Friday, January 14, 2022

La Semaine Dernière A Mes Yeux

(07 janvier---14 janvier)

Selon un reportage, accident dans la rue a tué 6284 dont 803 étudiants dans un an.Il y a une augmentation de 13%.

Selon un reportage, incendie a ravagé 1200 toits de chaume et a fait 30000 Rohingyas sans-abris dans un camp à Cox's Bazar.

Selon un reportage, le gouvernement a réintroduit mesures sanitaires à travers du pays puisque Omicron propageait rapidement au Bangladesh. 3500 personnes ont été détectées le jeudi.

Omicron Restrictions And Some Concerns

Omicron casts shadow over life and business,
Causing worries without any guess.
Ineffective social security programs and packages
Demand new way to manage the damages.

As the daily detection rate from Omicron reaches the worrying level, government has reintroduced sanitary restrictions. Just on Thursday, govt confirmed 3500 cases of Omicron(12%). And the number continues to swell. The number of people vaccinated(less than one-third) is still low compared to total population1. Among others, the restrictions include 1 passenger per seat in public transport , musk-wearing and must vaccination certificate for eating at restaurant. However,main opposition views the restrictions as a tool to contain their movement for freeing chief of the opposition party detained under trumped-up charges. There is some truth in accusation.

But it is the economic concerns of the COVID related restrictions that cause most worry. Platform of businessmen held a press conference and urged govt not to impose lockdown. Lockdown seriously hampers economic activity and businesses are yet to recuperate earlier losses.

Moreover, there has been call from various quarters for widening the social safety net. But misuse of social security programs and incentive packages left a serious blot in government reputation.

Back in August 08,last year I penned a piece titled “Flawed Incentive Programs”2,highlighting irregularities reported in the press on government backed programs. Sharing bits of it again:

… series of reports laid bare flaws and inefficiencies attached to social security programs and incentive packages designed to assuage Corona-battered business community. Built-in corruption in management and disbursement of funds of the programs, as exposed by the news reports, once again undermines people’s trust on government at a moment when it badly needed their support to mobilize resources on measures to restore COVID-hit economy.

A news report divulged that Ministry of Social Welfare detected some 87,000 fake beneficiaries who swallowed benefits under social security programs3. The matter surfaced when the ministry is implementing digitization of accounts of beneficiaries. So far 7.6 million accounts have been digitized and 2 millions await to join the list.

Another program designed to augment income-earning opportunities for the poor has come under criticism after a government report found irregularities. The 12-year-long "Amar Bari ,Amar Khamar( My Home,My Farm)" benefited 5.7 million people,but 1 million beneficiaries were identified as affluent, not eligible for such program4.Department of implement ation,monitoring and evaluation of Ministry of Planning in its report found that 1 million ,17% of the total beneficiaries, fake beneficiaries took interest-free credit reserved for the poor under the “Amar Bari,Amar Khamar” Project(2009-2021) ,costing TK 78.85 billion of taxpayer’s money. Some swindled the credit for 12 years.

Not only social security programs, irregularities can be traced even in Corona incentive packages for businessmen. Government allotted credit of Tk 300 billion for big businesses and credit of Tk 150 billion for SMEs at subsidized rate of interest. According to a news report, many businessmen misused the credit by repaying old debts,investing in share market and purchasing flat5.It derailed the objectives, propelling economic activities, the credit package initially conceived of. Instead of bringing the pace in manufacturing, retail and SME activities, misuse of the fund makes it unlikely to avail more soft credit in the future. So cash-strapped SMEs will face further problems to manage working capitals for their businesses.

Earlier 22000 fake freedom fighters had been detected in freedom fighter allowance program. Facing a barrage of criticism, government hardened the procedures for identifying the true freedom fighters and discarded the fake ones from the list.

Even corruption mars "home for the homeless" project,which is being implemented by Prime Minister’s Office. Use of substandard materials, project site on flood-prone land and bribery called into question the objective of the whole project.Even PM' s office has started probe in 36 upazilas6.

My own survey on rickshawpullers for my site reveals that only a minority of the true target population receives the social security programs. I interviewed 43 rickshawpullers and only three subscribed to any of these programs. And all of them were relatives of local representatives who are responsible for running the operations of social security programs at grass root level7.

The revelations expose inefficient management of public funds and waste of taxpayer’s money. This will further hold back widening of social security programs and implementation of post-COVID efforts.

