A slew of 457 industrial units have faced permanent closure during last two years mainly because of shrinking work orders, owners'
financial crisis, labour unrest and energy crisis, sources say.The latest fall was on Tuesday of twin factories in Gazipur-Unique Designers Ltd and Unique Washing and Dyeing Ltd. Their permanent closure was announced after lying temporarily shut since June 16, citing financial crisis.Personal finance tips

The industrial nemesis results in job loss of some 1800 workers, sources in law- enforcing agencies say.Majority or 398 factories were located in Gazipur, Ashulia and Chattogram industrial belts.

Out of the total closed units, 287 are non-RMG (readymade garment) factories while the rest are affiliated with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, numbering 108, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, 35, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, 08, and Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority-affiliated 19, according to data.

Statistics show a total of 79 factories terminated as many as 7,784 workers in the last five months until May 31 amid a fall in production and work orders owing to sluggish global demand and a loss of competitiveness.

Industry insiders also assign a number of factors -- local and global -- behind the closure that include decline in global demand, bankruptcy of global buyers, political reasons, complexities related toBangladesh economic report

banks, factory relocation, shortage of raw materials, impact of wars, geopolitical issues.

They, however, say the elected new

government has taken few measures to reopen closed factories, including announcement of financial supports.

Bangladesh Bank through two separate circulars has announced Tk 200 billion worth of pre-finance scheme to revive large industrial and services-sector enterprises that have either shut down or are operating below full capacity for a shortage of working capital.

Another scheme is worth of Tk 50 billion for cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs).

The central bank, meantime, has asked apparel trade bodies to provide information on closed and partially closed factories.

In this connection, BGMEA organised a discussion meeting with its member-factories on June 14 where many of them raised concerns over some requirements binding the central-bank packages, saying that they, mostly the small and medium ones, could not avail the facilities because of the tags.Politics

When asked, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Mahmud Hasan Khan said, "All of the closed factories could not be reopened as they don't have the capacity while their CIB (credit information bureau) reports are not 'good'."

Explaining the reasons behind the closure, he cites, among others, global demand fall, shortage of work orders, inefficiencies of some factories and bankruptcy of some buyers as well as political reasons, failure to make timely shipment due to political or other natural calamities.

Talking to the FE, BGMEA vice-president Shehab Udduza Chowdhury said some 200 closed and 123 partially closed factories expressed their willingness to get the government-announced financial packages.

"The units that cannot use full capacity should get priority as employment generation and export earnings both can be increased within the shortest possible time once they get working capital," he says, adding that most of the SMES which need the financial support can't avail it because of the condition of collateral security.Personal finance tips

He urges the government to provide loan at 7.0-percent interest for CMSMEs and allow loan-rescheduling facility with minimum down payment.

The BGMEA president, however, says two audit companies will visit the interested factories and submit their reports to the trade body.

The export industry's apex body will recommend to the central bank accordingly, based on reports, for factories suggested by the audit firms.

Beximco Pharmaceuticals recommended a 47.5% cash dividend to its shareholders for the fiscal year 2024-25 ended 30 June.

The company declared the dividend at a board meeting held today (23 June), according to the company source.

During the fiscal year, its consolidated net profit stood at Tk699.88 crore, which was Tk586.67 crore.

To approve the audited financial statement and the dividend the company will set the annual general meeting time and venue following the High Court order. It also set the record date for 2 August.

Besides, the company reported that its consolidated net profit stood at Tk704 crore in the first nine months of FY26.

Earlier, the regulator had permitted the Beximco Pharma to hold a special board meeting to approve and publish its five overdue quarterly financial statements, mitigating the looming risk of a delisting from the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

The trading of Beximco Pharma remained temporarily suspended on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) from 2 January 2026, as it failed to publish its annual financial results within the stipulated time frame.

Amid rising concerns raised by foreign institutional investors to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the regulator has permitted Beximco Pharmaceuticals to hold a board of directors meeting.

During the interim government, the BSEC appointed nine independent directors to the board of Beximco Pharma, as well as to two other listed group entities: Beximco Ltd and Shinepukur Ceramics.

Beximco Pharma legally challenged the regulator's decision by filing a writ petition, which remains pending in court. Citing the matter as sub-judice, the company has not allowed the BSEC-appointed independent directors to take their seats on the board.

The Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new banking facility for expatriate Bangladeshis, allowing them to open Non-Resident Convertible Taka Accounts (NRCTA), aiming to encourage remittance inflows through formal channels, boost investment and expand offshore banking activities.

In a circular issued today (23 June), the central bank said expatriates would be able to deposit remitted funds in their accounts and freely repatriate both the principal amount and any interest or investment income earned.

The central bank has also allowed funds held in these accounts to be used for a range of domestic transactions, including investments and lending to certain foreign-owned industrial enterprises operating in Bangladesh's specialised economic zones.

A senior central bank official told The Business Standard that expatriates will be able to open non-resident convertible current, savings or fixed deposit accounts through offshore banking units using funds remitted through banking channels.

