United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s medium-term economic outlook has improved, with growth expected to strengthen steadily over the next two fiscal years, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. The report revised up its projections for Bangladesh, forecasting economic growth of 4.6 percent in FY25-26, rising further to 6.1 percent in FY26-27. The upward revision reflects strengthening private consumption amid easing inflationary pressures, alongside expectations of higher industrial activity and investment. Reduced political uncertainty following the general election and anticipated structural reforms by the new government are also expected to support industrial expansion and faster public spending, said the report. Compared with the World Bank’s June projections, growth for FY 26-27 has been revised up by 0.3 percentage points, driven largely by Bangladesh and better-than-expected performance in several other economies. Read More: World Bank approves $1.16 billion for Bangladesh At the global level, the World Bank noted that the economy is proving more resilient than previously anticipated despite trade tensions and policy uncertainties. Global growth is projected to ease to 2.6 percent in 2026, before edging up to 2.7 percent in 2027, largely due to stronger than expected growth in major economies, particularly the United States. However, it warned that the 2020s could become the weakest decade for global growth since the 1960s if current trends persist. Global inflation is expected to decline to 2.6 percent in 2026, reflecting softer labour markets and lower energy prices. Indermit Gill, World Bank Group’s Chief Economist, said slower growth combined with record public and private debt levels could strain finances and credit markets. The report emphasised the need for governments to liberalise investment and trade, rein in public consumption, and invest in technology and education to avoid stagnation and rising unemployment. Growth in developing economies is projected to slow slightly to 4 percent in 2026 from 4.2 percent in 2025, before picking up to 4.1 percent in 2027. Read More: Government seeks World Bank, IFC support for ongoing, future programmes: Finance Adviser Low-income countries are expected to record stronger growth, averaging 5.6 percent over 2026–27, supported by firm domestic demand, recovering exports, and moderating inflation. Despite this, per capita income growth in developing economies will remain insufficient to narrow the gap with advanced economies, projected at just 3 percent in 2026, about one percentage point below the 2000–2019 average. The report also highlighted rising fiscal pressures in developing countries, with public debt reaching its highest level in more than 50 years. M Ayhan Kose, Deputy Chief Economist of the World Bank, said restoring fiscal credibility through well-designed fiscal rules is crucial but requires strong institutions, credible enforcement, and sustained political commitment.

Two more people died allegedly after consuming toxic liquor in Rangpur district on Tuesday night, raising the total death toll to six. The deceased were identified as Abdul Malek, son of Mahir Uddin of Shibpur village in Badarganj upazila, Rashedul Islam, son of Mofazzal Hossain of Sadar upazila in the district. Earlier on Sunday night, three people died and several others fell sick reportedly after consuming toxic liquor at the house of drug peddler Joynul Abedin at Shyampurhat in Badarganj upazila of the district. The deceased were Alamgir Hossain, son of Amirul Islam, Sohel Mia, son of Rafiqul Islam of Badarganj upazila and Jennat Ali of Sadar upazila of the district. Police arrested Joynul Abedin in this connection. Later, another victim identified as Manik Chandra died at a hospital on Monday. Locals alleged that Zainul Abedin, a resident of Basantapur area in Shyampur, had long been selling toxic liquor and spirit. Azad Rahman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hajirhat Police Station, said several other people were also fell sick and are receiving treatment at different places secretly. Two separate cases were filed with Badarganj and Hajirhat police stations in this connection.

Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder on Tuesday called for responsible land acquisition in Bangladesh, warning that large tracts of land are often acquired without genuine need, putting public resources and local communities at risk. Speaking at a seminar titled 'Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Land Acquisition Management System in Bangladesh' at a city hotel, Majumder said hasty land acquisition has often led to extra acquisition, delayed payments, creating project delays, escalating costs and undermining transparency. “We must stop unnecessary acquisition. Rushed decisions have resulted in prolonged projects, higher expenditures and reduced transparency,” he said. The adviser identified acute land scarcity as the biggest challenge in acquiring land for large projects in Bangladesh. In a densely populated country like Bangladesh, finding land for acquisition is extremely difficult, he said, stressing the need for greater caution and proper assessment before initiating the process. Majumder also criticised the “aggressive mindset” of project-implementing agencies and acquisition authorities. “When we want to discuss land requirements with ministries, the secretaries often do not attend. For instance, agencies sometimes demand 1.5 to 2 acres of land to build a roadside guest house, which is clearly unjustified.” He said the land ministry is prioritising ways to avoid acquiring agricultural and homestead land and is also working to simplify the land acquisition system. “We cannot ethically support the acquisition of homestead land. This is not just about money—people have emotional attachments to ancestral land, and that value must be respected.” The study was conducted with support from the World Bank, the Korea–World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF), engaging Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), highlighting various aspects of simplifying the land acquisition process. Gayle Martin, Operations Manager of the World Bank for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said land acquisition complexities caused a cumulative loss of around $9.7 billion in six major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. She also noted a lack of pro-people approaches in the country’s land acquisition system. “Prolonged acquisition processes increase social tension. There is no alternative to a modern land acquisition system. If the requiring agencies and district administration, particularly DC offices, are empowered to take effective action, many of these complications can be resolved.” Study team leader Hafiza Khatun said land acquisition should be considered only as a last resort. “Many projects can be implemented through land direct purchase, leasing, renting, swapping, temporary occupation or land pooling.” She pointed out that delays are most common in compensating landowners. “According to the law, compensation must be paid before dispossession. But disputes over ownership—such as possession by non-owners or contested land—often delay both compensation and acquisition, increasing costs and prolonging projects.” In his closing remarks, land ministry Senior Secretary ASM Saleh Ahmed said the ministry is developing these Land Acquisition Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) alongside all land-related services would be digitised to reduce delays and expressed hope for continued World Bank support in addressing land acquisition challenges.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) must remain a strong and profitable institution, stressing the need to expand its fleet and further strengthen its financial capacity. “BSC should maintain the profitable status it has achieved in recent years. Future plans should focus on strengthening the institution through its own income and expanding the fleet by adding new ships,” he said while speaking at a cheque handover ceremony at the State Guest House Jamuna. Prof Yunus said the addition of more ships to the BSC fleet would boost morale among sailors and create new employment opportunities. He also emphasised retaining instructors at marine academies with appropriate honorariums to ensure the production of world-class seafarers. Plans are underway to acquire several ships, including four new large vessels (mother vessels) from China on a government-to-government (G2G) basis, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Big move! BSC to procure 22 new mother vessels The BSC earned the highest-ever profit of Tk 306.56 crore in the last fiscal year, generating around Tk 800 crore in revenue—an unprecedented achievement in its 54-year history. The Press Wing said that the five ships added to the fleet under the recent project have played a significant role in BSC’s continued progress. Following the Chief Adviser’s directives, BSC has already taken steps to acquire additional vessels. The first ship, Banglar Pragati, acquired under the corporation’s self-financed two bulk carrier project, was delivered and deployed in trade on October 28, 2025 and the second ship, Banglar Navajatra, is scheduled for delivery on January 30, 2026. Meanwhile, the process of acquiring two MR product oil tankers with government funding and one Ultramax bulk carrier with private funding is ongoing. At the ceremony, the Chief Adviser received a cheque amounting to Tk 203.47 crore, representing dividends declared for the fiscal year 2024–2025 and installments payable under the Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) for repayment of loans taken for six ship-purchase projects implemented by BSC under the Ministry of Shipping. Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain and BSC Managing Director Commodore Mahmudul Malek handed over the cheque. Commodore Mahmudul Malek said that a Loan Agreement (LA) was signed on October 14, 2016, between the Government of Bangladesh (Economic Relations Division) and the Government of China (China Exim Bank) for the project titled “Purchase of Six New Ships”. The project included the acquisition of three product oil tankers of approximately 39,000 DWT each and three bulk carriers on a G2G basis for BSC. The principal loan amount was 1,199,999,070 yuan, equivalent to Tk 1,457.68 crore. Subsequently, a Subsidiary Loan Agreement (SLA) was signed between the Finance Division and BSC on October 27, 2024, to facilitate loan repayment. Under this agreement, BSC will pay a total of Tk 2,425.02 crore to the Government of Bangladesh over a period of 13 years. Self-financed ship procurement deal a major step for BSC: Adviser Sakhawat As per the SLA, the total interest amount accrued during the grace period stood at Tk 475.25 crore, for which a cheque was officially handed over to the Chief Adviser on November 26, 2024. After a gap of 27 years without any new ship procurement, six commercial vessels were added to the BSC fleet during the 2018–19 period. Of these, five vessels—M.V. Banglar Joyjatra, M.V. Banglar Arjan, M.T. Banglar Agrajatra, M.T. Banglar Agradut, and M.T. Banglar Agragati—are currently engaged in international commercial cargo operations and proudly flying the national flag of Bangladesh.  

