United News of Bangladesh

In a landmark move to reform the insurance sector, the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) has suspended the licenses of all individual agents in the non-life insurance category, effectively ending personal agent-based commissions. The decision comes into effect tomorrow, January 1, 2026. From the first day of the new year, non-life insurance companies will no longer have any legal basis to provide commissions to individual agents for securing business. The regulatory body issued a circular on December 23, 2025, announcing the suspension of all personal insurance agent licenses under non-life insurers. IDRA clarified that since these licenses will no longer be valid starting January 1, any payment of commissions or financial benefits to these individuals will be prohibited. The directive aligns with Section 58(1) of the Insurance Act, 2010, which states that no commission, remuneration, or honorarium can be paid to any person or institution other than an authorized insurance agent. By suspending these specific licenses, the authority is enforcing a stricter legal framework to curb financial irregularities. IDRA has warned that any insurance company found violating this directive by paying commissions to unauthorized individuals will face severe disciplinary action under existing insurance laws and regulations. All non-life insurers have been formally requested to ensure full compliance with the commission ban. Industry experts believe this move will reduce hidden costs and financial mismanagement within the sector. Besides, eliminate unhealthy competition. Strengthen institutional integrity. Move the industry toward a more professional and corporate-driven business model, said the IDRA.

Thousands of leaders, activists and local residents on Wednesday joined absentee funeral prayers for former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Chandpur. The prayers were held after Zuhr at the Asan Ali Government High School ground in Chandpur town, where a large crowd gathered to pay tribute to the veteran political leader. Leaders and supporters of various political parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, attended the prayers. Many participants were seen overcome with emotion, with several breaking down in tears during the service. Khaleda Zia’s janaza held with tears of lakhs of mourners Prior to the prayers, senior BNP leader Salimullah Selim, Safiuddin Ahmed, Hamid Master, Chandpur Press Club President Sohel Rushdi, district BNP leader Munir Chowdhury, district Ganoforum President Advocate Selim Akbar, as well as leaders of the Ganadhikar Parishad and NCP, addressed the gathering. They recalled Khaleda Zia’s political life and leadership, and prayed for the salvation of her soul.    

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have surged to the $33 billion mark, reaching a three-year high, bolstered by a massive influx of remittances and strategic dollar purchases by the central bank. According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank, expatriate Bangladeshis sent $3.04 billion in the 29 days of December 2025. This robust inflow has provided critical support in easing the country’s ongoing dollar shortage and stabilizing the economy. The total gross reserves now stand at $33.18 billion, the highest level since 2022. For comparison, reserves had plummeted to $25.58 billion during the fall of the regime in August 2024. Under the IMF’s BPM6 manual calculation, the current reserves stand at $28.51 billion, which was $20.47 billion. Historical data show that Bangladesh’s reserves first crossed the $33 billion threshold in 2017, later peaking at a record $48 billion in 2021 before facing a steady decline. To maintain market stability and build a safety net, Bangladesh Bank so far purchased over $3.13 billion from commercial banks. The central bank purchased over $1 billion in December alone. Remittances hit $2.93 billion in 28 days of December Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur recently expressed optimism, stating that reserves are expected to reach between $34 billion and $35 billion by the end of December. "We are building our reserves by purchasing dollars from our own internal economy rather than relying on external loans from the IMF or other agencies," the Governor remarked, describing the strategy as a sustainable and "positive decision" for the nation’s financial health.

Bangladesh’s latest solar power procurement drive under the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and Rules (PPR) has emerged as largely unattractive to both foreign and local firms, raising fresh concerns over the country’s renewable energy transition, according to a study. The study, by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), conducted in partnership with the Australian High Commission in Dhaka, found that weak competition, stringent qualification criteria and limited risk mitigation measures have significantly dampened investor interest in solar power projects tendered since December 2024. As part of reform initiatives, the interim government repealed the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act, 2010, bringing power and energy procurement fully under the PPA and PPR framework. Subsequently, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MoPEMR) invited tenders for 55 solar power plants ranging from 10 MW to 250 MW in four lots. The CPD survey released on Tuesday, however, revealed that participation has been strikingly low. Of the 55 packages, 23 received only a single bid, while 13 failed to attract any bids at all. On average, just 1.4 bids were submitted per package. Titled ‘Renewable Energy Procurement under the Public Procurement Act and Rules: Enterprise Survey Findings on Transparency, Accountability, and Efficiency’, the study reviewed the regulatory provisions of the PPA (2006) and PPR (2008), monitored the procurement process for the newly launched solar packages and assessed them against international standards in the power sector. According to the findings, financial capacity requirements emerged as a major deterrent, particularly for local firms. Bidders are required to demonstrate access to liquid assets or credit facilities of at least USD 1.14 million per MW equivalent to USD 57.2 million for a 50 MW plant and USD 114.4 million for a 100 MW plant. While 61.1 per cent of foreign firms found the requirement manageable, 83.6 per cent of local firms said it was difficult to meet. The absence of sovereign guarantees further undermined investor confidence. As no Implementation Agreements are being signed for the solar projects, power purchase agreements lack sovereign backing, affecting bankability. About 68.4 per cent of firms said this negatively influenced their decision to participate. Big push for renewables: 220 MW Sonagazi solar plant gets green light Land acquisition responsibilities placed entirely on winning bidders also discouraged participation, the study noted, citing land scarcity and bureaucratic hurdles. Around 31.5 per cent of firms found this very discouraging, while 27.1 per cent described it as moderately discouraging. According to the study, technical and contractual terms were also flagged as problematic. A fixed annual generation requirement over a 20-year period for example, 109.5 million kilowatt-hours per year for a 50 MW plant was viewed as unrealistic by 76 per cent of firms, given solar panel degradation and fluctuating irradiation. Besides, a provision allowing contract termination with just 28 days’ notice was considered very problematic by nearly two-thirds of respondents. While 91.3 per cent of firms reported receiving tender-related information on time and 66.3 per cent said pre-bid queries were addressed promptly, perceptions worsened after bid submission. Half the firms expected decision-making to be slow, with over 20 per cent anticipating very slow procedures. Overall, 44.6 percent of firms rated the procurement process as inefficient and 18.5 per cent as very inefficient.   Among fully local firms, more than half described the process as inefficient or very inefficient, while all foreign firms surveyed characterised it as inefficient to varying degrees. Concerns were also raised about documentation and transparency, the study noted, citing only 40 per cent of firms found tender documents clear and complete, while many pointed to missing or insufficient technical specifications. Access to information was rated moderately easy by 44.8 percent of firms, though late publication and unavailability of documents on official websites were cited as recurring issues. On transparency, nearly 30 percent of bidders said the evaluation process was only slightly transparent, and 45.5 percent reported facing discrimination. All foreign firms that submitted bids said they experienced discrimination, compared to none among two-thirds of local firms. Despite these issues, a majority of firms, about 59 per cent rated overall transparency as moderate, neither good nor bad. Almost all foreign firms shared this assessment, while most joint ventures described transparency as poor, according to the CPD findings.   Without targeted reforms to procurement design, risk-sharing mechanisms and institutional capacity, Bangladesh’s ambition to scale up renewable energy, particularly solar, may remain constrained, despite policy intentions to improve governance under the PPA-PPR regime, the CPD study says.

