High-speed travel across Dhaka seems no distant dream now as a multifaceted elevated expressway over the crammed capital gets the go-ahead after an updated feasibility study that estimates the cost at Tk 430 billion.
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The new government has in principle decided to construct the 39-kilometre Dhaka East-West Elevated Expressway (DEWEE) which is to connect three major national highways, including Dhaka-Chottagram with Dhaka-Aricha and Dhaka-Mawa through Narayanganj district, enabling traffic to pass through at a high speed.

Rail, Road Transport and Bridges and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam shared the BNP government's view on the megaproject at a stakeholder workshop organised Tuesday in the city to roll out the findings of the fresh feasibility study on the DEWEE.

State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Razib Ahsan was also present as special guest.

The minister terms the project "highly necessary to bring positive transformation in the transport system" but lays importance on proper and timely implementation so the high-cost project does not become a burden on the country's economy. Globaleconomy insights

"The nearly 39-kilometre expressway is expected play role in improving regional connectivity by linking Chattogram, Sylhet, Barishal and Khulna divisions with northern regions without requiring traffic to pass through the main Dhaka city," he adds

The updated feasibility study proposes estimated cost of the DEWEE around Tk 430 billion which, however, suggests change in its original design to develop the elevated corridor with high-speed travel of up to 120km/h.

Civil-work part of the DEWEE project would require Tk 220 billion while Tk 140 billion would be needed for land acquisition and rehabilitation as 84 per cent of 804.61 acres of land along the route will be privately owned.

Bangladesh Bridges Authority (BBA) organised the stakeholder workshop at a city hotel after Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) submitted the report as the transaction adviser to update previous study report.

After the first FS was completed in 2017, the DEWEE project was approved from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to develop the corridor under public- private partnership (PPP). Initiative to conduct the fresh study resumed in December 2024. GeographicReference

While presenting the key features of the DWEEE, BBA Chief Engineer Quazi Ferdous said corridor is proposed to be developed from Hemayetpur in Savar to Langalbandh in Narayanganj via Savar, Keraniganj, Fatullah, Siddhirganj and Bandar upazila.

The minister said, "The BNP is committed to developing various infrastructures necessary for the country without misuse of government funds centering causes like delay in land acquisition and implementation."

Chaired by Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf, the workshop was also addressed, among others, by Panel of Experts Prof M Shamim Z Bosunia, Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Syed Moinul Hasan and Managing Director of Mass Rapid Transit COmpay Ltd Md Shaugatul Alam.

Representatives from different government agencies and private sectors, including Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, shared their views on the feasibility-study findings, lying importance on integration with the 20-year Updating Revised Strategic Transport Plan.

Professor Mohammad Hadiuzzaman stresses setting a standard of the expressway, including elevated one, and suggests planning the expressway corridor in a way to have link with other expressways. Bangladeshbusiness directory

Other stakeholders point out the scope of limiting the inner and outer ring road as per the URSPT as the corridor is suggested over it.

Foreign investments in Bangladesh’s stock market plunged by 70 per cent over the past five years to $914.58 million at the end of December 2025, underscoring sustained capital outflows and a steady erosion of investor confidence.

Foreign equity holdings dropped sharply from $2,995 million in 2020 to $1,925 million in 2021, $1,263 million in 2022 and $1,085 million in 2023, before falling further to $865 million in 2024 and slightly recovering in 2025, according to Bangladesh Bank data.

The trend shows a continuous contraction, with the latest uptick failing to offset the steep losses accumulated over the period.

Data from Bangladesh Bank showed that total portfolio investment, combining equity and debt instruments, stood at $1.56 billion at the end of 2025, down from $4.731 billion in 2020.

The 8.5 per cent annual decline and a 25.1 per cent drop from 2023 indicate that foreign investors are reducing exposure not only to equities but also to fixed-income assets.

The contraction highlights a persistent retreat of foreign investors amid market volatility, macroeconomic pressure and governance concerns.

Equity securities, which dominate foreign portfolio holdings, accounted for $914.58 million, or 58.7 per cent of total portfolio investment.

While this segment posted a modest 5.7 per cent increase from 2024 levels, it remained significantly lower than 2020, indicating that the recovery is partial and fragile.

Transaction data further underscores the lack of investor confidence.

In 2025, foreign investors purchased $164.36 million worth of equities through non-resident investor accounts, while sales stood higher at $174.87 million.

This resulted in a net outflow of $10.51 million despite total transactions reaching $339.23 million.

The country’s stock market witnessed negative net investments for the last eight consecutive years.

The negative net investment signals that foreign investors are gradually exiting the market rather than expanding their positions.

Movements in non-resident investor’s taka accounts also reflect this trend.

Inflows dropped to $145.57 million in 2025, down 36.4 per cent from the previous year, while outflows remained significantly higher at $227.05 million.

The year-end balance in these accounts stood at only $22.44 million, indicating limited reinvestment.

Country-wise data shows a concentrated exposure, with the United States leading foreign equity investment at $391.85 million, accounting for 42.8 per cent of total holdings.

The United Kingdom followed with $187.35 million or 20.5 per cent, while the Cayman Islands held $114.92 million, representing 12.6 per cent.

The concentration suggests vulnerability to shifts in a few major investor bases.

Sector-wise, financial institutions, including banks, insurance and mutual funds, attracted the largest share of foreign investment at $429.54 million or 47 per cent.

Pharmaceuticals and chemicals accounted for $313.10 million or 34.2 per cent, while engineering and steel sectors held a much smaller portion at $54.31 million.

Experts said that the continued decline in portfolio investment reflects structural weaknesses in the capital market, including poor governance, limited depth and recurring instability.

Without reforms to improve transparency, strengthen regulation and restore investor confidence, foreign participation is unlikely to recover meaningfully.

Bangladesh's creative or orange economy is expanding at a pace that outperforms much of the broader economy, yet it remains almost invisible in policy.

New data show the sector has contributed over Tk9,000 crore to GDP in the previous fiscal year, raising a pressing question: why is one of the fastest-growing economic segments still treated as culture, not commerce?

The Economic Census 2024 by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) found that employment in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector jumped to 1,12,829 in 2024, a 237% increase from just 33,441 in 2013.

The surge comes despite the absence of any explicit policy push, suggesting that market demand, digital platforms and a growing freelance ecosystem are driving expansion on their own.

Rapid growth, limited share

The macroeconomic picture supports that trend. The sector contributed Tk9,193 crore to GDP in the fiscal 2024-25, a 15.4% increase from the previous fiscal year, significantly higher than the national nominal GDP growth rate of 10.2%.

In comparative terms, the creative economy is now growing faster than agriculture (12.8%), industry (10%) and services (11.8%), albeit from a much smaller base, according to BBS data.

