United News of Bangladesh

Ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha, Bangladesh Bank has ordered bank branches to remain open in the areas adjacent to the cattle market for sacrificial animals in Dhaka and Chittagong. At the same time, evening banking activities have been asked to be conducted in these branches. Bangladesh Bank has given this instruction to facilitate banking transactions for sacrificial animal traders. On Thursday (May 29), the 'Banking Regulations and Policies Department' of Bangladesh Bank issued a circular in this regard and sent it to the managing directors and chief executives of commercial banks to implement. The central bank said that there is a large amount of cash transactions in the animal markets before Eid. Therefore, bank branches and sub-branches around the markets should be kept open from 10 am to 10 pm every day from June 3 until the day before Eid. This will allow buyers and sellers to conduct financial transactions safely. In addition, orders have been given to set up temporary bank booths in the markets. These booths will provide facilities for depositing and withdrawing cash as well as opening new accounts. Bank branches located near cattle markets operated under Dhaka North and South City Corporations and Chittagong City Corporation have been asked to take necessary measures to implement this directive. Bangladesh Bank said that this initiative will ensure transparency and security in cash management at cattle markets. This will allow customers to transact in a smooth and risk-free atmosphere. The areas where instructions have been given to start evening banking include Uttara, Diabari, Bhatara Sutivhola, Khilkhet Mastul, Mohammadpur Bachila, Gabtoli cattle market, Mirpur-6, Banarupa residential area, field adjacent to Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, Khilgaon Railgate, Postgola, Dholaikhal, Rahmatganj, Shyampur Kadamtoli, Kamalapur, Amulia, and Sagarika areas of Chittagong.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has withdrawn its decision to keep jewellery shops across the country closed for an indefinite period, a day after announcing the programme protesting the arrest of its vice-president Md Riponul Hasan. In a press release on Thursday, BAJUS said members of the Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested Riponul Hasan from his business establishment at Tantibazar in the capital on 28 May in a false and fabricated case using a fake political identity. “The political identity mentioned in the case by police is completely false. Riponul Hasan never held that position. He is not involved with any political organisation, nor has he ever been a member of any political party,” the statement said. BAJUS said the arrest of Ripon has shocked and angered jewellery traders across the country. In protest, all jewellery shops remained closed today as owners and workers staged rallies, processions and human chains demanding justice and his unconditional release. All jewellery stores across Bangladesh to shut down indefinitely from Thursday The association has drawn the attention of the chief adviser, home adviser, law adviser, finance adviser, commerce adviser, industry adviser, IGP and DMP commissioner to ensure justice in the incident. Considering the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha and hoping for a fair investigation and justice, BAJUS has decided to suspend the programme of indefinite closure of jewellery shops. It requested all jewellery establishments to remain open from Friday. However, BAJUS warned that if Riponul Hasan’s name is not withdrawn from the “false and harassing” case and justice is not ensured, it will be compelled to announce fresh protest programmes. Jewellery shops see Eid sales decline amid soaring gold prices

All jewellery shops across Bangladesh will remain closed for an indefinite period starting Thursday morning in protest against the arrest of Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) Vice-President Riponul Hasan, the association announced on Wednesday.  In a press release, BAJUS stated that Riponul Hasan was arrested by police in a "false and harassing" case.  The organisation has demanded his unconditional release and strongly condemned the arrest. "As a protest and to press for his immediate and unconditional release, all jewellery establishments across the country, including in Dhaka, will remain closed indefinitely," the statement said. Gold price increased by Tk 1364 per bhori from Sunday Association's Acting President Gulzar Ahmed and General Secretary Badal Chandra Roy, along with other central leaders, expressed grave concern over the incident and issued a strong condemnation. Riponul Hasan was detained by police around 7:30pm on Wednesday from his business premises in Tantibazar, the capital’s key jewellery hub. BAJUS called upon authorities to withdraw what they described as a "fabricated and harassing" case and to ensure the immediate release of their leader.