One thing is apparent that most of the scams in social security programs got exposed while digitizing the database. If mobile operators and mobile financial service providers are able to sell SIM and open accounts with biometric verification why can the government not go for this step to identify the beneficiary population?Bangladesh runs an array of social security programs from allowance for senior citizens to allowance for freedom fighters.These programs cost Tk 641.76 billion in 2018-19(Source: Bangladesh Economic Review 2019) and in 2021 rose to Tk 955.74 billion3. Even tiny scam could wipe out thousands of crores of taxpayer’s money. Seldom heard or reported in the press about the fact that other government agencies had given prior information about murky affairs or shoddy dealings in various programs run by ministries. This fund may fall in wrong hands and may be used to stir trouble at home or abroad or weaken democracy and democratic institutions. So there is no reason to take wasting of taxpayer’s money slightly.

Recently IMF in a report raised concerns as it observed the real forex reserve of Bangladesh Bank should be $39 billion instead of claimed $46 billion. IMF noticed that $7 billion of the reserve used to finance infrastructure projects,to lend local banks ($6.83 billion) to ease dollar demand and to lend abroad8. However, such deductions(spending on non-forex assets) did not reflect on forex reserve. Now only time will tell whether the ailing banks will be able to pay back the money to Bangladesh Bank.

The cry for fresh incentives and social security programs is louder. Without making proper scrutiny of the fate of earlier funds,it would be a mistake to announce fresh packages and credits. The best way to disburse packages is through microcredit agencies as this could thwart away potential default ers or frauds. For administering such packages,respective agency would receive a fee and would charge special or no interest rate. For instance, an agency may receive Tk 5 for managing a credit of Tk 100. Government will lend Tk 100 to microcredit agency and the agency will lend Tk 95 at 0% to people. If soft interest rate is charged then govt's contribution to agency will be lower. In case of any default or calamity, govt may offer further credit.Leakages and losses will be much more lower than the traditional disbursement of social security programs/incentive packages.

And I wrap up with the concluding remarks of the August piece:

Ensuring accountability of all government organizations is the key to plug the holes in leakages of management of public fund and resources. If this continues without any checks, people’s trust on government and government institutions will erode and their support on undemocratic forces may rise. Just throwing the money in gutters in the name of ineffective social security and corona incentives only swell the pockets of a certain quarter who excel the art of misappropriating public funds and those who have evil intentions to cause trouble at home and abroad. Amending the laws to hold all the quarters accountable to constitutional bodies is the first step to stem corrupt practices.

Notes And References:

1.“Omicron: Spreading fast,Restrictions Begin From Today”,BBC Bangla,January 13,2022,Link here

2. “Flawed Incentive Programs”,Rezaul Hoque, https://hoquestake.blogspot.com, August 08,2021,Link here

3.”87000 Bhatabhogir Khonj Nei(No Trace of 87000 Beneficiaries)”, Najnin Akhter,Daily Prothom Alo, July 26,2021.

4. “Gorib Sajlen 10 Lakh Sochchhol(1 Million Affluent People Played Poor)”,Arifur Rahman,Daily Prothom Alo,August 02,2021.

5. “Pronodonar Taka Noy Chhoy(Misuse of Incentive Money)”, Daily Prothom Alo,July 26,2021.

6.“Ashrayan-2 Project Scam: 36 Upazilas Under Scanner”,Ali Asif Shawon, Dhaka Tribune,July 06,2021.

7. “Live Stock”,Rezaul Hoque,https://hoquestake.blogspot.com/2020/01/live-stock.html?m=1,January 11,2020.

8.“Forex Reserves Overstated By $7.2 Billion: IMF”,Jebun Nesa Alo, Business Standard, October 23,2022,Link here

Friday, January 7, 2022

La Semaine Dernière A Mes Yeux

(31 décembre --- 07 janvier)

Selon un reportage, 87 personnes ont été tuées dans élection rurale. Véhicule de police a été détruite à Jamalganj.

Selon un reportage, femme d'un ancien ministre a déposé plainte de torture contre lui.

Selon un reportage, 9238 plaintes de pollution de son ont été enregistrées en 2021.

An Interview And Power Of Pacifism

Passive resistance and power of pacifism
Make strong Bangladesh and end jingoism.

