United News of Bangladesh

Riding on a landslide victory in the national election, BNP has initiated preparations to form the new cabinet, setting the stage for the party’s return to power after more than 19 years out of government. Talking to UNB, several party leaders close to its Chairman Tarique Rahman said the upcoming cabinet is initially expected to be a 'small but effective' team, combining experienced leaders and youths. Ministers will be chosen based on three main criteria—integrity, administrative ability and their contributions to the party’s movements. They said Tarique Rahman, who is set to take oath as Prime Minister for the first time, is personally overseeing the selection process. A BNP leader said the Cabinet Secretary on Friday phoned BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to discuss arrangements for the oath-taking of the MP-elects, which may be held either on Sunday or Monday. Personal secretary to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman ABM Abdus Sattar has been assigned to coordinate with the government and the Cabinet Secretary regarding the swearing-in of MPs and ministers. After the MP-elects take oath, the BNP parliamentary party will elect Tarique as Leader of the House and complete other necessary formalities. The issue of cabinet formation will come to the fore after the MPs are sworn in. According to unofficial results, the BNP-led alliance won 213 out of 299 seats, while the alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured 76 seats and will serve as the opposition. Party sources said the cabinet will be structured to ensure efficiency and accountability. Discussions are going on to assign important ministries to senior party leaders. In line with the BNP’s commitments, parties that took part in past movements and struggles will also be involved in running the government.  Among the alliance leaders who won the election, some will be given places in the cabinet.  There is also a possibility that several members from both the party and the alliance will be included under the technocrat quota to ensure representation of the partner parties. Among the key names under discussions, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is expected to receive an important ministry, though there is also discussion about him taking on the presidency. Standing Committee members Dr Khondkar Mosharraf Hossain and Nazrul Islam Khan are also being considered for the presidency. If he is not considered for the presidency, Nazrul Islam Khan, who did not contest the election, may be appointed as a technocrat minister. There is also discussion that one of the members from the Standing Committee may be appointed Speaker of Parliament. Other Standing Committee members likely to receive key ministries include Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Uddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and AZM Zahid Hossain. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who did not contest the elections, may be appointed as a technocrat minister in the Ministry of Information or another important ministry. Alliance leaders under consideration for cabinet posts include Andaleeb Rahman Partha, Zunaid Saki and Nurul Haque Nur. Newly joined BNP leaders who won under the ‘Dhanner Shish’ symbol, including Bobby Hajjaj and Dr Reza Kibria, are also being considered. Among elected BNP leaders likely to be included in the cabinet are Abdul Awal Mintu, Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, Advocate Zainal Abedin, Md Fazlur Rahman, Asadul Habib Dulu, Zahid Uddin Swapan, Khondkar Abdul Mukhtadir, Tahsina Rushdi Luna, Afroza Khanum Rita, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, Md Shariful Alam, Rashiduzzaman Millat, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Abdul Wadud Bhuiya, Dipen Dewan, Shama Obaed, Shahidul Islam Babul, Mia Nuruddin Apu, Rokibul Islam Bakul, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Khaled Hossain Mahbub Shyamol, former Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, Anindya Islam Amit, Mir Helal, SM Jahangir and Eline Bhutto. Other possible technocrat appointments include Joint Secretary Generals Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, Humayun Kabir and Dhaka North Convener Aminul Haq. Party sources said BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman does not want to include any controversial figures in the cabinet.  They said ministerial appointments will be decided after reviewing everyone’s past records, and some new faces outside the usual leadership may also be given posts. According to party sources, the new government will announce a 100-day plan immediately after taking office. Law and order will be the top priority, alongside tackling corruption and reviving the economy.  The party’s election manifesto promised economic reforms, controlling inflation, creating jobs, improving education and healthcare, and adopting a zero-tolerance approach to corruption. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the government will work to fulfill people’s expectations following their mandate. “The biggest challenges for the next government will be getting the economy moving, maintaining law and order, curbing corruption and ensuring justice,” he said. Fakhrul said BNP, having won a majority of seats in the 13th parliamentary election, will form the next government under the leadership of party Chairman Tarique Rahman. Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the BNP government aims to build a merit- and technology-based state, reform the Constitution in line with the party’s election manifesto and the ‘31-point plan’, and uphold political agreements such as the July National Charter. He also said this parliament is expected to be the most legislatively active since independence. Salahuddin also said the new government’s three main priorities will be establishing the rule of law, achieving economic prosperity and eradicating corruption.  

