United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh received US$1.64 billion in remittances in the first 20 days of August. The expatriates have sent $4.12 billion remittance so far (July to August 20, 2025) in the current fiscal year 2025-26. Blessing on remittance, the gross foreign exchange reserves of Bangladesh rose to $30.85 billion, while it was $25.86 billion according to IMF standard BPM6. According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank, in the same period of the previous fiscal year, the expatriates sent remittances of $3.44 billion. Accordingly, remittances have grown by 19.6 percent in the current fiscal year so far. The expatriates sent a record US$2.48 billion remittance in July (the first month) of the fiscal year 2025-26. in the FY2024-25 fiscal year also saw a record-breaking remittance inflow, with a total of $30.33 billion. This represents a 27 percent increase from the $23.74 billion received in the FY2023-24, setting a new all-time high for a single fiscal year, he pointed out.  

Stocks witnessed a downward trend in the first hour of trading with most company shares and all key indices of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) edging lower. The DSEX, the prime index of the DSE, dropped by 9 points while the Shariah-based DSES lost 1 point and the blue-chip DS30 index shed 3 points in early trading. Of the issues traded, the prices of 123 advanced, 166 declined and 91 remained unchanged. Shares worth over Tk 170 crore were transacted on the DSE in the first hour. Stock markets slide in DSE-CSE; most shares lose value The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw a fall in indices, with its all-share price index losing 34 points. Among the issues traded on the CSE, 25 advanced, 22 declined and 5 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE stood at Tk 45 lakh in the opening hour.

A new security has been listed on DSE’s ATB platform as trading of the Runner Auto Sustainability Bond commenced on Wednesday under the ‘P’ category on the Alternative Trading Board (ATB) of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). The bond, with trading code "RAPLCSBOND" and scrip code "55007", has a face value and issue price of Tk 1,000,000 per unit and a remaining tenure of 4 years and 11 months. It carries a coupon rate of 8.76 percent, payable semi-annually. The bond is an unsecured, redeemable, non-convertible, guaranteed sustainability bond, with a total issue size of Tk 267.50 crore and a minimum subscription of 10 lakh units. Its trading will follow a circuit breaker of 4 percent for the first two trading days and 5 percent from the fourth day onward. Runner Automobiles reported a consolidated EPS of Tk (0.54), NAV per share of Tk 66.49, and NOCFPS of Tk 21.70 for the year ended June 30, 2024, compared to Tk (7.75), Tk 62.62, and Tk 38.32 respectively for the previous year. Stock markets slide in DSE-CSE; most shares lose value A listing agreement ceremony was held at DSE today, signed by DSE Senior Manager and Head of OTC Market Ishrat Jahan and Runner Automobiles CFO Shanat Dutta on behalf of their respective organizations. DSE Acting Managing Director and CEO Asadur Rahman said, “After a long time, a new security has been listed on DSE’s ATB platform. A digital application process is being introduced to make IPO applications easier and more efficient, allowing companies to apply simultaneously to DSE and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), while tracking the progress of their applications.” Runner Automobiles Managing Director and CEO Nazrul Islam said the sustainability bond will benefit the country in three ways: financing solar power generation, producing three-wheelers to improve transport access for low-income groups, and providing direct and indirect credit support to low-income individuals through installment-based vehicle sales. With this listing, a total of seven bonds and one equity security are now listed on DSE’s ATB Platform.

Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), met with Mohammad Saiful Islam, secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, on Wednesday and urged urgent measures to resolve the ongoing gas crisis and ensure an uninterrupted supply for the garment sector. The meeting took place at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division's office at the Secretariat. BGMEA Director Mohammad Abdur Rahim and Director A.B.M. Shamsuddin accompanied the BGMEA president. Senior officials from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division were also present. During the meeting, the BGMEA president highlighted the current gas situation in the ready-made garment (RMG) industry and the various problems caused by the gas shortage. He explained that many factories are unable to operate at full production capacity due to an insufficient gas supply and low gas pressure, which is negatively impacting exports and the country's economic growth. Bangladesh well-positioned in new era of trade wars: BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan To resolve this crisis, the BGMEA president proposed five urgent measures: 1. Prioritise the garment and textile industry: The labour-intensive garment and textile industry should be given priority for new gas connections to protect economic growth and employment. 2. Expedite the scrutiny process: The BGMEA president called for the ministry to quickly complete the scrutiny process for new gas connections from Titas Gas, enabling factories to start production on time. 3. Create a separate application list: A separate list should be created for applicants who do not require a load increase but need to modify or relocate equipment. This would allow for a quicker decision-making process. 4. Prioritise low-load applicants: Applicants seeking a low load increase should be given priority for gas connections. This would help small and medium industries get into production faster. 5. Ensure gas pressure: Necessary steps should be taken to ensure a minimum pressure of 3-4 PSI in areas like Dhamrai and Manikganj, where gas pressure tends to drop at the end of the pipeline. Tariff reduction to 20% 'a relief': BGMEA President The BGMEA president further stated that ensuring a smooth path for the garment industry is crucial for maintaining competitive capability in the international market and securing investment and employment after LDC graduation. He sought the government's overall cooperation to sustain the country's economic progress. Mohammad Saiful Islam, secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, listened to the BGMEA president's concerns. He assured that the government prioritises the garment industry as the largest private-sector employer and is sincere about resolving its problems. He confirmed that the division would seriously consider the issues raised by the BGMEA.

After four consecutive sessions of gains, the country’s stock markets witnessed a downturn on Wednesday as key indices, share prices of most companies and overall turnover declined both in Dhaka and Chattogram. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) opened higher but the momentum could not sustain as indices fell gradually throughout the session. At the end of the day’s trade, the benchmark DSEX index shed 31 points. Among other indices, the Shariah-based DSES lost 11 points while the blue-chip DS30 dropped 18 points. Out of the 398 issues traded, prices fell for 223, advanced for 124 and remained unchanged for 51. In category-wise performance, most issues declined across A, B and Z categories. In the A-category, which comprises the highest dividend-paying companies, out of 219 issues traded, 123 declined, 72 advanced and 24 remained unchanged. Turnover at DSE crosses Tk 950cr after 15 days In the block market, shares worth Tk 23 crore of 29 companies changed hands, with Asiatic Laboratories accounting for the highest transaction of Tk 10 crore. The turnover on the DSE dropped to Tk 953 crore, down from Tk 1,037 crore in the previous session. Information Services Network Limited topped the gainer’s list with a 10 percent rise while Standard Ceramic Industries Limited lost over 7 percent to end at the bottom. CSE No Exception  Like Dhaka, the indices of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended lower, with its overall index losing 75 points. Out of 228 issues traded, 109 declined, 90 advanced and 29 remained unchanged. The turnover in the port city bourse halved compared to the previous session, coming down to Tk 9 crore from Tk 18 crore. Crystal Insurance Company Limited gained 10 percent to top the chart, while Metro Spinning Limited fell over 9 percent to end as the worst loser.

Global Islami Bank PLC has decided to transfer and extend the use of its unutilised IPO proceeds, according to a disclosure made on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) website. The bank’s shareholders, at its 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on last year August 19, approved two special resolutions regarding IPO fund utilisation. These include transferring the remaining Tk 31,98,032 under ‘Estimated IPO Expense’ to the ‘Investment in SME’ head, subject to approval from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and other regulators, if required. Shareholders also approved a 24-month extension -- till November 9, 2026 -- for utilising the remaining IPO proceeds. According to the bank’s statement on IPO proceeds utilisation for the quarter ended June 30 this year, a total of Tk 73,81,98,032 remains unutilised. The bank attributed the delay in deploying funds to a lack of potential SME investors, volatility in the capital market, the Russia-Ukraine war, domestic political unrest and conflicts in the Middle East. As per DSE data, Global Islami Bank shares are currently trading at Tk 2.80 each. Over the past year, its share price has dropped from Tk 7 to Tk 2. The bank last declared a 5 percent dividend in 2022 but has not announced any since, leading to its placement in the ‘Z’ category on the stock market. According to its financial statements, the bank’s earnings per share (EPS) fell by 16.56 percent in the first six months of 2025. On a year-on-year basis, returns dropped by 59.42 percent. Although the Shariah-based bank posted profits in 2021 and 2022, it has been incurring losses since 2023. In 2024 alone, its losses amounted to Tk 1,246.61 crore.

