United News of Bangladesh

Speakers in a policy dialogue stressed the urgent need for a dedicated Tk 2,500 crore soft loan fund for the shrimp and frozen food sector to boost export. They said to overcome stagnant production and falling global competitiveness, which has seen the industry drop from the second to the seventh largest export earner. The demand was made during the policy dialogue titled ‘Transforming Policy Support for Reviving Bangladesh’s Shrimp Sector', held on Wednesday night. Speaking as the Special Guest, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur said that exporters from any sector, including frozen food, have the opportunity to take loans of up to Tk 5 crore from the Export Development Fund (EDF). Such a provision that is already in place but often goes unutilized by shrimp exporters. However, Dr. Mansur suggested that the main issue might not be financing for the processing industry. "I believe financing is not the problem in the shrimp processing industry. Loan facilities can be increased at the farmer level. But their productivity must be prioritized first. Better technology and improved breeds are needed," he added. The Governor emphasized that while the central bank is prepared to offer policy support, entrepreneurs must lead export expansion efforts with realistic planning. He added that both the private sector and the government must actively identify scopes for expansion and potential export opportunities. In a study paper presentation, Dr. Bazlul Haque Khondker, Research Director of the Policy Research Institute (PRI), strongly advocated for the creation of a dedicated Tk 2,500 crore shrimp aquaculture fund. This fund is proposed to be extended to shrimp farmers and facilitators as a soft loan at a 4 percent interest rate. The facility would be categorized to support the processors, small holding farmers, women entrepreneurs, Non-Resident Bangladeshi (NRB) investors.   The presentation highlighted the severe challenges facing the industry. Despite having vast marine and freshwater resources, the frozen food sector, once a top export earner, is suffering from stagnant production, high costs, and low global competitiveness, the study finds. The sector's export value dropped to US $334 million in 2024, down from $441.5 million in the last fiscal year. Though the e industry provides livelihoods to over 17 million people, and potential opportunities to earn $5 billion, the shrimp export sector remains backwards. Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, was present as the Chief Guest at the dialogue. Mohammad Shajahan Choudhury, President of the Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association (BFFEA); Iqbal Ahmed Obe, Chairman and Managing Director, Seamark (BD) Ltd; and Md. Tariqul Islam Zaheer, Senior Vice-President of BFFEA, among others, spoke at the event. The academicians, entrepreneurs and sector experts attended the event.

French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to China on Wednesday for a three-day state visit focused on trade cooperation and high-level diplomacy, with a key goal of encouraging Beijing to help push Russia toward agreeing to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Macron’s office said the trip aims to strengthen economic ties and promote a more balanced trading relationship that supports “sustainable, solid growth that benefits everyone.” France hopes to draw greater Chinese investment and widen access for French exports. Both sides are expected to sign agreements in sectors including energy, aviation and the food industry. The French president also plans to defend “fair and reciprocal market access” amid ongoing trade tensions between the European Union and China. The EU recorded a trade deficit of more than 300 billion euros ($348 billion) with China last year, while China alone accounts for nearly half of France’s total trade gap. Recent disputes have ranged from electric vehicle subsidies to China’s retaliatory probes into European brandy, pork and dairy imports. Paris welcomed China’s recent decision to exempt most cognac producers from punitive measures, noting France remains China’s top supplier of wine and spirits. Russia’s frozen assets become key bargaining chip in Ukraine peace negotiations Macron will also discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine with President Xi Jinping, following talks on Monday in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about possible ceasefire terms. A senior French diplomatic official said Paris wants Beijing to use its influence to push Russia toward “a ceasefire as quickly as possible,” followed by negotiations that guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security. France also expects China to avoid supplying Russia with any materials that could prolong the conflict. China’s Foreign Ministry has reiterated that Beijing supports “dialogue and negotiation” and claims it has played a “constructive role” since the war began. Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte, will arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening and visit the newly restored Qianlong Garden in the Forbidden City. On Thursday, he will meet Xi at the Great Hall of the People before taking part in a Franco-Chinese business forum. He will later meet Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress, and Premier Li Qiang. The French presidential couple will then travel to Chengdu in Sichuan province. On Friday, Macron and Xi will meet in Dujiangyan, home to one of the world’s oldest irrigation systems, before Macron visits students at Sichuan University. Chengdu also hosts the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where Yuan Meng — the first giant panda born in France and named by Brigitte Macron — now resides. France recently returned a pair of pandas that had lived in the country for 13 years and produced three cubs. Source: AP 

The Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase on Tuesday approved a proposal to procure 2.20 lakh metric tons of wheat from the United States under a Government-to-Government (G2G) arrangement. The approval came from a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase held virtually with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed in the chair. The Ministry of Food proposed the import which will be executed by the Directorate General of Food The wheat will be supplied by Agrocorp International PTE Ltd, authorized by U.S. Wheat Associates. The consignment will cost Tk 842.06 crore, with the price set at US$312.25 per metric ton. Officials who were present in this meeting said the import is intended to bolster public food stock and ensure adequate supply for social safety net programmes.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has increased the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for December, raising the rate of a 12kg cylinder to Tk 1,253, up by Tk 38 from last month’s Tk 1,215. The revised price was announced on Tuesday afternoon and will come into effect this evening, according to BERC. The regulator has also adjusted the price of autogas, setting it at Tk 57.32 per litre, up from Tk 55.58. In November, BERC reduced LPG prices by Tk 26 and cut autogas prices by Tk 1.19 at the consumer level.

For Pioneering Contributions to Conception and Development of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) and Leadership in Its Practical Application -On November 17, 2025, the Honda Foundation held the 46th Honda Prize Award Ceremony and a commemorative lecture at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. The foundation awarded the prize medal and diploma to this year’s laureate, Dr. Kenichi Iga (honorary professor at the Institute of Science Tokyo, and 18th president of the former Tokyo Institute of Technology), for his pioneering conception and development of the Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL). The foundation is a public interest incorporated foundation established by Soichiro Honda, founder of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and his younger brother Benjiro. At the opening of the ceremony, Hiroto Ishida, President of the Honda Foundation, delivered opening remarks: "The surface-emitting laser conceived and promoted by Dr. Iga is now indispensable to people's lives. It supports our society in many areas, including high-speed data communication and facial recognition on smartphones. Dr. Iga’s efforts, from the conception of this new technology to leading its fundamental research, practical application, and subsequent widespread adoption, represent a great achievement that truly embodies the spirit of the Honda Prize." Following the ceremony, Dr. Iga delivered a commemorative lecture titled "Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL): Born Small and Grown Big -- From Smartphones to Huge Data Centers." In the lecture, Dr. Iga shared episodes from his journey, starting with his boyhood in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan. Raised in a nature-rich environment, he became interested in electricity and electronics after building his own radio. He also reflected on his university days, where he devoted himself to research with the support of a scholarship from "SAKKOKAI," a foundation established in 1961 by Honda founders Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa to support young researchers.

The license for the newly established Sommilito Islami Bank PLC was formally handed over by Bangladesh Bank (BB) to representatives of the Ministry of Finance on Monday. The establishment of the new bank was approved by the Bangladesh Bank Board of Directors on Sunday (November 30). The license handover ceremony took place in presence of officials from both the central bank and the Ministry of Finance. Md. Azizuddin Biswas, joint secretary of the Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the ministry, received the license document on behalf of Nazma Mobarek, secretary of the FID. Representing the Bangladesh Bank were Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor, Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmed, Deputy Governor, Md. Badiul Alam, Executive Director and Head of Banking Regulation and Policy Department, and Bayezid Sarker, Director of the Department of Banking Regulation and Policy, who formally presented the license to the Ministry of Finance representatives. The formation of Sommilito Islami Bank PLC is part of a broader banking sector reform, aiming to consolidate multiple Shariah-based banks.

