United News of Bangladesh

Gold prices in Bangladesh have surged by Tk 8,806 per bhori in two consecutive hikes over two days, with the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) setting the price of 22-carat gold at Tk 229,664 per bhori. BAJUS raised the price on Thursday of 22-carat gold by Tk 5,482 per bhori, following a Tk 3,324 increase on Wednesday. The latest price came into effect from Thursday morning, according to a BAJUS press release. The association said the price adjustment was made considering the overall market situation, following an increase in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market. Under the latest price structure, a bhori (11.664 grams) of 22-carat gold costs Tk 229,664, including VAT. The price of 21-carat gold has been set at Tk 219,342 per bhori, while 18-carat gold will cost Tk 188,374. The price of traditional-method gold has been fixed at Tk 153,848 per bhori. On Wednesday, 22-carat gold was priced at Tk 224,182 per bhori, while the price stood at Tk 220,858 on November 3. This means gold prices have increased by Tk 8,806 per bhori in just two days. Global gold prices also surge Meanwhile, gold prices have also recorded a sharp rise in the international market. The rally came as the US dollar weakened and Treasury yields declined following a major victory by Democrats in the US midterm elections. Spot gold rose 1.9 percent to $4,134.83 per ounce on Thursday, reaching its highest level since October 22. The precious metal had also gained 3.4 percent on Wednesday, marking its biggest single-day increase since August 19. US-based multinational banking group Citi has forecast that gold prices could reach $4,500 per ounce in the international market within the next one to three months. The bank's projection is based partly on expectations that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen by the end of the year and tensions in the Yemen-Saudi conflict will ease. Despite the rise in gold prices, silver rates in the domestic market remain unchanged. The price of 22-carat silver stands at Tk 3,499 per bhori, including VAT. Meanwhile, 21-carat silver costs Tk 3,383, 18-carat Tk 2,916 and traditional-method silver Tk 2,216 per bhori.    

Mobile network operators in Bangladesh have urged the government to further rationalise spectrum renewal costs and related charges, saying high prices could undermine investment in network expansion, service quality and nationwide connectivity. At a press meet at the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) office in Banani on Wednesday, industry leaders said the proposed spectrum valuation remained significantly higher than international and Asia-Pacific market norms when measured against sector revenues and market realities. They said they appreciated the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission's (BTRC) engagement with stakeholders and the efforts made during the renewal process, but stressed that the current proposed valuation should not be considered the prevailing benchmark for spectrum renewal. Taimur Rahman, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer of Banglalink, Tanveer Mohammad, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Grameenphone, and Shahed Alam, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer of Robi Axiata PLC, spoke at the event moderated by Lt Col Mohammad Zulfikar (retd). The speakers said spectrum policy should support broader national goals, including digital inclusion, network expansion, innovation and affordable connectivity, while maintaining a balance between government revenue and the long-term sustainability of the telecom sector. They noted that spectrum-related costs in Bangladesh account for a significantly higher share of operators' revenues than the Asia-Pacific and global averages, putting pressure on an industry facing stagnant revenues, low average revenue per user (ARPU) growth, rising operating costs and continued investment requirements. Mobile operators have already made substantial investments in spectrum acquisition and network expansion and will need to invest further to meet growing data consumption and future technology requirements, they said. Excessive spectrum costs could limit their capacity to expand coverage, improve service quality, strengthen network resilience and enhance customer experience, the speakers added. They also said future spectrum requirements would increasingly depend on data traffic growth and network capacity rather than simply the amount of spectrum assigned, calling for valuation frameworks that reflect capacity needs, network efficiency, digital demand and socio-economic benefits. The proposed extension of spectrum licence tenure was a positive step towards providing certainty for long-term investment planning, they said, adding that its benefits would depend on an investment-friendly commercial framework aligned with international best practices. Taimur Rahman said spectrum was essential for ensuring service quality, network capacity and nationwide coverage, while demand was growing rapidly as Bangladesh shifted from voice to data services. "Spectrum pricing must therefore reflect today's realities, with significantly lower unit prices to enable continued investment in spectrum acquisition, network expansion and service quality," he said. He urged the government to take a holistic view of spectrum pricing, looking beyond immediate revenue and recognising its role in digital transformation, economic growth and long-term national development. Tanveer Mohammad thanked BTRC for adopting a structured approach to the renewal process and holding constructive discussions with operators. However, he said the proposed fees for a 20-year spectrum licence appeared to have been calculated by scaling up the value of a standard renewal period. "A 20-year spectrum license should not simply be priced by proportionately scaling the value of a 15-year license," he said, arguing that the economic value of additional years declines due to technological changes, shifting market and demand conditions, and investment risks. He called for a more rational renewal price based on an appropriate valuation methodology, along with flexible payment terms. Shahed Alam said spectrum affordability should be assessed in light of industry revenues, investment capacity and the need for continued network expansion. He said a balanced and investment-friendly framework would help operators improve service quality, expand connectivity and accelerate digital inclusion as the country's digital economy grows. The speakers said a pragmatic approach to spectrum pricing and licence tenure would benefit consumers, the government and the telecom industry by supporting connectivity, innovation and the country's digital economy goals.  

