United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry has set a new global benchmark in sustainable (green) manufacturing, securing a record-breaking 38 new LEED certifications in 2025. This marks the highest number of green factory certifications achieved by the sector in a single year, further cementing the country’s position as the world leader in eco-friendly apparel production, said Bangladesh Apparel Exchange, an organization established to promote the apparel industry. The 2025 achievement is defined by a significant leap in quality. Of the 38 newly certified factories, 22 achieved the prestigious LEED Platinum rating, while 11 earned Gold and 5 received Silver. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is the world's most widely used green building rating system, recognizing projects that meet high standards for sustainable design, construction, operation, and maintenance, covering energy efficiency, water conservation, materials, and indoor air quality, with levels from Certified to Platinum based on points earned, providing a framework for healthier, cost-saving, and environmentally friendly buildings. The LEED developed by the non-profit US Green Building Council (USGBC). The apparel sector experts said that notably, no factories settled for basic certification, signaling a strategic shift from simple regulatory compliance toward high-level environmental excellence. Read more: Bangladesh consolidates global leadership with 268 LEED-certified RMG factories With these latest additions, Bangladesh now hosts a total of 270 LEED-certified garment factories. The country’s green portfolio currently includes-114 Platinum facilities, 137 Gold facilities, 15 Silver and 4 Certified facilities This represents the highest concentration of top-tier LEED-certified factories globally. Industry leaders attribute this progress to long-term investments by manufacturers and strategic guidance from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). "The momentum gained in 2025 reflects a proactive alignment with evolving global standards," said Mohiuddin Rubel, Former Director, BGMEA and Managing Director, Bangladesh Apparel Exchange. "As international buyers and regulators, particularly in the EU, demand lower environmental footprints, our manufacturers are leading the way in carbon efficiency and water stewardship." Read more: Bangladesh sets new record with 36 factories earning LEED certification in a year The record-breaking performance is seen as a preparation for the next phase of global trade requirements, including carbon pricing mechanisms and digital transparency frameworks. By integrating green buildings with circular production models, the Bangladeshi RMG sector is positioning itself as not only the largest but also the most future-ready apparel exporter in the world.

The country’s two stock exchanges will remain closed for three consecutive days from Thursday due to Christmas and the weekly holidays. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) said trading will be suspended on Thursday in observance of the government-declared general holiday for Christmas, the major religious festival of the Christian community. During this period, all capital market activities, including share trading, clearing, and settlement, will be halted. The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) will also keep its official activities closed on Thursday. Banks to remain open Saturday for election-related transactions As Friday and Saturday are weekly public holidays, there will be no trading in the stock market for three straight days—from Thursday to Saturday. Normal trading and banking operations will resume on Sunday (December 28) after the holidays.

Bangladesh’s capital market showed mixed trends in the first half of trading on Wednesday, with indices rising at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) while declining at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). During the first half of the session, the benchmark DSE index, DSEX, advanced by 14 points. The Shariah-based DSES index also posted gains, while the blue-chip DS30 index rose by 4 points. Out of the traded securities on the DSE, prices of 194 companies increased against 94 that declined, while shares of 93 companies remained unchanged. The turnover in the first half crossed Tk 120 crore. DSE fails to sustain early gains, CSE extends rally In contrast, the CSE remained in the red since morning trading. After 12 noon, the overall index CASPI slipped by 4 points. Most of the traded issues on the CSE witnessed price declines, as shares of 39 companies fell against 28 gainers, while prices of 12 companies remained unchanged. Turnover at the port city bourse stood at over Tk 70 lakh in the first half of the session.

Import and export trade through the country’s largest land port Benapole will remain suspended on Thursday and Friday on the occasion of Christmas and the weekend, officials said Wednesday. Benapole Port Director Shamim Hossain said that no goods will be imported or exported during the period, and customs operations at the port will remain closed. Onion import resumes through Benapole port after three months He, however, said trucks carrying Indian goods for clearance can return and regular trade activities will resume on Saturday. Officer-in-charge of Benapole Immigration Police SM Sakhawat Hossain said that movement of passengers with passports between the countries will remain as usual despite the suspension of trade.

Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday after the S&P 500 in the U.S. closed at a record high, following a report showing the U.S. economy grew at an unexpectedly strong annual rate of 4.3% in the third quarter. The initial government estimate for July–September growth indicated persistent inflation, while a separate report showed consumer confidence declined further in December. In comparison, the U.S. economy had expanded at a 3.8% annual pace in the second quarter. Trading in Asia was light ahead of Christmas, with many global markets set to close Thursday. U.S. markets will close early Wednesday for Christmas Eve and remain closed Thursday. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 remained flat at 50,411.10, while South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.1% to 4,113.83. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.2% to 25,818.93, and China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.2% to 3,929.25. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell nearly 0.4% to 8,762.70. Markets in Hong Kong and Australia closed early for Christmas Eve. Taiwan’s Taiex inched up less than 0.1%, and India’s Sensex rose 0.1%. Gold and silver extended gains after reaching record highs earlier in the week amid geopolitical tensions. Gold rose 0.4% to $4,525.50 per ounce, while silver climbed 1.8%. U.S. futures were slightly lower early Wednesday. On Tuesday, strong gains in tech stocks pushed the S&P 500 up 0.5% to 6,909.79, even though most stocks fell. The Dow Jones rose 0.2% to 48,442.41, and the Nasdaq gained 0.6% to 23,561.84. Nvidia advanced 3%, and Alphabet added 1.5%. Novo Nordisk surged 7.3% after U.S. regulators approved a daily pill version of its weight-loss drug Wegovy. The report also showed inflation higher than the Federal Reserve’s target. The Fed’s preferred gauge, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, climbed to a 2.8% annual rate last quarter from 2.1% in the second quarter. Investors expect the Fed to maintain interest rates at its January meeting amid high inflation, slowing labor markets, and weak retail sales. Early Wednesday, the dollar fell against the yen to 155.96 from 156.17, after officials suggested possible intervention. The euro slipped to $1.1793 from $1.1796. Oil prices rose slightly, with U.S. crude at $58.45 per barrel and Brent crude at $61.90, as traders monitored supply risks in Venezuela and Russia. Source: AP 

The government has reduced customs duty on the import of dates by 40 percent ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, aiming to ensure adequate supply and keep prices within the purchasing capacity of general consumers. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) said the existing customs duty on date imports has been lowered from 25 percent to 15 percent. The government issued a gazette notification on December 23, 2025 to this effect and it which will remain effective until March 31, 2026. The NBR noted that the decision has been taken to maintain market stability and prevent an unusual surge in prices during Ramadan, when demand for dates rises significantly as they are traditionally consumed to break the fast. In addition to the duty reduction, the NBR highlighted that amendments were made in the last budget to the provisions related to advance income tax (AIT) at the import stage. NBR chief calls for expanded VAT registration to cut reliance on imports Under the revised rules, the AIT applicable to the import of all fruits, including dates, has been reduced from 10 percent to 5 percent. Moreover, the 50 percent concession on advance income tax for date and fruit imports, which was introduced last year, has been retained for the current year as well, the revenue authority said.

Bangladesh’s stock market opened on a positive note on Tuesday, the third trading day of the week, but the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) failed to hold the gains by the end of the session, while the upward trend continued at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). At the DSE, the benchmark index DSEX fell by 13 points at the close. Among the other indices, the Shariah-based DSES dropped 4 points, while the blue-chip DS30 inched up by 1 point. Most stocks ended in the red, with prices of 242 companies declining against gains by 84 companies, while share prices of 63 issues remained unchanged. The turnover at the DSE increased, with shares and units worth Tk 407 crore traded during the day, up from Tk 395 crore in the previous session. Apex Foods Limited topped the DSE gainers’ list, soaring nearly 8 percent, while Premier Leasing and Finance Limited ended as the worst performer, shedding around 9 percent. Meanwhile, the bullish momentum continued at the CSE, where the overall index CASPI rose by 12 points. DSE, CSE begin sessions on positive note At the CSE, prices of 76 companies declined, while 68 advanced and 28 remained unchanged. The turnover also edged up at the port city bourse, with shares and units worth Tk 16 crore traded during the session, compared to Tk 15 crore a day earlier. Prime Bank 1st ICB AMCL Mutual Fund topped the gainers’ chart at the CSE with a 10 percent rise, while Hami Industries PLC ended at the bottom, plunging 10 percent.  

