United News of Bangladesh

Survivors of the 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse on Thursday alleged that funds collected abroad in the name of affected workers are not reaching the actual victims, while many survivors and families of the deceased continue to live in extreme hardship even 13 years after the tragedy. They made the allegation at a press conference organised by the Rana Plaza Survivors Association in the capital. The association demanded full compensation, long-term rehabilitation and transparency in the management of foreign donation collected for Rana Plaza victims. Speaking at the event, Mahmudul Hasan Hridoy, president of the association, said thousands of injured workers are still suffering from permanent disabilities, psychological trauma and unemployment while many families of those who died have yet to receive fair compensation. “Rana Plaza survivors are not asking for charity. We are demanding our rightful, constitutional and humanitarian rights,” he said while reading out a written statement on behalf of the association. The association expressed serious concern that funds are being raised overseas using the names of Rana Plaza victims without any transparent or survivor-led mechanism, alleging that the real victims are being deprived of the benefits. 12th anniversary of Rana Plaza tragedy today Money is being collected abroad in the name of Rana Plaza victims, but the actual survivors are not receiving anything and this is a grave injustice to workers who have already suffered beyond measure, the statement said. The association demanded an immediate suspension of all foreign fundraising activities until a transparent, accountable and survivor-centric system is put in place. The speakers also condemned what they described as a false and harassing case filed against labour leader Yasmin Chowdhury, calling it an attempt to silence the workers’ movement.  They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the case. In an emotional address, Hridoy, himself a Rana Plaza survivor, said he had faced repeated attacks for speaking out in favour of justice and compensation for victims. “I was attacked and seriously injured for raising my voice. Is demanding compensation and rehabilitation for Rana Plaza victims a crime?” he asked. Read More: Rana Plaza tragedy: Appellate Division stays Rana’s bail Recalling the day of the collapse, Hridoy said workers were forced to enter the building despite visible cracks, and many survivors still carry painful memories of the incident, which continue to affect their mental health and daily lives. He alleged that although reports claim hundreds of crores of taka were collected in the name of Rana Plaza victims, many survivors have received little or no support. General Secretary of the association Saddam Hossain, who lost a hand in the collapse, said many injured workers are now struggling to survive due to the lack of long-term support. “Some injured workers have been forced into begging. There has been no sustainable initiative for their rehabilitation,” he alleged. Another survivor, Wahidur Rahman, said the trauma of the collapse still haunts many survivors, leaving them fearful and unable to sleep properly. He claimed he received only Tk 50,000 as compensation and said he remains unaware of the status of a reported Tk 127 crore fund meant for Rana Plaza victims. Rana Plaza Survivors Association placed a six-point demand including full transparency in foreign fundraising, fair compensation for all survivors and families of the deceased, long-term medical care and rehabilitation, public disclosure and investigation of collected funds, withdrawal of the case against Yasmin Chowdhury, and direct involvement of survivors in fund management and rehabilitation programmes. The association urged the government, authorities concerned and the international community to take immediate and effective action and called on the media to continue highlighting the ongoing struggle of Rana Plaza survivors. “Thirteen years have passed but our fight for justice is far from over,” the speakers said.

Production at 23 private jute mills in Khulna region will be suspended from Sunday due to an acute shortage of raw jute. The crisis was created after excessive rainfall disrupted jute cultivation in Shariatpur, Madaripur and Gopalganj, resulting in lower-than-expected output, jute mill owners said. To protect domestic mills, the government imposed a ban on jute exports from September 8 but millers say the restriction has failed to stabilise supplies. According to the Jute Mill Owners Association, mills are struggling to maintain normal operations as raw jute has become scarce and prices in local markets have surged abnormally. The association has decided to shut down production at 23 mills in Khulna from Sunday. Millers said excessive rainfall during May and June hampered jute production in the southern region. Although the jute season began on July 1, the expected inflow of jute did not reach major trading hubs in Daulatpur, Khulna and Narayanganj. The situation worsened after India imposed a ban on jute export to protect its farmers, leaving Khulna-based exporters in trouble, it said. Taking advantage of the supply crunch, traders allegedly hoarded jute illegally in local markets. With no export opportunities, jute prices rose sharply in markets such as Chuknagar, Kapilmuni, Terokhada, Jhaudanga, Tala, Kalaroa and Parulia, further limiting mills’ ability to procure raw materials. Mills set to halt production include Daulatpur Jute Mill, Khalishpur Jute Mill, Star Jute Mill, Sagar Jute, Jute Textile, Joy Jute, Habib Agro Jute, Ayan Jute, Jessore Jute, Nomani Jute, Ohab Jute, Faruk Jute, Web Jute, Super Jute, FR Jute, Quality Jute and Yasin Jute, among others. In a letter to the government, the association said raw material shortages are pushing mills toward operational disruption while abnormal price hikes driven by middlemen have created an artificial crisis. Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA)  chairman Tapas Pramanik said hoarders are controlling the market and warned that prices could rise further due to manipulation by exporters. Sarjit Sarkar, acting assistant director of the Jute Department in Khulna, said raw jute is currently selling at Tk 4,800 to Tk 5,000 per maund in southern markets, though prices fell by about Tk 200 per maund on Wednesday. He added that farmers typically have no stocks at home during this time of the year. Meanwhile, Mongla Custom House Assistant Commissioner Lopa Saha said in a letter sent to relevant departments on January 20 that no jute exports were recorded from Mongla Port in the 2025–26 fiscal year.  

