United News of Bangladesh

The newly formed Sommilito Islami Bank PLC held its first Board of Directors meeting today (Wednesday), signaling a major step toward stabilizing the banking sector and protecting the savings of millions of depositors. The meeting took place at 10:00 AM at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters and was presided over by the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Mohammad Ayub Miah. The meeting saw the participation of several high-ranking government officials serving as board members, including Dr. Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, Secretary, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Md. Saifullah Panna, Secretary, Chief Adviser’s Office, Md. Kamal Uddin, Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiqui, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Mohammad Rashedul Amin, and Sheikh Farid, both Joint Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance. In addition to the board, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmed, and administrators from the five banks currently under the resolution framework were also present. During the session, the board was briefed on the various measures already taken under the Bank Resolution framework. Key decisions regarding the future operations of the bank were reached unanimously. Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur urged the board to act with urgency. He emphasized that the resolution process must move forward rapidly and that the protection of depositors' interests must remain the absolute priority. In response, the Board of Directors expressed their full agreement with the Governor's directives and formally pledged to give the highest priority to safeguarding depositors' funds while managing the consolidated entities. Sommilito Islami Bank PLC has been established as a specialized entity to manage and resolve the issues of five Islamic banks currently undergoing a restructuring process under the central bank's resolution department.

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2026 will begin on February 20 and continue until March 15, Bangla Academy authorities announced on Wednesday. The inaugural ceremony of the country’s largest annual book fair will be held at 11:00am, according to a press release. The decision was finalised at an emergency meeting held at Bangla Academy on Wednesday afternoon. Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, Dhaka University Proctor Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, representatives of publishing houses and members of law enforcement agencies attended the meeting. Earlier, authorities had announced that the 2026 edition of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair would be held from December 17 this year to January 17, 2026. However, on September 21, the Home Ministry decided that the book fair should be organised after the upcoming national parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12. Following the decision, the December schedule was suspended. Meanwhile, writers, poets, publishers and cultural activists had been demanding that the fair be held in February, the month deeply associated with the memories of the historic Language Movement. Amid the evolving situation, a final decision was taken on November 2, after the national election schedule, to organise the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2026 in February.

Nearly two-thirds of child labourers in Bangladesh are employed in industrial and factory settings, exposing them to serious health and safety risks, a report said on Wednesday. The findings were presented at an event in Dhaka jointly organised by the International Organisation Educo Bangladesh and the Child Labour Elimination Platform (CLAP).  Economist Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem presented the policy recommendations, while Educo Bangladesh Country Manager Afzal Kabir Khan chaired the session. Speakers at the event stressed the need to strengthen social protection measures to prevent child labour and provide adequate support to affected families. The report revealed that 66.6 percent of child labourers are engaged in the industrial sector, while 44.4 percent work in services and 38.8 percent in agriculture. Many of these children are exposed to hazardous conditions that pose serious threats to their physical and mental wellbeing. According to the data, hazardous child labour is most prevalent in the industrial sector, accounting for 54.7 percent of cases. The service sector follows with 29.9 percent, while agriculture accounts for the lowest share at 3.3 percent of children engaged in dangerous work. Dr Moazzem said that despite international commitments, existing laws and social protection mechanisms, millions of children remain engaged in labour, particularly in the informal sector. He mentioned that around 3.5 million children are involved in various forms of work, but official data is available for only 1.7 million of them. Of this number, about 100,000 children are engaged in hazardous occupations. He said child labour is more visible in urban areas due to the availability of diverse job opportunities, but rural child labour remains significant, particularly in agriculture and seasonal work. To address the problem effectively, he recommended increasing budgetary allocations to social protection programmes and expanding their coverage to reach vulnerable families. Md Kamal Uddin Biswas, additional secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare, said the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) explicitly call for ending child labour, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against children. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving the SDG targets. He added that several initiatives, projects and programmes have already been undertaken by different ministries and departments to eliminate child labour. The government, he said, would take steps to implement recommendations aimed at bringing out-of-school children under social protection schemes and increasing allocations in this sector. Associate Professor Md Aurangzeb Akand of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University stressed the need for universal child benefits and adequate social protection systems. He called for increased investment in quality education and urged authorities to bring all out-of-school children back into classrooms. He also emphasised greater spending on child protection, agricultural development, rural public services, infrastructure and livelihoods. Afzal Kabir Khan said that eliminating child labour requires a robust and inclusive social protection system. He underscored the importance of reducing gaps in coverage, expanding social safety net programmes and strengthening support for the families of child labourers to address the root causes of the problem.

