United News of Bangladesh

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.

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’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.

The office-bearers of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), led by its President Taskeen Ahmed, paid a courtesy call on Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday. During the meeting, Taskeen Ahmed said the government has already taken several timely and effective measures to mitigate the impact of the ongoing energy crisis stemming from the Middle East war. However, he stressed that sustaining people’s livelihoods, employment, industrial production and overall economic activities should remain a top priority. DCCI urges govt  to adopt proactive policy measures to safeguard economy amid Middle East tension   Taskeen underscored the need for effective initiatives and their proper implementation through stronger coordination with the private sector. The DCCI president also welcomed the government’s consideration to defer Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) status, noting that continued engagement with relevant international institutions is essential. He urged the authorities to take more proactive measures to address post-LDC graduation challenges by incorporating private sector participation and implementing their recommendations. Highlighting the impact of multiple global shocks since the Covid-19 pandemic, Taskeen said the country’s CMSME sector has been the worst affected, despite contributing around 30 percent to national GDP and generating nearly 80 percent of industrial sector employment. To address challenges faced by SME entrepreneurs, he called for low-interest loan facilities, easier access to credit, simplified loan procedures, incentives and tax exemptions. Principal Secretary Abdus Sattar said the government remains committed to fulfilling people’s aspirations and will continue engaging with the private sector through dialogue to address emerging challenges, accelerate industrial activities and achieve future economic goals. DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman and Acting Secretary General Dr A K M Asaduzzaman Patwary were also present at the meeting.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Tuesday said depositors of the five banks merged into Sammilito Islamic Bank will receive their funds in phases under a structured repayment plan. The clarification came at a press briefing at the central bank’s Sena Kalyan Bhaban office, following a protest by depositors of the merged banks in front of the central bank headquarters.  “A specific scheme has been developed to return depositors’ money and the process is already underway in stages,” central bank’s Assistant Spokesperson Shahriar Siddique at the briefing. Under the scheme, depositors can immediately withdraw up to Tk 2 lakh and after that they will be allowed to withdraw Tk 1 lakh every three months, he said. The central bank said this arrangement will enable depositors to recover their full balances within a maximum of 21 months. For Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDR) and Deposit Pension Schemes (DPS), depositors will be able to withdraw Tk 1 lakh upon maturity. The remaining balance will be renewed under a revised schedule, allowing customers to withdraw profits at each renewal while the principal remains temporarily locked, the Assistant Spokesperson said. Bangladesh Bank has introduced special measures on humanitarian grounds It said depositors suffering from severe or life-threatening conditions such as kidney disease, will be allowed to withdraw any required amount upon submission of valid medical documents. Besides, the bank’s administrator may approve withdrawals of up to Tk 10 lakh and requests exceeding this limit will require approval from Bangladesh Bank. The central bank said efforts are ongoing to establish a permanent management structure for the new bank. Recruitment for the Managing Director is in progress, and a chairman will be appointed with government approval. The merger of five Islamic banks is currently focused on technical and operational integration, he said. Overlapping branches will be merged to reduce costs, rented head offices are being closed to centralise operations and specialists are working to unify five separate core banking systems into a single platform, he added “The government and Bangladesh Bank are committed to protecting depositors’ interests and turning the merged bank into a stable and profitable institution,” Siddique said urging customers to remain patient during the transition.  

NASSA Mainland Garments will resume normal operations from Wednesday, April 8, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said on Monday. The minister made the announcement after an important meeting with officials of NASSA Group at the ministry, convened following workers’ road blockade on April 5 demanding unpaid wages. The factory had remained shut since after Eid-ul-Fitr, with the authorities citing financial constraints. On Sunday, workers blocked the Tejgaon Link Road at Mohakhali and Nabisco areas, prompting government intervention to resolve the crisis. The labour minister said the government prioritised keeping factories operational in the interest of employment and assured all-out support from the ministry in line with legal provisions. He also urged workers to cooperate with the management, including working an extra hour daily if needed, to help restore production momentum. The minister advised the factory authorities not to harass any workers or employees under any circumstances. Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said a running factory cannot be shut down citing the absence of any individual or legal complications, stressing the need for timely measures to protect workers’ interests. Earlier, workers’ representatives sought government intervention to keep the factory operational and pledged to maximise production. NASSA Group Vice Chairman Ranjan Chowdhury highlighted financial and banking-related complications faced by the company and sought the ministry’s assistance in resolving the issues. State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque, Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus, Labour Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafder, and representatives from the ministries of home, law and finance, as well as BGMEA, were present at the meeting.