Bangladesh’s economic growth is expected to rebound to 4.7 percent in both FY26 and FY27 following a recent slowdown but the economy continues to face mounting macro-financial challenges, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said. The IMF’s assessment came after its Executive Board completed the Article IV Consultation for Bangladesh recently. The authorities have consented to the publication of the Staff Report prepared for the consultation, it said on Thursday. According to the IMF, Bangladesh’s GDP growth slowed to 3.7 percent in FY25 from 4.2 percent in FY24 and 5.8 percent in FY23, reflecting production disruptions during the popular uprising, a tighter policy mix, and sluggish private investment. Inflation, though easing from double-digit levels earlier in FY25, remained elevated at 8.2 percent year-on-year in October. The IMF noted that tax revenue collection weakened significantly in FY25, with the tax-to-GDP ratio falling sharply. However, the fiscal deficit was contained due to under-execution of capital and social spending. Foreign exchange reserves have started to rebuild, supported by improvements in the current account balance. Looking ahead, the IMF said the economy is expected to recover gradually over the medium term, provided policies are implemented to mobilise tax revenue and address financial sector vulnerabilities. Growth is projected to gradually accelerate to around 6 percent over the medium term, while inflation is expected to remain high at 8.9 percent in FY26 before easing to around 6 percent in FY27. However, risks to the outlook remain tilted to the downside, mainly due to potential delays or inadequacies in policy implementation, reversals in exchange rate reforms, and weakening fiscal discipline, the IMF warned. In its Executive Board assessment, IMF Directors acknowledged the interim authorities’ efforts to stabilise the economy following the 2024 uprising and ahead of upcoming national elections. At the same time, they stressed that Bangladesh faces serious macroeconomic and financial challenges, including weak revenue mobilisation, banking sector vulnerabilities, incomplete implementation of the new exchange rate framework, and persistently high inflation. The Directors emphasised the need for decisive and sustained policy actions, noting that bold fiscal and financial reforms are essential to restore macroeconomic stability and support long-term development. They also highlighted that full ownership of the IMF-supported programme by the new administration would be critical, along with early engagement with IMF staff and efforts to secure stakeholder support. On fiscal policy, the IMF urged the authorities to undertake ambitious tax reforms, simplify the tax system, and strengthen tax administration and compliance. The Directors also underscored the importance of rationalising subsidies, prioritising growth-enhancing investments, improving public financial and investment management, and strengthening social safety nets to promote inclusive growth. Improving the financial viability of energy state-owned enterprises was also flagged as a priority. The IMF further stressed the urgent need for a credible banking sector reform strategy aligned with international standards. This should include comprehensive asset quality reviews of systemic and state-owned banks, estimates of undercapitalisation, clearly defined fiscal support, and legally robust restructuring and resolution plans. Strengthening risk-based supervision, governance, and balance sheet transparency was also emphasised. On monetary policy, the Directors agreed that maintaining a tight policy stance is necessary to rebuild foreign exchange reserves and reduce inflation. They stressed the importance of fully and consistently implementing exchange rate reforms and allowing greater exchange rate flexibility, while cautioning against unsecured liquidity support to weak banks. Monetary policy, they said, should remain tight until inflation is firmly on a downward trajectory. The IMF also underscored the need for comprehensive structural reforms to unlock Bangladesh’s economic potential as it prepares to graduate from least developed country (LDC) status. Priority areas include strengthening governance and transparency, enhancing anti-corruption and AML/CFT frameworks, ensuring central bank autonomy, creating jobs—particularly for the youth—and promoting export diversification. Continued reforms under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) were seen as key to building climate resilience and mobilising climate finance.        

