বর্তমান ব্যবসায়িক চ্যালেঞ্জ মোকাবিলা ও চলতি মূলধনের প্রয়োজন মেটাতে পুঁজিবাজার থেকে সর্বোচ্চ ১ হাজার ৫০০ কোটি টাকা সংগ্রহের উদ্যোগ নিয়েছে দেশের অন্যতম বৃহৎ শিল্পগোষ্ঠী সিটি গ্রুপ। এ লক্ষ্যে লঙ্কাবাংলা ইনভেস্টমেন্ট ও ওয়ান ব্যাংকের সঙ্গে চুক্তি করেছে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি।

আজ (বুধবার, ১২ আগস্ট) গুলশানে সিটি গ্রুপের করপোরেট কার্যালয়ে এ-সংক্রান্ত চুক্তি স্বাক্ষর হয়। অনুষ্ঠানে সংশ্লিষ্ট প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর ঊর্ধ্বতন কর্মকর্তারা উপস্থিত ছিলেন।

অর্থ সংগ্রহের ক্ষেত্রে আইপিওর পাশাপাশি প্রাইভেট ইক্যুইটি, প্রেফারেন্স শেয়ার, করপোরেট বন্ড ও সুকুকসহ অনুমোদিত বিভিন্ন পদ্ধতি বিবেচনা করছে সিটি গ্রুপ।

এ প্রক্রিয়ায় লঙ্কাবাংলা ইনভেস্টমেন্ট পিএলসিকে ইস্যু ম্যানেজার হিসেবে নিয়োগ দেয়া হয়েছে। আর প্রস্তাবিত লেনদেনে প্রয়োজনীয় ব্যাংকিং সেবা দিতে ওয়ান ব্যাংক পিএলসি ব্যাংকিং পার্টনার ও ব্যাংকার টু দ্য ইস্যু হিসেবে কাজ করবে।

প্রয়োজনীয় নিয়ন্ত্রক সংস্থার অনুমোদন এবং বাজার পরিস্থিতি অনুকূলে থাকলে আগামী ১২ থেকে ১৮ মাসের মধ্যে অর্থ সংগ্রহের পরিকল্পনা রয়েছে বলে জানিয়েছে সিটি গ্রুপ।

চুক্তি স্বাক্ষর আয়োজনে চলমান সংকটে পুঁজিবাজার সিটি গ্রুপের জন্য সহায়ক হতে পারে বলে আশা প্রকাশ করেন সিটি গ্রুপের ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক মোহাম্মদ হাসান।

ওয়ান ব্যাংক পিএলসির ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক মুহিত রহমান বলেন, ‘সিটি গ্রুপের অনেকগুলা প্রতিষ্ঠান আছে; যেখানে আইপিও, বন্ড এবং বিভিন্ন ধরনের ইন্সট্রুমেন্টের ওপরে আমরা কাজ করবো। প্রাইভেট ইকুইটি, বাইরের স্ট্র্যাটেজিক পার্টনার— কী ধরনের কী কী সলিউশন করা যায়, যেখানে আমরা ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেটকে ভাইব্রেন্ট করতে পারি।’

লঙ্কাবাংলা ইনভেস্টমেন্ট পিএলসির পরিচালক মো. নাসির উদ্দিন চৌধুরী বলেন, ‘সিটি গ্রুপের ভবিষ্যৎ ফাইন্যান্সিয়াল স্ট্রাকচার যে আমরা করবো, সেখানে ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেটের সম্পৃক্ততাকে আমরা খুবই গুরুত্ব দিচ্ছি। কারণ আমরা ইকুইটির মাধ্যমে জনগণের সম্পৃক্ততা যদি আসে, এই গ্রুপের প্রতি পাবলিকের আস্থা বাড়বে।’

সিটি গ্রুপের ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক মোহাম্মদ হাসান বলেন, ‘আমরা যদি বাংলাদেশের ফাইন্যান্সিয়াল মার্কেটটা দেখি, তাহলে দেখতে পাব, আমাদের দেশে আসলে উদ্যোক্তারা বেশিরভাগই কমার্শিয়াল ব্যাংকগুলোর ওপর ডিপেন্ডেন্ট। আমি মনে করি, এর প্রধান একটা কারণ হচ্ছে যে ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেটে একটা আস্থার অভাব ছিল। আমরাও এর ব্যতিক্রম ছিলাম না। প্রধানমন্ত্রী ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেটকে আরও চাঙা করার জন্য অনেক পদক্ষেপ নিয়েছেন। আশা করি যে, ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেট আরও চাঙা হবে। আমাদের চলমান যে সংকটটা আছে, আমরা মনে করি যে ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেট আমাদের জন্য একটা সলিউশন হতে পারে।’

Oil prices rose on Wednesday after attacks on two ships reinforced worries about disruptions to Middle East supplies, while industry data showing swelling inventories of US crude might keep bulls in check.

Brent futures were up 90 cents, or 1 percent, at $89.81 a barrel by 0757 GMT, set for their sixth day of gains.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 88 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $84.08, up for a fifth day. Both contracts earlier rose more than $1.

The United States and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis reported separate attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday, two crucial export valves for Middle Eastern oil and gas in addition to the Suez canal.

Iran’s top security official said Hormuz would stay closed unless the US accepted Iran’s conditions to end the war, including release of its frozen assets.

Shipping data showed the number of vessels transiting Hormuz fell to a one-week low of eight on Tuesday. Before the war, 125 to 140 vessels passed through the crucial waterway each day.

In Libya, the country’s National Oil Corporation said all fires at fuel storage tanks in the Zawiya oil complex were under control. On the supply front, a Reuters poll showed that US crude oil and fuel inventories were expected to have fallen last week.

However, market sources citing American Petroleum Institute data said US crude inventories rose sharply, while gasoline and distillate stocks fell.

Crude stocks rose by about 9.1 million barrels, while gasoline and distillate inventories fell by 1.5 million barrels and 596,000 barrels, respectively, from the previous week, the sources said.

The crude build far exceeded expectations and, if confirmed by the Energy Information Administration report later on Wednesday, could ease market concerns about supply tightness, Haitong Futures said in a note.

Official numbers from the EIA, the statistical arm of the US Department of Energy, are due at 10:30 a.m. ET (1430 GMT).

For longer-term supply, the EIA expected significant disruptions to Middle East crude supplies to persist through the end of 2027.

The EIA said it expects 2026 Brent crude oil prices to average $86.81 a barrel, and WTI to average $80.88.

Midas Financing PLC has slipped into financial insolvency as its net asset value (NAV) per share plunged further into negative territory to Tk24.87 by 30 June, with mounting losses pushing its liabilities above the value of its assets.

