United News of Bangladesh

The prices of vegetables remained high in the capital’s kitchen markets over the past three weeks, with most varieties selling above Tk 100 per kilogramme, leaving consumers frustrated. During visits to kitchen markets in Motijheel, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Rampura and Badda on Friday, many buyers were seen expressing anger over the spiralling prices. “Brinjal is still being sold at Tk 200 per kg. How is this even possible? Pointed gourd (Potol) that usually sells at Tk 50 a kg has now doubled in price,” said Shahnima Akter, a buyer at kitchen market in Badda area. “If the prices remain like this, how will low-income people afford vegetables?” she asked. Good quality round brinjal was found selling between Tk 180–220 per kg, long brinjal at Tk 140–160, and white brinjal at Tk 100–120 per kg. Other vegetables also witnessed price hikes. Pointed gourd was selling at Tk 80–100 a kg, teasel gourd at Tk 100, yardlong beans at Tk 100–120, ridge gourd at Tk 80–100, and bitter gourd at Tk 80–120 per kg. Vegetable prices soar in Dhaka's kitchen markets; no item below Tk 80 Tomato was being sold at Tk 160–180 per kg, cucumber at Tk 80–100, and carrot at Tk 140–180. Bottle gourd was priced between Tk 80–120 per piece, while ash gourd was selling at Tk 80–100. Papaya was the cheapest among vegetables, though its price rose by Tk 10 in the past week to Tk 40 per kg. Newly harvested beans entered the market at higher prices, selling at Tk 240–280 per kg. “Compared to other times, supply of vegetables has dropped by half. This season usually sees lower supply, and on top of that, extra tolls are being charged at different points. That’s why the prices are so high,” alleged Aslam, a vegetable trader in North Badda. Another trader, Monsur, said supply is likely to increase from mid-September, which may bring prices down slightly. Until then, consumers will have to bear with higher rates. Leafy greens have also become pricier. A bundle of water spinach, spinach or helencha, previously sold at Tk 10, was now priced at Tk 15–20. Bottle gourd and pumpkin leaves were selling at Tk 50–70 a bundle, up from Tk 30–40 earlier. Green chili was still selling at high prices — Tk 200–250 per kg. Onion prices eased slightly, retailing at Tk 65–70 per kg, while garlic was selling between Tk 120–180. Lentil prices, however, increased — with coarse lentils selling at Tk 140 and finer varieties at Tk 160 per kg. Prices of chicken, beef, mutton, and eggs remained unchanged. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk 170–180 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk 300–320, and local chicken between Tk 580–650 per kg depending on size. A dozen brown eggs were selling at Tk 150 and white eggs at Tk 140. Beef was selling at Tk 750–800 per kg, while mutton was selling between Tk 900–1,100. Prices of chicken, fish rise in Dhaka’s kitchen markets Fish prices also showed little change. Hilsa remained highly priced, with fish weighing over one kg selling at Tk 2,500–2,800 per kg, one-kg hilsa at Tk 2,300–2,500, hilsa below one kg at Tk 1,600–1,800, and smaller ones at Tk 800–1,200. Giant freshwater prawns (golda) were selling between Tk 1,200–1,500 per kg, while tiger prawns (bagda) were priced at Tk 800–1,000. Rui was selling at Tk 300–350 per kg, catla at Tk 350–400, kalibaush at Tk 320–380, and tilapia at Tk 220–260. Market insiders said unless vegetable prices come down, the overall market will not return to stability. They also warned that persistent high prices of eggs, chicken, and fish may push up food inflation further next month.

Chinese company Senxin BD Co. Ltd. is set to invest US$ 10.81 million to establish a manufacturing plant for LED bulbs and packaging materials at Mongla Export Processing Zone (Mongla EPZ). An agreement was signed on Thursday at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Senxin BD Co. Ltd. Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA Md. Ashraful Kabir and Chairman of Senxin BD Wu Changqin inked the deal on behalf of their respective organizations. Executive Chairman of BEPZA Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman witnessed the signing ceremony, according to a press release. Under the new venture, Senxin BD will produce a wide range of LED lighting products including bulbs, street lights, spotlights, panel lights, solar street lights, explosion-proof lamps, floodlights, strip lights, along with packaging items such as cartons and polybags. The company is expected to create employment opportunities for 717 Bangladeshi nationals. Welcoming the investment, BEPZA’s Executive Chairman said: “While the readymade garment sector continues to play a vital role in our economy, BEPZA is working to attract and facilitate diversified industries.” He said that Senxin BD’s investment reflects growing investor confidence in our EPZs. “We will extend all necessary support for their successful operations,” he added.

