United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh and Indonesia have significant untapped opportunities in the halal economy beyond their traditional trade relations, particularly in sectors such as processed food, fashion, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, medical equipment and digital technology, Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Ms. Listyowati said on Monday. Indonesian Ambassador made the remarks during a meeting between the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and a high-level Indonesian business delegation at Motijheel office in the city. Highlighting the growing scope of halal trade, the ambassador said halal products extend far beyond halal meat and food, encompassing apparel, cosmetics, medicines, healthcare services, medical devices, Islamic finance and tourism. “Bangladesh and Indonesia can explore extensive business opportunities in these sectors and further strengthen bilateral trade ties.” The ambassador also invited Bangladeshi businesses to participate in the D-8 Halal Expo 2026, scheduled to be held in Jakarta from July 8 to 12, expressing hope that a high-level Bangladeshi trade delegation would attend the event with their products. “The Indonesian Embassy in Dhaka will provide all possible support in this regard,” she added. Describing the upcoming expo as more than a conventional trade fair, Listyowati said it would serve as a unique platform for strengthening the halal ecosystem among D-8 member countries, expanding trade and investment, and fostering new partnerships across sectors. A report on the D-8 Halal Expo 2026 was presented at the meeting by Putu Rahwidhiyasa, Director General of Indonesia’s National Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance (KNEKS). He said Indonesia is not only focusing on halal product exports but is also actively developing a comprehensive halal value chain. “Bangladesh and Indonesia can further expand bilateral trade by leveraging this halal value chain and enhancing collaboration in the halal economy.” Citing the report, Rahwidhiyasa noted that Indonesia ranked among the top 10 exporters in intra-OIC trade in 2022, trailing only Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates among the leading exporters. According to the report, Indonesia currently ranks sixth globally in the Halal Economy Trade and Investment Index. The country holds the fourth position in the halal food sector and ranks sixth in the modest fashion and apparel segment, reflecting the strength and diversity of its halal market. The report also highlighted the rapid growth of the global halal economy. Among all halal sectors, halal food remains the largest contributor, with spending across OIC member countries reaching approximately $1.24 trillion in 2023, supported by a projected annual growth rate of 6.2 percent. The halal fashion sector ranked second, with Muslim consumer spending estimated at $277.9 billion and an annual growth rate of 6.8 percent. Speaking at the event, Mohammad Riyad Ali, President of the Indonesia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) and former FBCCI director, said the D-8 Halal Expo offers a valuable opportunity to observe how member countries integrate halal practices into daily life and commerce. “It will also provide Bangladesh with an opportunity to learn from their experiences in developing and strengthening halal certification systems,” he said. Earlier, FBCCI Secretary General Md Alamgir delivered the welcome address, describing Bangladesh and Indonesia as long-standing trade partners with strong economic ties. While acknowledging Bangladesh’s relatively limited share in bilateral trade, he said participation in major international platforms such as the D-8 Halal Expo could diversify trade cooperation and open new avenues in the rapidly expanding halal market. He also assured the Indonesian delegation that FBCCI would work sincerely to facilitate the participation of a Bangladeshi business delegation in the D-8 Halal Expo 2026.

Bangladesh Bank is exploring a bond-based financing mechanism to ensure long-term funding for housing loans, the central bank governor said Sunday, as the country's leading real estate body pressed for a dedicated housing fund and single-digit interest rates on home loans. The assurance came during a courtesy call by a delegation of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) on Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman at the central bank's headquarters. Led by REHAB President Dr. Ali Afzal, the meeting covered the current state, challenges and prospects of the housing sector, with REHAB leaders urging the establishment of a special housing fund and long-term mortgage facilities at single-digit interest rates. Governor said housing loans are among the most secure assets in the banking sector, which is why mortgage rates are already comparatively lower, running up to two percentage points below rates on many other loan categories. He added that the central bank is working on a bond-based financing framework to ensure sustainable long-term funding for the housing sector, expressing confidence that the initiative, once implemented, would broaden mortgage access for ordinary citizens. Afzal said affordable home loans under easy terms for first-time flat buyers would turn the homeownership dream of middle and lower-middle income people into reality. “At the same time, it will give the broader economy a further boost through housing sector activity.” REHAB Senior Vice President Abdur Razzaque stressed the need to expand low-interest housing loan facilities to the district and upazila levels to support planned housing development and effectively decentralise Dhaka. “People will be more willing to settle outside the capital if affordable housing finance is available there.” The delegation also included Vice Presidents Mohammad Akhter Biswas, Abu Khalid Md. Barkatullah and AFM Obaidullah, VP (Finance) Dr. Md. Harun-or-Rashid, and Director Tasnova Mahbub Salam, each of whom raised specific concerns and demands related to the sector. Both sides expressed commitment to working jointly toward sustainable development of the housing sector, increased investment and broader homeownership access for the general public.

