Shanta Lifestyle Partners with Leading Brands

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.

GPH Ispat plans to raise $150 million through an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to fund a $185 million expansion project, increasing annual production capacity by 500,000 tonnes of billet and rod. The board approved the decision on January 23, appointing PricewaterhouseCoopers as advisors.

The cement industry in Bangladesh faced a sharp decline in 2024, operating at just 45% capacity with monthly sales falling to 34 lakh tonnes from a production capacity of 84 lakh tonnes. Political instability, rising production costs, and delays in government projects reduced demand.

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.

The local paint industry in Bangladesh is struggling due to increased supplementary duties (SD) on paint-related raw materials and product supply, raising costs and reducing consumer demand.

BRAC Bank has been awarded the Remittance Award 2024 by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment for achieving the 4th position in remittance volume among all banks during the fiscal year 2023-24.