Dhaka witnessed severe traffic congestion on Wednesday as students of seven government colleges blocked key roads including the Science Lab intersection, demanding the promulgation of an ordinance to establish Dhaka Central University. The protesters brought out a procession from Dhaka College and blocked Science Lab road around 12:45pm. Besides, students put up blockades at Tantibazar intersection around 11:45am and at the Technical intersection around 12:30pm, said witnesses. Traffic restricted for Khaleda Zia’s janaza: ISPR Vehicular movement in these areas came to a standstill due to the demonstrations, causing massive tailbacks and serious inconvenience to commuters. Sources said protesters also took positions in Farmgate area, extending traffic congestion up to the Elevated Expressway. They warned that the student movement would continue if the demand is not met within the stipulated time. Earlier on Tuesday, the protesters announced the programme, pressing a single-point demand — approval of the updated draft of the Dhaka Central University Ordinance at the Advisory Council meeting scheduled for January 15.   

A dockyard security guard was stabbed to death allegedly  by muggers in  Bashundhara River View Balur Math area of South Keraniganj early Wednesday. The victim was identified as Ahmed Dewan, 60, son of late Mofa Dewan of South Pangaon, Keraniganj. He worked as a security guard at Pangaon Dockyard. His daughter Rekha said a group of muggers intercepted him in Balur Math area around 5:30 am and stabbed him in the left side of his abdomen before fleeing with his mobile phone. He was later taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 9:30am where doctors declared him dead, she said. Inspector Md Faruk, in-charge of the DMCH police camp, said the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and the death has been reported to Keraniganj South Police Station. 2 youths found dead in Atrai River in Dinajpur  

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to hold the general election and the referendum as scheduled on February 12, no matter who says what. “No matter who says what, the election will be held on February 12—not a day before, not a day after,” the Chief Adviser said, adding that the vote would be free, fair and peaceful and held in a festive atmosphere The Chief Adviser made the remarks when two former senior United States diplomats—Albert Gombis and Morse Tan, both of whom served during the Donald Trump administration— met him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday night. Prof Yunus said there had been a flood of fake news and deliberately spread confusion surrounding the elections, but stressed that the interim government remained firm in its commitment to holding the polls on February 12 and handing over power to an elected government once the results are announced. Bangladesh’s three previous national elections not credible: Ivars Ijabs He said the interim government would remain completely neutral during the elections, ensuring an unbiased administration and a level playing field for all political parties. Albert Gombis, a former Acting Under Secretary of State, and Morse Tan, a former Ambassador-at-Large, are visiting Bangladesh ahead of the crucial elections. During the hour-long meeting, the Chief Adviser and the visiting diplomats discussed a wide range of issues, including the forthcoming elections, the July Revolution and its aftermath, the rise of young protesters, the July Charter and the referendum, fake news and misinformation targeting the vote, the Rohingya crisis, and the prospects for truth and reconciliation in a post-July Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser said his government was campaigning for ‘Yes’ votes in the referendum, noting that the July Charter—set to be endorsed by the people—would usher in a new era of democratic governance and leave no room for future autocracy. EU EOM chief stresses inclusive participation in Bangladesh polls, credible turnout Prof Yunus said supporters of the former autocratic regime were spreading fake news and misinformation in an attempt to create confusion about the elections. “But people are alert. Increasingly, they can detect AI-generated misinformation videos,” he said. Former Under Secretary Gombis agreed that fake news had emerged as “one of the main enemies” of democracy worldwide and stressed the need for greater efforts to combat the threat, according to Chief Adviser's press wing. Both diplomats praised the Chief Adviser for his crucial role in steering the country over the past one and a half years. They asked whether a truth and reconciliation initiative—similar to post-apartheid South Africa—was possible in Bangladesh. No election observers in Bangladesh without UNGA mandate: UN Prof Yunus said that as a friend of the late Nelson Mandela, he closely followed South Africa’s truth and reconciliation process, but he saw no possibility of a similar move in Bangladesh right at this moment due to the continued denial by the former regime of its crimes. “Time is not right. Where do you start? Truth and reconciliation come when you admit that you were wrong, when you repent and show remorse for your crimes, and when you create the right atmosphere,” he said. “But so far, there is no remorse, no repentance. Instead, they claim that the young people killed during the July uprising were killed by terrorists. There are stacks and stacks of evidence of their crimes—absolutely barbaric crimes—yet they remain in complete denial,” the Chief Adviser added. SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamiya Morshed was also present at the meeting.

