United News of Bangladesh

More than 94 percent of active ready-made garment factories in Dhaka and Chattogram have paid Eid-ul-Azha bonuses to workers ahead of the festival, according to a summary report released by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Monday. The report, prepared with data as of May 23, covers a total of 2,134 operational factories across the two zones. Of these, 2,133 factories were found active, of which 2,117 or 99.20 percent have cleared April wages, while 2,021 factories, representing 94.70 percent, have disbursed Eid bonuses. Additionally, 767 factories, or 35.94 percent, have already paid an advance on May salaries. In the Dhaka zone, out of 1,984 active factories, 1,983 (99.95%) paid March wages and 1,983 (99.39%) cleared April salaries. A total of 1,909 factories (95.98%) have paid Eid bonuses, while 690 factories (37.58%) have provided advance wages for May. In Chattogram, all 380 active factories (100%) paid March salaries. Of these, 334 (98.24%) cleared April wages, 352 (91.76%) paid Eid bonuses, and 97 factories (28.53%) have paid advance wages for May. BGMEA data also outlines a staggered worker dispersal plan from Dhaka: 108 factories (6%) released workers on May 24; 664 (37%) on May 25; 771 (43%) are set to do so on May 26; and the remaining 251 factories (14%) on May 27.

Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has raised gold prices in the domestic market ahead of Eid, pushing the price of 22-carat gold up by Tk 2,158 per bhori to Tk 2,38,121, effective from 10:00am Monday. The price revision comes on the back of rising pure gold (tejabi) values in the local market, BAJUS said in a statement. Under the revised rates, 21-carat gold will now be sold at Tk 2,27,331 per bhori, 18-carat at Tk 1,94,847 and traditional-method gold at Tk 1,58,689 per bhori (1 bhori = 11.664 grams). The latest hike reverses a cut made just two days ago. On May 23, BAJUS had reduced the price of 22-carat gold by the same margin Tk 2,158 per bhori, setting it at Tk 2,35,963. Gold prices in Bangladesh have now been revised 69 times so far in 2026, with 37 upward and 32 downward adjustments, reflecting the continued volatility in global bullion markets. Silver prices have also been revised upward alongside gold. The price of 22-carat silver has been raised by Tk 117 per bhori to Tk 5,774. Other silver rates now stand at Tk 5,540 for 21-carat, Tk 4,724 for 18-carat and Tk 3,558 per bhori for traditional-method silver. Silver prices have seen 40 revisions in 2026, 22 increases and 18 reductions.

Hours after the resignation of Professor M Zubaidur Rahman, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has appointed its former Deputy Governor, Md. Khurshid Alam, as the new Chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC. The central bank communicated the decision via an official letter sent to the private sector bank late tonight (Sunday). Bangladesh Bank eases refinancing terms for state-owned, specialized banks to boost CMSME loans However, the appointment has triggered deep resentment and widespread questions among Islami Bank officials over corporate governance. Officials pointed out that Alam was forced to step down from the central bank in August 2024 following pressure from central bank staff due to his controversial role during the previous Awami League regime. "Khurshid Alam enjoyed numerous privileges during the Awami League's tenure and facilitated controversial business groups. How can the central bank ensure good governance by placing such an individual at the helm of Islami Bank?" an official questioned on condition of anonymity. When contacted, Khurshid Alam confirmed the development, stating that he initially received a phone call from the central bank before being formally served the appointment letter. Central bank sources revealed that the appointment was made under direct instructions from BB Governor Mostakur Rahman, following a recommendation from a certain quarter of the government. Defending the decision, Bangladesh Bank Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said, "He was forced to resign back then through 'mob justice' following the regime change. However, no formal allegations orfinancial irregularities were found against him. Therefore, he has been appointed as the Chairman of Islami Bank." Khurshid Alam was initially appointed as the Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank on a three-year contract in February 2024 by the then government. Following the political transition in August 2024, he, along with three other top central bank officials, was forced to resign. Alam completed his post-graduation and MBA from the Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Dhaka and joined Bangladesh Bank as an Assistant Director in 1988. Over his long career, he worked in vital departments of the central bank, including Banking Regulation and Policy, Bank Inspection, Financial Institutions and Markets, Off-site Supervision, and the SME & Special Programmes Department. He hails from Bancharampur upazila of Brahmanbaria district.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has relaxed the participation criteria for state-owned commercial and specialized banks under its refinancing facilities, a move aimed at accelerating the flow of credit to the Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (CMSME) sector. The SME and Special Programmes Department of the central bank issued a circular to this effect today (Sunday). According to the circular, the decision was taken to enhance the contribution of the CMSME sector to national economic growth and to expand employment opportunities at the grassroots level. Bangladesh Bank unveils Tk 60,000cr stimulus package to revive economy, create 2.5m jobs Under the new directive, state-owned commercial and specialized banks can now enlist as participating financial institutions to access the central bank's CMSME refinancing funds. To facilitate this, the central bank has exempted these state banks from two mandatory conditions that previously restricted their eligibility. The relaxed conditions include the obligation to maintain the non-performing loan (NPL) or classified investment ratio within a maximum cap of 20 percent, mandatory adherence to Bangladesh Bank’s prescribed Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). By waiving these stringent capital and asset-quality thresholds, the central bank aims to utilize the vast rural and semi-urban network of state-run banks to channel low-cost funds directly to small and marginalized entrepreneurs across the country, BB officials said.