Civil society, political leaders, and researchers expressed deep concern Wednesday over the deterioration of public safety and the weakness of the judicial system in Bangladesh. At a dialogue titled “Security and Rights: What We Want, What We Get?” organized by Democracy International, speakers stressed that ensuring citizens’ safety and rights cannot rely on a single party. They called for national unity, political accountability, and effective institutional reforms. Catherine Cecil, Chief of Party at Democracy International, cited a survey conducted from November 5–30, before the shooting of Osman Hadi, showing 92.3% of respondents would not vote for any party or candidate involved in violent acts. About half believed political parties are failing to curb violence and establish peace. Other speakers highlighted the human impact of political violence, weak law enforcement, and the need for impartial governance. Faruk Hasan of the Gonadhikar Parishad said 24 years of politically motivated violence has eroded public safety and the rule of law. Monira Sharmin of NCP emphasized building consensus beyond election-focused politics, while BNP’s ABM Mosharraf Hossain stressed accountability and professionalism in law enforcement to protect innocent citizens. Experts also noted the gendered aspect of insecurity. University of Dhaka Professor Dr. Salma Akter said fear of violence affects women in both public and private spaces. Human rights activist Noor Khan Liton called for consistent attention to human rights beyond election periods. Speakers concluded that safeguarding public safety requires national unity, sustained political will, and state support to ensure citizens can live without fear and the rule of law is upheld. The dialogue was held under the B-Space project with support from FCDO and organized by Democracy International in collaboration with Jamuna Television.

Emphasising individual freedom in the electoral process, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday said that taking part in the election is a matter of personal choice for each candidate. The adviser made the remarks in response to questions at the BKMEA office in Narayanganj about the withdrawal of Narayanganj-5 BNP-nominated candidate Masuduzzaman Masud, who cited security concerns. “Security is a big word. You all are coming here today. You could have said we have a security crisis, and none of us will come. It is everyone’s personal matter. Why he won’t contest the election — maybe investigative journalists can find out,” he added. At a press conference held at the Narayanganj Press Club on Tuesday, Masuduzzaman Masud announced his withdrawal from the election race, citing security concerns raised by his family in the wake of the assassination attempt on Osman Hadi in Dhaka among his reasons. When asked about India’s visa application center being closed over security issues and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi, Jahangir Alam said, “We also summoned them a few days ago. Usually, in foreign affairs, if one person summons, the other also does. This is standard practice.” The Home Affairs Adviser also sought prayers for bullet-hit Sharif Osman Hadi, saying, “Inquilab Moncho’s Osman Hadi is undergoing treatment in Singapore. Pray for him, may he recover and return to us. He is a July warrior, and his contributions to the country are immense.” On behalf of BKMEA, six vehicles — three each — were gifted to the District Police and Industrial Police during the event. Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, Chief of Industrial Police Additional IGP Gazi Jasim Uddin, Dhaka Range DIG Rezaul Karim Mallick, Additional DIG of Industrial Police Md Asaduzzaman, Deputy Commissioner Raihan Kabir, and District Police Superintendent Mizanur Rahman Munshi were, among others, present.

The Bangladesh Communications Professionals Society (BCPS) held its day-long Winter Retreat: Comms Edition at CCLUB in Gazipur on Tuesday, bringing together around 45 communications professionals from NGOs, brands, and the corporate sector. The retreat began with “Discover Your Story as a Communicator,” a session that encouraged participants to explore personal and professional narratives, according to a handout. Creative exercises followed, helping attendees sharpen their communications thinking and approach challenges with fresh ideas. Later, participants engaged in candid discussions on career challenges and change, sharing strategies for growth in a dynamic communications landscape. The afternoon Content Spark Lab focused on overcoming creative blocks and generating actionable ideas. The event also included music, fun activities, and informal networking, giving attendees space to connect and recharge. Tony Michael Gomes, Chairperson of BCPS, said, “Our Winter Retreat is immersive and transformative. Seeing professionals connect, share, and spark creativity highlights the strength of our communications community in Bangladesh.”  

