United News of Bangladesh

Highlighting the commitment to the halal industry, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun has said the interim government is dedicated to creating an enabling environment for the halal economy, ensuring that Bangladesh becomes a hub for halal products in the region. Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Halal Economy 360: Driving Global Growth’ on Saturday, he underscored the importance of strategic initiatives aimed at fostering growth in this sector. High Commissioner of Malaysia to Bangladesh Mohd Shuhada Othman reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations between the two countries and expressed Malaysia’s readiness to share its expertise in developing the halal economy. “This collaboration can yield significant benefits for both nations.” Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) organised the seminar focusing on the vast potential of the halal economy and potential collaboration with Malaysia in fostering sustainable and inclusive growth and development in this $7 trillion economy. Deal information to be made public with US’ consent: Commerce Adviser Currently, trade between Bangladesh and Malaysia has been marked by a substantial imbalance, with Bangladesh’s imports from Malaysia reaching approximately $ 2.6 billion in FY2023- 24. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s exports to Malaysia totaled only $ 293.51 million in FY2023- 24, according to the BMCCI. BMCCI Secretary General Md Motaher Hoshan Khan also spoke at the seminar that brought together the industry leaders, policymakers and experts to explore the current landscape and future opportunities within this burgeoning sector. Chowdhury highlighted that most halal products are currently produced by non-Muslim countries, which is unfortunate for Muslim-majority countries like ours. Malaysia to recruit limited number of Bangladeshi workers through BOESL He, however, emphasised that this also presents a significant opportunity for Bangladesh. With the right policies and initiatives, Bangladesh is well-positioned to capitalise on this potential and enter the halal market effectively. Chowdhury elaborated on the various measures being implemented to attract investment and enhance infrastructure for halal production. He called for increased collaboration between public and private sectors to harness the full potential of the halal economy, emphasising that such partnerships are essential for driving innovation and sustainability. BMCCI President Shabbir A Khan emphasised the halal economy’s role as a crucial driver of international trade and investment. He highlighted the surging global demand for halal products and services, calling on stakeholders to collaborate in positioning Bangladesh as a competitive force in this lucrative market. He also emphasised that "beyond our traditional garment exports, Bangladesh has the potential to become a significant supplier of Halal products. With coordinated policy, streamlining certification and a favorable investment climate, we can realistically achieve US$ 7-8 billion in halal exports to Malaysia alone by 2030." Handa to invest $250mn in Bangladesh, create 25,000 jobs The BMCCI President said the global halal food market size is accounted for at USD 3.30 trillion in 2025 and is forecasted to hit around USD 9.45 trillion by 2034, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 12.42% from 2025 to 2034. The seminar included a working session chaired by Syed Alamgir, adviser at the School of Business of Uttara University. Dr Mominul Islam, Assistant Professor at the College of Business Administration, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), presented the keynote paper that provided a comprehensive overview of the halal economy's potential, outlining effective strategies for growth. China favours ‘smooth, successful, participatory’ election in Bangladesh Panel discussions featured insights from distinguished experts across various industries, followed by an engaging open discussion where participants exchanged views on different perspectives of the halal economy. The discussants expressed a strong desire for collaborative efforts with the government to propel the sector forward.

All scheduled banks in Bangladesh will remain closed on August 5 in observance of "July Uprising Day," a newly declared public holiday. Bangladesh Bank issued a circular in this regard recently. The central bank's Department of Off-site Supervision issued the circular to ensure compliance with a government notification from the Cabinet Division which designated August 5 as a national holiday. On August 5, 2024, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following a mass uprising that began in July, leading to the fall of her government. The central bank has advised all stakeholders to plan their financial transactions accordingly due to the closure.  

