Local-Business
Stock market records year’s highest turnover
Dhaka’s stock market witnessed its highest turnover of the year on Tuesday, surpassing Tk 500 crore, with the majority of companies experiencing price increases.
On the day, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) recorded a total share turnover of Tk 519 crore, marking the first time in 2025 that turnover exceeded Tk 500 crore.
Previously, the highest turnover was recorded on 21 January at Tk 499 crore, meaning daily turnover rose by nearly Tk 100 crore.
Alongside the increase in turnover, the DSE index and most company share prices also saw an uptrend.
The benchmark index, DSEX, increased by 17 points, while the Shariah-based DSES index and the blue-chip DS30 index rose by 3 points and 1 point, respectively.
Stock Market: Indices end second trading day on a positive note
Out of the 399 companies traded, 215 saw price increases, 119 recorded declines, and 65 remained unchanged. In terms of category-wise performance, 120 shares in the ‘A’ category rose in price, while 61 declined and 38 remained unchanged.
The ‘B’ category recorded 47 gains, 24 losses, and 11 unchanged prices. In the ‘Z’ category, 48 shares saw price hikes, whereas 34 declined and 16 remained unchanged.
Among the 37 mutual funds traded, the majority remained unchanged, with 19 funds seeing no price movement.
Dhaka stock market opens higher, Chattogram sees decline
Meanwhile, 10 funds recorded price increases and 8 saw declines.
In the block market, shares of 29 companies were traded, amounting to a total of 45 lakh shares valued at Tk 37 crore.
ACI Limited led the segment with shares worth Tk 25 crore being sold.
ML Dyeing Limited topped the gainers' list, with a 10% increase in share price, while Paper Processing & Packaging Limited recorded the highest loss, dropping by 4.13%.
The stock index in the Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE) also recorded gains, rising by 43 points.
Among the 222 traded companies, 126 saw price increases, 68 recorded declines and 28 remained unchanged.
The total turnover at the CSE reached Tk 4.42 crore for the day, with Summit Power Limited leading the gainers' list with a 9.27% price increase.
Conversely, Meghna Life Insurance Company Limited saw the biggest decline, losing 9.85%.
Meanwhile, the Capital Market Reform Taskforce has submitted two draft proposals to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).
According to the commission, the proposals recommend updating regulations concerning mutual funds and margin loans to align with current market conditions.
The commission has assured that the taskforce’s recommendations will be implemented promptly to drive reforms and development in the country’s stock market.
13 hours ago
Brac Bank partners Grameen Healthcare to bring eyecare to marginalised sections
BRAC Bank partnered with Grameen Healthcare Services Limited to provide free eye screenings and care to over 42,000 underprivileged people in Bogura and Thakurgaon.
This effort is part of BRAC Bank's flagship CSR programme - BRAC Bank Aporajeyo Ami.
Managing Director & CEO of BRAC Bank Selim RF Hussain and Managing Director of Grameen Healthcare Shamsul Haque Ahmed signed the partnership agreement at Grameen Healthcare’s head office on Monday.
Through this partnership, economically disadvantaged people will receive free cataract surgeries, including special lenses and Intra-Ocular Lens (IOL) implants to help improve their vision, according to a press release.
The partnership will ensure that patients can access diagnostic services, surgeries, and post-operative care, amplifying the impact on healthcare accessibility and disability inclusion.
The goal of this initiative is to help restore people's sight, enhance their quality of life, and empower them to participate more actively in their communities and workplaces. Ultimately, this effort seeks to create positive changes in people's lives and contribute to the economy.
Md. Ashraful Hasan, Chairman of Grameen Group, Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, DMD and Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking at BRAC Bank, and Ekram Kabir, Head of Communications of the bank, were present at the event.
Md. Ashraful Hasan stated, "By working together, we will not only help restore vision but uplift entire communities by providing access to healthcare services many cannot afford. We are delighted to make a difference together and change lives nationwide."
Selim RF Hussain, emphasising the significant impact of the initiative, said, "This programme is more than just providing healthcare; it's about giving people the chance to build a better future and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can live a meaningful life."
As a values-based organisation, BRAC Bank continues to uphold CSR initiatives that break financial barriers and social taboos, creating opportunities and ensuring access for people to realise their potential and lead meaningful lives.