Ferdous Ara, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Bancharampur Upazila in Brahmanbaria, died on Wednesday at a hospital in Dhaka. She breathed her last around 7 am, said Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Ranjan Chandra Dey. He said Ferdous Ara fell sick on Monday and was admitted to a hospital in the capital with severe migraine pain. According to family sources, her janaza and burial will take place at her in-laws’ house in Daudkandi. She is survived by her husband and a daughter. Read More: Three injured in Brahmanbaria clash over local dominance Deputy Commissioner Sharmin Akhter Jahan expressed deep sorrow over her untimely death. In a condolence message, she said members of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association, Brahmanbaria district branch, are deeply shocked and saddened at the death of UNO Ferdous Ara. DC Sharmin Akhter said Ferdous Ara was a dutiful, honest, skilled and talented officer She also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

A crude bomb went off outside the rented house of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Advocate Yakub Ali Chowdhury, who is contesting the election from Khagrachhari. According to Jamaat-e-Islami, the explosion occurred around 10:00pm on Tuesday in the Shalbagan area of Khagrachhari town, near the Development Board rest house. Condemning the incident, Khagrachhari District Jamaat Ameer Prof Syed Abdul Momen alleged that miscreants carried out the cocktail attack in an attempt to disrupt a fair election environment. “The attackers must be identified immediately and brought to justice,” he said. Read More: Jamaat nominee Abdul Haque reenters Dhaka-2 election race Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station Mohammad Kay Kislu said police visited the spot after receiving the complaint. “The house owner and nearby residents heard a loud sound resembling an explosion, but no visible evidence was found at the scene,” he said, adding that a piece of plastic was collected for forensic examination. The OC also said the sound could have originated from a firecracker or fireworks. “Since a formal complaint has been lodged by Jamaat-e-Islami, the matter is being investigated seriously,” he added.

More than 50 workers of Garments Export Village Limited in Tongi fell ill on Wednesday, prompting panic at the factory. The affected workers, from two factories located in Ma Tower and Alam Tower of the industrial complex, were taken to nearby hospitals after falling sick one after another. Most were admitted to Tongi Government Hospital, while others received treatment at local medical facilities. Dr Nahid Sultana, Emergency Medical Officer at Tongi Government Hospital, said the workers showed symptoms of panic attacks, vomiting and respiratory problems. “Most of the workers are now out of danger,” she said. Factory sources said the workers had staged strikes on Monday and Tuesday over arrears of their November wages. Some reportedly fell ill during the demonstrations. Read More: Hotel workers threaten strike over unpaid minimum wage After resuming work on Wednesday, several workers suddenly became ill. Mehedi Hasan, officer-in-charge of Tongi East Police Station, said the factories were temporarily closed following the incident. Police are investigating to determine the cause of the illness, he added.