The Islami Bank Sachetan Grahak Forum (Islami Bank Conscious Customers' Forum) on Sunday issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the resignation of bank’s newly appointed Chairman Khurshid Alam, labelling him an associate of the ousted fascist" Awami League regime and controversial S Alam Group. The forum also called upon all officials and employees of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC to observe a two-hour pen-down strike on Monday – from 10:00am to 12:00pm – in solidarity with its demand. Prof Nur Nabi Manik, president of the forum, made the announcement while presiding over a rally held in front of the Islami Bank Tower in the capital’s Motijheel area, following a protest march. "Khurshid Alam, an associate of the fascist Awami League and a successor to bank looter S Alam Group, must resign from the post of Islami Bank chairman within the next 24 hours," he said. Urging the government to protect the country's financial system, Manik stated, "Islami Bank is the largest bank in the country. Do not destroy the national economy by handing over its control to a collaborator of the fallen autocratic regime." Terming Khurshid Alam a "corrupt bank looter," he questioned the rationale behind his appointment. The forum chief said Khurshid Alam was forced to step down from his position as deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, and went into hiding, following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024 "Why should a fugitive like Khurshid Alam be appointed as chairman of Islami Bank? He was chosen because he excels in plundering resources. Previously, he looted funds to benefit the fallen Awami League and S Alam Group; now he will do the same for others," Manik alleged. He said Islami Bank Sachetan Grahak Forum will stage sit-ins and form human chains in front of the bank's head office as well as all branches and sub-branches nationwide for two hours on Monday, urging all bank executives, officers, and staff members to join the programme and fully suspend banking operations for the period.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for businesses to enter previously submitted paper-based VAT returns into the electronic VAT (e-VAT) system until June 30, 2026, ahead of the planned introduction of mandatory online VAT return filing from July. According to an NBR press release issued on Sunday, a new sub-module titled “Hard Copy Return Entry” has been incorporated into the e-VAT system to facilitate the digital entry and preservation of all monthly VAT returns that had earlier been submitted in hard copy form. The revenue authority said it had issued a circular on January 5, 2026 outlining the procedures for using the sub-module and had initially set March 31, 2026 as the deadline for entering all paper returns into the online system. However, data from the e-VAT platform indicate that a significant number of hard-copy returns have yet to be entered electronically. As part of its preparations to make online VAT return submission compulsory from July 2026, the NBR has decided to grant businesses additional time until June 30 to complete the process. The NBR warned that businesses failing to enter their paper returns into the e-VAT system within the revised deadline would face restrictions. In such cases, their closing balances as of May 2026 would be frozen, meaning no adjustments could be made against those balances in the future. The revenue authority also noted that all VAT returns must be available in the online system for refund applications to be processed. As a result, businesses that do not enter all their previous VAT returns into the e-VAT platform will not be eligible to submit refund claims. The NBR urged taxpayers to cooperate fully with its ongoing efforts to digitise all revenue-related activities, saying the initiative is aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the country’s tax administration system.

The price of gold in Bangladesh has been reduced by Tk 5,482 per bhori, with the rate of 22-carat gold now set at Tk 229,373 per bhori, according to the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus). In a statement issued on Saturday morning, Bajus said the latest adjustment was made in view of the decline in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market. The new rates came into effect from 10am. Under the revised pricing structure, the price of 21-carat gold has been cut by Tk 5,249 per bhori to Tk 218,933. The price of 18-carat gold has been reduced by Tk 4,490 per bhori to Tk 187,674, while gold produced under the traditional method now costs Tk 152,857 per bhori after a reduction of Tk 3,616. Bajus last adjusted gold prices on June 2, when it reduced the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 3,266 per bhori, setting the rate at Tk 234,855. So far in 2026, gold prices in the country have been revised 71 times. Of those, prices were increased on 37 occasions and reduced 34 times. Alongside gold, Bajus also lowered silver prices. The price of 22-carat silver has been cut by Tk 408 per bhori to Tk 5,249. Similarly, the price of 21-carat silver has been reduced by Tk 408 to Tk 4,957 per bhori, while 18-carat silver now costs Tk 4,257 per bhori after a Tk 350 reduction. The price of traditional-method silver has been lowered by Tk 233 per bhori to Tk 3,441. Silver prices have been adjusted 42 times so far this year, with increases recorded on 22 occasions and reductions on the remaining 20.

