offset a slowdown in services output to 0.3%, the ONS data showed. Meanwhile, the Bank of England raised its forecast for UK economic growth to 1.5% this year, up from its previous growth estimate of 1.2% as stockpiling offsets lower business investment elsewhere ahead of Britain’s departure from the European Union. UK economic activity was given a temporary boost as companies rushed to build up stocks of components and goods before the original March 29 Brexit deadline, the Bank of England said.

Cuba will control more the sales of certain foodstuff and hygiene products, including adding some back to the ration card, due to shortages that it blamed partly on the tightening of the US trade embargo. Shop shelves on the country have been increasingly empty of late with scarcity of basic products such as eggs, flour and chicken, and massive, hours-long queues for them whenever they come into stock. Cuba imports 60 to 70 percent of its food. A handful of agricultural reforms in recent years have failed to boost output in its centrally-planned economy, which also suffers from a decades-old US trade embargo. Besides, a decline in aid from key ally Venezuela and lower exports have left it struggling to find the cash to import.

German economy recovered again in the first three months of 2019, with gross domestic product expanding by 0.4% on a quarter-on-quarter basis, data published by the federal statistics authority, Destatis, showed. Destatis, responsible for collecting the GDP

GERMANY

Justice against the duties, saying the so-called “safeguard” measure did not relate to any unfair behavior and was based on broad generalizations and a flawed use of data. After the tariffs were imposed, Cambodia’s milled rice exports to the EU in February reached only 10,080 tons, a 57.8 percent decline from the previous month, the bank said in its country economic update. Cambodia exported 270,000 tones or 43 percent of its total milled rice exports to the EU in 2018, the World Bank said.

one-quarter and one-half by 2050. The government has also promised to plant 1 billion trees over 10 years and ensure that the electricity grid runs entirely from renewable energy by 2035. However, some farming industry groups say the measures remain too onerous and threaten the future of regional communities, while some environmentalists say the bill doesn’t go far enough because there are no penalties for noncompliance.

data, said first-quarter growth matched a pattern seen over the past year. German construction and consumer spending enabled by historically low unemployment remained the driving forces, while business invested in new equipment. On the other hand, government spending fell back slightly and there were “mixed signals” from foreign trade. A global growth slowdown and trade tensions between the US, China and the European Union have burdened German industry, much of which is oriented towards export markets.

The country’s interior commerce minister said that another problem was hoarding of the products by Cubans. As a result, from now on Cuban supermarkets will limit how much each person can buy of certain products like chicken and soap. Other products such as eggs, rice, beans and sausages, will only be available to purchase with the ration card, and limited to a certain quantity each month.

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYAPP AND PAPER FUNNEL DIAGNOSE EAR INFECTIONS

GOOGLE’S TRANSLATOTRON PRESERVES TONE

SMART CARTONS REDUCE FOOD WASTE

Google’s Translatotron aims to improve communication by translating tone and cadence as well as words.

As far as real-time translators have come, they still lack the natural flow of human speech. That could one day change with Google’s prototype AI Translatotron translator, which uses an end-to-end system AI model to translate speech directly from audio input to audio output, without first converting it into text. The more direct translation reduces errors by eliminating steps and makes it possible to retain the speaker’s natural voice.

A smart milk carton helps prevent food waste by offering consumers and retailers a more precise expiration date. Unfortunately, many people are prompted to throw out food if the date indicates it is expired—even though the item may still be safe to eat. To offer better expiration information, the University of Cornell’s Milk Quality Improvement Program developed a QR code and sensor that are incorporated into a smart carton. The code will contain data on the milk’s origins and processing, while the sensor will track the time the milk was packaged and storage temperatures. Both consumers and retailers can access the data via a smartphone.

A smartphone app listens for ear infections with the help of a paper cone.Developed by a team from the University of Washington, the system relies on the phone’s microphone, speaker, and a small paper cone. The cone is slipped around the speaker end and fitted into the patient’s ear, where the app sends short sound pulses into the ear canal through the cone. A specialized algorithm measures how the sounds are reflected back to the phone, identifying the possibility of fluid in the ear with an 85 percent accuracy. The app will be developed and distributed by the team’s startup Edus Health.

LASER MICROSCOPE PERFORMS CUT-FREE SURGERY

An innovative laser microscope able to perform surgery without cutting could offer a revolutionary treatment for diseases like skin cancer. Developed by a team from the University of British Columbia, the specialized multiphoton excitation microscope is able to both scan living tissue and treat the tissue through heat. This dual ability allows surgeons to determine the exact location of the anomaly and perform precise surgery and treatment—all without cutting the skin. According to study co-author Harvey Lui, “We can alter the pathway of blood vessels without impacting any of the surrounding vessels or tissues. For diagnosing and scanning diseases like skin cancer, this could be revolutionary.”

17


NEW PRODUCTS

AIRZEN PERSONAL CLIMATE CONTROL

URGONIGHT HEADSET TRAINS THE BRAIN FOR BETTER SLEEP

MORUS ZERO DRIES WITH VACUUM TECHNOLOGY

BACKMATE MASSAGER RELIEVES BACK PAIN

The AirZen personal climate control device optimizes personal airspace in five different ways. AirZen packs a purifier, humidifier, aroma diffuser, ionizer and air quality station into one compact package. Able to remove

The head-worn UrgoNight invention promises a good night’s sleep by training the wearer’s brain during the day. The UrgoNight headset relies on established neurofeedback technology to train the user to increase the frequency of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) brainwaves associated with falling asleep. The headset works with a companion app to guide the wearer through a variety of games that help increase levels of SMR and encourage better sleep. According to the team, just twenty minutes a day, three days a week is enough to demonstrate a significant improvement in sleep quality in three months.

The Morus Zero countertop dryer invention uses Vacuum+ technology to clean clothes quickly and with less energy. The ultra-compact Zero will dry a load of clothing in just fifteen minutes, much faster than a standard dryer, and its ventless design allows it to fit in small living spaces. The Zero also includes UV-sterilization to eliminate bacteria and a moisture sensor that automatically detects when drying is complete, and requires 40 percent less energy than a traditional tumble dryer.

Back pain can occur for many different reasons, but one thing is consistent

germs, dust, and unwanted odors from the air while also adding warm or cool humidity, the AirZen lets the user dial in their optimized personal climate zone. The AirZen also boasts a HEPA filter and an essential oil dispenser, as well as an air ionizer and mobile control via a companion app.

NARWAL SELF-CLEANING ROBOTIC MOP

The Narwal robotic vacuum and mop will replace its dirty mop water when done. Joining the team of robotic floor cleaners, the Narwal is equipped with a powerful 1800Pa motor, smart sensors and LIDAR navigation to help it make its way around the floors. The device can be switched between sweeping and mopping modes, with the mopping unit featuring microfiber cloths that spin and scrub the floor at varying degrees of pressure and speed. To ensure a thorough clean, the Narwal will automatically return to its base station, where the cloths are sprayed and scraped clean before the device ventures out to finish the job.

no matter what the cause – it can be debilitating and difficult to manage. The Backmate self-massager opens the door to fast relief from back pain, neck pain and sore muscles. Developed by Eric Bostrom after years of dealing with pain after an injury, the Backmate sets up in any doorway in seconds. Once in place, the device’s adjustable rollers can be shifted or even tilted to target problem areas, while the entire device itself can be moved up or down as the user’s height dictates. Just a few minutes a day can help relieve pain, stress and soreness.

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Germany, a major industrialized nation, is the seventh largest European country in area. It has a varied terrain that ranges from low-lying coastal flats along the North and Baltic seas, to a central area of rolling hills and river valleys, to heavily forested mountains and snow-covered Alps in the south. It borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France to the southwest, and Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands to the west. The German economy--the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe’s largest - is a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment. Germany has a social market economy with a highly skilled labor force, a large capital stock, a low level of corruption, and a high level of innovation. However, low fertility rates and a large increase in net immigration are increasing pressure on the country’s social welfare system and necessitate structural reforms. Of the world’s 500 largest stock-market-listed companies measured by revenue in 2014, the Fortune Global 500, 28 are headquartered in Germany. Well-known international brands include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, SAP, Volkswagen, Audi, Siemens, Allianz, Adidas, Porsche, and DHL.

Source: The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency

Agriculture

Manufacturing

Energy

Transportation

GERMANYCOUNTRY PROFILE

Although the German economy has long been moving in the direction of services, manufacturing and industry are still important in the country. Germany is a leading producer of iron and steel, cement, chemical products, electronics, food and beverages, machinery and machine tools, and motor vehicles. Germany-based well-known car companies include Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche.

