United News of Bangladesh

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Tuesday called on Australia to scale up investment in Bangladesh's solar power sector, saying the government is actively working to create a business-friendly environment for foreign investors in renewable energy. The minister made the call during a meeting with Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle at the Commerce Ministry in Dhaka. The two sides held wide-ranging discussions on strengthening bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation. “The government is committed to building an investment-friendly environment and is particularly encouraging foreign investment in the renewable energy sector,” Muktadir said. He said revitalising existing industrial enterprises, establishing new industries and generating employment are among the government's top priorities. “One of our key goals is to activate industrial assets worth approximately $7 billion and attract private investment to make these sectors productive.” The minister specifically urged Australian companies to invest in Bangladesh's solar power generation sector. High Commissioner Ryle said bilateral trade between the two countries currently stands at around $5.14 billion and is growing steadily. She noted that the energy sector, particularly renewable energy, holds significant investment potential in Bangladesh, adding that a high-level Australian delegation is already reviewing opportunities for cooperation in green energy, innovation and technology. She also said that approximately 28,000 Bangladeshi students are currently studying in Australia, making it one of the most important destinations for Bangladeshi students abroad. Both sides expressed interest in expanding cooperation in trade, education and scholarships, capacity building for Commerce Ministry officials, trade negotiations and infrastructure development. Commerce Ministry Secretary (Current Charge) Md. Abdur Rahim Khan was also present at the meeting.

Bangladesh’s stock markets staged a turnaround Tuesday morning, with both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) posting gains in the first half of the session after two consecutive days of losses. The DSE's benchmark DSEX index climbed 26 points at the opening, while the Shariah-compliant DSES gained 5 points and the blue-chip DS30 index rose 4 points. Advancing stocks dominated the session, with 250 companies posting gains against declines in 61 and 75 remaining unchanged. Turnover in the first half reached Tk 350 crore in shares and units. The CSE mirrored the uptrend, with the broad-based CASPI index adding nearly 20 points. Of the companies traded, 62 advanced while 31 declined and 9 remained flat. First-half turnover on the bourse stood at Tk 7 crore.

Import and export activities at Burimari land port in Lalmonirhat will remain suspended for four consecutive days from Tuesday due to India’s West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections. The decision was confirmed on Monday by Burimari C&F Agents Association General Secretary ASM Niaz Nahid. In a notice, the association said that the District Magistrate of Cooch Behar in West Bengal issued an order to suspend operations at Changrabandha in India and Burimari land port in Bangladesh from April 21 to April 23, citing the election schedule. As a result, trade activities at the port will remain closed from Tuesday to Thursday. Combined with the weekly holiday on Friday, the port will remain shut for a total of four days, and normal operations will resume on Saturday (April 25). Following the directive, the Burimari C&F Agents Association has informed all relevant offices and traders. Association General Secretary ASM Niaz Nahid said all types of import-export activities will remain suspended during the closure period and notices have already been circulated. Burimari land port immigration Sub-Inspector Saifur Rahman said Bangladeshi students currently in India will not be allowed to travel during the period, but passengers travelling for medical purposes and those heading to Bhutan and Nepal will be able to use the route.