Bangladesh Bank has issued a new set of guidelines regarding the exchange of damaged, torn, or defective currency notes. Under the new policy, customers will receive the full face value of a note if more than 90 percent of it is intact. Any branch of any bank in the country is now mandated to provide this exchange service. The move comes as the central bank recently ceased its direct note-exchange services, shifting the responsibility to commercial bank branches to ensure public convenience. Customers will receive the full exchange value immediately from any bank branch. If less than 90 percent is found intact, the exchange value will not be paid instantly. Customers must submit an application through the bank branch. The central bank will review the claim and decide on the refund amount within a maximum of 8 weeks. Burnt Notes: Commercial banks are not authorized to process burnt notes. Customers must apply directly to any office of Bangladesh Bank for a decision after a thorough verification. Dirty Notes: Extremely soiled or dirty notes are classified as "Claimable" and will follow the application process rather than instant refund. Mandatory Service for All Bank Branches: The central bank has warned that every branch of every bank must provide services for non-reissuable, torn, or defective notes. Each branch must display a visible notice stating that "Exchange services for torn/defective and claimable notes are provided here." Bangladesh Bank stated that disciplinary action will be taken against any bank branch that shows reluctance or refuses to provide this service. Bangladesh Bank allows entrepreneurs to Import Capital Machinery without BIDA’s approval The new guidelines, which follow the "Note Refund Regulations" issued recently, categorize currency into five types, such as reissuable-fit for circulation, non-reissuable- unfit for further circulation but exchangeable, mutilated or defective-torn or damaged, claimable-notes with 90 percent or less remaining or excessively soiled, burnt notes-specifically handled by the central bank. Warning Against Fraud: The circular also included a stern warning against fraudulent activities. If a customer attempts to exchange counterfeit notes or a note created by pasting parts of different notes together, legal action will be taken against them in accordance with existing laws.  

Vehicular movement on the Rampura–Natun Bazar road resumed on Wednesday evening after a two-hour blockade enforced by July Oikya, demanding the return of those allegedly involved in an attempt to kill Osman Hadi, spokesman of Inquilab Moncho. July Oikya activists blocked the Rampura-Badda road in the afternoon, marching towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka to press their demand for the extradition of the suspects. After keeping the road blocked for nearly two hours, the organisation announced the end to its programme. Earlier, at around 3pm, a procession led by Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair started from Rampura Bridge and advanced towards North Badda. The demonstrators later staged a sit-in on the road in front of Hossain Market in North Badda after facing police resistance, chanting slogans such as ‘Delhi or Dhaka, Dhaka is Dhaka’ and ‘Why was my brother Hadi attacked?’ Addressing the gathering, Zubair said they had no intention of advancing further with the procession and only wanted to convey that no one would be allowed to impose dominance over Bangladesh. “There is no fear. We will not attack the Indian High Commission. Our protest is a non-violent one. But if anyone tries to maintain hegemony over Bangladesh, they will not be spared,” he said. Due to the blockade, severe traffic congestion gripped the entire area. With police barricades on both sides of the road and protesters occupying one side, all types of vehicles remained halted from Natun Bazar to Rampura for nearly two hours. July Oikya blocks Rampura-Badda road over Hadi attack attempt Vehicular movement on the Gulshan–Badda link road was also suspended during the blockade, causing immense suffering to commuters. At around 5pm, July Oikya announced the end of its programme. The protesters warned of tougher movements ahead if the alleged attackers of Hadi are not brought back. Although traffic resumed on the Rampura-Natun Bazar road after police removed the barricades, heavy congestion persisted across the area due to pressure from stranded vehicles.    