"The accounts may also receive transfers from other non-resident accounts, interest or profit income, investment earnings, refunds from share subscriptions and other approved foreign exchange-related receipts," the official added.

According to the circular, the initiative has been taken in response to growing remittance inflows and to create new opportunities for expatriates to participate in the country's economy.

Both the deposited funds and accrued interest or profits will remain fully repatriable.

In addition, account holders will be allowed to use the funds for local payments, conversion into foreign currency accounts, foreign direct investment (FDI), and portfolio investments in Bangladesh.

The funds can also be used to provide taka-denominated loans to Type-A industrial enterprises operating in specialised economic zones, which are fully foreign-owned entities.

However, such loans may only be used for approved operating expenses, including salaries, wages and utility bills. Repayment must be made from the export earnings of the borrowing companies.

The central bank has also permitted banks' domestic banking units to provide loans against deposits held in these accounts to expatriates or their nominated beneficiaries.

These loans may be used for personal or business purposes, although investments in agriculture, forestry and housing sectors will not be permitted.

The circular further allows account holders to make non-repatriable investments in Bangladesh and purchase residential property for personal use.

Another central bank official said the new account framework would strengthen the financial intermediation of remittances, enhance offshore banking activities and create a structured platform for expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in the country's economy.

The official added that the facility would also help improve liquidity support for foreign-owned export-oriented industries through the newly permitted lending mechanism.

The list of strategic mistakes that led to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation on Monday will fill many a book. Yet most stemmed from the belief that an economy felled in 2023 by the war in Ukraine was set for a big rebound, enabling both rapid growth and easy fiscal consolidation. It didn’t. Now, as the war in Iran ebbs, his successor may face a similar test — and will need to ensure the government appears firmly in control.

The path is clear for Andy Burnham to succeed Starmer. The former Manchester mayor favours tighter state control of utilities and higher taxes on property, wealth and investment income. But he has pledged to honour Starmer’s fiscal guardrails like balancing day-to-day spending and putting debt-to-GDP on a falling path. Since those rules are judged against official forecasts rather than actual revenues and spending, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the UK’s independent fiscal watchdog, will retain its role as the ultimate arbiter of fiscal credibility.

The OBR’s projections have recently held outsized sway, with a downgrade to productivity causing havoc to last year’s autumn budget. What has attracted less attention is whether Starmer’s promises were built on forecasts that turned out to be too rosy. Chief among them was ruling out increases in income and value-added taxes. This left officials constantly scrambling to make ends meet. One solution was raising employer National Insurance, angering businesses and contributing to higher inflation and interest rates in 2025.

In 2024, however, expecting a strong recovery made sense. The departure of Brexit-friendly Conservative governments held the promise of renewed foreign investment. Inflation had fallen back to target, consumption was poised to boom and OBR forecasts suggested GDP growth would rise from 0.3 percent in 2023 to 2 percent in 2025, bringing workers out of welfare. Instead, households remained cautious, disability spending rose and a combination of food inflation and a new energy shock in the Middle East dimmed prospects and kept interest rates elevated. By March, the OBR expected growth of only 1.1 percent this year. Admittedly, no government can escape bad luck and Starmer’s government did much that appeals to its base, such as taxing businesses to maintain benefits, expanding workers’ rights, building renewable-energy capacity and curbing migration. But it was an error to choose economic variables wholly outside of its control as a yardstick for success.

A similar trap may now await Burnham: if the US peace deal with Iran holds, the data could suddenly look more flattering in 2027, and a business‑friendly pick for Treasury chief, such as former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, would calm bond markets. But tweaking taxes and handouts won’t win Burnham an election in 2029. For that, he needs the type of obvious win that made him popular in Manchester. A bold overhaul of social housing could be one. Regardless, he needs to chart his own course: relying on macroeconomic tides has a way of steering ships straight into the rocks.

Country’s foreign aid commitments suffered a decline of around 23 per cent compared with the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, according to provisional data from the Economic Relations Division (ERD).
FE

The latest Foreign Assistance Monthly Report of the ERD shows that total foreign assistance commitments stood at US$4.22 billion during July 2025-May 2026, down from US$5.48 billion recorded in the same period of FY2024-25.

The decline was primarily driven by a reduction in project assistance commitments, reports UNB.

During the reporting period, project aid commitments amounted to US$4.06 billion in loans and US$158.78 million in grants, compared with US$5.108 billion in loans and US$380.98 million in grants during the corresponding period a year earlier.

No commitments were recorded under food assistance in either fiscal year.

Despite the fall in fresh commitments, foreign aid disbursements remained substantial.

Total disbursements reached US$4.57 billion during July-May of FY2025-26, compared with US$5.60 billion in the same period of FY2024-25.

Project assistance accounted for the bulk of disbursements, amounting to US$4.53 billion, including US$4.14 billion in loans and US$393.81 million in grants.

Food assistance disbursements totalled US$40 million during the period, slightly higher than the US$35 million received in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s debt servicing obligations continued to rise.

