United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) is set to host its annual flagship event, the Annual BIDS Conference on Development (ABCD) 2025, beginning tomorrow (Sunday) in the capital. The two-day conference, running from December 7 to December 8, 2025, at the Conference Hall (2nd Floor) of Parjatan Bhaban, Agargaon, will be held under the theme "Democracy and Development." In an era where the connection between governance and economic progress is becoming increasingly vital, the conference aims to facilitate a rigorous and insightful dialogue on this pivotal relationship, with a specific focus on Bangladesh's context. The comprehensive two-day program is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and policy formulation. Key features include: Research Paper Presentations: Twenty cutting-edge research papers, meticulously selected for their relevance and contribution to Bangladesh's policy domain, will be presented across academic sessions. The Planning Advisor, Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, will deliver a keynote speech, setting the stage with a strategic vision for development planning within the framework of democratic institutions. The conference will feature a high-level panel discussion session with distinguished speakers from academia, government, and the development sectors. The Finance Advisor, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, is confirmed to be present during this session. Professor Dr. A. K. Enamul Haque, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) will chair the programme. BIDS emphasized that the participation of thought leaders and experts will immensely enrich the discussions and contribute valuable insights to the discourse on the national development strategy.

Onion prices have surged by Tk 40–50 per kg within just two days, with the kitchen markets in Dhaka now selling it at Tk 140–150 per kg. A visit to several city markets on Saturday (December 06, 2025) found wholesalers charging Tk 650–680 for a palla (5 kg), pushing retail prices up sharply. Aminul Haque, an onion trader at Uttar Badda, said, “Just on Tuesday, onions were Tk 100 per kg at wholesale. A palla was selling for Tk 485–500, which is now Tk 680.” Read more: After saving one year, onion and ginger imports to halt within three years Another trader, Robiul, said, “Prices have increased by around Tk 50 per kg in two days. The price of each sack has gone up by Tk 850–1,000.” Harunur Rashid, an onion trader from Rampura, said there is no logical reason for the sudden spike. “The early-season 'murikata' onions have started arriving. Prices should have gone down, not up.” Market visits showed that 'murikata' onions are now available in small quantities, but their prices have also increased by Tk 10 per kg. Recently selling at Tk 70–80, they now cost around Tk 90 per kg. Onion imports withheld to protect farmers: Agriculture Adviser Karwan Bazar trader Mominul said the price of old onions has pushed buyers toward murikata, but limited supply has driven prices higher. Consumers expressed frustration over the abrupt hike. “How can onion prices rise by Tk 50 in two days?” said Rabeya Akhter, a shopper at Rampura. Another buyer, Ehsanul Haque, complained about the lack of market monitoring. “Traders are running the market however they want. Without monitoring, consumers will suffer.” Buyers urged strict monitoring to stabilise the market, while experts warned that lack of oversight will make the situation more volatile. Read more: Kitchen Market: Onion prices still high, hilsa out of reach

Customers can now make payments simply by tapping their phones on an NFC (Near Field Communication)–enabled QR code through bKash. This new service is designed to make digital payments more seamless, secure, and contactless, according to a media statement on Thursday. With just a tap, customers can complete transactions in seconds—without the need to enter a PIN—enhancing their cashless payment experience and strengthening the country’s digital payment ecosystem. NFC technology makes everyday transactions faster and hassle-free, especially at small and large shops, supermarkets, cafés, and other retail outlets. To pay via NFC using bKash, customers simply tap their phone on an NFC-marked QR code. After logging in, they are taken directly to the payment screen, where they enter the amount and confirm the payment. This eliminates the inconvenience of forgetting or compromising PINs while improving the security of the bKash app. Customers can make NFC payments of up to Tk 1,000 without a PIN. Leveraging technological advancements, bKash continues to introduce innovative, customer-centric services to make daily transactions easier, safer, and hassle-free. In line with this commitment, the company has launched the NFC payment service, enabling customers to enjoy cashless, contactless, and secure transactions. Gradually, this service will be rolled out at merchant points nationwide, the statement said.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur on Thursday said the country’s economic policy is independently formulated and not dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank. “If we follow their prescriptions blindly, the exchange rate could surge to around Tk 170–180 per US dollar, as has happened in Pakistan and Sri Lanka,” he said. The governor made the remarks while speaking as the special guest at the ‘Investment Dialogue with Local Partners’ held at the multipurpose hall of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) on Thursday. Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan was also present as the chief guest in the programme. Dr Mansur said inflation is expected to fall to 5 percent by the end of the current fiscal year, FY2025-26. Consequently, the policy rate would likely be reduced to 8–9 percent, with lending rates settling between 10 and 11 percent. He cautioned that reducing interest rates without controlling inflation could destabilise the exchange rate and the money market, responding to businesses’ demands for lower lending rates. Citing examples from India and China, the governor noted that their low interest rates—3 percent and zero percent, respectively—reflect their economic conditions, which differ from Bangladesh’s. “We are not currently taking IMF loan installments because some conditions cannot be fulfilled at this time for the sake of our economy. When needed, we will take IMF loans after fully meeting the global lender’s conditions,” he added. About the financial sector, Dr. Mansur said it has now emerged from previous data manipulations that had posed serious risks to the country. For instance, while official figures under the previous regime showed single-digit inflation, actual inflation was around 12–13 percent, with lending rates in single digits, leaving depositors with negative returns. Similarly, defaulted loans were underreported, shown below double digits, though they stood at around 35 percent in September 2025. Current accounts have now been corrected. On the question of recovering defaulted loans through the sale of industry assets, the governor clarified that industries should not be penalized for individual mismanagement. He cited the example of the SS power plant of S. Alam Group, which continues to operate with support from Bangladesh Bank for LC openings. The project involves about US $2.5 billion in investment, 80 percent of which is foreign-owned. Although the plant is running, S. Alam will not retain any profit, as all funds will be used to repay liabilities, he added. Dr Mansur pointed out that Bangladesh Bank has received 1,300 applications for loan restructuring, approving 250 of them. The remaining applications have been forwarded to respective banks for customer- and client-based restructuring. He projected that defaulted loans will decrease by 5 percent by March FY2025-26, but bringing overall non-performing loans to a reasonable level may take 8–10 years. Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser on International Affairs, and Mohammad Abdur Rahman Khan, FCMA, Chairman of NBR, participated in the dialogue, held Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BEZA and BIDA, in the chair.