The non-bank financial institution disclosed the negative NAV in its half-yearly financial statements filed with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) today (11 August), underscoring the erosion of its net asset base.

Market insiders said a negative NAV poses a severe risk to investors as it means the company's liabilities exceed the value of its assets. In cases of severe insolvency, creditors typically have priority over shareholders in any liquidation, leaving shareholders at risk of receiving little or nothing.

Three years without dividends as losses mount

The company's financial position deteriorated sharply in the first half of 2026, when it incurred a consolidated net loss of Tk89 crore, translating into a loss per share of Tk6.21 for January-June.

The latest loss came after Midas Finance posted a staggering consolidated net loss of Tk337 crore in 2025, resulting in a loss per share of Tk23.40.

Its NAV per share, which had already fallen to negative Tk18.66 by the end of December 2025, thus deteriorated by another Tk6.21 in the first half of this year.

The company has also failed to declare any dividend for three consecutive years amid persistent losses, relegating its shares to the 'Z' category on the Dhaka bourse.

Midas Finance, listed on the DSE in 2002, has reached a point where accumulated losses have eroded its net asset base, leaving its liabilities in excess of its assets.

Shareholders typically rank behind creditors in insolvency or liquidation proceedings and may receive little or nothing, market insiders said.

The company's shares closed at Tk5.90 today, giving it a market capitalisation of Tk84.89 crore.

As of July 2026, sponsors and directors held 38.36% of the company's shares, while institutional and general investors collectively held more than 51%, leaving a significant portion of the exposure with outside shareholders.

Bangladesh’s push to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals faces severe headwinds from poor revenue mobilisation, sluggish private investment, and institutional weaknesses, speakers warned yesterday.

The country will require an estimated $421 billion between 2026 and 2030 to meet its SDG targets. With the government expected to cover just 14 percent, the private sector must shoulder the remaining $362 billion.
However, businesses continue to encounter regulatory delays, policy uncertainty, inadequate infrastructure, and unreliable data, while the tax-to-GDP ratio lingers at 7 percent to 8 percent against a 15 percent target.Speaking at a session, titled “Reforming Economy, Data Governance and SDGs (Goals 16 and 17)”, AHM Jahangir, additional secretary and wing chief of development effectiveness at the Economic Relations Division, stressed that establishing an enabling environment is vital to attract private capital.

He cited low tax collection, infrastructure deficits, and project implementation delays as core obstacles. The event was held on the second day of the conference “Navigating Five-Year Strategic Framework for Achieving SDGs: Policy, Partnership and Priorities.”

The event was organised by the General Economics Division of the Planning Ministry at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

Although Bangladesh has advanced on select SDG indicators, chronic governance issues persist.

Macroeconomic pressures continue to hamper growth. M Masrur Reaz, chairman and CEO of the Policy Exchange of Bangladesh, highlighted that declining employment growth since 2017-18 has been compounded by structural flaws and licensing delays.

Pointing to weak exports, a widening trade gap, and port inefficiencies, Abu Ahmed, chairman of the Investment Corporation of Bangladesh, insisted that economic recovery must precede SDG success.

“None of the SDG goals can be achieved if the economy does not move upward,” he stated, warning that raising taxes without boosting incomes will merely burden the public.Flawed statistics emerged as another major concern. Masrur, as well as Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Zahed Ur Rahman, both advisers to the Prime Minister, collectively emphasised that inaccurate data distort policymaking and undermines sustainable growth.

Rizvi urged full transparency, stating, “Whatever the reality is, it should be presented accurately,” while noting that Bangladesh now trails several regional peers in SDG performance. Zahed recommended cross-checking GDP figures against electricity consumption, transport activity, and domestic investment to mirror actual economic conditions.

In response, Md Firoz Sarker, secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division, affirmed that official statistics represent a strategic public good. The division is developing a microdata access policy alongside an advance release calendar for GDP, CPI, and employment metrics, adding that professional independence is essential for public trust.

Md Khaled Hassan, additional secretary of the Cabinet Division, noted that the homicide rate dropped from 1.94 to 1.5 per 100,000 people, fulfilling the 2025 SDG target.

Conversely, reporting rates for physical, psychological, or sexual violence remain critically low at 5.4 percent, far below the 30 percent goal for 2030. Fear, lack of awareness, high legal costs, and institutional distrust prevent victims from seeking justice.

Furthermore, public perception of administrative corruption remains unchanged, with 30 percent of citizens still viewing bribery as a problem in 2025 compared to 31 percent in 2019 -- though among businesses, this figure fell from 41 to 23 percent.

Addressing structural erosion, Zahed Ur Rahman attributed current economic troubles to 15 years of disastrous governance that damaged state institutions, including the judiciary and bureaucracy. Urging patience, he noted that institutional and economic reforms must progress together, alongside efforts to reconstitute the Information Commission and resolve gas shortages threatening industrial energy security.

Polish retailer LPP will continue sourcing from Bangladesh and help facilitate settlement talks over $40 million in disputed payments, rather than pay the amount itself, according to a statement issued yesterday.LPP maintains it is not legally obliged to make the payment, the company said in a written statement issued jointly with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
It is expected that the payment will be made gradually based on the position LPP shared with BGMEA, the association’s President Mahmud Hasan Khan told The Daily Star.He said the joint statement was issued to prevent misinterpretation of the matter.The payment dispute stems from unpaid dues owed by Russian buyer FES Retail to Bangladeshi garment factories and buying houses, under sales contracts guaranteed by LPP. Payments stopped following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, and Bangladeshi suppliers were unable to recover the money despite repeated efforts.

Amid the dispute, LPP suspended new purchase orders and product development work in Bangladesh on July 30, citing a review of its sourcing strategy.

The Polish retailer said the review and suspension were intended to protect its local employees, ensure legal certainty, and maintain a stable, predictable and fair environment for business operations.

The company sources more than $700 million worth of garments annually from about 722 Bangladeshi companies, mostly sweater manufacturers. The suspension affected more than 350 factories currently doing business with the brand.

THE JOINT STATEMENT

BGMEA and LPP, in the statement, said the dispute should not adversely affect the wider Bangladeshi apparel sector.

They said the matter publicly under discussion involves alleged unpaid liabilities connected to invoices with FES Retail, which LPP said it is not legally obligated to pay.

They shared the intention to ensure legal certainty, employee safety and stable business promotion and cooperation in Bangladesh, as per the statement.

LPP said it settles its own obligations to its direct suppliers and business partners in Bangladesh on an ongoing basis.

BGMEA said it has taken note of LPP’s position that claims should be addressed to the parties legally responsible for them.