The country’s principal crops are wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, and barley. The fruit industry is also important, producing apples and grapes, some of which are used to make Germany’s famous wines.

In 2014, Germany’s energy sources were: oil (35.0%); coal, including lignite (24.6%); natural gas (20.5%); hydro-electric and renewable sources (11.1%); nuclear (8.1%).However, the government and the nuclear power industry agreed to phase out all nuclear power plants by 2021. It also enforces energy conservation, green technologies, emission reduction activities, and aims to meet the country’s electricity demands using 40% renewable sources by 2020.

With its central position in Europe, Germany is a transport hub with its dense and modern transport networks.

357,022 sq km

80.457 million

Capital : Berlin

GDP(purchasing power parity)$4.199 trillion (2017 estimate)

GDP per capita (PPP)$50,800 (2017 estimate)

Services68.6%

Industry30.7%

Agriculture0.7%

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Roads: Germany’s road network is among the densest in the world. The motorway (Autobahn) network ranks as the third-largest worldwide in length and is known for its lack of a general speed limit.

Railways: Germany has established a polycentric network of high-speed trains. The InterCityExpress or ICE network of the Deutsche Bahn serves major German cities as well as destinations in neighboring countries with speeds up to 300 kph.

FOREIGN TRADE

Imports: $1.135 trillion (2017 estimate)

Major export commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals, computer and electronic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, metals, transport equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, rubber and plastic products

Major export destinations: USA, France, China, Netherlands, UK, Italy, Austraia, Poland, Switzerland

Major Import commodities: machinery, data processing equipment, vehicles, chemicals, oil and gas, metals, electric equipment, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, agricultural products

Major import sources: Netherlands, China, France, Belgium, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, USA, Austria, Switzerland

Export: $1.434 trillion (2017 estimate)

Airways: The largest German airports are Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport, both hubs of Lufthansa, while Air Berlin has hubs at Berlin Tegel and Düsseldorf. Other major airports include Berlin Schönefeld, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn and Leipzig/Halle.

Seaport: The Port of Hamburg is one of the top twenty largest container ports in the world.

BANGLADESH-GERMANY TRADE

Exports to Germany

Imports from Germany

Major export items 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16

Knitwear 3216.58 2814.77 2639.99

Woven garments 2362.94 2320.25 2013.14

Footwear 93.03 124.98 112.24

Home textiles 83.33 74.69 74.92

Crustaceans 63.06 51.73 59.05

Bicycles 15.89 17.17 17.31

Suit-cases, camera cases, handbags etc, of leather

15.57 16.25 13.59

Others 40.32 55.89 57.84

Total 5890.72 5475.73 4988.08

(US $ million)

(US $ million)

Source: Bangladesh Bank

Bangladesh’s exports to Germany have shown a rising trend in recent years. Exports amounted to US$5890.72 million in 2017-18 compared to $5475.73 million in 2016-17 and $4988.08 million in 2015-16, showing a rise of 7.58% in 2017-18 and9.78% in 2016-17. Germany accounted for 16.06% of total Bangladesh exports in 2017-18.

Bangladesh’s imports from Germany have shown a rising trend in recent years. Imports amounted to US$988.50 million in 2017-18 compared to $842.50 million in 2016-17 and $797.88 million in 2015-16, showing a rise of 17.33% in 2017-18 and 5.59% in 2016-17. Germany shared 2.01% of Bangladesh total imports in 2017-18.

Source: Export Promotion Bureau

Major import items 2017-18

2016-17

2015-16

Machinery and mechanical appliances

409.20 431.60 390.79

Electrical machinery and equipment

177.50 56.20 74.27

Surgical instrument and parts thereof

41.50 54.90 39.76

Iron and steel 29.00 21.60 26.15

Organic chemicals 26.10 22.70 18.30

Plastics and articles thereof 22.80 21.70 22.57

Tanning or dyeing extracts 22.50 18.00 16.1

Pharmaceutical products 19.30 11.60 11.20

Ships, boats and floating structures

9.60 26.70 21.13

Paper and paper board 6.60 6.20 20.40

Others 224.40 171.30 157.21

Total 988.50 842.50 797.88

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MEMBER PROFILE

Driven by the vision of global business leader the late Samson H. Chowdhury and currently under the guidance of Mr. Anjan Chowdhury, Maasranga Television is one of the leading satellite television channels in Bangladesh. Maasranga is a proud member of Square Group, one of the most well-regarded conglomerates in the country. Since its inception on July 30, 2011 as a mixed TV channel, Maasranga Television has been broadcasting accurate, time-honored and credible news from home and abroad along with exciting and inspiring entertainment for the whole family.

Visionary personality, philanthropist and freedom fighter Mr. Anjan Chowdhury is presently the company Managing Director. He is also the chairman of Sun Communication Limited, Vision Technologies Limited, Oracle Travels Limited, Sun Distribution Limited, Micro Industries Development Assistance and Services (MIDAS), Managing Director of Square Toiletries Limited, Square Food & Beverage Limited, Square Air Limited, AEGIS Services Limited, Mediacom Limited, Director of Square Pharmaceuticals Limited, Square Textiles Limited, Square Hospital Limited, Square Informatix Limited, Square Fashions Limited, Square Knit Fabrics Limited, President of Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB), President of Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) & Vice President of Bangladesh Olympic Association.

Mr. Anjan ChowdhuryManaging Director

Maasranga TelevisionMaasranga Communications Ltd.

The whole production system is supported by state of the art high definition (HD) television technology that was introduced in Bangladesh by Maasranga. Our programs are available in different parts of Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe and the USA.

Our Vision

Our Values

Our Mission

To be recognized as the world’s leading and most trusted media network, reaching people no matter who or where they are.

Integrity, reliability and quality are the values that we admire the most. We are with the people we always aim to tell real stories. We encourage a pioneering spirit. We strive for excellence in everything we do. We maintain credibility through impartial, accurate and comprehensive representation of the story. We are one maasranga great things happen when we work together.

At Maasranga, we seek to integrate excellence at every level of our operations. We commit to the highest standards of excellence in our local news, entertainment, information and public service programming. We want to be an integral part of our viewers’ lives, and we realize that community involvement is at the core of who we are and what we do. Maasranga Television is strongly committed to the communities we serve.

• REHAB Best Reporting Award—given in 2012 by REHAB Report for GAS crisis in Housing Business.

• Best Reporter Award— given in 2012 by Economic Reporters Forum (ERF), Bangladesh and Canada, in 2012 for investigating Niko bribery. Scandal.

• Bangladesh Inquirer Award—given by Thomson foundation UK & MRDI• OSH Reporting Award—given by Bangladesh Occupational Safety,

Health & Environment Foundation in 2013.• Prothom-Alo Anti-Drug Reporting Award—given in 2014, 2015 & 2017• Media Award—given by Ministry of Family Planning in 2015-2016 for

T for Teen. • Award given by UN RAF memorial Journalist Fellowship for development

challenge and MDG reporting in 2015.• Meena Media Award— given by UNICEF in 2016 for ROAD THEFT-10.• Bazlur Rahman Memorial Award—given by The Liberation War museum

for best report on Women’s Freedom fighters (Birangona) in 2016.

• BRAC Migration Media Award—given in 2016 for report on defying the embargo sending Bangladeshi workers at Libya.

• Meena Award—given by UNESCO in 2017 for Bad effect of cartoons on children.

• Dudok Anti-Corruption Reporting Award—given in 2017.

• BRAC Migration Media Award— given in 2017 for report on sufferings of expatriate workers of Bangladesh at airport.

• Best TV Crime Report— given by Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) in 2018.

Recognitions

21


MEMBERS NEWS

Robi Axiata Limited has devised innovative digital ways to facilitate its customers to stand with the people in need during the holy month of Ramadan. For the first time in the country, Robi customers can digitally donate their zakat or sadaqah money to a number of verified charitable organizations through the most comprehensive Islamic lifestyle app of the country, “Noor”. Besides the online zakat feature, Robi, in association with Bidyanondo Foundation, is also introducing the first ever digital Iftar Vending machine “Amar Iftar” initiative. This will enable street children and elderly of the society to avail Iftar during the holy month of Ramadan. Robi customers will be able to contribute to the Amar Iftar initiative through purchasing recharge bundles. Under the initiative, for every purchase of the Tk43 bundle by customers, Robi will donate, on behalf of the customers, two taka to the Bidyanondo Foundation. For every purchase of the 118 taka recharge bundle, the donation amount will be Tk 4. The 43 taka and the 118 taka recharge bundles offer 75 minutes and 215 minutes of talk-time respectively with a validity of 7 days and 10 days. These unique measures were disclosed at a press event held at a city hotel recently. Mr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, ndc, Senior Secretary, Internal Resources Division and Chairman, National Board of Revenue (NBR), was present on the occasion as the chief guest. Mr. Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Robi’s Managing Director and CEO, along with the senior management members of the company were also present

ROBI AXIATA LIMITED

Yamaha, one of the globally renowned motorbike brands, has brought modern and stylish two new models of motorbikes in Bangladesh market through ACI Motors Limited. The latest models - FZ-S FI V-3.0 and FZ V-3.0 - were launched at a city hotel recently. Motofumi Shitara, Chairman of Yamaha Motor Group of India was present at the event as the chief guest. Dr. F H Ansarey, Managing Director, and Subrata Ranjan Das, Executive Director of ACI Motors, and senior executives of the company were present at the function. The new models have 150 CC engine with anti-lock breaking system (ABS).