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 4th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI index of 208 at 9:00 am on Saturday. Dhaka’s air was classified as ' very unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking. Egypt’s Cairo, India's Delhi and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 332, 235 and 211, respectively. Air quality worsens as Dhaka tops global pollution ranking When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.  

A fire broke out on the fifth floor of a five-storey building in Chairman Bari area of Banani in the capital on Friday evening. Fire Service officials said the blaze started around 7:05 pm in a warehouse that stored cork sheets and hardboard. Four units of firefighters from the Kurmitola and Baridhara fire stations rushed to the spot after receiving the alert and reached the scene at 7:22 pm. They brought the fire under control by 7:54 pm, said Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector at the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters media cell. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage could not be determined immediately.

The interim government has noted ‘tangible progress’ in streamlining investment and trade processes, citing improved inter-agency coordination and faster decision-making as key drivers of economic competitiveness. The updates were presented at the 7th meeting of the Investment Coordination Committee, where senior policymakers and regulators reviewed reforms aimed at reducing bottlenecks, digitising services, and accelerating investment execution. The meeting was held at the Chief Adviser's Office at Tejgaon on Thursday. “Process improvements can significantly strengthen our competitiveness and directly impact livelihoods,” said Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser, Lutfey Siddiqi, who chairs the committee. “While we have limited control over external factors such as tariffs and market access, we have full control over our own policies and procedures. Efficiency gains here are immediate, tangible, and substantial.” The meeting was attended by Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA, BEZA and the PPP Authority; Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan Mansur; Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman; along with secretaries and heads of key ministries and agencies, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Friday. Reform Initiatives Among the major proposals discussed were a tenfold increase in pre-arrival customs clearance, a unified online business start-up package, 24-hour digital payment services at Chittagong Port, and a fully automated bond management system. Officials also agreed on a multi-agency mechanism to ensure approved investment proposals are translated into actual investments. The committee reviewed several recent coordination successes. The National Single Window (NSW), launched by the National Board of Revenue after years of inter-ministerial delays, has already eliminated an estimated 1.2 million physical visits to government offices in just a few months. Automated truck entry systems at Chittagong Port have reduced entry times by at least 90%, while digital tracking and cashless payments have enhanced transparency and efficiency. Investment promotion agencies—BIDA, BEZA, BEPZA and the High Tech Park Authority—are now jointly monitoring investment pipelines. Officials reported a record number of land lease agreements, with recent outreach missions to China, Turkey and South Korea leading to confirmed investment activities. Addressing Implementation Gaps The committee also flagged persistent challenges, noting that some offices continue to run parallel offline processes despite having digital systems in place, largely due to weak monitoring of user experience and system usage. Siddiqi highlighted the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) as a best-practice example, citing its digital-only application and payment system supported by on-site help desks. The Chittagong Port Authority has introduced a similar “agent desk” to assist users transitioning to online platforms, according to Chairman Moniruzzaman. Next Milestones Immediate priorities include the launch of the first version of the Bangladesh Business Portal by BIDA, developed through cross-ministry and city corporation collaboration, and a pilot of the Automated Risk Management System (ARMS) at Chittagong Customs House to reduce physical cargo inspections. Referring to recent stakeholder meetings at Chittagong Customs House, Siddiqi stressed the urgency of expanding pre-arrival clearance. “The rules are already in place,” he said. “What is missing is disciplined implementation. It is unacceptable that less than 5% of cargo is pre-cleared when the figure should exceed 50%.” Participants praised the Investment Coordination Committee’s data-driven, action-oriented format, describing it as a “stylistic reform” in government operations that prioritises execution and measurable outcomes. The meeting concluded with appreciation for the collaborative approach and the concrete results delivered so far.  