Import-export activities between Bangladesh and India through Bibir Bazar land port in Cumilla will remain suspended for seven days from Monday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. “All types of import and export activities through the port will remain closed from May 25 to May 31,” said Nirmal Pal, general secretary of the land port’s Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association. However, movement of passport holders between the two countries will continue during the period, he said. Business activities at the port will resume from June 1, he added.

Bangladesh recorded a sharp rise in inward remittances ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with inflows increasing by 41.31 percent in the first 23 days of May 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank. Expatriate Bangladeshis sent home US$2.97 billion between May 1 and  23, significantly higher than the US$2.10 billion received during the corresponding period in May 2025. On May 23 alone, remittance inflows through banking channels stood at US$173.64 million, according to latest data of Bangladesh Bank. The latest surge has pushed the country’s total remittance earnings in the current fiscal year (FY2025–26) to a record high. From July 2025 to May 23, 2026, Bangladesh received US$32.3 billion in remittances, registering a 21.26 percent growth over the same period of the previous fiscal year. During July 2024 to May 23, 2025, the country received US$26.64 billion. Central bank officials and financial analysts attributed the strong growth to improved digital banking services, increased remittance flows ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, and competitive exchange rates offered by commercial banks. They said the continued rise in remittance inflows is providing crucial support to the country’s foreign exchange reserves and helping maintain macroeconomic stability amid ongoing global economic uncertainties.

The government has taken comprehensive measures to ensure security and smooth trading at cattle markets across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, including the installation of counterfeit currency detection machines and on-site banking services, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Diabari cattle market in the capital, he said fake note detector machines have been installed at cattle markets to prevent the circulation of counterfeit currency during the busy Eid trading season. The minister said dedicated banking services have also been arranged at markets, enabling sellers to deposit their earnings safely or open bank accounts instantly to secure their money. Responding to a question, he said the country has an adequate supply of sacrificial animals and this year's Eid demand can be fully met through locally reared livestock. “The number of cows, goats and buffaloes produced by domestic farmers and ranchers is more than sufficient to meet national demand.” Addressing concerns over missing or stolen animals at cattle markets, Aminur said administration officials, law enforcement agencies and volunteer teams are working round the clock at major markets. He said measures such as announcements through loudspeakers, strict monitoring and dedicated assistance cells have been put in place, adding that in most cases missing animals are being quickly traced and returned to their owners. On the issue of illegal cattle inflow through borders, the minister reiterated the government's zero-tolerance stance in this regard. He said necessary directives had already been issued to border guards, local administration and law enforcement agencies during an inter-ministerial meeting held ahead of the Eid season. When asked about cattle prices, Aminur said the country's livestock trade still largely depends on bargaining based on an animal's health, size, build and appearance, which often leads to price variations among similar-looking animals. He suggested introducing a live-weight pricing system in the future to make transactions more transparent and standardised. The minister also ruled out the possibility of market manipulation, saying the large number of buyers and sellers participating in cattle markets makes it difficult to form any artificial syndicate. “Animal prices are determined by market competition and the forces of supply and demand.” He further said adequate personnel have been deployed to maintain discipline, security and smooth transactions at cattle markets in the capital and elsewhere in the country, and that the measures will remain in force until Eid day. Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Md Shahzaman Khan and Director Dr Md Bayzer Rahman were present during the visit.

The United Business Forum, led by prominent business leader Mohammed Amirul Haque, swept the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) election held after a hiatus of 12 years, securing all posts. The election was held on Saturday at the World Trade Centre at Agrabad, the port city’s main commercial hub. Voting took place for 12 director posts in the Ordinary Group and six posts in the Associate Group. Meanwhile, six candidates from the Trade Association Group and Town Association Group – three from each category – were elected unopposed as there were no rival candidates. According to the Election Board, a total of 1,843 votes were cast for the 12 Ordinary Group posts, while 882 votes for the six Associate Group posts. In the Trade Association Group, Amirul Haque, the panel leader, along with SM Saiful Alam and Mohammed Akhter Parvez, were elected unopposed. Monoyara Begum, Chairman of the Election Board and Director (Local Government) at the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner’s office, said voting was conducted from 9:00am to 4:00pm without any break. On the completion of vote counting, the Election Board declared the United Business Forum panel victorious. The newly elected directors will now elect the president and two vice-presidents of the chamber.