ACI MOTORS LIMITED

22


IPDC Finance Limited recently conducted a session titled “Investors Meet” on its performance, benchmarks, key strategic initiatives and the future challenges. Existing and potential investors were impressed when they came to know that IPDC had realigned their focus on nationwide spread with diversified services to steer up its next phase of growth and had been successfully implementing the newly defined strategies for the upcoming years, said a statement. These strategies include ‘A Home for Every Family’, ‘Empowering Women’, ‘Creating Entrepreneurs’, ‘Beyond Mega Cities’, and ‘Bring Convenience at Home’. From IPDC, Mr. Mominul Islam, Managing Director and CEO; Mr. Rizwan Dawood Shams, DMD & Head of Business Finance; Mr. Md. Kyser Hamid, DMD & Head of Retail Business, and other high officials were present at the event. Besides, representatives from LankaBangla Investments, BRAC EPL Investments LTD, IIDFC Capital Limited, CAPM Advisory, Brummer & Partners (Bangladesh) and other notable financial institutions were also present in the event.

IPDC FINANCE LIMITED

Mutual Trust Bank Limited (MTB) recently launched two SME products – ‘MTB Shachal’ and ‘MTB Supply Chain Finance’ at a convention hall in the capital. MTB Director and Founding Chairman, Mr. Syed Manzur Elahi inaugurated the event. ‘MTB Shachal’ is a termination loan facility for purchasing commercial vehicle for smooth operation of the SME Business such as transportation of executives/employees/sponsors and carrying goods etc. ‘MTB Supply Chain Finance’ is a short term loan under revolving nature limit which allows a supplier to avail credit facility from the bank for smooth operation of business during the bridge period between execution of supply and payment of the bill. Mr. Anis A Khan, Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Syed Rafiqul Haq, Mr. Goutam Prosad Das and Mr. Tarek Reaz Khan, Deputy Managing Directors, Mr. Nafiz Hasnat, Deputy Head of SME Banking, and Mr. Azam Khan, Group Chief Communications Officer along with divisional and departmental heads and managers of different MTB branches were also present at the launching ceremony.

MUTUAL TRUST BANK LIMITED

23


On May 7, 2019, Nestlé Bangladesh Limited, handed a cheque worth Tk. 1.56 crore for Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation Fund. Mr. Deepal Abeywickrema, Managing Director, Nestlé Bangladesh Limited, presented the cheque, on behalf of Nestlé, to Begum Monnuzan Sufian, State Minister for Labour and Employment. Dr. Anisul Awal, Director General, Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation along with Nestlé high officials were present during the handover. According to the Bangladesh Labour Act, all the local and multinational companies must submit one-tenth of the 5 percent profit of the respective organization to the Workers Welfare Foundation Fund at the end of every year. Nestlé Bangladesh Limited has been depositing in this fund since 2009. It welcomes all other companies to contribute to this fund as required by the law in order to benefit the Government to provide better support to all the workers of the country.

Green Delta Insurance Ltd. recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CARE Bangladesh’s Krishi Utsho Microfranchise for initiating non-traditional financing (NTF) scheme for rural smallholder farmers of Bogra and Jessore. The MoU signing event was attended by members from CARE and Green Delta Insurance Ltd. Ms. Farzana Chowdhury, Chartered Insurer, Managing Director & CEO of Green Delta Insurance Ltd, and Mr. Prabodh Devkota, Assistant Country Director, CARE Bangladesh, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations. This initiative is expected to ensure secure farming for rural smallholder farmers through insurance coverage at their doorsteps. This is a pilot that is being initiated by Green Delta Insurance Ltd. and CARE Bangladesh with funding from Canada-based MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates). Krishi Utsho is an emerging social enterprise that is working to ensure secure farming for smallholder rural farmers. Krishi Utsho works with Bank Asia Ltd. and Green Delta Insurance Company to support rural smallholder farmers with loan and insurance services for farming.

NESTLÉ BANGLADESH LIMITED

GREEN DELTA INSURANCE LTD.

24


REVIEW

Export Earnings

Foreign trade

During July-March 2018-19, total export earnings (EPB) amounted to US$30903.02 million compared to $27451.70 million earned during July-March 2017-18, showing a rise of $3451.32 million or 12.57 percent. However, against the target of $28828.00 million set for the period, export earnings rose by $2075.02 million or 7.20 percent. Compared to the same period of previous fiscal year, export earnings increased from woven garments, knitwear, footwear, frozen food, petroleum by products, cotton yarn & waste, pharmaceuticals, man made filaments & staple fibers, plastic products, vegetables, ceramic products, tobacco, electric products, engineering equipments, terry towel and cut flower (See Table-2).

Table-1: Balance of Trade

Note: * = LC Settlement, 1= Exports (EPB)

The country’s foreign trade amounted to US$72120.76 million during July-March 2018-19. The overall trade deficit fell by 5.85 percent during July-March 2018-19. The deficit fell to $10314.72 million during July-March 2018-19 from $10956.02 million in the same period of the previous fiscal (See Table-1).

Table-2: Export earnings of the following major commodities increased during July-March 2018-19

Commodities

Export earnings1 (In Mn. US$)

Annual absolute change (In

Mn.US$)

Annual percentage Change (%)

Share in total export (%)

July-Mar.2016-17

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

Woven garments 10785.28 11513.36 13150.55 728.08 1637.19 6.75 14.22 41.94 42.55 Knitwear 10143.55 11321.20 12800.87 1177.65 1479.67 11.61 13.07 41.24 41.42Footwear 577.26 612.42 652.16 35.16 39.74 6.09 6.49 2.23 2.11Frozen food 382.59 407.71 419.00 25.12 11.29 6.57 2.77 1.49 1.36Petroleum by products 195.31 26.60 183.83 -168.71 157.23 -86.38 591.09 0.10 0.59Cotton yarn & waste 79.43 96.46 110.54 17.03 14.08 21.44 14.60 0.35 0.36Pharmaceuticals 67.48 76.52 99.74 9.04 23.22 13.40 30.35 0.28 0.32Man made filaments & staple fibers 73.61 74.20 92.17 0.59 17.97 0.80 24.22 0.27 0.30

Plastic Products 91.40 73.59 87.09 -17.81 13.50 -19.49 18.34 0.27 0.28Vegetables 58.28 55.55 81.73 -2.73 26.18 -4.68 47.13 0.20 0.26Ceramic products 29.34 29.70 60.13 0.36 30.43 1.23 102.46 0.11 0.19Tobacco 39.46 50.74 55.12 11.28 4.38 28.59 8.63 0.18 0.18Electric products 50.16 45.98 47.23 -4.18 1.25 -8.33 2.72 0.17 0.15Engineering equipments 240.77 29.45 42.39 -211.32 12.94 -87.77 43.94 0.11 0.14Terry towel 32.59 33.23 42.38 0.64 9.15 1.96 27.54 0.12 0.14Cut flower 0.06 0.04 5.35 -0.02 5.31 -33.33 13275.00 0.00 0.02

Note: 1= Export Earnings (EPB), Source: Export Promotion Bureau

July-Mar. 2016-17

July-Mar. 2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

(In million US$) Trade balance -7819.07 -10956.02 -10314.72 Total exports1 25816.60 27451.70 30903.02 Total imports* 33635.67 38407.72 41217.74

(Annual change in million US$)

Trade balance -2552.96 -3136.95 641.30 Total exports 861.43 1635.10 3451.32 Total imports 3414.39 4772.05 2810.02

(Annual percentage change)

Trade balance -48.48 -40.12 5.85 Total exports 3.45 6.33 12.57

Total imports 11.30 14.19 7.32

3054

.5

2954

.9

3322

.4

2939

.4

3581

.5

3213

.5

3145

.6

3711

.2

3422

.0

3426

.1

3679

.7

3383

.2

3340

.24842

.4

5453

.4

5597

.3

4257

.2

5079

.1

4458

.9

5160

.2

5546

.7

5081

.6

4744

.2 6120

.8

4703

.9

4893

.6

Mar

,18

Apr

,18

May

,18

Jun,

18

Jul,1

8

Aug

,18

Sep,

18

Oct

,18

Nov

,18

Dec

,18

Jan,

19

Feb,

19

Mar

,19

Foreign Trade (Mn. US$) Exports Imports (c & f)

25


Export SharesThe share of knitwear and woven garments in total exports was 83.97 percent during July-March 2018-19 compared to 83.18 percent during July-March 2017-18 (See table 2).