The 'Aporajeyo Ami' initiative highlights BRAC Bank's strong commitment to social well-being and its goal of building a more inclusive society.
1 day ago
Int’l plastics fair 2025 to begin Wednesday with focus on increasing export
A 4-day expo titled “International Plastics Fair-2025 organised byhe Bangladesh Plastics Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) will begin on Wednesday.
Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin will inaugurate the 17th edition of the fair at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka.
The exhibition will remain open to visitors from 11 am to 7 pm every day.
“Plastic is one of the significant sectors of the country. We are formulating a plastic sector roadmap. In the coming days, we expect that the use of plastic will increase from 5 kg to 30 kg, and exports will also increase several times,” said BPGMEA President Shamim Ahmed at a press conference held at the organisation’s head office in Dhaka on Monday.
BB's new monetary policy aims to bring inflation down to 7-8% by June
He said the international fair will feature over 800 stalls, with more than 390 brands from 18 countries, including China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, UAE, Turkey, and the UK, showcasing their products and technologies.
He said investment and employment are increasing rapidly in Bangladesh's growing plastics and packaging sector, where BPGMEA member companies are collectively playing an important role.
“One of the main goals of this event is to increase the use of eco-friendly technology and modern machinery among domestic businessmen,” he said.
Not only will there be an exhibition, but seminars on the plastics sector will also be organised over these four days.
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These seminars will include detailed and informative discussions on sustainable production, automated technology, recycling innovations, global markets, and the plastics sector in Bangladesh, he added.
“We believe that this fair will be very lively and effective with the presence of representatives from the plastic sector of different countries,” said the BPGMEA president.
He noted that through the Plastic Fair, the introduction of plastic products and the addition of new technologies are gradually increasing.
The consumer base is growing, and plastic products are being exported abroad after meeting domestic demand, he added.
1 day ago
BB's new monetary policy aims to bring inflation down to 7-8% by June
Bangladesh Bank (BB) has announced a new monetary policy for the remainder of the current fiscal year 2024-25, targeting an inflation rate of 7-8% and setting GDP growth at 4-5%.
Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur presented the new monetary policy during a press conference at Jahangir Alam Conference Hall of the central bank on Monday.
The monetary policy focuses on stabilising three key financial indicators: exchange rates, inflation and interest rates.
BB to announce contractionary monetary policy on Monday
It also aims to provide a slight economic expansion, despite a significant decrease in private sector credit flow, as the global economic slowdown, along with the impact of domestic financial scams, has contributed to sluggish GDP and credit growths in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Bank set to unveil monetary policy as rate speculation swirls
However, the policy interest rate remains unchanged, meaning lending rates will not rise further. Despite recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the central bank has opted to maintain the policy rate.
1 day ago
KEPZ secures long-awaited mutation documents
The Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) has finally obtained its mutation documents from the government, paving the path for increased foreign investment.
The documents, which had been pending for a long time, were issued by the Bangladesh government on February 6, 2025.
KEPZ is the largest private export processing zone in Bangladesh. The interim government has taken steps to expedite the mutation process to encourage greater foreign investment in the country.
According to Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, several foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals, including one from Samsung, were withdrawn due to the delay in obtaining the mutation documents for KEPZ.
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Alam shared this information during a press briefing in Dhaka on Sunday.
Korean entrepreneur Kihak Sung, the country’s top merchandise exporter through his company Youngone, also relocated some of his investments from Bangladesh to Vietnam because of the delay in receiving the mutation documents.
Sung acquired the land in Chattogram in 1999 and initiated the development of the export processing zone on 2,500 acres of land.
1 day ago
TCB ready to resume sales through trucks offering subsidised essentials
The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is set to resume its sales programme through trucks today (Monday), aiming to provide essential commodities at subsidised rates to consumers in Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas.
According to a media release issued on Sunday, the TCB will offer items including edible oil, lentils, sugar, chickpeas and dates through mobile trucks.
This initiative is designed to assist low-income families and stabilise market prices.
