United News of Bangladesh

The National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate (NCRPD) on Wednesday imposed a fine of Tk 50,000 on a trader for illegally stockpiling a large number of LPG gas cylinders at a house in Shibganj area of Sylhet city. Based on a tip-off, a drive was conducted at a residence and a truck loading 130 filled 12-kg LPG cylinders was seized, said Mohammad Arif Mia, assistant director of NCRPD, Sylhet. Later, they fined Tk 50,000 to ‘Makhan Chula Ghar’. The truck had been kept there for the last two days. Storing LPG cylinders in a residential building without a proper licence or designated warehouse is illegal and poses serious fire hazards, said assistant director of NCRPD Arif Mia. Earlier, another business owner in Sylhet was fined Tk 1 lakh for selling LPG cylinders at inflated prices. The LPG gas crisis in the city continues to intensify. Despite government initiatives to reduce taxes and VAT and the withdrawal of a strike by traders, gas supply in the retail market has yet to return to normal.

The government on Wednesday said it remains hopeful of a smooth transition through the national election but wants to prevent the arrival of any “unexpected individuals” from abroad who may attempt to create an undesirable situation during the election period. “We are not stopping the issuance of visas. Those who wish to come may apply for visas, and we will issue them as long as their purpose is valid,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responding to a journalist’s query regarding reports of the suspension of visa-on-arrival facilities. “You know, during the election period, there may be attempts to create unexpected situations. Some unwanted individuals may try to enter the country suddenly,” he said. The Foreign Adviser said the Ministry of Home Affairs is truly better positioned to comment on the matter but acknowledged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received instructions in this regard. Read more: Bangladesh issues special visa guidelines ahead of national election  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Bhutan on Tuesday informed the general public that the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Thimphu has officially conveyed that the government of Bangladesh has suspended the “Visa on Arrival” facility for all eligible countries, including Bhutan, with effect from January 15 to February 15. In view of this, Bhutan said, all Bhutanese nationals intending to travel to Bangladesh during the above period are advised to apply for a visa in advance through the Embassy of Bangladesh in Thimphu prior to their travel. The Bhutanese Ministry advised all travelers to take note of this change and make the necessary arrangements well in advance to avoid any inconvenience. Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain on January 8 confirmed that they have asked its three key diplomatic missions in India to keep their visa sections closed for a time being on security grounds. “What I have done is that I have asked our three missions to keep their visa sections closed for the time being. It’s a security issue,” he said while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at that time. Read more: Foreign Adviser communicates with Pakistani counterpart ahead of OIC ministerial meet on Somalia Asked about the matter, Hossain on Wednesday had taken the decision due to a special situation, noting that they have to look after the security of the missions.

Bangladesh’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) implementation has dropped to an alarmingly low level in the first half of 2025–26 fiscal year, highlighting persistent weaknesses in project execution. Official data from the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Ministry show that only 17.54 percent of the original ADP allocation was implemented during July–December of FY26, marking one of the weakest first-half performances in the last five years. Against a total ADP allocation of Tk 2,38,695 crore for FY26, actual implementation during the first six months stood at Tk 41,876 crore. The figures point to continuing delays in procurement, land acquisition, fund release and decision-making across ministries and agencies. Although the size of the ADP has increased steadily in recent years – Tk 2,36,793.09 crore in FY22, Tk 2,56,003.27 crore in FY23, Tk 2,74,674.02 crore in FY24 and Tk 2,78,288.90 crore in FY25 – higher allocations have not translated into faster execution. IMED statistics show that first-half implementation rates have remained subdued for several consecutive years. During July–December, implementation stood at 17.97 percent in FY25, 22.48 percent in FY24, 23.53 percent in FY23 and 24.06 percent in FY22. The declining trend suggests a deepening structural problem rather than a one-off setback. Spending also remained sluggish in December, traditionally one of the stronger months for ADP execution. In December 2025, ministries and agencies implemented projects worth Tk 13,833.25 crore, accounting for 5.80 percent of the total ADP. Planning Ministry officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, blamed familiar obstacles for the poor performance, including slow procurement processes, delays in approving development project proposals (DPPs), land acquisition complications, shortages of skilled project directors and cautious spending amid tighter fiscal conditions. They said persistently low ADP implementation undermines growth, job creation and service delivery, especially at a time when private investment remains subdued. “The ADP is the government’s main fiscal tool to stimulate the economy. If implementation remains below 20 percent at mid-year, it puts enormous pressure on the remaining months and often leads to wasteful year-end spending,” a planning ministry official said. Planning Adviser Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud on Monday said the country’s sluggish pace of development project implementation is likely to continue through the current fiscal year, with prospects of improvement only in the next fiscal. “The implementation slowdown that we had hoped would be temporary has unfortunately continued this year as well,” he told reporters after a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), which approved the Revised Annual Development Programme (RADP) for FY26 with a total size of Tk 2,08,935 crore. Govt set to approve Tk 30,000 crore cut in revised ADP He also said project quality has improved, but overall development spending remains constrained by structural, administrative and political factors. “The government has focused on improving the quality of development spending and strengthening accountability, even though these reforms have slowed project execution in the short term,” he added.