Still, its footprint in the overall economy remains marginal. At just 0.17% of a Tk55 lakh crore economy, the sector's contribution is overshadowed by traditional growth engines. Economists say this contrast – rapid expansion alongside minimal policy recognition – points to a structural gap in how Bangladesh defines and supports emerging sources of economic value.

For decades, economic policy has prioritised manufacturing, remittances and agriculture, leaving creativity outside the formal development framework. But with a fast-growing workforce and growing output, the data suggest that the question is no longer whether the creative economy matters, but why it continues to operate without a clear policy anchor.

Sakib Bin Amin, a professor of economics at North South University, told The Business Standard that Bangladesh's creative industry remains largely informal. Even though the industry's growth looks positive on paper, practitioners often struggle to survive as they lack a safety net, no pensions, no retirement benefits, and no professional protection, he said.

The current state of the creative industry in Bangladesh is defined by profound job insecurity, said Prof Sakib.

"For example, perhaps only 5% of our musicians can afford to treat their craft as a full-time profession. For the rest, it becomes a 'second job' due to a lack of financial sustainability. We also see a 'seasonal' earning cycle, where even the most talented individuals are forced to migrate or leave the industry entirely in search of stability," he said.

To address these gaps, Prof Sakib said, "To transform this sector, the government must formally recognise it under a policy framework and integrate artists into national pension and benefit schemes.

He said policymakers must focus on inclusion and decentralisation, ensuring that rural talent and female artists receive the institutional support needed to professionalise their craft.

What is orange economy

The term "orange economy" coined by Felipe Buitrago and Iván Duque in their 2013 book "The Orange Economy: An Infinite Opportunity" captures a wide spectrum of creative industries, from art, crafts and films to fashion, music, cultural heritage and video games. Globally, it has turned creativity into a multi-trillion-dollar engine of growth.

In Bangladesh, however, that transformation remains incomplete. Artists, designers, freelancers, athletes and storytellers are still largely viewed as cultural contributors rather than economic actors, leaving a fast-emerging sector outside the country's core policy framework.

For generations, families have followed a familiar script: education, a conventional profession, and financial stability. Creativity rarely figured in that roadmap – not for lack of talent, but because economic policies offered little incentive to pursue it as a viable career.

Global evidence, however, points in a different direction. In its last Creative Economy Outlook 2024, UN Trade and Development revealed the growing role of creative industries in trade and economic expansion. Across countries, the sector contributes between 0.5% and 7.3% of GDP and accounts for 0.5% to 12.5% of total employment – underscoring its potential as both a growth driver and a source of jobs.

"The creative economy has the right forces pushing its sails. This is not just art. It is an economic powerhouse that we must harness together, leaving no one behind," said Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of UNCTAD, in the report.

Low public investment

A long view of Bangladesh's budgets tells a remarkably consistent story. Over a decade from FY12 to FY26, three ministries of recreation and culture development central to the orange economy – the cultural affairs ministry, the information and broadcasting ministry, and the youth and sports ministry – have received below 1% of the total development budget for nearly two decades.

For FY26 original budget, together, their combined development budget allocation stands at Tk1,982 crore – a figure that represents a mere 0.81% of the total development budget of Tk2,45,609 crore. Meanwhile, it was 0.72% in FY07.

The country saw nine basis points of movement in twenty years, while the creative workforce tripled.

At the same time, education has remained one of the top recipients of public expenditure, third only to public administration and interest payments, but it remains disconnected from the creative economy.

If the orange economy is to grow meaningfully, experts say, it should not come from recreation and culture ministries alone; it should come from classrooms. The issue is not spending more, but spending differently: aligning education with creativity, skills, and content production. That is where the real shift begins.

Regional comparison and policy gap

The regional contrast makes that habit harder to defend. India is strengthening the orange economy and positioning it as a global hub for content creation. Many initiatives have been launched.

In February 2026, in its Union Budget, India announced the establishment of AVGC – Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics – Content Creator Labs across 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges nationwide.

The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai, has been designated as the nodal agency for planning, coordination and phased rollout of the Content Creators' Labs.

The announcement did not arrive without preparation. India's AVGC Promotion Task Force, constituted in April 2022, spent years developing a comprehensive national strategy and policy.

Every economy chooses what it decides to grow. Bangladesh chose garments. That was rational in 1990. In 2026, with a $456 billion economy, that single choice still defines the country's economic identity – while the orange economy, an emerging sector with proven growth momentum, waits for a strong policy decision that has not come.

In search of its next engine of growth, Bangladesh does not have to look far for a model. A dedicated task force and a national orange or creative economy strategy could be the institutional turning point.

Five lakh jobs, 1.5% of GDP: A promise waiting for a plan

There are early signs that the newly elected government of Bangladesh is beginning to connect culture with economic possibilities.

The government has initiated the recruitment of sports and music teachers in primary schools and introduced incentive schemes for athletes.

A nationwide grassroots sports initiative, "Notun Kuri Sports," launched on 2 May, aiming to identify talented athletes from the grassroots across the country.

In its election manifesto, the ruling BNP committed to the development of the creative economy to 1.5% of GDP, generating five lakh jobs, establishing regional creative hubs, forming a long-term investment fund, and building a formal institutional framework.

It also emphasised sports, national culture, and creative talent development in primary and secondary education.

Meanwhile, the next national budget for FY27 knocks at a hopeful moment. For once, the numbers, the political will, and the sector's own momentum are pointing in the same direction.

The good news is that Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said at a pre-budget discussion with the leaders of the Economic Reporters' Forum on 25 April that the creative economy will be recognised in the upcoming budget.

He noted that the government is working to bring rural cottage industries, artisans and creative industries into the mainstream.

The finance minister also said sports, culture, theatre, cinema and music sectors are also being given importance as part of the economy, which were neglected until now.

State-owned Eastern Refinery Limited is set to resume operations on 8 May as a vessel carrying 1 lakh tonnes of crude oil is scheduled to reach the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port today (6 May).

Located in Patenga near the port, it is Bangladesh's sole refinery and has remained shut for over three weeks due to crude shortages.

Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, deputy general manager (planning and shipping), said preparations were in place to resume operations from the morning of 8 May.

He said up to three lighter vessels can unload crude oil each day, each carrying around 4,000 tonnes. Operations will begin once at least 8,000 tonnes are received.

The crude shipment is being transported by MT Ninemea, which departed on 21 April from Yanbu Port, a vital Saudi Arabian energy hub located on the Red Sea coast. The vessel is due to arrive at around 11am.

Captain Mohammad Mujibur Rahman, general manager (chartering and tramping) at Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, said the arrival time may vary slightly but unloading will begin immediately using lighterage vessels.

According to the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, refining operations at the plant were suspended on 14 April due to a lack of crude supply.

The last shipment arrived on 18 February. Subsequent imports were disrupted by the Iran war, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for crude shipments from the Middle East to Asia.