The government has approved several proposals including imports of rice, edible oil and lentils to strengthen food security and stabilise prices ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. The approvals were given at a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase, on Tuesday at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at the Secretariat with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed presiding. The meeting recommended two proposals from the Ministry of Food to procure a total of 100,000 metric tonnes of rice. Of this, 50,000 metric tonnes of non-basmati parboiled rice will be imported from India through the international open tender method at an estimated cost of Tk 217.53 crore while another 50,000 metric tonnes of white rice will be imported from Pakistan under a government-to-government arrangement at around Tk 241.52 crore. Officials said the rice imports would help maintain adequate public food stocks and curb market volatility during Ramadan when demand for essentials rises sharply. The Directorate General of Food will implement the procurement to ensure timely arrival of consignments and strengthen buffer stocks. To keep edible oil prices stable, the meeting also approved the procurement of 4.75 crore litres of edible oil. This includes 1 crore litres of refined rice bran oil from local sources and 3.75 crore litres of soybean oil from international sources through direct purchase methods. Govt to procure 50,000 mt of non-basmati parboiled rice, 80,000 mt fertiliser The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh is expected to distribute the oil through subsidised sales across the country. In addition, the committee approved the procurement of 10,000 metric tonnes of lentils through the national open tender method at an estimated cost of Tk 72.20 crore. The lentils will be procured in 50-kg bags and distributed through government channels to stabilise the market and support low- and middle-income consumers.

bKash has organised a two-day seminar to enhance the skills of its officials engaged in Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML and CFT) compliance functions. The half-yearly seminar, titled “Strengthening AML and CFT Frameworks in Cyber Space”, focused on reinforcing compliance in the digital sphere to address risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing. The sessions highlighted key priorities, including tackling financial crimes in cyberspace in line with the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, assessing anticipated socio-political risks, integrated service models, enhanced monitoring mechanisms, and evolving regulatory reporting requirements. The seminar also discussed current compliance challenges, new products and services, and the latest developments introduced this year. Organisational and compliance priorities for the coming year were outlined, reaffirming bKash’s commitment to regulatory compliance for the benefit of its customers and stakeholders. Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam (retd), Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer and Chief Anti-Money Laundering and Compliance Officer of bKash, along with other senior officials, attended the seminar held in Dhaka on December 14 and 15. Officials from the bKash AML and CFT department from Dhaka and regional offices across the country, as well as representatives from various departments, participated in the programme. In line with Bangladesh Bank directives, bKash has deployed its compliance teams across different regions and regularly conducts awareness programmes involving field-level agents, merchants, distributors and customers to ensure risk-free transactions and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. bKash also uses its customised compliance tools, including the “AML 360 Financial Crime Investigation Solution” and the Screening Intelligence System, to detect suspicious transactions and take necessary actions.    

In a major step toward digitizing the nation’s energy infrastructure, Petrobangla, the state carbohydron agency, and the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory Limited (BMTF) signed a contract on Monday to implement a sophisticated GPS-based monitoring system for gas metering stations. The contract was signed at the boardroom of the Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla). The project, titled ‘Designing, Development, Implementation, Commissioning and Maintenance of GPS Location Based Gas Meters and Metering Stations Monitoring Management System,’ aims to bring transparency and efficiency to gas distribution across industrial sectors. Under the agreement, BMTF, a commercial entity that is run by the Bangladesh Army, will develop and maintain a digital management system that monitors the pressure, temperature, and exact quantity of gas consumed by industrial establishments. This real-time data will allow Petrobangla's production and marketing companies to manage resources more effectively. Beyond simple measurement, the system is designed to address several long-standing technical challenges including prevention of unauthorized access to Regulating and Metering Station (RMS) rooms; resolving "pulse missing" issues and preventing excessive load usage by consumers and enabling area-based supply monitoring and category-based consumption analysis. A key feature of the project is the integration of ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI)’ and Large Language Model (LLM) technology. Officials stated that this advanced tech will pave the way for full billing system automation in the future, reducing human error and operational delays. The agreement was signed by Md. Amzad Hossain, Secretary (Senior General Manager) of Petrobangla, and Lt. Colonel ASM Fakhrul Islam Chowdhury, PSC, EB, representing BMTF. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Md. Rezanur Rahman, Chairman of Petrobangla, and Major General Md. Naheed Asgar, Managing Director of BMTF. Other senior officials from both organizations were also in attendance.