As Rangpur division prepares for the national election, an unprecedented security operation has turned the region into a tightly guarded zone, with law enforcement agencies rolling out a six-tier security plan to ensure peaceful voting. From char areas and remote villages to busy city centres, more than 4,500 polling centres across 33 constituencies are now under close surveillance. Of these, 2,561 centres have been identified as risky and 827 as highly risky, prompting authorities to deploy additional forces, technology-driven monitoring and rapid-response teams. Police officials say intelligence-led policing lies at the heart of the security strategy. Body-worn cameras will be used by police members at hundreds of polling centres, with live footage monitored by senior officials. CCTV cameras have also been installed at most centres marked vulnerable based on past incidents of violence, vandalism or intimidation. “Our objective is simple — voters must feel safe and confident when they come to cast their ballots,” said Superintendent of Rangpur Police Marufat Hossain, while briefing at a parade at the Rangpur Police Lines. “So far, the election environment remains calm, and we are determined to keep it that way,” he said. In Rangpur district alone, voting will take place at 873 polling centres, of which 216 have been categorised as risky. Police patrols, mobile teams and striking forces will operate around the clock, while intelligence officers keep a discreet watch inside and outside polling centres. Beyond the police, a coordinated force of the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), RAB, Ansar and VDP has been mobilised to reinforce security.  The Army’s 66 Infantry Division has kept its commando group on standby, ready to be deployed by helicopter to remote or hard-to-reach polling centres if unrest breaks out.

As Bangladesh’s national election approaches, six constituencies in Rangpur district are shaping up for intense contests, with political analysts suggesting that the Awami League’s (AL) ‘reserve votes’ could prove decisive. Observers on the ground and discussions with local residents indicate that Jamaat-e-Islami has never won a parliamentary seat in Rangpur. Yet, in this election cycle, the party has become a significant talking point. Traditionally, the region has been dominated by the Jatiya Party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and the Awami League. With the Awami League barred from contesting, its support base is widely expected to play a crucial role in tipping the balance in tightly fought constituencies. Political analysts predict a three-way contest among BNP, Jatiya Party, and Jamaat across different areas. Whichever candidate succeeds in attracting the AL’s reserve voters could gain a decisive edge. Rangpur-1 (Gangachhara–part of Rangpur City) The main battle in this constituency is expected between BNP’s Mokarram Hossain Sujan and Jamaat’s Prof Raihan Siraji. Jamaat appears to have gained momentum after the Jatiya Party candidate, Barrister Manjum Ali, had his nomination cancelled. Manjum Ali accused BNP of orchestrating the move and later asked his supporters not to back BNP at a press briefing. Long considered a Jatiya Party stronghold, the outcome here is expected to depend largely on the party’s loyal voters combined with AL reserve votes. Rangpur-2 (Badarganj–Taraganj) A triangular contest is shaping up among BNP candidate and former MP Mohammad Ali Sarkar, Jamaat’s former acting secretary general ATM Azharul Islam, and Jatiya Party former MP Anisul Islam Mondal. Although Jamaat has never secured a win here, voters say this time the dynamics are different. Analysts believe the Jatiya Party candidate could benefit significantly if he attracts AL reserve voters, while internal dissent in the BNP, including a nomination-deprived former MP—may affect its prospects. Rangpur-3 (Rangpur Sadar–part of Rangpur City) The key contest is between BNP’s Samsuzzaman Samu and Jatiya Party chairman GM Quader. Jamaat’s Prof Mahbubar Rahman Belal is also considered a strong contender due to his personal image. BNP rebel candidate Rita Rahman is in the fray as well. With an estimated 60,000 AL reserve votes in the constituency, analysts say the direction of these votes could ultimately determine the outcome. Rangpur-4 (Pirganj–Kaunia) Former upazila chairman and Jatiya Party candidate Abu Naser Shah Md Mahbubur Rahman faces strong competition from BNP’s Emdadul Haque Bharsa and NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain. Abu Naser’s previous upazila poll victory margin of around 115,000 votes, combined with his personal popularity and the Jatiya Party’s reserve votes, has positioned him as a formidable contender. Rangpur-5 (Mithapukur) BNP, Jamaat and Jatiya Party candidates are actively campaigning here. Jatiya Party’s SM Fakhruzzaman Jahangir is targeting AL and like-minded voters, while Jamaat’s Golam Rabbani is appealing to women voters through door-to-door campaigns led by female activists. Three killed, 14 injured in bus-truck collision in Rangpur BNP candidate Golam Rabbani is seen as comparatively less active. Analysts note that Jatiya Party may benefit from AL reserve votes, but Jamaat maintains a relatively strong traditional support base. Rangpur-6 (Pirganj) Several parties, including BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, are in the race. Local voters suggest BNP candidate Saiful Islam is leading, with Jamaat and Jatiya Party as his main rivals. Historically, Jatiya Party has won this seat six times and BNP once. Jamaat has never secured victory here, and its vote share is not expected to be decisive. Saiful Islam’s long tenure as union parishad chairman and his local reputation are seen as advantages. Fakhrul Anam Benju, president of Sushashoner Janno Nagorik (SUJAN) Rangpur, said the AL’s reserve votes could swing any constituency. “The candidate who can draw these votes will ultimately emerge victorious,” he said.

