United News of Bangladesh

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.

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.

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.