A planned 1 lakh tonnes cargo from Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia on 3 March was cancelled, along with another shipment from Abu Dhabi, worsening the supply crisis.

Officials at the refinery said they had continued limited operations using around 5,000 tonnes of crude left in the Single Point Mooring pipeline at Maheshkhali, along with residual stock from five storage tanks.

Typically, about 1.5 metres of crude remains as dead stock at the bottom of tanks, becoming unusable below one metre. As reserves fell below usable levels, operations were halted from 14 April.

Another 1 lakh tonne due this month

After months of supply disruption, a second 1 lakh tonne of crude shipment has been scheduled. The cargo will be imported from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and will consist of Murban crude.

The vessel is expected to be loaded at Fujairah Port on 10-11 May before sailing for Chattogram port. Chartering firm Bangladesh Shipping Corporation has already dispatched a tanker for the operation.

Captain Mujibur Rahman said the vessel is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on 22-23 May.

According to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, the country imports 65-68 lakh tonnes of fuel annually, with diesel and crude accounting for the largest share.

Around 15 lakh tonnes of crude are imported from the Middle East each year and processed at Eastern Refinery, which produces 16 types of products, including LPG, petrol, octane, kerosene, diesel and furnace oil.

In addition to crude, Bangladesh imports about 45 lakh tonnes of refined fuel annually from India and China. The refinery typically processes around 4,500 tonnes of crude per day. However, output was reduced to about 3,500 tonnes daily last month due to supply shortages.

By 4 March, usable crude stocks at the refinery had fallen below 2,000 tonnes. The plant mainly processes Arabian Light crude from Saudi Arabia and Murban crude from the UAE, with limited capacity to handle other grades.

Amid the supply crisis, the government approved a proposal in March to purchase 1 lakh tonnes of crude from Malaysia-based Abir Trade and Global Markets, but the deal was not finalised due to uncertainty over supply assurance.

Oil prices eased ​1 percent on Tuesday after climbing by as much as 6 percent in the previous session on signs the US Navy ‌is loosening Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz, potentially opening up supply from the Middle East.

The US on Monday launched a new operation aimed at reopening the strait to shipping. Maersk later said the Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged vehicle carrier, exited the Gulf via the strait accompanied by the US military, easing ​some supply disruption fears.

Brent oil futures for July fell 51 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $113.93 per barrel at 0622 GMT after ​settling up 5.8 percent on Monday. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $1.55, or 1.5 percent, to $104.87, after gaining 4.4 percent ⁠in the previous session.

"The successful escorted exit of the Maersk-operated vessel has helped ease some immediate supply disruption fears," said Tim Waterer, ​chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

"It shows that limited safe passage is possible under current conditions and helps chip away at some of ​the worst-case supply disruption fears. However, it's still very much a one-off event rather than a full reopening," he said in an email.

Still, Iran launched attacks in the Gulf on Monday to counter the US move as they wrestle for control over the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf to wider markets ​and typically carries oil and gas supply equal to about 20 percent of global demand every day.

Several commercial vessels were reportedly struck in ​the area, while a key oil port in the United Arab Emirates was set ablaze after an Iranian strike. Trump's attempt to use the US ‌Navy ⁠to free up shipping is the war's biggest escalation since a ceasefire was declared four weeks ago.

The US is pushing to open Hormuz to ease a massive disruption to global energy supplies since Iran mostly shut the strait after the US and Israel started the war on February 28.

Some analysts attributed the slight drop in oil prices on Tuesday to profit-taking moves.

"The recent dip does look like a bit ​of profit-taking after a strong ​run-up, rather than a structural ⁠shift in the backdrop," said Priyanka Sachdeva, a senior market analyst at Phillip Nova. "The geopolitical risk premium tied to the Strait of Hormuz remains firmly in place, so the downside is likely to stay ​limited."

"In the very near term, prices could see some consolidation or mild pullback as markets reassess ​positioning and react ⁠to mixed diplomatic signals."

On Monday, Chevron Chairman and CEO Mike Wirth said physical shortages in oil supply would begin appearing around the world because of the Hormuz closure.

Because of the disruptions, global oil stocks are approaching their lowest level in eight years, Goldman Sachs said on Monday, warning that ⁠the speed ​of depletion was becoming a concern as supplies remained restricted.

"With the world rapidly ​burning through commercial stockpiles, strategic reserves, and crude held in floating storage, the underlying supply squeeze remains a potent tailwind for oil prices," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore ​said in a note.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman has called on commercial banks, mobile financial service (MFS) providers and payment service providers to accelerate efforts to build a more widespread cashless society in the country.

The call came during a meeting today (5 May) between the governor and heads of cashless units from the institutions.

Speaking to The Business Standard, central bank spokesperson and Executive Director Aref Hossain Khan said building a cashless society and introducing Bangla QR codes is now a "national agenda," no longer limited to the central bank alone.

"Everyone needs to come forward to implement this agenda," he added.

He noted that while MFS providers have made significant progress in onboarding small merchants, banks have lagged behind despite having broader networks. "The central bank now wants banks to increase their contribution in expanding digital transactions."

Arif Hossain Khan also said institutions have been urged to adopt Bangla QR codes universally after 30 June. "All companies will be required to have Bangla QR codes, and MFS providers will need to shift from their own separate QR systems to the unified standard."

He further said, "To support implementation, the central bank is considering forming a dedicated committee to oversee the transition to a cashless ecosystem."

A senior Bangladesh Bank official told TBS that wider adoption of Bangla QR codes would make transactions more accessible and interoperable, especially as many banks still lack their own apps. "Strengthening digital platforms alongside QR integration is expected to accelerate the shift toward a cashless economy."

Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Tuesday purchased $50 million from three commercial banks through multiple auction methods.

According to central bank data, it bought dollars at the rate of TK 122.75.

Accordingly, total purchases stood at $80 million in May 2026 and $5,753.50 million in FY 2025-26.

Sources said the BB purchased the dollars as part of its strategy to stabilize the TK against the US dollar and revitalize remittance and export inflows.

Stocks today (5 May) witnessed sell-offs, with prices declining for 58% of the scrips traded on the bourse, dragging down the DSEX, the benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), by 11 points.

A day after returning to positive territory on Monday snapping a two-session losing streak, stocks ended on the red.

According to data of EBL Securities, among the top ten index draggers, eight were banking stocks, with City Bank leading the decline by shaving off 5 points. It was followed by BRAC Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, Islami Bank Bangladesh, Pubali Bank, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Square Pharmaceuticals, NCC Bank, Bank Asia, and Grameenphone.

On the upside, Beximco Pharmaceuticals emerged as the top index gainer, contributing 11 points, followed by Beacon Pharmaceuticals, United Commercial Bank, Dominage Steel Building Systems, and Uttara Bank, the EBL data showed.

