United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s remittance inflows have maintained a powerful upward trajectory, recording $3.05 billion in the first 24 days of March 2026, as expatriates increased transfers ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank (BB), this figure represents a robust 10.9 percent growth compared to the $2.74 billion received during the same period in March 2025. It is also the fastest time period in a month that the monthly remittance figure has crossed the $3 billion mark.  The current fiscal year FY 2025-26 continues to set new records for the country. Cumulative remittance from July 2025 to March 24, 2026, has reached $25.5 billion. This marks a significant 20.1 percent increase over the $21.23 billion recorded during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year FY 2024-25. Central bank officials attribute this surge to the government's 2.5 percent cash incentive on money sent through formal banking channels, which has successfully discouraged the use of the informal "hundi" system. The surge was particularly concentrated in the first half of the month. Expatriate workers sent home $2.20 billion in the first 14 days of March alone—a massive 35.7 percent jump compared to the $1.62 billion received during the same timeframe in 2025. Industry insiders noted that the flow remained steady between March 16 and March 23, with an additional $392 million entering the country. Non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) traditionally ramp up transfers during Ramadan to help families cover festival expenses, providing a seasonal boost to the economy. The steady growth in foreign currency is providing a critical lifeline to the nation’s foreign exchange reserves amidst global economic volatility. As of March 16, 2026, Bangladesh’s gross reserves stood at $34.22 billion, while net reserves as per IMF BPM-6 stood at $29.52 billion. Economists suggest that if this trend continues, the total remittance for FY 2025-26 could surpass previous annual records, further stabilizing the exchange rate of the Taka and easing pressure on the balance of payments.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) bounced back on Wednesday after declining in the previous session following the Eid holidays, while the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) failed to recover, ending in the red despite most stocks posting gains. At the DSE, the benchmark DSEX advanced by 31 points. The Shariah-based DSES gained 1 point, while the blue-chip DS30 index rose by 8 points. Gainers outpaced losers: 241 companies saw share price increases against declines in 102, while 47 remained unchanged. Turnover also improved, with total transactions reaching Tk 603 crore, up from Tk 492 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares of 21 companies worth Tk 24 crore were traded, with Asiatic Laboratories Limited topping the list with Tk 7 crore in transactions. Most of the top gainers were mutual funds. Units of EBL NRB Mutual Fund, PHP First Mutual Fund and Popular Life First Mutual Fund rose by 10 percent each. On the losing side, Generation Next Fashions Limited plunged more than 9.5 percent to the bottom. Meanwhile, the CSE index dropped by 39 points, although the majority of stocks recorded gains. Prices rose for 93 companies, fell for 64, and remained unchanged for 17. Turnover at the port city bourse increased to Tk 20 crore from Tk 18 crore in the previous session. Like the DSE, mutual funds dominated the gainers’ chart at the CSE. Units of LR Global Bangladesh Mutual Fund One, PHP First Mutual Fund, SEML FBSL Growth Mutual Fund and EBL NRB Mutual Fund rose by 10 percent each. However, Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC fell 10 percent, becoming the worst performer at the CSE.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on Wednesday approved a Tk 500 crore zero-coupon bond for Akij Food and Beverage Limited to support its financing needs. The approval came at the commission’s 1004th meeting held at the BSEC office in Agargaon, chaired by BSEC Chairman Khondker Rashed Maqsood. According to a press release, the unsecured, non-convertible and fully redeemable bond will have a tenure ranging from six months to a maximum of five years. The bond will be issued through private placement to banks, non-bank financial institutions, insurance companies, institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. Each unit of the bond will carry a face value of Tk 10 lakh. Sena Insurance PLC will act as the trustee, while North Star Investments (BD) Limited has been appointed as the fund arranger.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have been cut by Tk 5,482 per bhori, with the price of 22-carat gold now set at Tk 241,445, according to the Bangladesh Jewelers Association. In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, BAJUS said the new prices were fixed considering the overall market situation, particularly a decline in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market. The revised rates have come into effect immediately. Under the new pricing, 22-carat gold will be sold at Tk 241,445 per bhori (11.664 grams) while 21-carat gold has been set at Tk 230,481 per bhori. The price of 18-carat gold stands at Tk 197,530 per bhori, and traditional method gold at Tk 160,905 per bhori. Previously, on March 19, BAJUS had reduced gold prices by Tk 7,698 per bhori, fixing the rate of 22-carat gold at Tk 246,927. So far in 2026, gold prices have been adjusted 46 times in the country, with increases recorded on 26 occasions and decreases on 20. Despite the latest cut in gold prices, silver rates remain unchanged. Currently, 22-carat silver is being sold at Tk 5,365 per bhori. The price of 21-carat silver stands at Tk 5,132, 18-carat at Tk 4,432, and traditional method silver at Tk 3,324 per bhori. In 2026, silver prices have been revised 29 times, including 16 increases and 13 decreases.