A Bangladeshi daily recently took an interview of head of Arakan Army,a group fighting for independence in Rakhine State of Myanmar. Key takeaways of that interview are: Arakan Army signed a ceasefire agreement with Tatmadaw,it maintains a 30000-strong army, it recognizes Rohingyas as “Muslims of Rakhine State”,it wants to play role in resolving the Rohingya crisis and awaits Bangladesh response,situation in Rakhine State is not conducive for Rohingya repatriation,its parallel administration in Rakhine State employs local Muslims, armed Muslim cadre of Arakan Army recently defected and joined ARSA, and Bangladesh does not like its activity in Bangladeshi side and it honors Bangladesh’s stance1.

The interview was published at a time when UN rapporteur on human rights situation in Myanmar in a press conference claimed that UN has information on ARSA activities inside the Rohingya camps of Bangladesh2. Prior to that a Rohingya leader was shot dead by assailants believed to be ARSA cadres. Slain leader Muhibullah played crucial role in mobilizing Rohingyas to raise their demand for trying Myanmar Army for the brutality against Rohingya.

Despite the relative calm in the Rakhine State due to the ceasefire agreement,clashes erupted in neighboring Chin State and other parts of Myanmar.

Bangladesh so far did the right thing to keep itself aloof from the internal turbulence of Myanmar. However, in the past, Bangladeshi authority detained several separatists from CHT and ceased and destroyed many poppy and cannabis fields whose ownership remained mystery though publicly it was claimed that those were operated by separatist groups of both the countries. CHT has a heavy presence of armed forces personnel.

Invasion of methamphetamine at ease also questions willingness of its security establishment to contain the problem. The problem is so grave that killing of a retired Army officer by a Police officer almost created rift between the govt and the Army. And extrajudicial killing of a counselor in Cox's Bazaar resulted in imposition of sanction against key personnel of RAB and Police.

Despite being a suspect, Tatmadaw did far more better job in nabbing drug kingpins. Tatmadaw cooperated with international press to unearth the drug operations inside its territory. Such effort helped international authority to arrest a drug lord in Europe,known as “El Chapo of Asia”3.Meanwhile, Bangladesh authority always throws cold water to any such initiative and even put up hurdles in doing report by international press. Even it remained silent to Tatmadaw’s accusations of infiltrating drug-making ingredients inside Myanmar. Tatmadaw was just echoing an UNODC report that shared some chilling findings on drug trade in this region. According to UNODC report, size of methamphetamine market in Bangladesh is $5.5 billion4. Without endorsement of security establishment, such trade cannot continue unabated. In addition, such illicit trade is key to sustain insurgent groups and cadre-based political parties which are aplenty in this part of the world.

Many army-backed group in the past found involved in accumulating wealth abroad and investment in troubled region of Bangladesh. Sikder Group created a storm in the tea cup by purchasing land from Sena Kalyan Sangstha in Bandarban,few kilometers away from Myanmar border, in a bid to set up a five-star hotel. Indigenous Mro people protested the purchase arguing the land belonged to them and it threatened their livelihood5. The group has investments in Thailand and Caribbean Islands6. Earlier, Singapore authority froze an account of $1 billion belonged to an individual from Bangladesh7. News report of local daily revealed that it belongs to a Bangladeshi politician who was hanged by Bangladesh for war crimes. He was advisor of parliamentary affairs to former Prime Minister and his family owns QC shipping line and private container depot among other ventures. It was unknown how Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury amassed such wealth abroad. List goes on. A Bangladeshi businessman enters the list of billionaires of Singapore8. He is brother of a ruling party politician who also headed parliamentary committee on defense. The Summit Group like Quader Chowdhury also operates a cargo container service (riverine), an inland container depot and an LNG terminal.

Despite being a democratic county (non-functioning),we have institutions that have no accountability to people.Such lacking in turn help fostering criminal activities and groups.

Tatmadaw fares well in contrast to our ones.From one of earlier posts,sharing my views on Tatmadaw:

Unlike other regional armies, Tatmadaw has some unique features. It is an organization that was not modeled after the outgoing colonial master's army and that does not hinge on its former colonial master to train its personnel as some of its neighbors do. Home-grown and oriental orientation to training and grooming of future military leaders have its pros and cons. Often in our region we see regional armies have officers whose views and convictions are moulded by the country of origin of their trainers. At various stages, they developed some kind of split loyalty and embarked upon misadventures that froze constitution and took away freedom of expression for several years. This derailment of democracy, often happens through bloody events, crippled institutions that are quintessential to flourish democracy9.