Banking in Bangladesh is set for a digital leap, as Bangladesh Bank has called for applications to establish the country’s first-ever digital banks, promising faster and better accessible financial services. The application window is open from September 1 to September 30 of 2025 to receive such applications. The central bank’s notice, signed by Md Bayezid Sarkar, General Manager of the Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD), says that the licensing of digital banks comes in response to global shifts in the technology-driven financial sector. The initiative aims to expand the reach and efficiency of financial services, particularly for small, cottage and medium-sized enterprises (CMSMEs). The central bank says that digital banking will help harness the opportunities of the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, supporting sustainable economic growth and employment generation. It also views digital banks as a vital tool for simplifying credit flows, especially for marginalised communities. Applicants must submit a non-refundable fee of Tk 500,000 via a bank draft or pay order in favour of Bangladesh Bank. SCB sets new standard in digital banking Applications, along with all required documents, can be submitted in person and via email. Detailed instructions are available on the Bangladesh Bank website. Digital bank licenses will be issued under the 1991 Bank Company Act, while payment services will be governed by the 2014 Bangladesh Payment and Settlement System Regulations. According to the central bank's policy, a digital bank will have a head office but will not require physical branches, sub-branches, ATMs, CDMs, or CRMs. All services will be app-based and accessible via mobile phones or other digital devices, meaning they will not offer over-the-counter (OTC) services. Nagad’s digital banking license adjourned to review its activities: Bangladesh Bank Governor The central bank previously established the digital bank policy on June 14, 2023. Under the initial policy, the minimum paid-up capital required to establish a digital bank was Tk 125 crore. This amount has recently been increased to Tk 300 crore. Applications, along with all required documents, can be submitted in person and via email.

Stock indices witnessed an uptrend in the first hour of trading at both Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges, as the prices of most companies advanced on Tuesday. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark index DSEX gained 40 points while the Shariah-based index DSES added 11 points and the blue-chip index DS30 rose by 14 points. Of the issues traded, prices increased for 218 companies, fell for 97 and remained unchanged for 75. The turnover on the DSE stood at over Tk 400 crore during the first hour. Stock indices see slight rise in early trading at Dhaka bourse The uptrend was also seen at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) where the overall index gained 72 points. Out of 101 issues traded, 59 advanced, 30 declined and 12 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE stood at Tk 4 crore during the early session.

For the first time in two and a half years, a consignment of 15 metric tonnes (MTs) of onion has arrived at Benapole land port in Jashore district from India. Shyamal Kumar Nath, deputy assistant at the port’s Plant Quarantine Centre, said the first consignment entered the port around 8 pm on Monday. After quality inspection, customs cleared the shipment for release. Onion imports via Benapole were suspended from March 2023, he said. Assistant Commissioner of the port Rajon Hossain said field officials  were instructed to expedite customs formalities for swift release. One SM Well Traders of Bagerhat imported the consignment while India's National Trading Corporation exported it. Aminul Haque Anu, vice president of Benapole Port Importers-Exporters Association, said the government had earlier restricted onion imports to maintain fair prices of locally produced yield. Another 202 mts onion imported from India through Bhomra land port As the price of onion at the local markets soared  the government allowed imports to bring the prices under control. Customs sources said each metric tonne was imported at Tk 37,429. In the local market, the imported onions are expected to sell for Tk 58–60 per kilogram depending on quality.

Bangladesh Bank has increased the minimum capital requirement for establishing a digital bank to Tk 300 crore. The change was made by a circular issued by the central bank on Sunday (August 24). The new requirement marks a significant jump from the Tk 125 crore set in the Digital Bank Guideline on June 14, 2023. In comparison, a conventional bank in Bangladesh needs a paid-up capital of Tk 500 crore to obtain a license. The circular states that digital bank licenses will be issued under the Bank Company Act of 1991. However, all payment services operated by the bank will fall under the purview of the Bangladesh Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations-2014. The central bank has also mandated that a digital bank must go public and be listed on the stock exchange within five years of receiving its license. The size of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) must be equivalent to the initial investment made by the sponsors. According to the circular, all regulations related to business operations, corporate governance, and activities applicable to conventional banks will also apply to digital banks. A digital bank is a fully online banking system where all services are provided via the internet. Unlike conventional banks, they will not have physical branches, operating solely from a head office. Bangladesh Bank's move to approve digital banks comes as many countries worldwide are shifting from branch-based banking to digital-first models. In South Asia, neighboring countries like India and Pakistan launched their digital banks in 2022. The new initiative is being introduced at a time when Bangladesh's banking sector is considered oversaturated, with 61 conventional banks currently in operation.  