Gold prices have gone up again in the domestic market, with the price of 22-carat gold, the highest quality, rising by Tk 3,324 per bhori. The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) said the new rates took effect from 1:45 pm Wednesday. With VAT, a bhori of 22-carat gold will now sell for Tk 2,24,182. BAJUS said it decided to adjust the prices of gold ornaments following a rise in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market. According to the new price list, the price of 21-carat gold has been raised by Tk 3,150 to Tk 2,14,093 per bhori, while 18-carat gold has risen by Tk 2,683 to Tk 1,83,883 per bhori. The price of gold of the traditional method has gone up by Tk 2,216 to Tk 1,50,232 per bhori. On November 2, the price of 22-carat gold was raised by Tk 3,266 per bhori to Tk 2,20,858. With today's hike, the price has increased by Tk 6,590 per bhori in just two days. Meanwhile, silver prices remain unchanged. With VAT, 22-carat silver will sell at Tk 3,499 per bhori, 21-carat at Tk 3,383, 18-carat at Tk 2,916, and traditional-method silver at Tk 2,216.  

The Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) has initiated a joint special audit involving four regulatory bodies to ensure transparency and accountability in the insurance sector. To implement this, a draft Terms of Reference (ToR) has been formulated through the coordination of IDRA, Bangladesh Bank, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). Under this initiative, various financial activities of insurance companies—including financial statements, bank accounts, investments, premium collections, claim settlements, and tax- and VAT-related information—will be scrutinized simultaneously. The proposal initially covers data from the last five fiscal years, with provisions to extend or shorten the audit timeframe if necessary. According to concerned stakeholders, various aspects of insurance companies' financial activities fall under multiple regulatory jurisdictions. Consequently, conducting separate audits often makes it difficult to obtain a complete picture. Through a coordinated audit, detecting financial irregularities, data inconsistencies, misappropriation of funds, and potential fraud will become much easier. Reports indicate that at least a dozen insurance companies have been attempting to bypass regulatory bodies to conceal financial irregularities, data discrepancies, fund misappropriation, and fraudulent activities. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a top IDRA MEMBER told UNB that it will become easier to penalize companies trying to cover up their financial irregularities and those with data inconsistencies. He added that the special audit coordinated by the four regulatory bodies will help prevent attempts by these companies to cover up various fraudulent incidents.  

Bangladesh has ushered in a new era in its digital payment ecosystem with the official launch of the Bangla QR-based Person-to-Person (P2P) transaction service on November 1, 2026. The new service lets individuals transfer funds easily, quickly, and securely by scanning another person's QR code, according to Bangladesh Bank (BB). A key feature of the P2P Bangla QR system is that users no longer need to type out recipient mobile numbers or account numbers manually. By scanning the recipient's QR code and verifying the necessary details, transactions can be completed seamlessly, making peer-to-peer digital money transfers significantly more convenient. Financial sector stakeholders noted that the P2P Bangla QR service will play a crucial role in reducing reliance on physical cash for daily transactions and boosting the adoption of digital payments. This initiative is expected to make the country's payment system more inclusive while accelerating the nationwide expansion of a cashless economy.