International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICCB) has said Bangladesh, as the current chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec), needs to focus on boosting trade among member countries. “In Bangladesh, political uncertainty and occasional tensions with India hinder regional cooperation,” said the leading chamber on Sunday, pointing out that Bimstec still faces major challenges despite 25 years of operation and the key transport projects are delayed. At the 6th Summit, Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship for the 2025–27 term and the ICCB said this provides Bangladesh with a stronger voice, not just in Bimstec but also in broader regional politics. This leadership role, the chamber said, allows Bangladesh to push forward the implementation of the Bangkok Vision 2030, helping both Bangladesh and the wider region to work more closely together. The ICCB said trade between Bimstec countries is still relatively low - only about 7% of their total trade happens within the group. In comparison, Asean countries trade about 25% with each other. The chamber thinks one major reason for this limited trade is the delay in signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has been under discussion since 2004. “Progress has been slow, largely due to non-tariff barriers, the protection of sensitive products, and the reluctance of some countries to open their markets. The Bangkok Vision 2030 aims to accelerate the FTA process, but progress remains slow and uneven,” said the ICCB in its editorial of the quarterly news bulletin. Bangladesh can facilitate trade by easing visa rules, improving customs systems and supporting digital payments, the chamber said. For Bangladesh, the ICCB said, stronger ties within Bimstec could bring many benefits and Bangladeshi businesses, especially in garments, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and light industries, could enjoy lower trade costs and better access to regional markets. Besides, it said, foreign companies might become more interested in investing in Bangladesh, particularly in infrastructure, energy and digital technology, if there are clear and stable regional trade rules in place. “This would benefit not only Bangladesh but the entire region.” Myanmar’s ongoing unrest further complicates progress, making it difficult to develop crucial transport links and raising concerns about the group’s cohesion, said the ICCB. According to industry insiders, intra-regional trade among Bimstec countries exceeds US$40 billion, while the potential trade opportunity among Bimstec nations could be as high as US$250 billion. The Bimstec Trade Facilitation Strategic Framework 2030, developed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is an important initiative to advance trade facilitation among member states. During its two-year leadership, Bangladesh has the opportunity to persuade member countries to implement the ADB Framework 2023. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Bimstec, which was founded on 6 June 1997. With the signing of the Bangkok Declaration during the 6th Bimstec Summit held in Bangkok on April 4, 2025, the member countries adopted a major new plan called the ‘Bangkok Vision 2030’. This plan aims to guide the region’s development in a structured way and supports global goals like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as Thailand’s eco-friendly Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model, according to the editorial of the current news bulletin. Connectivity is central to Bimstec’s strategic agenda, especially under the Bangkok Vision 2030, said the ICCB. A key priority is fast-tracking the Bimstec Master Plan for Transport Connectivity (2018–2028), which includes 267 infrastructure projects. BIMSTEC for addressing security challenges that hinder dev aspirations Notable among them are the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. Both are crucial for seamless overland and maritime links between South and Southeast Asia, reflecting growing political commitment among member states, said the ICCB. As the host of the Bimstec Permanent Secretariat and the current chair of the organisation, Bangladesh is well-positioned to lead important development initiatives, it said. This includes accelerating transport projects such as roads, ports, and trade routes, particularly maritime routes. The Bangkok Summit showed strong interest in improving maritime transport, which is a promising step toward resolving trade and shipping challenges in the region, said the ICCB. The chamber, however, said the success of these plans will depend on the political stability and commitment of member countries. For example, it said, the ongoing crisis in Myanmar remains a significant challenge to regional cooperation.  

A case has been filed against Salman Bin Rashid Shah Saim ,MD of Flight Expert, an online airline ticket booking platform, his father and three others for embezzling money of its customers.Mezbah Uddin, Officer-in-Charge of Motijheel Police Station, said Bipul Sarkar, a customer of the travel agency, filed the case with Motijheel Police Station for fraudulence.Police also arrested three employee—Sakib Hossain, 32, Head of Finance of the travel agency, its chief commercial officer Sayed Ahmed, 40 and chief operating officer AKM Sadat Hossain,32.Earlier, Syeed Ahmed lodged a general diary on behalf of the travel agency after its MD Salman fled the country.According to the general diary, MD Salman in a WhatsApp group of the company left a message saying he is leaving the country.The customers' financial transactions are now at risk and some customers are threatening the staff, according to the GD.Widespread anger and concern spread on social media after the Flight Expert website was found down on Saturday. Many customers expressed worry about their bookings and future travel plans on various social media platforms.  

A five-member probe body has been formed in connection with the robbery at Natore sugar mill in Natore district.Akhlasur Rahman, managing director of the sugar mill, said the committee, headed by Director General of the sugar mill Ferdous Ul Alam, has been asked to submit the report within two working days.Earlier, a group of robbers entered the sugar mill breaking open the back side door of the mill on Sunday night and kept 12 security guards of the mill hostages at gunpoint.Later, they looted valuables including metal equipment worth Tk 90 lakh.Around 4 am on Sunday, the other security guards noticed the robbery and informed the mill authorities.Amzad Hossain, superintendent of Natore Police, along with army personnel visited the mill in the morning.Later, police took some staff of the mill including the in-charge of security guard Arafat Kamal into custody for interrogation.Meanwhile, Arafat, Habildar Badar Uddin and security staff Sabbir have been relieved from their job after the robbery.