The price of gold in Bangladesh has been reduced by Tk 2,158 per bhori, with the new rate for 22-carat gold set at Tk 245,819, the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announced on Monday. The revised price took immediate effect, BAJUS said in the morning. The association attributed the adjustment to a decline in the price of tejabi gold (pure gold) in the local market and the overall market situation. Under the new rates, 21-carat gold has been fixed at Tk 234,621 per bhori (11.664 grams), while 18-carat gold will cost Tk 201,146 per bhori. Gold of traditional method has been set at Tk 163,821 per bhori. BAJUS last adjusted gold prices on April 1, when it raised the price by Tk 3,266 to set 22-carat gold at Tk 247,977 per bhori. So far in 2026, gold prices have been revised 52 times, including 30 hikes and 22 reductions. The association also reduced silver prices alongside gold. The price of 22-carat silver has been cut by Tk 175 to Tk 5,540 per bhori. According to the new rates, 21-carat silver has been set at Tk 5,307 per bhori, 18-carat silver at Tk 4,549 per bhori, and traditional method silver at Tk 3,383 per bhori. Silver prices have been adjusted 31 times so far this year, including 17 increases and 14 decreases, BAJUS added.  

The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has called upon the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament to reconsider and amend several provisions of the Bangladesh Labor (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. In a press conference, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem expressed deep concern that some of the amendments proposed by the previous interim government were "ambiguous" and appeared to be part of a "planned effort" to destabilize the industrial sector. He alleged that "over-enthusiastic individuals" within the former administration may have designed these rules to undermine the export-oriented industry. The press conference was held at BKMEA office in Bangla Motor in the capital on Sunday. The trade body warned that certain sections of the new ordinance create administrative complexity, increase production costs, and threaten the global competitiveness of the country's readymade garment (RMG) sector. The BKMEA highlighted several specific areas where the 2025 Ordinance deviates from the industry's practical needs and the recommendations of the Tripartite Consultative Council (TCC). Redefining ‘Worker’: BKMEA argued that the amended definition of a "worker" is too broad and creates confusion between general employees and management/administrative officers. They are seeking a clearer distinction to prevent administrative overlap. Compensation for Resignation: Under the new ordinance, a worker is entitled to 7 days of wages as compensation (for every service year) due to resignation after only three years of service. BKMEA recommends that this benefit should only kick in after a minimum of three to five years of continuous service, with a graded scale for longer tenures (e.g., 15 days for 5–10 years and 30 days for over 10 years). Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA): BKMEA proposed that even if a facility has only one trade union, it must secure a majority (50% + 1) in an election to be recognized as the CBA. Mandatory Provident Fund: The amended ordinance makes a Provident Fund (PF) mandatory for any factory with 100 permanent workers. BKMEA has recommended increasing this threshold to 500 workers to reduce the financial and administrative burden on smaller and medium-sized units. Trade Union Registration: The ordinance allows for up to five trade union registrations in a single establishment or group of establishments. BKMEA expressed concern over the potential for industrial unrest and recommended strict oversight on these registrations. Harassment Grievance Committees: While the ordinance mandates a 5-member committee to handle complaints of discrimination and violence, BKMEA is seeking further clarity on the operational guidelines of these committees to ensure they function fairly. Impact on Sustainable Development The association emphasized that while they support the welfare of workers, the law must be "investment-friendly" to ensure the industry's sustainability. They noted that the current version of the ordinance creates "intentional hurdles" that could lead to the destruction of factories and a decline in national exports.  "We believe some provisions were drafted with the intent to destroy our industrial infrastructure," said Mohammad Hatem. "To ensure the continuous growth of the knitwear sector, it is essential to align the law with the realistic recommendations provided by the owners and the TCC," he BKMEA concluded by urging the government to engage in further dialogue to ensure the Labor Act fosters a stable environment for both workers and employers, maintaining Bangladesh's position as a leading global apparel exporter. Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Executive President of BKMEA, Senior Vice President Amal Podder, CIP, and Vice President Mohammad Rashed, among others, were present in the press conference.