Export DestinationsDuring July-March 2018-19, the country’s major export destinations ( in US$ million) were: United States (5164.09), Germany (4846.87), United Kingdom (3158.16), Spain (1915.06), France (1639.71), Italy (1246.48), Japan (1078.36), India (985.33), Netherlands (968.50), Canada (991.98), Poland (924.85), Belgium (717.70), China (651.29), Australia (631.84), Denmark (566.31), Sweden (529.50), Czech Republic (395.70), Russia (393.50), Turkey (302.94), South Korea (293.69), United Arab Emirates (260.50), Malaysia (207.67), Saudi Arabia (198.89), Mexico (159.34), Hong Kong (148.81), Ireland (145.14) and Norway (77.36).

IMPORT PAYMENTS

Commodities

Export earnings1 (In Mn. US$)

Annual absolute change (In Mn.US$)


Share in total export (%)

July-Mar.2016-17

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

Home textiles 582.09 669.87 647.34 87.78 -22.53 15.08 -3.36 2.44 2.09Jute goods 588.60 696.01 532.46 107.41 -163.55 18.25 -23.50 2.54 1.72Leather & Leather products 522.46 423.45 312.93 -99.01 -110.52 -18.95 -26.10 1.54 1.01

Raw Jute 142.42 122.08 95.62 -20.34 -26.46 -14.28 -21.67 0.44 0.31

Bicycle 63.47 65.16 64.31 1.69 -0.85 2.66 -1.30 0.24 0.21

Fruits 0.69 2.18 0.32 1.49 -1.86 215.94 -85.32 0.01 0.00

Table-3: Export earnings of the following major commodities declined during July-March 201819

During July-March 2018-19, total import payments (LC settlement) rose by US$2810.02 million or 7.32 percent to $41217.74 million compared to $38407.72 million during July-March 2017-18.

Note: 1= Export Earnings (EPB), Source: Export Promotion Bureau

However, earnings decreased from home textiles, jute goods, leather & leather products, raw jute ,bicycle and fruits (See Table-3).

Knitwear41.42%

Woven garments42.55%

Home textiles, 2.09%

Leather products, 1.01%

Jute & jute goods, 2.03%

Foot

wea

r, 2.

11%

Oth

ers,

8.7

7%

Share of major items in total export earnings(July-Mar., 2018-19)

Industrial raw materials35.74%

Petroleum & petroleum products

6.82%

Food grains (Rice & Wheat)

2.59%

Capital machinery

8.76%

Others,46.09%

Share of major items in total import payments(July-Mar., 2018-19)

The industrial raw materials topped the list in the review period with import amounting to $14732.14 million, sharing 35.74 percent of total import, followed by capital machinery $3612.68 million (8.76 percent), petroleum & petroleum products $2809.61 million (6.82 percent) and food grains (rice & wheat) $1066.07 million ( 2.59 percent) (See table 4).

During the period under review, imports of industrial raw materials increased by 9.74 percent and petroleum & petroleum products by 25.43 percent. However, capital machinery decreased by 9.45 percent and food grains (rice & wheat) by 56.88 percent (See Table 4).

26


Exchange rate movements

Stock market

Note: * = LC Settlement, Source: Bangladesh Bank

The broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) rose by 0.29 percent to 5253.33 on 26 May 2019 from 5238.20 at the end of April 2019. The market capitalization decreased by 0.65 percent during the month to Tk. 3848.02 billion from Tk. 3873.24 billion at the end of April 2019. On 26 May 2019, total turnover in the DSE was 108.62 million in volume and Tk. 3289.12 million in value.

The all share index of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) fell by 0.33 percent to 15999.50 on 26 May 2019 from 16052.65 at the end of April 2019. The market capitalization fell by 1.15 percent to Tk. 3132.35 billion from Tk. 3168.91 billion at the end of April 2019. Total turnover was 7.63 million in volume and Tk. 170.64 million in value in the CSE on 26 May 2019.


Table-4: Import Payments of major commodities during July-March 2018-19

Taka depreciated against US$ by 0.96 percent to Tk. 84.50 on 23 May 2019 from its level of Tk. 83.70 at the end of May 2018. Meanwhile, Taka also depreciated by 1.29 percent to Tk. 84.50 on averages in May 2019 from its average level of Tk. 83.42 in May 2018.

Commodities

Import payments*(In Mn. US$)

Annual absolute change (In Mn.US$)


Share in total import (%)

July-Mar.2016-17

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

July-Mar.2017-18

July-Mar.2018-19

Industrial raw materials 12195.66 13425.03 14732.14 1229.37 1307.11 10.08 9.74 34.95 35.74

Capital machinery 3833.15 3989.90 3612.68 156.75 -377.22 4.09 -9.45 10.39 8.76

Petroleum & petroleum products

1893.40 2239.99 2809.61 346.59 569.62 18.31 25.43 5.83 6.82

Food grains (Rice & Wheat)

913.13 2472.10 1066.07 1558.97 -1406.03 170.73 -56.88 6.44 2.59

Others 14800.33 16280.70 18997.24 1480.37 2716.54 10.00 16.69 42.39 46.09

Total 33635.67 38407.72 41217.74 4772.05 2810.02 14.19 7.32 100.00 100.00

83

.70

83

.70

83

.75

83

.75

83

.75

83

.85

83

.90

83

.90

83

.95

84

.15

84

.25

84

.35

84

.50

83

.42

83

.70

83

.75

83

.75

83

.75

83

.82

83

.88

83

.90

83

.95

84

.06

84

.21

84

.33

84

.50

May

,18

Jun

,18

Jul,1

8

Au

g,18

Sep

,18

Oct

,18

No

v,18

De

c,18

Jan

,19

Feb

,19

Mar

,19

Ap

r,19

May

,19

Movement of Taka against US$ Month AverageEnd of Month

27


STATISTICS

PeriodIndicators 22 MAy, 2019 30 Apr, 2019 20 Mar, 2019 22 May, 2018 FY 2017-18p FY 2016-17 FY 2015-16

Foreign exchange reserve (in million US$) 31171.75(-2.8) 32122.87(-3.2) 32139.40(1.40) 32083.44 32916.45(-1.7) 33492.95(11.0) 30168.23 (20.5)

May, 2019 Apr, 2019 Mar, 2019 May, 2018 FY 2017-18 P FY 2016-17 FY 2015-16

Exchange rate (Tk./US$) (average) 84.50 84.33 84.21 83.42 82.12 79.12 78.40

Apr, 2019 Jul-Apr, 2018-19 Apr, 2018 Jul-Apr, 2017-18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17

Wage earners' remittances ( in million US$) 1434.05 (7.7) 13303.02(10.0) 1331.33(21.9) 12092.33 (17.6) 14978.86 (17.3) 12769.45 (-14.5)

Overseas employment (no. of persons) 61443(-11.1) 568950(-25.3) 69103 761339 880037(-2.8) 905326(32.3)Mar, 2019 Jul-Mar, 2018-19 Mar, 2018 Jul-Mar, 2017-18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17

Imports (C&F) (in million US$) 4893.60(1.1) 45789.00(5.1) 4842.00(12.3) 43557.00(24.5) 58865.30(25.2) 47005.20(9.0)

Imports(f.o.b) (in million US$) 4528.00 (1.1) 42367.00 (5.1) 4480.00 (12.3) 40300.00(24.5) 54463.20(25.2) 4349.00 (9.0)Apr, 2019 Jul-Apr, 2018-19 Apr, 2018 Jul-Apr, 2017-18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17

Exports (EPB) (in million US$) 3034.21(2.7) 33937.23 (11.6) 2954.71 (7.1) 30406.41(6.4) 36668.17 (5.8) 34655.09 (1.2)

Mar, 2019 Jul-Mar, 2018-19 Mar, 2018 Jul-Mar, 2017-18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17

