The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) is set to double the minimum turnover or asset threshold for private companies seeking direct listing on the capital market to Tk1,000 crore, tightening eligibility rules to prevent market misuse.

Speaking at events marking World Investors Week, BSEC Chairman Masud Khan revealed that following public feedback on the draft regulation, the commission decided to raise the threshold from the previously proposed Tk500 crore. The finalised regulations are expected to be approved within this week.

Explaining the rationale behind the tougher entry barriers, the regulatory chief noted that Bangladesh's past experience with direct listing highlighted significant vulnerabilities that require safeguards. By establishing a higher financial bar, the regulator aims to ensure that only financially robust and institutionalised private enterprises utilise the shortcut to the main board.

While private sector firms will face the elevated Tk1,000 crore requirement, state-owned enterprises, multinational corporations, banks, non-bank financial institutions, and insurance companies will operate under tailored framework criteria. Telecommunications and ICT infrastructure providers licensed by the BTRC with a minimum paid-up capital of Tk300 crore will also qualify.

Earlier, on 5 October, the finance ministry lifted a 16-year restriction on direct listings, revoking a 2010 circular that prohibited private, state-owned and foreign enterprises from using the route, following formal recommendations from the BSEC.

Under the proposed "Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Direct Listing of Securities by Stock Exchange) Rules, 2026," eligible companies will be allowed to join the main board by offloading 10% to 20% of existing shares on the secondary market, bypassing the traditional initial public offering (IPO) process and capital raise.

Direct listing was initially introduced in 2006, paving the way for state-owned energy giants like Desco, Power Grid, Jamuna Oil, and Titas Gas, alongside private entities such as ACI Formulations and Navana CNG, to tap the stock market.

However, aggressive price discovery and trading volatility – most notably surrounding Navana CNG in 2009 – prompted regulators to shut down the pathway in 2010. Fresh controversies resurfaced in 2020 during Best Holdings' attempt to seek direct listing on the Dhaka Stock Exchange.

By raising the eligibility bar for private firms, BSEC aims to prevent the recurrence of trading anomalies while offering large, top-tier corporate names a streamlined avenue to go public.

Ocean Aid Services Ltd (OASL) is positioning itself as a bridge between international financiers and Bangladesh's priority energy projects, targeting ventures worth above $50 million under an engineering, procurement, construction and finance (EPC+F) model.

OASL is a Chattogram-based maritime, logistics, and industrial services company that connects international clients and financiers with local operations.

AHM Manzoor Alam, managing director of the company, said they will arrange financing for bankable projects by connecting them with qualified foreign investors and financing groups, but will not invest in the projects themselves.

"We see energy security and the clean-energy transition as complementary priorities," he said, adding that Bangladesh needs long-term capital, technology and project expertise to meet its growing infrastructure demand.

Under OASL's financing criteria, international financiers prefer projects worth more than $50 million, with a two-to-three-year implementation period and an import component.

Manzoor said no project should be treated as a committed investment until it is formally confirmed, adding that specific projects will be settled through official discussions with the relevant ministry, agency, or state entity.

OASL's immediate goal is to open official dialogue with ministries, agencies and state bodies to identify priority projects, followed by feasibility validation, term sheets and financing structures at the appropriate stage.

For EPC+F projects, government support will include naming a sponsoring ministry or state entity, confirming project priority, validating documentation and coordinating with agencies. Where the financing structure requires it, support will also include a sovereign loan arrangement through the finance ministry.

Manzoor said local participation is central to the proposed model.

"International partners will bring technology, engineering expertise, equipment, project management and finance, while OASL will handle local coordination and stakeholder engagement," the managing director said, adding that such projects could create jobs during construction and operation.

The extent of the benefits, Manzoor added, will depend on each project's size, structure and commercial performance.

He pointed to Bangladesh's additional electricity requirements towards 2030 and the relatively small share of renewables in the current mix as creating scope for renewable generation, grid upgrades and storage.

Following a record year in 2025, the value of global trade flows continues to rise, the United Nations said Friday.
The UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) agency said global trade in goods and services was expected to grow by around four percent in 2026, though this chiefly reflects an increase in prices rather than volumes.

UNCTAD said that in 2025, trade increased by 4.7 percent to reached a record high of $35 trillion.

While trade between China and the United States has declined by more than 20 percent since 2024, East Asia has expanded its trade with both China and North America, UNCTAD said, highlighting a shifting landscape.

The agency also forecasts global growth of 2.6 percent this year, down from 2.9 percent in 2025.

Trade is being driven primarily by products related to artificial intelligence.
Over the 2020-2025 period, developed economies captured approximately 70 percent of the value of foreign investment projects announced in strategic, high-value-added sectors -- notably in semiconductors, energy transition technologies and AI infrastructure.

Within high-value-added sectors, developing economies lead only in critical minerals and strategic materials, in which they account for 60 percent of new foreign direct investment.

UNCTAD said the energy shocks resulting from the conflict in the Middle East had particularly affected import-dependent developing economies, as well as the poorest households.

It also highlighted that development assistance -- a vital source of funding for least developed countries and small island developing states -- is projected to fall by nearly seven percent in 2026, marking its third consecutive annual decline.

General insurer Central Insurance Company's earnings per share (EPS) rose 46% year-on-year to Tk0.76 in July-September 2026, up from Tk0.52 in the same period a year earlier.

The insurer's EPS for January-September 2026 also increased to Tk1.79 from Tk1.45 in the corresponding period of 2025, according to a disclosure filed with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) today (8 October).

Following the disclosure, the company's share price rose 2.87% to close at Tk43 on the DSE.

Central Insurance's net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) jumped to Tk3.37 in the first nine months of 2026 from Tk0.93 in the same period last year. Its net asset value (NAV) per share stood at Tk51.43 on 30 September 2026, up from Tk50.69 on 31 December 2025.

For the year ended on 31 December 2025, the insurer paid a 12% cash dividend to shareholders. It reported EPS of Tk1.87, NAV per share of Tk50.69 and NOCFPS of Tk1.64 for the year, compared with Tk1.85, Tk50.17 and Tk1.50, respectively, in 2024.

Despite the improvement in earnings and cash generation, the company's latest performance comes against a backdrop of unresolved issues raised by its external auditor in the audit report for 2025.

