United News of Bangladesh

The visiting delegation of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) participated in the 6th Guangzhou Sourcing Fair on Wednesday, seeking to expand trade and investment linkages between Bangladesh and China. The delegation, led by DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, held B2B matchmaking sessions with around 150 Chinese supplier companies representing sectors, including hardware and tools, automobiles, motorcycles and spare parts, home appliances, and building and construction materials. Speaking at a bilateral discussion on supply chain issues held on the sidelines of the fair, Razeev highlighted the depth of the bilateral relationship, noting that Bangladesh and China share a long-standing multidimensional partnership spanning trade, investment, infrastructure, education, and human resource development. He said total bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 18.89 billion in FY2025, with Bangladesh's imports from China amounting to USD 18.20 billion against exports of USD 694.49 million, pointing to a significant trade imbalance that both sides acknowledged needs to be addressed. Razeev also extended an invitation to Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh, citing textiles and textile products, machinery, chemicals, metals, plastics, minerals, and agro-based products as priority sectors. Nicole Fan, Director of Poly Jinhan Exhibition (Poly Events), which organises the fair, said the platform will serve as an important bridge between entrepreneurs of the two countries. She expressed optimism that greater Bangladeshi participation in future editions of the fair will open new avenues of collaboration with China's vast supplier network. The Guangzhou Sourcing Fair, now in its sixth edition, has emerged as a key platform for connecting South and Southeast Asian buyers with Chinese manufacturers and exporters across a wide range of industrial and consumer goods sectors. The 22-member DCCI delegation went to on Wednesday on a five-day visit aimed at strengthening Bangladesh-China economic engagement and expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Monday said Bangladesh has to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) at nearly double the earlier price and crude oil at sharply higher rates due to volatility in the global energy market triggered by the Middle East conflict. “Under G2G contracts, we used to buy LNG at $10 per unit, which now has to be purchased at $20. On the other hand, crude oil was priced at $50-60 per barrel, which has now crossed $110. Soon after the formation of the government, fuel prices doubled due to the Middle East war,” he told a seminar organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at a city hotel. The sudden outbreak of war created an unexpected havoc that no one had planned for, and managing this situation has now become a major challenge, the minister said. He also noted that fertiliser is being purchased at nearly double the price amid the volatile situation. “We require around 2.6 million tonnes of urea annually. A bulk portion has to be imported because for many years we have not been able to keep our fertiliser factories running throughout the year due to gas shortages. The gas we cannot use to run fertiliser plants has to be imported again using foreign currency. Gas that we used to buy at $456 now has to be purchased in excess of $800.” Muktadir said bearing the high cost of fuel has become “difficult” for the government. “The government’s manoeuvring capability, its financial cushion to prioritise spending has become very limited. The ability to allocate expenditures according to priorities has become extremely difficult for this government.” Highlighting the lack of fuel storage capacity in Bangladesh, he said the country will not have faced the current double cost burden if adequate reserves were available. “Bangladesh does not have proper fuel storage facilities. If we had the capacity to store LNG for two months, we would not have to buy LNG from the spot market at $20 instead of $10.” The minister also said the government plans to expand the tax net rather than increasing taxes. “To bring fiscal discipline, we need to widen the tax base. We are not increasing individual taxes; rather we are expanding the tax net. I believe the NBR and the finance ministry are working with that goal and intention.” He said the government will try its best in the upcoming budget to avoid additional pressure on people, while ensuring industries remain operational despite the energy crisis. Muktadir noted that subsidy pressure remains high in the budget. He said revenue collection as a share of GDP has remained low for a long time, while expenditure, particularly subsidies, continues to rise. Due to international price volatility in power and energy, the government has to provide large subsidies, while agricultural subsidies for fertiliser, electricity and other inputs also continue. As a result, financing development projects is becoming difficult, the minister said, adding that investment in major infrastructure projects, social safety net programmes and human resource development is being constrained. “To meet regular budget deficits, the government has to rely on domestic and foreign borrowing. This increases the debt burden and interest payments, which may create fiscal risks in the future,” he warned. Muktadir emphasised modernising the tax system and expanding the tax net, expressing hope that strengthening digital tax collection platforms will increase revenue and help manage subsidy pressures.