The Trump administration has officially launched a digital refund portal to return approximately $166 billion in import tariffs, following a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared the duties unlawful. The new platform, titled Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), was activated on April 20, 2026. It serves as the primary mechanism for U.S. importers and companies to reclaim duties paid on millions of shipments.  The move comes after the Supreme Court ruled in February that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not grant the President the authority to impose these specific tariffs. According to court filings, more than 330,000 importers were affected, having paid the now-invalidated duties on over 53 million shipments.  The initial phase of the CAPE system launched today covers roughly $127 billion of the total $166 billion. This phase specifically targets recent or "unliquidated" entries that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can process through automated systems. Officials expect payments for these straightforward cases to be dispersed in phases over the next 60 to 90 days. The CBP has issued a directive stating that once a CAPE Declaration is filed and accepted, it cannot be amended. If a company identifies additional eligible entries or realizes an omission after their initial submission, they must file an entirely new declaration rather than modifying the existing one. While thousands of businesses and direct importers are set to receive significant financial relief, the refund program is strictly limited to those who directly paid the duties to the government. Individual consumers who may have faced higher prices as a result of the tariffs are not eligible to file claims through the CAPE platform. The ruling and subsequent refund process are expected to have a major impact on global trade dynamics, particularly for major exporting nations involved in U.S. supply chains.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) purchased an additional US$60 million from commercial banks on Monday as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the country's foreign exchange reserves. The dollars were acquired through an auction at a rate of Tk 122.75 per dollar. With this latest purchase, the country’s gross foreign exchange reserves have risen to $30.36 billion, according to the latest data from the central bank. This move follows a similar trend from last week, where the central bank bought a total of $120 million over two days at the same exchange rate. Officials state that these consistent dollar purchases serve a dual purpose: increasing the national buffer of foreign currency and injecting money into the banking system to improve liquidity flow. Bangladesh Bank buys $60 million from banks to maintain exchange rate stability Financial analysts suggest that the central bank is strategically purchasing greenbacks from the market to maintain stability in the foreign exchange market while ensuring that commercial banks have enough local currency to meet domestic demand.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has launched an official podcast series to address critical industry challenges and strengthen the "Made in Bangladesh" brand on the global stage. The series features in-depth discussions with a diverse range of stakeholders, including industry leaders, economists, bankers, and policymakers. This initiative is part of the current BGMEA Board’s broader strategy to enhance transparency, counter industry myths, and chart a progressive path for the nation’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector. The podcast covers high-priority topics essential to the country's economic future, such as: LDC Graduation: Analyzing the potential impacts and preparedness for Bangladesh's transition from the Least Developed Country status. Exchange Rate Dynamics: Discussing the implications of currency fluctuations on industrial growth and international competitiveness. Economic Governance: Providing expert recommendations to assist policymakers in making forward-looking trade and business decisions. A core objective of the series is to provide an authentic narrative of the RMG sector. Despite being the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, the industry often faces global misperceptions. The podcast seeks to address these "misconceptions and myths" by presenting the realities of the sector in a balanced and constructive manner. The initiative was spearheaded by BGMEA Vice President (Finance) Mijanur Rahman, Director Shah Rayeed Chowdhury, and Khan Monirul Alam Shuvo, Chair of the Standing Committee on Branding. "This platform serves as an effective tool for discussing pressing issues and generating actionable insights," the leaders stated, emphasizing that the podcast offers a meaningful opportunity to present the industry in its true light to international buyers and stakeholders. Two episodes have already been aired, with several more currently in production. To ensure broad engagement, the series is being broadcast across BGMEA’s official digital channels, including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The series is expected to act as a vital knowledge-sharing platform, facilitating informed dialogue and constructive policy engagement for the sustained development of the RMG sector.

The positive trend in remittance inflows has continued into April, with Bangladeshi expatriates living in different countries sending US$2.12 billion in the first 19 days of April, according to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank. This marks a significant surge compared to the same period last year, when inflows stood at $1.71 billion. This year’s figures show an increase of $408 million. Central bank sources noted that this momentum follows a record-breaking performance in March 2026, which saw the highest single-month remittance inflow in the country’s history. In March, expatriates sent a staggering $3.75 billion. Previous record highs include $3.29 billion in March 2025, $3.22 billion in December 2025, and $3.17 billion in January 2026. Analysts attribute the surge in part to ongoing tensions and instability in the Middle East, which have affected global foreign exchange markets. The crisis has increased demand for the US dollar internationally, leading to a rise in the dollar's exchange rate against the local currency. Consequently, expatriates are receiving a higher value in Taka for every dollar sent home. While the high inflow provides a boost to the economy, economists warn that a prolonged Middle East crisis could pose risks to Bangladesh, similar to other global economies. Experts have advised the government to focus on maintaining a robust foreign exchange reserve to mitigate potential future shocks.