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) on Thursday asked election officials and members of law enforcement agencies to discharge their duties with utmost integrity, efficiency and professionalism. “Government officials are not members of any political party. They are salaried employees of the state, paid by taxpayers’ money. Any form of partiality or biased conduct towards a political party will not be accepted,” he said. The adviser made the remarks while speaking at a law and order coordination meeting at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium at Rajarbagh in the capital in the afternoon. The meeting was organised by the Home Ministry and the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Office to ensure the smooth conduct of the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. If evidence is found that anyone has worked in favour of a candidate or pursued a partisan agenda, the government will take departmental and strict legal action without any leniency, he warned. He also instructed officials and law enforcers to strictly avoid accepting money or any other benefits from candidates or their representatives, stressing that even accepting food would be unacceptable. Jahangir Alam said the democratic future of the country would be determined through the national election, cautioning that a flawed or non-transparent election could push the nation into uncertainty. “The role, conduct and responsibility of officials and law enforcement personnel are extremely important. I am hopeful that with collective efforts, we will be able to set a benchmark in the upcoming election that will be appreciated not only at home but also internationally,” he added. They said no one should be allowed to violate the law, and anyone involved in illegal activities must be brought under legal action. He urged all concerned to thoroughly understand and follow the Representation of the People Order (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2025, circulars issued by the Home Ministry, and directives of the Election Commission. “Neutrality must be reflected in words, actions, conduct, announcements and implementation,” he said. The adviser also instructed senior officials to regularly brief their subordinate officers and staff on election conduct and preparations, suggesting that meetings could be held daily at district and metropolitan levels to review preparations, challenges, ongoing activities, upcoming plans, dos and don’ts, and compliance with the code of conduct. Home Adviser Jahangir Alam pledges credible polls on Feb 12 Deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, upazila nirbahi officers, regional, district and upazila election officers, officers-in-charge of police stations from across Dhaka Division, as well as additional police commissioners, joint police commissioners, deputy police commissioners and OCs of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, attended the meeting.

Calling it a landmark step to safeguard public health, the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) on Thursday demanded that the recently approved Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 be passed in the first parliamentary session following the upcoming election. The demand was made during a meeting held at BMA Bhaban in the capital. The organization also urged all concerned stakeholders to remain vigilant against concerted disinformation campaigns conducted by the tobacco industry, intended to undermine and obstruct the legislative process. During the meeting, speakers said that the tobacco control ordinance, once enacted into law in the parliament, will prevent the new generation from initiating the use of emerging nicotine products and discourage the use of other traditional tobacco products. Speakers also said that due to the unprecedented level of interference from the tobacco industry, some of the most critical proposed provisions—including banning the sale of loose tobacco products, banning mobile sale of tobacco products, introducing a mandatory retailer licensing system to sell tobacco products, and ensuring a complete ban on corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs of tobacco companies—have been excluded from the finalized ordinance. Future policymakers must remain alert against such aggression by the tobacco industry. E-cigarettes, emerging tobacco products fully banned in Bangladesh Though tobacco, the fourth major risk factor behind premature deaths and disabilities in Bangladesh, claims nearly 200,000 lives each year in the country, the prevalence of tobacco use among adults (15 years and above) stands at 35.3 percent, they said. They added that the toll on public health and the environment inflicted by tobacco use and production causes the national economy a loss of BDT 87,000 crore, which is more than twice the size of revenue generated from the tobacco sector. During the meeting, attended by 56 members of the organization, Mizan Chowdhury, Co-convenor of ATMA, and Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programs, PROGGA, presented ongoing activities of ATMA and its way forward. Mir Masrur Zaman Rony, Chief News Editor of Channel I; Mortuza Haider Liton, Convenor of ATMA; Nadira Kiron, Co-convenor of ATMA; and ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA, also spoke.

Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) on Thursday agreed to work together to strengthen the linkage between agricultural research and extension to ensure inclusive growth. The commitment was made at a discussion meeting held at PKSF Bhaban-1 in the capital. The meeting was chaired by PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan. Emeritus Professor at Kansas State University, USA, Dr ANM Mahbub-ul Alam, attended the event as the chief guest, while BARC Executive Chairman Md Abdus Salam was present as the special guest. PKSF Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader delivered the welcome address. PKSF signs deal 5 commercial banks to fund partner organizations Although agriculture remains a key pillar of the country’s food security and employment, its contribution to GDP is limited to around 12 percent, while nearly 47 percent of the total labour force is engaged in the sector. Sluggish agricultural growth of 3.21 percent, shrinking arable land, declining soil fertility and rising production costs have emerged as major challenges. Dr Alam said institutions often hesitate to engage others who possess greater expertise in specific areas, even when such collaboration is necessary. “As a result, the country is deprived of the effective use of promising talent. We must break free from this mindset,” he said. PKSF leading calls for transition to agroecological farming Emphasising the need for balanced coordination between public and private initiatives for sustainable agricultural development, he added that ensuring food and nutrition security remains a shared national goal. Md Abdus Salam said the objectives of advanced agricultural practices are fourfold — better production, better nutrition, a better environment and, ultimately, a better life. He noted that BARC is continuously conducting research to achieve these goals and expressed hope that collaboration with PKSF would help expand research-based initiatives at the field level. He also said PKSF could play a complementary role to the government in implementing the ‘Transforming Bangladesh Agriculture: Outlook 2050’ strategy. PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan said that while Bangladesh holds a strong position in the global agricultural landscape, sustainable and inclusive growth cannot be achieved without addressing structural challenges. 12,000 youth to receive skills training under PKSF program “The main objective of today’s meeting is to enhance mutual cooperation between PKSF and BARC for the overall development of the agricultural sector,” he said, adding that coordinated efforts would also lead to innovative initiatives beyond conventional activities to benefit farmers and the sector. He expressed optimism that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two institutions would be signed soon. Highlighting that nearly 50 percent of the total agricultural credit disbursed in the country is provided by PKSF and its partner organisations, PKSF Managing Director Md Fazlul Kader said the organisation is working to expand markets and promote agricultural micro-entrepreneurship as a dignified and attractive profession through diversification and value addition. He added that PKSF is placing special emphasis on expanding ecological farming practices to reduce production costs, increase farmers’ income and restore soil fertility. Former BARC Executive Chairman Dr Wais Kabir and WAVE Foundation Executive Director Mohsin Ali also spoke at the discussion. A presentation on PKSF’s agricultural development interventions was delivered, and a special documentary was screened. Senior officials of PKSF and BARC, along with chief executives of PKSF partner organisations, were present at the event.

Awami League must face the ongoing judicial process over the July uprising killings and seek apology if it wants to return to active politics, said Prof Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Rapture, Reform and Reimagining Democracy: Navigating the Agony of Transition’ organised by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) at BRAC Centre in Mohakhali, Ali Riaz said the party has neither acknowledged the July uprising nor expressed any regret. “Sheikh Hasina still believes the July uprising was an Islamic militant movement backed by the West and meticulously designed by Prof Muhammad Yunus. With this mindset, there is no scope for making Awami League relevant in politics,” he said. July Charter a pact with people and parties, not an imposition: Ali Riaz Rejecting commonly cited estimates of Awami League’s support base as flawed and baseless, Ali Riaz said claims that the party enjoys 40 percent or even 20 percent public support lack any credible justification. “If someone cites the 42 percent turnout in the staged 2024 election, then there is nothing more to say.” He termed arguments about keeping a large number of Awami supporters outside the reform process as ‘crippled logic’, noting that the reform exercise was inclusive. “About 56,000 people shared opinions through our website and surveys were conducted in 46,000 households. These were ordinary citizens. We did not work based on whether someone was Awami League or BNP.” Explaining whether the absence of Awami League from the Consensus Commission made the dialogue less democratic, Ali Riaz said there was no practical way to involve the party. “ Can anyone give me Sheikh Hasina’s address so that I could send her a letter inviting her to the commission? Those who were around have fled with laundered money. Others are either in hiding or in jail. Under these circumstances, how could discussions take place with them?” he said. Highlighting the limitations of the interim government, Ali Riaz said the bureaucracy has become stronger than before, while the government failed to exert effective control. “The command Awami League had over bureaucrats does not exist for the interim government. Bureaucrats have taken advantage of this vacuum.” On the failure to implement many recommendations of the reform commissions, he said the government lacked either the necessary will or the required authority in different cases. “As a result, many reforms never saw the light of day.” Criticising civil society, Ali Riaz said it completely failed to work in solidarity with the interim government. Vote ‘Yes’ to curb concentration of power: Prof Ali Riaz “They aligned themselves with one political party or another and did not stand by the government even for a moment,” he said, predicting that civil society would again fail to play a meaningful role in reform efforts under the next government. Referring to the July movement, Ali Riaz said it was not a ‘revolution’ but an ‘uprising’. Although it failed to push the state decisively towards reform, he noted that significant changes are still possible through a referendum.