United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) Chairman Abdul Hai Sarker on Monday said the flow of inward remittances is expected to remain stable despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, provided Bangladeshi expatriate workers can continue their jobs without disruption. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman at the central bank headquarters. “If our expatriate workers in the Middle East can continue their regular jobs, remittance inflow will remain steady,” the BAB chairman said. However, the situation could change if the conflict leads to job losses or disruptions at workplaces, he said. “If the war affects their employment or working environment, it may negatively impact remittance inflows,” he said. It is too early to predict the outcome as much depends on the duration and stability of the situation, said the BAB chaimran. During the meeting, Abdul Hai Sarker also stressed the need for regular coordination between the central bank and commercial banks on policy decisions to avoid gaps in implementation. He said discussions also covered measures to maintain stability in weaker banks within the financial sector through necessary support. The meeting further addressed the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS)-9, which requires banks to maintain provisions for expected credit losses. The BAB chairman said a circular has already been issued and the standard is scheduled to come into effect in 2028. “While we are following international standards, banks are exploring ways to implement them effectively within Bangladesh’s socio-economic context,” he said noting that the country’s banking infrastructure and capacity differ from those of developed economies. He also expressed optimism about the central bank’s supportive stance toward private banks.  

Reviving private sector-led growth will be critical for restoring Bangladesh’s economic momentum and ensuring sustainable development, according to a new policy report launched on Monday by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). M Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh presented the report titled “Reviving Private Sector-led Economic Growth: Critical Issues and Priorities Facing the New Government in Bangladesh,” at a programme  organised by MCCI. The report provides an evidence-based assessment of Bangladesh’s current economic challenges and outlines a set of reform priorities aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, strengthening investment climate, and enabling sustainable growth driven by the private sector. Speaking at the launch, Reaz said Bangladesh stands at a ‘critical juncture’ as the economy transitions from crisis management to recovery amid persistent structural constraints and global uncertainty. He said although the country experienced decades of strong growth averaging around 6–7 percent, economic momentum has slowed significantly since 2022 due to a combination of global shocks, domestic policy weaknesses and institutional challenges. According to the report, Bangladesh’s GDP growth has dropped to below 4 percent in FY2025, while inflation, declining private investment and tightening credit conditions have continued to weigh on business confidence and economic activity. The study highlights that structural weaknesses in public finance, the banking sector, export competitiveness and the investment climate are undermining the country’s growth prospects. Without comprehensive reforms, these vulnerabilities could push the economy toward prolonged stagnation, it warned. The report identifies seven priority areas for policy reform to revive private sector-led growth. These include macroeconomic stabilisation, fiscal management and debt sustainability, banking sector reforms, export diversification, private investment mobilisation, energy security, and skills development. It also stresses that restoring macroeconomic stability should be the immediate priority for policymakers. The study recommends tighter monetary and fiscal coordination, improved revenue mobilisation, and a more flexible exchange rate regime to stabilise inflation and rebuild foreign exchange reserves. In the financial sector, the report highlights the urgent need to address rising non-performing loans and governance weaknesses in banks, warning that these issues are constraining credit flows and discouraging private investment. Export diversification is another key challenge identified in the report. While Bangladesh’s export sector remains heavily dependent on ready-made garments, the report calls for targeted policies to develop new high-potential sectors and strengthen global value chain integration, particularly as the country prepares for its post-LDC transition. To boost investment, the study recommends improving regulatory predictability, modernising business-related laws and strengthening the investment promotion framework to attract both domestic and foreign investors. The report also emphasises the importance of energy sector reforms to ensure reliable and affordable power supply for businesses, as well as expanding skill development programmes to create a future-ready workforce capable of supporting productivity growth and job creation. MCCI leaders said the report aims to provide policymakers with a comprehensive reform roadmap to restore economic confidence and enable Bangladesh to move toward a more resilient and competitive growth model.  