Both sides agreed that affected factories are in a difficult commercial situation. They also agreed that settlement talks should involve the party legally responsible for the payments, with LPP saying it would support dialogue without prejudice to its legal position.

BGMEA also said it will engage with relevant ministries, authorities and industry stakeholders to support a fair and orderly process, including protection of LPP officials and employees from undue harassment, pressure or unfounded proceedings.

Both organisations pledge to work together to ensure secure, stable, and uninterrupted business operations in Bangladesh while supporting a fair, transparent, and mutually acceptable resolution of the ongoing matter.

LABOUR LEADERS’ REACTION

Speaking to The Daily Star on the issue, Nazma Akter, president of Sammilito Garment Sramik Federation, alleged that international compliance standards were not followed in LPP’s sourcing from Bangladesh.

The company must pay local suppliers, she said.
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She said workers would ultimately suffer if LPP does not pay, since local exporters would be unable to pay wages.

Nazma also called for the governments of Bangladesh and Poland, banks in both countries, BGMEA, IndustriALL and global unions to engage on the issue for an amicable solution.

She also said Bangladesh and BGMEA should raise the matter with the European Union office in Dhaka, since Poland is an EU member state.

Md Towhidur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Apparels Workers Federation, echoed Akter’s concerns, telling The Daily Star that LPP’s conduct amounted to cheating local companies and needed swift resolution.

He said thousands of workers employed at LPP-affiliated factories would suffer if payment is delayed, adding that international compliance and ethical sourcing standards were not followed in this case.

The government yesterday signed lease agreements with two private business groups to reopen three long-closed state-owned jute mills, involving an investment of around Tk 619 crore and creating an opportunity for at least 11,629 jobs.

The agreements were signed between Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), PRAN-RFL Group and HAMCO Group in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his office at the Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

Under the agreements, PRAN-RFL Group will take over National Jute Mills Ltd in Sirajganj and Star Jute Mills Ltd in Khulna, while HAMCO Group will take over Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills Ltd in Khulna.

BJMC Chairman Brig Gen Md Kabir Uddin Sikder signed the agreements on behalf of the state-owned corporation. Aminur Rahman, group company secretary of PRAN-RFL Group, and ATM Mustafa, managing director of HAMCO Group, signed the agreements on behalf of their respective companies.

The three long-closed mills will be reopened under private management. Once operational, the mills are expected to create at least 11,629 jobs, with an investment of around Tk 619 crore and a combined potential annual turnover of about Tk 1,175 crore.

National Jute Mills in Raipur, Sirajganj, is planned to receive an investment of around Tk 157 crore. Around Tk 250 crore will be invested in Star Jute Mills in Digholia, Khulna.

Meanwhile, around Tk 212 crore is planned to be invested in Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills in Khalishpur, Khulna.

It was discussed at the programme that the government has decided to reopen 20 of the 25 mills under BJMC that remain closed under a lease-based private management system.

So far, leases for 14 mills have been completed and possession has been handed over to the lessees, while production has already resumed at nine of them.

Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir; State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam; and Textiles and Jute Secretary Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, along with senior officials of BJMC and the leaseholding companies, were also present.

Bangladesh's general inflation rate fell to 8.32% in July 2026, its lowest level in eight months, down from 9.16% in June, according to data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The latest rate is the lowest since November 2025, when general inflation stood at 8.49%.

The point-to-point inflation rate was 8.55% in July last year.

The latest figure represents a decline of 0.84 percentage points in a month, with inflation easing in both food and non-food categories.

Food inflation fell sharply to 7.16% in July from 8.60% in June and 7.56% in July 2025.

The rate declined by 1.44 percentage points in a month, reaching its lowest level since October 2025, when food inflation stood at 7.36%.

The significant fall in food inflation contributed substantially to the decline in overall inflation.

Non-food inflation also eased to 9.28% in July from 9.61% in June and 9.38% in July last year.

The July rate was the lowest since March 2026, when non-food inflation stood at 9.09%.

Despite the decline, non-food inflation remained above 9% in July.

Overall, the easing of both food and non-food inflation brought Bangladesh's general inflation rate down significantly in July, with the national rate reaching its lowest level in eight months.

The country's premier bourse staged a robust rally today (11 August), with the benchmark index reclaiming the psychologically important 5,900-point mark on optimism over a potential relaxation of margin lending rules.

Investor sentiment got a lift after The Business Standard reported on the possible regulatory shift, triggering a wave of buying that added around Tk3,300 crore to the market capitalisation of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).

The DSEX index rose 58 points, or 1%, to close at 5,903. The blue-chip DS30 index also tracked the bullish trend, adding 18 points to finish at 2,204.

Turnover on the DSE jumped 23% to Tk1,115 crore, marking a return to four-figure territory for the first time in recent sessions.

Advancers dominated the session, with 242 issues gaining ground against 101 decliners, while 50 stocks remained unchanged.

Market insiders noted that the buying spree began from the opening bell as investors reacted to news that the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) was considering more flexible margin financing regulations.

According to the daily market review by EBL Securities, the capital bourse extended its positive momentum for a second consecutive session as the anticipation of favourable regulatory changes strengthened investor confidence, driving sustained broad-based accumulation. Although the market faced mild profit-taking at intervals, the underlying buying pressure remained firm enough to uphold the upward trajectory until the closing bell.

Sheltech Brokerage Limited observed that the market initially opened with strong buying interest, lifting the DSEX to an intraday high of 5,910.64 points. While a bout of orderly profit-taking in the late morning briefly pulled the index down to a low of 5,844.87, momentum returned with vigor during the mid-session. This late-session surge allowed the benchmark to retain the bulk of its early gains and settle near the day's high.

A source within the BSEC confirmed to The Business Standard that the commission held a high-level meeting after the conclusion of the day's trading session. During the meeting, the regulator reportedly approved several key amendments to the margin loan framework. A pivotal change includes the restoration of the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio as the primary criterion for margin eligibility in the banking and general insurance sectors, replacing the recently proposed Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio which had caused significant anxiety in the market. The source added that the final amendments also include a relaxation of forced-sell requirements and an increase in the overall P/E ratio ceiling for margin lending.

The rally was primarily driven by heavyweights and blue-chip scrips, with British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh, Southeast Bank, IDLC Finance, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, and IPDC Finance emerging as the day's top index pullers.

On the liquidity front, Beximco Limited remained the most traded stock, followed by Sharp Industries, Malek Spinning, ML Dyeing, and Saiham Textile.

Among individual scrips, NRBC Bank and Nurani Dyeing were the top performers, both hitting the 10% upper circuit. Other notable gainers included Tung Hai Knitting, GBB Power, and Sena Insurance.

On the flip side, Prime Finance and Peoples Leasing featured among the top losers, as investors shifted capital toward more fundamentally sound sectors.