By a roadside in Jagalba village of Kushtia, an elderly couple live in a fragile tin-and-polythene shelter that barely protects them from rain or winter cold, but they see elections after a time gap. For Babu Sheikh and his wife Kajol Rekha, the upcoming national election will pass like many before it without their participation. Their exclusion is not due to a lack of interest. Instead, it hinges on Tk 650, the amount they were told they must pay as house tax to complete voter registration. Unable to arrange the money, the couple say they have once again been deprived of their right to vote in Bangladesh’s 13th national election. “We live hand to mouth,” said Kajol Rekha, sitting inside the makeshift hut that has been her home for more than a decade. “We simply could not manage the money.” A Life Uprooted by Politics The couple were repatriated from Jhenaidah around 15 to 16 years ago after fleeing what they describe as political persecution. They originally lived in Chhota Moukuri village in Shailkupar upazila, where they owned homestead land and kept livestock. Their lives changed after they voted for the 'Sheaf of Paddy' in a national election. Following the Awami League’s victory at the time, they allege they were harassed and tortured, forcing them to abandon their village. Seeking safety, they moved to Jagalba village under Betbaria Union in Kushtia’s Khoksa upazila, where they have lived ever since. Living without documents, or security Today, Babu Sheikh and Kajol Rekha, along with their children, live beside a road on land temporarily provided by Kajol Rekha’s maternal uncle. They own no land in the area. Their shelter has no proper fence, doors or windows. Torn jute sacks, polythene sheets and pieces of special cloth used for river erosion prevention are used to cover the structure. “It is extremely inhuman,” said Abdul Matin, a member of Ward No. 2 of Betbaria Union. “They have been living like this for 15–16 years.” According to Matin, the lack of basic documents has become a major obstacle to voter registration. “To become voters or transfer voter registration, documents such as electricity bills, tax receipts, land papers, and even a mobile phone number are required. They have none of these,” he said. ‘Promises that Never Materialise’ Kajol Rekha, who is mentally challenged, said that before every election, people come to her home with assurances that they will help her and her husband become registered voters. “But nothing happens,” she said. Ahead of the 12th national election, the couple had approached local Awami League leader Helal Uddin, hoping he would assist them with registration. They were later told they needed to deposit Tk 650 at the Union Parishad as house tax. “As we could not manage the money, our dream of becoming voters remained unfulfilled,” Kajol Rekha said. Kushtia Jamaat Ameer dies while addressing protest rally Helal Uddin confirmed that Kajol Rekha is known to him and acknowledged that she had moved to the area after facing political persecution. “I tried to transfer her voter registration, but it could not be completed,” he said. Fear Still Lingers Beyond financial hardship, fear continues to shape the couple’s decisions. Having once been forced to flee their home after voting, Kajol Rekha said she worries that participating in another election could again put her family at risk. “We are afraid. What if voting means we have to leave this place too?” she said. As Bangladesh prepares for another national election, Babu Sheikh and Kajol Rekha remain on the margins — citizens in name, but unable to exercise one of the most basic rights of democracy.