The Alliance of 6 NBFIs Depositors for Recovery Committee on Saturday demanded that the government issue a legally binding notification guaranteeing the full return of their principal amounts along with accrued profits by December 31, 2026. The alliance, which represents 12,000 individual depositors across six ailing Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs), explicitly rejected informal or conditional government assurances reported in the media. The affected institutions include FAS Finance & Investment Limited, Premier Leasing, Fareast Finance, Aviva Finance, People's Leasing and Financial Services, and International Leasing and Financial Services. Together, these 12,000 individual depositors have an aggregate of approximately Tk 3,525 crore trapped in these institutions. Among them, the depositors of People's Leasing have had their funds frozen since July 2019. In a press release issued today, the alliance expressed frustration over the lack of direct communication from Bangladesh Bank or the Ministry of Finance, despite a silent protest and the formal submission of a memorandum on May 6. "We are only hearing rumors through the media. No ordinance has been issued, and no official order has reached us," said Jafar Ullah Khan, Convenor of the committee. "Many of our members have been waiting since July 2019. We will not accept any 'under process' rhetoric as a substitute for a legal commitment. Issue the notification, set the deadline, and give it to us in writing." The demand includes- Legally Binding Notification & Fixed Timeline: The group demands an official, published, and legally enforceable notification detailing a complete payout by December 31, 2026. They stated that conditional media reports suggesting funds might be released in July or that liquidation processes are being drawn up are not acceptable substitutes for a legal mandate. Payment of Fully Accrued Profits: The depositors strongly rejected media hints suggesting that only the principal amount might be returned without any profits. The alliance argued that based on contractual agreement rates and current inflation data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), a depositor who saved Tk 10 lakh in 2019 has suffered a combined loss of Tk 12.38 lakh to Tk 13.78 lakh. Maintaining the purchasing power of Tk 10 lakh from 2019 requires roughly Tk 16.78 lakh today. Absolute Accountability for Plunderers: The committee insists that even if the government pays back the depositors, the personal liabilities of the directors, executives, and default borrowers who looted these institutions through shell companies, fake loans, and fraudulent transactions must not be minimized. They demanded criminal prosecution without delay, asset recovery under the full extent of the law, and the publication of a registry naming all liable individuals. Kawsar Hossain Chowdhury (KC), co-founder and coordinator of the alliance, noted that members deposited their life savings relying on the regulatory approval and validation stamp of the central bank. "The collapse of these NBFIs is not personal bad luck; it is a regulatory failure," the alliance stated, adding that Bangladesh Bank must bearthe responsibility for returning the full amount with profits. The alliance, which has already organized six peaceful silent protests, declared that its legal and transparent movement will continue until a written order is issued and every depositor receives their money in full.

The European Union's apparel imports experienced an 11.27 percent negative growth during the January-February period of 2026, totaling €13.83 billion, according to the latest data from Eurostat. The contraction in the EU fashion retail market was driven by a 6.23 percent decline in import volume and a 5.38 percent decrease in average unit prices compared to the same period last year. Bangladesh, one of the primary apparel suppliers to the EU, took a significant hit as its garment exports to the bloc fell to €2.89 billion during the first two months of 2026, dropping sharply from €3.57 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. EU delegation visits Apex factory, praises sustainability efforts The country registered a substantial 19.26 percent negative growth in export value to the EU, compounded by an 11.14 percent decrease in shipment volume and a 9.13 percent drop in unit prices. A month-on-month comparison reveals that in February 2026 alone, Bangladesh's apparel exports to the EU declined by 12.39 percent in value, 3.30 percent in volume, and 9.39 percent in unit prices compared to February 2025. "Exporters are grappling with severe margin compression, losing revenue on both ends due to fewer work orders and lowered per-unit prices amid global demand softness," said Mohiuddin Rubel, Former Director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Additional Managing Director of Denim Expert Ltd. A broad-based downward trend was visible across almost all major manufacturing hubs supplying the European market. China, the largest apparel exporter to the EU, managed to increase its export volume by 1.34 percent, but still registered a 4.01 percent decline in total value, reaching €4.20 billion, due to a 5.27 percent drop in its unit prices. Among other major competitors, Turkey faced a massive 22.91 percent decline in its apparel exports to the EU, falling to €1.20 billion. Vietnam also remained in negative territory with a 2.06 percent  decline in export value, totaling €711.73 million, despite recording a 6.56 percent increase in its unit prices. Other key supplying nations, including India, Pakistan, and Cambodia, similarly mirrored the negative growth trend, reflecting persistent cost-of-living pressures and cautious consumer spending across the Eurozone.