The Election Commission on Wednesday rejected an appeal challenging the validity of BNP nominated candidate for Cumilla-6 Monirul Haque Chowdhury in the upcoming national election. Independent candidate and BNP leader Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid for Cumilla-6 filed the petition with the EC, which is the Electoral Appeal Tribunal, against the acceptance of the nomination paper of Monirul Haque during the scrutiny. In the petition, former MP Amin Ur Rashid alleged that Monirul Haque concealed the information of bank loans and wife’s assets in the affidavit filed with the nomination paper. Read More: EC hearings reopen race for 41 more election candidates During the petition, the Election Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, declared that the nomination paper of Monirul Haque to remain valid. A total of 100 petitions were placed for hearing on Wednesday. Upon hearing the appeals, most of the petitions were granted. The Commission will hear and settle 645 appeal petitions by January 18 next, which were filed by aggrieved persons against the acceptance and cancellation of the nomination papers by the returning officers during the scrutiny. A total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers to run the upcoming national election from the country’s 300 constituencies within the December-29 deadline. The returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid, while 723 others invalid during the scrutiny. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the polls schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026. According to the schedule, the late date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till (7:30am on February 10) 48 hours before the balloting period.

The government has declared Family Appellate Court, Child Rape Prevention Tribunals and Land Survey Appellate tribunals as special courts. The Law Ministry issued a gazette in this regard on January 12 under the Special Courts (Additional Duties) Act, 2003. According to the notification, these courts and tribunals have been designated as District Judge Courts for the trial of civil cases and will be referred to as Special District Judge Courts. At the same time, for the trial of criminal cases they will be treated as Sessions Judge Courts and will be known as Special Sessions Judge Courts.

The government has decided to continue export incentives and cash assistance for 43 sectors until June 2026. According to a circular issued by Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday, cash assistance on shipped goods will remain between 0.30 percent and 10 percent depending on product categories. The ready-made garment (RMG) and textile sectors will continue to be the main beneficiaries of the incentives. For apparel exports, RMG products made from local yarn and shipped to new market destinations will receive a maximum incentive of 5.9 percent, down from 9.1 percent before June last year. In the leather sector, which is the country’s second-largest export industry, exporters will receive 10 percent cash assistance for leather products and 6 percent for crust and finished leather. Processed agricultural products will continue to enjoy a 10 percent cash subsidy, while diversified jute goods will receive 10 percent, jute products 5 percent and jute yarn 3 percent. Several emerging and traditional sectors will also continue to receive support. Light engineering products will get 10 percent, furniture 8 percent, pharmaceutical raw materials 5 percent, bicycles and motorcycles 3 percent, and handicrafts, including products made from hogla, straw and coconut fibre, will continue under previous rates. Incentives ranging from 1.5 percent to 8 percent will remain in place for frozen shrimp, electronics, plastic goods, ship exports and various animal by-products. The previous government reduced export incentives twice in 2024 in line with World Trade Organization guidelines. Reducing export incentives would affect local industry: Businesses Under WTO rules, countries graduating from Least Developed Country status to developing country status, a milestone Bangladesh is set to reach, are required to gradually phase out direct export subsidies. However, the Ministry of Finance has decided to delay the complete withdrawal of these incentives due to ongoing global and domestic economic challenges, including possible US tariffs on Bangladeshi products, Indian restrictions on Bangladeshi exports through land ports, and industrial instability following the political transition in 2024,said officials.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday emphasised the importance of ocean conservation and sustainable blue economy, hoping that the MoU signed between Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) and Japan’s renowned Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) will enhance cooperation in fisheries and marine affairs. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, Executive Chairman of MIDA, and Professor Mitsutaku Makino, President of the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of SPF, signed the MoU in the presence of Prof Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. The agreement will be formally endorsed by SPF President Dr. Atsushi Sunami in the coming weeks. Speaking after witnessing the signing, Prof Yunus said, “Our Ocean is a major asset, yet it is increasingly polluted." He said plastic waste has now been detected several thousand meters deep in the sea. "This MoU will help us protect and keep our seas clean,” he said.  