The price of gold in Bangladesh has fallen by Tk 3,266 per bhori, with the rate of 22-carat gold now set at Tk 264,948, according to the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus). In a notification issued Monday, Bajus said the new rate was fixed in line with the overall market situation following a decline in the price of pure gold, locally known as tejabi gold. The revised prices came into effect immediately. Gold prices fall sharply in Bangladesh as 22-carat gold drops Tk 9,214 Under the new rates, 22-carat gold will be sold at Tk 264,948 per bhori (11.664 grams). The price of 21-carat gold has been set at Tk 252,876 per bhori, while 18-carat gold will cost Tk 216,775 per bhori. Gold produced using the traditional method will be priced at Tk 176,943 per bhori. Earlier, on March 4, Bajus reduced gold prices by Tk 9,214 per bhori, setting the rate of 22-carat gold at Tk 268,214. So far this year, gold prices in the country have been revised 38 times, including 24 increases and 14 decreases. Silver prices have also been reduced. Bajus cut the price of 22-carat silver by Tk 175 per bhori to Tk 6,357. The price of 21-carat silver has been set at Tk 6,065 per bhori, while 18-carat silver will cost Tk 5,190 per bhori. Silver produced using the traditional method will be sold at Tk 3,907 per bhori. So far in 2026, silver prices have been revised 23 times in the local market, including 14 increases and nine decreases.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said the private sector remains the main engine of the country’s economic growth and the government is giving top priority to trade, commerce and investment. Amir Khosru made the remarks during a meeting with Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed at his office at the Secretariat. The minister said the government is working to make the capital market more vibrant and the central bank more private sector-oriented through different initiatives. Finance Minister Amir Khosru returns home after hospital treatment Khosru also noted that easing lending conditions for the private sector and increasing credit flow remain among the government’s priorities to boost investment in the country. During the meeting, Taskeen urged the government to strengthen the financial sector to support economic growth and restore investor confidence. Taskeen proposed a gradual reduction in the policy rate to ease lending rates and stimulate private sector investment. He also suggested reconsidering the loan rescheduling facility for genuine or unintentional defaulters by extending the loan classification period. A coordinated approach involving monetary, fiscal and structural reforms could help restore investor confidence, strengthen financial stability and accelerate inclusive development, Taskeen added, assuring full support from the business community. DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury and Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman were also present at the meeting.

Flourish Garments Bangladesh Co., Ltd., a China (Hong Kong)-based company, is set to invest US$15.34 million to establish a high-end garments manufacturing facility at the BEPZA Economic Zone in Mirsharai of Chattogram. An agreement to this effect was signed on Sunday at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Flourish Garments Bangladesh Co., Ltd. Md Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, and Han Junxiao, Managing Director of Flourish Garments Bangladesh Co., Ltd., signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides. BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain witnessed the signing ceremony, said a press release. Under the project, the company will produce around 4 million pieces of garments annually, including fleece jackets, soft-shell jackets, down jackets, cotton coats, leather jackets, T-shirts, polo shirts, shorts, parkas, long pants, ski suits, windproof jackets, fishing and hiking suits, yoga and running suits, jeans, knitted shorts, faux leather clothing, deer skin velvet clothing, golf clothing and casual skirts. The project is expected to create employment opportunities for about 1,988 Bangladeshi nationals, it added.

