United News of Bangladesh

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.

Trading at both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges began at a sluggish pace on the second working day of the week on Sunday, with the Dhaka market showing a rise in its index while the Chattogram market remained largely unchanged. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark index DSEX rose by 13 points in the opening hour. Among the other two indices, the Shariah-compliant DSES gained 3 points, and the blue-chip DS30 index increased by 1 point. A majority of the listed companies saw their share prices rise. Of the traded issues, prices advanced for 177 companies, declined for 114, while 78 remained unchanged. The total turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 75 crore in the first hour. Market swings amid volatile trading at DSE and CSE At the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), the overall index showed a marginal gain within the decimal range. Out of the 62 companies that traded on the CSE, share prices increased for 28, declined for 26, and remained unchanged for 8. The turnover at the CSE exceeded Tk 1 crore during the first hour of trading.

Whirlpool Bangladesh has recently participated in a special refrigerator carnival at Rangs eMart in Dhaka's Gulshan 2 to enhance Eid celebrations for customers by offering a wide range of refrigerators. The carnival, which began on May 24, will run until Eid, as announced at a Press conference held at Rangs eMart on Saturday. Senior officials from Whirlpool Bangladesh, including Head of Marketing Khandaker Salim Saad Shanan, Head of Sales Md. Enamul Haque, and Key Account Manager Asif M. Hossain, attended the event. Rangs eMart Divisional Director Yeamin Sharif Chowdhury, Head of Business Rashedul Islam, Head of Sales Golam Azam Khan, COO Iraj H. Siddiqui, and other officials, were also present. With many people planning household upgrades for Eid, the Refrigerator Fair provides an excellent opportunity for buyers. Attendees can purchase modern, energy-efficient, and smart-featured refrigerators from Hitachi at attractive promotional prices. Hitachi emphasises quality food storage and environmental friendliness, reflecting its commitment through this event. A key highlight of the fair is the chance for buyers to win refrigerators, air conditioners, and other exciting prizes through the 'Buy and Win' campaign by purchasing specific refrigerators from any Rangs eMart outlet. The event also features discounts, bank offers, easy exchange schemes, and more. Khandaker Salim Saad Shanan, Head of Marketing at Whirlpool Electronics Bangladesh, said "Whirlpool has always been committed to providing the best technology to customers across the country." Yamin Sharif Chowdhury, Divisional Director of Rangs eMart, said that Rangs eMart consistently partners with brands dedicated to modern technology and improving lifestyles. "Through this fair, we aim to make shopping more enjoyable for our customers," he added.

The Bangladesh Bank has simplified the process to send money for students studying in language education courses abroad. The Foreign Exchange Policy Department of the central bank issued a directive with immediate effect on Thursday. The students enrolling in language programmes will no longer require prior approval from the Bangladesh Bank to remit foreign education fees. According to the Bangladesh Bank, students admitted to recognised foreign institutions for language courses can now directly send the necessary funds through authorised banks by presenting the required documents. Bangladesh Bank simplifies overseas payments for professional course fees Previously, this facility was limited to Bachelor's or higher degree programmes, but now language education has been brought under the same framework. Experts believe this decision will strengthen Bangladesh's position in the international labour market. Language proficiency offers easier access to jobs and higher education opportunities in countries like Japan, South Korea, and some European nations. This new policy is expected to reduce reliance on recruiting agencies and open up direct avenues for studying abroad.