The auditor found a discrepancy between premium collection and VAT returns. Premium collection stood at Tk60.06 crore, while VAT returns showed Tk54.10 crore, resulting in an unexplained difference of around Tk5.96 crore.

The auditor said the company had not provided satisfactory reconciliation for the difference and, consequently, it could not determine whether premium income and related balances were free from material misstatement.

The audit report also raised concerns over unreconciled and unconfirmed balances involving other insurance companies. Amount due from other persons or bodies carrying on insurance business stood at Tk32.59 crore, while the amount due to such entities was Tk10.80 crore. The auditor said these balances remained unreconciled and unconfirmed by third parties, limiting its ability to verify their completeness, existence and accuracy.

The auditor further pointed out that Central Insurance has a subsidiary, Central Insurance Investment Limited, but did not prepare consolidated financial statements.

Another issue flagged in the audit report concerns the company's investment in Central Insurance Investment Limited. The insurer recorded an investment of Tk10 crore in the subsidiary without relevant approval from the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA), according to the auditor.

Self-regulation and strong supervision by associations can help protect investors from scams committed by brokers and asset management companies.

Market intermediaries can self-regulate through their associations by formulating and enforcing their own guidelines, as they do in many countries. The associations may have committees to keep watch on the operations of their members.

But self-regulation should not be limited to encouraging best practices. Any misconduct and violation of the guidelines must be followed by strict action, including the cancellation of membership, experts said.

Talking to the FE, the chief of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) also stressed the need for self-regulation, which he said would be effective if associations played a role in protecting the interests of investors rather than those of association members.

Referring to India, Arif Khan, vice chairman of Shanta Asset Management, explained how an association can discipline its members.

The Association of Mutual Funds in India, which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, encourages mutual fund companies to handle complaints through a standard procedure and provide clarity about how unresolved complaints can be escalated. It also promotes cooperation among all the parties involved in resolving investor problems.

Bangladesh also has an association of asset managers. However, the Association of Asset Management Companies and Mutual Funds of Bangladesh is almost non-functional.

A majority of the asset managers have refrained from joining the association because power is heavily concentrated in those with larger shares of assets under management. The structure of the association is framed in such a way that one vote is counted for each mutual fund. So, wealthy asset managers are the decision-makers, heightening the risk of their malpractices being overlooked.

This is the backdrop against which AMCs wanted to form another association, but the commerce ministry ruled it out.

BSEC Chairman Masud Khan said the regulator would appeal to the commerce ministry to facilitate the formation of a "vibrant" association by asset managers.

Many fund managers, however, said scams mostly took place in the management of closed-end funds. The number of such funds is gradually declining, and the regulator has already stopped approving closed-end funds.

Now, open-ended funds are the majority, and there is little scope for embezzling money from them, as unitholders can liquidate their holdings at any time based on the net asset value. Of the total assets worth Tk 130 billion under management, Tk 93.3 billion was under the schemes of open-ended funds as of June this year.

Moreover, officials of the securities regulator said the role of custodians has been expanded in the existing rules for mutual funds (MFs).

The association of stockbrokers appears to be as ineffective as that of the AMCs.

Despite the presence of the DSE Brokers Association (DBA) of Bangladesh, brokers, including Tamha Securities and Moshihor Securities, embezzled huge amounts of investors' money.

FINRA ( Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), a primary regulatory body, regulates brokerage firms in the US. It is funded by brokers, as the DBA is, but its main purpose is to protect investors and promote fair and honest practices in the securities industry.

FINRA has cancelled the memberships of brokerage firms for unlawful or unethical conduct, including fraud and misuse of customer assets.

In 2023, it expelled SW Financial for misleading customers about compensation on pre-IPO securities, excessive trading in customer accounts and failure to supervise its representatives.

A BSEC official, who preferred anonymity, said primary surveillance is mainly conducted by the associations of brokers and AMCs in other countries.

"Unfortunately, DBA fights only for the interest of its members, for example, to broaden the scope of conducting trades with higher free limits."

On the role of the DBA against malpractices by its members, DBA President Saiful Islam said they had no power to take any punitive measure against any member.

Besides, even if a broker's licence is scrapped, it will be able to continue operations without hindrance until its licence is repealed by the regulator. But a broker's membership is withheld after the suspension of its licence by the regulator, Mr Islam said.

Meanwhile, investors get some compensation from the Investor Protection Fund if their brokers deceive them and siphon off their money and securities.

The Fund, created in August 2000, is small in size and so cannot provide full compensation. Brokers are required to contribute Tk 5,000 each quarterly against a turnover of Tk 5 billion. The regulator has also made a provision under which 25 per cent of the interest realised from deposits in the Consolidated Customer's Account (CCA) is transferred to the Fund.

The rules also do not provide for full compensation. Scam victims can get only up to Tk 0.5 million from the Fund.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) plans to expedite initial public offerings (IPOs), attract institutional investors and bring more large companies to the stock market, its Chairman Masud Khan said on Saturday.

Speaking at the IDLC Capital Market Conclave at a city hotel, he said retail investors account for nearly 90 per cent of market participants in Bangladesh, highlighting the need to boost institutional participation.

The commission is working to bring pension funds, gratuity funds and life insurance companies into the capital market. It is also seeking to expand open-ended mutual funds and simplify their distribution process.

Mr Khan said the regulator was reforming the IPO approval process, which has historically taken 18 to 24 months. The proposed reforms include greater accountability for statutory auditors, simplified valuation requirements and the introduction of a Dutch auction system for public offerings.

The BSEC has raised the eligibility threshold for direct listings from Tk 5 billion to Tk 10 billion in annual turnover or total asset value. It has also approved around Tk 3.5 billion worth of high-grade asset-backed corporate bonds and directed that corporate bonds be traded on the main board.

The regulator is also working to revive Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited, introduce artificial intelligence-based market surveillance and formulate regulations for derivatives trading and regulated short selling.

Mr Khan said net foreign purchases reached Tk 700 billion in September, stressing that Bangladesh needed to expand its market capitalisation and attract more large companies to the bourse to improve its position in international market indices.

He urged large domestic businesses and multinational companies to list voluntarily, warning that securities laws empower the commission to require certain companies to join the stock market.