With a decline of 11 points, DSEX closed at 5,267 points, while DSES, the shariah index, surged 6 points to 1,060, and DS30, the blue-chip index, fell 6 points to 2,017, the DSE data showed.

A total 393 stocks traded today, while 227 stocks or 58% saw price decline, 107 stocks price surges and 59 stocks price remained unchanged.

Turnover, one of the major indicator, posted a decline around 5% to Tk876.95 crore and market cap, the value of total shares of the listed companies downed by Tk732 crore to Tk6.80 lakh crore.

EBL Securities said the benchmark index of the Dhaka bourse resumed its downward trajectory as broad-based selling dominated the session, with banking stocks exerting a notable drag after post–record date adjustments.

"Although the indices remained afloat through mid-session, the market lost traction in the final hour as broad-based selling pressure eroded earlier momentum, ultimately dragging the indices into negative territory by the close," it said.

On the sectoral front, Pharmaceutical and Chemical sector accounted for the highest share by 15.9% of turnover, followed by Bank 13.8% and Engineering sector stocks by 12.4%.

Sectors mostly displayed mixed returns, out of which life insurance, tannery and services exerted the most corrections, while ceramic, paper and pharma exhibited some positive returns on the bourse today.

Monno Ceramics topped the gainer chart as its shares price surged by 9.95% to Tk95 each, followed by Beximco Pharmaceuticals by 7.69% to Tk126 each, Dominage Steel Building Systems by 7.32% to Tk70.3 each, Sikder Insurance by 4.98% to Tk29.5 each, and Monno Agro by 4.46% to Tk348.9 each.

While on the loser from, Apex Spinning was top loser as its shares price fell 8.59% to Tk330.6 each, followed by Premier Leasing by 8% to Tk2.3 each, GSP Finance by 6.97% to Tk4 each, Bay Leasing by 6.38% to Tk4.4 each, and Energypac Power Generation by 5.85% to Tk17.7 each.

The port city bourse, Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), also settled on a negative territory.

The Selective Categories' Index (CSCX) and All Share Price Index (CASPI) lost 16.9 points and 31.9 points, respectively.

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus today advocated for the inclusion of its aircraft in Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ fleet alongside Boeing, saying that a mixed fleet would benefit the national flag carrier.

Civil Aviation Minister Afroza Khanam, State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, and Biman Managing Director and CEO Kaizer Sohel Ahmed were present at the meeting with Airbus Vice President Edward Delahaye at the Secretariat.

The meeting comes four days after Biman signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase 14 aircraft at a cost of $3.7 billion.

During the meeting, the Airbus official highlighted the advantages of a mixed fleet strategy.

In response to Airbus’s proposal, the minister and state minister expressed their commitment to working closely with the company regarding the future composition of Biman’s fleet.

According to sources at the civil aviation ministry, Airbus underscored how a mixed fleet strategy could offer greater flexibility and commercial benefits to Bangladesh’s aviation sector in the future.

Asked about Airbus' latest move to sell its aircraft in Bangladesh, Aviation Expert Kazi Wahidul Alam said, while partnerships with global manufacturers like Airbus are always welcome, fleet decisions must reflect Biman’s operational reality. A phased approach -- building scale first, then considering diversification -- may be more sustainable.

Both Boeing and Airbus have repeatedly submitted proposals to Biman to sell aircraft.

ImageAirbus Vice President Edward Delahaye paid a courtesy call on Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam at the Secretariat. Photo: Ministry
Airbus Vice President Edward Delahaye paid a courtesy call on Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam at the Secretariat. Photo: Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Bangladesh

The civil aviation ministry, during the interim government, approved the acquisition of 14 Boeing aircraft, with only the formal signing remaining at that time.

Biman’s deal with Boeing concludes more than three years of fierce competition between the US manufacturer and its European rival for the airline’s next major fleet order.

Airbus gained momentum in 2023 following high-level European engagement, including discussions linked to French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit and references in a Bangladesh-UK joint statement to a possible purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft, including freighters.

Under the previous Awami League government, a policy decision had been announced to procure 10 Airbus aircraft.

However, following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in a student-led mass uprising in 2024 and amid pressure related to US reciprocal tariffs, the interim government shifted in favour of Boeing.

Sonali Bank, the country's largest state-owned commercial bank, reported a record net profit of Tk1,313 crore in 2025, marking a 33% increase from the previous year, according to its audited financial statements.

The strong performance was primarily driven by a surge in investment income, largely from government bond holdings, which rose 55% year-on-year to Tk9,799 crore.

However, the bank's net interest income declined sharply, falling 77% to Tk337 crore during the year.

The drop was attributed to reduced interest earnings from borrowers alongside higher interest payments to depositors.

Sonali Bank's earnings per share (EPS) improved to Tk28.99 in 2025, up from Tk21.82 in the previous year.

A significant portion of Bangladesh’s population continues to face unmet healthcare needs, driven largely by rising out-of-pocket expenditures, according to a study of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies.Geographic Reference

Although unmet healthcare needs persist across all segments of society, the financial burden falls disproportionately on the poor, it showed.

The research by Abdur Razzaque Sarker of BIDS underscored that OOP spending remains the dominant mode of healthcare financing in the country, with its share reaching an alarming 79 per cent in 2024.

The study titled ‘Re-thinking unmet healthcare needs and dynamics of out-of-pocket expenditure in Bangladesh,’ was conducted under BIDS’ population studies division.

The study utilised data from the latest Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022, comprising 14,400 households and 62,387 individuals where descriptive statistics were employed to analyses and summaries the percentage of unmet need, service utilisation across providers.

The distribution of benefits from public spending and progressivity/regressivity is assessed using benefit and financing incidence analysis.

The findings revealed that around 22 per cent of the population reported a need for healthcare services on a monthly basis. Among them, 15 per cent experienced unmet healthcare needs, accounting for 65 per cent of the total need.

Unmet needs were found to be significantly higher in rural areas compared to urban centres—68 per cent versus 59 per cent. Regionally, the highest levels of unmet need were recorded in Narail, 81 per cent, and Habiganj, 80 per cent, while the lowest was observed in Feni, 18 per cent.

On average, Bangladeshi households spend Tk 3,454 per month on healthcare, representing about 11 per cent of total household expenditure. Medicines and diagnostic services were identified as the primary cost drivers.

The study noted that while public healthcare services are relatively equitably utilised, private healthcare services remain disproportionately concentrated among wealthier groups.

Despite higher absolute spending among the rich, poorer households bear a significantly heavier financial burden.

Healthcare expenses account for about 35 per cent of total income for the poorest households, compared to just 5 per cent for the wealthiest, indicating a regressive healthcare financing system.

The heavy reliance on OOP payments often leads to catastrophic health expenditures, limiting access to necessary care and pushing vulnerable households further into poverty.

The study concluded that although unmet healthcare needs persist across all segments of society, the financial burden falls disproportionately on the poor.