Bangladesh’s remittance inflows have maintained a powerful upward trajectory during Eid-Ul Fitr, recording a robust 7.4 percent monthly growth in 23 days of March 2026, compared to the same period last year.  According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank (BB), expatriates sent US$ 2.82 billion to Bangladesh during the first 23 days of March, up from $2.63 billion in 2025. The current fiscal year FY 2025-26 continues to set new benchmarks. Cumulative remittance from July 2025 to March 23, 2026, reached $25.28 billion, representing a significant 19.7 percent growth over the $21.12 billion recorded during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. The surge was particularly visible in the first half of the month. Expatriate workers sent home $2.20 billion in the first 14 days of March alone, marking a massive 35.7 percent jump compared to the $1.62 billion received during the same timeframe in 2025. Between March 16 and March 23, an additional $392 million flowed into the country as non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) increased transfers ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. The steady growth in foreign currency is providing a critical lifeline to the nation’s forex reserves. As of March 16, 2026, gross reserves stood at $34.22 billion. Under the IMF’s BPM-6 calculation method, net reserves are currently valued at $29.52 billion.

Petrol pump owners in Bangladesh have warned that fuel stations across the country may shut down due to mounting security concerns and an ongoing fuel supply shortage. The warning came in a late-night press release issued on Sunday by the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association. The association said petrol pumps nationwide are facing a ‘critical situation’ as the daily fuel allocation from companies is insufficient to meet growing consumer demand. As a result, motorcyclists are being forced to wait in long queues for hours to refuel.  Pump workers are also coming under severe physical and mental strain due to continuous workloads, the association said, adding that the situation could lead to a complete shutdown of fuel stations if adequate supply is not ensured. The organisation further alleged that the issue of security in fuel marketing has been largely overlooked by the government and local administration, leading to increasing disorder at pump stations. Citing recent incidents, the association said that despite having around 10,500 litres of petrol and an equal amount of octane at one pump ahead of Eid, and about 8,000 litres at another, the stock was depleted within a short period due to excessive pressure and chaotic situations. Describing the situation as a form of “looting,” the association claimed that some individuals are purchasing fuel multiple times a day and reselling it at higher prices.  In some cases, motorcyclists were reportedly refuelling up to 10 times daily while others repeatedly returned with partially filled tanks, depriving genuine customers. The association also alleged that organised groups have been forcibly opening pumps at night and taking fuel.  Referring to an incident in Thakurgaon, it said miscreants armed with sticks looted fuel during supply operations. The association noted that along with the fuel shortage, security risks have intensified, including threats of tanker looting during transportation from depots. It warned that unless adequate security is ensured immediately, pump owners may be compelled to suspend fuel lifting from depots and ultimately shut down operations. The association also said that on the night before Eid, many pumps were unable to reserve even 200 litres of octane for emergency services like ambulances, as fuel was forcibly taken after pumps were opened under pressure. “Without a strong presence of law enforcement agencies at petrol pumps, there will be no option but to halt fuel collection from depots,” the release added.

U.S. stock markets moved lower on Friday, heading toward a fourth straight week of losses, although a slight drop in oil prices helped calm markets in other parts of the world. The S&P 500 fell 0.5% in early trading and was on track for its longest weekly losing streak in a year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 126 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.8%. Rising bond yields continued to put pressure on U.S. stocks. Higher yields make borrowing more expensive for businesses and consumers, which can slow economic growth and reduce investment demand. Yields have been increasing since the war with Iran began, as investors worry that higher oil and gas prices could push inflation up. Due to these concerns, traders are now less hopeful that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year. According to market data, some investors are even considering a small chance of a rate hike in 2026 — something that seemed very unlikely before the conflict. Lower interest rates usually support economic growth and stock prices, and Donald Trump has repeatedly called for cuts. However, reducing rates too quickly could worsen inflation. Outside the United States, markets showed more stability after Thursday’s sharp declines. Stock indexes rose slightly in Europe and gained 0.3% in South Korea, although markets in China fell. The relative calm came as oil prices eased. Brent crude slipped 0.3% to $108.29 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark crude remained nearly unchanged at $95.53. Oil prices have been highly volatile since the war began, rising from around $70 per barrel. Markets are closely watching how long the conflict will last and its impact on energy supplies, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments that Iran has restricted. Among individual companies, Super Micro Computer shares plunged 28.2% after U.S. authorities accused a senior executive and others of illegally exporting advanced chips to China. The company said it is cooperating with investigators and has suspended the employees involved. On the positive side, FedEx rose 2.8% after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly profits. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury climbed to 4.32%, up from 4.25% a day earlier and significantly higher than 3.97% before the war began.