According to the ERD data, the country paid US$4.13 billion in principal and interest on foreign loans during the July-May period of FY2025-26, up from US$3.78 billion in the same period of FY2024-25.

Of the total debt servicing payment, US$2.68 billion was repayment of principal and US$1.44 billion was interest.

In local currency terms, total external debt servicing reached Tk 505.16 billion (Tk 50,515.86 crore) during the period, compared with Tk 456.76 billion (Tk 45,676.08 crore) in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

The increase in debt repayments reflects Bangladesh’s growing external debt obligations as several large infrastructure and development projects financed through foreign loans enter the repayment phase.

Chittagong Port, Bangladesh's principal maritime gateway and a key driver of the country's external trade, has recorded strong growth in revenue, cargo handling and container throughput despite continuing uncertainty in the global economy.
FE

According to data released by the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), the port generated a revenue surplus of Tk 42.87 billion during the first 11 months of fiscal year 2025-26, marking a sharp increase from previous years. After taxes and other statutory payments, the net surplus stood at Tk 22.28 billion.

Port officials attributed the strong performance to improved operational efficiency, cost-control measures, infrastructure upgrades and the introduction of user-friendly policies aimed at enhancing service quality and increasing port capacity.

Between July 2025 and May 2026, the port earned Tk 60.77 billion in revenue, up from Tk 49.52 billion during the corresponding period a year earlier, representing growth of more than 22 per cent.

An analysis of the port's financial performance over the past five years shows a steady rise in revenue surpluses. In 2025, the CPA recorded revenue of Tk 54.60 billion against expenditure of Tk 23.18 billion, resulting in a surplus of Tk 31.43 billion—the highest annual figure at the time.

The surplus stood at Tk 29.23 billion in 2024, Tk 21.43 billion in 2023, Tk 17.34 billion in 2022 and Tk 16.33 billion in 2021.

The authority said strict controls on unnecessary spending helped keep expenditure growth within single digits over the past two years. Revenue expenditure rose by 7.61 per cent in 2025 and 6.50 per cent in 2024.

Operational performance also reached record levels in 2025. Container handling increased by 4.07 per cent to a record 3.409 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), compared with 3.276 million TEUs in 2024. The increase amounted to 133,442 TEUs year-on-year.

Cargo handling posted even stronger growth. The port handled 138.15 million tonnes of import and export cargo in 2025, up from 123.98 million tonnes the previous year, an increase of more than 14 million tonnes.

Ship handling also reached a historic high, with 4,273 vessels calling at the port in 2025, compared with 3,857 in 2024, representing a growth of 10.5 per cent.

Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves stood at $35.74 billion, according to the latest data released by the Bangladesh Bank (BB) today (Monday).The central bank said that under the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM-6) accounting standard, the country's reserves were recorded at $31.18 billion, BSS reports. Bangladesh economic report

Officials noted that the reserve position reflects the country's external sector stability amidst ongoing global economic uncertainties.

The government is going to float its first short-term sukuk, a shariah-compliant investment instrument similar to bonds, as strong demand builds among both individual and institutional investors looking for short-term returns.

For the government, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) will hold auctions on June 28 for the nine-month tenure instrument to raise Tk 5,500 crore. The amount will be used for the development of important rural infrastructure.

“We have been receiving a huge response to investment in sukuk, as reflected in the bids. This means that there is demand in the market,” said Istequemal Hussain, director of the Debt Management Department of BB.

The move comes amid continued strong appetite for sukuk.

Today, the central bank raised Tk 5,600 crore through an auction for a sukuk issued to finance the rehabilitation of rural infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Amphan and floods. It received bids worth Tk 44,490 crore, nearly eight times the target amount.

Last month, the BB received bids worth 12 times the face value of a Tk 5,900 crore sukuk from banks, finance companies and individuals.

Interest in the shariah-compliant instruments has been rising since their launch in December 2020. So far, the government has raised around Tk 48,000 crore through sukuk issuance. The total will cross Tk 53,000 crore after the upcoming short-term auction.

Hussain said there is currently no government-issued investment instrument with a nine-month maturity.

“At present, there are 91-day, 182-day and 364-day treasury bills for investment,” he said. “So, we see a good prospect.”

The short-term sukuk will offer a 9.36 percent annual return, termed as annual rental (profit). The profit, estimated at Tk 385 crore, will be paid in a lump sum upon maturity.

The minimum investment has been set at Tk 10,000, according to the BB.

“All resident and non-resident individuals and institutions can invest in sukuk,” the central bank said, adding that investments can be made through accounts maintained with any bank or financial institution.

It also said tax rebate facilities will be available, similar to those offered on other government securities.

Banks and financial institutions maintaining Al-Wadeeah current accounts, a shariah-compliant banking arrangement, with the BB will be eligible to participate directly in the auction.

Local and foreign individuals, corporate bodies, investment firms, insurance companies, provident funds and deposit insurance funds can also participate through banks and financial institutions, it added.