A major road development project meant to strengthen connectivity between Dhaka and Hili land port in Dinajpur is facing further delays, with the government proposing a sharp rise in costs and an extension of the implementation timeline by nearly three years beyond the original deadline. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has sought approval for the first revision of the project titled “Upgradation of Hili (Land Port)–Dugdugi–Ghoraghat National Highway (N-521) to proper standards, reconstruction of existing narrow and dilapidated culverts to three important roads and ocnstrction of rigid pavement anddrainage in market areas(1st Revised)”, increasing the estimated cost from Tk 463.71 crore to Tk 587.88 crore and extending the completion date to June 2027. Originally scheduled for completion by December 2024, the project has already been granted a no-cost extension until December 2025. The latest proposal marks a significant escalation in both time and expenditure for a project considered vital for trade and regional development in northern Bangladesh. A strategic corridor under strain The highway under upgrade connects Hili land port—Bangladesh’s second-largest after Benapole—with the regional highway Gobindaganj–Ghoraghat–Birampur–Phulbari–Dinajpur (R-585). Once upgraded to national highway standards, it is expected to ease the movement of goods between the port and the capital, cutting travel time and transport costs. Hili land port, located in Dinajpur’s Hili upazila along the Bangladesh–India border, serves as a key gateway for cross-border trade with West Bengal’s Balurghat. Essential commodities such as rice, wheat, maize, sugar, stone, fertilisers and industrial raw materials pass through the port daily, generating substantial revenue and employment. Few women in the race as Bangladesh goes to polls  Yet poor road condition, narrow pavements and inadequate drainage have long hampered smooth transportation along the corridor, particularly during monsoon seasons when waterlogging and damage to culverts disrupt traffic. Why the revision? According to official documents, the revised cost reflects increased expenses in land acquisition, compensation for affected infrastructure, rigid pavement construction and the reconstruction or widening of 57 reinforced cement concrete (RCC) culverts. The proposal also cites the need for additional time to complete these works as per updated design and safety standards. Bangladesh sees sharp rise in rape cases, with girls most at risk The project scope includes widening pavements, constructing rigid pavements in market areas, building one PC girder bridge, installing RCC U-drains, rehabilitating cross-drains, road marking and shifting utilities—tasks that officials say proved more complex and costly than initially estimated. A senior Planning Commission official said the revision was “unavoidable” given market price escalation and field-level constraints. He the upgraded highway would ensure uninterrupted connectivity between Dhaka and Hili once completed. Development promises, delayed gains The project spans eight upazilas of Dinajpur district in Rangpur division, an area heavily dependent on agriculture and cross-border trade. Improved connectivity is expected to stimulate local markets, reduce vehicle operating costs and support faster movement of goods to and from the land port. Manpower shortage cripples Tk153 crore modernised Saidpur Railway Workshop The project has been included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for fiscal year 2025–26, with an allocation of Tk 125 crore. A port too important to ignore Despite constraints such as limited space, heavy traffic pressure and seasonal congestion, Hili land port remains crucial for supply chains in northern Bangladesh. Over the years, the government has invested in customs facilities, warehouses and automation to improve efficiency at the port. Officials said if completed on schedule this time, the upgraded highway could unlock Hili’s full potential—boosting trade volumes, reducing congestion and strengthening economic ties with India.

