United News of Bangladesh

The country’s stock markets opened on a negative note as key indices at both the Dhaka and Chattogram bourses fell in the first hour of trading on Monday, with most shares ending in the red. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX shed 21 points within the first hour. The Shariah-based DSES index lost 4 points, while the blue-chip DS-30 index dropped 14 points. Out of the traded issues, prices declined for 209 companies, while 77 companies saw gains and 90 issues remained unchanged. The share and unit turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 100 crore during the first hour of trading. The downtrend also persisted at the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), where the overall index fell by 11 points in early trading. At the port city bourse, prices advanced for 17 companies against declines in 36, while 10 issues remained unchanged. During the first half of the session, the CSE recorded share and unit turnover worth Tk 1.40 crore.    

Gold prices in Bangladesh have climbed for the eighth consecutive time, with the price of 22-carat gold reaching a new all-time high of Tk 229,431 per bhori (11.664 grams) on Sunday. Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announced at night that it has increased the price of gold by Tk 1,575 per bhori, a decision that will take effect from Monday morning. BAJUS said the latest adjustment was made considering the overall market situation, particularly the rise in the price of pure gold (tejabi gold) in the local market. Under the new rates, the price of 21-carat gold has been set at Tk 218,992 per bhori, 18-carat gold at Tk 187,732 per bhori, and traditional-method gold at Tk 156,531 per bhori. In addition to the selling price, buyers will have to pay a government-mandated 5 percent VAT and a minimum 6 percent making charge fixed by BAJUS. However, making charges may vary depending on the design and quality of jewellery. BAJUS last revised gold prices on December 27, when it raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 1,574 per bhori to Tk 227,856. With the latest hike, BAJUS has increased gold prices eight times in a row. So far this year, gold prices have been adjusted 91 times in the domestic market — raised on 64 occasions and reduced only 27 times. Meanwhile, silver prices have remained unchanged in the local market. The price of 22-carat silver stands at Tk 6,065 per bhori, while 21-carat silver is selling at Tk 5,774 per bhori, 18-carat silver at Tk 4,957 per bhori, and traditional-method silver at Tk 3,732 per bhori.

Dhaka, Dec 2(UNB)-The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) on Sunday warned that many textile mills are about to shut down due to faulty policy and economic meltdown. The BTMA issued the warning from a press conference held at the Gulshan Club in Dhaka on Sunday. Speaking at the event, BTMA’s present and former leaders emphasized that the US $22 billion industry is past the point of needing simple assistance; it now requires structural rescue measures. They said that the sector has entered the "Intensive Care Unit" (ICU) and requires immediate, large-scale government intervention to survive. Former president of BTMA Mohammad Ali Khokon pointed out that a combination of rising operational costs and a sudden spike in taxes has pushed mill owners to the brink. "The time to save this sector with just 'oxygen' is gone. To bring this $22 billion industry back from the ICU, the government must take massive steps," Khokon said. He criticized the current fiscal policy, noting, “In the previous budget, the textile sector paid 12.5 percent to 15 percent tax. In the current budget, it has jumped to 27 percent. This is a 'death blow' to a struggling industry." Khokon further explained that current yarn sales are barely enough to cover labor wages and gas bills, leaving no room for profit or loan repayments, which is forcing owners to shut down their factories. BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell urged to shut yarns import from neighboring countries to save the country’s textile sector. To stabilize the sector, the BTMA chief proposed several urgent measures: Dedicated Banking Window: Bangladesh Bank should create a separate window specifically for the textile sector with tailored interest rates. Utility Cost Reduction: A significant reduction in gas and electricity prices is essential to lower production costs. Lowering Interest Rates: High bank interest rates are currently unsustainable for spinning mills. Former president Khokon warned that the collapse of the domestic textile industry would have a domino effect on the Readymade Garments (RMG) sector. He cautioned that if local backward linkage (spinning and weaving) fails, the country will become entirely dependent on imports from neighboring countries like India. "If we cannot save our members, a day will come when India might stop exporting cotton, yarn, and fabric. On that day, the backbone of our garment industry will break," he warned. While the current situation is dire, Khokon expressed hope that the upcoming political leadership would recognize the strategic importance of this sector. "We believe and expect that those who take leadership in the coming days will give special priority to this industry," he added. The present BTMA President, Russell, hints that 50 mills have already closed and demanded a policy decision from the government within the next 72 hours. Senior BTMA leaders and textile owners were also present at the press conference.  

Bangladesh Bank has stepped up purchases of US dollars from commercial banks to stabilise the foreign exchange market following a sharp rise in inward remittances this year. Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said on Sunday that the central bank acquired $110 million from three commercial banks through a Multiple Price Auction (MPA) at an exchange rate of Tk 122.30 per dollar. The central bank has acted to prevent significant fluctuations in the exchange rate as commercial banks face a surplus of dollars from the remittance boom. In December alone, Bangladesh Bank has purchased $920 million, bringing total purchases in the current fiscal year, FY2025-26, to $3.05 billion. Remittance flows by expatriate Bangladeshis have shown robust growth. Between December 1 and December 27, the country received $2.75 billion, up 14.03 percent from $1.98 billion during the same period last year. Looking at the broader fiscal year, from July 1 to December 20, Bangladesh received $15.79 billion in remittances, compared with $13.54 billion in the same period of FY2024-25, representing roughly 16.16 percent growth. In November alone, expatriates sent $2.89 billion. Central bank officials attribute the surge to several key factors, including strict anti-Hundi measures to curb illegal money transfers, effective implementation of remittance incentives and improved efficiency and accessibility of formal banking channels for migrants. The sustained inflow of foreign exchange has bolstered the country’s reserves to over $32 billion, providing relief to its overall economy.  

Bangladesh’s capital market opened the week on a positive note as both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded gains during the first hour of trading on Sunday, with most company shares closing higher. At the DSE, the benchmark index DSEX rose by 21 points in the first hour. The Shariah-based DSES index advanced by 3 points, while the blue-chip DS-30 index remained unchanged. Out of 253 companies traded at the DSE during the period, prices of 253 shares increased against 54 that declined, while 77 remained unchanged. The turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 150 crore in the first hour. Stocks rise in early trade at DSE, fall at CSE The upward trend was also visible at the CSE, where the overall index CASPI gained 25 points. At the port city bourse, share prices of 46 companies rose, 15 declined and 11 remained unchanged. The CSE recorded transactions worth over Tk 1.04 crore in shares and units during the first hour of trading.

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.