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BB likely to set interest rate ceiling for SME loans

Bangladesh Bank may set a ceiling of interest rate for SME loans to curb the existing high banks’ interest rate of 18 to 20 per cent in the sector, said central bank officials. A BB official told New Age on Thursday that the central bank had taken... Full story

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Green chilli too hot, tomato sour in Ramadan

The prices of green chilli and tomato, the two common items used to prepare iftar during the fasting month of Ramadan, as well as of potato, soared high in the city’s kitchen markets over the week ending Friday. Prices of most of the other commodities... Full story

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Taka shines against dollar

The taka has gained nearly five per cent against the US dollar over the past six months as import of products except fuel oil fell and foreign remittance rose. The foreign currency reserve touched $10.70-billion mark on Thursday as the 2012-13 fiscal... Full story

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Drought delivers fresh blow to reeling India economy

A summer drought makes a bad situation worse for an Indian economy already crippled by a sharp slowdown in growth, persistent inflation and a politically hamstrung government. Late on Thursday, New Delhi confirmed... Full story

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Facebook growth clouded by dubious accounts

Facebook’s latest figures showing growth in global users also highlights concerns that some may come from dubious sources — duplicate accounts, pages for pets and those designed for spam. Full story

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Asian stocks hit by ECB decision

Asian markets mostly fell on Friday after the European Central Bank dashed traders’ hopes for strong policy actions to support troubled eurozone economies. Downbeat earnings reports from two of Japan’s biggest... Full story

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Oil prices rebound

World oil prices rebounded Friday, recouping some of the previous day’s losses, as traders snapped up bargain crude ahead of crucial non-farm payrolls data in the United States. Brent North Sea crude for delivery... Full story

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Euro stays weak in Asia

The euro remained under pressure in Asian trade Friday after suffering a sell-off by investors disappointed by European Central Bank’s lack of action to fight the eurozone debt crisis. The single currency bought... Full story

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China, India service sectors counter downturn

The services sectors in emerging powerhouses China and India grew in July at a healthy pace, providing vital support for the two economies as their manufacturing sectors struggle with the global downturn. China’s official purchasing managers’ index... Full story

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IMF says not enough done to stop spread of eurozone crisis

The International Monetary Fund on Thursday called for a ‘policy game changer’ in the eurozone to arrest the spread of the debt crisis it now says is clearly engulfing the entire currency bloc and its smaller neighbors. Full story

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Draghi opens door to new ECB policy territory

Mario Draghi is leading the European Central Bank into a new policy era. Although the Italian stuffed his ‘guidance’ on fresh ECB action with caveats and conditions, he opened the door to a new round of policy action... Full story

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Samsung to unveil new Galaxy Note in late August

Samsung Electronics is set to take the wraps off a sequel to its popular Galaxy Note smartphone at an event on August 29, about two weeks before the possible debut of Apple’s new iPhone. The two arch rivals are bracing for a full-blown battle with... Full story

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US economy creates 1,63,000 jobs in boon for Obama

The US economy created a solid 1,63,000 jobs in July, the labour department said Friday, unveiling data that will help president Barack Obama dull attacks from his Republican election rival. Full story

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