TBS, from the archive
Since kicking off, The Business Standard has tried and proved its capability and potential as it has proved its aptitude for not only developing unique stories but also covering news of national and international interests for the past one year.
Here are some that have made a 'splash' throughout the year giving you, the reader, a 'panorama' ranging from 'stocks' to 'corporate' and everything in between which may leave you with food for 'thoughts'.
Checking expiry date tampering
A look into malpractice that has been harming the end consumers, bakery manufacturers falsifying the shelf life of food items. Back in January 2020, RAB drives fined a number of companies for it. To rein in such a practice of tampering with both manufacturing and expiry dates, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) had asked all producers and processors of food items to submit a study report on the shelf life of every food item by 7 March that year.
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First coronavirus cases detected in Bangladesh
After ravaging China, the infamous 'Coronavirus' finally stepped into Bangladesh in March. Since the initial three cases detected, the numbers kept going up and with it the reportage on Covid-19. Not only the facts and numbers, but the Business Standard also highlighted and explored its profound impact on the economy, development and lives of people.
They feast on the poor's rice!
We rounded up the scandalous corruption of local government representatives and unscrupulous businessmen who instead of handing out government-supplied rice to the poor, allegedly embezzled those during the early stage of Covid-19 recovery project. Although Law enforcers started working against these anomalies immediately, relief embezzlement had not stopped so quickly.
When the Covid situation kept deteriorating nearly by the middle of the year, this unique piece addressed the skyrocketing rate of unemployment due to the pandemic. Almost three-fourths of the workforce had become jobless and another portion had retained their jobs with less or without pay.
What budget brings for small enterprises
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were among the worst-hit sectors during the peak of Covid-19 outbreak. At around the time of the annual budget announcement, we questioned the possibility for the SMEs and informal micro-businesses to rebound after the Covid-19 pandemic. The National SME Policy 2019 targets enhancing the contribution of this sector to 32 percent by 2024.
Dreams of the desperate trampled by human traffickers
A tragic tale of 27 Bangladeshi trafficked to and trapped in Vietnam. This had pointed to the exploitations of namesake recruiting agencies and the desperate attempts of underprivileged public to migrate abroad. Bangladesh government has a zero-tolerance policy against human trafficking, such incidents are quite frequent.
Looking for export boost riding on trade deals
Despite signing trade agreements and memoranda of understanding with over 40 countries, nothing has been done yet on determining the demand for goods in the countries and what kind of steps can be taken to increase exports to those countries under the agreements. This article addressed the potentials and explored the possibilities of upping the export revenue.
One-stop service: Still a long way to go
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority – Bida launched the one-stop service portal in February 2019 with a promise to provide new trade licences for business. However, our story addressed the negligence of some government organisations that resulted in such an important initiative not being realised fully.
Slowdown in fast-track projects still a concern
While much has been talked about the impacts of Covid-19 on different sectors across the country, the Business Standard wanted to highlight a particular hazard that is still a thing to worry till date. Despite the resumption of work after a few months of suspension, the government's high priority fast-track projects are still to pick up enough speed as most foreign experts and consultants – stay stranded in their respective countries.
Padma Bridge's last span installed
The country and our front pages ended the year on a high note as the initial structure of the enormous mega project Padma Multipurpose Bridge, the dream of many, had completed through the plantation of its 'final' span. We covered and had published many features about the indispensable project throughout our founding year.