The bullish sentiment extended to the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the Selective Categories Index (CSCX) rose 95 points to 9,634, while the All Share Price Index (CASPI) surged 161 points to 15,790. Turnover at the port city bourse jumped 100% to Tk71 crore.

Near-record inventories, technological advances and the rise of key exporters such as Brazil and Russia have made the global food system more resilient to this year’s “super” El Nino than similar past events.

World farm production has ​outpaced consumption and population growth since the 1980s, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and analysts say.
The changes have been driven by higher-yielding crop varieties, greater use of fertiliser and ‌improved irrigation and crop protection, lifting yields of staples such as rice, wheat, corn and soybeans.“Even during drought conditions, better irrigation management and crop science mean we can still produce marketable yields,” said Andrew Whitelaw of Australian agricultural consultancy Episode 3.“The potential impact on global food supplies and prices exists, but our improved preparedness means the disruptions are much less severe than they would have been in previous decades.” Dryness brought by El Nino has already disrupted crop planting across large parts of Asia, ​including India, Southeast Asia and Australia, while shortages of fertiliser and diesel caused by the Iran war add to global food production risks.

India is battling a deficient monsoon season, while prospects of drier weather loom ​in Australia’s key wheat-growing regions and crops across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Thailand, are suffering from lack of moisture.The outlook could worsen, as an already strong El Nino will intensify in the fourth quarter and early next year, said Chris Hyde, a US-based meteorologist at satellite data and imagery firm SkyFi. “Expectations are that it will be one of the strongest on record, or the ​strongest the world has ever seen, and that means the big impact of dryness has yet to come.”A warming of ocean surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific, the El Nino weather phenomenon typically brings dryness ​to much of Asia and boosts rainfall across the Americas. In 1997-98 and 2015-16, severe El Nino episodes slashed production of key crops, fuelling food shortages, inflation and sapping economic growth.

Prices of sugar and palm oil jumped after drought cut output in those years in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, while tightening rice supplies prompted Southeast Asian producers to curb exports. Drought also reduced Australian wheat exports and forced southern African countries to boost imports of corn.

This time, near-record grain inventories, drought-tolerant seeds, better weather forecasting, ​precision agriculture, improved irrigation and the emergence of newer export powerhouses are poised to cushion much of the fallout.

In key crop producer India, sowing has kept broadly on track after overcoming a substantial initial lag, although ​rains in August and September will be crucial for maturity and grain formation, said Ashwini Bansod, vice president for commodities research at Phillip Capital India in Mumbai.

However, India, which accounts for 40 percent of global rice exports, has so much rice that ‌it is exhausting storage for stockpiles equivalent to more than a year of total global exports.

Nearly half the world’s ample global wheat stocks are held by China, the world’s top producer and consumer of the grain, furnishing a reserve that should help curb import demand if drought dents production in key supplier Australia.

Global palm oil stocks stand near historic highs, although Indonesia’s aggressive biodiesel programme is likely to trim inventories in coming months. Palm oil accounts for about 60 percent of global edible oil exports.

The emergence of new export hubs that barely existed a few decades ago has added significant supplies to global markets.

Brazil, for example, has become the world’s biggest soybean supplier with exports ​climbing more than 13-fold since 1997/98, while Russia’s wheat ​shipments jumped to 48 million tons last year from roughly 1 million tons in 1997/98. Researchers have evolved drought-tolerant corn hybrids widely adopted across Africa and the Americas since 2015, helping farmers maintain yields during spells of dryness and erratic rainfall.

Heat- and drought-tolerant wheat varieties have also gained ground in India and Australia, where advances in plant breeding have boosted resilience to water and heat stress, shaving ​the risk of sharp losses from adverse weather. In South and Southeast Asia, short-duration rice varieties help farmers cope with increasingly erratic monsoon rains.

Farmers are now equipped with ​a suite of digital tools barely available during the El Nino event of 1997-98, from satellite-based crop monitoring and seasonal climate forecasts to high-resolution soil moisture maps and GPS-guided fertiliser application that let them target inputs more efficiently.

“Governments have much better information than in the past and are able to prepare earlier,” FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero told Reuters. “Our forecasting and market transparency have improved.”

Farmers are flocking to AI-powered advisory platforms that integrate weather forecasts, soil data and crop information to provide timely recommendations on planting dates, irrigation, fertiliser ​use and pest management.
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Still, wars in the Middle East and the Black Sea region temper some of that optimism, experts warned.

“Much will ​depend on how conditions evolve during the second half of 2026, particularly given the reduced use of agricultural inputs caused by the Strait of Hormuz crisis and higher fertiliser prices,” Torero said.

The Strait of Hormuz carried about a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied ​natural gas supplies before it was blockaded during the Iran war that began in February, disrupting global fuel and fertiliser supplies.

Leaders of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) urged the government to accelerate economic reforms and improve policy predictability as they seek to attract US$5.0 billion in fresh US investment over the next five years.

An AmCham delegation led by its president, Syed Mohammad Kamal, met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday, where the business group reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.

The chamber noted that its member-companies have invested more than $5.0 billion in Bangladesh over the years and collectively contributed more than 20 per cent of the country's tax revenue.

The AmCham is prepared to help facilitate and mobilise an additional $5.0 billion in investment through existing members and prospective US companies.

The appeal comes as the government seeks to consolidate economic reforms and position Bangladesh as a more attractive destination for foreign capital following a period of political and economic uncertainty.

The American business body welcomed measures under the government's FY2026-27 reform package aimed at making investment easier, including time-bound approvals and licensing, implementation of a single-window system, digital tax and VAT administration, simplified customs procedures and improvements in the repatriation of capital and profits.

But the chamber stressed that reforms would need to be implemented effectively and supported by greater long-term policy certainty, particularly in sectors where foreign investors are considering major, long-term commitments.

"Predictability, efficient governance and constructive dialogue with the business community" would be essential for strengthening investor confidence," the AmCham delegation said.

The group also highlighted the growing importance of the digital economy, welcoming Bangladesh's enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and National Data Governance Act (NDGA). It called for effective implementation, stronger cybersecurity, regulatory clarity and greater readiness for artificial intelligence.

They also described the US-Bangladesh Reciprocal Trade Agreement framework as an opportunity to move the bilateral relationship beyond traditional market access and towards a broader economic partnership.

Such a partnership, they said, could encompass technology and artificial intelligence, digital innovation, cloud computing and cybersecurity, healthcare and life sciences, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and financial-sector modernisation.

The chamber proposed establishing a Digital Economy Advisory Forum or taskforce and a Public-Private Competitiveness Council bringing together government officials, local businesses, foreign investors and AmCham representatives.

