8,294 cases recommended for withdrawal
The central committee, formed by the home ministry to withdraw political harassment cases, has recommended the withdrawal of 724 more cases, bringing the total number to 8,294...
Tags : SME
IFRS to help SMEs have access to easy investment: Taskeen
The International Financial Reporting Standards will strengthen access to finance and investment, boost global competitiveness and reduce the risks of financial misreporting...
JU teacher suspended over sexually harassing female student
Jahangirnagar University authorities have suspended Saju Shaha, an assistant professor at the marketing department at the university, on allegation of sexual harassment...
NBR begins spot assessment
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has launched a new Spot Assessment programme to simplify the tax payment system to expand the tax net...
BB sets 27pc loan target for CMSMEs by 2029
In a policy change, the Bangladesh Bank has set a target for banks and financial institutions to disburse 27 per cent of their total loans to the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprise sector by 2029...
Training drivers to prevent harassment in public transport
A five-day training workshop for bus drivers and helpers has begun in Dhaka to prevent sexual harassment in public transport...
What is unpleasant in deeds is, too, unpleasant in words
SOMETHING that is unpleasant to hear is also unpleasant to happen. This is what the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner appears to have missed out on when on March 15 he requested journalists to use the phrase 鈥榬epression on women鈥� instead of the word 鈥榬ape鈥� in reports. The city police chief, who has attended as chief guest the inauguration...
Police must abandon violence, harassment for crowd control
DESPITE support and care from authorities, particularly the healthcare providers, the eight-year-old rape victim from Magura lost the battle for life in Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka on March 13 while anti-rape protests raged. Four accused in this case are arrested and the law minister assured a speedy trial of the case but the movement against rape continued as the...
DU teachers, students protest at violence, harassment against women
Teachers and students of different departments of Dhaka University protested against on-going violence and harassment against women across the country staging demonstrations on the university premises on Sunday.
Blaming victims, shielding mob
THE March 3 protest at Lalmatia that Bangladesh Against Rape and Harassment held was not just a response to a single event but the culmination of growing disappointment with the government鈥檚 failure to protect women from escalating violence. The demonstrators, predominantly woman activists and concerned citizens, burnt an effigy of the home affairs adviser...
Loan disbursement to CMSME drops by 16pc
Loan disbursements to the Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (CMSME) sector dropped by 16 per cent in the July-September quarter of FY25 compared to the same period in FY24, due to political turmoil and economic instability during the period...
Firm govt action needed against attacks on women
A SERIES of attacks on and harassment of women and the government鈥檚 failure to attend to the issues are a worrying sign. A significant number of women, especially players, athletes, celebrities and sex workers, have been attacked by people and groups with Islamist bent, weaving a pattern of the right wing rearing its head in the absence of deterrent government action...
Bio-Xin introduces Basanta Bilash Offer
Bio-Xin Cosmeceuticals has introduced a month-long Basanta Bilash Offer, said a press release.
Bio-Xin opens new branch in Barisal
Skincare brand Bio-Xin Cosmeceuticals inaugurated its 17th branch at L L Tower Bibir Pukurpar, Barisal City, said a press release.
Auto-rickshaw drivers protest at police harassment
Auto-rickshaw drivers on Sunday blocked the road in front of Kotwali police station in Chattogram protesting at police harassment, including arbitrary fines and extortion...
Establishment of separate SME bank suggested
A taskforce has suggested establishment of a separate bank or a similar institution to cater the financing need of the small and medium entrepreneurs...
Bank Asia, IFC sign deal on MSME dev
Bank Asia PLC will receive $35 million from International Finance Corporation, a private sector arm of the World Bank Group, said a press release...
SME Foundation seeks funds to implement SME Policy 2025
The Small and Medium Enterprise Foundation has called for regular budget allocations to implement the newly drafted SME Policy 2025 effectively, along with consistent monitoring of its progress...
New SME policy with no new strategies deplorable
THIS is unfortunate that the proposed National Small and Medium Enterprise Policy 2025 offers almost no new strategies to facilitate the growth of the sector. The proposal appears to echo the strategies of the 2019 policy that failed to help the sector grow. Such a repetition of failed strategies reflects, as experts say, the government鈥檚 lack of commitment to...
SME entrepreneurs stress anti-corruption measures, supportive policies
Small and medium enterprises entrepreneurs at a workshop on Sunday emphasised the need for taking anti-corruption measures and supportive policies for the flourishing of this sector, saying that they are bearing the brunt of corruption when it comes to doing their business....
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: Rights activists stress law, changing mindset
Rights activists and other speakers at a meeting on Thursday called for enactment of a law to prevent sexual harassment and gender-based violence...
Proposed SME policy repetition of failed one聽
The National Small and Medium Enterprise Policy 2025 has been drafted without any major changes in strategies adopted in the recently expired policy that failed to achieve the main targets.
Agrani Bank CEO exchanges views in Jashore
Agrani Bank PLC officials discussed business plan for 2025, core deposit collection, remittance collection, loan distribution in the CMSME sector, reduction of classified loans and strengthening loan recovery activities in Jashore...
StanChart, SME Foundation hold training for women
Standard Chartered Bank, in collaboration with SME Foundation, organised a three-day long training programme on 鈥極nline Business Management and Financial Inclusion鈥� for women entrepreneurs of Bogura.
Labour Reform Commission Meeting: Women workers' rights stressed
Rights campaigners at a meeting with the labour reform commission on Tuesday highlighted the importance of maternity leave for women workers, sufficient day-care facilities for working women and strict measures against sexual harassment...
Bio-Xin Cosmeceuticals launches year-end sale
Bio-Xin Cosmeceuticals has launched year-end sale for December, said a press release...
A city still asleep on women鈥檚 safety
FOR most women, going out of the house requires a lot of planning. From crowded streets and public transport to workplaces, the challenges that women face in staying safe are constant and exhausting. Citizens now call for women鈥檚 safety on the road and in public spaces. Everyone wants change. Women want to walk without the fear of being harassed or attacked...
BB relaxes loan classification, provisioning rules for CMSMEs
The Bangladesh Bank has relaxed the rules of loan classification and provisioning for the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises sector to create more employment opportunities through increasing investment...
IFC invests $50m in City Bank to support SME businesses in Bangladesh
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is investing $50 million in City Bank PLC to help SMEs in Bangladesh grow, create jobs, and boost economic recovery, says a press release.
Govt needs to simplify rules, regulations for SMEs
THE cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises continue to suffer from complex rules and regulations and a lack of access to loans in the absence of effective and inclusive policies. A recent study by the SME Foundation, based on 304 SMEs in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Khulna and Rajshahi, finds that most entrepreneurs struggle...