United News of Bangladesh

Indices on both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges witnessed an upward trend in the first hour of trading on Tuesday, with most companies seeing gains. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark index DSEX rose by 18 points, while the Shariah-based DSES gained 3 points and the blue-chip DS30 advanced 9 points. Of the 380 issues traded, the prices of 209 companies increased, 100 declined and 71 remained unchanged. The DSE recorded a turnover of over Tk 160 crore in the first hour of trading. DSE to introduce Tk 0.01 tick size for shares priced below Tk 1 The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw a positive start, with its overall index rising by 3 points. Among the 77 companies traded, the prices of 32 advanced, 38 declined and 7 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE stood at over Tk 9 crore during the first hour.

The price of gold in the local market has dropped again within just 24 hours, with the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) reducing the rate by Tk 3,674 per bhori (11.664 grams). In a press release issued on Monday night, BAJUS announced that the price of 22-carat gold will now stand at Tk 204,283 per bhori, effective from Tuesday. According to the association, the price adjustment was made considering the fall in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market. As per the new rate, the price of 21-carat gold has been set at Tk 194,999 per bhori, 18-carat at Tk 167,145 per bhori, and traditional gold at Tk 138,942 per bhori. BAJUS said a 5 percent government VAT and a minimum 6 percent making charge—determined by the association—must be added to the sale price of gold.  However, the making charge may vary depending on the design and quality of jewellery. Earlier, on October 26, BAJUS reduced gold prices by Tk 1,039 per bhori, setting the 22-carat rate at Tk 207,957 per bhori. With this latest adjustment, BAJUS has revised gold prices 69 times so far this year—increasing them 48 times and reducing them 21 times.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed on Monday said artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping Bangladesh’s industrial and service sectors, making it imperative to develop smart and skilled human resources to remain competitive in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). He made the remarks while speaking at a roundtable titled ‘Smart Human Capital Development in the Context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)’ held at the DCCI Auditorium. Executive Chairman of the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) Dr Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury attended the event as the chief guest. Taskeen said the Fourth Industrial Revolution is not merely a technological shift but a fundamental transformation of production systems, business operations and labour markets. Citing a World Economic Forum report, he noted that nearly one-fourth of existing jobs will be transformed within the next five years. “In the post-LDC era, smart human resources will be a key instrument to sustain competitiveness,” he said, stressing the need for fundamental reforms in the education system, greater emphasis on technical education, and stronger industry-academia collaboration. Dr Nazneen Kawshar highlighted the lack of coordination among government agencies and limited awareness about skills development as major challenges. She said that after establishing its institutional structure, the NSDA is now focusing on human resource training, including initiatives to send 100,000 skilled workers to Japan through language and technical training programmes. She also called for integrating skill development with 4IR needs, enhancing public-private partnerships, and promoting upskilling opportunities for women workers. Presenting the keynote paper, Dr M Niaz Asadullah, Visiting Professor of Economics at the University of Reading, UK, referred to a 2019 a2i-UNDP study projecting the potential loss of around 5.38 million jobs in Bangladesh’s RMG, food, agriculture, furniture, tourism and hospitality sectors by 2030 due to technological advancements. He urged greater investment in workforce training and modernization of the education system to prepare workers for AI-driven transformations. ICMAB President Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said that only 20 percent of graduates secure jobs matching their qualifications, underscoring the need to promote technical and vocational education and change social perceptions regarding skill-based careers. DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md Salem Sulaiman, directors and other stakeholders were also present at the discussion.