The proposed bodies would identify regulatory bottlenecks, help implement reforms and provide feedback on measures affecting investment.

The organisation, which has worked to promote Bangladesh-US commercial relations since 1996, said it wanted to act not simply as an advocate for American businesses but as a strategic partner of the government.

It offered to provide investor intelligence and business feedback, connect Bangladesh with US corporate decision-makers and promote the country's investment opportunities and economic reforms internationally.

Rahman welcomed AmCham's continued engagement and said Bangladesh entered a new phase of economic transformation.

The prime minister said the government's priority is to "ensure effective implementation of ongoing reforms while strengthening investor confidence through predictable policies, efficient governance and dialogue with the private sector".

He also assured prospective foreign investors of the government's support and expressed a desire to deepen cooperation with AmCham.

The meeting was attended by Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, the prime minister's adviser on posts, telecommunications and information technology, Rehan Asif Asad, and executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.

The AmCham delegation also included senior executives from MetLife Bangladesh, Philip Morris Bangladesh, Excelerate Energy Bangladesh, NATco Bangladesh, Avery Dennison, ShopUp and AmCham Bangladesh.

The chamber separately invited Rahman to attend the opening of the 30th US Trade Show, jointly organised by AmCham Bangladesh and the US embassy in Dhaka, as chief guest.

Oil prices pared gains on Tuesday after hitting their highest for more than ‌a week as signs of progress in talks between Oman and Iran over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz were weighed against ongoing disruption to Middle East energy flows.

Brent crude futures fell 21 cents, or 0.24 percent, to $87.51 a barrel by 1138 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude ​futures were down 4 cents, or 0.05 percent, at $82.09.
Both benchmarks hit their highest since July 31 earlier in the session, ​with Brent rising as high as $90.03 a barrel and WTI touching $84.61.Talks between Oman and Iran on the future of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are now at an advanced stage, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson said ​on Tuesday.

“Any signs of de-escalation or any signs of a deal are good news for risk assets and bad for oil, ​obviously. But it’s all talk at the moment. It’s all headlines. There’s no meaningful progress,” said Fawad Razaqzada, analyst at City Index and FOREX.com.

Both contracts had jumped more than 5 percent on Monday after US President Donald Trump responded to Iran’s conditions for a peace deal with his own ​demands that Iran pay compensation for people killed in wars, attacks and protests, which is likely to complicate efforts to ​reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“I don’t see oil going below $80 any time soon, unless there’s a surprise announcement of a deal that reopens ‌the Strait ⁠of Hormuz, because the oil market is tightening,” Razaqzada added.

GEOPOLITICAL RISK CONTINUE

Shipping data showed that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to six vessels on Monday, compared with a 10-day average of about 11 vessels.

In a note on Monday, Barclays analysts said that crude oil and refined product net exports through the Strait of Hormuz averaged 3 million barrels per day (bpd) ​in the week ending August ​7, down from 4.4 million ⁠bpd the previous week.

Before the Iran conflict began in late February, about a fifth of global daily oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

A cargo ship ​was attacked on Tuesday by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, killing three ​crew members, said ⁠two Yemeni coast guard sources and two military officials in the government.

“The chokehold risk around both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb remains highly significant. Even intermittent restrictions or the threat of further incidents keep insurance costs elevated and force longer ⁠shipping routes ... ​hence energy flows look likely to stay constrained near term,” said Tim ​Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

Elsewhere, the Ukrainian military said on Tuesday that it had attacked an oil refinery in Orsk, the second-largest city in Russia’s ​Orenburg region and an important industrial hub.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (11 August) assured local entrepreneurs of necessary government support to encourage investment and create employment as part of efforts to improve people's socio-economic conditions and strengthen the country's economy.

"Alongside political rights, it is essential to ensure the economic empowerment of the people. The government will provide all necessary policy support to encourage local entrepreneurs to invest and create employment," he said.

The prime minister made the remarks while speaking at an agreement-signing ceremony at the secretariat for leasing out three closed state-owned jute mills to two private business groups.

Under the agreements, PRAN-RFL Group will take over the National Jute Mills Ltd in Sirajganj and Star Jute Mills Ltd in Khulna, while HAMKO Group will take over Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills Ltd in Khulna.

He said a state becomes strong when the economic capacity of the people is ensured.

Tarique said, "No state can become strong by keeping the common people in poverty or silencing their mouths. They want to build a country where everyone will get a better life, and it is his government's main goal and objective."

Promising continued government support for local entrepreneurs, Tarique Rahman said helping them invest and create jobs will improve people's livelihoods as well as the overall economic situation.

"If we can support the entrepreneurs, it will create employment and ensure people's livelihoods on the one hand, while it will improve the overall economic situation on the other hand," he said.

The prime minister said the government wants to build a country where everyone can enjoy a better life, describing it as the government's main goal and objective.

Emphasising the importance of domestic investment alongside foreign investment, he said the government welcomes foreign investment but also needs to encourage local investors and entrepreneurs.

Tarique also said the government will provide whatever policy support they need for their business and investment.

Noting that the government's policies are aimed at creating opportunities for people from all walks of life, Tarique Rahman said the government has been working to build a nice and strong country with cooperation from everyone.

He thanked the two business groups – PRAN-RFL Group and HAMKO Group – for taking responsibility for the three jute mills.

The prime minister expressed optimism that the companies will succeed with their new investments and contribute to the country's economy by creating employment opportunities.

The government signed lease agreements to reopen three long-closed state-owned jute mills under private management, with an estimated investment of Tk 619 crore and the potential to create at least 11,629 jobs.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (11 August) assured local entrepreneurs of necessary government support to encourage investment and create employment as part of efforts to improve people's socio-economic conditions and strengthen the country's economy.

"Alongside political rights, it is essential to ensure the economic empowerment of the people. The government will provide all necessary policy support to encourage local entrepreneurs to invest and create employment," he said.

The prime minister made the remarks while speaking at an agreement-signing ceremony at the secretariat for leasing out three closed state-owned jute mills to two private business groups.

Under the agreements, PRAN-RFL Group will take over the National Jute Mills Ltd in Sirajganj and Star Jute Mills Ltd in Khulna, while HAMKO Group will take over Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills Ltd in Khulna.

He said a state becomes strong when the economic capacity of the people is ensured.

Tarique said, "No state can become strong by keeping the common people in poverty or silencing their mouths. They want to build a country where everyone will get a better life, and it is his government's main goal and objective."

Promising continued government support for local entrepreneurs, Tarique Rahman said helping them invest and create jobs will improve people's livelihoods as well as the overall economic situation.

"If we can support the entrepreneurs, it will create employment and ensure people's livelihoods on the one hand, while it will improve the overall economic situation on the other hand," he said.