Tax revenue (NBR) (Tk. in billion) 198.92 (7.1) 1534.20 (7.1) 185.70(10.5) 1432.77(17.2) 2073.08(20.8) 1850.03(18.9)Investment in national savings certificates (Tk. in billion) Mar, 2019 Jul-Mar, 2018-19 Mar, 2018 Jul-Mar, 2017-18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17A) Net sale B) Total outstanding

41.302774.99

397.3327774.99

35.892279.45

367.092279.45

465.302377.67

524.171912.36

Feb, 2019 Jul-Feb, 2018-19 Feb, 2018 Jul-Feb, 2017-18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17Net foreign aid (in million US$) 50.06 764.94 (-11.2) 281.32 2735.77 (-95.5) 5013.08 (90.1) 2636.91 (2.1)

July,-Mar. 2018-19 July,-Mar. 2017-18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17 FY2015-16

Current account balance (in million US$) -4234.00 -6487.00 -9780.00 -1331.00 4262.00

Rate of inflation on the basis of consumer Price index for national (base:2005-06=100) Mar, 2019 Feb, 2019 Jan, 2019 Mar, 2018 FY2017-18P FY2016-17 FY2015-16 FY2014-15

A) Twelve month average basisB) Point to point basis

5.485.55

5.495.47

5.515.42

5.825.68

5.695.78

5.445.94

5.925.53

6.416.25

Reserve money and credit developments (Tk. in billion) Mar., 2019P Feb., 2019P Mar., 2018 FY2017-18P FY2016-17 FY2015-16

A) Reserve money (RM) B) Broad money (M2) Total domestic credit A) Net credit to the govt. SectorB)Credit to the other public sectorC) Credit to the private sector

2250.90(6.1)11685.79 (10.9)10962.60(13.7)925.12 (24.5)240.62 (32.2)

9796.86 (12.4)

2267.42(7.7)11605.73 (10.4)10871.63(13.7)929.46 (23.8)238.68 (28.6)

9703.49 (12.5)

3122.5010541.139642.05745.76181.98

8714.32

90.80(4.0)939.02(9.2)

1310.37(14.7)-24.56(-2.5)19.27(11.2)

1315.65 (16.9)

314.58(16.3)996.98(10.9)893.90(11.2)

-168.86(-14.9)12.29(7.7)

1050.47 (15.7)

447.19(30.1)1294.10(16.4)984.85(14.0)

39.62(3.6)-6.19(-3.7)

951.41 (16.6)Interest rate development Mar,19 Feb,19 Jan,19 Dec,18 Mar, 18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17 FY2015-16Advances (weighted average)Deposit (weighted average)

9.505.35

9.495.34

9.495.34

9.495.26

9.705.30

9.955.50

9.564.84

10.395.54

Agricultural credit (Tk. in billion) Mar, 2019 Jul-Mar, 2018-19 Mar, 2018 Jul-Mar, 2017-18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17A) DisbursementsB) Recovery

21.5016.93

162.64170.14

16.9417.98

162.14153.95

213.94(1.9)215.03(14.1)

209.99(19.0)188.41(10.5)

Industrial term loan (Tk. in billion) Oct.-Dec. 2018-19P Jul.-Sep. 2017-18P Oct.-Dec. 2017-18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17A) DisbursementsB) Recovery

242.56(35.7)178.92(-4.0)

191.11(21.2)163.78(5.6)

178.81186.39

707.68(13.9)701.93 (34.7)

621.55(-5.2)520.95 (8.0)

ADP (Tk. in billion) FY 2018-19 FY 2017-18 FY 2016-17 FY 2015-16 FY 2014-15

Allocation (Total) 1808.69 1640.85 1233.46 1009.97 860.00

Jul.-Apr, 2018-19 Jul.-Apr, 2017-18 Jul.-Apr, 2016-17 Jul.-Apr, 2015-16 Jul.-Apr, 2014-15

Expenditure (% of ADP allocation) 970.30(54.94%) 826.03(52.42%) 650.83 (54.56%) 471.15(50.17%) 433.33(55.67%)

Overall share price index (month end) 22 MAy, 2019@ 24 Apr, 2019@ 22 May, 2018@ 28 June., 2018@ 29 June., 2017@ 30 Jun., 2016Dhaka stock exchange

Chittagong stock exchange5250.94

16042.835240.37

16044.135391.8916640.27

5405.46

16558.505656.04

17516.714507.58

13802.58Investment (in million US$) Feb, 2019 Jul-Feb, 2018-19 Feb, 2018 Jul-Feb, 2017-18 FY2017-18P FY2016-17Foreign direct investment (FDI) 118.00 1183.00 137.00 960.00 1583.00 1653.00Industrial production indices (base:2005-06=100) Jan., 2019 P Dec., 2018 P Nov., 2018 P Jan., 2018 FY2017-18P FY2016-17P FY2015-16

ManufacturingMining (includes gas production)Electricity

401.35175.75246.89

390.49175.59228.95

402.49175.35248.63

361.63191.09267.68

342.47186.12270.95

297.89185.55243.39

267.88185.57219.29

Base: 2005-06=100 2017-18 P 2016-17 P 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12

GDP growth rate (in percent) 7.65 7.28 7.11 6.55 6.06 6.01 6.52

Note: P= Provisional, Figures in brackets indicate percentage changes over the year, @=DSE Broad Index, *= Base 1995-96Source: Bangladesh Bank, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Export Promotion Bureau

MAJOR ECONOMIC INDICATORS-BANGLADESH

28


(Million US $)

Products Export for 2017-18

ProposedExport

Target of 2018-19

Strategic Target for July -Apr. 2018-19

Export Performance for July-Apr.

2018-19

Export Performance for July-Apr. 2017-18

% Change of export

PerformanceOver

Export Target

% Change of export

performanceJuly-Apr. 2018-19

OverJuly -Apr. 2017-18

All products (A+B) 36668.17 39000.00 31909 33937.23 30406.41 6.36 11.61A. Primary Commodities 1182.13 1216.00 994.91 1237.38 978.15 24.37 26.5

(1) Frozen & Live Fish 508.43 505.00 413.18 446.48 434.97 8.06 2.65

a) Live Fish 8.73 9.00 7.36 16.88 3.83 129.35 340.73

b) Frozen Fish 58.30 60.00 49.09 56.11 50.88 14.30 10.28

c) Shrimps 408.71 400.00 327.27 318.43 355.33 -2.70 -10.38

d) Crabs 17.38 16.00 13.09 40.68 11.69 210.77 247.99

e) Others 15.31 20.00 16.36 14.38 13.24 -12.10 8.61

(2) Agricultural Products 673.70 711.00 581.73 790.9 543.18 35.96 45.61

a) Tea 2.77 2.80 2.29 2.48 2.45 8.30 1.22

b) Vegetables 77.98 77.00 63.00 87.53 63.19 38.94 38.52

c) Tobacco 56.39 60.00 49.09 57.17 52.93 16.46 8.01

d) Cut Flower & Foliage 0.09 0.10 0.08 5.35 0.07 6,587.50 7,542.86

e) Fruits 2.24 2.10 1.72 0.32 2.22 -81.40 -85.59

f) Spices 42.92 49.00 40.09 35.59 37.29 -11.22 -4.56

g) Dry Food 201.37 220.00 180.00 192.86 159.59 7.14 20.85

h) Others 289.94 300.00 245.45 409.60 225.44 66.88 81.69

B. Manufactured Commodities 35486.04 37784.00 30914.09 32699.86 29428.26 5.78 11.12

(1) Cement, Salt, Stone Etc 12.59 14.00 11.45 8.82 11.08 -22.97 -20.4

(2) Ores, Slag and Ash 4.61 4.03 3.3 7.18 2.24 117.58 220.54

(3) Petroleum bi Products 33.70 34.00 27.82 187.03 29.54 572.29 533.14

(4) Chemical Products 150.72 161.00 131.73 175.21 121.27 33.01 44.48a) Pharmaceuticals 103.46 112.19 91.79 111.70 85.96 21.69 29.94

b) Chemical Fertilizer 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 -100.00 -100.00

c) Cosmetics 0.76 0.80 0.65 0.35 0.24 -46.15 45.83

d) Others 46.49 48.00 39.27 63.16 35.06 60.84 80.15(5) Plastic Products 98.48 100.00 81.82 100.35 81.19 22.65 23.6

a) PVC Bags 28.75 29.00 23.73 26.26 24.48 10.66 7.27

b) Plastic Waste 13.53 14.00 11.45 9.77 12.83 -14.67 -23.85c) Others 56.20 57.00 46.64 64.32 43.88 37.91 46.58