Olympic Industries PLC, the country's leading biscuit manufacturer, has recommended a 35% cash dividend, equivalent to Tk3.50 per ordinary share of Tk10 face value, for the financial year ended 30 June 2026.

The dividend recommendation is subject to shareholder approval at the company's Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled to be held virtually on 30 November 2026. The record date has been set for 4 November.

Meanwhile, the company's board has approved the acquisition of two parcels of land totaling about 138.08 decimals in Madanpur, Narayanganj, to support future operational expansion.

Olympic Industries will purchase 68.50 decimals of land for Tk1.64 crore and another 69.58 decimals for Tk1.74 crore. The company will also bear the applicable registration fees, VAT, taxes and other administrative charges related to the purchases.

The company posted a net profit of Tk199.93 crore for the financial year ended 30 June 2026, down 0.55% year-on-year, mainly due to higher income tax expenses.

According to price-sensitive information approved by the company's board of directors today (8 October), earnings per share (EPS) edged down to Tk10 in FY26 from the previous year.

The company said the decline in EPS was primarily attributable to higher income tax obligations during the year.

Despite the marginal decline in profit, Olympic Industries recorded 6.59% growth in sales, with revenue rising to Tk2,954.81 crore in FY26.

Operating profit increased to Tk236.05 crore from Tk231.09 crore a year earlier, while profit before tax rose to Tk279.05 crore from Tk268.99 crore.

Olympic Industries' Net Asset Value per share increased to Tk69.35 as of June 2026, up from Tk62.35 a year earlier, while Net Operating Cash Flow per Share improved to Tk11.79 from Tk11.45.

Global exports of thermal coal are currently on track to register a second consecutive annual contraction.

But thanks to thermal coal’s widest price discount to LNG in four years, coal shipments look set for a late-year resurgence.Benchmark Australian thermal coal export prices are currently around 80 percent cheaper than liquefied natural gas for delivery in Asia.

This cements coal’s place as the most affordable power generation fuel in the region.
The fourth quarter of the year is also the traditional high point for coal demand in Asia.

This is when utilities replenish stocks ahead of the winter heating period.

That combination of a growing price advantage over alternate fuels just as the peak demand period kicks in has the potential to propel coal export volumes sharply higher over the final weeks of the year.

For climate trackers hoping to see a permanent decline in coal use, any late-year renaissance in coal flows may be a disappointment.

But for utilities across the world’s most populous region, the economics of generation may trump climate concerns over the near term. This will ensure coal retains its central role in power production mixes across Asia.

Australian export prices of thermal coal from Newcastle are currently trading around $143 per metric ton.

This is equivalent to around $5.40 per million British thermal units, according to LSEG. That compares to the latest quotes for LNG delivered to Asia of around $25.00 per MMBtu.

This means that high-quality thermal coal is roughly $20 per MMBtu cheaper than LNG in key Asian power markets.

With thermal coal prices from Indonesia routinely at least $1 per MMBtu cheaper than Australian coal, power generators have a strong economic incentive.

They are opting for coal over LNG for the upcoming winter heating season.

Power fuel importers are already into the fuel restocking cycle in preparation for a pick-up in heating demand across major markets.

Major coal-consuming markets include China, Japan, and South Korea.

Those three countries imported around 122 million metric tons of coal during the July-through-September quarter, data from Kpler shows.

That is when power demand for cooling peaks in those countries.

However, those same countries imported an average of 143 million tons of thermal coal during the last quarter of the year in 2024 and 2025.

This is when heating demand peaks.

Google News LinkFor all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
That means the combined coal imports of China, Japan, and South Korea alone could jump by around 20 million tons during the last quarter of the year.

For major coal exporters such as Indonesia and Australia, those import trends mean the final months of the year are usually the busiest.

Export data for Indonesia show that average shipment volumes during the October-to-December quarter averaged around 137 million tons for the 2023 to 2025 period.

During the third quarter of 2026, Indonesia shipped out just under 107 million tons. This was the lowest tally for that quarter since 2021.

Australia also tends to see export volumes reach their peak during the final quarter. Exports averaged around 55 million tons for the October-to-December period from 2023 through 2025. During the third quarter this year, Australia’s export tally was 52 million tons.

If utilities across East Asia ramp up their coal import orders, Indonesia and Australia will see a significant rise in purchase orders.

Combined fourth-quarter volumes out of Indonesia and Australia averaged around 192.5 million tons from 2023 through 2025, Kpler data shows.

Total exports from those countries were around 159 million tons during the July-to-September quarter of 2026.

Exports could see a nearly 30-million-ton climb during the final quarter of 2026 if previous trends are repeated.

If that seasonal lift materialises, it would mark a notable turnaround for a fuel widely viewed as being in decline.

Yet coal’s enduring advantage is that it competes on price rather than policy.

With LNG prices elevated and power demand entering its strongest seasonal phase, utilities across Asia may conclude that the cheapest source of electricity is also the hardest fuel to replace.

For all the momentum behind the energy transition, this winter’s trade flows could serve as a reminder that cost still shapes fuel choices.

Investors at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) showed strong buying interest in two Beximco Group-owned listed companies—Beximco Ltd and Shinepukur Ceramics—following the capital market regulator's restructuring of their boards.

Shares of Bangladesh Export Import Company Limited (Beximco) and Shinepukur Ceramics hit their daily upper circuit limits today (8 October), triggering trading halts amid heavy buying demand, DSE data showed. Beximco's share price rose 9.76%, while Shinepukur Ceramics gained 9.63%.

Driven by the share price surge, Beximco's market capitalisation increased by Tk188.65 crore to Tk2,122 crore, while Shinepukur Ceramics gained Tk30.86 crore in market value to reach Tk351.25 crore, according to DSE data.

Fueled by the share price rally, Beximco Ltd added Tk188.65 crore to reach a market capitalisation of Tk2,122 crore today, while Shinepukur Ceramics saw its market value gain Tk30.86 crore to stand at Tk351.25 crore, DSE data shows.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) approved the board restructuring of the two Beximco Group-owned firms on Tuesday, excluding the group's vice-chairman, Salman F Rahman.