A shortage of funds has slowed embankment construction across Jagannathpur in Sunamganj, raising fears among farmers that unfinished flood defences could expose early Boro crops to flashfloods in the coming weeks. The government allocated Tk 6.13 crore for embankment construction across 12 haor and non-haor areas, including the expansive Noluar Haor, with work to be implemented through 37 Project Implementation Committees (PICs). The embankments are intended to protect early Boro cultivation, a vital source of livelihood for the region’s farming communities. Yet progress has faltered in many locations, largely due to financial constraints. Officials and PIC members estimate that between 60 and 70 percent of work has been completed in most projects. While earth-cutting has nearly finished in some areas, progress elsewhere remains uneven and, in some cases, unsatisfactory. Boro cultivation in Narail gains full momentum under sunny skies PIC members allege that much of the work was undertaken after receiving only the first instalment of funds, leaving them struggling to continue operations. They said they had taken loans, often at high interest rates, to keep construction moving, pushing many into debt. “We are trying our best to continue the work, but the lack of funds has created a serious financial crisis,” said a PIC representative, adding that repayment of loans depends on the release of the second instalment, which has yet to materialise. During a field visit on Thursday, earth-cutting under Project No 1 in the Kandargaon–Noagaon area of Noluar Haor, under Kolkolia Union, was found to be nearly complete. However, no work had been carried out in the inner section of Noagaon village, and parts of the embankment near the riverbank were uneven and sloped, making movement difficult. Project president Mostafizur Rahman Muhit and member secretary Miton Mia said roughly 70 percent of the work had been completed but described the current situation as distressing due to the lack of funds. After flood, Boro season unfolds in Sunamganj “We are continuing the work by borrowing money from different sources because the second instalment has not been released,” Muhit said. They said that the road section inside Noagaon village was not included in the original project, but they intended to carry out additional work there in the public interest. “If the authorities provide bills for the extra work, we will accept them. Otherwise, we will complete it on our own initiative,” Milton said. Elsewhere, local leaders who visited Project No 30 in Jagadishpur village under Kolkolia Union praised the quality of the work. Project president Muzaffar Ali said about 80 percent of construction had been completed, but progress was now being hampered by the funding shortfall. “We are struggling to continue the work due to the lack of funds,” he said. Md Shahidul Islam Bakul, president of the Jagannathpur upazila unit of Haor Bachao Andolon and chairman of Chilauraholdipur Union Parishad, said embankment construction had slowed not only because of soil shortages in the haor areas but also because PIC members had become indebted. “The embankment work must be completed as soon as possible to protect haor crops and ease farmers’ worries,” he said, urging the authorities to ensure that financial constraints do not halt progress. Contacted for comment, Sheikh Farid, Jagannathpur upazila officer of the Bangladesh Water Development Board, said the process of releasing another 7.5 percent of funds as the second instalment was underway. “The bills will be paid to the PICs before the election,” he said. As farmers watch the embankments inch towards completion, concerns remain that any further delays could leave vast stretches of Boro fields vulnerable just as the risk of flash floods begins to rise, said an agriculture official.  

As floodwaters repeatedly inundate homes in the haor basin and drought tightens its grip on the high Barind survival for millions in rural Bangladesh has become an annual test of endurance. Climate change has turned once-predictable seasons into cycles of uncertainty—washing away crops in one region while parching fields in another. Against this backdrop, the government has approved a Tk 1,268.80 crore Climate Resilient and Livelihood Enhancement Project (CRALEP), aiming to reduce poverty and strengthen climate resilience among vulnerable communities living in flood-prone haor and drought-prone high Barind areas. The project, to be implemented from January 2026 to December 2030, will be executed by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Local Government Division. It will cover 33 upazilas in eight districts in Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Rajshahi divisions. The project is jointly funded by the government, international lenders and development partners. Idle machines, rising waters: A losing battle to protect Noluar Haor Of the total project cost, Tk 305 crore will come from the government, Tk 854 crore as a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Tk 109.80 crore as a grant from Denmark’s development agency, DANIDA. Officials involved in the project say CRALEP aligns with national development plans and climate strategies, placing particular emphasis on resilient infrastructure, food security and livelihood diversification at a time when climate-induced disasters are becoming more frequent and severe. The project seeks to address poverty not as an isolated economic issue, but as a consequence of repeated climate shocks. In the haor areas, early floods often destroy standing boro crops, while in the Barind tract, prolonged dry spells undermine agricultural productivity and household incomes. To improve connectivity and market access, CRALEP will construct or upgrade 334 kilometres of rural roads—141 kilometres in haor regions and 193 kilometres in Barind areas. Another 58 rural markets will be developed or rehabilitated, alongside the construction of 34 ghats to support water-based transport in flood-prone zones. The project also places strong emphasis on livelihoods. Vocational training will be provided to 40,000 youths, while 20,150 youths will receive entrepreneurship training to encourage self-employment. Besides, nearly 3,000 members of Labour Contracting Societies will receive sustainable livelihood support. Recognising the acute vulnerability of haor settlements during monsoon floods, the project includes the provision of internal village services in 320 haor villages. These include walkways, toilet blocks and tube-wells, along with the construction of 72 kilas—raised platforms used for temporary crop storage and shelter during floods. Further interventions include the construction of 72 kilometres of internal walkways, installation of 480 toilets and 720 tube-wells in haor regions, and ecosystem-based village protection measures in 280 haor villages as part of nature-based solutions to disaster risk. Illegal topsoil extraction threatens ‘Gaillar Haor’, croplands in Sunamganj A senior Planning Commission official said the project would make a meaningful contribution to safeguarding development gains in some of the country’s most climate-exposed regions. “Once implemented, the project will help reduce poverty, enhance climate resilience and address disaster-related challenges in flood-prone haor and drought-prone high Barind areas,” the official said, adding that it would also promote diversified and sustainable livelihoods and improve overall community wellbeing. Bangladesh, one of the world’s fastest-growing developing economies, remains among the countries most exposed to climate change. Recurrent flooding, erratic rainfall and rising temperatures continue to threaten rural livelihoods and infrastructure.

