E-commerce and the Digital Frontier

Producers eye e-commerce to boost sales
Some of the consumer product brands are betting on e-commerce as their expansion pathway, riding on the booming technology wave. Big producers and esteemed fashion houses shared their opinions about the boons of e-commerce. Targeting global consumers is the new window of opportunity being discussed presently.

Robi introduces free WiFi services in commuter buses, taxicabs
Robi is coming up with leading technological advances in the country, with Wifi Hotspots in buses and taxis. 100 of each have received free Wifi Internet powered by Robi. Robi will encourage consumers further with provision of this service soon to 500 top resaurants, cafes, retail outlets, 100 educational institutes, 10 public places, as well as increasing the number to 350 buses and taxis. 1GB Robi Internet pack subscribers can access Wifi in these places for free. The telecom has partnered with the ISPsAccessTel, Qubee and Amra to plan this. Robi believes about creating "digital bridges" and has been delivering on that front purposefully.

Grameenphone, Facebook launch Free Basics
Grameenphone has already established Easynet, which provides information about learning the internet for free. It has already attracted 1.5 million users. Now, Facebook Free Basics is being introduced which allows people to use Facebook for free.

Bangladesh Bank not electronically secure

Bangladesh Bank exposed to hackers by cheap switches, no firewall: cops

The big-money electronic heist that scourged the country has identified some basic shortcomings of the Bangladesh Bank itself, which contributed to the international siphoning. The shocking absence of a Firewall security to prevent cyber attacks. Furthermore, cheap USD $10 switches to network computers in turn connected to the SWIFT global payment network has piled up lax security.

Warnings for ill-businesses

NBR: New budget to be dreadful for dishonest business

The NBR is officially coming down on mal-practicing businesses, as stated by the NBR Chariman. The statement directly implied NBR's monitoring will be fortified and it will be reflected in the upcoming Budget. Policy measures will be present as always for incentivizing honest businesses, while serving dishonest ones severely.

BIMAN flies high

Biman carries over 2m more passengers in FY 2014-15

Biman has been on a loss-incurring streak from 2009-10 to 2013-14, due to irregularities and mismanagement which plagued the industry. In FY 2014-15, new policies were adopted. Some of them were hiring a new CEO, phasing out old DC-10 aircrafts, induction of new aircraft to the fleet including a Boieng 777 300 ER, detecting and utilizing profitable routes while discontinuing loss making ones. The new CEO was replaced by an Acting CEO during his absence and a loss making first half.

In 2014-15, Biman carried over 20 lakh more passengers being 28% more, transported almost 31% more cargo, earned a profit of Tk 272 crores.

Bond facilities - NBR policy changes

NBR plans policy changes to check misuse of bond facilities
To battle duty evasion exercised in bonded warehouse facilities the government has detected the incapacity in the existing system to deal with this. Thus, before the next fiscal, the NBR has planned initiatives to ensure bonded warehouse facilities are not extended to regular imports. It has planned to reduce or withdraw VAT on the items under this facilities. Only the 5% duty will be kept and the 15% VAT will be abolished.