A day after the restructuring, the commission issued an official press release on Wednesday. Beximco Group had approached the stock market regulator to restructure the boards to resolve operational deadlocks, settle long-standing regulatory issues, and restart full factory operations.

Market insiders noted that the removal of politically exposed leadership following Salman's arrest in August 2024 generated fresh buying interest among investors expecting improved corporate disclosures and normalised business activities.

Following the board restructuring, shares of the two Beximco Group firms hit their daily upper circuit limits in yesterday's trading session, surging by nearly 10% in a single day.

Right from the start of trading, investors showed strong buying interest in Beximco Ltd and Shinepukur Ceramics, quickly wiping out sell orders as both stocks locked at their daily circuit ceilings.

According to DSE data, over two days, Beximco Ltd's share price surged by 14.21% to Tk22.50 each, up from Tk19.70 on 6 October.

Prior to the surge, its shares had been on a downward trend over the previous four consecutive sessions starting 30 September.

Similarly, the share price of Shinepukur Ceramics surged by 14% over two days following 6 October.

Before the price rally, its shares had been on a declining trend since 28 September, falling to Tk20.90 on 6 October.

On Tuesday, at the group's request, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) now approved a board overhaul for Beximco Ltd. and Shinepukur Ceramics— excluding Vice Chairman Salman F. Rahman— to resolve a years-long deadlock and resume regular operations.

With the exclusion of Salman F. Rahman— former private industry and investment adviser to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina— three listed Beximco Group firms will operate without him for the first time since their inception, according to group sources.

To resolve long-standing operational deadlocks and resume full activities, Vice Chairman Salman F. Rahman agreed to step down from Beximco's listed boards in September while remaining in custody over multiple criminal charges since August 2024.

Following consultations with the government and regulatory bodies, Beximco Group submitted an application to the BSEC to reconstitute its listed company's boards.

Previously, the commission approved a new nine-member board for Beximco Pharmaceuticals.

Stocks extended recovery

EBL Securities in its daily market commentary said the ailing capital market extended its recovery momentum for a second consecutive session, providing a much-needed respite from the recent downturn as bargain hunters returned to accumulate beaten-down scrips drawn by prices that increasingly offered attractive entry points.

DSEX, the broad index of the DSE, advanced by 11.7 points to settle at 5,476 points compared to 5,464 points in the previous trading session.

The market remained volatile throughout the session, with see-saw trading reflecting active participation from both buyers and sellers. Although stronger buying helped the market close in positive territory, broader investor sentiment remained subdued amid expectations of lacklustre corporate earnings, it said.

However, market turnover decreased by 11.8% to Tk533 crore while most stock prices surged on the last day of the week.

On the sectoral front, the Textile sector accounted for the highest share of turnover at 32%, followed by Pharma at 9.8% and General Insurance at 9.5%.

Sectors mostly posted mixed returns, where Jute, Miscellaneous and Ceramic exerted the most gains on the bourse today, while Life Insurance, Services and Textile posted the most corrections. Of the traded stocks, 171 advanced, 150 scrips declined, and 64 remained unchanged.

The Dhaka bourse ended the week's last session marginally higher, extending its gains for the second straight session, led mainly by large-cap stocks.

The market started Thursday's session with a positive vibe, and the DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), continued its upward trend for more than half an hour.

Later, the DSEX lost some points and exhibited ups and downs until the closure of the session amid investors' wait-and-see stance on the trading floor.

At the end of the session, the DSEX settled at 5,475 points with a gain of 11.69 points, or 0.21 per cent.

"The ailing capital market extended its recovery momentum, providing a much-needed respite from the recent downturn as bargain hunters returned to accumulate beaten-down scrips drawn by prices that increasingly offered attractive entry points," said a market review of EBL Securities.

It also said that although stronger buying allowed the market to close in positive territory, broader investor sentiment remained subdued amid expectations of lacklustre corporate earnings.

Of the top index pullers, Pubali Bank had the highest contribution of 3.2 points to the broad index, followed by Beximco Pharmaceuticals, National Bank and BRAC Bank.

Of the total issues traded on Thursday, 171 advanced, 150 declined, and 64 were unchanged. The DSE featured a turnover of Tk 5.33 billion, 12 per cent down from the previous session.

Despite the rise in indices, market participation weakened, suggesting that the market's upward movement was driven by selective buying rather than broad-based participation.

On Thursday, the majority of the blue-chip stocks closed in the green, and the DS30 index, comprising such stocks, advanced 0.42 per cent, or 8.84 points, to close at 2,105.68 points.

Investor participation was mainly concentrated in the textile sector, which grabbed 28 per cent of the market turnover, followed by pharmaceuticals and chemicals, banks, and general insurance.

Evince Textiles was the number one turnover leader with a value of Tk 248 million, followed by Saiham Textile, Sonali Aansh Industries and BRAC Bank.

BEXIMCO was the top gainer with a rise of 9.75 per cent, while New Line Clothings was the worst loser after declining 5.88 per cent on the DSE.

Customers of National Bank PLC will be able to withdraw money as required from October 15, 2026.

The Board of Directors of National Bank at a meeting on Thursday noon instructed the bank management to provide customers with all banking services as required from all branches and ATM booths of National Bank from 15 October.

"Customers will be able to withdraw money according to their requirements from all branches and ATM booths across the country," said the bank in a statement on Thursday.

From the same day, counter services, mobile app, internet banking and all other digital and online services of the bank will be fully operational, it mentioned.

Earlier on Thursday, National Bank PLC Chairman Professor Dr. Melita Mehjabeen and Acting Managing Director Zahidul Haque met Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostaqur Rahman. BB deputy governors Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmed, Md. Sarwar Hossain and Md. Anis Ur Rahman were also present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the BB Governor emphasised protecting the interests of depositors and keeping public confidence in the banking sector intact.

He instructed the bank to take necessary measures to ensure withdrawal of money as per requirement of all its depositors.

Chairman Professor Dr. Melita Mehjabeen informed the BB governor that good governance had been established in National Bank as a result of various recent initiatives by Bangladesh Bank. Positive changes have also been brought to the senior management to enhance the efficiency and capacity of the bank.

The Chairman said, "With the overall cooperation of Bangladesh Bank and the coordinated efforts of the Board of Directors and the management, National Bank is returning to customer service at full pace".

