United News of Bangladesh

Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday alleged widespread irregularities in the Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 by-elections, claiming that vote rigging, fake voting and the expulsion of polling agents undermined the fairness of the polls. At a press briefing at the party’s central office, Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said a number of serious violations took place during voting, including ballot stuffing and the forced removal of agents from polling centres. He protested the incidents and demanded action from the authorities. Parwar said their candidate in Sherpur’s Sreebardi had passed away earlier, while local party leader Rezaul Karim, secretary of Sreebardi upazila, was beaten to death ahead of the polls, creating tensions in the area. “I visited the constituencies for three days on the 4th, 5th and 6th on behalf of the party. We received alarming reports. Our leaders and activists were not allowed to enter polling centres, and there were signs of intimidation,” he said. Referring to Bogura, he alleged that presiding officers in several centres forced polling agents to sign result sheets in the morning, which he said violates election rules. “The rule is that all candidates sign the result sheet after voting ends. But in some centres, signatures were taken in advance, while fake votes were cast and agents were later driven out,” he claimed, citing Maltinagar Government Primary School as an example. He also alleged that by noon, agents had been forcibly removed from at least 13 polling centres in Sherpur, where fake votes were cast. Parwar further claimed that when party members tried to resist such activities at a polling centre in Islamia Kamil Madrasa in Sreebardi municipality, local political activists entered the centre, expelled their agents and assaulted a Jamaat youth leader. Despite repeated complaints to law enforcement agencies and election officials, he said, no effective action was taken. He also alleged that supporters of rival candidates intimidated voters, including women, and obstructed them from going to polling stations. Expressing concern, Parwar said the situation raised questions about the credibility of future elections. “We are bringing these irregularities to the attention of the Chief Election Commissioner and urge legal action against those responsible,” he said, also calling for re-polling in centres where serious violations occurred. He warned that failure to act could lead to public rejection of the election results. Earlier, polling in both parliamentary seats started at 7:30 am and continued until 4:30 pm without any break. On February 24 last, the EC announced the election schedule for the two constituencies. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman contested the February-12 general election from two parliamentary constituencies – Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 and he was elected from both seats. But Tarique Rahman vacated Bogura-6 and kept Dhaka-17. Besides, the EC on February 4 last cancelled the election to Sherpur-3 constituency, following the death of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Nuruzzaman Badal.

Both Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges closed Thursday's session, the last trading day of the week with significant index losses, as share prices fell across the majority of listed companies. After three consecutive days of gains, all indices of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) slipped into the red. The benchmark DSEX lost 60 points, while the Shariah-based DSES fell 12 points and the blue-chip DS30 index shed 23 points. Losers far outpaced gainers on the DSE, with 306 companies recording price declines against gains in only 70, while 14 companies remained unchanged. In the block market, shares worth Tk 28 crore were traded across 39 companies, with Fine Foods Limited leading the segment at Tk 4.70 crore. Overall market turnover dropped by more than Tk 200 crore, settling at Tk 776 crore compared to Tk 991 crore the previous session. Bengal Windsor Thermoplastics PLC topped the DSE gainers' chart with an 8 percent rise, while ICB Islamic Bank Limited was the steepest loser, shedding 9 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) mirrored the bearish sentiment, with the CASPI index dropping 44 points. Among 195 traded issues, 107 declined against 73 advances, with 15 remaining flat. Despite the index slump, turnover on the CSE surged sharply to Tk 110 crore from just Tk 31 crore the previous day. Progressive Life Insurance Company Limited led the gainers with nearly 10 percent appreciation, while Reliance One The First Scheme of Reliance Insurance Mutual Fund fell the most at 10 percent.

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), on Thursday described reform as a continuous process, emphasising its necessity for maintaining economic momentum. "Reform is not a static concept, it is an ongoing process. Just as blood circulation is vital for the human body, reforms are indispensable to keep an economy moving," he said. Debapriya was addressing a discussion titled "Bangladesh Reform Tracker and Relevance of Media," organised by the Citizen's Platform for SDG, Bangladesh, and the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) at the ERF auditorium in the capital. Speaking at the event, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan disclosed that the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) policy is set to undergo revisions. Responding to queries from journalists, he said, "I discussed the matter with the adviser concerned four days ago when he informed me that an initiative has already been taken to revise the policy." The NEIR system is utilised by the government to enhance mobile handset security and curb the use of illegally imported or counterfeit devices by syncing International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers with the owner's National ID and SIM cards. Reflecting on the spirit of the student-led mass uprising, Debapriya noted that the movement has intensified the public’s aspiration for structural changes. He urged politicians to prioritise the concept of reform, noting that current electoral manifestos have attempted to reflect both the necessity and expectations of such changes. The eminent economist also touched upon the historical context of reforms in Bangladesh, recalling the post-independence reconstruction efforts, led by then Finance Minister Tajuddin Ahmad, through state-owned enterprises. He further highlighted the contributions of former Finance Minister Saifur Rahman, stating, "His role in implementing two major reforms – the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) and the flexible exchange rate – will remain historic." The discussion was also attended by New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, Prothom Alo Online Editor Shawkat Hossain Masum, ERF President Daulat Akter Mala, and General Secretary Abul Kashem, among others.  