After a brief positive start, both Dhaka and Chattogram stock markets saw a sharp decline in the first two hours of trading on Tuesday, with all major indices falling. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the key index DSEX lost 28 points. The Shariah-based DSES index slipped 5 points while the blue-chip DS30 index dropped 9 points. Of the issues traded, prices advanced for 88 companies, declined for 229 and remained unchanged for 75. Turnover on the DSE crossed Tk 100 crore during the two-hour window. Market swings amid volatile trading at DSE and CSE Over at the Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE), the overall index fell by 67 points. Out of 126 companies traded on the CSE, prices rose for 30, declined for 75 and remained unchanged for 21. The turnover in Chattogram crossed Tk 4 crore halfway through the trading session.

Both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges saw a decline across all indices for the fourth consecutive trading day on Tuesday,  with the majority of listed companies witnessing a fall in share prices and reduced turnover. On the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark index DSEX fell by 41 points. The Shariah-based DSES index declined by 8 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index dropped by 17 points. Out of the 392 companies that traded on the DSE, share prices increased for 83, while 237 saw a decline. The prices of 72 companies remained unchanged. Share prices dropped across all three categories – A, B, and Z. In the A category, which includes companies with a strong dividend record, 125 out of 213 companies saw a decrease in share prices. In contrast, only 49 companies posted gains, while 39 remained unchanged. In the DSE block market, shares worth Tk 17 crore were traded across 33 companies. Fine Foods accounted for the highest block transaction, selling shares worth Tk 5 crore. Overall, the DSE recorded a total turnover of Tk 272 crore, down from Tk 282 crore in the previous session. Market swings amid volatile trading at DSE and CSE The Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) topped the gainers’ list with a 9.83% increase in share price, while NCC Bank suffered the highest loss, declining by 9.65%. Chattogram Also in Decline Similar to Dhaka, the Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE) also continued its downward trend, with the overall index shedding 49 points. Of the 207 companies that traded on the CSE, 61 posted gains, while share prices dropped for 115. Prices of 31 companies remained unchanged. Total turnover at the CSE stood at Tk 10 crore, slightly lower than the previous day’s turnover of Tk 11 crore. Global Islami Bank led the gainers with a 10% rise, while Bank Asia topped the losers’ list, with its share price falling by more than 17%.

