United News of Bangladesh

Wall Street stocks remained mostly flat as trading for 2025 nears its conclusion. Early Tuesday, the Dow slipped 0.3%, the S&P 500 edged down 0.1%, and the Nasdaq rose slightly by less than 0.1%. The main activity, however, continues in the commodities market, where gold, silver, and copper recovered after steep losses the previous day. Gold rose 1.3%, silver surged 7.7%, and copper climbed 3%, while oil increased 0.6%. Monday’s declines followed the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s request for traders to post additional funds to trade precious metals. Gold futures jumped 1.7% Tuesday after dropping 4.6% on Monday, marking over a 64% increase for the year. Silver futures advanced 7.7% after falling 8.7% and have more than doubled in 2025. Copper also regained some losses with a 3.1% gain and has risen more than 42% this year, its best annual performance in 16 years, driven by strong demand linked to energy infrastructure and AI technology. Mining stocks, including Freeport-McMoRan and Newmont, rebounded more than 2% following Monday’s pullback. In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi marked the final trading session of 2025, emphasizing Japan’s aim to attract global investment. The Nikkei 225 ended at 50,339.48, up nearly 25% for the year, its first year-end close above 50,000. With just two trading days remaining, many major investors have closed positions, keeping trading volumes light. Most global markets will be closed Thursday for New Year’s Day, with some also observing closures on Wednesday and Friday. In early European trading, Germany’s DAX was nearly flat at 24,348.38, Britain’s FTSE 100 gained 0.1% to 9,876.73, and Paris’ CAC 40 remained largely unchanged at 8,112.37. In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.9% to 25,854.60, while Shanghai Composite stayed steady at 3,965.51. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.1% to 8,717.10, South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.2% to 4,214.17, Taiwan’s Taiex dropped 0.4%, and India’s Sensex was nearly flat. U.S. crude oil gained 27 cents to $58.35 per barrel, though it has fallen nearly 20% this year. Brent crude increased 26 cents to $61.75 per barrel. Source: AP 

American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the second female head of government in the Muslim world. Her exemplary leadership marked a defining chapter in Bangladesh’s modern history. She broke barriers and reshaped the legacy of women’s leadership in South Asia and beyond. “We remember her national leadership and democratic legacy in shaping the economy, education, and nation-building. We believe the nation will remain united and draw lessons from her resilience, empathy, and dedication to public life. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to her bereaved family during this time of profound loss,” said AmCham President and Executive Committee.          

Leaders of Bangladesh's premier business organizations and trade bodies have expressed profound grief and shock following the demise of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In separate tributes, the country’s top industrial representatives hailed her as a monumental figure in Bangladesh’s economic and democratic evolution. FBCCI: A Grateful Nation Remembers The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the nation's apex trade body, issued a heartfelt condolence message. FBCCI Administrator Md. Abdur Rahim Khan stated that the nation would forever remember her tireless struggle and immense contributions toward establishing democracy and safeguarding the rights of the people. He noted that her leadership provided a stable foundation for the country's commercial growth. BGMEA & BKMEA: Icon of Economic Liberation The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Mahmud Hasan Khan, stated that her role in the nation’s overall development and the economic liberation of the common people is "written in golden letters" in the history of Bangladesh. Similarly, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem described her as an icon of the democratic struggle, noting that her contributions to the country's industrial infrastructure were "indescribable." DCCI & BTMA: A Loss for the Global Muslim Community The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), led by President Ashraf Ahmed, and the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), under President Showkat Aziz Russell, highlighted her historic milestone as the first elected female Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the second in the Muslim world. They emphasized her lifelong commitment to establishing the socio-economic rights that modern businesses now rely upon. DSE & BASIS: Symbols of Integrity and Courage The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) leadership, including Chairman Mominul Islam and Managing Director (MD) Nuzhat Anwar, praised her "unwavering commitment to honesty and public welfare," particularly her role in strengthening the national economic framework. BASIS Administrator Abul Khair Mohammed Hafizullah Khan added that the nation has lost a "brave guardian" and a "shining star" who never compromised on the dignity of the people. BAJUS: The End of an Era Enamul Haque Khan, President of the Bangladesh Jewellers’ Association (BAJUS), described her passing as the "end of an era." He remarked that she was not merely a political leader but a significant chapter of Bangladesh’s history whose loss has created a void that can never be filled. Across the board, these organizations extended their deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and the people of Bangladesh, praying for the eternal peace of her soul.

The Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) and non-government organisation Shukrishi (Shupannya Brand) will jointly work for the development of agri-business entrepreneurship, particularly among youths and women in the country. In this regard, Shukrishi and Programme on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh (PARTNER-DAM Part) of the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) of the Agriculture Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the capital on Tuesday. Agency Programme Director of the PARTNER-DAM Part Dr Mohammed Abdullah Al Faroque and Shukrishi CEO MA Baten Khan signed the deal on behalf of their respective sides. The deal is a formal commitment of the two organisations to jointly work to run practical development activities through training to create agricultural entrepreneurs at the field level. This MoU aims to establish a partnership with Shukrishi in its mission to empower rural communities through impactful training and development initiatives. As per the deal, Shukrishi will conduct hands-on training programmes to enhance the capacity and skills of the potential agro-entrepreneurs as well as monitor and support the activities of agro-entrepreneurs, particularly providing market access support to the participants through the Shukrish’s supply chain on completion of the training programme.

All scheduled banks operating in Bangladesh will remain closed on Wednesday (December 31), following the government’s declaration of a public holiday in honor of the late former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia. The Department of Off-site Supervision (DOS) of Bangladesh Bank issued a circular to the Managing Directors and Chief Executives of all banks on Tuesday to confirm the closure. The decision follows a notification from the Ministry of Public Administration, which declared a one-day public holiday by executive order due to the passing of the former Prime Minister. According to the circular, banks will observe ‘Bank Holiday’ on Wednesday (December 31). Despite the general closure, banks may keep specific branches or departments open at their own discretion if it is necessary for the completion of annual or half-yearly financial accounting for the year 2025. On the other hand, Bangladesh Bank has postponed its scheduled press conference regarding the activities of the Shammilito Islamic Bank following the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The central bank announced the decision through a short message service (SMS) sent to the media on Tuesday afternoon. But the Bangladesh Bank released a logo of Sammilito Islami Bank on Tuesday and sent it to the journalists. According to the message, the press conference, which was originally scheduled for 5:00 PM today at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters, has been canceled in light of the national mourning declared following the demise of Begum Zia. The central bank also noted that a formal press release regarding this matter will be issued later.

Bangladesh’s stock market continued its downward trend for the second consecutive session on Monday, with key indices falling at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and losses also recorded at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). At the DSE, the benchmark DSEX index shed 7 points, while the Shariah-based DSES fell 2 points and the blue-chip DS30 lost 9 points by the end of trading. Most stocks ended lower as prices declined for 155 companies against gains for 142, while shares of 93 companies remained unchanged. The turnover also dropped notably, with shares and units worth Tk 309 crore traded during the session, down from Tk 385 crore in the previous day. In the block market, shares of 25 companies worth Tk 25 crore were traded, with Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited topping the list, accounting for Tk 6.9 crore. Sonargaon Textiles Ltd emerged as the top gainer on the DSE, rising by more than 6.5 percent, while International Leasing & Financial Services Limited became the worst performer, shedding nearly 10 percent. The CSE also closed in the red, with its broad-based CASPI index declining by 35 points. On the port city bourse, prices fell for 73 companies, rose for 45, and remained unchanged for 29. The turnover at the CSE dropped sharply to Tk 11 crore from Tk 19 crore in the previous session. Khulna Power Company Limited topped the CSE gainers’ chart with a rise of nearly 10 percent, while Associated Oxygen Limited lost almost 10 percent to end as the day’s worst performer.  

Trading of Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) for Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited, one of Bangladesh’s largest drug manufacturers, is set to be suspended on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) starting from January 2, 2026. The suspension comes after the company failed to publish its audited financial reports for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024–25 within the mandatory time frame. According to a disclosure on the LSE website, Beximco Pharma was unable to release its final annual results by the December 31, 2025 deadline required under the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Consequently, the exchange is moving to temporarily halt the trading of the company’s GDRs. The company cited ongoing legal complexities as the primary reason for the delay. The dispute involves a decision by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) to appoint nine additional independent directors to Beximco Pharma's board following the fall of regime in August 2024. Beximco Pharma challenged this appointment in the High Court, and the matter remains sub-judice. The company stated that the Board of Directors cannot approve the financial reports until the legal status of the board is finalized. Due to the current High Court recess and bench reconstitutions, the case must be heard afresh. A verdict is not expected until at least January 2026, causing a stalemate in the approval process. REVIVAL Group to reopen BEXIMCO Textile, restoring 25,000 jobs While trading will be paused in London, Beximco Pharma clarified that its shares will continue to trade normally on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) in Bangladesh. The company also assured investors that it would continue to provide all necessary disclosures in accordance with AIM rules throughout the suspension period.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has extended the deferred payment period, or usance, for imports of industrial raw materials, aiming to facilitate smoother trade transactions and support the country’s manufacturing sector. The new directive, issued by the Foreign Exchange Policy Department on Monday, adjusts the credit period for importers. The directive, signed by Md Harun-Ar-Rashid, Director of the Foreign Exchange Policy Department, took immediate effect for all authorised foreign exchange dealers in Bangladesh. According to the directive, the central bank has decided that industrial raw materials, including back-to-back imports, agricultural implements, and chemical fertilizers, will now be importable for a usance (deferred payment) period of up to 270 days. This applies to imports under suppliers' or buyers' credit. The circular specifies that the usance period shall be "270 days or the cash conversion cycle, whichever is earlier". This marks a shift from the previous temporary extension of 360 days, which was set to expire on December 31, 2025. The central bank has instructed Authorized Dealers (ADs) to ensure that the estimated cash conversion cycle reflects a ‘realistic position’ based on the customer’s historical operating and transaction trends before allowing these facilities. For back-to-back letters of credit, the usance period will be determined in alignment with the statutory export proceeds repatriation period. But, as per standard policy, this extended usance facility will not apply to imports financed under the Export Development Fund (EDF). This decision follows earlier policy supports (FE Circular No. 08 and FE Circular Letter No. 27) that had temporarily extended the usance period from 180 days to 360 days to facilitate trade during 2025. The new 270-day limit aims to balance the needs of industrial importers with the necessity of maintaining a realistic cash conversion cycle in the country's foreign exchange management.

The country’s stock markets opened on a negative note as key indices at both the Dhaka and Chattogram bourses fell in the first hour of trading on Monday, with most shares ending in the red. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX shed 21 points within the first hour. The Shariah-based DSES index lost 4 points, while the blue-chip DS-30 index dropped 14 points. Out of the traded issues, prices declined for 209 companies, while 77 companies saw gains and 90 issues remained unchanged. The share and unit turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 100 crore during the first hour of trading. The downtrend also persisted at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the overall index fell by 11 points in early trading. At the port city bourse, prices advanced for 17 companies against declines in 36, while 10 issues remained unchanged. During the first half of the session, the CSE recorded share and unit turnover worth Tk 1.40 crore.    

Asian shares showed a mixed performance on Monday in light trading following a muted post-Christmas session on Wall Street, even as tensions escalated over Taiwan. U.S. futures were largely unchanged. The Chinese military said it dispatched air, naval, and rocket forces to conduct joint exercises near Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory, citing concerns over separatist activity and “external interference.” Taiwan, in response, placed its forces on alert and denounced Beijing as “the biggest destroyer of peace.” The drills followed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and a statement by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that Japan could intervene militarily if China acted against the island. The Chinese military did not specifically reference the United States or Japan in its Monday statement. In regional markets, Taiwan’s benchmark index rose 0.8%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.3% to 25,887.33, and the Shanghai Composite added 0.3% to 3,975.92. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.2% to 50,663.90. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.9% to 4,207.36, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.3% to 8,732.70. Precious metals saw notable movements, with gold dropping 0.4% to $4,535.50 per troy ounce, while silver surged 3% to $79.87 amid supply constraints. Rising demand for safe-haven assets has pushed both metals to record highs this year, bolstered by expectations of U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts and dollar weakness. Mining stocks, including Freeport-McMoRan, posted solid gains, climbing 2.2% on Friday. U.S. stock indexes showed little movement after reopening Friday, with the S&P 500 down less than 0.1% at 6,929.94, the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling to 48,710.97, and the Nasdaq dipping 0.1% to 23,593.10. In commodities, U.S. crude rose 60 cents to $57.34 per barrel, Brent crude gained 62 cents to $60.86. The dollar slipped to 156.28 yen, while the euro remained at $1.1770. Source: AP