Police have arrested another accused, who allegedly hanged the body of Dipu Chandra Das from tree after his death in a lynch-mob attack, from Gazipur district in connection in Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh district on December 18. The arrestee was identified as Nibir Islam Anik, 20, son of Kalimullah of Trishal upazila in Mymensingh district. Police arrested Nibir from Cherag Ali area of Tongi in Gazipur district around 5:30 pm on Tuesday, said Additional Superintendent (Administration) of Mymensingh Police, Abdullah Al Mamun. In a video footage, Nibir was found hanging the body of Dipu and set it on fire after his death, he said. On Wednesday, police produced him before a court seeking a seven-day remand. Police said videos and images spread after the incident showed a man wearing a white shirt pulling Dipu up a tree with a rope. After analysing footage collected from social media the investigation team identified Nibir. Police also said he had been absent from his workplace since the incident. With this the number of arrestees in this connection rose to 19. Dipu Chandra Das, 28, a local garment worker, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district on December 18.

The Dhaka University (DU) Metro Rail Station was temporarily closed from 7:00 pm on Wednesday due to security measures ahead of Thirty-first Night celebrations. The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) said in a statement that the closure was implemented following a special request from Dhaka University authorities. DU in mourning over death of Begum Khaleda Zia As a result, metro trains will not stop at the DU station from 7:00 pm until the end of service for the day. Trains departing from Shahbagh will run directly to the Jatiya Press Club–Secretariat station without stopping at DU. DMTCL confirmed that services at all other stations will continue as usual, with operations concluding at 10:10 pm in line with the regular schedule.

A high-level delegation from Bhutan, led by Lyonpo DN Dhungyel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, paid respects at the state funeral of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on Wednesday, following a royal command from the King. The delegation, comprising senior officials from the Bhutanese government, participated in prayers and other ceremonial proceedings, reflecting Bhutan’s formal condolences and respect for the late political leader. Condolence messages from the King, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the Prime Minister were handed over to BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, son of the late Khaleda Zia, by Lyonpo DN Dhungyel. On behalf of the people and the government of Bhutan, Lyonpo DN Dhungyel offered condolences to the people and the government of Bangladesh.

China has said BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s important contributions to promoting Bangladesh-China friendship and the bilateral relationship will forever be remembered. “Khaleda Zia is an old and dear friend of Chinese people and long committed to China-Bangladesh friendship,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian. He said China expresses deep condolences over the passing of Khaleda Zia and heartfelt sympathies to the interim government of Bangladesh and Khaleda’s family. While in office as the prime minister of Bangladesh, the Spokesperson said, she made active efforts to develop Bangladesh-China ties and the two countries established the comprehensive partnership of cooperation featuring long-term friendship, equality and mutual benefit. Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Wednesday afternoon. She was buried around 4:30 pm with state honour following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Members of her family, high-ranking state officials, government authorities, foreign guests, diplomats and BNP-nominated politicians were present. Khaleda Zia was given a guard of honour under the supervision of the President Guard Regiment (PGR) before her burial. On behalf of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, his Military Secretary, Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, placed a wreath at the grave of Khaleda Zia.

Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday met BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Pakistani President, Prime Minister, Field Marshal and people of Pakistan over the sad demise of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Sadiq handed over a letter from Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to the BNP Acting Chairman. During the meeting, he recalled Khaleda Zia’s remarkable political leadership and noted her vital role in promoting historical affinities, mutual respect and cooperation between our two nations.

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday met visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma and Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The dignitaries arrived in Dhaka to pay last respects to former Prime Minister and national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who passed away on Tuesday. The advisers expressed their gratitude to the visiting dignitaries for their presence and showing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh during this time of national mourning, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath and Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development of the Maldives Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed were among the foreign dignitaries who attended the funeral programme of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Wednesday afternoon. She was buried around 4:30 pm with state honour following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Members of her family, high-ranking state officials, government authorities, foreign guests, diplomats and BNP-nominated politicians were present.