"We are sincerely grateful to the customers who have stood by us patiently for a long time. We have always maintained a strict stance on recovering defaulted loans. No defaulter will be spared in the future either. We are determined to fully restore customers' trust through good governance, transparency and accountability," Mehjabeen added.

Acting Managing Director Zahidul Haque said that necessary preparations were being made at all branches and ATM booths to keep services uninterrupted from 15 October.

Bangladesh's capital market has recently met some key requirements for elevation to emerging status. Still, the main criterion it falls short of is the required market size, according to global index provider FTSE Russell.Read Economics

A report that FTSE Russell published this week says that, to be upgraded to emerging market status, Bangladesh must have at least five eligible stocks, each with an investable market value of at least $150 million, and a combined market value of at least $11.54 billion. Eight securities meet the first threshold, but together they lag far behind the $11.54-billion mark.

So, the solution lies in listing large-cap companies ready to issue a high volume of shares in the secondary market.

The FTSE report shows that Bangladesh has made meaningful progress in addressing the market infrastructure side of the requirements. The key improvement came in transparency, where the market moved from the label "restricted" in March 2026 to "pass" in September 2026. Here, transparency is linked to the availability and timeliness of market information, visibility of trading, market depth and trade reporting.

The country passed this criterion as the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) showed FTSE Russell that financial data companies Bloomberg and Refinitiv receive market data in real time.

The latest withdrawal of the floor price from Beximco and Islami Bank, and the easing of tax clearance for foreign investors, among other steps, helped the country meet nine prerequisites for secondary emerging status.Explore History

The floor prices imposed on listed securities for the second time in July 2022 were withdrawn in phases. The incumbent commission finally withdrew the floor prices from the stocks of Beximco and Islami Bank Bangladesh in June this year.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank in May eased the tax-certification requirement for foreign portfolio investors, following a plea from the Dhaka bourse, allowing them to obtain a tax certificate only at the time of capital repatriation.

Previously, foreign investors who sold shares had to obtain a separate tax certificate after the execution of each sale order for the sale proceeds to be repatriated.

FTSE Russell, which classifies stock markets around the world and creates investment indexes used by international investors, says Bangladesh is not on its watch list.

DSE Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar said the exchange would be able to introduce a T+1 trading cycle by December this year, but the main hurdle to entering the FTSE watch list is market size.

She also stressed that Bangladesh must strive to achieve emerging market status for the sake of its global image and to establish an investment-friendly ecosystem.Invest in Stocks

How far is Bangladesh from the required market size?

According to DSE data up to June this year, the Dhaka bourse has eight stocks that individually passed the FTSE screen test, but they have a combined investable market cap of $2.21 billion, only 19 per cent of the $11.54 billion required for the market upgrade.

The FTSE report makes it clear that market size is currently the binding constraint. It also says at least three large- or mid-cap securities are required for the upgrade.

Bangladesh has no qualifying large- or mid-cap companies under the relevant FTSE screen. Grameenphone, which has a market value of approximately $2.85 billion, may have fallen into this category, but it failed the liquidity test because its turnover is below the level required under the FTSE liquidity rule.

According to the rule, a stock must have a median daily turnover of at least 0.050 per cent of its free float in at least 10 of 12 consecutive months. In four of the 12 months, Grameenphone's median daily turnover was below the FTSE level.

That means a large market cap does not automatically qualify a stock for the FTSE index.

Of the 360 listed securities on the DSE, only eight stocks — BRAC Bank, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, City Bank, British American Tobacco Bangladesh, Eastern Bank, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, Prime Bank and United Commercial Bank — satisfied all of FTSE's relevant screens. They also passed the liquidity criterion.Start Investing

However, Bangladesh has achieved only about 19 per cent of the required investable market capitalisation, leaving a gap of approximately $9.3 billion. More importantly, the DSE's entire free-float market capitalisation is only $11.08 billion.

That means even if every listed company had somehow satisfied the FTSE criteria, the existing market would still fall slightly below the $11.54-billion threshold.

Bangladesh cannot realistically address the FTSE requirement merely by improving the liquidity of existing companies. The market needs to bring in new issues with a large free float.

Under the existing securities rules, issuer companies are required to float at least 10 per cent of their outstanding shares.

Insiders say the regulator should encourage issuer companies to offload more shares.

As the flow of IPOs (initial public offerings) is expected to begin shortly, the regulator may consider urging companies to float a large volume of shares.

Oil prices settled higher on Friday as Hurricane Isaias churned toward the northern Gulf of Mexico and oil companies shut more than 70 percent of crude production in US waters.
Earlier in the session, crude prices were down as US President Donald Trump said talks with Iran to end the war in the Middle East had been "productive."Trump also teased an upcoming, undisclosed announcement on diesel and said he was considering suspending the federal gasoline tax.

Brent crude futures settled at $104.72, up 44 cents or 0.42 percent.
US West Texas Intermediate crude futures finished at $91.85 a barrel, up 36 cents, or 0.39 percent.

Plans by China, the world's top oil importer, to resume refined fuel exports after a brief halt during its Golden Week holiday, also weighed on the market.Reuters reported the development on Friday, citing sources.

On a weekly basis, Brent and WTI prices are set to rise.

Trump's Iran pledge along with China's resumption of product exports were moving prices lower, PVM Oil Associates analyst Tamas Varga said.
Prices have been volatile this week as threats to shipping in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, which carried shipments equal to about 20 percent of global oil and fuel before the war, have increased.

Trump said on Thursday that Washington was having "productive discussions" with Iran and said no attack was planned before the November 3 midterm congressional elections after media reports that he was considering an attack before then.

Iran's Tasnim news agency reported the same day that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran is reviewing the US response to its proposal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days.

The US is still pressuring Iran economically, imposing sanctions targeting individuals, networks and 17 vessels for transporting Iranian crude, oil products and petrochemicals.

The Iran war and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine have disrupted supplies of refined fuels such as gasoline, jet fuel and especially diesel fuel.

The oil market is also contending with Hurricane Isaias in the Gulf of Mexico where producers have shut in about 1.3 million barrels per day, or 62.9 percent, of current oil production as of Thursday, according to the US Marine Minerals Administration.