A sharp deceleration in industrial term loan disbursement during the final quarter of the 2025–26 fiscal compounded the slowdown in long-term investments within Bangladesh's industrial sector, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank data. While term loan disbursements maintained some momentum during the early part of FY2026, activity slumped significantly in the closing months. Specifically, industrial term loan disbursement during the April–June quarter plummeted by nearly 16 percent compared to the previous quarter, and dropped by about 18 percent year-on-year. According to central bank statistics, total industrial term loan disbursement across FY2026 stood at Tk 99,796 crore, registering a meager 2.7 percent growth from Tk 97,138 crore recorded in the previous fiscal year. However, the quarterly trajectory reveals a steep downward trend:  July–September quarter stood at Tk 24,771 crore. October–December quarter:Tk 31,247 crore January–March quarter: Tk 23,748 crore April–June quarter: Tk 20,029 crore During the April–June quarter alone, industrial term loan disbursement dropped by Tk 4,267 crore—or 17.6 percent—compared to Tk 24,296 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Compared to the January–March quarter, the April–June disbursement fell by roughly 15.7 percent. Recovery and Outstanding Balances: Conversely, loan recovery and total outstanding balances registered an upward tick. Industrial term loan recovery reached approximately Tk 1.16 lakh crore in FY2026, marking an 8.4 percent increase from Tk 1.07 lakh crore the previous year. Meanwhile, the total outstanding balance of industrial term loans rose to Tk 4.51 lakh crore at the end of FY2026, up from Tk 3.85 lakh crore in FY2025—representing a 17 percent (Tk 66,000 crore) increase over the year. This contraction in new credit flow coincides with broader economic concerns surrounding investment and production. A World Bank update in October 2026 reported that Bangladesh’s economic growth slowed to 3.4 percent in FY2026, weighed down by declining private investment and exports, banking sector vulnerabilities, and acute gas-power shortages. Borrowing costs have also surged, with interest rates on industrial and working capital loans climbing to between 13 and 15 percent. Private sector credit growth slumped to 4.72 percent in March 2026, marking a 24-year low and making business expansion severely challenging for entrepreneurs. Banking Sector Vulnerabilities and NPL Crisis: The credit squeeze is further compounded by mounting non-performing loans (NPLs). By the end of June 2026, classified loans in the banking sector crossed Tk 6.07 lakh crore, accounting for an alarming 32.78 percent of total loans. Notably, about 85 percent of these defaulted loans—totaling roughly Tk 4.99 lakh crore—are concentrated within just 15 banks. Financial analysts note that while increased loan recovery and higher outstanding balances appear positive on paper, they do not necessarily reflect an expansion in productive industrial investments. Instead, the stagnation in fresh loan disbursement threatens to constrain future industrial growth and employment generation. Experts emphasize that reviving private investment and employment will require restoring trust in the banking sector, lowering borrowing costs, ensuring adequate financing for viable industrial projects, and implementing robust governance reforms, alongside Bangladesh Bank's ongoing 18-month roadmap to tackle defaulted loans.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) on Sunday welcomed the government's decision to form a six-member minimum wage board to revise the salary structure for readymade garment (RMG) workers, expressing hope that it would help ensure a fair and sustainable wage structure through dialogue. In two separate statements, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and BKMEA President Mohammad Hasan Hatem expressed their support for the government's initiative. They acknowledged that garment workers are facing severe financial pressure due to the rising cost of living amid high inflation. At the same time, they pointed to challenges facing the apparel industry, including the global economic slowdown, energy crises, rising production costs and declining export orders. Emphasising that ensuring fair wages and keeping factories operational are equally important, the leaders said the representation of the government, factory owners and workers on the wage board would help establish a realistic and sustainable wage structure through dialogue. Workers and industries complement each other, they said, adding that if workers survive, the industry survives, and if the industry survives, workers survive. Regarding factory operations, the BGMEA and BKMEA presidents told UNB that some factories had temporarily shut down for security reasons, but production had resumed and was running in full swing across major apparel hubs in Gazipur and Narayanganj after the situation normalised. Meanwhile, garment workers staged demonstrations and blocked roads in Dhaka and Gazipur on Sunday, disrupting traffic and triggering clashes with police and incidents of vandalism. Authorities of over 100 garment factories in Gazipur declared holiday on Sunday following labour unrest and protests demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, according to Industrial Police. However, many of these factories have already reopened after the situation became normal following the formation of a six-member minimum wage board on Sunday to revise the minimum salary structure for readymade garments (RMG). Industrial Police Superintendent Mohammad Amzad Hossain confirmed that the authorities were forced to shut over a hundred factories in the area amid escalating protests.