Speakers emphasised the need for accelerating institutional reforms and private investment in the economic corridor to unlock the growth potential of the country. They stressed the urgency of advancing economic corridor development and logistics modernization to transform Bangladesh’s growth trajectory and ensure inclusive, regionally balanced development. The speakers came up with the observations at a seminar on Economic Corridor and Logistics Development in Bangladesh: Investment Opportunities organized jointly by International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) - Bangladesh, The world business organization and Asian development Bank (ADB) at a city hotel. Chief Guest Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud said neighbouring countries, specially North-Eastern states of India could be benefitted from the economic corridor in Bangladesh that connects ports, economic zones through rail, road, and water routes. He said the interim government can’t take up new development projects as all of the development allocations of the interim government are going to be allocated to the development projects taken by the previous government. Speaking as chair, President of ICC Bangladesh Mahbubur Rahman said the case for economic corridor development is no longer inspirational.  "It is urgent, evidence-based, and actionable," he said. SANEM urges institutional reforms to revitalize Bangladesh's economy He stated that, if implemented effectively, the corridor could increase the region’s combined output from $32 billion in 2020 to $286 billion by 2050 under a business-induced scenario (BIS), and generate up to 71.8 million jobs over the same period. Rahman emphasized that regulatory reforms, digitized customs processes, and strategic partnerships with regional and multilateral institutions — particularly the ADB — are positioning Bangladesh as a key player in South Asia’s evolving trade landscape. "ICC Bangladesh stands ready to support this agenda," he said, noting the institution's role in bridging the private sector with the global policy community. Special Assistant, Ministry of Finance Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury said the country should prioritize two to three products including pharmaceuticals and electronics to diversify export basket immediately.  Country Director of Bangladesh Resident Mission Hoe Yun Jeong said Bangladesh’s logistics sector faces significant structural challenges including over reliance on road transport, congestion, high cost and insufficient multi-modal infrastructure which hinder export-oriented manufacturing. “This is where logistics sector development is crucial apart from corridor development,” he said. A key presentation was delivered by Barun Kumar Dey, Senior Economics Officer, ADB, who provided an overview of Bangladesh’s economic growth journey and the strategic vision for future development. Salehuddin stresses good governance in public investment Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Senior Transport Specialist, ADB, and Sabyasachi Mitra, Senior Logistics and Economic Corridor Expert (Former Director, SARD, ADB), jointly presented detailed insights into the proposed economic corridors, logistics hubs, and the critical role of private sector investments in their implementation. A dynamic panel discussion followed, featuring prominent business leaders and policy experts, including Md. Mahbub Ur Rahman, CEO, HSBC Bangladesh; Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director & CEO, Mutual Trust Bank PLC; Syed Ershad Ahmed, President, AmCham & MD, Expeditors (Bangladesh) Ltd; Mir Nasir Hossain, Executive Board Member, ICC Bangladesh & MD, Mir Akhter Hossain Ltd; Gokarna Raj Awasthi, DG, FNCCI (Nepal), and Prof. Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) continued its series of candidate introduction sessions for the upcoming 2025–2027 election under the election board for the third consecutive day on Monday. The programme took place at the auditorium of the BGMEA Complex in Uttara. During the session, Abul Kalam, Managing Director of Chaity Group and Panel Leader of the Sammilito Parishad, presented his panel's election manifesto to voters from the Dhaka region. Candidates representing ballot numbers 36 to 70 from the parishad were introduced to the voters in attendance. Chaired by Mohammad Iqbal, Chairman of the BGMEA Election Board and former Chairman of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), former BGMEA Presidents Kazi Moniruzzaman, Kutubuddin Ahmed, and S.M. Fazlul Hoque, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem and board members, were present at the event. Candidate introduction meeting for BGMEA elections 2025-2027 begins Chief Election Coordinator and former BGMEA President Faruque Hassan also attended the session alongside other leaders of the Sammilito Parishad. Addressing the event, Mohammad Iqbal thanked the candidates and urged everyone to work together to ensure a fair and transparent election process.

Bangladesh's e-commerce sector has seen major transformation in recent years, with Daraz playing a central role in this shift, says its Chief Corporate Affairs Officer (CCAO) AHM Hasinul Quddus Rusho. “From improving digital literacy to reaching rural consumers, the platform has played a significant role in shaping the current market,” he told UNB. Founded nine years ago, Daraz has grown to serve 8 million monthly active users, Mr Rusho said, the company has focused on providing a trusted and simplified online shopping experience through offerings like Daraz Mall, which ensures product authenticity and consistent service. As the sector continues to evolve, he said, Daraz expects e-commerce to become a part of daily life for most Bangladeshis—not just in urban areas, but across all regions. The company’s logistics network now spans all over 64 districts, with tailored delivery solutions for rural zones and partnerships with external logistics providers to maintain fast delivery nationwide. With major events like the 6.6 Big Eid Sale, Daraz aims to create a blend of high-value offers and accessible services. This year’s campaign includes discounts of up to 80 percent and giveaways such as an Eid cow under the “Jitsen Bhai” contest. Despite the promotional focus, the platform maintains its regular delivery schedules, low delivery charges, and standard return and refund processes during peak demand periods. Daraz also invests in customer support through multiple channels, including 24/7 virtual assistants, live chat, and phone-based services. This infrastructure helps the company quickly address issues and ensure service reliability across urban and rural markets. Rusho said Daraz’s user base and seller network outside Dhaka continue to grow. The company sees this as a sign of successful decentralisation and is committed to making e-commerce more inclusive. Part of this effort involves seller training and internal control measures to prevent fraud, alongside initiatives like Daraz University, which provides digital skills training. Looking ahead, Daraz aims to build a full digital commerce ecosystem in Bangladesh, supporting both consumers and sellers in adapting to an increasingly digital economy.