Following an impasse in the repatriation process and a World Bank policy framework on refugee management inside Bangladesh, a former Foreign Secretary wrote the following in his column:

They have to fight their own struggles and others can only assist them. No sign is there among them. Are they waiting for angels to send them back to their homeland? No such thing happened to ethnic groups who had been displaced for many reasons.

Following the assumption of power by Myanmar military, NLD and other small parties formed a coalition government. Many ethnic guerrilla groups joined them. But no one recognizes it, even Bangladesh does not recognize it. Bangladesh should not recognize it. But no recognition does not bar one to have contact with such government. Indirect contact could be set up and an understanding should be reached in a bid to resolve the Rohingya crisis. … this government pledged to resolve the Rohingya crisis, no matter how fragile that pledge is,Rohingyas should step forward. Not that every Rohingya will play an armed role,but could play the role of close confident.For the sake of long term interest,Bangladesh needs to play a role to make a close contact between Rohingya and NLD-led coalition government. Small investment could yield better harvest. Nothing guarantees resolving the crisis,but useless it is to miss the chances,be it big or small.10

Last year in August 15,I penned a piece titled “What’s In A Name?“. Sharing parts of it again:

I think Bangladesh should abstain from entertaining any armed misadventure to put an end to Rohingya crisis. It will not only harm image of Bangladesh,but will also engender our relationship with our neighbors. Pitfalls lie in such ideas could unsettle and undo any short term gains.Look at Pakistan. Despite being one of the victims of terrorism, its built-in image makes it a less trustworthy partner in international community.Its democratic institutions are in tatters as domestic and foreign policies were decided by others ignoring people’s representatives and the Parliament.

Bangladesh should not tread on that path as such steps may hurt our image and may ostracize us in international community. Moreover,we inked a bilateral deal with Myanmar regarding repatriation of the Rohingyas. Any misadventure may put on hold that process and cost us losing the Myanmar Army that has been in charge of running the country for the last six decades and may do so for the next six decades or so. They are the only powerful institution in that country and has considerable leverages on the country and people. Myanmar as a country is a delicate case in the region. China,Thailand and India all house thousands of ethnic Myanmar groups. But never support directly any armed struggles against the Tatmadaw. And the countries maintain good relations and help it militarily11.

From the interview of Arakan Army chief, it has become clear the Rakhine State is not safe for Rohingya repatriation. Frustrations of Bangladeshi policymakers over the issue also worry ordinary citizens as it may lead to choosing a wrong step.

The prolonged nature of the Rohingya crisis makes donor agencies’ suggestion for access to education, setting up business, land purchase and access to credit more tenable. The measures will make them less vulnerable to the lures of evil quarters, will empower them and thereby will reduce the risks coming from the camp-dwelling Rohingyas.

Without any mainstream education and livelihood opportunities, there is a risk that they may fall victims of regimented groups by subscribing to non-mainstream education. It will make the Rohingya management much more difficult. No matter which sides of the border the Rohingyas reside in, educated Rohingyas will be true asset for both the countries.

I think the best way to mitigate the Rohingya crisis is to reach out all levels of civilian and military leadership in Myanmar and allow them to reap the benefits of Bangladesh economy11.

At the end of the day, image of brand Bangladesh matters us a lot than anything else. Pacifism, standing for the just cause,respecting international laws,territorial integrity of others and passive resistance not only help maintaining high moral ground but also make strong brand Bangladesh. Housing millions of stateless people does not weaken Bangladesh. Rather it strengthens its image and influence.

Notes And References:

1 “Amra Rohingyader Nagarik Odhikar Shikar Kori(We Recognize Rohingyas' Right To Citizenship)”,Ashfaq Roni,Shafiqul Alam and Altaf Parvez,Daily Prothom Alo,January, 02,2022

2 “UN Rights Envoy Calls For Global Efforts To Cut Fund Flow For Myanmar Military Junta”,bdnews24.com,December 19,2021 Link here

3 “Tse Che Lop: Alleged Asian Drug Lord Arrested In Amsterdam”,BBC,January 24,2021,Link here

4 “UNODC Report And Meth Market Of Bangladesh “,Rezaul Hoque, https://hoquestake.blogspot.com ,July 25,2019 Link here

5 “Mro People Protest ‘Hill-Land Grabbing' For 5-Star Hotel,Tourist Spot “,Daily Star,November 09,2020,Link here