Gold price in Bangladesh dropped sharply on Thursday, losing Tk 15,338 per bhori in 24 hours, as the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announced two consecutive price cuts on the same day. In a morning notification, BAJUS reduced the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 7,640 per bhori. Just six hours later, it issued another notice slashing the price by an additional Tk 7,698, bringing the total reduction to Tk 15,338 in a single day. Following the latest adjustment, the price of 22-carat gold now stands at Tk 246,927 per bhori (11.664 grams). According to BAJUS, the revision was made in line with a decline in the price of pure gold in the local market. The new rates came into effect immediately. Under the revised prices, 21-carat gold is being sold at Tk 235,671 per bhori, while 18-carat gold costs Tk 202,020 per bhori. Gold produced through the traditional method is priced at Tk 164,521 per bhori. So far in 2026, gold prices in the country have been adjusted 45 times, including 26 increases and 19 decreases. Meanwhile, silver prices have also been reduced. The price of 22-carat silver has been cut by Tk 350 to Tk 5,365 per bhori. The price of 21-carat silver now stands at Tk 5,132 per bhori, 18-carat silver at Tk 4,432, and traditional silver at Tk 3,324 per bhori. In 2026, silver prices have been adjusted 29 times so far, with 16 hikes and 13 reductions. The sharp fall in local prices follows a decline in the global market. According to the World Gold Council, gold prices dropped by around 5.5 percent in the spot market on Thursday, impacting the domestic market as well.

Banks, insurance companies, and stock markets across the country have entered a seven-day holiday to observe Eid-ul-Fitr and will open on March 24. The government’s decision to declare March 18 a public holiday to extend the Eid break has resulted in a continuous closure of financial institutions from Tuesday, March 17, to Monday, March 23. During this extended break, Bangladesh Bank has issued directives to ensure heightened security at bank premises and to maintain sufficient cash flow in Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). Arif Hossain Khan, spokesperson for Bangladesh Bank, emphasized the importance of safety measures. "We have taken steps to ensure that security is ironclad. Instructions have been given to prevent any untoward incidents or unauthorized access by miscreants into bank premises during the vacation," he said. Trading suspended at DSE, CSE The country’s premier bourse, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) have also suspended trading for seven days. According to sources at the DSE and CSE, trading will resume on March 24 (Tuesday) under regular schedules. Office hours will be from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with trading sessions running from 10:00 am to 2:20 pm. A 10-minute post-closing session will follow the regular trading hours from 2:20 pm to 2:30 pm, during which investors can buy or sell shares at the closing price, though no new price bids will be permitted.

China’s technology giant Alibaba Group pledged on Thursday a goal of surpassing $100 billion in revenue from its artificial intelligence and cloud businesses over the next five years, which it said would be powered by the AI demand boom. The announcement of the ambitious target came as the company posted a 67% drop in profit in the latest quarter, even as growth in its cloud business remained robust. For the October-December quarter, the company, which shifted its focus to cloud and AI technologies in recent years, reported an overall revenue increase of 2% year-on-year to 284.8 billion yuan ($41.4 billion), lower than analysts’ estimates. Revenue from its cloud business jumped 36% in the quarter to 43.3 billion yuan ($6.2 billion) from a year ago. CEO Eddie Wu said during an earnings call on Thursday that Alibaba stands to benefit from the “exponential growth in AI demand.” It has been expanding and upgrading its flagship Qwen AI app and consumer-facing chatbot and also provides cloud computing and storage services to commercial customers. “(There is) enormous and sustained growth momentum of the AI market,” Wu said. Profit for the quarter was 16.3 billion yuan ($2.4 billion), down from 48.9 billion yuan the same quarter last year, in part due to growing marketing and sales expenses. The Hangzhou-based company, which started out in e-commerce, has also seen a price war in the food delivery segment over the past months adding pressure to its profitability. To help drive profit and amid rising costs and growing demand, the company said on Wednesday it would be increasing prices for some AI services by as much as 34%. It also launched the agentic AI tool Wukong this week, in an expansion of its products for commercial customers. Alibaba’s AI ambitions was also tested recently following the departure this month of Lin Junyang, head of its AI model division Qwen. Last year, the company pledged investments of at least 380 billion yuan ($53 billion) in three years to advance its cloud computing and AI infrastructure. Chinese tech companies have been stepping up their competitiveness against U.S. rivals and growing their dominance, especially after AI startup DeepSeek sent shock waves across the industry last year.