Bangladesh’s merchandise export earnings grew 6 percent year-on-year to US$17.04 billion in the first four months (July-October) of the current fiscal year (FY2026-27), according to Bangladesh Bank data. The country earned $16.08 billion from merchandise exports during the same period of the previous fiscal year, meaning earnings increased by $960 million year-on-year. The ready-made garment (RMG) sector remained the main contributor to export earnings, with both knitwear and woven garment exports recording growth. Knitwear exports rose 7 percent to $7.71 billion from $7.20 billion in the corresponding period last year, while woven garment exports increased 4.8 percent to $6 billion from $5.73 billion. Several other export sectors also posted growth during the July-October period. Jute and jute goods exports increased 23.8 percent to $383 million, while leather and leather products rose 12.7 percent to $464 million. Chemical product exports grew 27.3 percent to $157 million. Exports of wigs and human hair recorded the highest growth among the listed sectors, surging 86.4 percent to $94 million. Home textile exports rose 7.4 percent to $263 million, while footwear exports increased 9.7 percent to $194 million. However, exports declined in several other sectors. Agricultural product exports fell 13.5 percent to $325 million, while cotton and cotton-related product exports dropped 10.2 percent to $170 million. Exports of frozen and live fish decreased 10.9 percent to $152 million, while paper and paper product exports fell 18.2 percent to $75 million.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have been cut again, with the price of 22-carat gold, the highest quality available in the local market, reduced by Tk 5,481 per bhori (11.664 grams). The new prices came into effect at 10am on Saturday, according to the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS). With the latest adjustment, the price of 22-carat gold has been fixed at Tk 217,592 per bhori, including VAT. BAJUS said the prices were revised downward following a fall in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market. Under the revised rates, the price of 21-carat gold has been reduced by Tk 5,249 to Tk 207,794 per bhori, while 18-carat gold now costs Tk 178,459, down Tk 4,491. The price of traditional-method gold has also been cut by Tk 3,674 to Tk 145,800 per bhori. Gold prices were last reduced by Tk 1,633 per bhori on Friday. With the latest cut, the price of 22-carat gold has fallen by a total of Tk 7,114 per bhori in just two days. Silver prices have also been reduced across all categories. The price of 22-carat silver has been cut by Tk 175 to Tk 3,499 per bhori. Meanwhile, 21-carat silver now costs Tk 3,383, down Tk 116. The price of 18-carat silver has been reduced by Tk 117 to Tk 2,916, while traditional-method silver has become cheaper by Tk 58, bringing its price to Tk 2,216 per bhori.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has sought stakeholders’ opinions and recommendations to review the Mutual Fund Rules, 2025, aiming to strengthen the country’s mutual fund sector and make the regulatory framework more effective and market-oriented. The securities regulator held a consultation meeting with stakeholders on Wednesday at its Agargaon office to review the rules and identify areas requiring amendments and improvements. BSEC Chairman Masud Khan presided over the meeting, which was attended by the commission’s commissioners, officials from relevant departments, representatives of the Department of Financial Institutions, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the CDBL and other concerned organisations, as well as representatives of mutual fund trustees, asset management companies, custodians and other capital market institutions. At the beginning of the meeting, BSEC Executive Director Md Mahmudul Haque presented a paper titled “Review on the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Mutual Fund) Rules, 2025.” The presentation highlighted various aspects of the existing rules and possible areas for amendments. During the subsequent discussion, participants shared their views, suggestions and recommendations on different provisions of the rules. The discussions focused on making the mutual fund regulatory framework more effective, practical and conducive to institutional investment. In his remarks, BSEC Chairman Masud Khan thanked the participants for their constructive opinions and suggestions, stressing that their feedback was important to the commission. He said the commission would review the rules and consider necessary amendments in line with international best practices and stakeholders’ recommendations. He also assured participants that no arbitrary or unilateral decisions would be taken in the process. The chairman emphasised the importance of increasing institutional investors’ participation in the country’s capital market to make it more dynamic, sustainable and investment-friendly. He said greater participation by institutional investors was essential for developing a balanced capital market, adding that greater reliance on retail investors alone would not be sufficient to ensure sustainable market growth. Masud also highlighted the role mutual funds could play in expanding the capital market and contributing to the country’s economic development. Emphasising financial literacy and investment education, he said improving investors’ financial knowledge, awareness and ability to make informed investment decisions was crucial for the sustainable development of the capital market. He called on BSEC, capital market-related institutions and other stakeholders to work together to strengthen financial literacy and promote informed investment practices.