Three hundred and forty three more new dengue cases were reported in the 24 hours till Sunday morning, raising the number of confirmed cases to 21,670 this year. The number of deaths remained at 84, as no new fatalities were reported during this period, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Besides, according to the DGHS,  111 new cases were reported in Barishal Division (Out of CC), 51 in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), 03 in Mymensingh (Out of CC), 54 in Dhaka Division (Out of CC), 64 in Dhaka North City Corporation and 59 in Dhaka South City Corporation. Currently, 1, 335 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.    

The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been reduced once again, with the cost of a 12-kg cylinder now set at Tk 1,273 for the month of August. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the revised rate on Sunday, cutting the price by Tk 91 per cylinder. The new price comes into effect from 6pm today (Sunday). BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed said the August price adjustment brings the 12-kg LPG cylinder down from Tk 1,364 to Tk 1,273. This is the second consecutive month the price has dropped. On July 2, the commission had lowered the price by Tk 39 to Tk 1,364 per cylinder. Alongside LPG, the price of autogas has also been reduced. The new rate, including VAT, has been fixed at Tk 58.28 per litre—down Tk 4.18 from the previous price. Last month, the autogas rate was slashed by Tk 1.84, bringing it to Tk 62.46 per litre at that time. According to a press release from BERC, the latest adjustments are based on the Saudi CP (Contract Price) declared by Saudi Aramco—$520 per metric tonne for propane and $490 for butane. Using a propane-to-butane ratio of 35:65, the weighted average Saudi CP stood at $500.50 per metric tonne.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday emphasised the importance of achieving economic prosperity through the conservation and sustainable utilisation of the country’s marine resources. Highlighting the contributions of the Bangladesh and Bangladesh Air Force, he also outlined various ongoing initiatives to develop Bangladesh’s blue economy, including the establishment of the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA), coastal region development and broader national development efforts. Prof Yunus made the remarks while formally inaugurating the Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force Selection Board–2025 at the Navy Headquarters. He commended the Bangladesh Navy’s role in managing the deep sea port, envisioned as a future economic hub, and in building a skilled workforce necessary for the advancement of the blue economy. Prof Yunus sees bright future for Bangladesh as it secures 20% US tariff rate The Chief Adviser also underscored the significant contributions of the Navy and Air Force to the development of the country’s education system, their critical role in defending and serving the nation, and the broader modernisation of the armed forces. Expressing optimism, he said the Bangladesh Navy and Air Force would continue their tradition of supporting citizens during national crises and disasters, while upholding the Constitution. Prof Yunus instructed the Board to select officers for the Navy and Air Force who are patriotic, talented, skilled, professional, honest, humane and morally upright. The ceremony marked the formal beginning of the promotion process for officers from the Navy - Captain to Commodore, Commander to Captain, and Lieutenant Commander to Commander—and from the Air Force - Group Captain to Air Commodore, Wing Commander to Group Captain, and Squadron Leader to Wing Commander, according to a media release issued by the ISPR. The selection board, composed of senior military officers at the highest policy-making level, will choose qualified and capable officers for future senior leadership roles in the Navy and Air Force, subject to government approval. At the beginning of the programme, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the victims of the tragic plane crash at Milestone School and College. Prof Yunus calls for strategic revival of long-neglected leather industry The Chief Adviser paid deep tribute to the heroic members of the armed forces who sacrificed their lives in the great Liberation War of 1971, the freedom fighters from all walks of life, and all those martyred during the July–August 2024 uprising. He recalled the glorious history, struggles and heroism of the Bangladesh Navy and Air Force, and commended their active participation in responding to natural disasters and national emergencies. Prof Yunus praised the Navy and Air Force for their role in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and supporting the public during the security crisis following the student-led mass uprising of July–August 2024. He acknowledged their contributions to maintaining law and order, participating in development and humanitarian work, and earning the deep trust and admiration of the people. Upon his arrival at the venue, Chief of the Bangladesh Navy Admiral M Nazmul Hassan and Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan welcomed the Chief Adviser. The Navy and Air Force Chiefs expressed sincere gratitude to the Chief Adviser for attending the ceremony despite his busy schedule. They also affirmed that his involvement and guidance in selecting future leadership has significantly boosted morale and enthusiasm within both forces. Under the Chief Adviser’s valuable direction, both the chiefs expressed their firm commitment to building a capable and modern force by selecting officers based on patriotism, professional expertise, humanitarian values and leadership qualities. The Chief Adviser planted a tree on the premises of the Navy Headquarters and expressed the hope for the continued prosperity of the Navy, the Air Force and the nation.  

