1. Forex reserves top $15b
The country saw 10.14 percent growth in its export revenue in the first 10 months of the current fiscal in comparison to the same period last year.
General Manager of Bangladesh Bank's Foreign Exchange Reserve and Treasury Management Department, Kazi Saidur Rahman, told bdnews24.com the wage earners’ remittance mainly helped set the new record.
Besides declining import demand, timely disbursement of pledged project assistance also drove the reserves, he said.
Besides declining import demand, timely disbursement of pledged project assistance also drove the reserves, he said.
The expatriate wage earners remitted home $ 12 billion in the first 10 months (July-April) of the current 2012-13 fiscal, up 15 percent over the same period of the last fiscal.
News Link: Export growth 10.14pc in 10 months
2. Export growth 10.14pc in 10 months
The country saw 10.14 percent growth in its export revenue in the first 10 months of the current fiscal in comparison to the same period last year.
During July-April in the current 2012-13 fiscal, the country in export revenue has earned $21.78 billion. In the first 10 months of the last fiscal, the amount was $19.77 billion.
But despite the growth, the current year revenue falls short of the targeted $22.53 billion by 3.31 percent.
Bangladesh’s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) revealed these statistics on Tuesday.
Analysis shows, in April alone, $2.08 billion was earned in export revenues, which is 9.95 percent more than the last year April. However, this is still 11.19 percent less than the targeted goal.
Exporters Association of Bangladesh President Abdus Salam Murshedi told bdnews24.com that overall current global export scenario was positive. “Export will increase if the image of the country can be brightened abroad and the internal problems are resolved.”
From the knitwear section of ready-made garments, in April over $8.38 billion revenue was earned, which is 8.93 percent more in comparison to last year’s (April) $7.69 billion.
In the woven section, $8.92 billion was earned in April this year – 13.98 percent more compared to last year’s April and higher than the targeted goal set for the month.
But, one of the most prominent export sector – the frozen food sector – witnessed 14.38 percent drop. Frozen fish export revenues dropped by almost 50 percent, shrimp almost nine percent and raw jute by 11.35 percent.
Export of tea and tobacco dropped significantly by over $50 million – 16.67 percent lower compared to the April last year.
The government of Bangladesh had set $280 billion target for the current 2012-13 fiscal year.
Until now, export of vegetables, dried food, fruits, spices, petroleum by-product, pharmaceutical goods, cosmetics, PVC bags, leather and leather-based goods, wood, paper and paper goods, thread, jute and jute products, carpet, ceramics goods, copper wires, furniture and computer services has increased.
On the other hand, export decreased of cut flower, cement, chemical fertiliser, plastic goods, rubber, printed goods, wool and wool products, specialised textile, towel, home textile, cap, glass, ships and boats.
Investors had feared that the Tazreen fire, which killed at least 112 people, would affect exports. But, export revenues had risen.
Concerned individuals say that it was the political unrest that was affecting ready-made garment sector the most – not fire at Tazreen. Just recently, Rana Plaza at Savar collapsed killing over 700 people.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Vice President Mohammad Hatem said that Bangladesh would continue to dominate the sector. “China has moved away from this sector. No one else has the capacity to withstand China’s market.”
He said Tazreen or Rana Plaza did not influence business yet, but, failing to address international safety concern that have once again been raised in wake of these events, might be an affecting factor in future.
But despite the growth, the current year revenue falls short of the targeted $22.53 billion by 3.31 percent.
Bangladesh’s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) revealed these statistics on Tuesday.
Analysis shows, in April alone, $2.08 billion was earned in export revenues, which is 9.95 percent more than the last year April. However, this is still 11.19 percent less than the targeted goal.
Exporters Association of Bangladesh President Abdus Salam Murshedi told bdnews24.com that overall current global export scenario was positive. “Export will increase if the image of the country can be brightened abroad and the internal problems are resolved.”
From the knitwear section of ready-made garments, in April over $8.38 billion revenue was earned, which is 8.93 percent more in comparison to last year’s (April) $7.69 billion.
In the woven section, $8.92 billion was earned in April this year – 13.98 percent more compared to last year’s April and higher than the targeted goal set for the month.
But, one of the most prominent export sector – the frozen food sector – witnessed 14.38 percent drop. Frozen fish export revenues dropped by almost 50 percent, shrimp almost nine percent and raw jute by 11.35 percent.
Export of tea and tobacco dropped significantly by over $50 million – 16.67 percent lower compared to the April last year.
The government of Bangladesh had set $280 billion target for the current 2012-13 fiscal year.
Until now, export of vegetables, dried food, fruits, spices, petroleum by-product, pharmaceutical goods, cosmetics, PVC bags, leather and leather-based goods, wood, paper and paper goods, thread, jute and jute products, carpet, ceramics goods, copper wires, furniture and computer services has increased.
On the other hand, export decreased of cut flower, cement, chemical fertiliser, plastic goods, rubber, printed goods, wool and wool products, specialised textile, towel, home textile, cap, glass, ships and boats.
Investors had feared that the Tazreen fire, which killed at least 112 people, would affect exports. But, export revenues had risen.
Concerned individuals say that it was the political unrest that was affecting ready-made garment sector the most – not fire at Tazreen. Just recently, Rana Plaza at Savar collapsed killing over 700 people.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Vice President Mohammad Hatem said that Bangladesh would continue to dominate the sector. “China has moved away from this sector. No one else has the capacity to withstand China’s market.”
He said Tazreen or Rana Plaza did not influence business yet, but, failing to address international safety concern that have once again been raised in wake of these events, might be an affecting factor in future.