The prime minister said the government wants to build a country where everyone can enjoy a better life, describing it as the government's main goal and objective.

Emphasising the importance of domestic investment alongside foreign investment, he said the government welcomes foreign investment but also needs to encourage local investors and entrepreneurs.

Tarique also said the government will provide whatever policy support they need for their business and investment.

Noting that the government's policies are aimed at creating opportunities for people from all walks of life, Tarique Rahman said the government has been working to build a nice and strong country with cooperation from everyone.

He thanked the two business groups – PRAN-RFL Group and HAMKO Group – for taking responsibility for the three jute mills.

The prime minister expressed optimism that the companies will succeed with their new investments and contribute to the country's economy by creating employment opportunities.

The government signed lease agreements to reopen three long-closed state-owned jute mills under private management, with an estimated investment of Tk 619 crore and the potential to create at least 11,629 jobs.

Bangladesh must advance implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category simultaneously, said Irene Khan, Bangladesh's newly appointed permanent representative to the United Nations in New York.

Speaking at a session titled "Role of Development Partners in Implementing the Five-Year Strategic Framework for SDGs and Reforms" at a national conference in Dhaka, she said the two processes offered a rare opportunity to accelerate long-pending economic and institutional reforms.

"SDG implementation and the LDC graduation process are closely interconnected. Bangladesh now has an opportunity that has rarely come in the country's history. By using this opportunity to implement necessary reforms quickly, it is possible to bring about major changes in the economy," she said.Bangladesh is scheduled to graduate from the LDC category in 2026, but the government has sought an extension to ensure a successful, sustainable and lasting transition. The UN envoy said the extension request and the final phase of SDG implementation would put additional pressure on the government to implement reforms and accelerate development, creating a "dual incentive".

The LDC roadmap calls for strengthening the financial sector, improving the investment climate, increasing domestic revenue mobilisation, facilitating trade negotiations and pursuing new trade agreements. Bangladesh must make significant progress in these areas over the next three years while accelerating SDG implementation, she said.

Bangladesh must work faster in the final phase of SDG implementation as it has already lost considerable time, she said. While the country made significant progress under the Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs are harder because their targets are broader and deeply interconnected.

Despite global challenges, Bangladesh has no shortage of strength, creativity and innovation among its people, she said, urging more effective use of these capabilities.

She also called for stronger international development-partner support and stressed domestic partnerships, particularly the role of civil society and local communities in grassroots development programmes.

SM Abdul-Awal, principal coordinator for SDGs at the Prime Minister's Office, called for greater development-partner support to accelerate SDG progress by 2030, including concessional financing, faster loan disbursement and increased technical assistance. He also stressed stronger partnerships and adequate resources for marginalised and vulnerable groups.

The two simultaneous transitions present both a major challenge and an opportunity for economic and institutional reform, making timely reforms and development-partner support crucial, stakeholders said.

Commercial banks are discussing a Tk1,000 crore financing package with the Bangladesh Bank to provide young entrepreneurs with loans at 4-6% interest, with collateral-free financing of up to Tk10 lakh under the preliminary plan.

Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB) Chairman and City Bank Managing Director Mashrur Arefin disclosed the proposal after a meeting with the Bangladesh Bank governor today (11 August). Top representatives of around a dozen banks and relevant central bank officials were present in the meeting.

Arefin said the package, which is still at the draft stage, aims to help young people who want to start or expand businesses but lack sufficient capital.

Commercial banks could provide the loans using Bangladesh Bank's refinancing facility. The loan amount, interest rate, eligibility criteria and other details have yet to be finalised. Discussions are also underway on whether the scheme will cover only new entrepreneurs or those who have been operating businesses for at least a year.

"We do not want to make a rigid distinction between trading and manufacturing," Arefin said, adding that the programme could cover genuine entrepreneurs involved in manufacturing, trading, fisheries, home-based food production and handicrafts.

Successful entrepreneurs may qualify for grants

The programme could also provide grants alongside loans. Under the preliminary proposal, entrepreneurs who receive up to Tk10 lakh in collateral-free financing and demonstrate good business performance and repayment capacity could later receive grants of up to another Tk10 lakh.

The grants could be disbursed in phases based on business performance, with part of banks' corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds potentially used for the purpose.

Arefin said the proposed scheme would fall between conventional startup funding and traditional bank financing, targeting young people whose businesses are held back by a lack of capital.

The package size has not been finalised, but a Tk1,000 crore package could finance around 10,000 entrepreneurs with Tk10 lakh each.

Arefin said conventional bank loans can carry interest rates of 13% or more, while NGO financing can be even more expensive, making 4-6% loans a significant opportunity for young entrepreneurs.

Banks to identify entrepreneurs locally

The programme is expected to reach entrepreneurs down to the upazila level, with local bank branch managers playing a key role in identifying potential borrowers.

Upazila-level committees could scrutinise applications, while banks could be assigned specific upazilas to identify entrepreneurs, process applications and disburse loans.

Arefin said selecting genuine entrepreneurs would be crucial to preventing the misuse of funds through lobbying or other influence.

"Some loans may turn bad, and some businesses may fail. But if 5,000 young people receive financing and even 100 become successful entrepreneurs, it could create a major wave of new entrepreneurship across the country," he said.

Arefin said Bangladesh Bank SME Department is working on the proposal, adding that discussions are focused on ensuring funds reach the right sectors and genuine entrepreneurs.

Banglalink has received a Payment Service Provider (PSP) licence from Bangladesh Bank, paving the way for the telecom operator to enter the country's digital payments market with its new service "Mukto Pay".

The licence was issued today (11 August), according to a press release from the leading digital operator.

Mukto Pay is a fully owned Banglalink service that will offer digital payment solutions, including money transfers, merchant and e-commerce payments, utility and government bill payments, salary and other disbursements, as well as other approved payment services.

Banglalink said the service is aimed at making everyday digital transactions simpler, more secure and accessible, particularly for individuals, micro-merchants, and small businesses that are unbanked or underserved by formal financial services.

It said Mukto Pay will leverage Banglalink's nationwide connectivity, customer reach and digital ecosystem to broaden access to digital financial services.

According to Banglalink, the PSP licence is part of the broader strategic vision of the company and its parent, VEON, to invest in and expand digital financial services in Bangladesh.

The milestone marks a significant step in Banglalink's expansion into digital financial services, supporting the transformation of Bangladesh's financial ecosystem, accelerating the country's transition towards a cashless society, and contributing to its ambition to become a $1 trillion economy by 2034.

The move also marks another step in Banglalink's transformation from a telecommunications company into a digital operator, extending its services beyond connectivity into digital and financial services.

