JU and ICT Division Signs MoU

Mutual Trust Bank PLC (MTB) has entered into an agreement with Starpath Holdings Ltd to provide Payroll Banking Services to the latter's employees. The agreement was formalized in a ceremony held at MTB's Head Office in Dhaka on September 3, 2024. This partnership aims to streamline payroll management and offer efficient banking services to Starpath Holdings employees.

IDLC Finance PLC has introduced a new payment option for its customers through a partnership with bKash. This service allows users to pay loan instalments, fees, and charges conveniently via the bKash app. Customers can settle payments for various services including loan instalments, document charges, statement fees, excise duty, late payment interest, and loan processing fees from home.

Bangabandhu Satellite-01, launched in 2018 with an investment of Tk 19.51 billion ($248 million), is deemed economically unfeasible due to underutilized bandwidth and low revenue. While 59% of its C-band transponders are used by local TV channels, 26 of the 40 Ku-band transponders remain unutilized. The satellite, with a lifespan extending to 2033, was expected to generate Tk 2.5-3.0 billion annually, but it only earned Tk 1.70 billion in FY 2023 and incurred operating costs of Tk 606.02 million.

Investit Asset Management Limited has launched its first open-end mutual fund, "Investit Growth Fund," with an initial size of Tk25 crore. The fund, sponsored by Investit, is backed by a trust deed signed with Sandhani Life Insurance on September 2, 2024. BRAC Bank will act as the custodian. The fund aims to offer superior risk-adjusted returns by focusing on growth stocks, with Tk2.5 crore contributed by the sponsor and the rest from individual and institutional investors.

Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC has signed a remittance agreement with USA-based Placid Express to facilitate cross-border payments. The agreement was signed at the bank's Corporate Head Office, enabling Bangladeshi expatriates to send money safely and quickly to Bangladesh through Shahjalal Islami Bank. Placid Express is a leading provider of remittance services, serving millions of customers globally.

Domain hosting businesses in Bangladesh are urging the Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) to avoid acting as a domain registrar to ensure fair competition in the retail market. They also call on the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to address price disparities faced by private resellers and to boost the use of dotBD and dotBangla domains. In a recent BTRC meeting, it was noted that BTCL is facing challenges in domain sales due to poor service. The BTRC plans to set a floor price to prevent price discrimination and ensure equitable practices. BTCL will also be integrated into the DNS root zone to enhance cybersecurity and domain management.