(6) Rubber 25.84 26.00 21.27 21.17 22.19 -0.47 -4.6(7) Leather & Leather Products 1085.51 1124.00 919.63 837.07 916.74 -8.98 -8.69

(a) Leather 183.10 184.00 150.55 147.09 155.94 -2.30 -5.68(b) Leather Products 336.81 340.00 278.18 198.94 300.66 -28.49 -33.83(c) Leather Footwear 565.60 600.00 490.91 491.05 460.14 0.03 6.72

(8) Wood & Wood Products 4.74 5.00 4.09 3.58 4.11 -12.47 -12.9

(9) Handicrafts 16.69 18.00 14.73 17.16 14.08 16.5 21.88(10) Pulp 0.02 0.02 0.02 0 0.02 -100 -100(11) Paper & Paper Products 75.76 85.00 69.55 66.35 63.87 -4.6 3.88

(12) Printed Materials 0.67 0.60 0.49 0.79 0.59 61.22 33.9(13) Silk 0 0.01 0.01 0.02 0 100 0

EXPORT PERFORMANCE OF BANGLADESH

29


(Million US $)

Source: Export Promotion Bureau

Products Export for 2017-18

ProposedExport

Target of 2018-19

Strategic Target for July -Apr. 2018-19


2018-19


2017-18

% Change of export

PerformanceOver

Export Target

% Change of export

performanceJuly-Apr.

2018-19 OverJuly -. 2017-18

(14) Wool & Woolen Products 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.45 0.04 1400 1025

(15) Cotton & Cotton Product (Yarn, Waste, Fabrics etc 124.85 135.00 110.45 124.83 108.22 13.02 15.35

(16) Jute & Jute goods 1025.55 1085.00 887.72 695.52 889.74 -21.65 -21.83

a) Raw Jute 155.68 150.00 122.73 101.58 132.84 -17.23 -23.53

b) Jute Yarn & Twine 647.72 690.00 564.54 427.33 560.06 -24.30 -23.70

c) Jute Sacks & Bags 122.82 130.00 106.36 73.52 110.80 -30.88 -33.65

d) Others 99.33 115.00 94.09 93.09 86.04 -1.06 8.19(17) Man Made Filaments & Staple Fibres 101.08 105.50 86.32 104.74 83.66 21.34 25.2

(18) Carpet (Jute & Others -57) 17.00 17.00 13.91 16.33 13.67 17.4 19.46

(19) Specialized Textiles 110.04 112.00 91.64 124.98 91.89 36.38 36.01

a) Terry Towel 42.35 43.00 35.18 45.72 36.38 29.96 25.67

b) Special Woven Fabric 16.63 18.00 14.73 18.56 13.75 26.00 34.98

c) Knitted Fabrics 44.21 50.00 40.91 55.73 36.05 36.23 54.59

d) Other 6.85 8.00 6.55 4.97 5.71 -24.12 -12.96(20) RMG 30614.76 32689.00 26745.47 28490.7 25305.56 6.53 12.59

(a) Knitwear 15188.51 16150.00 13,213.60 14,084.94 12,540.29 6.59 12.32

(b) Woven Garments 15426.25 16539.00 13,531.87 14,405.76 12,765.27 6.46 12.85

(21) Home Textile 878.68 940.00 769.09 723.59 751.67 -5.92 -3.74

a) Bed, Kitchen toilet lines 528.70 575.00 470.45 412.29 452.70 -12.36 -8.93b) Other 349.98 365.00 298.64 311.30 298.97 4.24 4.12

(22) Other Footwear 244.09 260.00 212.73 217.39 205.3 2.19 5.89

(23) Headgear/Cap 184.80 190.00 155.45 175.39 154.45 12.83 13.56(24) Umbrella Waking Sticks 0.01 0.00 0 0.01 0 0 0(25) Wigs & Human Hair 23.02 25.00 20.45 27.92 19.32 36.53 44.51(26) Building Materials 1.97 2.50 2.05 1.53 1.75 -25.37 -12.57(27) Ceramic Products 51.94 57.00 46.64 63.12 34.92 35.33 80.76(28) Glass & Glass ware 1.25 1.30 1.06 1.06 1.1 0 -3.64(29) Engineering Products 355.96 352.00 288 290.86 292.04 0.99 -0.4a) Iron Steel 48.55 40.00 32.73 50.83 39.17 55.30 29.77b) Copper Wire 53.18 55.00 45.00 32.81 41.85 -27.09 -21.60c) Stainless Steel ware 4.37 4.00 3.27 7.10 3.40 117.13 108.82d) Engineering Equipment 41.38 40.00 32.73 46.00 33.65 40.54 36.70e) Electric Products 61.96 62.00 50.73 52.64 51.25 3.77 2.71

f) Bicycle 85.73 91.00 74.45 71.28 73.39 -4.26 -2.88

g) Others 60.79 60.00 49.09 30.20 49.33 -38.48 -38.78

(30) Ships, boats & floating structures 30.05 30.00 24.55 4.7 30.12 -80.86 -84.4

(31) Other mfd Products 211.62 211.00 172.64 212 177.89 22.8 19.17a) Optical, Photographic, Medical Instruments etc 82.93 70.00 57.27 84.13 70.32 46.90 19.64

b) Furniture 63.18 70.00 57.27 61.53 51.68 7.44 19.06c) Golf Shaft 10.15 11.00 9.00 9.52 9.45 5.78 0.74d) Others 55.36 60.00 48.73 56.82 46.44 16.60 22.35

30


Sectors / CommoditiesFresh LCs opening Settlement of LCs Outstanding LCs

July-Feb. 2018-19 July-Feb. 2017-18 July-Feb. 2018-19 July-Feb. 2017-18 July-Feb. 2018-19 July-Feb. 2017-18

A. Consumer goods 3930.43 6065.32 3635.24 5299.75 2350.45 2627.90Rice and wheat 1003.69 2978.70 926.76 2206.95 803.34 1022.03Sugar and salt 407.50 586.13 354.51 756.90 319.70 342.79Milk food 229.93 218.97 217.36 180.78 153.33 137.45Edible oil (refined) 484.38 588.84 491.59 594.82 292.70 333.06All kinds of fruits 282.51 274.62 246.45 207.20 87.15 115.95Pulses 284.96 266.75 200.92 253.02 172.58 184.69Onion 159.90 265.70 156.76 243.92 27.50 30.08Spices 102.48 104.96 114.41 100.98 26.04 31.43Second-hand clothings 0.34 2.15 1.83 2.14 1.60 0.77Drugs and medicines (finished) 39.99 55.75 37.68 49.92 24.52 25.10Others 934.74 722.75 886.96 703.13 2350.45 404.55B. Intermediate goods 4647.21 3015.94 3679.21 2654.89 2831.89 1858.22Coal 415.12 267.56 308.96 226.38 157.09 71.33Cement 47.41 12.65 43.05 9.90 22.78 15.03Clinker & limestone 1522.26 496.58 1010.59 389.66 869.97 351.26B.P. Sheet 276.70 272.33 266.68 218.53 138.14 137.53Tin plate 2.15 8.09 5.58 13.51 1.19 5.19Scrap Vessels 837.17 568.52 750.16 495.49 535.50 362.82Iron and steel scrap 740.14 509.78 558.66 474.56 559.34 357.10Non-ferrous metal 112.68 137.05 102.93 127.39 111.66 112.60Paper and paper board 282.96 317.01 291.84 244.27 141.68 204.15Other 410.62 426.36 340.76 455.19 2831.89 241.20C. Industrial raw materials 13386.58 12936.50 13180.74 11804.95 7394.25 7214.31Edible oil & oil seeds 907.87 827.01 830.71 686.83 607.33 531.16Textile fabrics (B/B & others) 5111.53 5086.03 4841.52 4556.28 2576.49 2666.69Pharmaceutical raw materials 526.45 446.57 475.10 410.98 202.39 179.69Raw cotton 1883.42 1825.86 1899.06 1738.64 1266.20 1105.83Cotton yarn 1092.67 1077.90 1051.86 930.88 656.86 655.17Copra 12.02 3.15 4.36 2.53 6.09 5.19Synthetic fibre & yarn 695.02 593.44 590.55 527.71 391.43 337.63Chemicals & chem. products 3157.61 3076.56 3487.59 2951.10 7394.25 1732.95D. Capital machinery 3274.17 4423.69 3246.35 3503.17 6665.58 6846.13Textile machinery 384.53 628.45 402.73 588.69 641.49 771.81Leather/tannery 6.26 9.84 11.52 6.06 9.22 14.20Jute industry 4.25 10.51 11.61 13.10 4.49 8.58Garment Industry 509.26 544.40 531.09 491.41 668.93 781.94Pharmaceutical industry 80.76 99.12 80.07 75.67 121.76 99.05Packing industry 12.76 10.87 10.15 12.67 12.14 7.19Other industry 2276.35 3120.50 2199.17 2315.58 5207.56 5163.35E. Machinery for misc. industry 4697.68 4177.18 3738.74 3377.88 3598.26 2596.88