The price of gold in Bangladesh has been reduced by Tk 4,432 per bhori within 24 hours of the latest hike, as the Bangladesh Jeweller’s Association (BAJUS) announced a fresh adjustment on Thursday. According to a press release, BAJUS cut the price by Tk 4,432, setting the rate of 22-carat gold at Tk 247,977 per bhori with immediate effect. The decision was taken after a decline in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market, the association said. Under the new rates, the price of 21-carat gold has been reduced by Tk 4,199 to Tk 236,721 per bhori. The price of 18-carat gold has been lowered by Tk 3,616 to Tk 202,895 per bhori. The price of traditional-method gold has also been cut by Tk 2,916, bringing it down to Tk 165,289 per bhori. On Wednesday, BAJUS increased the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 6,590, setting it at Tk 252,409 per bhori. So far in 2026, the gold price has been adjusted 54 times in the local market, with 31 hikes and 23 reductions. Alongside gold, BAJUS also reduced silver prices. The price of 22-carat silver has been cut by Tk 175 to Tk 5,715 per bhori. The new prices for silver are Tk 5,424 per bhori for 21-carat, Tk 4,666 for 18-carat, and Tk 3,499 for traditional-method silver. In 2026, the silver price has been revised 33 times so far, including 18 increases and 15 decreases.

Bangladesh has attracted fresh investment interest from Indonesia-based firm Japfa Ltd, particularly in the agriculture and poultry sectors, during a meeting with Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Wednesday. At the meeting held at the ministry, both sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade relations, enhance investment, and promote mutual cooperation for economic development. “Bangladesh is rapidly advancing as an emerging economy. Thanks to various government policy supports and reform initiatives, the investment climate in the country has reached a highly satisfactory level,” the minister said. Bangladesh envoy in Mexico pays tribute to late Indonesian ex-VP Sutrisno Highlighting the open and supportive environment for foreign investors, he urged greater investment in agriculture and poultry sectors. “Such investments will further strengthen these sectors and contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth.” The minister also noted that the government gives special importance to foreign investment to ensure sustainable economic development and is providing all necessary assistance in this regard. Japfa Executive Chairman Renaldo Santosa expressed the company’s interest in expanding investment in Bangladesh’s agriculture and poultry sectors. He praised the country’s growing market, promising agricultural potential, and investor-friendly environment. The Indonesia-based multinational agribusiness firm has been investing in Bangladesh since 2020, and has already started production activities in the poultry feed sector. Japfa’s investment operations in Bangladesh are managed under the Bay Group. Globally, Japfa currently generates an annual turnover of around USD 4.7 billion, with a target to reach USD 10 billion by 2030.

Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC held its quarterly business development conference for nine zones and four corporate branches on Wednesday. The conference, held at the bank's head office, focused on reviewing the institution's overall performance during the first quarter (January–March) of 2026. Md. Omar Faruk Khan, Managing Director (MD) of the bank, presided over the session. In his address, Faruk Khan emphasized that the bank's core pillars—operating based on Islamic Shari’ah and serving as a pioneer of welfare-oriented banking—remain the primary drivers of its continued growth. Khan issued several directives to senior leadership, focusing on the expansion of trade business, particularly import and export operations. He stressed the importance of leveraging technology to bring remittance services directly to people’s doorsteps, ultimately aiming to strengthen the country's economic development. Additional Managing Directors Md. Altaf Hossain, Mohammad Jamal Uddin Mazumder, and Dr. M Kamal Uddin Jasim, along with Deputy Managing Directors, senior head office executives, and heads of the relevant zones and corporate branches, were also present. They expressed their commitment to maintaining the bank's trajectory as a leader in the Islamic banking sector while adapting to modern technological demands.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has achieved a significant international landmark by becoming a corporate member of the UK-based Business Continuity Institute (BCI). This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the central bank’s operational continuity, stability, and risk-resilience framework. The development is also relevant to the central bank's ongoing efforts to modernise financial infrastructure, according to a press release issued on Wednesday. The membership will play a pivotal role as Bangladesh Bank works on developing 'BCP Version 2.0', an upgraded version of its existing Business Continuity Plan (BCP) from 2015. By aligning with BCI – a globally recognised authority established in 1994 – the central bank aims to synchronise its operations with international standards for crisis management and operational resilience. Through this partnership, the central bank will gain direct access to cutting-edge knowledge, specialised tools, and global best practices in Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Organisational Resilience. Central bank officials will also benefit from international training, certifications, seminars, and research opportunities provided by the BCI platform. The BCI currently engages with nearly 10,000 professionals across various central banks, international commercial banks, and reputable financial and non-financial institutions worldwide. The central bank stated that this membership is not just an internal upgrade but a step toward securing the overall financial system of the country. By collaborating with a world-renowned professional body, Bangladesh Bank expects to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in its operations. "This membership opens new doors for international cooperation and capacity building," the press release noted. It further emphasised that the initiative will help position Bangladesh Bank as a modern, resilient, and future-ready central bank, contributing significantly to the nation's long-term economic stability.

