United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Jewellers’ Association (BAJUS) has once again reduced the gold price in the local market, cutting Tk 1,039 per bhori with the latest adjustment, the price of 22-carat gold has been set at Tk 207,957 per bhori. The new rates will come into effect from Monday, according to a BAJUS press release issued Sunday night. BAJUS said the price was revised following a fall in the rate of pure gold (Tejabi) in the local market. As per the new rates, the price of 21-carat gold has been fixed at Tk 198,498 per bhori, 18-carat gold at Tk 170,143 per bhori, and traditional gold at Tk 141,496 per bhori. The association also mentioned that the prices are subject to a 5% government-imposed VAT and a minimum 6% making charge set by BAJUS. However, the final making charge may vary depending on jewellery design and quality. Earlier, on October 22, BAJUS reduced the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 8,386 per bhori, fixing it at Tk 208,996. With this latest change, gold prices in the country have been adjusted 68 times so far this year — increased 48 times and decreased 20 times.

In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the country’s leading technology manufacturer Walton has installed Bangladesh’s largest floating solar power plant with a capacity of one megawatt at its headquarters in Chandra, Gazipur. With this initiative, Walton has achieved another milestone toward promoting renewable energy and sustainability in the country’s industrial sector. Mostafizur Rahman Razu, head of Walton’s Environment, Health and Safety Department, said the floating solar power plant sets an example for sustainable industrial development. He said the project not only generates clean electricity but also contributes to fish farming, land conservation, reduced water evaporation, and overall environmental protection. After meeting its own electricity demand, Walton supplies the excess power from the floating plant to the national grid through the net metering system, he added. According to Walton, its sustainability initiatives have helped reduce 911,823 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and cut its carbon footprint by 10 percent, setting a model for responsible and eco-friendly industrial practices in Bangladesh.

The newly elected representatives of the Petrobangla Officers' Association took oath in a ceremony held on Sunday. The ceremony followed the association's general election, which was held earlier on October 15, 2025, at Petrobangla. Through the oath ceremony, the new leadership takes charge. Petrobangla is the Bangladesh Oil, Gas, and Mineral Corporation, a government-owned national oil company responsible for the exploration, production, transportation, and marketing of the country's oil, gas, and mineral resources. Petrobangla Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman attended here as the chief guest, while SM Mahbub Alam, Director (Administration) of Petrobangla, attended as the special guest. The oath was conducted by Md. Golam Mortuza, General Manager (Financial Management) of Petrobangla, also served as the Chief Election Commissioner for the Petrobangla Officers' Association Election-2025. The event was held at Dr. Habibur Rahman Auditorium of Petrobangla head office in Kawran Bazar, Dhaka. The elected officers are President M Nasimul Alim, Deputy General Manager (Vigilance), and Senior Vice President Md. Shamim Hasan, General Manager (Audit), Vice Presidents, Md. Shoriful Islam, Deputy General Manager (MEAI), and Shammi Akter, Deputy General Manager (Exploration), General Secretary Md. Fazlul Haque, joint secretary, Mohammad Mahbub Alam, assistant secretary Md. Sakib Mehedi. Additionally, Touhidur Rahman, Nazmul Hasan, Md. Ashik Hossain, Md. Shahriar Sagar, Md. Abir Hossain, Md. Shahadat Hossain, Sabina Akter Runa, Md. Afzal Hossain, Md. Nazmul Islam and Mohammad Abdullah, Deputy Manager (Admin) were elected to various other posts by securing significant votes, according to a press release.   

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) will introduce a revised tick size of Tk 0.01 for equity securities priced below Tk 1, the bourse announced on Sunday. The move is aimed at improving price discovery and enhancing market efficiency for low-priced stocks. Currently, DSE applies a tick size of Tk 0.10 for all equity securities to determine single price deviations in the secondary market. As the prices of some securities have recently fallen close to Tk 1, the existing tick size has become unsuitable for trading purposes. “Introducing a smaller tick size for securities below Tk 1 will facilitate smoother price movement and more accurate reflection of market demand and supply,” the DSE said in a statement. The revised tick size will come into effect from October 29, in line with Regulation 18 of the Dhaka Stock Exchange Automated Trading Regulations, 1999. The DSE urged market participants to take note of the revised tick size ahead of trading on October 29. Ticks are the smallest price movements in the financial markets. For example, if the price of a stock moves from Tk 50.00 to Tk 50.01, that one-cent change is a tick. In trading, ticks affect how one buys and sells securities by helping understand the smallest price change that can happen. This knowledge helps investors decide when to buy or sell.