In the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026-27, the government has prioritised expanding the use of sukuk alongside corporate bonds, mutual funds and green bonds to reduce excessive reliance on bank-based financing.

The budget mentions that the use of sukuk, along with infrastructure funds, will be increased to support long-term public and private projects.

Hussain said the central bank looks to raise Tk 25,000 crore through sukuk in fiscal year 2026-27.

He noted that total outstanding investment in government bills and bonds stands at around Tk 5 lakh crore. Taking into account the 27 percent share of shariah-based banks in the banking sector, there is a potential sukuk investment pool of nearly Tk 1 lakh crore.

So far, the government has issued sukuk with tenures of five to seven years, raising about Tk 48,000 crore in total.

Bangladesh and Malaysia on Monday expressed their commitment to advancing negotiations with a view to concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries in 2027, for a "mutually beneficial, comprehensive and forward-looking" agreement that reflects current global trading practices.
The leaders, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, welcomed the progress made towards the commencement of negotiations on the FTA between the two countries, UNB reported, citing a joint statement shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Bangladesh stock market

Both leaders acknowledged the significance of bilateral trade and investment relations, noting that Bangladesh remains Malaysia's second-largest trading partner in South Asia.

They expressed their commitment to further strengthening economic cooperation and facilitating two-way trade and investment.

The two prime ministers welcomed the progress made in the establishment of the Malaysia-Bangladesh Joint Business Council (JBC), which will serve as the key bilateral institutional mechanism for structured dialogue and the exchange of ideas to facilitate active collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries, thereby expanding bilateral economic, trade and investment ties.

Stressing the importance of enhancing trade, investment and sustainable economic partnership, the leaders encouraged greater collaboration across priority sectors including telecommunications, energy, infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges, elevated expressways and digital public infrastructure), ports and logistics, the halal industry, agro-processing, education and skills development, the digital economy, semiconductors, smart manufacturing and other high-value industries.

The leaders further encouraged closer cooperation between relevant government agencies, investment promotion agencies, industry players and business communities of both countries through investment facilitation, technical cooperation, capacity building, technology transfer, talent development, business matching and strategic partnerships, aiming to foster industrial upgrading, strengthen regional and global value chain participation, and create mutually beneficial investment opportunities for both nations.

They acknowledged the significant commercial potential of the global Islamic economy.Economic zone consulting

Recognising Malaysia’s expertise and extensive experience in the development of the halal ecosystem, they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in support of Bangladesh’s development of its halal sector.

They acknowledged the Exchange of Notes on Cooperation in the Field of Halal Ecosystem and welcomed ongoing collaboration between the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the relevant regulatory authorities of Bangladesh.

They reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing cooperation in areas including halal certification, the development of regulatory frameworks, capacity building and training of professionals, research and innovation, as well as institutional strengthening.

Labour Cooperation

In line with Malaysia’s current policy on foreign labour intake, both Bangladesh and Malaysia recognised that approvals for new foreign worker quotas are currently evaluated strictly on a case-by-case basis, contingent upon verified employer requirements and sectoral ceilings.

"For any such approved quotas, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the recruitment process is transparent, fair, non-discriminatory, and competitive, utilising only credible and qualified recruitment agencies," according to a joint statement shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both countries have agreed to convene the Joint Working Group (JWG) to ensure the "continued, safe, and mutually beneficial" migration of Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia.

The meeting will focus on evaluating the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and laying the groundwork for drafting a new, updated MoU that meets the current needs of both nations.

Malaysia acknowledged Bangladesh’s proposal regarding the recruitment of workers.

The leaders, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, recognised the importance of people-to-people connectivity and welcomed the contribution of Bangladeshi workers to the development of Malaysia.

They noted that the Bangladeshi expatriate community plays a part in fostering bilateral exchanges and shared economic activities between Malaysia and Bangladesh.Bangladesh stock market

Education and Tourism Cooperation

Recognising the presence of around 11,000 Bangladeshi students in Malaysia, and their positive contribution to academic exchange and socio-economic linkages between Bangladesh and Malaysia, as well as the value they bring upon returning to Bangladesh, both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of education, including through university-to-university partnerships and joint research programmes, focusing on technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Both sides emphasised the importance of expanding mutually recognised qualifications, joint degree programmes and flexible learning pathways.

The leaders also stressed the importance of aligning academic programmes with labour market needs and priority sectors in both countries, with particular focus on graduate mobility and skills development.

Both leaders expressed optimism about expanding tourism cooperation, particularly in light of Malaysia’s "Visit Malaysia 2026" (VM2026) and "Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026" (MYMT2026) campaigns.

Malaysia extended a warm welcome to Bangladeshi travellers, and the leaders agreed to enhance tourism promotion and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Beximco Pharmaceuticals has developed a generic version of a high-cost medicine used to treat cystic fibrosis, a rare genetic disorder that severely affects the lungs and digestive system and can significantly reduce life expectancy.

The first group of patients came to Bangladesh last week from several countries to receive the treatment, which the Bangladeshi drugmaker has made available at a price 96 percent lower than the patented version.