Trading at both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) began on a downward note Thursday, with most listed companies seeing price declines. At the DSE, the benchmark DSEX index dropped by 38 points in the first hour of trading. The Shariah-based DSES index slid 9 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index also fell by 9 points. Market data shows that prices fell for the majority of traded issues, with 284 companies declining against 48 advancing, while 48 remained unchanged. The turnover during the first half exceeded Tk 168 crore. The bearish trend persisted at the CSE as well, where the overall index lost 45 points. Only 20 issues advanced compared to 48 that declined, and 10 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE reached Tk 7 crore in the same period.    

The license for the newly established Sommilito Islami Bank PLC was formally handed over by Bangladesh Bank (BB) to representatives of the Ministry of Finance on Monday. The establishment of the new bank was approved by the Bangladesh Bank Board of Directors on Sunday (November 30). The license handover ceremony took place in presence of officials from both the central bank and the Ministry of Finance. Md. Azizuddin Biswas, joint secretary of the Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the ministry, received the license document on behalf of Nazma Mobarek, secretary of the FID. Representing the Bangladesh Bank were Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Governor, Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmed, Deputy Governor, Md. Badiul Alam, Executive Director and Head of Banking Regulation and Policy Department, and Bayezid Sarker, Director of the Department of Banking Regulation and Policy, who formally presented the license to the Ministry of Finance representatives. The formation of Sommilito Islami Bank PLC is part of a broader banking sector reform, aiming to consolidate multiple Shariah-based banks.