The government has appointed Masud Khan as the Chairman of  Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) as part of its efforts to strengthen the country's capital market regulatory framework. The Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance issued a notification in this regard on Thursday. According to the notification, Masud, Group CEO of Crown Cement PLC, has been appointed Chairman of the BSEC for a four-year term under Section 5(2) of the BSEC Act, 1993. The notification said he will assume the new role subject to relinquishing all employment and professional engagements with Crown Cement and other organisations. Under the terms of his appointment, he will receive government pay, allowances and other benefits applicable to the position. A seasoned corporate executive with more than four decades of experience in multinational and local companies, Masud has been serving as an independent director and chairman of the audit committee of Singer Bangladesh Limited and Community Bank Bangladesh. He was also serving as an independent director of British American Tobacco Bangladesh and chairman of its Nomination and Remuneration Committee. Before joining Unilever Consumer Care as Chairman, Masud worked for 18 years as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh. Earlier, he spent two decades in various finance and leadership positions at British American Tobacco. Masud has also been associated with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) as a faculty member for more than 40 years. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from St. Xavier’s College in Kolkata. A Chartered Accountant (CA) and Cost and Management Accountant, Masud won a silver medal in the All-India Chartered Accountancy Examination in 1977. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Australia and New Zealand. His appointment came hours after former chairman Khondoker Rashed Maqsood resigned on Thursday morning after serving for 21 months during the tenure of the interim government. Four commissioners of the securities regulator also stepped down on the same day. The development follows the passage of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Amendment) Act, 2026 in Parliament on April 30, which abolished the previous age limit of 65 for appointing the BSEC chairman and commissioners. The government said the amendment was intended to enable the appointment of experienced professionals to the country's capital market regulator.

The external auditor of United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) has raised serious concerns over the bank’s financial health, highlighting a provision shortfall of nearly Tk 5,595 crore and a significant capital deficit in its audit report for the year ended December 31, 2025. According to a disclosure published by the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Tuesday, the auditor issued a qualified opinion on UCB’s financial statements, citing inadequate provisions against classified loans and other assets. The audit report said UCB’s total loans and advances stood at Tk 61,789.01 crore at the end of 2025, including classified loans amounting to Tk 9,576.23 crore. Against the required provision of Tk 7,679.42 crore, the bank maintained only Tk 2,524.38 crore, leaving a shortfall of Tk 5,155.04 crore. The auditor also identified a provision shortfall of Tk 439.89 crore against other assets, including an impairment loss of Tk 438.02 crore related to UCB Fintech Company Limited, a subsidiary in which UCB holds a 99.99 percent stake. The report noted that despite the subsidiary incurring cumulative losses of Tk 438.02 crore, no impairment loss was recognized in the bank’s standalone financial statements. However, the auditor noted that Bangladesh Bank allowed the bank to finalize its 2025 financial statements without adjusting the total provision shortfall of Tk 5,594.93 crore. The report further revealed that UCB faced a reported capital shortfall of Tk 2,659.64 crore against the Basel III requirement as of December 31, 2025. Had the full provision shortfall been recognized, the capital deficit would have widened to Tk 5,975.52 crore. The auditor also said the bank’s Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) stood at 8.42 percent, well below the regulatory requirement of 12.50 percent. Without regulatory forbearance and after accounting for the identified provision gaps, UCB would have posted an aggregate loss of Tk 3,278.88 crore and its CRAR would have dropped to just 0.93 percent on a standalone basis. In an emphasis of matter paragraph, the auditor drew attention to Tk 196.88 crore in fixed deposits placed with several non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), of which Tk 155.48 crore had matured long ago and were considered doubtful of recovery. No provision was maintained against these deposits, resulting in an additional provision shortfall of Tk 155.48 crore. The auditor nevertheless stated that its opinion was not modified in respect of the matters highlighted under the emphasis of matter section.