United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s both major stock exchanges recorded index gains for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, with the majority of listed companies seeing their share prices rise. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index climbed 34 points by the close of trade. The Shariah-based DSES index gained 5 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index advanced 16 points. Market breadth remained firmly positive, with 275 companies posting price gains against declines in 70, while 48 companies closed unchanged. Stocks rebound on DSE, CSE after sharp fall; majority issues still decline The turnover at the DSE rose notably, reaching approximately Tk 600 crore in shares and units up from Tk 470 crore recorded in the previous session. In the block market, shares worth Tk 35 crore were traded across 32 companies, with City Insurance PLC leading the segment by offloading shares worth Tk 11 crore. Lovello Ice Cream PLC topped the DSE gainers' chart with a 10% price increase, while Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC was the worst performer, shedding 5% of its value. At the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), the overall CASPI index edged down 8 points despite a generally bullish session. A total of 90 companies advanced against 71 decliners, with 22 remaining flat. The turnover at the bourse, however, slipped to Tk 26 crore from Tk 31 crore the previous day. Runner Automobiles PLC led the CSE gainers with a 10% price rise, while Emerald Oil Industries Limited was the biggest loser, falling nearly 10%.

In a step toward establishing a paperless customs environment, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Bangladesh Bank (BB) have officially integrated the Asycuda World system with the Foreign Exchange Transaction Management System (FxTMS). NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan inaugurated the integration process on Tuesday. Following a successful User Acceptance Test, the piloting phase of this initiative has officially commenced. BCCCI presents proposals to NBR ahead of budget This new system ensures that commercial invoices issued by exporters are transmitted in a uniform format from all commercial banks to the Asycuda World system via Bangladesh Bank's FxTMS in real-time. Previously, importers had to submit physical copies of bank-certified invoices to Customs. Now, the automated data flow eliminates the need for manual submission. According to the NBR, the integration will make the invoice verification process entirely online, reduce dependency on paperwork, and help protect revenue by preventing evasion. It is also expected to significantly reduce revenue risks, curb trade-based money laundering, and simplify the clearance process for imported and exported goods. Furthermore, the system will help build a reliable database for product valuation. After the piloting phase is successfully completed, the digital attachment of commercial invoices will be made mandatory for all Bills of Entry.

The office-bearers of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), led by its President Taskeen Ahmed, paid a courtesy call on Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday. During the meeting, Taskeen Ahmed said the government has already taken several timely and effective measures to mitigate the impact of the ongoing energy crisis stemming from the Middle East war. However, he stressed that sustaining people’s livelihoods, employment, industrial production and overall economic activities should remain a top priority. DCCI urges govt  to adopt proactive policy measures to safeguard economy amid Middle East tension   Taskeen underscored the need for effective initiatives and their proper implementation through stronger coordination with the private sector. The DCCI president also welcomed the government’s consideration to defer Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) status, noting that continued engagement with relevant international institutions is essential. He urged the authorities to take more proactive measures to address post-LDC graduation challenges by incorporating private sector participation and implementing their recommendations. Highlighting the impact of multiple global shocks since the Covid-19 pandemic, Taskeen said the country’s CMSME sector has been the worst affected, despite contributing around 30 percent to national GDP and generating nearly 80 percent of industrial sector employment. To address challenges faced by SME entrepreneurs, he called for low-interest loan facilities, easier access to credit, simplified loan procedures, incentives and tax exemptions. Principal Secretary Abdus Sattar said the government remains committed to fulfilling people’s aspirations and will continue engaging with the private sector through dialogue to address emerging challenges, accelerate industrial activities and achieve future economic goals. DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman and Acting Secretary General Dr A K M Asaduzzaman Patwary were also present at the meeting.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Tuesday said depositors of the five banks merged into Sammilito Islamic Bank will receive their funds in phases under a structured repayment plan. The clarification came at a press briefing at the central bank’s Sena Kalyan Bhaban office, following a protest by depositors of the merged banks in front of the central bank headquarters.  “A specific scheme has been developed to return depositors’ money and the process is already underway in stages,” central bank’s Assistant Spokesperson Shahriar Siddique at the briefing. Under the scheme, depositors can immediately withdraw up to Tk 2 lakh and after that they will be allowed to withdraw Tk 1 lakh every three months, he said. The central bank said this arrangement will enable depositors to recover their full balances within a maximum of 21 months. For Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDR) and Deposit Pension Schemes (DPS), depositors will be able to withdraw Tk 1 lakh upon maturity. The remaining balance will be renewed under a revised schedule, allowing customers to withdraw profits at each renewal while the principal remains temporarily locked, the Assistant Spokesperson said. Bangladesh Bank has introduced special measures on humanitarian grounds It said depositors suffering from severe or life-threatening conditions such as kidney disease, will be allowed to withdraw any required amount upon submission of valid medical documents. Besides, the bank’s administrator may approve withdrawals of up to Tk 10 lakh and requests exceeding this limit will require approval from Bangladesh Bank. The central bank said efforts are ongoing to establish a permanent management structure for the new bank. Recruitment for the Managing Director is in progress, and a chairman will be appointed with government approval. The merger of five Islamic banks is currently focused on technical and operational integration, he said. Overlapping branches will be merged to reduce costs, rented head offices are being closed to centralise operations and specialists are working to unify five separate core banking systems into a single platform, he added “The government and Bangladesh Bank are committed to protecting depositors’ interests and turning the merged bank into a stable and profitable institution,” Siddique said urging customers to remain patient during the transition.  