They received their medicines at a special event in Dhaka, according to a media release of Beximco Pharma. The drug is sold globally under the brand names Trikafta or Kaftrio, while Beximco’s version is called Triko.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic illness people are born with. It damages the lungs and digestive system. In many cases, without diagnosis and treatment, patients may die in early childhood, while in other settings life expectancy remains limited.

US biopharmaceutical company Vertex Pharmaceuticals produces the original branded medicine for the treatment of the disease. In the United States, it costs around $370,000 per patient per year.

Although highly effective, the treatment remains out of reach for many patients globally due to its high cost, especially in low and middle-income countries. As a result, many continue to suffer or die even where treatment exists.

The generic version developed at Beximco Pharma’s facilities is priced at $6,375 per year for children and $12,750 per year for adults, marking a sharp reduction compared with the original branded treatment.

Among the first group of patients to receive the medicine last week was Simon Sevcik, who travelled with his father, Stanislav, from Slovakia. He said he experienced early signs of improvement shortly after starting the treatment.

“I felt the effect within an hour -- I started coughing and I knew it was working. My lungs were clearing,” he said. “This is an amazing moment for me -- I feel like my future has opened up. I hope every CF patient gets to experience this very, very soon. For most of my life, this medicine was not an option for me. Finally, there is effective, affordable treatment.”

Apart from Slovakia, patients from five countries, including South Africa, Qatar, the United States, the United Kingdom and Bangladesh, were among those who received the first doses of Triko last week.

Rabbur Reza, chief operating officer of Beximco Pharmaceuticals, said the drugmaker aims to address major gaps in access to essential medicines.

“At Beximco Pharma, we have always sought to address the unmet medical needs of patients, particularly in therapy areas characterised by severely limited access,” he said.

“We are deeply proud to be part of this meaningful initiative,” Reza added. “We believe that access to this life-saving treatment will have a truly transformative impact on the thousands of patients living with cystic fibrosis who are currently deprived of treatment due to the significant cost burden.”

Tyre manufacturers expect domestic production to rise and import dependence to fall following measures proposed in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget, including a 20 percent supplementary duty on light truck tyre imports and value added tax on agricultural tyres.

The measures are expected to help save foreign currency by encouraging local manufacturing, industry representatives said at a post-budget press conference organised by the Bangladesh Tyre-Tube Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BTMEA) at Holiday Inn in Dhaka yesterday.

In a written statement, Lutful Bari, vice-president of BTMEA and chief executive officer of Meghna Tyres, outlined the budget’s impact on the industry, including its possible effects on investment and employment.

“The proposed measures will encourage fresh investment and help existing factories operating below capacity expand production,” he said.

Bari added that Meghna Group plans to invest around Tk 1,000 crore in a radial tyre manufacturing plant.

He also said that locally produced tyres would be more competitively priced than imported ones.

Sohail Rahman, general manager of Jamuna Tyres, said each direct job in the tyre industry creates about 12 indirect jobs.

“The new supplementary duty will discourage imports and support local manufacturers,” he added.

Rahman also said Bangladesh imported tyres worth around Tk 4,700 crore last year.

The event was also attended by Miraj Rahman, managing director of Rupsha Tyres; Md Faisal Faruque Tuhin, vice-president of BTMEA and representative of Hossain Tyres; and Md Shariful Islam, chief operating officer of RFL.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said the proposed FY2026-27 budget allows freelancers and content creators to remit up to $5,000 without paperwork, calling it the most youth-friendly budget the country has ever seen.
"Earlier, even bringing in Tk 10 from abroad required filling out forms and going through hassles. Now, freelancers and content creators can bring in up to $5,000 without any formalities," the minister said at an event organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at the University of Asia Pacific auditorium in the capital.Personal finance tips

The budget also extends tax exemptions to startups, freelancers, and content creators, the minister said, adding that the government is actively working to bring global payment platforms into the country to make digital earnings easier to repatriate.

PayPal and several other international payment platforms are already in the process of launching operations in Bangladesh, he said. "We told platforms around the world, come and open up in Bangladesh. Many are already coming. PayPal and three or four others are on their way."

Khosru said the budget has reduced costs across the entire digital ecosystem including making SIM cards more affordable. "We don't want a digital Bangladesh in words we want it to be real. We are moving the entire country to real-time online systems."

He noted that deeper digitalisation would naturally curb corruption by reducing physical contact between citizens and government offices. "We want you to serve your purpose from home, online. The more we reduce physical contact, the more corruption will fall."

The minister said the government has consciously shifted away from old economic models towards what he called "economic democratisation," ensuring that the benefits of growth reach ordinary people, including those long excluded from the mainstream economy.Bangladesh economic report

"If people don't actively participate in the economy and the fruits of growth don't reach them, then all the figures about Bangladesh's GDP growth and export earnings become meaningless."

He added that the government's focus on the creative economy is aimed at bringing in the large segment of the population that has historically remained outside the mainstream, describing it as a central pillar of the new economic vision.