Samsung has recently joined hands with Rangs eMart in Gulshan 2 in the capital to double the joy of Eid by buying refrigerators of their choice. The carnival, which started on May 24, will continue until Eid. This was announced at a press conference held at Rangs eMart today. The most attractive aspect of the fair is that by purchasing a specific refrigerator from any outlet of Rangs eMart, buyers will get a golden opportunity to win refrigerators, ACs and other attractive gifts in the Buy and Win campaign. There are also great discounts, bank offers, easy exchange offers and much more. Speaking at the event, Shahriar Bin Lutfar, Director and Head of Business, Samsung Electronics Bangladesh said, “Samsung is always committed to bringing the best technology to its customers across the country. In addition, its energy-saving technology will ensure a more efficient and eco-friendly experience. In the joy of Eid, we want to make cutting-edge refrigerator technology more accessible, so that our customers can enjoy a comfortable and healthy lifestyle with their families.” Yeamin Sharif Chowdhury, Divisional Director of Rangs eMart, said, “Rangs eMart always works with brands that are committed to modern technology and improving people’s lifestyles. Through this fair, we want to make the shopping experience more enjoyable for customers.” Chief Manager Product Planning Samsung Electronics Bangladesh Anika Rahman ,  Head of Business of Rangs eMart  Rashedul Islam, Head of Sales Golam Azam Khan and COO Mr. Iraj H. Siddiqui and other officials were present. 

Speakers on Sunday highlighted the importance of increasing youth involvement, strengthening public-private collaborations, and aligning policies and investments to accelerate growth in agricultural exports. They said that Bangladesh's market for vegetables, fruits, and flowers is growing steadily. In the first nine months of FY2024–25 (July–March), the country earned $55.6 million from vegetable exports and $39.1 million from fruit and flower exports. Despite this momentum, Bangladesh remains far behind regional peers such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam in agri-exports—primarily due to structural inefficiencies and weak management systems in production. To unlock the sector's full potential, speakers at the Bangladesh Agro Conclave 2025 emphasized the need for increased youth engagement, stronger public-private partnerships, and coordinated policy and investment initiatives. New policy on temporary daily workers ‘misleading and exploitative’: Agri Farm Workers’ Federation The event, titled “Bangladesh Agro Conclave 2025: Unlocking Bangladesh’s Agri-Potential for Global Competitiveness and Sustainable Growth,” was held at Hotel in Dhaka on Sunday, jointly organised by international consultancy Lightcastle Partners and the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation (SAF), a global development organisation. Keynote presenter Shubham Roy, revealed that around 20–40% of vegetables produced in Bangladesh are wasted annually, resulting in an estimated $2.4 billion in financial losses. For fruits and vegetables, 20–35% are lost before export due to inefficiencies in the supply chain. Chief guest Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted the government’s commitment to inclusive and technology-driven agriculture. He said that the government is finalizing the ‘Agriculture Future Outlook Plan 2025’, aimed at scaling modern technology to the grassroots. A key initiative under this plan is the ‘Khamari App’, designed to provide farmers with real-time crop management tools and market information. Mango shipments to China to begin this month: Agri Secy Dr. M. A. Sattar Mandal, Emeritus Professor and former Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University, stressed the dual challenge of increasing food production for an additional 15 million people, while overcoming the constraints posed by fragmented agricultural land. He emphasized the need for innovation-led solutions to structural bottlenecks. The event featured three panel discussions: session 1 on charting the path towards global export market, moderated by Bijon Islam, CEO of LightCastle Partners; session 2 on empowering women and youth in agri-food enterprise development was moderated by Md. Abdur Rouf, Director, Program Development, SAF, and the final session on food safety, traceability, and cold chain management was, moderated by Zahedul Amin, Managing Director, Lightcastle Partners.