Stocks extended their gaining streak for the third consecutive session on Wednesday, with the benchmark index at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) posting a sharp rise. The DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, advanced by 161 points, while all other indices also ended higher. The Shariah-based DSES gained 30 points and the blue-chip DS30 index rose by 54 points. Market breadth remained strongly positive as 367 issues saw a rise in prices, while 15 decline and 11 remained unchanged. Turnover at the DSE jumped by around Tk 400 crore to reach approximately Tk 1,000 crore, up from about Tk 600 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares worth Tk 38 crore from 38 companies were traded, with GQ Ball Pen Industries Ltd topping the list with transactions worth Tk 9 crore. Among individual performers, Bangas Limited emerged as the top gainer with a 10% rise, while The Dacca Dyeing & Manufacturing Co Ltd was the worst loser, shedding over 1%. Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also witnessed a strong upward trend, with its benchmark CASPI index soaring by 328 points. Gainers dominated the CSE as well, with 177 issues advancing against 19 decliners, while six remained unchanged. Total turnover at the port city bourse rose to Tk 31 crore, up from Tk 26 crore in the previous session. First Janata Bank Mutual Fund, Regent Textiles Mills Limited and Bangladesh National Insurance Company Limited topped the gainers’ chart with 10% increases, while Summit Power Limited ended as the worst performer, losing over 7%.

Bangladesh’s private sector growth slowed in March, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dropping 2.2 points from February to 53.5. The slowdown was driven by contractions in manufacturing and construction, even as services and agriculture continued to expand. The latest PMI, released jointly by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka and Policy Exchange Bangladesh, still indicates expansion but at a slower pace, mainly due to weaker growth in agriculture and downturns in manufacturing and construction. PMI improves in February, indicating spike in economic confidence Agriculture extended its expansion streak to seven months, though at a slower pace. Business activity and input costs grew modestly while order backlogs strengthened. However, new business and employment both declined during the month. The manufacturing sector recorded its first contraction after 18 consecutive months of expansion, driven by declines in new orders, exports, finished goods, imports and employment. Factory output, input purchases, input prices and supplier deliveries, however, continued to expand, and order backlogs returned to growth. Construction posted its second straight month of contraction amid weaker new business and activity. Employment and order backlogs rebounded, while input costs rose at a faster pace. In contrast, the services sector marked its 18th consecutive month of expansion, with slightly faster growth across new business, activity, employment, input costs and order backlogs. The future business index signalled continued expansion across agriculture, manufacturing, construction and services, reflecting sustained business optimism despite cost pressures and uncertainty. Seasonal demand ahead of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr supported some firms, though rising costs for raw materials, labour and transport continued to squeeze margins. M Masrur Reaz, chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, said the March reading indicates moderating economic growth, largely due to a manufacturing slowdown linked to extended holidays and global demand uncertainty stemming from the Middle East crisis. Masrur said the inflationary pressures and potential supply disruptions could further weaken economic momentum if the situation persists.

Gold price soars Tk 6,590 per bhori in Bangladesh marketGold prices in Bangladesh surged sharply on Wednesday, with 22-carat gold rising by Tk 6,590 per bhori. Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus)  raised the price of gold in the domestic market, effective from 10:00am Wednesday. Bajus attributed the hike to a rise in the price of pure (tejabi) gold in the local market. With the latest revision, the price of 22-carat gold now stands at Tk 2,52,409 per bhori. Under the revised rates, 21-carat gold has gone up by Tk 6,299 to Tk 2,40,920 per bhori, while 18-carat gold has increased by Tk 5,365 to Tk 2,06,511 per bhori. The price of traditionally-processed (sanatan) gold has been adjusted upward by Tk 4,374 to Tk 1,68,195 per bhori. The adjustment comes just two days after Bajus cut the price of premium gold by Tk 2,158 on April 6, which itself followed four consecutive rounds of increases totalling Tk 13,122 per bhori. So far in 2026, gold prices in the domestic market have been revised 53 times raised on 31 occasions and reduced on 22. Silver prices have also been revised upward alongside gold. The price of 22-carat silver has been increased by Tk 350 to Tk 5,890 per bhori. Rates for 21-carat, 18-carat, and traditionally-processed silver have been set at Tk 5,599, Tk 4,782, and Tk 3,616 per bhori, respectively. Silver prices have now been adjusted 32 times this year, with 18 increases and 14 reductions.