Johan Buse, chief executive officer of Banglalink, said, "Bangladesh's journey towards building a cashless society and becoming a trillion-dollar economy will require greater financial inclusion and a digital ecosystem that enables more people to participate in the country's growth. Mukto Pay is an important step in that direction.

"By combining Banglalink's nationwide reach and deep understanding of local customers with VEON's global digital expertise, we aim to make digital payments simpler, more accessible and more relevant to people's everyday lives."

"This licence strengthens our ambition to invest further in digital financial services and contribute to building a more inclusive, cashless and digitally empowered Bangladesh, making a better life for all," he said.

Meanwhile, VEON is also pursuing opportunities in digital banking and has applied for a digital bank licence, according to the press release.

With Mukto Pay, the number of licenced companies or brands operating as payment service providers in the country has risen to 10.

The other nine are iPay Systems Ltd, D Money Bangladesh Ltd, Recursion FinTech Ltd, Green & Red Technologies Ltd, Progoti Systems Ltd, ABG Technologies Limited, Digital Payments Limited, Sheba Fintech Limited, and Shamadhan Services Limited.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has approved revised margin lending rules, setting a maximum price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 40 for margin-eligible shares across all sectors except life insurance.

People familiar with the matter said the revised rules were approved at the commission's regular meeting today (11 August) and are expected to be sent to the Bangladesh Government Press (BG Press) on 13 August for gazette publication.

The rule-making team has been given two days to finalise the regulations before publication, according to the sources. However, BSEC Executive Director and spokesperson Abul Kalam told TBS he was unaware of the matter.

Under the revised framework, the P/E ratio will be the key valuation criterion for determining margin loan eligibility for banks, non-life insurers and companies in other sectors. The condition will not apply to life insurers.

The rules introduce a trailing P/E ratio, calculated using the current share price against earnings per share (EPS) generated over the previous 12 months. The ratio will be updated when companies publish new quarterly financial results.

The revised framework drops the price-to-book (P/B) ratio as an eligibility criterion for banks and non-life insurers. The earlier draft had proposed maximum P/B ratios of 3 for banks and 1 for insurance companies.

The draft rules had triggered price adjustments in several margin-eligible stocks, with market participants saying the impact spread to the broader market.

The revised rules also give investors more room before their securities can be liquidated. A margin financier must issue prior notice if an investor's equity falls below 50%. If equity subsequently falls below 25%, the financier can liquidate the securities without prior notice.

The earlier draft had proposed a margin call below 70%, followed by a three-trading-day window to restore the required equity. It also allowed liquidation without prior notice once equity fell below 50%.

Despite the relaxed conditions, shares of Z, N and G category companies, as well as securities listed on the SME, ATB and OTC platforms, will remain ineligible for margin financing. Only A and B category shares on the main board will qualify.

For general securities, the margin financing ratio will be 1:1, allowing investors to borrow an amount equivalent to their own equity. Life insurers will have a separate margin financing arrangement.

The revised framework is expected to improve liquidity and investors' purchasing power, although greater leverage could also increase speculative trading and forced-selling risks during market downturns.

At the height of the 2025 reciprocal tariff hikes, many US apparel buyers pressured Bangladeshi garment exporters to share the burden, forcing suppliers to cut prices or offer discounts to keep orders flowing.

Many exporters agreed, effectively absorbing part of the tariff burden to protect their business with major US buyers.

Now, the equation has changed.

Following the US Supreme Court's February ruling declaring the tariffs illegal, major US buyers have begun receiving refunds for the duties they paid. The Trump administration has so far issued around $100 billion in tariff refunds out of the $166 billion it had collected under the reciprocal tariff regime.

This has left Bangladeshi exporters asking: if buyers are getting their tariff money back, what happens to the suppliers who helped bear the cost?

Exporters say they are now seeking a share of the refunds or, at the very least, some form of compensation through their continued business relationships with US buyers.

Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, managing director of HKC Apparels, said, "At that time, we shared one-third of the additional cost with buyers, and in some cases, up to half. Now that the money has been refunded, we've started communicating with buyers."

"The buyers are saying they will refund the money," he told The Business Standard.

HKC Apparels is among the Chattogram-based garment manufacturers affected by the tariff. About 90% of the company's exports go to the US market.

Representatives of US buyers also believe suppliers should receive compensation.

However, they said direct refunds may be difficult. Instead, the losses could be partially offset through higher prices in subsequent orders, increased order volumes, or concessions on costs such as air shipments and discounts when such situations arise for local suppliers.

They said any such arrangement would require negotiation between buyers and suppliers.

However, neither of the two major apparel industry associations has data on how much of the tariff-related cost burden was actually absorbed by Bangladeshi exporters.

Trump admin refunds $100b

According to an Al Jazeera report published on 6 August, the Trump administration has refunded about $100 billion in tariffs since the US Supreme Court ruled against its use of emergency powers to impose duties on dozens of trading partners.

The administration had collected about $166 billion from US importers before the Supreme Court struck down a large part of Trump's tariff regime in February.

The Tax Foundation, a Washington-based tax policy think tank, estimated that the tariffs cost the average US household an additional $1,000 in 2025.

Compensation in some form

Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said buyers now should compensate suppliers for the price cuts made to offset the reciprocal tariff.

"The amount deducted from suppliers should be returned to them in some form from the refunded funds," he told The Business Standard.

The managing director of a Dhaka-based garment factory, speaking on condition of anonymity, told TBS that a US buyer had asked the company to reduce its price by 5%, but it agreed to a 1% cut, costing the company about $25,000.

"However, we won't ask them to return the money. Instead, we'll ask them to increase the volume of business they do with us. Higher business volumes can help us recover the financial loss," he said.

A BGMEA leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said buyers did not put equal pressure on all Bangladeshi exporters to absorb the additional tariff burden.

"Some buyers did not put any pressure on exporters at all. So, considering the overall situation, the amount absorbed by exporters may have averaged around 10%," he said.

He added that exporters that shipped under the Landed Duty Paid (LDP) arrangement, rather than Free on Board, had to absorb the additional tariff burden. Under LDP terms, the supplier is responsible for customs duties and tariffs imposed by the importing country.

Not all exporters, however, expect to recover the money they had conceded to buyers.

Rafiqul Anam Chowdhury, managing director of Chattogram-based RMG manufacturer Meadow Apparel, told TBS, "We also had to offer price concessions at the time. But I don't think we will be able to recover that money in any way."

LDP exporters can seek tariff refunds with legal help

Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said he was not aware whether exporters were negotiating with buyers to recover the money they conceded tariffs.