Bangladesh’s export sector is navigating a difficult transition as weak global demand coincides with domestic political and economic pressures, though a sharp rebound in recent months is raising hopes of stabilisation. Export earnings in the first seven months of the current fiscal year (FY2025–26) fell 1.93% year-on-year to $28.41 billion, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), down from $28.96 billion in the same period a year earlier. The decline reflects sluggish demand in major Western markets and disruptions linked to political change at home. Yet December and January figures point to a potential turning point. Exports in January 2026 reached $4.41 billion, only 0.5% lower than a year earlier, but up 11.22% from December’s $3.96 billion, signalling renewed momentum. “Exports in the last two months show a shining future as global trade conditions are gradually improving,” said Dr Zahid Hussain, former lead economist at the World Bank’s Dhaka office. He noted that exporters continue to face domestic challenges, including uninterrupted energy supply and labour unrest, which remain critical constraints for the manufacturing sector. At the same time, global trade remains unsettled by geopolitical tensions and trade policy uncertainty, including the impact of US President Donald Trump’s trade war. Major global suppliers have adopted a wait-and-see approach as consumers in the United States and the European Union struggle with high living costs and job losses. January export earnings dip slightly amid mixed global trends The ready-made garments (RMG) sector has once again emerged as the backbone of Bangladesh’s export performance. RMG earnings rose 11.77% year-on-year to $22.98 billion during July–January, accounting for about 81% of total exports. Sustained global demand and improved factory efficiency helped the sector offset weakness elsewhere. Other export segments showed mixed results. Leather and leather goods, jute and home textiles recorded improvements in January, while agro-processed products and frozen fish lagged behind, failing to match the apparel sector’s growth. The United States remained Bangladesh’s largest export destination, with earnings of $5.21 billion in the July–January period, up 1.64%. Germany ranked second with $2.85 billion, followed by the United Kingdom at $2.77 billion. Economists attribute the overall export dip to several factors. Slowing consumption and high inflation in Europe during the latter half of 2025 dampened demand for non-essential goods. Domestically, a massive student-led movement and a subsequent change in government in mid-2024 disrupted supply chains through factory closures, transport strikes and port congestion, with spillover effects into the current fiscal year. Energy shortages also weighed heavily on production. Persistent gas and electricity constraints in late 2025 raised costs and hurt competitiveness, particularly for small and medium-sized exporters. In addition, a strong post-pandemic rebound in FY2024–25 created a high comparison base, making current performance appear weaker. $3.17 billion received in remittances in January, up 45.1 percent y-on-y Analysts say the recent month-on-month rebound could mark a turning point. With the exchange rate stabilised at around Tk 122 per dollar and continued momentum in RMG and leather, export performance for the full fiscal year could end stronger than early data suggested. Still, longer-term risks remain. “Depending on a single product, it is very difficult to increase exports,” said Dr M Masrur Reaz, chairman and founder of Policy Exchange Bangladesh. He warned that Bangladesh must accelerate product diversification, particularly as apparel exports face tariff challenges in the US market. Rising living costs in Western economies are reshaping consumer behaviour and limiting purchasing power, he added, reinforcing the need for innovation and a broader export base to ensure sustainable growth.