Other machineries 707.26 607.51 552.11 547.93 459.50 348.74Marine diesel engine 17.17 13.48 20.41 14.91 42.89 45.90Computer & its accessories 240.40 266.27 227.19 269.49 132.86 121.70Motor vehicle & motorcyclwe parts 429.50 122.65 413.92 105.72 90.38 55.32

Bicycle parts 50.77 59.01 50.95 54.84 29.82 31.07Other Iron and steel products 298.40 319.19 299.49 309.07 197.01 183.59Motor vehicles 770.31 1020.03 754.76 755.37 538.51 539.80Other electronics components 341.58 252.58 201.64 179.87 294.44 163.09Tractors & power tiller 44.12 66.29 38.25 63.98 29.83 27.49Others 1798.17 1450.17 1180.03 1076.70 1783.01 1080.17F. Petroleum & petroleum products 2544.59 2225.39 2607.13 1930.11 909.64 689.85Crude 320.87 467.34 376.06 276.10 291.02 226.86Refined 2223.72 1758.05 2231.07 1654.02 618.63 462.99G. Others 6792.59 17359.93 6814.64 5271.21 15479.80 15295.40

Total 39273.26 50203.93 36902.05 33841.96 39229.88 37128.68

(Million US$)


VALUE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT OPENED FOR IMPORT

31


QUANTUM INDEX OF PRODUCTION OF SELECTED INDUSTRIAL ITEMS

Name of items UnitNo. of

reporting industries (selected)

2016-17 2017-18 Jan. 2018 Dec. 2018 Jan. 2019 (p)

Fish & sea food Mt. 180 & * 49441 45377 3176 5248 4171Processing & preserving of fruits and Vegetables "000" Littre 3 120396 124571 10407 10521 10531

Hyd. vegetable oil Mt. 2 657966 1001358 83102 94627 91632

Grain milling Mt. 8 322781 408516 41948 33197 38250

Rice milling Mt. 6 18731 25133 2135 2260 2262

Sugar Mt. 16 59984 68603 29783 12318 30597

Black & blending tea Mt. 116 81645 78122 331 6256 495

Edible salt Mt. 8 89355 94016 7837 7835 7815

Animal feeds Mt. 3 517237 602669 51211 57365 57794

Spirits & alcohol "000" Littre 1 4675 5298 663 425 667

Soft drinks `000' Doz Bottle 4 74699 64166 2870 1940 2762

Mineral water "000" Littre 4 136104 156338 11073 7166 10774

Cigarettes Mill. No 1 17573 15660 1572 1250 1320

Biddies Mill. No 5 96371 123711 12042 8340 8340Preparation & spinning of textile fibers Mt. 20 161615 167660 14779 15242 15288

Weaving of textiles "000" Metre 15 47060 42447 3577 3655 3615

Dyeing, bleaching & finishing "000" Metre 19 70678 90837 7563 7585 7590

Jute textile Mt. 95 449920 406938 25870 75116 25072

Wearing apparel Million Tk. * 1138549 1268118 130121 130227 138049

Knitwear Million Tk. * 1088251 1247285 108580 112975 124904

Tanning & finishing leather: "000" Sq.M. 175 & * 18065 15386 1304 2265 2314

Leather footwear "000" Pair 4 20520 21235 1775 1830 1835

Particle board/ plywood "000"Sq.M. 2 10584 11048 921 961 968Pulp, paper & newsprint Mt. 3 167659 168177 14017 14055 14058Articles made of paper Mt. 2 39116 39613 3301 3352 3359

Printing of books and periodicals "000" No. 10 167592 168348 14035 14105 14350

Petroleum refining Mt. 1 2536116 1572683.4 119710 114341 114342

Compressed liquidified gas Cylinder(12.5kg0 2 1247433 1346439.8 83314 144838 163239

Fertilizer Mt. 7 1220890 859353 99236 122775 96250

Perfumes and cosmetics "000" Tk. 3 2767033 4519197 548154 434339 822151

Soaps & detergents Mt. 3 148975 176781 15547 13181 15046

Matches "000" Gross 2 22827 26493 2160 2825 2880

Pharmaceuticals/Allopathic drugs and medicine "000" Tk. 20 116455728 148382039.2 11298703 14135260 15051838

Unani and Ayur bedic medicine "000" Tk. 3 605335 631160 52211 65565 66110Rubber footwear/ other rubber products Dozen Pair 8 266594 202999 16950 22810 22815

P.V.C products/plastic products Mt. 3 44571 51618 4405 4630 4651

Glass sheet "000"Sq.ft 3 13855 17285 1500 1402 1390

Tiles "000"Sq.ft. 5 221181 245180 20525 24295 24540

Ceramic "000" Dozen 2 16643 20621 1724 2365 2415

Cement Mt. 8 12775967 14689780 1258275 1328750 1338715

Bricks “000” No. 4 162011 161441 13668 15345 15514

(Base Year 2005-06=100)

32


Name of items Unit No. of reporting industries (selected) 2016-17 2017-18 Jan. 2018 Dec. 2018 Jan. 2019 (p)

Re-rolling mills Mt. 31 363534 394245 33355 33435 33442Structural metal products "000" Mt. 5 12918 13524 1123 1240 1261Other fabricated metal products Dozen 8 571252 778567 66292 67828 67897Television No. 3 587305 428384 27307 35614 54029Electric motors, generators, transformers / electrical apparatus No. 2 487517 495625 42144 48150 48604

Wires & cables(ELEC.) Mt. 3 43900 49155 3934 3780 3840Electrical appliances / Domestic appliances No. 9 429544 499676 41311 42952 43427Agriculture & forestry machinery No. 2 92069 98194 8182 8410 8322Machinery for textile , apparel and leather production "000" No. 9 10242 14211 1284 1500 1392

Machinery equipment NEC Mt. 10 560009 800442 69317 71968 72120Assemble of motor vehicles No. 2 2300 1309 89 299 305Ship and boat building Mt. 3 306910 339327 29214 27070 27120Motor cycle No. 3 89712 94692 7898 8069 7919Metal furniture No. 2 3840 3900 340 340 335Wooden furniture No. 5 90077 146722 14094 12013 12021Plastic furniture No. 2 1260210 1322301 110452 123589 123867Natural Gas MCuM 8 27445 27613 2347 2186 2188Electricity MKWH 1 55346 61615 5073 4339 4679

Source: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.Note: n.a.=not available. p= provisional, r= revised, M.Cu.M.= million cubic meter. Mt = metric ton. MKWH = million kilowatt per hour, No.=Number, Sq.M.=Square Metre, Sq.ft.=Square Feet, Tk.= Taka, * = EPB

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX : NATIONAL(Base: 2005-06 = 100)

Period General Index

Index by expenditure group

1. Food &

Beverage

2. Non-Food

I.Clothing

&Footwear

II.Fuel &

Lighting

III.HouseholdEquipment

IV.Medical Care

& HealthExpense

V.Transport

& Communication

VI.Recreation,

Entertainment

VII. Misc. Goods & Services

2012-13 181.73 193.24 166.97 179.66 155.61 195.33 159.66 159.34 157.23 182.54

2013-14 195.08 209.79 176.23 194.77 163.47 206.14 164.06 167.20 164.38 193.75

2014-15 207.58 223.80 186.79 208.50 171.80 214.45 180.77 181.78 168.02 204.21

2015-16 219.86 234.77 200.66 233.38 182.74 227.39 199.94 201.34 171.01 211.61

2016-17 231.82 248.90 209.92 243.56 194.01 235.85 206.70 210.78 177.56 217.51

2017-18 245.22 266.64 217.76 255.24 200.25 249.68 209.28 218.80 183.65 223.81

Mar,18 248.65 271.27 219.64 260.22 200.75 253.21 210.47 219.94 184.27 226.55

Apr,18 248.85 271.42 219.90 260.33 200.86 254.08 210.78 220.47 184.31 226.72

May,18 245.80 265.27 220.83 261.92 201.61 254.88 211.45 221.55 184.40 228.29

Jun,18 246.82 265.33 223.09 270.93 202.06 255.39 211.80 225.87 184.57 228.60

Jul,18 249.65 269.91 223.66 270.94 202.11 255.79 211.96 226.60 184.71 233.10

Aug,18 253.07 275.09 224.84 272.39 202.59 257.76 213.34 229.48 184.82 233.94

Sep,18 257.62 281.86 226.54 273.56 203.56 262.51 214.29 232.09 185.01 236.64

Oct,18 259.13 283.44 227.96 275.01 204.49 265.50 214.82 234.21 185.29 239.03

Nov, 18 258.00 281.24 228.21 275.46 204.77 265.68 214.91 234.47 185.35 239.18

Dec,18 258.13 281.17 228.60 275.85 205.26 265.97 215.17 235.17 185.41 239.33

Jan,19 261.58 285.50 230.91 277.56 209.66 266.24 216.04 235.83 188.11 240.53

Feb,19 261.36 284.96 231.10 277.68 209.72 266.35 216.08 236.23 188.14 241.42

Mar,19 262.45 286.78 231.25 277.74 209.77 266.57 216.18 236.90 188.16 241.46Source: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

