Economist Wahiduddin Mahmud yesterday underscored the need for making reliable information available for the growth of business.

"Donors, investors and the corporate enterprises here are starved of regular and reliable statistics and information," he said at the launching ceremony of BDNEWS Finance, the financial news service of the Bangladesh News 24 Hours Ltd.

Also a former adviser to a caretaker government, Prof Mahmud said businesspeople here tremendously lack reliable information. "I wonder, how they actually make decisions in a country where the central bank, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the National Board of Revenue (NBR) provide with divergent information and statements, which misguide the investors," he said.

Mir Nasir Hossain, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and

Industry (FBCCI), and Aftab-ul-Islam, former president of American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh, were present at the function as special guests.

BDNEWS Editor Rashed Chowdhury chaired the function, which was moderated by Managing Editor of the news agency Sohel Manzur. A number of people from different corporate houses attended the function.

Prof Mahmud said foreign media and rating agencies only highlight the negative gains of Bangladesh.

He also emphasised the importance of growing knowledge-based economy in the changed global economic scenario.

Corporate houses and investors need analytical news and information to better their businesses, Prof Mahmud felt.

He vented optimism that this sort of financial news service and analysis of news would help the country restore its ravaged image abroad.

BDNEWS, through its new financial news window, will provide

local and international financial, business and corporate reports and analyses with the help of an internet-enabled software developed by its staff.

Mir Nasir Hossain said media can play key role in increasing business volume and competitiveness.

He said businesspeople need information on investment initiatives, new products, market development, corporate structure and global business climate.

The BDNEWS Finance was designed keeping in mind the requirements of banks, financial institutions, small, medium, and large enterprises, chambers, trade bodies and research organisations.

BDNEWS tied up with AFX Asia, the financial news service of the AFP (Agence France-Presse), to offer real time, independent and trusted international economic, corporate and market news through its new window.