Bangladesh

The dollar's nominal effective exchange rate against a broad basket of currencies, including from both advanced and emerging economies, is now at one of its highest points since it started publicizing the data in 1994. 
Currencies

Superstrong dollar threatens debt crisis across emerging economies

Mexico pressured to follow Fed hikes, while Sri Lanka's repayment costs soar

2 September 2022
Bangladesh, where consumers are feeling the pain at the pump, is looking for cheaper fuel options. (Photo by Shahru Nayef)
International relations

Bangladesh eyes cheap Russian fuel oil to lower import bills

Dhaka wary of antagonizing West but desperate to ease inflation, forex pressure

27 August 2022
Rohingya refugees mark the second anniversary of their exodus at a camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on Aug. 25, 2019. Another three years later, they still have nowhere else to go.
Politics

Rohingya refugees mark 5th 'Genocide Day' as repatriation hopes dim

Military control in Myanmar keeps millions in Bangladesh limbo

25 August 2022
Striking Bangladeshi tea workers stage a demonstration at a plantation in the northeastern Moulvibazar District. (Photo by Mintu Deshwara)
Inflation

Bangladesh tea strike spotlights poorest workers' inflation plight

Protests resume after offer of raise to $1.50 a day -- far below $3 demand

22 August 2022
Protesters carry traditional kerosene lanterns during a demonstration against fuel price increases in Dhaka. Kerosene now costs the equivalent of about $1.20 per liter, versus 84 cents before hikes on several types of fuel. (Photo by Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Politics

Bangladesh anger over fuel prices echoes Sri Lanka, Pakistan

Political pressure mounts as nation joins neighbors in seeking IMF aid

17 August 2022
The Bangladesh Special Economic Zone will be the first in the country with world-class infrastructure, according to lead developer Sumitomo. (Photo courtesy of Sumitomo Corp.)
Companies

Bangladesh's first Japanese-backed industrial park nears launch

Sumitomo-led project gives manufacturers a foothold in underdeveloped market

16 August 2022
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Feeding Asia

Opinion: Reform the global food system to end famine

Three clear avenues for action that will limit the spread of the crisis

29 July 2022
A woman fans a baby by candlelight during a recent blackout in Bangladesh. (Photo by Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Economy

Blackouts bedevil Bangladesh as South Asia forex worries mount

Echoing Sri Lanka and Pakistan, woes blamed on Ukraine war and falling reserves

27 July 2022
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Feeding Asia

Asia's agricultural revolution: planting a high-tech future

Population, inflation, climate stoke innovation to grow more with less

15 July 2022
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Feeding Asia

Hunger in Asia on the rise

Inflation, COVID-19, climate, conflict drive food insecurity

6 July 2022
Bangladesh is one of the most fragmented retail markets in Asia, relying on neighborhood shops across the country that ShopUp wants to get online. (Photo courtesy of ShopUp)
DealStreetAsia

Bangladesh tech startup ShopUp nets $65m in new funding

Peter Thiel's Valar Ventures leads latest round for mom-and-pop platform

27 June 2022
People wade through flooding as they search for shelter in northeastern Bangladesh on June 18.
Natural disasters

Death toll in Bangladesh, India floods rises to 42

Dhaka searches for millions stranded by nation's worst monsoon disaster in years

19 June 2022
Abortion laws in Asia reflect demographic trends, the sway of religion and social traditions. In South Korea (pictured), abortion was illegal until 2019, when it was decriminalized despite opposition from the Christian community.
The Big Story

Abortion in Asia: The limits of choice

The overturning of Roe v. Wade could be a watershed for U.S. women's rights. Is the same true in Asia?

15 June 2022
The apparel industry dumps 92 million tons of textiles a year. The European Union hopes new rules will increase recycling, repair and second-hand retail. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and AFP/Jiji)
Business Spotlight

From China to India, Asia braces for EU plan to kill fast fashion

Supply chains may have to shift to recyclable, durable clothes -- with uncertain consequences

10 June 2022
From a Maldives bond payment to India's central bank meeting and Pakistan's upcoming budget, South Asia's economic strain is in focus.
Asia Insight

Beyond Sri Lanka, economic cyclone bears down on South Asia

From Pakistan to Maldives, forex and debt risks grow as inflationary headwinds build

7 June 2022
Workers pick leaves at a tea plantation in northern Bangladesh, where thousands of farmers have traded potatoes, rice and other traditional crops for the more lucrative commodity. (By Kaniz Fatima)
Agriculture

Bangladesh farmers trade lowly spuds for high tea

Growers brew bumper profits with tea leaves as government eyes export markets

31 May 2022
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo addresses Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 27. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
The Future of Asia 2022

Indonesia's Jokowi urges quick rollout of China-backed trade bloc

At Nikkei forum, Hun Sen defends succession plan and denies China 'debt trap'

27 May 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo says that "Indonesia wants to make sure that the G-20 will serve as a catalyst for global economic recovery." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
The Future of Asia 2022

Indonesia's Jokowi aims to host successful G-20 despite Russia issue

President urges 'immediate' implementation of China-backed trade bloc

27 May 2022
Carew's distillery west of the capital Dhaka makes spirits distributed through sales centers in three major cities.
Business trends

Bangladesh booze makers toast new liquor laws

Teetotaling Islamic groups push back against updated rules

5 May 2022
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in July 2019.
International relations

India wary of China setting up Bangladesh missile maintenance hub

Beijing 'crossing a line' as it deepens defense ties with old ally of New Delhi

11 March 2022
 With brands including Lucky Strike, Pilot, Derby and Hollywood, British American Tobacco dominates cigarette sales in Bangladesh. (Photo by Sharar Nayel Sartaj)
Consumer

Bangladesh finds backing for Japan Tobacco complaint against BAT

Competition regulator poised to extend probe of South Asia’s top cigarette market

10 February 2022
Bangladeshi composer and master of Puthi-paath, Abu Bakar Siddique, in his home studio: "It's hard to understand the magic of Puthi-paath by sitting in a room amid the concrete jungle." (Photo by Faisal Mahmud)
Arts

Bangladeshi bard breathes life into the dying art of Puthi-paath

Once a vital source of entertainment in rural Bengal, now almost obsolete

16 December 2021
Islami Bank Bangladesh was one of the first banks to offer religious banking services in the country. (Photo by Sharar Nayel)
Finance

Bangladeshi banks scurry to meet demand for Islamic services

Most of nation's institutions now offer some religious finance

25 November 2021
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government have been tightening social media controls since 2018. (Nikkei montage/Reuters/Akira Kodaka)
Politics

Bangladesh tightens grip on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms

Next salvo would compel social media players to hand over user details

9 September 2021
A man sells vegetables on the street in Dhaka on July 6. Bangladesh is one of the most fragmented retail markets in Asia and has huge potential to grow.
DealStreetAsia

Bangladeshi retail tech startup raises $74m from US fund

ShopUp to expand mobile-first digital platform for mom-and-pop shops

6 September 2021