Bangladesh Jeweller's Association (Bajus) today (22 June) raised the gold price in the domestic market by Tk4,432 per bhori, ending a two-round decline, with 22-carat gold now priced at Tk2,30,772 per bhori.

In a notice issued in the morning, Bajus cited a rise in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market as the reason behind the upward revision.

According to the new rates, 21-carat gold will be sold at Tk2,20,391 per bhori, 18-carat at Tk1,89,248, and traditional-method gold at Tk1,54,606 per bhori.

BAJUS said the revised price will remain in effect at all jewellery shops across the country until further notice, though applicable making charges will vary by design.

It also clarified that since VAT is already included in the selling price, jewellers cannot charge VAT separately from customers.

Existing BAJUS rules on jewellery exchange and purchase, excluding specific VAT, making charges and gemstones, will remain unchanged. A separate announcement on VAT applicable to silver jewellery will be made shortly.

The latest revision comes just two days after BAJUS cut the price of 22-carat gold by Tk2,216 to Tk2,26,340 per bhori on 20 June.

This is the 79th price adjustment for gold in the domestic market so far this year, with prices raised 40 times, reduced 38 times and VAT-adjusted once.

Meanwhile, silver prices remain unchanged. A bhori of 22-carat silver is currently being sold at Tk5,249, while 21-carat stands atTk 5,016, 18-carat at Tk4,257, and traditional-method silver at Tk3,208 per bhori.

Oil prices fell on Monday on optimism over US-Iran talks, with mediators flagging a “roadmap” to a final agreement, while equities were mixed.

After a meeting planned for Friday was cancelled owing to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the negotiations finally got underway on Sunday in Switzerland with teams led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Traders remain in buoyant mood after news that the two foes had paused their conflict, which had sent energy costs soaring and stoking inflation, sending shivers through the global economy.

There were initial jitters following reports that Iran had called off the talks over US President Donald Trump’s threat to carry out more strikes if Hezbollah kept attacking Israel, but mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the talks took place in “a positive and constructive atmosphere”.

The mood improved as Qatar and Pakistan announced progress in the talks, which aim to address Tehran’s nuclear programme and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of oil and gas pass.

The two mediators said the United States and Iran agreed to set up a “communication line” to avoid incidents in the crucial waterway, and “the High Level Committee has agreed upon a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days, laying the foundation for the immediate commencement of further technical talks”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that “mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War”.

Both main oil contracts fell in afternoon Asian trade, with Brent down more than one percent.

The government has formed a National Drug Advisory Council to advise the authorities on implementing the National Drug Policy and developing the country’s pharmaceutical sector to ensure the availability of essential medicines.

The 22-member council will be headed by Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, according to a circular issued by the Cabinet Division on Sunday.

The state minister for health and family welfare, the prime minister’s special assistant on health affairs, the executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), secretaries from various ministries and divisions, academics, and industry representatives have been included in the council.

One of the council’s key responsibilities will be to publish a new essential drug list and update it every two years, the circular said. The council will meet at least twice a year and will be allowed to co-opt additional members.

The development comes within six months of the interim government’s update of the National Essential Drug List, which increased the number of medicines to 295 in January this year following recommendations from a taskforce.

At the time, the government also announced that the prices of all these essential medicines would be fixed to ensure greater affordability for the public. However, neither the prices were fixed nor was the decision implemented.

Asked yesterday, Health Secretary Quamruzzaman Chowdhury, who will serve as the member secretary of the advisory council, said they would review the previous list and prepare a fresh essential drug list, taking all relevant factors into consideration.

When the interim government formed a taskforce to prepare the essential drug list, it did not include any industry representatives, citing the need to avoid conflicts of interest.

However, the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) criticised the move, particularly the exclusion of industry representatives from the taskforce.

The presidents of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, BAPI, and the Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Society have been made members of the new advisory council.

The health secretary said several cases and countercases had been filed over the previous government’s move. “All necessary procedures and practices were followed to form the council,” he added.

Pragati Life Insurance Limited has recommended a 15% cash dividend and a 10% stock dividend for the financial year ended 31 December, 2025, following a board review of its audited financial statements.

The announcement was made through a price-sensitive information disclosure published by the Dhaka Stock Exchange yesterday (21 June). Shareholders on record as of 14 July, 2026 will be eligible for the dividend, pending approval at Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The company said the stock dividend has been recommended to support building construction and modernisation, increase paid-up capital, and facilitate further investments.

DSE also announced that there would be no price limit on the trading of the company's shares today following the corporate declaration.

Investor sentiment remained positive after the announcement, with the company's share price rising 2.64% to Tk186.90 on the Dhaka Stock Exchange yesterday.

Alongside the dividend declaration, Pragati Life also released its unaudited financial results for the first quarter (January-March) of 2026.

According to the life revenue account, the company's surplus, defined as the excess of total income over total expenses including claims, stood at Tk38.24 crore during the quarter, compared with Tk15.73 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. This represents a year-on-year increase of approximately 143%.