Bangladesh on Monday entered a new era of maritime logistics with the signing of a contract to open the MGH Terminal, the country’s first private container port, in what is being described as a ‘historic occasion’ for the maritime industry. Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) Rear Admiral Moniruzzaman lauded the initiative and said the contract signing of the MGH Terminal is a ‘historic occasion’ for the country’s maritime industry. “By integrating private sector agility with green technology, this terminal provides vital strategic value to the Chittagong Port. I am confident MGH Terminal will set a new benchmark for vessel turnaround times and environmental responsibility that will make our exports more competitive on the global stage,” he said. The contract signing of the facility was also attended by Group CEO of MGH Anis Ahmed, and key industry stakeholders at the CPA board room. The MGH Terminal stands as a testament to Bangladesh's growing stature in international trade, promising a faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective gateway for the nation's burgeoning import-export volumes, said the company. ​To be built on seven acres of land with a 250-metre jetty, officials said, the MGH Terminal represents a paradigm shift in the country's supply chain infrastructure. With a static capacity of 3,500 TEUs and a monthly handling capability of 40,000 TEUs, the terminal is set to expand CPA’s monthly landing capacity by 102 vessels. Officials said the MGH Terminal is distinguished as Bangladesh’s first ‘Green Port,’ integrating cutting-edge sustainable technologies to minimize its environmental footprint. The facility will feature zero-emission operations, renewable energy, carbon reduction and innovative design. ​The terminal will offer a radical improvement in vessel turnaround times. Located strategically, vessels can berth at the MGH Terminal in approximately 30 minutes from the river mouth, compared to the standard 2-hour window at the main Chittagong Port, officials said. This efficiency results in significant fuel savings of 0.6 to 1.3 tons per vessel call, drastically reducing costs for international shipping lines. Group CEO of MGH​ Anis Ahmed emphasised the group's commitment to national development and said the MGH Group is investing Tk 550 crore of their own resources to build this state-of-the-art terminal. “Our focus is on absolute efficiency; while other projects like the APM Terminal at Laldia are still in development and unreasonably escalate cost of investment within Chittagong Port, MGH Terminal is designed to be leaner, faster, and more technologically advanced. We are not just moving containers; we are moving the Bangladesh economy forward,” he said. ​As one of Bangladesh's largest multinationals with operations in 26 countries including five European nations, MGH Group is leveraging its global expertise to woo Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from top-tier global companies. The terminal is expected to create tens of thousands of new jobs aligning with the economic vision of Prime Minister Tareque Rahman to build a highly efficient, modern economy, officials said.

Dhaka, April 19 (UNB) – The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) held its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday to review its activities and engage with its members. The meeting, held at a hotel in Dhaka, was chaired by AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed. Several members of the AmCham Executive Committee were in attendance, including Treasurer Al-Mamun M. Rashel, as well as Rashed Mujib Noman, Rubaba Dowla, and Mirza Shajib Raihan. Paul Frost, Commercial Counselor at the US Embassy in Dhaka and Adviser to AmCham Bangladesh, also attended the session, along with other distinguished members of the chamber. Chowdhury Kaiser Mohammad Riyadh, Executive Director of AmCham, was present to facilitate the proceedings. The event served as a platform for the chamber’s leadership to discuss organizational progress and future initiatives within the bilateral trade community.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) on Sunday signed memoranda of understanding with five private commercial banks to integrate them into its One Stop Service (OSS) platform, expanding the digital investment facilitation ecosystem. The signing ceremony, held at BIDA's conference room, brought NCC Bank PLC, One Bank PLC, United Commercial Bank (UCB) PLC, Shimanto Bank PLC and Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC into the fold. BIDA Executive Member Air Commodore Md. Shaharul Huda, who chaired the event, said the authority was steadily strengthening its OSS platform to deliver faster, simpler and more modern services to investors. "By integrating these five leading banks, investors can now access essential banking services from a single window." Under the agreements, investors will be able to open bank accounts online through the OSS portal including provisional accounts for foreign investors without approaching banks separately. The OSS platform currently offers 142 services through 47 stakeholder agencies including BIDA, and has processed over 215,000 applications to date. Sunday's MoUs bring BIDA's total such agreements with various organisations to 68. Looking ahead, BIDA has set a target of delivering more than 150 services from 60 institutions through the OSS. The services will also be accessible through BanglaBiz, a unified platform being developed to integrate all Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) under one roof. BIDA Director (OSS and Data Analytics) Sunil Kumar Adhikary delivered the welcome address, while Director General Jiban Krishna Saha Roy presented an overview of the OSS system. Senior officials from all five banks attended the ceremony, along with representatives from Bangladesh Bank and the Financial Institutions Division.