Jagaran Chakma

The interim government's first task should be to address the disparity in government facilities between readymade garment (RMG) and non-RMG sectors to facilitate export diversification, according to one of the leading exporters of leather shoes.

Although the need to diversify Bangladesh's export basket has been a subject of great discussion for more than two decades, there has been little progress in this regard.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) and S Alam & Co, aimed at modernising ailing state-run sugar mills, has been cancelled by the government.

Transport activities, including movement of imported goods and those meant for exports, have been halted since Thursday as the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, the lifeline of the country's economy, has been submerged by flash floods brought on by heavy rainfall and the rush of water from upstream.

Bangladesh's imports of capital machinery, industrial raw materials, and intermediate goods fell for a second consecutive fiscal year, reflecting the depressed state of private investment and bleak prospects for new jobs.

Flash floods across parts of the country, the lingering effects of recent nationwide political upheaval, and persistent inflationary pressure have prevented business activities from getting back on track, according to businesspeople.

Workers in as many as 20 pharmaceutical factories have been protesting for nine days to press home their 21-point demand, in a development that has compelled many to put production on halt.

Amid workers’ demonstration for better pay, regularisation, and two-day weekend, production at 10 garment and 20 pharmaceuticals factories stopped on the outskirts of the capital on Saturday and yesterday.

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) has sought approval from the interim government to terminate an agreement for establishing SBG Economic Zone Ltd inside the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) in Mirsarai of Chattogram.

The protesters demand better pay, regularisation, and two-day weekends.