The hidden costs of traffic
August 22, 2010
Brendan Weston
The city’s traffic has grown increasingly crowded and chaotic for more than a decade, and is a disaster even by the standards of less developed countries (LDCs). Productivity is suffering, as workers with once-short commuting distances now make glacial progress in gridlocked daytime traffic that averages barely five miles an hour. Crowded Read more
Sub-standards and testing
August 17, 2010
BSTI reform via private partners
Habibullah N Karim
On August 5, the commerce minister and the prime minister’s economic adviser shared views with members of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the impediments in the path of bolstering exports to India, our largest neighbour with whom we happen to have a Read more
Bangladesh IT industry going global
January 6, 2010
The information technology industry in Bangladesh has gradually come of age and today accounts for more than Taka 25 billion or USD350 million in annual revenues.
It is still a tiny blip compared to a GDP nearing USD100 billion but it’s a noticeable blip that is growing markedly Read more
Remittance and liquidity
October 11, 2009
The governor of Bangladesh Bank seems to have come out of the early euphoria over the central bank’s rapidly increasing international reserves caused largely by remittances.
Like most other people he was convinced of the virtues of an ever-increasing flow of remittances and large reserves. But the balance sheet of his bank, and that of the rest of Read more
‘Obama effect’ vis-a-vis Bangladesh
January 24, 2009
Sadeq Khan
By classical military definition, the winner in a battle is the army that remains on the battlefield when the battle is over. The Hamas leadership in the Gaza strip still stands, suffering and resisting over three weeks of savage attacks, carnage and ruination by the mighty Israeli war machine.
Israeli writer and peace activist Uri Anvery commented in Counterpunch, January 19 issue: “The planners of the war (in Gaza) chose the timing with care: during the holidays, when everybody was on vacation, and while President Bush was still around. But they somehow forgot to take into consideration a fateful date: next Tuesday (January 20) Barack Obama will Read more
Nepal proceeding towards a republic
January 17, 2009
Shamsuddin Ahmed
Nepal is undergoing significant changes. Maoists, who came to power through an election last year, have recently adopted a political declaration to turn the country unto a people’s republic in line with China. They have started unification of left parties. Communist (Unity Centre) merged with the Maoist on Tuesday (January 13) and Masal Group was integrated few days ago. Renamed as Unified CPN (Maoist), the party now feels stronger.
Meanwhile, a Chinese team visited Kathmandu this week to discuss construction of a dry port at Larcha on Tibet border, opposite Tatopani in Nepal, at a cost of Read more
What the political parties are promising us: Pros & Cons
December 15, 2008
Commentary
Mahmud ur Rahman Choudhury
All eyes and minds are riveted on the politics of the Country with the major political combines of BNP and AL in a tizzy over the upcoming polls. BNP and AL have issued their manifestos on 12 and 13 December respectively, promising everyone every conceivable and some inconceivable things too. Well, it remains to be seen how many of these promises will be fulfilled but if the past is any guide, right after the ceremonies are over it will be business as usual, meaning that there will be a government but little governance and there will be a parliament but little democracy.
Before going into a discussion of the pros and cons of the election manifestos, it is necessary to Read more
Khaleda, Hasina’s fate inextricably linked
November 22, 2008
Hasanuzzaman Khan.
The fast changing course of events preceding the December parliamentary elections once again reminds that the political careers of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia have been inextricably linked.
The Election Commission seems to be in a paradox over ensuring legitimacy of the upcoming parliamentary polls in December in the event of a boycott by any of the two political parties. Fixing a date for a much yearned poll seems to be the main obstacle for the Election Commission, whether it Read more
Zillur’s announcement shocks nation
November 21, 2008
B.N.P. AGREED TO 28 DEC POLL
Zillur’s announcement shocks nation
Sayed Kamaluddin.
Sheikh Hasina (left), Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed (middle), and Khaleda Zia.
The military-backed caretaker government’s decision that national polls would take place as earlier scheduled on 18 December, which was announced by Education and Commerce Adviser Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman Wednesday evening, belied all expectations. Rather it came as a rude shock to most people.
It was a shock because Rahman in his brief announcement did not tell the whole truth. Yes, not all the political parties agreed to accept the suggested 28 December as the polling date. But it was agreed to Read more
Bangladesh is in bottom 5 states in Internet use
November 21, 2008
U.N. BRIDGE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN ASIA-PACIFIC
Bangladesh is in bottom 5 states in Internet use
Moinuddin Naser in New York.
Bangladesh is among the bottom five countries of the world whose access to Internet is very poor. Less then one per cent of its population has access to internet compared to 80 per cent of the developed countries of Asia only. On November 18, the regional office of United nations in Bangkok discussed the issue how to overcome the ‘digital divide’ between the poorest countries and developed Read more