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced the price of privately supplied liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for June, lowering the retail price of a 12kg cylinder by Tk 55 to Tk 1,885. The new prices came into effect from 6pm on Tuesday, according to a BERC notification issued as part of its monthly price adjustment mechanism. Under the revised rates, the retail consumer price of privately marketed LPG has been fixed at Tk 157.06 per kilogram. LPG price to remain steady for May Accordingly, the price of a 5.5kg cylinder has been set at Tk 864, while a 12.5kg cylinder will cost Tk 1,963. Prices for larger cylinders have been fixed at Tk 2,356 for 15kg, Tk 2,513 for 16kg, Tk 2,827 for 18kg, Tk 3,141 for 20kg, Tk 3,455 for 22kg, Tk 3,927 for 25kg, Tk 4,712 for 30kg, Tk 5,183 for 33kg, Tk 5,497 for 35kg and Tk 7,068 for 45kg cylinders. BERC said the revised rates were determined based on the Saudi Aramco Contract Price (CP) for June 2026, which was set at US$760 per metric tonne for propane and US$820 per metric tonne for butane. Considering a propane-butane mix ratio of 35:65, the average Saudi CP stood at US$799 per metric tonne. The regulator also took into account a freight and trader premium of US$200 per metric tonne and an average exchange rate of Tk 122.81 per US dollar while calculating the new prices. For LPG supplied in liquid form through reticulated systems, the price has been set at Tk 153.31 per kilogram. Gas supplied in vapour form through such systems will cost Tk 0.3407 per litre or Tk 340.70 per cubic metre. BERC also reduced the price of autogas to Tk 86.93 per litre from Tk 89.52 per litre in May. The commission said prices of state-owned LPG would remain unchanged. Under an order issued on February 23, the consumer price of a 12.5kg cylinder sold through dealer or retailer points of government-owned companies will continue at Tk 776.93. The latest reduction follows BERC’s decision in May to keep the price of a 12kg LPG cylinder unchanged at Tk 1,940. Earlier, on April 19, the regulator increased the price of a 12kg cylinder by Tk 212 to Tk 1,940. Before that, on April 2, it raised the price from Tk 1,341 to Tk 1,728, an increase of Tk 387. As a result, the price of a 12kg cylinder rose by a cumulative Tk 599 within just 17 days between April 2 and April 19 before easing slightly in June. According to BERC, the revised rates have been implemented under Order No. 2026/19 with effect from Tuesday evening.

Agitating depositors of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC under the banner of “Islami Bank Sachetan Grahak Forum” (Conscious Depositors' Forum) on Tuesday vowed to continue their protest until their seven-point demand, including the resignation of newly appointed Chairman Md Khurshid Alam, is realised. At a press conference held in front of the Islami Bank Tower at Dilkusha in the capital, they announced a rally for tomorrow (Wednesday) at Dilkusha at 11:00am to press for their demands. Speaking at the press conference, Convener of “Sachetan Grahak Forum” Nur-Un-Nabi said they sent the list of their demands to Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman for immediate execution. The agitating depositors continued their sit-in programme in front of the bank's head office for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. The other demands are reinstatement of Omar Faruk Khan to the post of managing director, exclusion of anyone linked to past financial plundering from the bank’s Board of Directors, repeal of Section 18(A) of the Bank Resolution Act, recovery of looted funds by liquidating the seized domestic assets and ownership stakes held by the controversial S Alam Group, implementing legal barriers to ensure S Alam Group can never regain control of Islami Bank or any other financial institution, and bringing all individuals involved in looting Islami Bank and the wider banking sector to justice with exemplary punishment. The leadership crisis at Islami Bank intensified on the final working day before the Eid holidays when the central bank-appointed independent director and then-chairman M Zubaidur Rahman abruptly resigned. Hours later, at around 9:00pm that night, Bangladesh Bank appointed its former Deputy Governor Md Khurshid Alam as the new chairman of the bank. Khurshid Alam previously stepped down from his deputy governor post following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. At the press conference, the forum leaders strongly condemned recent remarks made by Bangladesh Bank Spokesperson Arief Hossain Khan, labelling his statements as "deeply political and incorrect." On Monday, Arief Hossain told reporters that members of a specific political party were instigating instability surrounding Islami Bank, asserting that central bank decisions will not be altered by street protests. Reacting sharply to the remark, the agitating depositors said such a political statement coming from a responsible official of the regulatory body is highly unfortunate. Describing them as genuine depositors, they said they took to the streets to place their legitimate demands solely under their identity as clients.