Highlighting the importance of apparel diplomacy and exit policy, Sammilito Parishad panel leader Md Abul Kalam on Wednesday said they will adopt a two-pronged strategy to maintain long-term competitiveness - apparel diplomacy on the one hand, and a responsible exit policy on the other. "We have crossed a chapter in the garment industry, the next journey is on the way to a 100 billion dollar industry. Therefore, more caution is needed in this journey," he said while sharing his panel's election manifesto at a programme as the BGMEA election is approaching. Kalam said they are facing global policy changes related to business such as increasing production costs, gas-electricity crisis, sustainability, HREDD (Human Rights and Environmental Due Dilligence), CSDDD, Traceability, etc. "If we can successfully face these challenges, we are on the verge of reaching unique heights," he said. For such a time, Kalam said they need leadership composed of experience, youth and courage—who are able to work with workers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and international partners with equal skills. "We have presented a timely panel combining all those skills at your service," he said. The biennial election of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is scheduled for May 31 May and two submitted their nomination papers recently to contest the poll. The two panels are Forum and Sammilito Parishad. Apparel makers urged not to take export orders without justified rate Mahmud Hasan Khan (Babu) submitted his nomination as the panel leader of the Forum. Former BGMEA President Faruque Hassan submitted the nomination paper on behalf of Sammilito Parishad panel leader Abul Kalam. Kalam shared twelve broad areas as manifesto of his panel on Wednesday. These are SME Support Cell & Policy Advocacy; Utility Security & Alternate Incentive Package; Building the Apparel Workforce of Industry 4.0: Upskilling Mid-Level Managers; Access to Finance: Green Funding Desk and Banking Support; Market  and Product Diversification: Expanding Bangladesh’s Reach Beyond Traditional Markets and Beyond Cotton Products; Alternate Incentive Benefit Policy for Post-LDC Competitiveness & Backward Linkage Strengthening; Trade Facilitation & NBR Reform: Bond Access, VAT Simplification, and Regulatory Ease; EPIC – Export Competitiveness, Policy Intelligence Cell & Digital Transformation Center; Social Compliance Enhancement Program – Toward a Unified Code of Conduct; Green Transformation with Business Value: Circularity, Renewable Energy, Decarbonization & Competitive Differentiation; Made in Bangladesh – Premium Edition: Repositioning Bangladesh in the Global Market and Trade Diplomacy & Responsible Exit Policy. Kalam said they will launch the 'Made in Bangladesh – Premium Edition' branding campaign to reposition Bangladesh from a low-cost manufacturer to a modern, sustainable, and value-driven sourcing destination. This initiative, he said, will focus on curated branding assets and storytelling content for premium global buyers, showcasing factories with innovation, ethical practices, and green credentials, supporting members in brand-building—professional photoshoots, catalogs, virtual showrooms, and sustainability profiles, partnering with EPB,  embassies, trade bodies, and major events to carry the Bangladesh premium story to the world and promoting categories like high-end knitwear, outerwear, and circular collections through “design-forward” showcases. To safeguard Bangladesh’s long-term competitiveness in the global apparel market, Kalam said they will pursue a dual approach: proactive trade diplomacy to secure preferential access and expand market reach, and a humane exit policy to support distressed factories in shutting down responsibly, protecting workers, and enabling entrepreneurial recovery. Apparel makers seek Tk 300cr for smooth exit of struggling units He laid emphasis on strategic trade diplomacy to secure GSP/GSP+ extensions, post-LDC trade preferences, and duty-free access in key markets (EU, UK, Canada, Japan). Kalam said they will launch an "Apparel Diplomacy Roadmap" aligned with embassies to promote sourcing, diversification, and foreign investment and establish a buyer accountability mechanism engaging with the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Bank, and embassies abroad. Diplomatic channels will be used to issue formal notices through Bangladesh’s embassies and high commissions, ensuring financial and reputational consequences for defaulting/non-paying buyers.

Trading in the country’s two major bourses – Dhaka and Chattogram – began on a positive note on Wednesday, the fifth working day of the week, with indices gaining and share prices of most companies edging up in the first hour. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the key index DSEX rose by 15 points at the start of the session. Of the other two indices, the Shariah-based DSES gained 4 points, while the blue-chip index DS30 advanced by 9 points. During the first hour of trading, share prices increased for the majority of the listed companies. Of the issues traded, the prices rose for 236 companies, declined for 78, and remained unchanged for 62. Market swings amid volatile trading at DSE and CSE The total turnover on the DSE crossed Tk 90 crore in the first hour. Over at the Chattogram Stock Exchange (CSE), the overall index increased by 8 points. Among the 75 companies that saw trading activity on the CSE during the same period, the prices went up for 37, declined for 19 and remained unchanged for 19. The CSE's turnover in the first hour surpassed Tk 2 crore.