Asian stock markets mostly rose Tuesday amid cautious trading, as oil prices surged ahead of a U.S. deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face possible attacks on its infrastructure. Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.1% to close at 53,429.56. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.7% to 8,728.80, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.8% to 5,494.78. China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% to 3,890.16. Trading was closed in Hong Kong for a holiday. On Wall Street, stock indexes also moved higher. The S&P 500 added 0.4%, coming off its first weekly gain in six weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 165 points, or 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.5%. In energy markets, U.S. crude jumped $2.41 to $114.82 a barrel, while Brent crude rose $1.46 to $111.23 a barrel well above pre-war levels of around $70. Oil prices have been volatile amid uncertainty over the war with Iran and its impact on global oil and gas supplies. Iran rejected the latest ceasefire proposal Monday, calling instead for a permanent end to the conflict. Analysts at Mizuho Bank in Singapore said President Trump’s repeated ultimatums are part of a growing cycle of escalation. “Hopes for a complete resolution remain slim as countries seek bilateral solutions,” they said. Meanwhile, Iranian and Omani officials continued working on a plan to manage the strait, through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil passes. In bonds, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield held at 4.33%, above its pre-war level of 3.97%. In currency markets, the dollar edged up to 159.86 yen from 159.62, while the euro fell slightly to $1.1541 from $1.1543.

Remittance inflows into Bangladesh have witnessed a massive surge, recording a staggering 353.3 percent growth in the first five days of April 2026. In comparison to the same period last year 2025, providing a major boost to the country’s foreign exchange reserves and macroeconomic stability. According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, expatriate Bangladeshis sent US$540 million between April 1 and April 5. In contrast, the remittance inflow stood at only $119 million during the corresponding period in 2025. Remittance hits record $3.75b in March The data further revealed that on April 5 alone, the country received $201 million in remittances in a single day. Analysts and central bank officials attribute this ‘unusual’ growth to several factors, including a stabilized US dollar exchange rate, the rising income of expatriates in developed economies, and a steady global economic recovery. Official figures show that the cumulative remittance inflow from July to April of the current fiscal year (FY 2025-26) has reached $26.74 billion. This marks a 22.1 percent increase from the $21,904 million recorded during the same period in the previous fiscal year. Finance Ministry and Bangladesh Bank officials expressed optimism that this positive trend in expatriate income will play a crucial role in mitigating foreign exchange shortages and maintaining a stable exchange rate.

Stocks rebounded on Monday at both the Dhaka and Chittagong bourses following a steep fall in the previous session, although most listed companies still saw price declines. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index rose by 10 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index gained 9 points. The Shariah-based DSES index, however, remained unchanged. Despite the index rise, market breadth stayed negative, with 172 issues declining against 149 gainers, while 68 remained unchanged. Turnover at the DSE dropped to Tk 470 crore, down from Tk 511 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares worth Tk 38 crore from 32 companies were traded, with GQ Ball Pen Industries Ltd leading the turnover chart with Tk 7 crore. Bangladesh Autocars Ltd topped the gainers’ list with nearly 9 percent price appreciation, while Prime Finance and Investment Ltd was the worst loser, shedding around 9.5 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended higher, with its benchmark CASPI index gaining 8 points. However, most issues declined there as well, with 86 losers against 63 gainers and 24 unchanged. Turnover at the CSE fell to Tk 31 crore from Tk 43 crore in the previous session. Active Fine Chemicals Ltd emerged as the top gainer on the CSE with around 10 percent increase, while Progati Insurance PLC was the worst loser, losing nearly 10 percent.