6 “Las Vegas Soho Boro Boro Shohore Sikdar Group Er Bipul Sompod(Sikder Group Perks Wealth In Las Vegas And Other Cities)”,Daily Prothom Alo,June 09,2020,Link here

7 “Singapore Aat Hajar Koti Taka'r Malik Me?(Who Is The Owner Of $1 Billion In Singapore?) ”,Bangladesh Protidin,November 28,2020,Link here

8 “Summit’s Aziz 34th Richest In Singapore:Forbes",Daily Star,August 16,2018,Link here

9 “Don’t Discard Tatmadaw”,Rezaul Hoque,https://hoquestake.blogspot.com,November 24,2019Link here

10 “Rohingyader Jatigoto Shodhoner Pokkhe Bishwa Bank?(World Bank For Ethnic Cleansing Of The Rohingyas?)”,Towhid Hossain,Daily Prothom Alo,August 12,2021.

11“What’s In A Name?”,Rezaul Hoque,https://hoquestake.blogspot.com,August 15,2021,Link here

Friday, December 31, 2021

La Semaine Dernière A Mes Yeux

(24 décembre --- 31 décembre)

Selon un reportage, un bus s’est fait renverser et a parcuté un autre bus à Khilkhet,Dhaka. Le bus agresseur appartient à dirigeant de la plateforme des patrons de bus privée.

Selon un reportage, dans un croisement à Narayanganj,un train a frappé un bus en tuant 2 passagers sur place.

Selon un reportage, RAB a appréhendé patron de bateau motorisé dans lequel incendie avait tué 45 personnes le 24 décembre.

Selon un reportage, Corona a péri 7 personnes dans les dernières 24 heures. De plus,cas de détection a franchi 500 par jour.

Another Disaster,Another Headline

A burning launch in the middle of a river
Exposes the governance crisis in deeper.

Once again Bangladesh was made international headline due to country’s worst launch fire that killed 45 people. It happened at a time when the country is celebrating 50th anniversary of its victory1. Initial probe divulged that a newly installed engine was origin of the deadly fire. Police already arrested the owner for negligence. Further investigation is being carried out.

Within hours of that launch disaster,another incendiary disaster in a Chattogram shipbreaking yard injured several workers2. An indication that industrial accidents worsens in recent years.

In the wake of that launch disaster,mobile court of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is conducting special drive across the country, finding irregularities in many vessels and imposing penalties3.

On the eve of Bakri Eid this year, Bangladesh was found in news reports of international press for a deadly factory fire on the outskirts of Dhaka. In the wake of that disaster,I wrote the following piece titled “Another Industrial Disaster : Decoding The Incongruities “. Sharing bits of it again:

The juice factory in question is used to store and produce consumer products like beverages and snacks. In that cramped factory premises,many children and women were working on that fateful day.Hashem Food factory fire,killed 49 people, still rankles with us. Prior to that, mysterious explosion in a shopping mall in the middle of a residential cum commercial area killed 15 people in a busy part of Dhaka, including the security guard living in the basement. Official probe report blamed gas leakage from an abandoned gas connection, severed due to pending dues 5 years ago.No independent verification is there as independent forensic investigation is not allowed. Nor is it encouraged.

Shock and puzzle displayed on the press might remind one such incident is incongruous in Bangladesh’s industrial environment. But flourishing of crony capitalism, feudal mindset ,deception and trampling over other’s legitimate rights set the context for such tragedies. It is there in subtle and less crude form ,we get puzzled and shocked only when tragedies struck. Prelude to catastrophe is pretty much written in our society4.

Motorized boat disaster is not new in Bangladesh. Between April 02 and April 09, just before introducing harder lockdown, a boat capsized near Narayanganj,killing 35 persons. It had been hit by cargo vessel belonging to a ruling party MP. Passengers had been trying to go to southern districts before strict lockdown came into effect.

On May 03, a motorized boat carrying 26 passengers sank in Padma after hitting a bulkhead near Munshiganj at Shimulia ghat. All the 26 passengers, on their way to villages, were dead. Later it turned out that an untrained and addicted boy was steering the boat. On May 12, another tragedy struck at Banglabazar ghat in Madaripur. Stampede in an overcrowded ferry killed 5 passengers5.