The company's Life Insurance Fund also recorded significant growth. As of 31 March, 2026, the fund stood at Tk818.56 crore, compared with Tk674.87 crore a year earlier, reflecting an increase of about Tk143.69 crore.

In the first quarter (January- March) 2026, the company paid Tk100 crore out of Tk105 crore claims.

Established in 1996, Pragati Life Insurance is one of the oldest private-sector life insurers in Bangladesh. The company offers a range of life insurance products, including individual life policies, group insurance schemes, pension plans, and savings-based insurance products. It serves customers across the country through an extensive branch network.

Market observers say the dividend declaration sends a positive signal to shareholders. The strong growth in both quarterly surplus and the Life Insurance Fund indicates an improvement in the company's financial position.

Amid increasing competition in the insurance sector, the robust growth in income and fund size is expected to strengthen investor confidence in the company's future prospects.

The proposed dividend, however, remains subject to approval by shareholders at the AGM and the necessary regulatory clearances.

Bangladesh is likely to sign a US$400-million loan deal with China for Mongla seaport development as the government might seek nearly US$6.0 billion worth of funding for different projects and programmes, officials say.

The two sides would sign the loan deal for Mongla port development during the 4-day visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman that starts today (Tuesday), Ministry of Finance Affairs (MoFA) officials said Monday.

Besides, Dhaka is also likely to ink another grants deal with Beijing for getting financial support to build a hospital in northern Nilphamari district.

In addition, Bangladesh and China are expected to sign around 10 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering green energy, electric vehicles, solar power, media cooperation, training programmes and development of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chittagong.

The last interim government approved the 1000-bed Nilphamari Hospital project with a total estimated cost of Tk 24.59 billion where Chinese government grant assistance is earmarked at Tk 22.80 billion and Bangladesh government will share Tk 1.79 billion.

During the visit of the PM, Bangladesh might seek support to some projects and programmes worth nearly $6.0 billion from China, says a senior MoFA official.

"Some fresh priority projects have been included in the list of Bangladesh's needs and our PM will seek support for those ones on his visit from Tuesday," the official adds.

"Although 27 projects were included in the priority-project list during the visit of the Chinese premier to Bangladesh in 2016, in the meantime, there is lot of changes over the last 10 years and our development priority has also changed. So, the priority-project list has been updated and the financial support will be requested for those from Beijing," he says.

Earlier, Bangladesh had requested China to expedite development assistance for 27 priority projects originally agreed upon during Chinese President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Dhaka in October 2016.

The initial 2016 agreement involved a $20-billion foreign-aid package intended to fund infrastructure, energy, and communications megaprojects.

The "Development and modernisation of Mongla Port project" was approved by the last interim government with a cost of Tk 40.68 billion ($400 million) for which China assured of adequate funds.

Additionally, a project worth over Tk 15.38 billion is dedicated to Pashur Channel dredging to maintain port navigability.

Meanwhile, during the Bangladesh PM's ongoing visit, Beijing may propose introducing Panda Bonds and China's Cross-Border Interbank Payment System as part of efforts to internationalise the yuan.

When asked, government officials were reluctant to clarify Bangladesh's position on the financial issue.

The stock market suffered its sharpest fall in months today (22 June), with investors rushing to sell amid concerns over stricter regulatory surveillance and year-end profit-booking.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) lost around Tk6,000 crore in market capitalisation in a single session as sellers dominated trading from the opening bell.

The benchmark DSEX index plunged 85 points, or 1.51%, to 5,554, while the blue-chip DS30 index fell 35 points to 2,110.

Market breadth remained overwhelmingly negative, with 319 stocks declining, 36 advancing, and 34 remaining unchanged. Turnover on the DSE dropped 13% to Tk876 crore. Market insiders described the sell-off as being driven by a "surveillance ghost" haunting investors.

Following directives from the newly reconstituted Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the DSE has strengthened its real-time market surveillance to curb manipulation. The bourse recently suspended trading in three companies over unusual price movements and launched investigations into rallies in at least seven other stocks.

Ashequr Rahman, managing director of Midway Securities Limited, said fears over real-time surveillance contributed to the market decline, although fiscal year-end portfolio adjustments were also a key factor.

"Institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals are liquidating holdings before the fiscal year ends on 30 June. They want to realise gains and recalibrate their investment strategies for the coming year," he told The Business Standard.

Ashequr said the DSE should establish transparent criteria for selecting stocks for investigation to avoid perceptions of bias and unnecessary panic among investors.

Saiful Islam, president of the DSE Brokers Association (DBA), said regulators are mainly targeting the manipulation of non-operational or "paper" companies that have repeatedly trapped retail investors.

According to Sheltech Brokerage Limited's daily market review, investor sentiment was also weakened by renewed geopolitical tensions and domestic political uncertainty. Selling pressure was evident from the start of trading as investors avoided taking fresh positions.

The pharmaceutical sector accounted for the largest share of turnover at 16.4%, followed by engineering and textiles. However, nearly all sectors ended lower.