NASSA Mainland Garments will resume normal operations from Wednesday, April 8, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said on Monday. The minister made the announcement after an important meeting with officials of NASSA Group at the ministry, convened following workers’ road blockade on April 5 demanding unpaid wages. The factory had remained shut since after Eid-ul-Fitr, with the authorities citing financial constraints. On Sunday, workers blocked the Tejgaon Link Road at Mohakhali and Nabisco areas, prompting government intervention to resolve the crisis. The labour minister said the government prioritised keeping factories operational in the interest of employment and assured all-out support from the ministry in line with legal provisions. He also urged workers to cooperate with the management, including working an extra hour daily if needed, to help restore production momentum. The minister advised the factory authorities not to harass any workers or employees under any circumstances. Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said a running factory cannot be shut down citing the absence of any individual or legal complications, stressing the need for timely measures to protect workers’ interests. Earlier, workers’ representatives sought government intervention to keep the factory operational and pledged to maximise production. NASSA Group Vice Chairman Ranjan Chowdhury highlighted financial and banking-related complications faced by the company and sought the ministry’s assistance in resolving the issues. State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque, Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus, Labour Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafder, and representatives from the ministries of home, law and finance, as well as BGMEA, were present at the meeting.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has urged Bangladesh Bank (BB) to double the Export Development Fund (EDF) to $5 billion to support exporters amidst ongoing global economic challenges. The demand was placed at a meeting with BB Governor Mostaqur Rahman, held at the central bank on Monday. The apex trade body also proposed increasing the "Single Borrower Exposure Limit" from the current 15% to 25% to accommodate the rising costs of doing business. FBCCI calls for policy continuity, tax reforms to boost investment in FY27 budget During the discussion, the FBCCI representatives further advocated for keeping interest rates within single digits and relaxing loan default regulations. In written proposals submitted to the BB chief, the FBCCI highlighted that geopolitical instability and global economic shifts have significantly driven up the prices of industrial raw materials, capital machinery, energy, and transportation. "The ongoing conflict in the Middle East poses a threat to energy supplies, remittance inflows, and overall economic activity," the proposals stated, noting that international demand for Bangladeshi products has also faced downward pressure. Key recommendations from the private sector The FBCCI placed a broad set of coordinated recommendations aimed at stabilising the financial sector and sustaining industrial growth. It emphasised the need for good governance and structural reforms in the banking sector. It called for effective measures to recover laundered money and urged the central bank to protect the interests of depositors and businesses during bank mergers. To keep production and trade afloat, the trade body demanded a steady supply of US dollars, a stable exchange rate, and a simplified process for opening Letters of Credit (LCs). For industries struggling with the current economic climate, the FBCCI suggested extending the loan rescheduling period from the current three months to six months, alongside providing easier loan terms and incentives. It also emphasised expanding support for SMEs and women entrepreneurs through enhanced banking access, dedicated helpdesks, and collateral-free loans. To reduce energy import costs, the trade body recommended low-interest loans for renewable energy projects, including solar power. It proposed the formation of a special committee, headed by a Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, to quickly resolve banking-related issues facing the industrial sector. The business leaders also urged the government to reduce its borrowing from the banking sector to ensure a healthy flow of credit to the private sector and to maintain incentives for remittance to encourage higher inflows of foreign currency.

The price of gold in Bangladesh has been reduced by Tk 2,158 per bhori, with the new rate for 22-carat gold set at Tk 245,819, the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announced on Monday. The revised price took immediate effect, BAJUS said in the morning. The association attributed the adjustment to a decline in the price of tejabi gold (pure gold) in the local market and the overall market situation. Under the new rates, 21-carat gold has been fixed at Tk 234,621 per bhori (11.664 grams), while 18-carat gold will cost Tk 201,146 per bhori. Gold of traditional method has been set at Tk 163,821 per bhori. BAJUS last adjusted gold prices on April 1, when it raised the price by Tk 3,266 to set 22-carat gold at Tk 247,977 per bhori. So far in 2026, gold prices have been revised 52 times, including 30 hikes and 22 reductions. The association also reduced silver prices alongside gold. The price of 22-carat silver has been cut by Tk 175 to Tk 5,540 per bhori. According to the new rates, 21-carat silver has been set at Tk 5,307 per bhori, 18-carat silver at Tk 4,549 per bhori, and traditional method silver at Tk 3,383 per bhori. Silver prices have been adjusted 31 times so far this year, including 17 increases and 14 decreases, BAJUS added.