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) said Bangladesh has not yet taken any decision regarding sending its forces to Gaza under the International Stabilization Force (ISF), stressing that the country has clearly outlined three conditions. “No decision has been made. It is still at the discussion level. It has not been determined yet who will be part of this initiative. Most importantly, three conditions have been mentioned clearly,” he told reporters responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under no circumstances Bangladesh would join without the creation of an environment consistent with the three key preconditions, he added. Read more: BSC should maintain profitable status, expand fleet: Prof Yunus Asked about discussing such an issue at the fag end of the interim government’s tenure, Adviser Hossain said the tenure is ending with the February 12 election, but the government remains in place. He said the country’s engagement and interests do not change overnight and the government would not do anything that goes against national interests. The Foreign Affairs Adviser also said they are very hopeful that the upcoming transition will take place smoothly. He the ISF is an issue of global concern and does not fully depend on Bangladesh alone. The interim government said some Muslim countries are interested in participating in the force. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Monday said they recognise the significance of the UN Security Council decision to establish the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza and understand that some Muslim countries are interested in participating in the force. Read more: Election on Feb 12, no matter who says what: Prof Yunus tells former US diplomats “We are also carefully considering the matter,” he said while responding to a question, noting that as one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping forces and an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause, their interest in participating in the ISF is contingent on the fulfillment of a number of principles. These include, among others, that the ISF should be temporary and operate under a clear UN Security Council mandate, he said, adding that there must be permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza; and the responsibilities for Gaza will be transferred to the Palestinians. The Press Secretary said they remain steadfast in their support for the right of the Palestinians to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State based on 1967 borders with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital. "As the third largest Muslim nation in the world, Bangladesh has consistently condemned Israeli genocide in Gaza, and called for its immediate end and the complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the territory,” Alam said. Bangladesh noted that the United Nations Security Council, on 17th November 2025, adopted resolution 2803 which provided for, among other things, the establishment of an ISF for Gaza. Alam said all Muslim countries members of the Security Council voted for the resolution. He also said a number of other Arab and Muslim countries jointly recommended the adoption of the resolution by the Security Council. Read more: ISF for Gaza: Dhaka weighs its options carefully

Law enforcers have arrested 67 people from different parts of the capital as part of the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2 in 24 hours till Wednesday morning. Among the arrestees, 17 were arrested from Jatrabari, 28 from Mugda, eight each from Rupnagar and Hatirjheel areas and three each from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and Mirpur areas of the capital, said deputy commissioner (DC) Talebur Rahman of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. They were arrested in different criminal cases, he said.  

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) will host  SAFA International Conference 2026 in Dhaka on Saturday. The conference, titled “Next Generation Profession: Converging Ethical AI and Sustainability Reporting,” will bring together a large number of foreign and local delegates, including the President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), the global apex body of the accountancy profession. To brief the media on the objectives and significance of the event, ICAB organised a press briefing at CA Bhaban in Kawran Bazar, Dhaka, on Wednesday. Read More:  ICAB urges proper IFRS 9 implementation to restore banking sector trust ICAB President NKA Mobin delivered the opening remarks, while Muhammed Farhad Hussain, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the SAFA International Conference, ICAB Vice President Md Rokonuzzaman, ICAB CEO Shubhashish Bose, and Chief Operating Officer Mahbub Ahmed Siddique spoke on the occasion. ICAB Council Members Zareen Mahmud Hosein and Amran Hossan were also present, according to a press release. The conference is expected to draw more than 500 professionals, regulators, academics and thought leaders from Bangladesh, South Asia and the global arena. Md Touhid Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will inaugurate the conference as the Chief Guest. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur and Nazma Mobarek, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance, will attend as Special Guests. Jean Bouquot, President of IFAC, who will attend as Guest of Honour—marking his first visit to Dhaka on an invitation from ICAB.  It was also announced that during the conference, the SAFA leadership baton will be formally handed over to Mohammed Humayun Kabir, Past President of ICAB, who has assumed office as President of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) for 2026. Meanwhile, Mahbub Ahmed Siddique, Chief Operating Officer of ICAB, will take over as SAFA Executive Secretary. The conference will bring together regulators, corporate leaders, policymakers, academics and accounting practitioners from SAARC countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan, said a press release. In the valedictory session, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun will attend as Chief Guest, while Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman and Financial Reporting Council Chairman Dr Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan will join as Special Guests. ICAB welcomes budget, but suggests lowering tax on online trading