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BB to relax rules to attract foreign investment

Bangladesh Bank is going to ease the foreign exchange regulation in a bid to attract foreign investment more to the country, said central bank officials. A BB official told New Age on Thursday that the article of 18 (A) and (B) under... Full story

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Rice prices go up as govt hikes fuel price

The prices of coarse and fine varieties of rice increased on the both wholesale and retail markets in the city over the week. Traders say that the millers have increased the price of rice after recent price hike of fuel oil by the government. The ongoing dense fog is also disrupting the process of production. Full story

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DITF sees holiday rush

The Dhaka International Trade Fair-2013, which began on the New Year Day, drew a large number of visitors on Friday, the second weekend after the start of the trade show. An increased gathering of men and women especially youths were seen in a hurry at all ticket counters to enter the fair... Full story

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World stocks near 20-month high

World shares hovered near a 20-month high on Friday as upbeat comments from the European Central Bank and a massive stimulus plan in Japan boosted optimism about the global economic outlook. Strong Chinese trade figures on Thursday had already raised expectations of a steady global recovery this year, although data of Friday showing a pick-up in the country’s inflation rate prompted some profit-taking... Full story

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Toyota set new record in production, sales in 2012

Japanese auto giant Toyota set new records for vehicle productions, sales and vehicle launches in the United States and said Thursday it had ‘strong momentum’ going into 2013. ‘Toyota achieved a number... Full story

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India’s industrial output drops

India’s industrial output unexpectedly shrank in November, and while the data was badly distorted by the Diwali holiday it was still seen backing the case for an interest rate cut to boost an economy that appears set to post its slowest growth in a decade. Full story

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South Korea cuts growth forecast

South Korea’s central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged for a third straight month Friday, even as it slashed its economic growth forecast for 2013 to 2.8 per cent. The Bank of Korea froze the benchmark... Full story

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Yen falls as Japan unveils spending plan

The yen fell in Asian trade on Friday as Tokyo unveiled a huge stimulus package and kept pressure on the central bank to take more easing steps to stimulate the limp economy. The dollar bought 89.03 yen in... Full story

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Oil prices mixed in Asia

Oil prices were mixed in Asia on Friday with some traders taking profits after enjoying a boost in the previous session thanks to stronger-than-expected trade data out of China, analysts said. Full story

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Foreigners to pay more for Singapore property

Singapore on Friday made it costlier for foreigners to buy property and imposed other measures to cool down the market in which home prices have continued to rise despite an economic slowdown. Full story

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Japan okays $117b spending to stimulate economy

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe made his biggest push yet to make jobs growth part of the Bank of Japan’s mandate as his government approved $117 billion of spending to revive the economy in the biggest stimulus since the financial crisis. Under intense pressure from Abe, the BoJ will likely adopt a 2 per cent inflation target at its January 21-22 rate... Full story

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Food price spike pushes China inflation to seven-month high

China’s annual consumer inflation rate quickened to a seven-month high of 2.5 per cent in December on rising food prices, ahead of expectations and narrowing the scope for the central bank to boost the economy by easing monetary policy. Full story

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UK manufacturing output slumps

British manufacturing output fell in November and industrial production was weaker than expected, official data showed on Friday, sparking renewed speculation that the economy shrank at the end of 2012. Full story

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Obama nominates Lew to succeed Geithner at treasury

US president Barack Obama on Thursday nominated his chief of staff, Jack Lew, as the next treasury secretary, praising him as an expert on the pressing national issues of US government spending cuts and deficit reduction. Full story

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