Both Dhaka and Chattogram stock markets opened the week on a downward trend on Monday, with most company shares declining and overall trading activity falling. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark index lost 22 points. The Shariah-based DSES index fell by 4 points, while the selective blue-chip DS30 index dropped 11 points. Among traded companies, 198 saw their share prices decline, 142 recorded modest falls, and 59 remained unchanged. Across categories A, B, and Z, the majority of shares fell. In category A, which includes high-dividend companies, 112 shares declined while 86 saw minor drops. In the block market, shares worth Tk 25 crore of 23 companies changed hands, with BRAC Bank alone accounting for Tk 14 crore. The total turnover at DSE stood at Tk 461 crore, slightly lower than Tk 468 crore in the previous session. Hakkani Pulp & Paper Mills PLC led gains with nearly 10% rise, while Fareast Finance & Investment Limited was at the bottom with around 10% decline. Similarly, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) saw its index fall by 24 points. Among traded companies, 75 posted gains, 92 declined, and 21 remained unchanged. Total turnover dropped to Tk 11 crore from Tk 15 crore in the previous session. Samata Leather Complex Ltd topped the gainers at CSE with nearly 10% rise, while Central Insurance Company Ltd fell nearly 10%, leading the losers.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has expressed deep concern over the sudden decision to halt all import and export operations through Benapole Land Port after 6 pm, without prior notice or consultation. The move, reportedly taken by Benapole Customs to curb smuggling and illegal goods, is expected to disrupt overall trade activities, the Chamber said. Benapole, Bangladesh’s largest land port, handles the bulk of bilateral trade with India. The abrupt restriction could significantly affect cross-border trade and revenue generation, the DCCI said. According to the Bangladesh Land Port Authority, during the 2024–25 fiscal year, the port processed 20,11,268 metric tonnes of imports and 4,21,713 metric tonnes of exports. Traders reported long queues of trucks, particularly those carrying perishable items, on both sides of the border, increasing the risk of damage and wastage. “Previously, an average of 400 to 450 trucks entered the port daily. After the new restriction, the number has dropped to 180–200 trucks,” said Sajedur Rahman, General Secretary of the Benapole C&F Agent Staff Association. Business users said the decision, reportedly made after consultation with C&F agent representatives, has created chaos at the country’s busiest land port, adversely affecting importers, exporters and other stakeholders. DCCI urged authorities to lift the restrictions immediately and implement effective measures to ensure smooth, uninterrupted trade operations. The Chamber stressed that while coordinated efforts to prevent illegal trade are essential, suspending legitimate trade at the country’s busiest land port is unacceptable

Stocks at both the Dhaka and Chattogram bourses witnessed an uptrend during the first hour of trading on Sunday, with most companies seeing gains. During the first hour, the key index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), DSEX, advanced by 3 points. Among the other indices, the Shariah-based DSES rose by 3 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index edged up by 1 point. Out of the traded securities, prices increased for 189 companies, declined for 117 and remained unchanged for 86. The DSE recorded a turnover of over Tk 210 crore in shares and mutual fund units during the first hour. DSE turnover dips 18% despite weekly gains in key indices The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw an upward movement, as its overall index gained 29 points. At the CSE, 41 companies advanced, 25 declined, and 14 remained unchanged, with shares and units worth over Tk 67 lakh changing hands in the first hour of trading.

President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports after an anti-tariff television commercial from Ontario angered him. The ad, aired during the first two games of the World Series, used a speech by former US President Ronald Reagan to criticize Trump’s trade policies. Trump said the campaign should have been canceled immediately and accused Ontario of spreading misinformation. “Their advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD,” Trump wrote on Truth Social while traveling to Malaysia. “Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now.” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the ad would be pulled after the weekend. It remained unclear what specific authority Trump would invoke to implement the new tax, when it would take effect, and which categories of goods it would cover. The White House has yet to comment. Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister responsible for US trade relations, stressed that negotiations are managed by the federal government, not the provinces. “Progress is best achieved through direct engagement with the U.S. administration,” he said. Trump halts Canada trade talks after Ontario’s anti-tariff ad Canada’s economy is already under pressure from US trade restrictions. More than three-quarters of Canadian exports go to the United States, with roughly C$3.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) in goods and services moving across the border daily. Many Canadian products currently face a 35% tariff, while steel and aluminum enter at 50%. Energy shipments are taxed at 10%. Most other trade flows through the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement, which is due for review. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been working to reduce tariff tensions but has not yet commented on Trump’s latest threat. Spokespersons for both Carney and Ford also declined immediate comment. Trump and Carney are expected to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia. Trump told reporters he has no plans to meet the Canadian leader during the event. Trump claimed Ontario’s ad distorted Reagan’s positions and suggested it was intended to influence a looming Supreme Court case on the legality of his wide-ranging tariff actions, after lower courts ruled he exceeded his authority. Source: AP

