United News of Bangladesh

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.

Trading at both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges began on a negative note on Sunday, with key indices falling in the first hour amid widespread price declines. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index shed 21 points in early trading. The Shariah-based DSES index fell by 4 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index dropped 8 points. Most listed companies witnessed price erosion. Of the issues traded, prices declined for 206 companies, while 65 advanced and 76 remained unchanged. Share and unit turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 60 crore in the first hour of trading. The downward trend also continued at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the overall index slipped by 5 points. Prices rose for 11 companies, declined for 13, and remained unchanged for 3. During the first half of the session, shares and units worth Tk 1.20 crore were traded at the CSE.

Opsonin Pharma Limited, one of the country’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, held its Annual Sales Conference 2026 on Thursday at the International Convention Centre, Bashundhara. The company has recorded consistent and notable sales growth over the past several years and maintained this momentum throughout 2025, said a press release on Thursday. According to the IMS Report for the second quarter of 2025, Opsonin Pharma currently ranks among the top-performing pharmaceutical companies in terms of sales in Bangladesh. Alongside meeting domestic market demand, the company has also been expanding its international presence by exporting pharmaceutical products to a number of countries worldwide. The conference was attended by all field-level officials of the company. Among the distinguished participants were Opsonin Pharma Chairman Captain (Retd) Abdus Sabur Khan, Managing Director Abdur Rauf Khan, Deputy Managing Director Abdur Rakib Khan, Director (Sales and Marketing) Md Abdul Momen Talukdar, Assistant General Managers (Sales) Md Mahmudul Haque and Debojite Chandra Bhowmick, and Assistant General Managers (PMD) Taj Md Aga Menon and Md Akhtar Hossain, along with other senior officials. During the programme, Director (Sales and Marketing) Md Abdul Momen Talukdar presented an overview of the current pharmaceutical market scenario, highlighting marketing strategies and the company’s future vision. He also outlined Opsonin Pharma’s goals, objectives and strategic policy directions aimed at ensuring sustainable growth and further strengthening its leadership position in the market.

Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Thursday launched an Information Help Desk aimed at making capital market-related information more accessible and effective for investors and other stakeholders. The help desk was formally inaugurated by DSE Managing Director (acting) Mohammad Asadur Rahman at the exchange premises. “Infrastructure through the Information Help Desk will make the dissemination of capital market-related information easier and ensure quick and effective responses to various queries from investors and stakeholders. This will further enhance DSE’s service quality, making it more customer-friendly and transparent,” Asadur said. He expressed optimism that the initiative would play a significant role in boosting market participants’ confidence in the exchange. Investors and stakeholders can obtain capital market-related information by contacting the help desk at +88-02-41040189 and 09666-702070, he added. DSE Chief Technology Officer Dr Asifur Rahman, Chief Financial Officer Md Samiul Islam, Chief Regulatory Officer Md Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, and other senior officials were present at the event.

Trading at both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges began on a negative note on Thursday, with key indices falling in the first hour amid declines in most company prices. The benchmark DSEX at the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) shed 17 points. The Shariah-based DSES fell by 5 points, while the blue-chip DS-30 index lost 8 points. Out of the traded issues, prices declined for 217 companies against gains for 81, while 86 remained unchanged. The turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 127 crore in shares and units during the first half of the session. Bangladesh stocks slide on week’s opening day at DSE, CSE The downtrend also persisted at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the general index dropped by 44 points. At the CSE, prices advanced for 25 companies, declined for 43 and remained unchanged for 11 issues. The port city bourse recorded a turnover of Tk 2 crore in shares and units in the first half.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur said on Wednesday that recovering laundered money from abroad is a lengthy process and it may four to five years. Dr. Mansur made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat. When asked about the progress in bringing back siphoned funds, he said significant advancement has been made as the government is very sincere regarding this issue. Responding to a question over potential recovery he mentioned the case of former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury in London. “We will be very lucky if this case is resolved quickly. Since they (the accused) did not contest the case, they have lost by default.. I cannot say exactly when the money will arrive—it could be February, March, or possibly by June," Dr. Mansur added. He said other cases depend on formal applications and are subject to long legal processes abroad. "In those instances, there is little we can do to speed it up," he added. Responding to queries regarding the S. Alam Group, the Governor said the conglomerate has filed for international arbitration. "S. Alam has filed for arbitration in Washington against us. It is a case of the thief shouting the loudest.We will contest the case vigorously," the Governor said.