The miscellaneous sector posted the steepest decline, falling 3.5%, followed by information technology and non-bank financial institutions. People's Leasing and Fareast Finance were among the top gainers, while Dominage Steel and Beximco ranked among the worst losers.

The bearish trend extended to the Chittagong Stock Exchange, where the CASPI index fell 167 points to 15,082. Turnover, however, jumped 145% to Tk74.42 crore, indicating heavy selling activity.

The capital bourse kicked off the week on a negative note today (21 June) as widespread profit-taking snapped a two-session winning streak, dragging the benchmark index down.

The DSEX, the prime index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), shed 21 points to settle at 5,639. Meanwhile, the blue-chip DS30 index managed to buck the trend slightly, gaining 2 points to reach 2,145.

Market breadth heavily favoured the bears, with only 71 issues advancing, 298 declining, and 27 remaining unchanged.

A cautious investor stance also dampened trading participation, causing daily turnover to plunge 16% to Tk1,002 crore compared to the previous session.

According to the daily market review by EBL Securities, the benchmark index retreated in the first session of the week as profit-taking in recently appreciated stocks heavily outweighed selective buying in perceived fundamentally attractive scrips.

The brokerage firm added that the market came under sustained selling pressure from the opening bell, as widespread profit-taking gained momentum throughout the session, weighing on the majority of listed scrips and pushing the market into negative territory.

Mirroring this view, Sheltech Brokerage Limited noted that market sentiment was largely influenced by investors' profit-taking following the recent advance.

The brokerage highlighted that despite a strong start to the session, supported by buying pressure in selective large-cap stocks, the market failed to sustain its early gains as profit-taking pressure intensified from mid-session onward.

On the sectoral front, pharmaceuticals accounted for the highest share of turnover at 13.5%, followed closely by engineering at 12.5% and textiles at 11.8%.

Most of the sectors displayed negative returns, out of which services fell by 3.9%, miscellaneous dropped by 3.4%, and general insurance corrected by 2.1%, exerting the most downward pressure.

On the flip side, telecommunication, pharmaceuticals, and food sectors bucked the trend to exhibit the highest returns on the bourse today, gaining 1.5%, 0.5%, and 0.3% respectively.

The primary index draggers pulling down the market included Olympic Industries, United Commercial Bank, Asiatic Laboratories, National Bank, and Summit Alliance Port.

Despite the correction, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Summit Alliance Port, IPDC Finance, and Robi emerged as the top traded stocks of the day.

In terms of individual performance, Prime Finance First Mutual Fund led the gainers with a 7.61% jump, followed by Simtex Industries at 5.70% and KDS Accessories at 4.64%.

On the losing side, Meghna Pet and Beximco Limited hit the bottom by plummeting 9.87% each, followed by Regent Textile which lost 9.67%.

The port city bourse, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), also mirrored the capital city's bearish tone.
The CSCX index ended 61 points lower at 9,327, while the CASPI broad index plummeted 104 points to close at 15,249. Trading activity on the CSE witnessed a massive contraction as its daily turnover dropped by 64% to stand at a meager Tk30 crore.

Economists and development experts have raised concerns over structural weaknesses, ambitious revenue assumptions and widening inequality risks in the proposed FY2026-27 national budget, while acknowledging some reform-oriented and sector-specific incentives.

They made the observations at a post-budget analysis event titled "Fiscal Priorities and Economic Justice: A Critical Review of the FY2026-27 Budget", organised by the Bengal Institute of Peace and Economic Development in Dhaka today (22 June).

The keynote paper was presented by AKM Waresul Karim, dean of the Department of Economics at North South University.

Karim said the proposed budget, set at Tk9.38 lakh crore – the largest in the country's history – has been prepared amid slowing GDP growth, high inflation, rising debt and pressure in the banking sector. Development spending is allocated Tk3.16 lakh crore, while non-development expenditure accounts for 66.3% of total outlay.

He noted that revenue mobilisation remains heavily dependent on the National Board of Revenue (NBR), requiring a 43.79% growth target, which he described as a major implementation challenge.

He, however, welcomed several measures including higher education allocation, startup funding, tax relief for electric vehicles and freelancers, and capital market reforms.

At the same time, he warned that regressive taxation measures, high revenue targets, rising housing costs and tax whitening provisions could undermine equity and investment.

CPD Additional Director Toufiqul Islam Khan said the budget reflects gradual evolution rather than structural change, with persistent gaps between revenue targets and economic realities.

He stressed the need to separate policy formulation from revenue administration and called for stronger investment in education and health to support long-term recovery and reduce inequality.

BDJobs CEO Fahim Mashroor highlighted the political economy dimension of fiscal planning, saying project cuts affect not only public spending but also local economic ecosystems, as political actors also operate within economic structures.

Change Initiative Executive Director Zakir Khan described the budget as "emotionally driven rather than strategically designed", noting incentives for green industries and social sectors but warning that environmental degradation and health costs are eroding development gains.

He also urged stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure effective budget implementation.