To address these challenges, the researcher recommended urgent reforms in healthcare financing, particularly the development and implementation of risk-pooling mechanisms such as social health insurance.

Such measures, the study suggested, are essential for reducing inequality in healthcare access and achieving Universal Health Coverage in Bangladesh.

Brent crude futures retreated on ​Tuesday but held near $114 a barrel following fresh hostilities in the Middle East, while investors ‌monitored developments in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

The US and Iran launched new attacks in the Gulf on Monday as they wrestled for control over the Strait of Hormuz with duelling maritime blockades, shaking a fragile truce.

Brent crude futures eased 93 ​cents, or 0.8 percent, to $113.51 per barrel at 0719 GMT after settling up 5.8 percent on Monday. ​US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $2.16, or 2 percent, to $104.26, after gaining 4.4 percent in the previous session.

“Prices continue to trade in a highly volatile range, driven largely by ongoing tensions in the ​Strait of Hormuz,” said Phillip Nova’s senior market analyst Priyanka Sachdeva.

“While prices have eased slightly in recent ​sessions, this is not due to any real improvement in fundamentals, but rather a temporary relief after the US launched ‘Project Freedom’,” she added.

The US on Monday launched a new operation aimed at reopening the strait to shipping. Maersk later said the ​Alliance Fairfax, a US-flagged vehicle carrier, exited the Gulf via the strait accompanied by the US military.

“It shows ​that limited safe passage is possible under current conditions and helps chip away at some of the worst-case supply disruption ‌fears,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade in an email.

“However, it’s still very much a one-off event rather than a full reopening,” he added. Still, Iran launched attacks in the Gulf on Monday to counter US moves for control over the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf to wider markets and typically ​carries oil and gas ​supply equal to about 20 percent of global demand every day.

Several commercial vessels were reportedly struck in the area, while a key oil port in the United Arab Emirates was set ablaze ​after an Iranian strike. Trump’s attempt to use the US Navy to ​free up shipping is the war’s biggest escalation since a ceasefire was declared four weeks ago.

“Markets may find some relief today following President Trump’s overnight comments suggesting the conflict could continue for another two to three weeks,” said ING analysts in ​a client note.

However, there is considerable scepticism in the market ​on this view, given the recent escalation and the repeated extensions of projected timelines for ending hostilities since the conflict began, they ​added.

State-owned Janata Bank recorded a substantial loss of Tk3,931 crore in 2025, marking a 28% increase compared to the previous year, according to its audited financial statements.

The significant loss has pushed the bank's net asset value further into negative territory, standing at Tk108.51 per share.

The downturn was largely driven by a sharp deficit in net interest income, which reached a negative Tk5,903 crore, alongside a surge in classified loans totaling Tk72,800 crore.

By the end of 2025, the bank's loss per share rose to Tk169.90.

A delegation of US trade representatives, led by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, will travel to Dhaka from May 5-7 to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations on trade and investment.

The United States looks forward to partnering on the implementation of the US-Bangladesh Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, which aims to enhance economic growth in both countries by improving market access, removing barriers to investment, and boosting commercial opportunities, according to a statement from the US embassy in Dhaka today.

The country’s remittance inflow has reached $315 million in the first three days of May, reflecting sustained strong inflows from expatriate Bangladeshis, according to data released by the Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Monday.
FE

During this period, remittance receipts reached $315 million, marking a 260.1 percent increase year-on-year compared to $88 million in the same period last year.

On a cumulative basis, expatriate Bangladeshis sent $29,648 million in remittances from July to May 3, of the current fiscal year, significantly higher than $24,625 million recorded in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

The continued rise in remittance inflow is playing a vital role in supporting external sector stability, strengthening foreign exchange reserves, and contributing to overall macroeconomic resilience.

Farmer Suman Tarfadar cultivated boro paddy on nearly 10 acres of land this year in the haor region. Continuous rainfall submerged and destroyed paddy on around seven acres of his land.

Of the crop he managed to harvest, half could not be dried due to a lack of sunshine and has already started sprouting. Altogether, he now expects to boil and store paddy from only one to one-and-a-half acres.

The farmer from Kadirpur Haor in Khaliajuri Upazila told TBS that despite farming on his own land, he spent nearly Tk3 lakh this season. Most of the crop went under water, while much of the harvested grain has sprouted. "No one will buy this paddy. Only a small amount can be saved. I have never suffered such losses before," he said.

He added that no one wants to buy wet paddy. Some grain from the field was sold for Tk500-Tk600 per maund. Those who managed to harvest and dry before the rain were getting slightly better prices. In previous years, raw paddy from the field sold for Tk800-Tk900 per maund.

This is not just Suman Tarfadar's story, but the reality for farmers across the haor belt. Heavy rain that began in the last week of April submerged paddy on more than 47,000 hectares across seven haor districts — Sunamganj, Sylhet, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Netrokona, Kishoreganj and Brahmanbaria.

In the four districts of Sylhet division alone, nearly 34,000 hectares have gone under water.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, around 25% of paddy still remains in the fields. Farmers and locals, however, say the actual losses are much higher.

Most of Bangladesh's rice is produced during the boro season, with around 10% coming from haor areas. Sources at the agricultural extension department said boro paddy was cultivated on 9,63,000 hectares in the seven haor districts this year. Of that, 4,55,000 hectares were in haor areas and 5,08,000 hectares in non-haor areas.

Farmer Babulal Das from Kalnigar said he cultivated boro on 10 bighas of land. Harvesting is nearly complete, but drying the grain is impossible. "The yard and roads are wet from rain, and the fields are under water. I have nowhere to dry the paddy. It is now sprouting and will be useless," he said.

Farmer Mahbub Alam from Naluar Haor said he harvested paddy standing in water during rainfall, but without sunshine it cannot be dried. "The paddy is rotting, the straw is being ruined. We are in great distress," he said.

Woman farmer Sabana Begum from Shanir Haor said boiled paddy from 36 decimals of land could not be dried because of nonstop rain. "The paddy is rotting and giving off a smell. I cry when I look at it," she said.

Sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension said 57% of boro harvesting has been completed in Sylhet division this season. This includes 75% in haor areas and 33% in non-haor areas.

Additional director of the department in Sylhet division, Dr Md Mosharraf Hossain, said the remaining 25% of submerged paddy in haor areas could be completely lost. More grain is also likely to be damaged because it cannot be dried.

"There is no artificial arrangement to dry so much paddy at once. We have to depend on nature," he said. He added that the government began rice and paddy procurement from Sunday, which could reduce farmers' losses somewhat. Losses could fall further if mill owners began buying paddy, but they have not yet started purchases.

Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre under the Bangladesh Water Development Board said water in several rivers of the north-eastern haor basin is already flowing above pre-monsoon danger levels.