The country’s stock markets witnessed a slight rise in indices during the first hour of trading as most company shares gained on both bourses. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark index DSEX advanced by 7 points while the blue-chip index DS30 gained 9 points. The Shariah-based index DSES, however, remained almost flat. Of the issues traded, the prices of 182 companies advanced, 158 declined and 520 remained unchanged. Shares and units worth over Tk 400 crore were transacted at the DSE in the opening hour. Indices fall in first hour of trading at DSE-CSE The uptrend was also seen at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) where the CASPI, the all-share price index, rose by 33 points. Of the issues traded there, 64 advanced, 34 declined and 8 remained unchanged, with a transaction of shares and units worth around Tk 2 crore in the first hour.

Chief Adviser's Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi on Saturday stressed the need for a collaborative and dedicated effort from all government agencies to make Bangladesh a ‘pro-investment hub’. Speaking at a meeting of officials in Chattogram, he emphasised that the development of the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Chittagong is a crucial step for the government. Siddiqi highlighted the importance of the NSEZ in boosting Bangladesh's economic growth by attracting foreign investment, creating jobs and increasing exports. He said the government is making every effort to ensure a modern and suitable environment for both foreign and domestic investors. NSEZ project director Abdullah Al Mahmud Faruk and BEZA's Executive Member (Planning and Development), Major General Md Nazrul Islam and representatives from the local administration were present at the meeting, according to a media release.

In a bid to curb fraud and ensure transparency in air ticket sales, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has made it mandatory for all travel agencies to print their name, licence number, and the selling price on every air ticket. The Ministry issued a notification in this regard on Thursday for air passengers and travel agency owners. In the notification, the ministry said many agencies are not complying with the circular from February 11, which instructed them to mention the ticket price on every issued ticket. According to the ministry, the new notification aims to ensure transparency in air ticket sales and safeguard passengers from deceptive pricing and unlicensed operators. “All travel agencies must clearly write their name, licence number, and the selling price on the ticket,” the ministry stated, adding that passengers should verify this information before purchasing tickets. The government has also warned against buying tickets from unregistered travel agencies. “If any agency is found involved in price manipulation or syndicate activity, strict action will be taken, including cancellation of their registration,” the ministry added.

Walton has been awarded the prestigious LEED Platinum Certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) for its environment-friendly green 'Mold and Die Complex'.  For getting highest score based on its sustainable design and construction practices, promoting energy efficiency, water conservation and other environmentally responsible features, Walton's mold and die complex were awarded the LEED Platinum Certificate, said a press release. Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC's Chairman S M Shamsul Alam and Managing Director S M Mahbubul Alam received this certificate at a programme held at Walton Corporate Office in the capital on Wednesday (August 20, 2025). Walton extends global footprint with entry into 7 more countries Among others, some high officials from Walton and 360° Total Solution Limited (360 TSL) that provided technical facilitation in getting the LEED certification, led by international green building expert Ananta Ahmed, were also present. Walton Hi-Tech Chairman S M Shamsul Alam said, "We are very proud for achieving the LEED platinum certification from USGBC. We want to ensure a livable and environment-friendly world for our future generation. Thus, we strongly focused on establishing sustainable and green factories. The LEED certification will further inspire us." Thanking the authorities of 360 TSL, Walton Hi-Tech’s Managing Director S M Mahbubul Alam said this achievement is not only about a certification, it establishes the Walton Sustainability ZERO Programme. Walton wins 'Excellence in Investment Award 2025' Through this programme, Walton has set a sustainability benchmark with the following ZERO targets: zero carbon emission, zero rainwater discharge, zero night light pollution, zero heat island effect, he said. At Walton Headquarters in Chandra, Gazipur, Mold and Die Complex was set up on 3,76,000 sft area meeting the highest international sustainability standards.