Bangladesh’s point-to-point inflation rose to 9.13 percent in February, up from 8.58 percent in January due to a sharp increase in food prices, according to the latest data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). Food inflation climbed to 9.30 percent in February, compared with 8.29 percent a month earlier. Non-food inflation also rose slightly to 9.01 percent, up from 8.81 percent in January. Inflation remained higher in rural areas than in urban centres, reflecting continued pressure on food prices outside major cities. In rural areas, overall inflation increased to 9.21 percent in February, from 8.63 percent in January, though it was lower than 9.51 percent recorded in February last year. Rural food inflation rose to 9.07 percent, up from 8.18 percent in January, while rural non-food inflation increased to 9.34 percent, compared with 9.04 percent a month earlier. In urban areas, overall inflation rose to 9.07 percent in February, up from 8.57 percent in January. Urban food prices saw a sharper increase, with food inflation jumping to 9.87 percent, significantly higher than 8.61 percent in the previous month, indicating stronger price pressure in city markets. However, non-food inflation in urban areas remained relatively stable at 8.57 percent, slightly higher than 8.54 percent in January. Despite the month-on-month increase, the annual average inflation rate has eased significantly. The 12-month moving average inflation from March 2025 to February 2026 stood at 8.65 percent, down from 10.31 percent during the same period a year earlier, suggesting that overall price pressures have moderated compared with last year. Meanwhile, wage growth continued to lag behind inflation, raising concerns about declining purchasing power for workers. The national wage rate index increased by 8.06 percent in February on a point-to-point basis, slightly lower than 8.08 percent in January and 8.12 percent in February 2025. Sector-wise wage growth in February was 8.10 percent in agriculture, 7.99 percent in industry, and 8.20 percent in services. According to BBS, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February was calculated based on data collected from 154 markets across all 64 districts of the country. Overall, the data indicate that inflationary pressure persists despite a gradual improvement in the annual average, with rising food prices continuing to drive the cost of living for consumers.  

Leading economists have urged the Bangladesh Bank (BB) to prioritize the preservation of foreign exchange reserves and seek alternative energy sources to shield the national economy from the looming fallout of the Middle East conflict. The advice was given during a high-level meeting on Saturday (March 7) between Governor Mostaqur Rahman and eight of the country’s top economists, held at the central bank headquarters in Motijheel. The session was convened to discuss policy strategies amidst rising global uncertainty caused by military tensions between the US and Iran. Key Recommendations from Economists: The economists emphasized that while the full extent of the crisis remains unclear, the pressure on the US dollar and national reserves is inevitable. Their primary recommendations include: Preserve Reserves: Avoid spending dollars from the reserves to fund imports; instead, use existing foreign currency inflows strictly for essential stability. Fuel Diversification: To reduce dependency on the volatile Middle East, the government should immediately explore fuel imports from alternative sources such as Brunei and Singapore. No Immediate Hikes: Despite rising global prices, the experts advised against passing costs onto domestic consumers immediately to prevent a further spike in inflation. Monetary Caution: They argued against lowering the policy interest rate (Repo rate) at this moment. While lower rates could boost investment, the priority must remain inflation control until the war-induced pressure subsides. Governor Pledges Independence: Governor Mostaqur Rahman, who took office on February 26, addressed concerns regarding political influence during the meeting. “I will perform my duties with absolute honesty and will not make any decisions under political pressure," the Governor assured the economists. He also instructed commercial banks to remain steadfast against external political interference in their decision-making processes. Strengthening Financial Inflow: The meeting also highlighted the potential risks to remittance inflows if worker movement in the Middle East is hindered. To counter this, economists suggested:  Smoothing the legal channels for expatriates to send money home. Expediting the release of committed foreign loans from the ‘World Bank’ and other global lenders. Seeking additional credit lines from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) specifically for oil imports. The distinguished economist panel included Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow of CPD, Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of CPD, Dr. Mustafa K. Mujeri, former chief economist of BB, Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque of RAPID, Dr. Selim Raihan of SANEM, Dr. Masrur Reaz of Policy Exchange, Dr. A.K. Enamul Haque, Director General of BIDS, Nazmus Sadat Khan of the World Bank. The meeting concluded with a proposal to form a standing committee of experts to provide regular updates and policy recommendations to the central bank to prevent public panic and ensure institutional stability.