"If anyone is negotiating, they are doing so independently. Those who had absorbed a significant share of the cost may negotiate with their buyers. We believe the cost can be recovered through increased business, even if it is not returned directly," he said.

Babu further mentioned that exporters who had shipped merchandise under LDP may be able to claim the tariff payments with legal assistance. "Those that exported under LDP terms can hire lawyers and claim the money. Lawyers from the US recently came and discussed the matter with us," he said.

The association does not have precise data on the share of Bangladesh's US exports shipped under LDP terms. Babu said, however, that it is likely to be less than 10%, with more than 90% shipped under FOB terms.

Buyer reps also believe in compensation

Some representatives of US buyers sourcing from Bangladesh believe suppliers should be compensated in some form if they had absorbed part of the additional costs caused by the tariffs and buyers receive refunds.

The country manager of a US brand's Dhaka office, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "If a supplier absorbed part of the additional cost because of the tariffs, they should receive a share of the refund now."

However, he said that even if a brand wanted to return the money, Bangladesh Bank's existing policies could make it difficult to transfer the funds directly to suppliers.

"In that case, a better option could be to adjust prices upward in subsequent orders through mutual agreement," he said. "The amount could also be offset by offering concessions if a shipment from the relevant Bangladeshi supplier needs to be sent by air, or if a situation arises where the supplier faces a penalty."

On 2 April 2025, the US announced steep reciprocal tariffs based largely on trade imbalances. Bangladesh initially faced an additional tariff of over 37%. A 10% tariff took effect on 10 April and remained until early August. The rate was later raised to 35%, then revised to 20% and finally 19% for Bangladeshi products.

Bangladeshi goods already faced a general US tariff of around 15%, making the reciprocal levy an additional burden. Rates varied by country.

Although US importers formally pay tariffs, Bangladeshi exporters said some US buyers asked suppliers to share the burden. Some exporters agreed, cutting prices to retain orders and meet wage and benefit obligations.

The government has decided to form a joint committee comprising the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) and customs authorities to remove trade barriers, expedite cargo clearance, and reduce business costs, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (11 August).

He announced the decision while briefing journalists after a high-level meeting with senior port and customs officials at Chattogram Port. The committee, he said, will work to improve coordination between the two agencies and address operational problems that delay import-export activities.

The government's priority is to facilitate trade, boost exports and industrialisation, and strengthen the economy by removing the regulatory and procedural barriers faced by businesses, Khosru said.

"We are taking steps towards deregulation to remove the obstacles businesses have faced due to various regulations and complexities," he said.

The minister said the meeting identified specific problems between the port and customs authorities and decisions were taken to resolve them.

Nothing has been left open-ended. Each decision has been given a specific timeframe for implementation," he said.

The proposed joint committee will also address emerging problems between the two agencies and work towards resolving them promptly, he added.

Khosru said delays in port operations and customs clearance increase the cost of doing business, eventually pushing up prices for consumers.

"If cargo can be cleared and exports processed in less time, businesses will have lower operating costs. The benefit will ultimately reach consumers as well," he said.

Faster and more cost-effective import-export procedures would also improve Bangladesh's competitiveness in international markets, according to the minister.

"If import-export processes become faster and more cost-effective, Bangladesh's competitiveness in the international market will increase and the path towards building a trillion-dollar economy by 2034 will become easier," he said.

Asked about the operation of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), Khosru said the key issue was not whether the terminal would be operated by the port authority or a particular entity, but whether its operator would work in the national interest.

"Whether the port is operated by domestic or foreign entities is not the main issue. Whoever operates the port must work under the same rules, protecting the interests of the country's economy, people and businesses," he said.

On reopening closed factories, Khosru said the government's decisions were aimed at creating an environment where industries could operate without unnecessary obstacles and at lower costs.

Asked about customs officials' seizure of illegal goods and allegations of irregularities, he said the government would take a strict stance against corruption.

"There will be no scope for corruption, nepotism or patronage under the current government. No matter how powerful those involved in irregularities are, they will not receive any concession," he said.

The minister also said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) vice-president was visiting Chattogram and that the multilateral lender had major development plans for the city.

Chattogram should be developed not merely as a logistics hub but as a leading centre of broader economic development, he said.

A meeting involving the ADB and relevant stakeholders was held yesterday to discuss about overall plan to develop Chattogram.

Bangladesh Bank has waived inter-bank charges on all transactions made through the Bangla QR code system, a move aimed at expanding digital payments and encouraging small and marginal businesses to adopt cashless transactions.

The central bank has reduced the Interchange Reimbursement Fee, the charge paid between banks for processing a transaction, to zero for Bangla QR payments. As a result, neither the card-issuing institution nor the merchant's payment-receiving institution, known as the acquiring institution, will be able to impose any fee or service charge on such transactions.

Bangladesh Bank issued a circular on the matter today (10 August), directing all banks, mobile financial services providers, payment service providers and payment system operators to comply with the new instruction.

Earlier, on 1 July, the central bank had set a minimum Merchant Discount Rate of 1%, including VAT, for merchant payments made through Bangla QR. However, the additional charge failed to have the intended impact on market transactions and stakeholders subsequently called for its withdrawal.

In a separate circular issued today, Bangladesh Bank also announced incentives for sellers of goods and service providers for NPSB transactions made at merchant points through Bangla QR, with the incentive applicable to each transaction of up to Tk2,000.

Under the arrangement, the acquiring institution will receive an incentive equivalent to 0.10% of the transaction amount, or Tk1 per Tk1,000, while the issuing institution will receive 0.20%, or Tk2 per Tk1,000. The incentives will be disbursed monthly.

The directive will come into effect for all Bangla QR transactions from 1 October 2026.

In practical terms, if a customer pays Tk1,000 at a shop by scanning a Bangla QR code, neither the customer's bank nor the merchant's bank will deduct any amount as a transaction charge.

Bangladesh Bank said the new facilities were introduced to expand the digital payment system across the country and encourage small and marginal businesses to adopt digital transactions.

The circular also sets out safeguards to prevent misuse of the incentive scheme. Transactions cannot be deliberately split into smaller amounts to qualify for incentives. No incentive will be provided for failed, cancelled, reversed, refunded, charged-back or disputed transactions.

If a merchant records an unusually high number or unusual pattern of transactions, the relevant acquiring institution must monitor and verify the activity. Institutions must also take measures to prevent misuse of the system, including artificial transaction-splitting and cash-out schemes.

Bangladesh Bank has reserved the right to verify and audit records relating to transactions, merchants, settlements and incentive payments. Any incentive paid in error or in excess will either be recovered or adjusted against future incentive payments.

The central bank said the initiative is intended to simplify merchant payments, bring small and marginal businesses into the digital payments system and help build a secure, affordable and interoperable digital payment network.