Customers making the highest amount of bKash payments each month on flight, bus ticket purchases, and hotel bookings will win a trip to Nepal or the Maldives, according to a media statement. The second and third highest payers will receive a Cox’s Bazar tour and a luxury hotel staycation, respectively. In addition, travellers can enjoy cashback, discounts, and coupons worth up to Tk 4,000 on bKash travel payments. To encourage digital payments in travel services, bKash has jointly introduced these prizes with ShareTrip, Amy Travel, and InterContinental Dhaka. Based on the highest bKash payments, a total of 12 winners (3 winners per month over 4 months) will win these prizes during the offer period. The campaign started on October 1, 2025, and will run until January 31, 2026. Detailed information about the offer can be found at this link - https://tinyurl.com/537tapnk. Available offers are: Online Travel Agencies: Many travellers rely on online travel agencies to confirm their hotel or travel tickets before setting out. Customers will receive a cashback of Tk 1,000 to Tk 4,000 when they make a bKash payment of Tk 35,000 or more while booking through specific online travel agencies, including ShareTrip, Amy Travel, GoZayaan, and Firsttrip. This offer can be availed once per day and a maximum of two times during the campaign period. Customers can get the cashback by paying through the bKash app as well as from payment gateway. Travel Agencies: Additionally, for bookings from select travel agencies such as SS International Travels & Tours, Fortune Travels Ltd., Vromonto, Navigator Tourism, and Go Plane, customers can use code ‘T3’ and make a minimum bKash payment of Tk 5,000 to receive a Tk 200 discount. This offer can be availed once per day and up to two times during the campaign, for a total discount of Tk 400. Hotel Booking & Services: The service of booking small or large hotels across the country using bKash payment is quite popular. Customers will get up to Tk 300 cashback on a bKash payment of Tk 10,000 or more for bookings at specific hotels, including Sayeman Beach Resort, Sairu Hill Resorts, Seagull Resort, Momo Inn, and Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View. The offer can be availed once per month and up to five times during the campaign, for a total cashback of Tk 1,500. Meanwhile, customers will get a Tk 100 discount on a minimum payment of Tk 5,000 using the code ‘T4’ during bKash payment for room bookings at specific hotels and resorts, including Chuti Resort, Brac CDM Savar, Naz Garden, and Nazimgarh Resort. The offer can be used once per day and up to three times during the campaign, for a total discount of Tk 300. Discounts on bKash payments are available not only for travel outside Dhaka but also for staycations within Dhaka. At select hotels such as InterContinental Dhaka, Sheraton Dhaka, and Pan Pacific Sonargaon, customers can use the coupon code ‘S1’ and make a minimum bKash payment of Tk 2,000 to receive a Tk 200 discount. This offer can be used once per day and up to five times during the campaign, for a total discount of Tk 1,000. Air Ticket Booking: Customers can receive discounts by purchasing tickets directly from airline service providers using bKash payments. For ticket bookings from Biman Bangladesh, Novoair, US-Bangla, and Air Astra, customers can use code ‘T1’ and make a minimum bKash payment of Tk 5,000 to receive a Tk 200 discount. This offer can be used once per day and up to two times during the campaign, for a total discount of Tk 400. Bus Ticket Booking: Due to affordability and accessibility, buses are one of the most popular and preferred modes of travel. Customers can also enjoy discounts on bus travel with bKash payments. For ticket purchases from Shyamoli Paribahan, customers can use code ‘T6’ and make a minimum bKash payment of Tk 1,000 to receive a Tk 100 discount. This offer can be used once per day and up to two times during the campaign, for a total discount of Tk 200. Additionally, for ticket purchases from Imperial Express and Sheba Green Line Transport, customers can use code ‘T5’ and make a minimum bKash payment of Tk 1,000 to receive a Tk 50 discount. This offer can be used once per day and up to two times during the campaign, for a total discount of Tk 100. Amusement Park Tickets: To purchase tickets for Fantasy Kingdom, Water Kingdom, Foy’s Lake, Sea World, and Foy’s Lake Basecamp, customers can use code ‘T2’ and make a minimum bKash payment of Tk 500 to receive a Tk 100 discount. This offer can be used once per day and up to two times during the campaign, for a total discount of Tk 200. Airport Lounge: To enhance the joy of travel, bKash customers can enjoy access to the Balaka Executive Lounge at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, along with a “Buy One Get One” offer. By using the lounge and making a bKash payment of Tk 4,800, customers will receive Tk 2,400 cashback. This offer can be availed only once.

China’s long-term effort to challenge the global dominance of Boeing and Airbus with a homegrown commercial jet is facing mounting obstacles, with deliveries of its C919 aircraft expected to fall significantly below targets set for this year. The C919, a single-aisle jet positioned to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’ A320, is developed by state-owned manufacturer COMAC. Beijing has held it up as a symbol of technological progress and growing self-reliance, despite the aircraft’s heavy use of Western components. Ongoing trade tensions with the United States are threatening access to crucial parts needed for COMAC’s production plans, a program that has relied on extensive Chinese government funding. “COMAC faces substantial risks in the current unpredictable policy climate, as its supply chain remains exposed to export controls and retaliatory measures between Washington and Beijing,” said Max J. Zenglein, Asia-Pacific senior economist at The Conference Board. Analysts at Bank of America say the C919 program depends on 48 major U.S. suppliers such as GE, Honeywell and Collins Aerospace, along with 26 European and 14 Chinese firms. Trump has signaled potential new export curbs on “critical” software, following China’s tighter restrictions on rare earths. “Existing choke points are increasingly being used as leverage between governments,” Zenglein noted. “This trend is likely to continue as strategic dependencies become political bargaining chips.” The C919 completed its first commercial flight in 2023 and is expected to help meet huge domestic demand for new aircraft over the coming decades, with hopes of eventual international expansion across Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. According to aviation consultancy Cirium, COMAC delivered 13 C919s last year but only seven so far this year, falling behind plans to boost production and supply 30 jets in 2025. At present, only China’s three largest state-owned carriers — Air China, China Eastern and China Southern — are flying around 20 C919s in total. Dan Taylor, head of consulting at IBA, said trade friction has “directly affected” delivery timelines. The U.S. suspension of export licenses for the aircraft’s LEAP-1C engines earlier this year, only reinstated in July, disrupted production plans, he added. Trump vows extra 10% tariff on Canadian imports over Ontario ad dispute The LEAP-1C engines, jointly built by GE Aerospace of the U.S. and France’s Safran, require U.S. export clearance, making the jet highly sensitive to political shifts. “Reliance on Western engines and avionics continues to leave the program vulnerable to policy decisions outside COMAC’s control,” Taylor said. Operational caution has also slowed progress, said Zenglein, noting that quality and safety priorities have contributed to the slower-than-expected production increase. Efforts to replace foreign parts remain complex, and China’s alternative engine, the CJ-1000A, is still undergoing tests, according to IBA. Interest from foreign airlines including AirAsia has yet to translate into global operations due to the absence of U.S. and European certifications, which analysts say may take years. For the C919 to become competitive worldwide, it will require strong economics, a reliable global support network and approvals from major safety regulators, said Richard Aboulafia of AeroDynamic Advisory. China could require 9,570 new commercial aircraft between 2025 and 2044, Airbus forecasts, with single-aisle jets like the C919 making up the bulk of demand. Yet Airbus itself is ramping up its presence in China, adding a second A320 production line in 2026. Trump halts Canada trade talks after Ontario’s anti-tariff ad Analysts say breaking the Boeing-Airbus duopoly will take time. The C919 could expand its footprint within China and begin regional exports by the late 2020s, Taylor said. For now, limited certification and export control uncertainties are expected to continue restraining its international ambitions. Source: AP 

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.