The volume of classified loans in Bangladesh’s banking sector witnessed a significant decrease of Tk 87,298.33 crore during the final quarter of 2025. As of December 31, 2025, total classified loans stood at Tk 5,57,216.92 crore, down from Tk 6,44,515.25 crore in September 2025. According to a report by the Banking Regulation and Policy Department of Bangladesh Bank, the gross classified loan rate fell to 30.60 percent in December, compared to 35.73 percent at the end of September 2025. However, on a year-on-year basis, the gross ratio remains significantly higher than the 20.20 percent recorded in December 2024. Net Classified and Defaulted Loans: The net classified loan rate, after adjusting for maintained provisions and suspense interest, dropped sharply to 13.93 percent in December from 26.40 percent in September. Meanwhile, specific defaulted loans totaled Tk 5,44,831.88 crore (29.92 percent of total loans), marking a decrease of Tk 68,039.57 crore over the three-month period of quarter-2. Category-wise Performance The reduction in classified loans was observed across all bank categories: State-owned Commercial Banks: The rate dropped to 44.44% from 49.65%. Private Commercial Banks: Saw a decline to 28.25% from 33.75%. Specialized Banks: Decreased to 39.74% from 41.95%. Foreign Banks: Maintained the lowest rate at 4.51%. Provision Shortfall and Credit Growth Despite the drop in bad debt, the banking sector continues to face a massive provision shortfall of Tk 1,91,441.35 crore. Bangladesh Bank buys $25 million from banks to stabilize market Total outstanding loans and advances in the 61 scheduled banks reached Tk 18,20,915.44 crore by the end of December 2025, reflecting an annual credit growth of 6.40 percent. Private commercial banks led this growth with a 7.56 percent increase in disbursements over the year.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Monday purchased US$25 million from two banks as a continuous effort to maintain stability in the foreign exchange market. The central bank bought the dollar at a cutoff rate of Tk 122.30 per dollar, according to a central bank official. Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, confirmed the transaction. "We purchased $25 million from two commercial banks today at the 122.30 cutoff rate," he said. With Monday's procurement, the central bank's total dollar purchase for the current fiscal year, FY2025–26, has reached a substantial $5.49 billion, the spokesperson added. The central bank has been consistently mopping up dollars from the banking channel throughout February to manage liquidity and exchange rate volatility. Earlier on February 24, the BB bought $87 million from eight banks, following a purchase of $123 million from eight commercial banks on February 22. In the first half of February, the bank made several large-scale interventions, including $171 million on Feb 10, $209 million on Feb 9, and $196.5 million on Feb 5. Record data shows that on February 2, the bank made its highest single-day purchase of the month, collecting $218.50 million from 16 commercial banks. All recent transactions have been consistently settled at the exchange rate of Tk 122.30, reflecting the central bank's current peg or target rate for these official interventions.

Bangladesh’s merchandise export earnings reached US$31.91 billion during the first eight months of the 2025-26 fiscal year (July–February), signaling sector stability despite a cooling global trade climate. In February 2026, Bangladesh's exports declined by 12.03 percent to $3.97 billion compared with February 2025. In January 2026, Bangladesh exported goods worth $4.41 billion. According to the latest data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), in eight months, the country recorded a marginal 3.15 percent decline, down from $32.92 billion in the same period in the previous fiscal year FY2024-25. Industry insiders attributed the slight contraction to temporary factors, including domestic port disruptions, the recently held national election, and subdued global demand in key traditional markets. The Ready-made Garments (RMG) sector, the backbone of the nation's export economy, fetched $25.79 billion during the July-February period, reflecting a 3.73 percent decrease year-on-year. Within the apparel sector, knitwear continued to outpace woven garments, maintaining its lead as the primary driver of earnings. While the overall figure saw a slight dip, several non-traditional sectors registered positive growth, indicating a steady diversification of the national export basket. Key sectors that saw year-on-year increases include leather and leather goods, Jute and jute goods, Home textiles, light engineering and frozen fish. In terms of destinations, the United States remained the largest market for Bangladeshi products, totaling $5.87 billion with a modest growth of 0.74 percent. Notably, China recorded the highest growth among major destinations, with a significant year-on-year increase of 19.12 percent. Despite the marginal overall decline, trade experts suggest that the performance reflects a resilient environment capable of navigating both domestic and international complexities as the fiscal year enters its final quarter.