33


CONSUMER PRICE INDEX : RURAL(Base: 2005-06 = 100)

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX : URBAN(Base: 2005-06 = 100)



1. Food &

Beverage

2. Non-Food

I. Clothing &Footwear

II. Fuel &

Lighting

III. HouseholdEquipment

IV. Medical Care & Health

Expense

V. Transport &

Communication

VI. Recreation,

Entertainment

VII. Misc. Goods &

Services

2012-13 183.90 192.14 170.79 184.54 157.40 186.40 164.63 160.98 174.07 187.05

2013-14 196.90 207.72 179.69 200.61 164.05 197.62 168.87 166.01 179.72 199.74

2014-15 209.10 221.02 190.13 214.07 171.34 209.29 187.18 174.09 183.84 212.342015-16 220.10 230.31 203.86 242.26 179.19 222.11 211.04 188.69 187.84 221.122016-17 231.02 243.08 211.83 253.51 187.45 229.57 219.35 193.71 194.81 226.472017-18 244.17 259.86 219.21 263.96 192.89 246.23 221.15 197.24 201.31 233.72

Mar,18 247.76 264.50 221.14 268.19 193.24 250.35 221.83 198.01 202.01 237.82Apr,18 247.86 264.56 221.29 268.30 193.39 250.50 222.27 198.06 202.08 238.07May,18 243.62 257.06 222.22 269.82 194.23 251.32 222.49 198.57 202.20 240.36Jun,18 244.38 257.11 224.13 277.13 194.85 252.36 222.89 200.14 202.50 240.74Jul,18 247.40 261.57 224.86 277.11 194.86 252.49 223.09 200.86 202.75 247.65Aug,18 251.04 266.89 225.82 278.36 195.00 253.59 224.87 203.83 202.85 248.17Sep,18 255.86 273.63 227.58 279.17 196.18 258.87 225.39 205.85 203.13 251.53Oct, 18 257.43 275.37 228.88 280.61 197.73 261.54 225.75 207.24 203.23 251.67Nov, 18 256.11 273.03 229.18 281.09 198.19 261.76 225.87 207.39 203.32 251.81Dec, 18 256.19 272.94 229.53 281.46 198.84 261.98 226.18 207.47 203.39 251.90Jan,19 260.22 278.61 230.96 283.42 200.68 261.83 226.34 207.92 206.61 253.74Feb,19 259.93 278.00 231.18 283.60 200.78 261.98 226.37 208.06 206.64 255.13Mar,19 261.10 279.85 231.26 283.65 200.82 262.22 226.43 208.22 206.65 255.17

Source: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics



1. Food &

Beverage2.

Non-FoodI.

Clothing &Footwear

II. Fuel &

LightingIII. Household

EquipmentIV.

Medical Care & Health Expense

V. Transport &

Communication

VI. Recreation,

Entertainment

VII. Misc. Goods & Services

2012-13 177.71 195.91 161.88 170.39 153.55 211.03 151.15 157.53 139.06 176.96

2013-14 191.73 214.85 171.61 183.66 162.80 221.11 155.82 168.52 147.83 186.37

2014-15 204.76 230.56 182.32 197.93 172.33 223.53 169.80 190.26 150.95 194.16

2015-16 219.31 245.66 196.39 216.50 186.86 236.67 180.93 215.50 152.84 199.87

2016-17 233.29 263.09 207.38 224.66 201.60 246.87 185.05 229.59 158.93 206.45

2017-18 247.17 283.19 215.83 238.67 208.77 255.74 188.96 242.55 164.59 211.57

Mar,18 250.28 287.79 217.65 245.08 209.46 258.24 191.04 244.11 165.12 212.64

Apr,18 250.67 288.18 218.05 245.18 209.52 260.39 191.10 245.16 165.14 212.70

May,18 249.83 285.30 218.98 246.91 210.15 261.15 192.54 246.87 165.19 213.39

Jun,18 251.32 285.38 221.70 259.16 210.41 260.72 192.82 254.23 165.21 213.61

Jul,18 253.80 290.27 222.08 259.22 210.51 261.57 192.91 254.97 165.24 215.13

Aug,18 256.83 295.12 223.53 261.04 211.38 265.09 193.60 257.75 165.37 216.37

Sep,18 260.86 301.91 225.15 262.90 212.10 268.90 195.28 261.00 165.45 218.26

Oct,18 262.28 303.14 226.75 264.36 212.32 272.45 196.11 263.94 165.92 223.43

Nov, 18 261.51 301.28 226.91 264.77 212.38 272.57 196.16 264.31 165.96 223.59

Dec,18 261.72 301.22 227.35 265.19 212.68 273.01 196.32 265.69 166.01 223.80

Jan,19 264.09 302.30 230.85 266.41 220.05 273.99 198.42 266.58 168.15 224.22Feb,19 264.01 301.96 231.00 266.46 220.07 274.04 198.48 267.27 168.17 224.48Mar,19 264.94 303.69 231.24 266.53 220.13 274.23 198.63 268.51 168.20 224.53 Source: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

34


ACKNOWLEDGMENTThe Chamber thankfully received the following publications :

WAGE RATE INDEX BY SECTORS: BANGLADESH(Base: 2010-11=100)

Source: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

Sector 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 Jan,19 Feb,19 Mar,19

General 118.82 124.69 132.81 141.46 150.59 161.07 162.35 163.01

Percentage change (Point to Point) 5.50 4.94 6.52 6.50 6.46 6.21 6.48 6.56

Percentage change (over previous month) 0.73 0.80 0.401. Agriculture 118.44 124.51 132.48 141.22 150.27 160.91 162.23 162.76Percentage change (Point to Point) 5.68 5.12 6.41 6.59 6.41 6.26 6.56 6.61Percentage change(over previous month) 0.81 0.83 0.32i) Agriculture 118.40 124.46 132.44 141.19 150.23 160.90 162.25 162.77Percentage change (Point to Point) 5.64 5.12 6.42 6.60 6.40 6.28 6.59 6.65Percentage change(over previous month) 0.82 0.84 0.32ii) Fish 120.81 126.85 134.59 143.19 152.63 161.12 161.66 161.99Percentage change (Point to Point) 7.97 5.00 6.12 6.37 6.61 4.96 4.92 4.48Percentage change(over previous month) 0.30 0.34 0.202. Industry 119.07 124.38 132.02 140.27 149.45 159.29 160.37 161.31Percentage change (Point to Point) 4.97 4.47 6.16 6.24 6.55 6.08 6.26 6.29Percentage change(over previous month) 0.61 0.68 0.59i) Construction 119.93 124.84 129.97 137.43 145.32 153.11 153.86 154.99Percentage change (Point to Point) 4.56 4.09 4.18 5.37 5.75 5.09 5.19 5.22Percentage change(over previous month) 0.34 0.49 0.74ii) Production 121.86 127.28 136.18 146.01 157.81 171.82 173.59 174.14Percentage change (Point to Point) 9.27 4.44 7.70 7.22 8.08 7.91 8.23 8.28Percentage change(over previous month) 1.09 1.03 0.323. Service 120.16 126.15 136.03 145.01 154.44 165.50 166.99 167.69Percentage change (Point to Point) 5.75 4.98 7.86 6.60 6.51 6.24 6.52 6.82Percentage change(over previous month) 0.61 0.90 0.42

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june 2019 cover issue 05 - metropolitan chamber of ... · robi axiata ltd. innovated islamic ......

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