Once considered the backbone of Bangladesh’s railway maintenance network, the Saidpur Railway Workshop in Nilphamari is struggling to keep operations running amid a prolonged manpower shortage, leaving modern machinery worth approximately Tk153 crore unused and slowly falling into disrepair. Despite being the country’s largest railway workshop, the facility is currently operating with barely a quarter of its sanctioned workforce. Officials and workers cite a severe shortage of skilled personnel, coupled with inadequate budget allocations and delays in raw material supply, as key factors hampering production and maintenance activities. Established in 1870 during the Assam–Bengal Railway era, the Saidpur Railway Workshop spans over 110.29 acres and houses 27 sub-units. The facility is responsible for repairing broad-gauge and meter-gauge passenger coaches and freight wagons, maintaining steam relief cranes, and handling carriages and wagons damaged in accidents. Around 1,200 types of spare parts for coaches, wagons, and locomotives are also manufactured onsite. In 2017, the workshop underwent a Tk153 crore modernisation to enhance capacity and quality. The project upgraded 17 workshops for coach and wagon repairs, installing 43 mechanical and 13 electrical machines, along with deep tube-wells and an overhead water tank. Illegal electric fishing raises fresh fears for Tanguar Haor However, the benefits of this modernisation have largely gone unrealised due to a shortage of trained manpower. Many of the costly machines now sit idle, gradually becoming unusable. Currently, the workshop has 2,859 sanctioned positions for officers and workers, but only 716 posts are filled, leaving 2,143 vacancies. The manpower deficit has made it impossible to meet daily carriage repair targets; while the goal is three coaches per day, the workshop manages only two. Besides, no skilled workers are available in its 27 shops to operate 740 machines.

As climate stress tightens its grip on Bangladesh’s farmlands and cultivable land continues to shrink, the government has rolled out a large-scale agricultural project aimed at securing food production and livelihoods in one of the country’s most important farming belts — Bogura agricultural region. With an allocation of Tk 251.97 crore, the project, titled Sustainable Agricultural Development of Bogura Agricultural Region, seeks to boost crop output, modernise farming practices and build long-term resilience in four districts of the Rajshahi division.  The project will be implemented by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under the Ministry of Agriculture from January 2026 to December 2030, fully funded by the government. Spanning 44 upazilas in Bogura, Joypurhat, Pabna and Sirajganj, the project is among the largest region-based agricultural programmes undertaken in recent years.  Tk 1,300cr GK irrigation rehabilitation project aims to revive southwest agriculture Officials say it is designed as a response to a convergence of challenges  including falling groundwater levels, erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and increasingly unpredictable seasons — all of which have disrupted year-round crop cultivation in the region. Targets and technologies At the heart of the project is a production target: a 5 percent increase in crop output, from 41.87 lakh metric tonnes to 43.96 lakh metric tonnes.  This is to be achieved through the application of 24 modern and environment-friendly agricultural technologies, including water-saving methods, improved soil health management and better crop planning. Cropping intensity is also expected to rise by 5 percent, from 236 percent to 241 percent, reflecting more efficient land use in an area where arable land is steadily being lost to floods, river erosion and expanding infrastructure and industrial establishments. To address post-harvest losses — a persistent problem for farmers — the project includes the construction of 200 onion storage facilities, each with a capacity of 10 metric tonnes, alongside three storage centres for vegetables, fruits and other produce.  A deputy director’s office-cum-training centre will also be built in Bogura to strengthen local extension services. Mechanisation is another major pillar. Under the plan, 3,185 agricultural machines will be procured and distributed to farmers to reduce production costs, ease labour shortages and improve efficiency during peak seasons. Investing in people Beyond infrastructure and machines, the project places strong emphasis on human resource development.  According to Planning Ministry officials, 4,840 training batches will be conducted to enhance farmers’ skills in modern crop production, seed technologies and agribusiness development. The initiative aims to create at least 1,000 new agricultural entrepreneurs and develop around 35,000 trained agricultural human resources across the region.  More than 41,800 demonstration plots will showcase improved farming practices, while 700 field days, technical discussion sessions and 70 exposure visit programmes are planned to encourage technology adoption at the grassroots. A Planning Commission official described the project as a strategic investment in both productivity and people. “Expanding high-yielding and high-value crops, promoting safe fruit and vegetable cultivation and improving post-harvest management can significantly lift farm incomes if done properly,” the official said. If implemented as planned, the project is expected to contribute to soil health protection, improved nutrition, reduced rural poverty and a gradual transformation of agriculture into a more profitable and sustainable profession in the region. For thousands of farmers facing an uncertain climate future, the success of this initiative could determine whether Bogura’s fields remain productive — or increasingly precarious — in the years ahead.