PRESS DIGEST - BANGLADESH - Nov 8

These are some of the leading stories in the Bangladesh press on Sunday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

THE DAILY STAR

--- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed that the electric power generated in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan could be exported to neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh.

--- Sluggishness has gripped the entire public administration, as all previous reform attempts towards making it service oriented have gone into hibernation amid mounting political influence of successive ruling parties.

THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS

--- Key donors have suggested that the government scrap railway track on the proposed Padma Multipurpose Bridge in a bid to trim bulging project cost, which is expected to swell to US$2.7 billion, officials said Saturday.

--- The newly introduced Book Building method will encourage entrepreneurs to list their companies with stock exchanges as it ensures fair pricings of initial public offerings, head of the securities regulator said Saturday.

THE INDEPENDENT

--- Although the current low inflation has offered some relief to the consumers, it has also triggered the rise of real interest rate substantially leading to lower investment. It will present a dismal investment picture as it is already hit hard by energy and power shortage as well as uncertainty over global financial crisis.