News Link: Export growth 10.14pc in 10 months
3. Bangladeshi NGO wins UN award
A Bangladeshi NGO has won the ‘Water for Life’ award from the UN World Water Assessment Programme Unit.
According to a media release, Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP) won the award for its ‘outstanding contribution to water and sanitation sector in rural Bangladesh’.
About 46 development organisations from different countries of Asia, Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, North America and Oceania presented their water programmes and activities for the award.
“We won the third position in ‘B’ category as the lone development organisation from Bangladesh,” Mohammad Zobair Hasan, Chief of DORP Research Cell said.
The NGO has been implementing water, sanitation and hygiene programmes in six upazilas of the coastal, flood-prone and hard-to-reach areas in Barguna, Bagerhat, Sirajganj, Lakshmipur and Kishoreganj districts since 2005.
DORP says the programme – Health Village: Wash Monitoring Perspective – earlier won ‘Chancellor Award’ of South Australian University in 2006.
About 46 development organisations from different countries of Asia, Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, North America and Oceania presented their water programmes and activities for the award.
“We won the third position in ‘B’ category as the lone development organisation from Bangladesh,” Mohammad Zobair Hasan, Chief of DORP Research Cell said.
The NGO has been implementing water, sanitation and hygiene programmes in six upazilas of the coastal, flood-prone and hard-to-reach areas in Barguna, Bagerhat, Sirajganj, Lakshmipur and Kishoreganj districts since 2005.
DORP says the programme – Health Village: Wash Monitoring Perspective – earlier won ‘Chancellor Award’ of South Australian University in 2006.
News Link: Bangladeshi NGO wins UN award
4. SSC results out: 89.03% pass, 91, 226 GPA-5
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DHAKA: The results of this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations were published Thursday morning with overall pass percentage of 89.03, which is 2.66 percent higher than last year’s.
Last year, the pass percentage was 86.37 with a total of students having passed out successfully.
Among the eight general boards, Rajshahi board topped the list in pass percentage, showing 94.03 percent success. Dhaka Board posted 87.38 percent pass, Sylhet 88.96, Chittagong 88.04, Comilla 90.41, Jessore 92.62, Barisal 88.63, and Dinajpur 90.60 percents.
The Madrasah Board secured 89.31 and Technical Education Board 81.13 percent.
According to the statistics released by the Education Ministry, a total of 91, 226 obtained GPA-5 distinctions under the 10 educational boards of the country, higher than last year’s number of top-grade obtainers.
A total of 82, 212 students had secured GPA-5 in 2012.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid handed over the SSC results of 10 education boards to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Gana Bhaban office at 10am.
After receiving the SSC results, the Premier exchanged view with the students of Dinajpur Zila School, Girls School and Nur Jahan Alia Madrasa through video conference.
Education Minister will place different sides of the results at a press conference around 1: 00 pm, said the ministry official.
The results are available at all examination centres, websites of education boards and through mobile phone short message service (SMS) after 2:00pm.
The web address for results is: www.educationboardresults.gov.bd.
A total of 13, 03,203 students in the country’s 2, 258 centers sat for the SSC and equivalent exams that began on February 3.
News Link: SSC results out 89.03% pass, 91, 226 GPA-5
Last year, the pass percentage was 86.37 with a total of students having passed out successfully.
Among the eight general boards, Rajshahi board topped the list in pass percentage, showing 94.03 percent success. Dhaka Board posted 87.38 percent pass, Sylhet 88.96, Chittagong 88.04, Comilla 90.41, Jessore 92.62, Barisal 88.63, and Dinajpur 90.60 percents.
The Madrasah Board secured 89.31 and Technical Education Board 81.13 percent.
According to the statistics released by the Education Ministry, a total of 91, 226 obtained GPA-5 distinctions under the 10 educational boards of the country, higher than last year’s number of top-grade obtainers.
A total of 82, 212 students had secured GPA-5 in 2012.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid handed over the SSC results of 10 education boards to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Gana Bhaban office at 10am.
After receiving the SSC results, the Premier exchanged view with the students of Dinajpur Zila School, Girls School and Nur Jahan Alia Madrasa through video conference.
Education Minister will place different sides of the results at a press conference around 1: 00 pm, said the ministry official.
The results are available at all examination centres, websites of education boards and through mobile phone short message service (SMS) after 2:00pm.
The web address for results is: www.educationboardresults.gov.bd.
A total of 13, 03,203 students in the country’s 2, 258 centers sat for the SSC and equivalent exams that began on February 3.
News Link: SSC results out 89.03% pass, 91, 226 GPA-5
5. Biman witnesses significant improvement
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Thursday said that there has been a significant improvement in percentage ontime and a good reduction in the average delays of its flights operated throughout the April, 2013.
It is over 50% for the first time in many months. The fact was made available by making a comparison between the flight performance of April, 2012 and that of April, 2013.
Average delay in April, 2012 was 46 minutes per flight and percentage ontime was only 36% whilst for April, 2013, the average delay was 31 minutes and ontime performance in the 52nd percentile- a major improvement for a single month's time, indeed.
Kevin John Steele, the Managing Director and CEO in a brief statement, said, ``while this is encouraging, and means we are moving in the right direction, nonetheless the (improved) results are still poor, and not really good enough. We are aiming to be around 80% ontime over the next 6 months and have many projects currently being implemented that will help us achieve this'. Kevin further made an apology to those who were still inconvenienced by the airlines punctuality.
Kevin John Steele joined Biman only eight weeks ago and soon after the joining, the CEO made a solemn promise to bring back normalcy in Biman's flight schedule, an area where Biman was doing very badly in the wake of a severe aircraft constraint and an ageing fleet for a long period.
News Link: Biman witnesses significant improvement
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