Bangladesh received its highest monthly remittance inflow of the current fiscal year FY 2025-26, crossing US $2.88 billion November. This substantial inflow translates to an average daily remittance of approximately $96.3 million. In the five month of the current fiscal year Bangladeshi expatriates sent $13.03 billion remittance while it was $11.7 billion in the previous fiscal year. According to updated data released by the Bangladesh Bank on Monday, the remittance flow in November saw a significant increase of 31.37 percent compared to the previous month of October. The total remittance figure for November stands at $2.88. Of this amount, state-owned banks received $587.76 million as remittance, specialized banks handled $298.95 million, and the largest share, around $2.0 billion, came through private banks. Foreign banks accounted for the remaining $5.94 million. The central bank also provided a weekly breakdown, showing consistent high flow throughout the month, with the largest weekly amount of $768.48 million arriving between November 9 and 15, and the smallest being $43.18 million on November 1st. The November figure significantly surpasses the inflows of the preceding months of the current fiscal year: October saw $2.56 billion, September recorded $2.68 billion, while August and July inflows were $2.42 billion and $2.47 billion, respectively. This robust performance follows the record-breaking remittance year of FY2024-25, where expatriates sent $30.32 billion, marking the highest annual inflow in the country's history so far.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) hosted a high-level dialogue, calling for immediate and sustained government-private sector collaboration to enhance the country’s business and investment climate.  The event, titled “Bangladesh’s Business and Investment Climate: From Challenges to Competitiveness,” was held in a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday (November 30), according to a press release. Participants from both the private sector and key government agencies stressed that improving the business environment is an immediate national priority. The discussion centered on transforming current challenges into competitive advantages for both local and foreign investors. Top priorities highlighted during the dialogue included: Logistics efficiency, The need for better operational effectiveness in transport and supply chains. Customs Processes: Achieving smoother and faster clearance procedures. Regulatory Predictability:Ensuring greater certainty in rules and regulations for long-term planning. Energy Security: Addressing vulnerabilities to ensure a reliable energy supply for industries. Policy Continuity: Maintaining stable long-term policies to sustain investor confidence. Digital Trade Facilitation: Leveraging technology to streamline cross-border commerce. Recycling Incentives: Introducing specific policy support for the reuse and recycling industries. The session saw significant participation from the government, signaling its commitment to reform.  Mahbubur Rahman, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, attended as the chief guest, leading a senior delegation. The dialogue brought together senior representatives from crucial government bodies, including the Ministries of Industries, Foreign Affairs, Finance, ICT, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), among others. This multi-agency presence underscored the collective need for stronger coordination among government agencies to improve global competitiveness. Reflecting the continued importance of bilateral trade relations, Paul Frost, Commercial Counselor, US Embassy, Dhaka, also attended the program. The event featured prominent business leaders and AmCham members, including Moinul Huq, Country Manager, Citi NA, and Rashed Mujib Noman, Managing Director, Augmedix Bangladesh. The event was moderated by Chowdhury Kaiser Mohammad Riyadh, Executive Director, AmCham, and also saw the presence of Betopia Group’s Founder & Group CEO, Muhammad Monir Hossain. The participants unanimously agreed that sustained government–private sector collaboration is essential to achieving Bangladesh's long-term economic goals and positioning the country as a major investment hub.

Bangladesh Bank has approved the liquidation of nine non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) after years of irregularities, mismanagement and failure to return depositors’ funds, marking one of the largest clean-ups of the sector to date. The central bank’s Board of Directors signed off on the move at a meeting on November 30, allowing regulators to begin the formal process under the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2025, according to officials familiar with the decision. “The board has approved the issue. The central bank will now scrutinise and finalise which institutions will be liquidated,” an executive director of Bangladesh Bank told UNB on Monday. The institutions identified for potential closure are Peoples Leasing and Financial Services (PLFS), International Leasing and Financial Services, Aviva Finance, FAS Finance and Investment, Fareast Finance and Investment, Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company (BIFC), Premier Leasing and Finance, GSP Finance Company and Prime Finance and Investment Limited. The initial shortlist was drawn up based on key indicators such as persistent failure to repay depositors, soaring non-performing loans and severe capital shortfalls. Regulators will now determine the final liquidation framework for each entity, the official added. Central bank sources estimate the government may need to inject around Tk 9,000 crore to absorb losses and settle depositor claims, with priority given to small savers. Although the liquidation move is being executed under the 2025 ordinance, Bangladesh Bank is also pursuing licence revocations under the Finance Company Act 2023. Out of 35 NBFIs currently operating in Bangladesh, the central bank has designated 20 as distressed. The nine institutions were issued notices on May 22 but failed to provide satisfactory responses within the deadline, prompting the regulator to advance toward dissolution.    

The term for the first Bangladesh Government Investment Sukuk, valued at Tk8,000 crore, which was issued against the "Safe Water Supply Across the Country" project, has been extended by an additional five years. Bangladesh Bank in a press release on Sunday informed this information. The five-year Sukuk was originally set to mature on December 29, 2025. Following this new decision, the bond’s next maturity date will be December 29, 2030. The decision to extend the term was made to protect the interests of the Sukuk holders and ensure adherence to Shariah principles. The extension was based on the recommendation of the Shariah Advisory Committee, formed under Bangladesh Bank's Debt Management Department, and the approval of the government's Cash and Debt Management Committee (CDMC). All necessary ancillary documents for the extension were approved during a meeting of the Shariah Advisory Committee held at Bangladesh Bank's Head Office on Sunday (November 30). For the extended period, the government will provide a total of Tk3,804 crore as rent for the use of the leased Sukuk assets. While the calculated annual rental rate is set at 9.51 percent, the current effective rate stands at 4.69 percent. Investors will receive this rent proportionally on a semi-annual basis. During the extended term, investors have the choice to either retain their Sukuk holdings or opt for encashment. Any investor who chooses not to continue their investment beyond the original term can submit an application through their respective banks to the ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’– Islamic Securities Section (Debt Management Department) of Bangladesh Bank. These investors will be able to liquidate their Sukuk on the original maturity date of December 29, 2025. Bangladesh Bank stated that detailed instructions regarding the encashment process will be communicated to the concerned parties shortly.