National Citizen Party-NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary on Sunday termed the current Election commission ‘spineless,’ saying that the commission is being given a scope to be corrected. “As the days go by, it becomes increasingly clear to us that this is a spineless Election Commission,” he said while talking to reports after an NCP team met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasiruddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. The NCP leader said people were denied the right to cast their votes in the past by the Election Commission. Now, they (EC) are attempting to create a situation where there will be problems if anyone other than a particular party comes to the election, he added. NCP clarifies difference between ‘July Charter’ and ‘Proclamation’ He said what happened in the last 15 years is that people were not able to vote. In future Bangladesh, if no one other than a party in the democratic process comes to vote, they (EC or a party) will create problems. But the Election Commission is heading towards such a situation, he pointed out. Nasiruddin Partwary explained the reasons behind his party’s observation regarding the current Election Commission, saying that they (EC) are trying to create this situation that means now if anyone goes to receive the voting in the democratic process, they (EC) are obstructing the process. “Number two is the more we see this Election Commission, the more we realise that it is a spineless Election Commission. Number three is that the election commission is an institution that is supposed to lead Bangladesh to a democratic process, but as we observe it now, day by day, we see that most of its organs are dressed in military uniforms and the rest of them are dressed in party uniforms,” said the NCP leader. Noting that their party is unveiling its (EC’s) problems before people, he said the Election Commission's ‘spineless’ issue will gradually be revealed to the nation. Replying to a question, the NCP leader said, “We are constantly meeting them (EC), talking to them, pointing out their mistakes and giving them the opportunity to correct them.” NCP to place 'July Charter' by August 5: Nahid Islam He said if the Election Commission wants to sell its backbone by wearing military uniforms and party uniforms and not giving the true vote, then the NCP may finally be forced to take this decision (of boycotting the election). “But we are still giving them a chance. May a good sense prevail among them and they come to the democratic process,” he said.  

Fishing in Kaptai Lake resumed on Saturday midnight after the end of a three-month restriction on fishing by the local administration to ensure the natural reproduction of craps fish.Fish caught from the Kaptai lake began to arrive at the four landing stations of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) on Sunday morning.Kaptai Lake produces a significant quantity of fish each year not only meeting local demand but also supplying markets in various districts of the country.Local administration had imposed a three-month ban on fishing and marketing in the lake from May 1, aiming to ensure the natural breeding and growth of fish, particularly to increase the population of carp species in South Asia's largest man-made lake.Although the initial ban was scheduled to end on July 31, a meeting on July 28 decided to extend the restriction by two additional days, until midnight of August 2, due to lack of preparedness for resuming full-scale fishing.However, fishermen began fishing from midnight only to find that the newly rising water levels had affected fish growth.Traders expressed dissatisfaction over the small size of species such as kachki and chapila fish.According to the fishermen, many big fish died in the lake due to the heavy rainfall that caused swelling of water into the lake. 34 Indian fishermen held for illegal fishing in BayIf this new fry fish was caught after another 15 days the fish that is now sold for taka one crore would have been sold for more than Tk 4 crore, they said.Commander Md. Fayez Al Karim, Manager of BFDC Rangamati, said that after three months and two days of restrictions all types of fishing, marketing and transportation resumed on Kaptai Lake from Saturday midnight.BFDC had made all necessary preparations at the landing centres. “We are optimistic that this year’s catch will exceed last year’s target,” he added.In 1960, a dam was built on the Karnaphuli River in Kaptai upazila of Rangamati for hydropower generation, creating a vast reservoir of 725 square kilometres.This man-made lake—the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia—submerged 54,000 hectares of agricultural land in Rangamati.The lake produces 230 megawatts of electricity from five units of the Kaptai Hydropower Station and generate significant revenue from fishery resources. Approximately 27,000 fishermen rely on the lake for their livelihood.