Bangladesh Bank has sought Tk 600 billion annually from the government over the next five to eight years for recovery of the banking industry that witnessed a massive looting, said the central bank chief.

"Last week, we forwarded a draft proposal to the government on how to fix the banking sector. And, in the proposal we have sought Tk 600 billion annually over the next five to eight years to recover the banking sector that suffered massive money plundering," BB Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman told a meet on Saturday.

He made the remarks while replying to a question at a question-answer session with students. He attended the function as the chief guest at a function arranged to launch Bangla QR transactions at the United International University (UIU) by ONE Bank PLC in Dhaka.

"When we started working at the central bank, we saw that one -third of the total money in the banking sector had already been stolen. This is the main problem in the sector," he continued.

The governor said they need the money from the national budget and it is people's money. "Now the taxpayers' money will be given to the depositors."

He admitted that the country's revenue collection is about Tk 4.5 trillion and taking away Tk 600 billion from there yearly, surely, is a pressure.

"Until this June, you saw people gather before banks as they failed to withdraw their deposit," he said while replying to a student as to when the situation will improve.

He added they have eased the process so that depositors now can withdraw their money, particularly at some Islamic banks.

"It was outright looting in the banking sector. The plundering group looted taxpayers', public money from the banks," he said, urging society and young generation to be vigilant so that none can loot people's money in the future.

Vice-chancellor of UIU Prof Md. Abul Kashem Mia emphasized implementing and incorporating the advanced technological system in the financial sector so that corruption and irregularities can broadly be controlled.

He said introducing Bangla QR will make UIU a first cashless campus, enabling tuition fees, other fees, retail transactions on the campus charge-and hassle -free.

Managing Director of ONE Bank Muhit Rahman said that their transactions volume has significantly increased in recent times through Bangla QR Code, signaling a fast popularity of it among the users.

He announced they won't charge for using their service through Bangla QR usually being charged outside the campus.

Because of the rapid change in the financial and banking system, there will be a major shift in the transactions with security challenges, he continued.

Emphasizing the cashless transaction, the central bank boss also said that they have to spend an additional Tk 200 billion on paper-cash transactions, including its transportation, making, delivery to booths and banks, which will be half if the Bangla QR sees success.

Bangladesh needs to bring more companies to the stock market and diversify corporate financing beyond bank loans to build a more balanced and resilient financial system, speakers said at a capital market conclave in Dhaka yesterday.

Speaking at the IDLC Capital Market Conclave 2026 at Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel yesterday, they also called for encouraging financially sound companies to raise funds through initial public offerings (IPOs), direct listings and bonds, while strengthening corporate governance and investor confidence.

“We want companies to enter the capital market voluntarily, without being compelled to do so, and benefit from it,” said Masud Khan, chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).

The BSEC has already held direct discussions with several domestic, foreign and multinational companies, he said, urging private-sector entrepreneurs to give serious consideration to listing on the stock market.

Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, managing director of IDLC Investments Ltd., said companies in Bangladesh rely on bank borrowing for around 75 percent of their financing, compared with about 53 percent in India and 15-20 percent in more developed markets.

Bangladesh also has the lowest market capitalisation among neighbouring countries, underscoring the need to develop alternative sources of corporate financing.

“We are not saying that dependence on banks is bad. However, we need to work towards building a more resilient and balanced financial structure,” he said.

Mominul Islam, chairman of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), said the country’s market capitalisation was below 8 percent of gross domestic product, and the exchange aimed to raise the ratio to 20 percent by 2030.

Including bonds and government securities, the market could grow from the current equity market value of around $30 billion to more than $200 billion, he said.

“This is certainly achievable when compared with other Asian countries. However, it will require the active participation, confidence and trust of all stakeholders,” he added.

In his welcome address, M Jamal Uddin, chairman of IDLC Investments, said the financing needs of banks and financial institutions were rising alongside economic growth, making alternative sources of funding increasingly important.

A more effective capital market could provide long-term financing for businesses and ease mounting financing pressures on banks, he said.

Kazi Mahmood Sattar, chairman of IDLC Finance, said poor mutual fund management practices had undermined the confidence of savers who might otherwise invest in the stock market.

In many countries, savers rely on mutual funds when they lack the knowledge or confidence to invest directly in capital markets. In Bangladesh, however, they tend to prefer bank fixed deposits, even though deposit rates have fallen to single digits, he said.

Doreen Power Generations and Systems Limited recorded a sharp 57.68% year-on-year jump in consolidated earnings for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2026, driven primarily by a significant reduction in extraordinary impairment losses compared to the previous year.

According to price sensitive information approved by its board of directors on Thursday, the company recommended a 15% cash dividend – amounting to Tk1.50 per share of Tk10 face value – for general shareholders. Sponsor-directors will not receive this payout.

Earlier, it had paid a 10% cash dividend for FY25.

The company further reported that its consolidated earnings per share (EPS) rose to Tk5.03 in FY26, up from Tk3.19 in the preceding fiscal year.

The company noted in its official disclosure that the strong bottom-line growth stemmed mainly from lower impairment losses on non-current assets relative to FY25.

Alongside the earnings rebound, the company's cash flow position experienced robust improvement. Consolidated net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) surged 60.95% to Tk18.96 for the year, compared to Tk11.78 in FY25.

The power generator attributed the cash flow surge primarily to higher collections of revenue bills from customers during the 12-month period.

The dividend proposal will be placed before shareholders for approval at the company's annual general meeting (AGM), scheduled for 24 December 2026, via a digital platform. The record date for determining shareholder eligibility for the dividend has been fixed for 12 November.

Balance sheet metrics also strengthened during the period, with the company's consolidated Net Asset Value (NAV) per share with revaluation rising to Tk57.12 as of 30 June 2026, compared to Tk52.43 a year earlier.

On Thursday, its share price closed 0.32% higher at Tk31.40 at the Dhaka bourse.

According to the company's monthly shareholding report for September, sponsors and directors jointly hold 66.61% shares in the company, while institutional investors have 16.90% and the general shareholders have the remaining 16.49% shares.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is likely to seek time-bound measures to resolve problems in vulnerable banks and set specific targets and deadlines for domestic revenue collection as conditions for a new loan programme, according to government officials.