July Oikya on Wednesday blocked the Rampura-Badda road while marching to encircle the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, demanding the extradition of those allegedly involved in the attempted killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson and prospective independent candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, Osman Hadi. The march, led by Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Social Welfare Secretary AB Zubair, started from Rampura Bridge around 3:00 pm and advanced towards North Badda. However, facing police resistance, the demonstrators sat on the road in front of Hossain Market in North Badda, chanting slogans such as ‘Delhi or Dhaka, Dhaka is Dhaka’ and ‘My brother Hadi—why did Hadi have to die?’ Addressing the protesters, Zubair said they had no intention of moving further with the procession and only wanted to send a message that no one would be allowed to impose dominance over Bangladesh at will. “We are not afraid, and we will not attack the Indian High Commission. Our protest is a peaceful one. But if anyone tries to maintain hegemonic control over Bangladesh, they will not be spared,” he said. The blockade triggered severe traffic congestion across the area, as police barricades were placed on both sides of the road and protesters occupied one side, halting all vehicular movement from Natun Bazar to Rampura.

The Finance Division on Wednesday unveiled the third Public Financial Management (PFM) Reform Strategy 2025–2030, signaling a decisive shift in Bangladesh’s fiscal governance by widening the focus toward building institutional strength, accountability, and improved service delivery. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed formally launched it at a ceremony organised by Strengthening Public Financial Management Program to Enable Service Delivery (SPFMS) at the multipurpose hall of the Finance Division in the capital. The new framework provides a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen fiscal discipline, manage rising public risks, and ensure better value for money at a time when Bangladesh faces mounting pressure from climate change, global economic volatility, and expanding public expenditure needs. Addressing the event adviser Salehuddin said, “We are accountable to the general public and this long-awaited PFM Strategy is about ensuring transparency, accountability, and better quality of public services.” He called upon officials of the Finance Division, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG), and other relevant actors to accelerate implementation of the strategy, stressing that coordinated action is essential to establish a stronger system of governance and a more transparent public financial system that delivers real benefits to citizens. Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder presided over the event, while Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh Md Nurul Islam and World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan Jean Pesme attended as special guests. Dr Ziaul Abedin, Additional Secretary (Budget-1) and National Program Director of SPFMS, delivered the welcome address, and Suraiya Zannath, Lead Governance Specialist at the World Bank, also spoke on the occasion. The finance secretary said, “The PFM Reform Strategy 2025–2030 is the result of sustained and collaborative efforts by many dedicated stakeholders over a long period. I sincerely acknowledge the contributions of officials of the Finance Division, line ministries, constitutional bodies, development partners, and technical experts who worked relentlessly to shape this comprehensive and forward-looking strategy.” Comptroller and Auditor General Md Nurul Islam said, “The PFM reform journey is fundamentally about attaining fiscal discipline, modernising financial processes, and strengthening financial governance to deliver more efficient, transparent, and citizen-focused public financial services. I firmly believe that a strong PFM system, supported by a strong and independent audit mechanism, is essential to ensuring the success of the reform agenda.” Finance Division rolls out SABRE+ to boost transparency in public sector World Bank Division Director Jean Pesme said Bangladesh has made notable progress through reforms such as iBAS++ and the digitalisation of pension systems which have strengthened credibility, oversight, and transparency in the use of public resources. The 2025–2030 framework is structured around 15 reform pillars covering fiscal sustainability, revenue mobilisation, public investment management, treasury and debt management, procurement, internal and external oversight, digital transformation, and capacity building. For the first time, the strategy fully mainstreams climate-smart PFM, gender-responsive budgeting, and sector-specific financial management reforms for health, education, and social protection. Resilience is a central theme of the strategy. With Bangladesh’s tax-to-GDP ratio among the lowest in the region and fiscal exposure increasing through SOE liabilities and contingent risks, the document places strong emphasis on improved macro-fiscal forecasting, integrated debt management, and transparent reporting of fiscal risks. The strategy also emphasises institutionalisation and implementation, noting that the success of the next reform phase will depend on sustained political commitment, stronger coordination across agencies, and continued investment in public sector capacity. As Bangladesh moves toward upper-middle-income status, the new PFM Reform Strategy positions public finance not merely as a technical function, but as a cornerstone of economic governance, equity, and public trust.