Dhaka and Chattogram stock markets opened higher on Tuesday, the third trading day of the week, with most company shares advancing. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark index DSEX gained 16 points. The Shariah-based DSES rose 7 points while the blue-chip index DS30 added 9 points. Of the issues traded, 232 advanced, 78 declined and 65 remained unchanged. Shares and units worth over Tk 170 crore changed hands on the DSE during the early trading session. Turnover at DSE crosses Tk 950cr after 15 days Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw an upward trend, with its overall index rising by 32 points. Of the issues traded, 24 advanced, 13 declined and 7 remained unchanged. Shares and units worth Tk 24 lakh were transacted at the CSE in the first 30 minutes of trading.

The name of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) is being changed to Dhaka Trade Fair (DTF). The word 'International' will be dropped from the name, a decision made during the 148th board meeting of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Monday. The fair has been held since 1995, and is jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce and the EPB. The change was announced in a press release from the Ministry of Commerce. The ministry stated that the original goal of the DITF was to allow foreign companies to directly showcase quality products and technology and familiarize themselves with the local market. However, many foreign companies have been participating through local agents rather than as part of an embassy or government delegation. This has made it difficult to verify the quality of goods and services, and sometimes substandard or locally-made products are presented under foreign brand names, which deceives buyers and harms the fair's international image. The board meeting, held at the EPB conference room, was chaired by Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin. Other attendees included Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, EPB Vice-Chairman Md. Anwar Hossain, Additional Secretary (Export) Abdur Rahim Khan, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, and Metro Chamber President Kamran Tanvir Rahman. In addition to the name change, the board approved the fair calendar for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and a partial calendar for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Sk. Bashir Uddin emphasized the need for a thorough analysis of all foreign fairs to ensure effective participation that expands the market for Bangladeshi products. The EPB also announced a new initiative to organize a separate "International Sourcing Fair" to expand the global market for export-oriented industries. This new fair, titled "Sourcing Bangladesh 2025," was approved to be held in November. The Commerce Secretary highlighted that organizing a sourcing fair is crucial for increasing the recognition of domestic products in the international arena and developing national capacity. He also stressed the importance of promoting the sourcing fair through Bangladeshi embassies abroad.  

Bangladesh Bank has extended the usance period (deferred payment) of Letter of Credit (LC) for importing industrial raw materials, agricultural implements, and chemical fertilizers to 360 days, up from 180 days.   The extension applies to imports made under suppliers' or buyers' credit and is valid until December 31, 2025.   The new regulation was announced in a foreign exchange circular, issued by the Foreign Exchange Policy Department of Bangladesh Bank on Monday (August 18).   The extension, which had been in effect since January 20, 2025, was set to expire but has now been confirmed to remain valid until the end of the year.   The circular clarifies that the extended usance period does not apply to imports financed by Export Development Fund (EDF) loans.    

The turnover at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) crossed Tk 650 crore in the first three hours of trading on Monday, with key indices moving up as most shares gained. During the first half of the session, the benchmark DSEX index advanced by 30 points, while the Shariah-based DSES gained 12 points and the blue-chip DS-30 index added 9 points. Of the issues traded, 143 advanced, 71 declined and 57 remained unchanged. The DSE saw a turnover of over Tk 650 crore in shares and units during the period. Indices rally at DSE, CSE as turnover, share prices rise Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also witnessed an uptrend, with its overall index gaining 26 points. Among the issues traded on the CSE, 147 gained, 86 declined and 35 remained unchanged. The turnover at the bourse stood at Tk 9 crore in the first three hours.