These include points on the Naljur River, Baulai River, Bhugai-Kangsha River, Someshwari River, Mogra River, Kalni-Kushiyara River and Sutang River.

Over the past 24 hours, moderate to heavy rainfall occurred upstream and across haor areas, and rain may continue for the next three days. As a result, water levels in the Surma River and Kushiyara River may rise further, crossing danger levels at some points by the second day and creating flooding in low-lying areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.

Water levels in the Bhugai-Kangsha River, Someshwari River and Dhanu-Baulai Basin may remain stable over the next three days, though flooding in adjacent lowlands may continue.

In Moulvibazar and Habiganj, water in the Manu River, Khowai River and Juri River may stay stable for two days before rising on the third day, with the Juri River nearing warning level.

Overall, the agency said continuous rainfall is likely to prolong ongoing flooding in low-lying haor areas of the north-east, while creating fresh flood risks in some locations.

Wondering whether you can find better investment returns than the US stock market without turning your portfolio into a guessing game?

Right now, you can.

Using the latest justETF country rankings from 3 May 2026, we found a clear group of overseas markets beating the S&P 500 on the 2026 return table. We have centred this page on eight that are practical for US readers who use country ETFs and broader international ETFs.

We will show you where the returns are, what is driving them, and how to think about the risk before you buy.

Which countries currently outperform US stock market?

If you want the short answer, several countries are ahead of the US stock market right now. On justETF's country table updated on 3 May 2026, the S&P 500 shows a 2026 return of 6.14% in euro terms, and each market below sits above that line.

That gives you a clean scoreboard, but it does not equal your exact dollar return in a US brokerage account. Currency moves, local market hours and the specific ETF you choose can all shift the result.

Use the 2026 column for the clearest "right now" comparison.
Use the 1-year figure to see whether the move has depth.
Check the ETF structure because an 81-stock fund behaves very differently from a 178-stock fund.

Market

2026 return

1-year return

Popular US-listed ETF

Quick read

United States

6.14%

25.41%

SPY

Your benchmark

South Korea

62.04%

65.39%

EWY

Huge momentum, heavy AI and semiconductor exposure

Taiwan

41.27%

38.78%

EWT

Strong chip-cycle exposure, higher valuation

Turkey

26.36%

24.53%

TUR

Strong gains, very uneven ride

Brazil

22.30%

27.98%

EWZ

Cheaper market, income support, cyclical risk

Mexico

10.46%

35.84%

EWW

Concentrated market tied closely to North America

Japan

9.56%

26.50%

EWJ

Broader market, lower volatility than most on this list

Poland

9.15%

33.26%

EPOL

Value and yield, but very concentrated

Canada

8.49%

34.80%

EWC

Familiar market structure, moderate risk

Quick takeaway: You do not need to chase only the hottest emerging markets. This list includes both high-octane moves, such as South Korea, and steadier developed markets, such as Japan and Canada, which gives you more than one way to diversify a global portfolio.

Why is South Korea a strong investment choice right now?

South Korea is the clear leader. It is up 62.04% for 2026 and 65.39% over one year on the justETF table, which is far ahead of the United States and even ahead of most other emerging markets.

In a March 2026 market note, iShares highlighted South Korea's role in AI infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing, and its EWY fund gives you exposure to names such as Samsung, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor and KB Financial.\

That is powerful if you want direct access to the hardware side of the AI revolution, but EWY held only 81 stocks on 1 May 2026 and showed a three-year standard deviation of 34.38%, so this is better used as a tactical position than as the centre of your portfolio.

Best fit: investors who want direct exposure to the AI supply chain.
Main risk: big swings, because this market can move much faster than the S&P 500.

What makes Taiwan's market returns attractive?

Taiwan sits in second place, with a 2026 return of 41.27% and a one-year return of 38.78%. If you want a market that benefits when global demand for advanced chips stays strong, Taiwan is one of the cleanest country ETF ideas you can buy.

The US-listed EWT fund held 85 stocks on 1 May 2026 and carried a five-star Morningstar rating as of 30 April 2026, which tells you the recent risk-adjusted record has been strong. The trade-off is price: its portfolio P/E stood at 26.52, so you are paying up for quality and momentum.

How is Turkey delivering better investment returns?

Turkey is up 26.36% for 2026 on the justETF ranking, which keeps it comfortably ahead of the US. That makes it one of the strongest momentum markets on this page.

The diversification case is real, too. TUR showed a three-year beta of 0.30, so it has not simply copied the path of US stocks, yet its three-year standard deviation was still 26.90%, which tells you the ride can be rough.

Why it can help: it can add a return stream that behaves differently from a US-heavy portfolio.
Why it can hurt: local volatility and currency risk can wipe out gains very quickly.

Why consider investing in Brazil at present?

Brazil's 2026 return stands at 22.30%, with a 27.98% one-year gain and a 46.41% three-year return. For readers who want emerging markets exposure without paying growth-stock multiples, Brazil deserves a serious look.

EWZ held 46 stocks on 1 May 2026, carried a portfolio P/E of 11.43 and had a trailing yield of 4.32%. In simple terms, you are buying a cheaper market with meaningful income, but you are also taking on heavy exposure to banks, commodities and the domestic cycle.

Why does Mexico belong on this list?

Mexico is not in the top four, yet it still beats the US stock market with a 10.46% gain on the justETF table. I like it for readers who want foreign exposure that still feels closely linked to North American manufacturing and consumer demand.

EWW had 40 holdings on 1 May 2026, a 0.50% expense ratio and a four-star Morningstar rating, while its one-year total return was 53.20% as of 31 March 2026. That is appealing if you want a tighter, more focused country fund and you can handle the concentration.

Best fit: investors who want international exposure without moving too far from the US economic orbit.
Watch out for: a narrow stock base, because 40 holdings can magnify sector moves.

What factors make Japan a calmer winner?

Japan offers a different kind of outperformance. The 2026 return is 9.56%, which is far less dramatic than South Korea, but it still tops the US and does so with a broader market base.

EWJ held 178 stocks on 1 May 2026, its three-year standard deviation was 13.13%, and its expense ratio was 0.49%. If you want developed markets exposure that does not lean so hard on one story, Japan is one of the steadier country ETFs on this list. If currency swings worry you, HEWJ is the hedged version, though the fee is higher.

Why is Poland worth a closer look?

Poland has a 2026 return of 9.15% and a one-year return of 33.26%, so it clearly earns a place here. It can suit investors who want European exposure without defaulting to larger benchmarks such as Germany, France or the United Kingdom.

EPOL is a focused fund, with just 33 holdings, a portfolio P/E of 12.10 and a trailing yield of 4.67% on 1 May 2026. That combination can look attractive if you like value and income, but each major holding has a lot of influence over your result.

What stands out: one of the stronger yields in this group.
Main risk: concentration, because 33 holdings leave little room to hide.