Bangladesh received its highest monthly remittance inflow of the current fiscal year FY 2025-26, crossing US $2.88 billion November. This substantial inflow translates to an average daily remittance of approximately $96.3 million. In the five month of the current fiscal year Bangladeshi expatriates sent $13.03 billion remittance while it was $11.7 billion in the previous fiscal year. According to updated data released by the Bangladesh Bank on Monday, the remittance flow in November saw a significant increase of 31.37 percent compared to the previous month of October. The total remittance figure for November stands at $2.88. Of this amount, state-owned banks received $587.76 million as remittance, specialized banks handled $298.95 million, and the largest share, around $2.0 billion, came through private banks. Foreign banks accounted for the remaining $5.94 million. The central bank also provided a weekly breakdown, showing consistent high flow throughout the month, with the largest weekly amount of $768.48 million arriving between November 9 and 15, and the smallest being $43.18 million on November 1st. The November figure significantly surpasses the inflows of the preceding months of the current fiscal year: October saw $2.56 billion, September recorded $2.68 billion, while August and July inflows were $2.42 billion and $2.47 billion, respectively. This robust performance follows the record-breaking remittance year of FY2024-25, where expatriates sent $30.32 billion, marking the highest annual inflow in the country's history so far.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) hosted a high-level dialogue, calling for immediate and sustained government-private sector collaboration to enhance the country’s business and investment climate.  The event, titled “Bangladesh’s Business and Investment Climate: From Challenges to Competitiveness,” was held in a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday (November 30), according to a press release. Participants from both the private sector and key government agencies stressed that improving the business environment is an immediate national priority. The discussion centered on transforming current challenges into competitive advantages for both local and foreign investors. Top priorities highlighted during the dialogue included: Logistics efficiency, The need for better operational effectiveness in transport and supply chains. Customs Processes: Achieving smoother and faster clearance procedures. Regulatory Predictability:Ensuring greater certainty in rules and regulations for long-term planning. Energy Security: Addressing vulnerabilities to ensure a reliable energy supply for industries. Policy Continuity: Maintaining stable long-term policies to sustain investor confidence. Digital Trade Facilitation: Leveraging technology to streamline cross-border commerce. Recycling Incentives: Introducing specific policy support for the reuse and recycling industries. The session saw significant participation from the government, signaling its commitment to reform.  Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, attended as the chief guest, leading a senior delegation. The dialogue brought together senior representatives from crucial government bodies, including the Ministries of Industries, Foreign Affairs, Finance, ICT, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), among others. This multi-agency presence underscored the collective need for stronger coordination among government agencies to improve global competitiveness. Reflecting the continued importance of bilateral trade relations, Paul Frost, Commercial Counselor, US Embassy, Dhaka, also attended the program. The event featured prominent business leaders and AmCham members, including Moinul Huq, Country Manager, Citi NA, and Rashed Mujib Noman, Managing Director, Augmedix Bangladesh. The event was moderated by Chowdhury Kaiser Mohammad Riyadh, Executive Director, AmCham, and also saw the presence of Betopia Group’s Founder & Group CEO, Muhammad Monir Hossain. The participants unanimously agreed that sustained government–private sector collaboration is essential to achieving Bangladesh's long-term economic goals and positioning the country as a major investment hub.

Bangladesh Bank has approved the liquidation of nine non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) after years of irregularities, mismanagement and failure to return depositors’ funds, marking one of the largest clean-ups of the sector to date. The central bank’s Board of Directors signed off on the move at a meeting on November 30, allowing regulators to begin the formal process under the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2025, according to officials familiar with the decision. “The board has approved the issue. The central bank will now scrutinise and finalise which institutions will be liquidated,” an executive director of Bangladesh Bank told UNB on Monday. The institutions identified for potential closure are Peoples Leasing and Financial Services (PLFS), International Leasing and Financial Services, Aviva Finance, FAS Finance and Investment, Fareast Finance and Investment, Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company (BIFC), Premier Leasing and Finance, GSP Finance Company and Prime Finance and Investment Limited. The initial shortlist was drawn up based on key indicators such as persistent failure to repay depositors, soaring non-performing loans and severe capital shortfalls. Regulators will now determine the final liquidation framework for each entity, the official added. Central bank sources estimate the government may need to inject around Tk 9,000 crore to absorb losses and settle depositor claims, with priority given to small savers. Although the liquidation move is being executed under the 2025 ordinance, Bangladesh Bank is also pursuing licence revocations under the Finance Company Act 2023. Out of 35 NBFIs currently operating in Bangladesh, the central bank has designated 20 as distressed. The nine institutions were issued notices on May 22 but failed to provide satisfactory responses within the deadline, prompting the regulator to advance toward dissolution.    

The Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange began the first trading hour on Monday with a downward trend, as the share prices of most listed companies declined. At the DSE, the benchmark DSEX index fell by 29 points, while the Shariah-based DSES dropped 5 points and the blue-chip DS30 index slipped 10 points. Market breadth remained negative, with prices falling for 254 companies against gains in only 71, while 56 issues remained unchanged. More than Tk 210 crore worth of shares and units were traded during the first half of the session. Bangladesh Capital Market: Stocks slip at DSE, CSE as indices fall The downtrend persisted at the CSE as well, where the overall index lost 13 points. Prices declined for 65 companies compared to gains in 36, while 9 issues stayed unchanged. The turnover at the bourse stood at Tk 1.40 crore in early trade.