Bangladesh’s banking sector has hit an unprecedented crisis point as non-performing loans (NPLs) and wider classified assets surged to historic highs in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, posing a severe structural threat to the macroeconomic stability. According to the Bangladesh Bank’s classified loan and provision report revealed on Tuesday for March 2026, total classified loans—which include NPLs and unclassified distressed assets—skyrocketed by Tk 31,487 crore in just three months, reaching a staggering Tk 5.88 lakh crore. This brings the ratio of classified loans to an unprecedented 32.26 percent of the country's total banking credit ecosystem, meaning nearly one out of every three Taka disbursed by the banking sector is now severely compromised. While overall classified assets reached 32.26 percent, the central bank's tight definition of pure default loans (NPLs) alone stood at Tk 5.64 lakh crore at the end of March 2026, commanding 30.92 percent of total outstanding loans. This reflects a sharp quarterly rise from December 2025's figure of Tk 5.49 lakh crore (29.92 percent). More alarmingly, on a year-on-year basis, NPLs ballooned by an astronomical Tk 2.06 lakh crore from the Tk 3.57 lakh crore recorded in March 2025. Toxic Debt: 94 percent Declared 'Bad/Loss': A deeper dive into the metrics reveals that the quality of classified assets has deteriorated to fatal stages. A massive Tk 5.51 lakh crore or 93.69 percent of all problem loans has migrated into the ‘Bad or Loss’ category. Financial experts note that recovery prospects for assets in this bracket are statistically nominal, meaning these losses will severely eat into the capital base of the banks. Compounding this pipeline of toxic debt is the sharp rise in Special Mention Accounts (SMA) loans showing early signs of distress. SMA assets jumped by 27.8 percent in three months to Tk 1.32 lakh crore, serving as a leading indicator that NPL volumes will experience further upward pressure in the upcoming quarters. Tk 2.05 lakh crore provisioning shortfall: The sheer magnitude of defaults has left the banking sector dangerously under-cushioned. Against a regulatory required provision of Tk 4.61 lakh crore to cover potential loan losses, the industry has managed to preserve only Tk 2.56 lakh crore. This has dragged the systemic provisioning shortfall to Tk 2.05 lakh crore, escalating from Tk 1.91 lakh crore in December 2025. This massive deficit impairs the net profitability, capital adequacyratios, and global credit ratings of local commercial banks. State Banks Bleed, Foreign Banks Stable:  The systemic rot remains highly concentrated in state-run entities, though private commercial lenders are showing a highly concerning downward spiral: State-Owned Commercial Banks (SoCBs): Standing at the epicenter of the crisis, SoCBs recorded a classified loan ratio of 45.85 percent, with Tk 1.50 lakh crore out of their Tk 3.27 lakh crore portfolio flagged as distressed. Their pure NPL ratio sits at 45.21 percent. Private Commercial Banks (PCBs): Holding the largest absolute volume of toxic debt, PCBs saw their classified loan ratio rise from 28.25 percent to 30.11 percent in Q1 2026, with total classified assets reaching Tk 4.16 lakh crore. Specialized Banks: These state-backed development lenders (focused on agriculture and specific sectors) posted a classified loan ratio of 40.72 percent (Tk 19,175 crore out of Tk 47,086 crore). Foreign Commercial Banks (FCBs): Consistently outperforming domestic peers through rigorous risk management and governance, FCBs maintained a classified loan ratio of just 4.82 percent (Tk 3,263 crore out of Tk 67,628 crore) and an NPL ratio of 3.99 percent. The central bank's latest disclosures flash a critical red flag for policy-makers. With nearly a third of the country's credit locked up in unproductive or toxic assets, the capacity of commercial banks to fund new manufacturing, infrastructure, and job-creating ventures is severely restricted, said M. Masrur Reaz is a economist and public policy expert who served as Senior Economist and Program Manager at the World Bank Group. He warns that if immediate structural reforms, aggressive asset recovery measures, and absolute political neutrality in credit management are not enforced, the resulting liquidity strain, capital erosion, and dent in depositor confidence could significantly derail Bangladesh’s mid-term economic recovery.