The possible conditions will be discussed when a Bangladesh delegation led by the finance minister meets senior IMF officials in Bangkok later this week on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, scheduled for October 12-17, finance ministry officials confirmed to The Daily Star on condition of anonymity.

The delegation is set to leave for Bangkok today, with Dhaka seeking to finalise a new loan programme by January next year.

The team will hold separate meetings with Nigel Clarke, the IMF’s deputy managing director, and Krishna Srinivasan, director of the lender’s Asia and Pacific Department.

Discussions will focus on economic reforms, structural adjustment conditions and the timeline for finalising the proposed financial package, according to officials.

An IMF mission is likely to visit Dhaka later this month to work out the details of the proposed programme following the Bangkok meetings.

A loan proposal generally takes at least two months to reach the IMF’s executive board for approval after a staff-level mission completes its on-the-ground assessment, officials said.

CONDITIONS EXPECTED

On the banking front, the IMF is likely to seek clear deadlines for resolving problems at vulnerable banks, reducing high non-performing loans (NPLs) and recapitalising lenders, including state-owned commercial banks, according to sources.

A finance ministry official, seeking anonymity, said the government would prepare an action plan with specific implementation deadlines, which would then be finalised through mutual agreement with the IMF.

The lender is also expected to press for subsidy rationalisation in the power, gas and agriculture sectors.

On revenue mobilisation, the IMF is expected to seek specific collection targets and deadlines for meeting them, alongside measures to bring more people and businesses into the tax net, sources said.

LOAN TALKS GATHER PACE AS GOVT NEEDS $4b

Amid mounting economic uncertainty stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Bangladesh plans to seek around $4 billion in budget support from multilateral and bilateral lenders in the current fiscal year, 2026-27.

The country also faces higher import costs for energy and fertiliser due to the crisis.

Bangladesh would need an additional $1.82 billion for liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, around $70 million for fertiliser and $2.21 billion for oil between March and September, said Prof Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the prime minister’s adviser on finance and planning.

He made the remarks at a high-level conference titled ‘An Asia for Everyone: Public Services, Social Protection and the Promise of Shared Prosperity’ at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok on Friday, according to a UNB report.

He said the international community must take responsibility for the economic costs borne by developing countries through no fault of their own.

Preliminary discussions with key development partners, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, have already begun.

However, prospects for securing support from these lenders will depend heavily on progress towards a new IMF programme, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The government decided in May to exit its existing IMF programme, eight months before its scheduled expiry, and seek a fresh arrangement.

The $4.7 billion programme was signed by the previous Awami League government in January 2023 and later increased to $5.5 billion by the interim government.

Bangladesh has received $3.8 billion in five tranches, while the sixth tranche was delayed after the IMF suspended talks in November last year and decided to resume discussions with the new government following the election.

In a June 3 statement, Ivo Krznar, the IMF mission chief for Bangladesh, said the government applied for a fresh package.

“The authorities’ request for a successor arrangement provides an opportunity for the Fund and the authorities to agree on a potential programme that both reflects the current challenges and incorporates the new authorities’ objectives and priorities,” reads the statement.

Any new arrangement would need to address Bangladesh’s balance-of-payments needs and be backed by strong policy commitments and a credible reform agenda, subject to the IMF’s policies and executive board approval, the statement said.

After the government sought a new programme, an IMF fact-finding mission visited Dhaka in July. The two sides have also held several virtual meetings over the past two months to review updated economic and financial data supplied by Bangladeshi authorities.

Besides the IMF officials, the Bangladeshi delegation is scheduled to meet representatives of Fitch Ratings and JPMorgan, as well as Liao Min, China’s vice finance minister, and officials of China Exim Bank. The team is also set to meet Makhtar Diop, managing director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports grew 6.10 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter (July-September) of FY2026-27, reaching US$10,578.56 million against $9,970.42 million in the same period of FY2025-26, according to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Knitwear exports rose 6.88 per cent to $5,963.76 million, while woven exports grew 5.11 per cent to $4,614.80 million during the first quarter.

United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Canada:During the first quarter of the current fiscal year (FY27), the US, the largest single-country market, imported $2,220.86 million, up 10.40 per cent from $2,011.70 million. Its share rose from 20.18 per cent to 20.99 per cent. Knitwear shipments grew 11.61 per cent to $881.28 million, and woven shipments 9.61 per cent to $1,339.58 million.

Exports to the UK increased 5.94 per cent to $1,292.13 million. Knitwear rose 10.00 per cent to $897.93 million, while woven fell 2.27 per cent to $394.20 million. The UK's share was almost unchanged at 12.21 percent.Canada took $349.65 million, up 3.85 per cent. Knitwear edged up 1.07 per cent to $181.98 million, while woven grew 7.04 per cent to $167.67 million.

Non-traditional markets:

Exports to non-traditional markets during this July-September period rose 9.40 per cent to $1,811.89 million from $1,656.28 million, lifting their share from 16.61 per cent to 17.13 per cent. Knitwear grew 9.94 per cent to $889.34 million and woven 8.87 per cent to $922.55 million.

Turkey was the standout performer, with shipments more than doubling (up 123.14 per cent) to $146.63 million. Brazil rose 41.58 per cent to $63.09 million while the UAE 18.67 per cent to $74.34 million, and Mexico 14.77 per cent to $81.72 million.

In addition, South Africa grew 9.29 per cent to $37.85 million, South Korea 8.81 per cent to $120.94 million, Malaysia 6.31 per cent to $47.80 million and Saudi Arabia 5.67 per cent to $51.64 million.

Japan, the largest non-traditional market, grew 2.61 per cent to $343.65 million. Australia rose 1.02 per cent to $209.06 million, and China was nearly flat at $71.21 million (up 0.09 per cent). Other countries combined grew 14.45 per cent to $253.24 million.

The European Union:

The EU remained the largest destination bloc, importing $4,904.02 million of Bangladeshi apparel, up 3.33 per cent from $4,746.10 million. Knitwear shipments rose 4.29 per cent to $3,113.23 million, and woven shipments 1.70 per cent to $1,790.79 million.