Recurrence of such tragedies is an indication that something is horribly wrong in the system of accountability. This year this was the third incident that put Bangladesh’s name on international press for reasons that ashamed us. Only better governance could ensure an acceptable level of accountability that could help avoiding such tragedies.

Notes And References:

1 “Jhalakathi’r Sugandha Nadite Modhyo Rate Pude Jaya Launch Tite Ki Ghotechhilo(What Happened On The Burning Launch On The Fateful Night In Jhalakathi's Sugandha River)”,BBC Bangla,December 24,2021Link here

2 “Four Workers Injured In Chittagong Shipyard Blast”,Pimple Barua,Dhaka Tribune,December 25,2021, Link here

3 “Saat Ti Launch E Ovijan,Shob Koto Tei Truti”,Daily Prothom All,December 30,2021

4 “Another Industrial Disaster: Decoding The Incongruities “,Rezaul Hoque,July 30,2021,https://hoquestake.blogspot.com,Link here

5 “Exodus And Awareness “,Rezaul Hoque,May 13,2021,https://hoquestake.blogspot.com,Link here

Saturday, December 25, 2021

And The March Continues

Global brands rally behind the exit queue
Mocking govt efforts to bring investment new.

One after another global brand continues to quit Bangladesh at a moment when Bangladesh badly needs their presence to augment employment opportunities and revenue.South African Nandos and French Lafarge are two of the latest incidents to start with.

Nandos started its journey in Bangladesh back in 2008.Later it opened several outlets in Bangladesh. As per news report, Corona made a heavy dent in its operation here, forcing it to shut down all 4 outlets in Bangladesh.1

Lafarge was one of the few companies that had strong presence in Bangladesh. Recently, it decided to sell stocks of its operation here following a gas bill row with the government2. Lafarge went to court but the court ruled in favor of the government. It is unclear why Lafarge left the country while infrastructure boom is going on.

Earlier Corona-battered big brands stopped sourcing from Bangladesh. UK-based Debenhams closed its Bangladesh office without clearing the dues. Later Debenhams' employees held press conference demanding their arrears and compensation3.

Being a less developed country that enjoys relaxation of ownership right laws on drugs,Bangladesh has long been destination of global pharmaceutical brands. However, many opted to leave the country without giving any valid reason. GlaxoSmithkline announced its closure three years ago. Its consumer division was making profit back then. So the announcement came as a surprise. French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi and Purdue Pharma followed suit.There has been some issues in business environment or governance. None bothered to search the answer.

In IT, Accenture, an Indian IT firm doing some content related work for Telenor in Bangladesh, abruptly declared closure of its operations in Bangladesh. This kind of announcement did not send positive signal abroad to foreign investors. Meanwhile, key businesses and funds to stimulate business are being concentrated into the hands of some cronies who have proven that they are unable to bring the much needed wind of change in the economy. From garbage collection to public infrastructure construction, one can see the footprints of powerful oligarchs who spare no means to get rid of any competitor or obstacle. Recent drive against casino is an eye opener. Greed of the few brings down the whole system and corrupts the process of transparent dealing. In the end, government spending does not stimulate the private sector, plays no role to create any meaningful jobs and finds innovative ways to be laundered abroad.

A handful of groups are responsible for the bad loans that cause bankers and government officials to spend sleepless nights as piling up of bad loans poses serious menace to the economy. From container transportation through waterways to direct to home TV services, powerful oligarchs control the vital businesses , leaving little room for private sector, which will take the onus to propel the economy, to play any leading role.

This is indeed not a very promising sign for the future course of the economy, which requires a holistic growth approach to create more opportunities for all and to accelerate the trickle down process to dispel inequality.

One global brand after another abandons Bangladesh, mocking the indicators that say business climate is improving. Meanwhile, concentration of wealth into the hands of the powerful few augurs ill for Bangladesh economy4.

Notes And References:

1 “Nandos Keno Bangladesh Chhere Gelo (Why did Nandos leave Bangladesh)? “,Business Inspection Bd,December 17,2021Link here

2 “Lafarge Ki Bangladesh Chharte Chain(Does Lafarge want to quit Bangladesh)?”,Mehedi Hasan Rahat,Bonikbarta, October 06,2021 Link here

3 “Winter Is Coming!”, Rezaul Hoque,https://hoquestake.blogspot.com,January 17,2021,Link here

4 “Big Brands Ditch Bangladesh”,Rezaul Hoque,https://hoquestake.blogspot.com,November 07,2019,Link here