How does Canada round out the list?

Canada closes the eight-country shortlist with an 8.49% 2026 return and a 34.80% one-year gain. For many US investors, it is the easiest international market to hold because the market structure feels familiar and the risk is easier to read.

EWC held 84 stocks on 1 May 2026, had a three-year standard deviation of 14.20% and charged 0.50%. That makes Canada a useful middle ground: more diversified than Brazil or Poland, less volatile than South Korea or Turkey, and still ahead of the US stock market in 2026.

How should you use these markets in a portfolio?

You do not need eight country ETFs in one account. In a March 2026 update, iShares said flows into single-country ETFs had already exceeded the total for all of 2025, led by South Korea and Brazil, which shows real investor interest, but interest and good portfolio design are not the same thing.

A simpler investment strategy usually works better. Use broad international ETFs for the core of your global portfolio, then add a country ETF only when you have a clear reason for it.

Use VXUS or IXUS as a base if you want broad developed markets and emerging markets exposure outside the United States.
Add one country ETF for a clear theme, such as South Korea for AI hardware or Japan for a steadier developed-market tilt.
Keep currency in mind, because the justETF scoreboard is in euros while your brokerage account is in dollars.
Check concentration before you buy, because a 33-stock fund is a very different risk from a 178-stock fund.

Final words

The US stock market still deserves a core place in most portfolios, but it is not leading every race right now. On the latest justETF ranking, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Poland and Canada all offer better investment returns than the US stock market on the 2026 table.

If you want to act on that, keep it simple: use international ETFs for your base, add country ETFs only when the case is clear, and respect currency and concentration risk. That is how you stay diversified without turning your global portfolio into a pile of hot trades.

FAQs
1. Which countries beat the US stock market right now?

Poland, Canada, Greece, South Africa, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are showing higher returns than the US market at the moment.
2. Why are these places doing well now?

Some have cheap stocks, some have strong exports, and some ride a rebound in demand, for example Spain and New Zealand have tourism gains, Peru sees commodity lifts, and Israel shows tech strength.
3. Are emerging markets like Colombia, Chile, Indonesia, or Pakistan worth the risk?

They can pay off, but they move fast, and volatility is high, so only add them if you can take sharp swings; Norway also pops up for its oil and safe balance sheet.
4. Who has pointed this out, and is this a deep crash like the great depression?

Analysts such as Steven Cress have flagged the trend, and no, this is not a new great depression, it is a market shift, short of a long, deep slump in broad economies; Sweden and Switzerland show calm in parts of Europe.
5. How should I act on this news?

Think funds or ETFs that cover Poland, Canada or the others, spread risk, set a time plan, and check local rules; if you want safety, mix in blue chips from Italy or Austria, and keep an eye on news.

Saudi Arabia, Russia and five other OPEC+ countries increased their oil production quota on Sunday in an expected move aimed at demonstrating continuity at the cartel after the shock withdrawal of the United Arab Emirates.

The seven major producers will add 188,000 barrels per day to their total production quota for June amid the price pressure unleashed by the Mideast war, as part of "their collective commitment to support oil market stability", according to a statement published by OPEC+.

The statement, following an online meeting of Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Oman, Russia and Saudi Arabia, made no mention of the United Arab Emirates, which quit the body on Friday, three days after announcing its withdrawal.

Rystad Energy analyst Jorge Leon told AFP that the silence on the UAE's departure was a sign of tense relations.

Oil market analysts had widely expected the increase of 188,000 barrels, similar to the 206,000-barrel daily increases OPEC+ announced in both March and April when the portion allotted to the UAE was subtracted.

"By sticking to the same production path -- just minus the UAE -- it's acting as if nothing has happened, deliberately downplaying internal fractures and projecting stability," Leon said.

Strait of Hormuz bottleneck remains

But raising the quota on paper may not have much impact on actual production, which is already short of the limit.

Untapped OPEC+ reserves are mainly located in the Gulf region, and exports there are trapped by the blockade of the vital Strait of Hormuz, imposed by Iran in response to the US-Israeli strikes that started the war on February 28.

Leon, the Rystad Energy analyst, told AFP on Sunday that the cartel was looking to send "a two-layer message" that the UAE's exit would not disrupt how OPEC+ operates and that the group still exerts control over global oil markets despite massive disruption to oil trade due to the war.

"While output is increasing on paper, the real impact on physical supply remains very limited given the Strait of Hormuz constraints," Leon told AFP. "This is less about adding barrels and more about signalling that OPEC+ still calls the shots."

The Strait of Hormuz blockade is hitting Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The latter's production will no longer count towards OPEC quotas.

"Total OPEC+ output with quota fell to 27.68 million bpd in March, against a monthly quota of 36.73 million bpd, a shortfall of approximately 9 million bpd driven almost entirely by war-related disruption rather than voluntary restraint," said Priya Walia, another analyst at Rystad Energy, ahead of Sunday's meeting.

Iran, whose exports are now the target of a retaliatory US blockade, is an OPEC+ member but is not subject to quotas.

Russia, the group's second-biggest producer, has been the main beneficiary of the situation. But despite soaring energy prices, it appears to be struggling to produce at the level of its current quotas as its own war in Ukraine drags on and Ukrainian drones hit oil industry facilities.

'A big deal'

Amena Bakr, an analyst at Kpler, described the UAE's exist as "a big deal" for OPEC.

Previous withdrawals from the group by Qatar in 2019 and Angola in 2023 were less significant by comparison, Bakr told a video conference on the UAE withdrawal.

The UAE has invested massively in infrastructure in recent years, and state-owned oil company ADNOC plans to increase output by five million barrels a day by 2027 -- far above the country's last quota of around 3.5 million barrels.

ADNOC also pledged on Sunday to spend $55 billion on new projects over the next two years, confirming that the company is "accelerating growth and delivery of its strategy".

There is also the risk for OPEC+ that other countries will leave such as Iraq and Kazakhstan, which have faced repeated accusations of surpassing their quotas.

The government launches a broad-based drive to augment revenue receipts outside the NBR purview with a target of netting Tk 910 billion for the forthcoming fiscal year, as a bigger budget is imminent.
FE

Official count shows the amount for the fiscal 2026-27 is 39.5-percent higher from that of the outgoing fiscal year's target.

Of the total sum, the Finance Division is set to fix a non-tax revenue target of Tk 660 billion, up from Tk 460 billion in the current fiscal year, 2025-26, while the target for non-NBR taxes is expected to be raised to Tk 250 billion from Tk 190 billion.

Non-tax revenue is expected to rise by 43.48 per cent while Non-NBR tax collection is projected to increase by 31.58 per cent in the next fiscal year, reveals a proposal placed at the Budget Monitoring and Resource Committee meeting recently hosted by the Finance Division.