Purchase Limits and Pricing:
Edible Oil: Up to 2 litres per person at Tk 100 per litre.Lentils: Up to 2 kilograms at Tk 60 per kg.Sugar: 1 kilogram at Tk 70.Chickpeas: Up to 2 kilograms at Tk 60 per kg.Dates: 500 grams at Tk 155.
TCB trucks selling edible oil at Tk100 per liter set to hit the streets from tomorrow
Each consumer is allowed to purchase the specified quantities to ensure wider distribution among the populace.
The TCB said that the initiative will start in Dhaka and Chattogram, with plans to expand to other divisional cities and select districts in the near future.
Consumers are encouraged to queue at designated truck station points to avail themselves of these subsidised goods.
1 day ago
Dhaka stock market opens higher, Chattogram sees decline
Dhaka’s stock market opened on a positive note on Monday, the second trading day of the week, while Chattogram’s market saw a decline at the beginning of the session.
At the start of trading on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index rose by 11 points.
Meanwhile, the Shariah-based DSES index increased by 3 points, and the blue-chip DS30 index gained 2 points.
At the beginning of the session, share prices of 170 companies increased, while 85 saw a decline, and 78 remained unchanged.
Within the first half-hour of trading, shares and units worth over Tk 60 crore were exchanged on the DSE.
Stock Market Slump: DSEX index falls by 40 points in three days
On the other hand, the Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a decline, with its overall index dropping by 18 points at the start of trading.
Out of 39 companies traded on the CSE, prices of 21 shares increased, while 14 declined, and 4 remained unchanged.
The total value of shares and units traded in the opening session exceeded Tk 20 lakh.
1 day ago
Chinese bag firm set to produce container bag in EZ; expects to create 1150 jobs
Anthente Bulk Bag Limited, a Chinese company, is set to invest US $10 million in the BEPZA Economic Zone (BEPZA EZ) to establish a container bag manufacturing industry.
The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) signed an agreement with the company recently at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka, according to a press release.
BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, ndc, psc, attended the signing ceremony, alongside senior officials from BEPZA and representatives from Anthente Bulk Bag Limited. Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA Md. Ashraful Kabir and Managing Director of Anthente Bulk Bag Ma Xiaoming signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.
The Chinese company plans to produce 2.8 million pcs of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC) bags, bulk bags, woven and non-woven bags annually, creating employment opportunities for 1150 Bangladeshi nationals.
2 days ago
BB to announce contractionary monetary policy on Monday
Bangladesh Bank (BB) is set to announce a new monetary policy on Monday for the remainder of the fiscal year 2024-25.
The central bank will continue its contractionary monetary policy to curb inflation and reduce excess money supply, sources said.
A contractionary monetary policy is a strategy used by central banks to deliberately reduce the money supply in an economy—typically by raising interest rates, selling government bonds, or increasing reserve requirements for banks—to slow down economic growth and control inflation.
Trading Begins with an Uptrend as Most Company Shares Gain
In preparation for this policy decision, Bangladesh Bank has held discussions and consultations with prominent economists and key stakeholders.
The official announcement will take place at 3:00 pm on Monday during a press conference at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters in Motijheel, according to a press release.
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2 days ago
Electric G-Wagon arrives in Bangladesh for the first time
Mercedes-Benz G 580 "Edition One," the first-ever electric G-Wagon, has officially arrived in Bangladesh.
The vehicle was unveiled in a grand ceremony on Saturday.
Rancon Motors Limited, the authorised distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Bangladesh, has introduced the 2025 G 580 "Edition One," marking a new era for luxury electric SUVs in the country.
As the first production unit of the electric G-Class, the "Edition One" is a collector’s item for automotive enthusiasts.
Renowned musician Bassbaba Sumon of Aurthohin and the country’s most accomplished motorsport racer, Avik Anwar, attended the launch event as special guests.
The 2025 G 580 "Edition One" seamlessly blends the legendary off-road capability of the G-Class with cutting-edge electric technology, setting new benchmarks in luxury, performance, and sustainability.
Retaining its iconic design and off-road prowess, the electric G-Wagon is equipped with a quad-motor setup—one motor per wheel—delivering a formidable 587 PS and 1,164 Nm of torque. The model also features innovative driving technologies such as G-Rower, G-Turn, and G-Steering.
2 days ago