Indian High Commisioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Monday reiterated India’s willingness to work with the government and the people of Bangladesh to strengthen people-centric cooperation in all domains based on mutual interest and benefit. He paid a courtesy call on Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon and discussed issues of mutual interest. They discussed wide-ranging cooperation in information and broadcasting domain including engagements between media and broadcasting institutions of the two countries.  They agreed to enhance exchange visits of media delegations between the two countries to strengthen people-to-people relations and promote mutual understanding. The High Commissioner proposed various capacity building initiatives for journalists and media professionals under ITEC programme of Government of India. As part of these initiatives, a special training course for women journalists from Bangladesh will soon be organised in India. They also exchanged views on cooperation in films, including organization of film screening and film festivals in each other’s country, as well as collaboration in production and post-production technological support.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the pre-piloting activities of  ‘Farmer Card’ distribution programme on April 14 (Tuesday) at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail Sadar. The pre-pilot phase of the Farmer Card distribution will be launched simultaneously in 10 upazilas across the country, said PID handout. The selected upazilas are Shibganj, Panchagarh Sadar, Boda, Islampur, Shailkupa, Nesarabad, Juri, Cumilla Adarsha Sadar, Goalanda and Teknaf. Govt opens first ‘Farmers’ Market’ in Sylhet to cut middlemen, ensure fair prices The programme is being introduced as part of initial implementation efforts ahead of a wider rollout of the Farmer Card initiative, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman joined a joint meeting with Prime Minister of Nepal Balendra Shah, along with other ambassadors based in Kathmandu. Taking the floor during the interaction, the Bangladesh envoy extended warm greetings and felicitations to the Prime Minister on the assumption of his responsibilities, on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the people of Bangladesh. He emphasised the excellent relationship between Bangladesh and Nepal, premised on mutual respect, trust, and shared collaboration in various areas, stemming from common cultural and societal values, beliefs, and long-standing civilisational links marked by strong people-to-people contact.

Bangladesh has welcomed the temporary ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East describing it as an encouraging step towards de-escalation in the region. “Bangladesh hopes that all parties involved will respect the ceasefire and utilise this opportunity constructively to work towards a durable and sustainable resolution and restore lasting peace and stability across the region,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bangladesh appreciates all parties involved in the diplomatic efforts in facilitating the ceasefire. Bangladesh reiterates that all disputes can and should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy. Pakistan says Iran confirms participation in Islamabad peace talks

Vast tracts of boro paddy fields have been inundated due to heavy rainfall over the past few days in eight unions across three upazilas of Habiganj district. Alok Kumar Chand, Assistant Agriculture Officer of Baniachang Upazila, said that a total of 33,705 hectares of land in the upazila had been brought under boro paddy cultivation. Around 218 hectares of boro fields in various unions, including Sujatpur, Mandari, Muradpur, Poilar Kandi, Bhugli, Bhalluara, Rajakhai, Hijli, Bali, and Bager Agar haors, have been submerged. Detailed information on the crop losses is yet to be determined, officials said. Shahadul Islam, Agriculture Officer of Lakhai Upazila, said that six hectares of boro paddy along the bank of the Dhaleshwari River in No. 1 Lakhai Union have been submerged.

The price of gold in Bangladesh has been reduced by Tk 2,158 per bhori, with the new rate for 22-carat gold set at Tk 245,819, the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announced on Monday. The revised price took immediate effect, BAJUS said in the morning. The association attributed the adjustment to a decline in the price of tejabi gold (pure gold) in the local market and the overall market situation. Under the new rates, 21-carat gold has been fixed at Tk 234,621 per bhori (11.664 grams), while 18-carat gold will cost Tk 201,146 per bhori. Gold of traditional method has been set at Tk 163,821 per bhori. BAJUS last adjusted gold prices on April 1, when it raised the price by Tk 3,266 to set 22-carat gold at Tk 247,977 per bhori. So far in 2026, gold prices have been revised 52 times, including 30 hikes and 22 reductions. The association also reduced silver prices alongside gold. The price of 22-carat silver has been cut by Tk 175 to Tk 5,540 per bhori. According to the new rates, 21-carat silver has been set at Tk 5,307 per bhori, 18-carat silver at Tk 4,549 per bhori, and traditional method silver at Tk 3,383 per bhori. Silver prices have been adjusted 31 times so far this year, including 17 increases and 14 decreases, BAJUS added.  

Bangladesh and Malta on Wednesday underscored the importance of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) to enhance bilateral trade. High Commissioner of Malta to Bangladesh (resident in New Delhi) Reuben Gauci met Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed the issues of mutual interest. She requested Malta’s support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the Presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the term 2026-2027. The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues, underscoring the importance of peace, stability, and enhanced international cooperation. The High Commissioner congratulated the State Minister for her appointment as the State Minister for Foreign Affairs and hoped that bilateral relations would be strengthened further under the new government. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the mutually beneficial partnership, exploring avenues for enhancing cooperation in trade and commerce, education, gender equality as well as migration matters. The State Minister appreciated Malta for extending holistic visa services for Bangladeshi students and workers from Dhaka as it saves valuable time and money, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The State Minister and the High Commissioner discussed strengthening political collaboration in both bilateral and multilateral settings.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday sought Ireland’s support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the Presidency of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (2026–27). The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues, underscoring the importance of peace, stability, and enhanced international cooperation. The issues were discussed when Ambassador of Ireland to Bangladesh (resident in New Delhi) Kevin Kelly paid a courtesy call on the State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He warmly congratulated the State Minister on her assumption of office and expressed confidence in further strengthening Bangladesh-Ireland relations under the present government. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the mutually beneficial partnership, exploring avenues for cooperation in trade and commerce, development partnership, education, sports and culture, as well as consular and migration matters. They also discussed strengthening collaboration in both bilateral and multilateral settings, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.