HC Orders 40% Space Transfer from Sheraton to Dhaka North

Bangladesh requires 100,000 new flats annually, but realtors can supply only 8% due to affordability constraints and high mortgage interest rates. FR Khan, MD of Building Technology and Ideas (bti), suggests fixing interest rates and increasing loan-to-value ratios to improve accessibility.

Bangladeshi medical tourists have dominated India’s medical tourism sector for years, making up nearly 70% of foreign patients. Between 2017 and 2022, their numbers grew by 48%, reaching 70.8% of total medical tourists in 2023. However, the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024, led to diplomatic tensions, visa restrictions, and a sharp decline in Bangladeshi patients traveling to India.

The supply of new real estate in Dhaka is expected to decrease due to declining applications for building approvals from RAJUK. Economic challenges, higher living costs, political uncertainty, and the impact of the new Detailed Area Plan (DAP) 2022-2035 are key reasons for this decline.

Due to political instability and visa restrictions following Sheikh Hasina's fall on August 5, India has limited visa issuance to Bangladeshi citizens, causing a significant impact on tourism and business. There was a 28.44% decrease in Bangladeshi tourists visiting India in August, September, and October 2023 compared to the previous year.

The Payment and Settlement System Act, 2024, now in effect, enables Bangladesh Bank to pursue legal action against Nagad Limited over alleged operational irregularities. A gazette notification issued by the Financial Institutions Division formalized the legislation, granting certain clauses retrospective effect from August 12, 2023.

The Bangladesh Bank has relaxed the $10,000 foreign currency limit for individuals injured during the July-August mass uprising seeking treatment abroad. Authorized dealers of commercial banks can now release foreign exchange based on medical estimates, with transactions permitted through both traditional banking and international card channels.