The EU's share of Bangladesh's total apparel exports, however, slipped slightly from 47.60 per cent to 46.36 per cent.

Among individual EU members, Germany, the largest buyer, was nearly flat at $1,122.98 million (down 0.15 per cent). Spain grew 13.73 per cent to $1,148.46 million, the Netherlands 9.02 per cent to $597.49 million, and Poland 5.77 per cent to $401.93 million. Sweden rose 14.43 per cent to $177.00 million, and Belgium 1.39 per cent to $130.09 million.

Other EU markets with growth included Romania (60.03 per cent to $47.85 million), Hungary (25.46 per cent to $44.95 million), Slovakia (27.56 per cent to $19.86 million) and the Czech Republic (1.28 per cent to $72.35 million). Smaller gains were seen in Latvia (59.29 per cent to $0.53 million) and Malta (50.32 per cent to $0.10 million).

Talking to BSS, former BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel said Bangladesh's apparel export growth in the last month remained encouraging despite the energy crisis and rising production costs, while non-traditional markets and the United States showed stronger growth than the overall export trend.

He said the export performance should be viewed in the context of the challenges faced by the apparel industry, particularly the energy crisis, which has increased pressure on production and business operations.

"Although the export figure may appear relatively low in absolute terms, the growth achieved amid the current energy crisis is definitely positive," Rubel said.

He identified the improved performance in non-traditional markets as a particularly encouraging development, noting that Bangladesh had struggled to achieve satisfactory growth in these markets for a considerable period.

According to him, export growth in non-traditional markets and the United States has exceeded the overall growth rate, indicating that Bangladesh is gradually improving its position beyond its traditional export destinations.

Rubel, also the Founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV), said Bangladesh needs to reduce its excessive dependence on Europe and the United States by exploring opportunities in other markets, including Japan, Australia and India.

"Europe's performance has not been particularly strong. Therefore, we need to diversify our export destinations and explore the significant opportunities available outside the major traditional markets," he said.Bangladesh had maintained its position in the US market and that further export growth remained possible there, he added.Rubel, however, stressed that export growth alone would not be sufficient to ensure the long-term sustainability of the garment industry.

"Growth must be profitable and sustainable. We need to manage the rising costs and focus on higher-quality products and markets where we can achieve better returns," he continued.

Rubel said the recent improvement in monthly export performance offered some encouragement, adding that continued growth in the coming months could help the sector move closer to its overall annual target.

"If we can maintain the positive trend and continue to achieve incremental growth every month, we may be able to move closer to achieving our overall growth target." he said.

Rubel also emphasised that market diversification, product quality, cost management and profitable expansion would remain crucial to strengthening Bangladesh's position in the global apparel market.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam today (Saturday) said the country's foreign exchange reserves had increased by US$11 billion over the past seven months to reach US$37 billion despite various economic challenges.

He also said that the country's overall debt burden had declined from 37 percent to 32 percent during the period, BSS reports.

"Foreign exchange reserves stood at US$20 billion when the then autocratic government was ousted on August 5, 2024, following the mass uprising," he said.

The state minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion on formulating strategies to install solar power systems through cooperative societies in urban and rural areas at the Samabaya Bhaban in Agargaon this afternoon.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan attended the programme as the chief guest.

Shahe Alam said the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus had increased foreign exchange reserves to US$26 billion over two years, followed by a further rise of US$11 billion in the past seven months, bringing the total to US$37 billion.

Referring to a call by an opposition party leader to halt remittance flows, he said the appeal had failed to disrupt the inflow of remittances.

"Remittances worth Tk 7,776 crore entered the country over the past five days despite the call," he said.

The state minister said expatriate Bangladeshis understood the country's political situation, recalling that remittance flows had stopped during the Liberation War, the anti-Ershad movement in 1990 and the recent movement that led to the fall of the fascist government.

Criticising the opposition's role in parliament and outside, Shahe Alam alleged inconsistencies between its statements in the Jatiya Sangsad and its public criticism of the government.

He said opposition leaders had acknowledged in parliament that the BNP had inherited crises in the oil, gas and electricity sectors, while criticising the government over power and gas shortages in their public statements.

Highlighting the potential of solar energy to help address the country's electricity crisis, Shahe Alam said Bangladesh was currently supplying 1,872 megawatts of solar-generated electricity to the national grid.

He said the government would purchase surplus electricity generated by household solar power systems and called for coordinated initiatives through the Department of Cooperatives to expand solar energy use in both urban and rural areas.

Senior officials of the Department of Cooperatives and representatives of relevant ministries and departments attended the meeting.

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has launched three dedicated country desks for investors from China, South Korea and Japan to provide faster, more targeted and effective services.

The desks were inaugurated at the ‘Meet the Investors’ event held in Dhaka yesterday.

Investors from 38 countries have invested in the eight export processing zones (EPZs) and two economic zones under BEPZA. China, South Korea and Japan are the three largest sources of investment in these zones.

The dedicated desks aim to strengthen communication with existing and prospective investors from the three countries, offer direct assistance tailored to their investment-related needs and streamline the investment process.

They will provide relevant information, guidance and necessary support to existing and prospective investors interested in investing in BEPZA’s EPZs and economic zones.

Welcoming the participants, BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain said the gathering would help strengthen partnerships, hear directly from investors, understand their concerns and expectations, and identify ways to make Bangladesh’s investment environment more competitive and business-friendly.

In the 2025-26 fiscal year, BEPZA signed investment agreements with 36 enterprises, while exports from its zones reached $8.41 billion, marking a 2.22 percent year-on-year increase, the executive chairman said.

He also described the designation of BEPZA Economic Zone-1, BEPZA Economic Zone-2, Jashore EPZ and Patuakhali EPZ as full-fledged zones as another significant milestone of the year.

Expressing optimism about the newly launched country desks, Hossain said the facilities would help build closer relationships with existing investors from China, South Korea and Japan and encourage them to expand their businesses. They would also play an important role in attracting new investment to BEPZA’s zones, he added.

Representatives of the Korea-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry attended the event, along with more than 100 local and foreign investors.

Total investment in BEPZA’s zones stands at approximately $7.50 billion, while cumulative exports have reached around $130 billion. The zones account for around 20 percent of Bangladesh’s total exports.