The just-in government is deemed under tremendous pressure to increase revenue collection to create requisite fiscal space for funding poor people's needs.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) wants Bangladesh substantially enhances its tax-to-GDP ratio to 9.21 per cent by next fiscal year from the current rate of 6.9 per cent.

To achieve the targeted tax-to-GDP ratio of 9.21 the government is going to set total revenue-collection target at Tk 6.95 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year, up by 23.23 per cent from the original one for the current fiscal year.

A review of internal government data, however, shows actual non-tax revenue collection has consistently lagged behind budgetary targets, with performance deteriorating in recent years.

In FY2023-24, actual receipts came to just 55.63 per cent of the original target, down from 70.47 per cent in FY 2018-19.

Officials say the latest push focuses on modernising collection systems, rationalising fees, expanding revenue bases, and enforcing stricter process for recovery of government dues.

The non-NBR tax collection exceeded 80 per cent of the targets on average in FY2016-17 and FY2017-18, but in the subsequent years, receipts from this segment fell to nearly 40 per cent of the original budgetary targets.

The Finance Division has recommended that all ministries and divisions focus on modernised and automated revenue collection, mandatory use of A-challan, rationalisation of outdated fees, and expansion of revenue bases ahead of the national budget formulation.

In tripartite meetings held with various ministries during the budget-preparation process in last few weeks, the Finance Division also emphasised "stricter enforcement, improved asset management, and recovery of long-pending government dues, particularly in sectors such as transport, housing, and infrastructure where collection performance remains weak".

At the core of the recommendations is a push for ministry-specific accountability through realistic target setting, stronger governance, and data-driven reforms aimed at reducing revenue leakages and improving overall fiscal sustainability, according to an analysis of the minutes of 18 such meetings.

The minutes reveal that the Ministry of Food will be the largest contributor of non-tax revenues in the next fiscal year, with a recommended target of Tk 226.35 billion, largely driven by food-grain sales.

Major non-tax revenue sources include licence fees, fines and penalties, forfeiture of deposits, rent from non-residential buildings, government vehicle-usage fees, and proceeds from the sale of tender and other documents, though collection efficiency remains suboptimal.

The Finance Division has recommended reviewing these revenue streams, expanding their coverage, and rationally adjusting fees and charges, with the Finance Secretary noting that such reforms could "significantly improve overall revenue mobilisation".

Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) has been assigned to mobilise Tk 67.87 billion, but concerns persist over the weak collection by agencies like the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

The authorities have been advised to strengthen enforcement of vehicle registration and fitness certification and modernise toll-collection systems, claiming that a 25-percent hike in BRTA fees in December 2022 fails to ensure revenue growth.

The division has also been asked to recover Tk 12.85 billion in outstanding dues from Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC).

The Ministry of Industries, with a target of Tk 10.42 billion, has been experiencing declining collection and has been advised to automate revenue processes and expand coverage. The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has been flagged for a sharp drop in rental income and asked to incorporate additional sources like transfer and mutation fees into its estimates.

In contrast, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has seen its revenue target sharply revised upward to Tk 1.0 billion from Tk 181.8 million after recent collections exceeded earlier projections.

Smaller ministries, including Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare, have been instructed to revise outmoded fee structures.

The review also has highlighted governance concerns, particularly in the Bridges Division, where outstanding government loans amounting to around Tk 8.0 billion remain unsettled, including some agreements dating back to 1994.

Officials note a structural shift in revenue composition, with non-tax revenue gaining prominence as non-NBR taxes continue to under-perform.

"Boosting government revenue requires equal emphasis on both tax and non-tax streams -- from within and beyond the National Board of Revenue as non-NBR sources should account for a quarter of total receipts," says Prof Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

He told The Financial Express that significant inefficiencies persist in revenue collection, noting that in many cases tolls or rents due to the government are leased out to private parties at lower rates, leading to revenue losses. FinancialNews Subscription

"While discussions often focus on expanding the tax base or leveraging technology in tax administration, equal importance should be given to addressing leakages and structural weaknesses in non-tax revenue streams," he suggests.

Expressing concern over the performance of state-owned corporations and industrial enterprises, he says it is important to examine why many public entities have been incurring losses for decades.

Development cooperation, trade and regional security issues besides Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's possible China visit may come up prominently during discussion between foreign minister Khalilur Rahman and top Chinese officials.
FE

The foreign minister starts for Beijing today (Tuesday) for talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, as both countries seek to recalibrate relations amid shifting geopolitical and domestic dynamics.

Scheduled for May 5-7, the visit at the invitation of China's foreign ministry is expected to cover a wide-ranging agenda inclusive of possible future visit to China by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

There are speculations in the diplomatic circles that such a top-level visit may take place by July this year.

The Chinese government has extended invitation to Tarique Rahman for a visit to China, soon after he became prime minister in February this year.

However, regarding the trip of the foreign minister to Beijing, officials say this visit could serve as an important avenue for positive engagement.

"In light of the new context and evolving global realities, both sides will have to define the contours of their relationship in the coming days," one of the diplomatic sources notes.

Although Beijing has maintained strong interest in Bangladesh, it had limited engagement with the previous interim administration. With an elected government now in place, Chinese officials are expected to pursue deeper cooperation, building on past experience with the current leadership.

At the same time, the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) may need to reassess its approach to China after a prolonged period out of power.

Officials in Dhaka and Beijing have outlined key priorities for the talks. Bangladesh is expected to push for progress on the modernisation of Mongla Port, the expansion of agricultural exports such as jackfruit, and the launch of direct flights on Guangzhou-Chattogram and Shanghai-Chattogram routes. City& Local Guides

Other issues likely to feature talks include the relocation of Chinese industries, development of Chinese-backed economic zones, and renewed efforts to address the Rohingya crisis.

Dhaka is also expected to seek Beijing's support for its candidacy for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

China, one of Bangladesh's largest development partners, is likely to emphasise cooperation on the proposed Teesta megaproject, alongside broader engagement under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Beijing may also seek to expand its strategic influence through initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, in the changing global paradigm.

Regional issues are also expected to be on the agenda, including the situation in Myanmar and the wider implications of instability in the Middle East.

Diplomatic sources in Dhaka say Bangladesh could seek about US$2.0 billion in financial assistance from China to address urgent energy needs and support economic stability. The issue may be raised during the visit.

A planned meeting between the two countries' foreign secretaries in Dhaka last month was postponed at Beijing's request, officials have said, with preparation for the ministerial visit continuing.

In a statement Monday, China's foreign ministry described the two countries as "traditional friendly neighbours and comprehensive strategic partners", noting that relations have developed steadily over more than five decades on the basis of mutual respect and equality.

"China attaches great importance to China-Bangladesh relations and is willing to take this visit as an opportunity to work with the new Bangladeshi government to enhance political mutual trust and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields," a spokesperson says, adding that Beijing aims to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership.