United News of Bangladesh

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.

The government is set to slash profit rates on national savings certificates (Sanchaypatra) from January 1, 2026, marking the second reduction in six months, following calls from the banking sector. The Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance has drafted a proposal outlining the new profit rates, which has been submitted to Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed for approval, officials said. Once endorsed, they said, the Internal Resources Division (IRD) will issue an official circular to implement the changes. Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said that he has yet to officially receive the proposal, bankers have been advocating for a rate cut. "There is a demand from bankers to reduce the profit rates of savings certificates to support credit growth in the private sector," he said, adding that the final decision will consider the overall national interest. This move follows a decision made on June 30, where the government resolved to review and adjust profit rates every six months as part of its income and debt management strategy. According to sources within the Finance Division, the new proposal suggests an average reduction by 0.5 percent across various savings schemes. The tiered interest structure will remain. It means- Small investments-For investments up to Tk7.5 lakh, profit rates will remain relatively higher.Large investments- For investments exceeding Tk7.5 lakh, the profit rates will be significantly lower.Currently, the maximum profit rate stands at 11.98 percent, while the minimum is 9.72 percent.The family savings certificate, the most popular scheme among citizens, currently offers 11.93 percent for investments below Tk 7.5 lakh. This is expected to see a slight dip. Other schemes affected include: Pensioner savings certificate: currently 11.98 percent (below 7.5 lakh).Bangladesh savings certificate (5-year): currently 11.83 percent (below 7.5 lakh).Three-Monthly Profit-Based Certificate: currently 11.82 percent (below 7.5 lakh).No changes are expected for the Wage Earner Development Bond, US Dollar Premium Bond, US Dollar Investment Bond, or Post Office Savings Bank ordinary accounts. Abdul Hai Sarker, Chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), welcomed the cut-down move. He said high interest rates on government savings certificates often lure deposits away from private banks. "If these rates decrease, funds will move toward banks, which will help facilitate private sector loans." Government data shows a shift in borrowing trends. In the first four months of the current 2025–26 fiscal year (July–October), the government borrowed Tk2,369 crore through savings certificates. As of the end of October, the government's total outstanding debt in savings certificates stood at Tk3.41 lakh crore.

Bangladesh and Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday signed loan agreements totaling $688 million to upgrade the 35-kilometer railway line from Chattogram to Dohazari. A 2.5-kilometer bypass enabling direct train services from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar without stopping at Chattogram station will be constructed under South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation-Chattogram-Dohazari Railway Project. The project aims to establish seamless connectivity along the Dhaka–Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar corridor that will boost regional transport efficiency and economic growth. Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky and ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Hoe Yun Jeong signed the agreements at a ceremony held at the ERD office in Dhaka. ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Hoe Yun Jeong said that the project will enhance the resilience, reliability, and efficiency of rail services between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, facilitating a crucial shift from road to rail transport. “It will invigorate economic activities along the Dhaka–Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar corridor, particularly boosting the tourism and fisheries industries,” he said. As a priority investment, the ADB country director said that the project aims to unlock underserved areas of the Cox’s Bazar region by stimulating investment and trade. “Furthermore, it is expected to strengthen the Bangladesh Railway network, reinforcing the country’s capacity to function as a transport and transshipment hub in South Asia.” As a component of the Trans-Asia Railway network, the Dhaka–Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar corridor currently accommodates 32% of passenger traffic and 55% of freight, underscoring the importance of enhanced rail infrastructure for economic integration, optimising logistics, and driving development in the country’s southeastern region and beyond. Key project activities include track elevation, improved drainage, modernised signaling, dual-gauging, and the procurement of 30 energy-efficient locomotives to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. It will also strengthen the Bangladesh Railway’s operational capacity through staff training and upgrade three stations to provide inclusive, user-friendly facilities, as well as spaces for private sector commercial activities.

Bangladesh and Japan have finalised the draft of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), with the deal set to be signed next month, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin said on Monday. “I talked to the Japanese Foreign Minister over the phone today. The EPA will be signed next month,” he said at a press conference on Bangladesh-Japan EPA negotiations at the Secretariat. .He said Bangladesh has agreed to open 97 sub-sectors to Japan under the agreement while Japan has decided to open 120 sub-sectors to Bangladesh in four modes of services. Bashir Uddin said the EPA draft was finalised through intensive negotiations with Japan. He said this would be Bangladesh’s first-ever economic partnership agreement with any country which is expected to boost investment and bilateral trade between the two nations. Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman were present at the briefing. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the process of the agreement began at the end of 2024 and was finalised after eight rounds of meetings. Lutfey Siddiqi said Bangladesh had never entered into such an economic agreement before and initially there was limited experience on how to proceed. “With sincere efforts from everyone in the government we have managed to complete it. Undoubtedly, this is a good agreement for Bangladesh,” he said. BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Mahmud said Bangladesh has long enjoyed friendly relations with Japan but Japanese investment in Bangladesh stands at only about $500 million which is relatively low compared to Japan’s investments in other countries. He said in the past the absence of a structured economic agreement often discouraged larger Japanese investments in Bangladesh. “We are often compared with Vietnam which has agreements with around 30 countries. We are just starting but this journey will allow us to sign many more economic agreements in the future and help address challenges related to LDC graduation,” he said. He added that Japanese investment previously concentrated in only a few sectors would now expand into areas such as logistics, electronics, IT and automobiles, accelerating both investment inflows and technology transfer. At the press conference, it was said the EPA is expected to bring wide-ranging trade and economic benefits for Bangladesh including trade expansion, increased investment and new employment opportunities. Once the agreement comes into effect, Bangladesh will receive immediate duty-free access to the Japanese market for 7,379 products from the first day of signing. In return, Japan will receive immediate duty-free access to Bangladesh’s market for 1,039 products.

The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) is set to host its four-day flagship housing exhibition, the REHAB Fair 2025, beginning on December 24, bringing together real estate developers and prospective homebuyers under one roof. The fair will run until December 27 and will be inaugurated at 11am on December 24 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon, Dhaka. It will remain open to visitors every day from 10am to 9pm. REHAB President Md Wahiduzzaman announced the schedule on Monday morning at the CIRDAP Auditorium, highlighting the fair’s continued role in supporting Bangladesh’s growing housing and construction sector. A total of 220 stalls will be set up at the venue, enabling visitors to directly engage with developers, explore apartment options, and discuss purchase plans. According to Wahiduzzaman, the fair aims to simplify access to housing information while fostering transparency between buyers and developers. Since launching its first housing fair in Dhaka in 2001, REHAB has organised 26 fairs in the capital, making this year’s event the 27th edition. Beyond Dhaka, the association has also held 16 fairs in Chattogram, reflecting growing demand outside the capital. REHAB’s outreach has extended beyond Bangladesh as well. To date, the association has organised 12 housing fairs in the United States, along with two in the United Arab Emirates and one each in Italy, Canada, Australia and Qatar, targeting expatriate Bangladeshis interested in investing in property back home. “Through organising such fairs, REHAB continues its efforts to expand the housing market both domestically and internationally,” Wahiduzzaman said. He noted that the construction sector currently contributes around 15 percent to the national economy, a share that is expected to grow with the regular organisation of such events. As in previous years, visitors will be able to purchase two types of entry tickets. Single-entry tickets will be available at Tk 50, while multiple-entry tickets, priced at Tk 100, will allow entry up to five times in a single day. REHAB also said that proceeds from ticket sales will be used to support underprivileged communities under the association’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, continuing its efforts to combine industry growth with social responsibility.

Gold prices in Bangladesh climbed to an all-time high on Sunday, with the price of 22-carat gold rising to Tk 218,117 per bhori following a fresh hike announced by the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS). BAJUS raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 1,050 per bhori, setting the new rate at Tk 218,117, which will come into effect from Monday morning. This marks the highest gold price ever recorded in the country. According to BAJUS, the latest adjustment was made considering the overall market situation, particularly the rise in the price of tejabi (pure) gold in the local market. Under the revised rates, the price of 21-carat gold has been fixed at Tk 208,202 per bhori, 18-carat gold at Tk 178,459 per bhori, while traditional method gold has been priced at Tk 148,599 per bhori. In addition to the selling price, buyers will have to pay a mandatory 5 percent government VAT and a minimum 6 percent making charge set by BAJUS. However, the making charge may vary depending on the design and quality of the jewellery, the association said. BAJUS last adjusted gold prices on December 15, when it raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 1,470 per bhori to Tk 217,067. So far this year, gold prices in the local market have been adjusted 87 times—raised on 60 occasions and reduced 27 times.

The country’s stock markets closed lower on the first working day of the week on Sunday, with key indices declining on both bourses, trading fell on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) but increased on the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). On the DSE, the benchmark DSEX index shed 4 points, while the Shariah-based DSES fell 1 point and the blue-chip DS30 index dropped 6 points. Despite the index decline, most listed companies ended higher, with prices rising for 161 firms against declines for 157, while shares of 70 companies remained unchanged. In the block market, shares worth nearly Tk 19 crore were traded across 20 companies, with BRAC Bank PLC topping the list at Tk 7.6 crore. The turnover on the DSE stood at Tk 293 crore, down from Tk 303 crore in the previous session. Rahim Textile Mills PLC topped the DSE gainers’ chart with a 10 percent rise, while Familytex (BD) Limited lost more than 8 percent to become the day’s worst performer. Meanwhile, the CSE’s broad-based CASPI index dropped 63 points. Prices declined for most companies, with 94 issues losing value against gains for 45, while 14 issues remained unchanged. The trading volume on the CSE jumped to Tk 12 crore, compared to Tk 4.5 crore in the previous trading session. Reliance One Mutual Fund topped the CSE gainers with a rise of over 9.5 percent, while Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) ended at the bottom of the losers’ list.