The manufacturing sector dominates Dhaka district’s economy, contributing 56 percent compared to the service sector’s 44 percent, according to a new study by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). The findings were revealed during a Focus Group Discussion on Saturday at the DCCI auditorium, where the chamber presented its Economic Position Index (EPI), a data-driven tool designed to offer real-time insights into the country’s economic activities and guide policy formulation. Presenting the keynote paper, AKM Asaduzzaman Patwary, Acting Secretary General of DCCI, said the study surveyed 654 respondents between February and March 2025 — 365 from the manufacturing sector and 289 from the services sector. The manufacturing sample covered eight industries: food products, textiles, readymade garments, leather and leather goods, pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemicals and botanical products, rubber and plastic products, other non-metallic mineral products and basic metals. The services sector included wholesale and retail trade, land transport and real estate activities. Patwary recommended prioritising improved law and order, uninterrupted energy supply for industries, financial sector strengthening, simplified loan disbursement and lower interest rates, enhanced trade infrastructure, stronger local supply chains, expanded export markets and reduced VAT on import–export goods. Former DCCI President Abul Kasem Khan noted that the ready-made garment sector receives disproportionate benefits compared to other industries, complicating direct comparisons. He underscored the need for SME development, digitisation of trade licensing, and benchmarking against competitor countries to improve policy effectiveness. Md Nurul Alam, Director General of the National Productivity Organisation, stressed the importance of accurate data collection for sound policymaking. Former DCCI President Ashraf Ahmed also highlighted the role of statistical analysis in supporting future research. International trade expert Nesar Ahmed observed that Bangladesh has largely exhausted its pre-LDC graduation advantages and urged refinement of research tools for greater precision. Syed Muntasir Mamun, Director General of the International Trade, Investment & Technology Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, suggested incorporating the agriculture sector to present a more complete economic picture and emphasised maintaining investor confidence. Meanwhile, Saif Uddin Ahammad, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and CEO (Additional Charge) of the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute, called for better alignment between DCCI’s findings and other institutional datasets, along with broader sectoral inclusion such as light engineering and service industries. According to DCCI, the EPI will function as a key policy-support instrument, providing insights into production, sales, orders, exports, employment, and investment trends — enabling policymakers to make timely, evidence-based economic decisions.

bKash has recently organized four awareness workshops in Dhaka, Khulna, Bogura, and Cumilla for all its distributors to further strengthen its commitment in preventing financial crimes such as hundi, betting, and money laundering. The day-long sessions brought together bKash’s channel partners to enhance their understanding of compliance practices, focusing on accurate financial transaction management within the nationwide agent network, awareness of fund sources, timely reporting of suspicious transactions, regular data updates, staff monitoring, action against non-compliant agents, and effective use of technology, said a press release. By making bKash services accessible to all walks of life, the extensive agent network of 350,000 agents spread across the country plays a vital role in ensuring financial inclusion. Distributors as bKash’s channel partners are responsible for managing this robust network. They not only supervise and guide agent operations but also regularly provide training, ensure transaction accuracy, promote technology usage, and maintain service quality. During the workshops, distributors shared how maintaining strict compliance standards has strengthened their business operations and minimized risk. They appreciated bKash’s continuous initiatives to promote awareness and ensure safe, transparent financial practices. Emphasizing the importance of vigilance and accountability, bKash called for increased monitoring, timely reporting, and enhanced awareness among all stakeholders to curb illegal financial activities such as hundi, betting, and money laundering. Ali Ahmmed, chief commercial officer of bKash, said that a strong network has been built through the collaborative efforts of bKash and its distributors, enabling uninterrupted services to 82 million customers. Beyond basic services like cash-in and cash-out, agent points have evolved into hubs of financial accessibility and management, offering a growing range of services that bring convenience to customers. These distribution partners play a crucial role in making these services available to the customers. During the sessions, Mohammad Irfanul Huq, Head of Distribution and Retail Business at bKash, said that as a company regulated by Bangladesh Bank, bKash is playing a leading role in financial inclusion and building the digital payment infrastructure in the country.