United News of Bangladesh

In a landmark move to reform the insurance sector, the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) has suspended the licenses of all individual agents in the non-life insurance category, effectively ending personal agent-based commissions. The decision comes into effect tomorrow, January 1, 2026. From the first day of the new year, non-life insurance companies will no longer have any legal basis to provide commissions to individual agents for securing business. The regulatory body issued a circular on December 23, 2025, announcing the suspension of all personal insurance agent licenses under non-life insurers. IDRA clarified that since these licenses will no longer be valid starting January 1, any payment of commissions or financial benefits to these individuals will be prohibited. The directive aligns with Section 58(1) of the Insurance Act, 2010, which states that no commission, remuneration, or honorarium can be paid to any person or institution other than an authorized insurance agent. By suspending these specific licenses, the authority is enforcing a stricter legal framework to curb financial irregularities. IDRA has warned that any insurance company found violating this directive by paying commissions to unauthorized individuals will face severe disciplinary action under existing insurance laws and regulations. All non-life insurers have been formally requested to ensure full compliance with the commission ban. Industry experts believe this move will reduce hidden costs and financial mismanagement within the sector. Besides, eliminate unhealthy competition. Strengthen institutional integrity. Move the industry toward a more professional and corporate-driven business model, said the IDRA.

Fatema, longtime caregiver of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and her family are grief-stricken following the leader’s death. Since 2010, Fatema has been devoted to serving Begum Zia, even accompanying her to prison when required. Her father, Rafizul Mia, said the family was almost speechless with sorrow after hearing the news, and the atmosphere at their home in Shahmadar village of Kachia Union, Bhola Sadar, is somber. Fatema, the eldest of two daughters, lost her husband shortly after marriage and moved to Dhaka with her five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son to seek livelihood. Through a relative, she began working as Begum Zia’s household caretaker in 2010 and has served the leader continuously for 16 years. End of an Era: Khaleda Zia rests beside Ziaur Rahman Rafizul Mia said he and his children traveled to Dhaka to attend Begum Zia’s funeral, praying for her soul’s salvation. Fatema’s children, Riamoni, who passed HSC from Nazir Rahman College in 2025, and two-year-old son Rifaat, preparing for SSC in 2026, said they have long been separated from their mother during 30 Eid celebrations. Despite the hardships, they feel proud of their mother for serving the national leader. Local BNP leaders expressed pride in Fatema’s dedication, noting her sacrifices in accompanying Begum Zia abroad and during imprisonment. “Begum Zia was like family to Fatema,” said Rafizul Mia.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have surged to the $33 billion mark, reaching a three-year high, bolstered by a massive influx of remittances and strategic dollar purchases by the central bank. According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank, expatriate Bangladeshis sent $3.04 billion in the 29 days of December 2025. This robust inflow has provided critical support in easing the country’s ongoing dollar shortage and stabilizing the economy. The total gross reserves now stand at $33.18 billion, the highest level since 2022. For comparison, reserves had plummeted to $25.58 billion during the fall of the regime in August 2024. Under the IMF’s BPM6 manual calculation, the current reserves stand at $28.51 billion, which was $20.47 billion. Historical data show that Bangladesh’s reserves first crossed the $33 billion threshold in 2017, later peaking at a record $48 billion in 2021 before facing a steady decline. To maintain market stability and build a safety net, Bangladesh Bank so far purchased over $3.13 billion from commercial banks. The central bank purchased over $1 billion in December alone. Remittances hit $2.93 billion in 28 days of December Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur recently expressed optimism, stating that reserves are expected to reach between $34 billion and $35 billion by the end of December. "We are building our reserves by purchasing dollars from our own internal economy rather than relying on external loans from the IMF or other agencies," the Governor remarked, describing the strategy as a sustainable and "positive decision" for the nation’s financial health.

Bangladesh’s latest solar power procurement drive under the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and Rules (PPR) has emerged as largely unattractive to both foreign and local firms, raising fresh concerns over the country’s renewable energy transition, according to a study. The study, by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), conducted in partnership with the Australian High Commission in Dhaka, found that weak competition, stringent qualification criteria and limited risk mitigation measures have significantly dampened investor interest in solar power projects tendered since December 2024. As part of reform initiatives, the interim government repealed the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act, 2010, bringing power and energy procurement fully under the PPA and PPR framework. Subsequently, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MoPEMR) invited tenders for 55 solar power plants ranging from 10 MW to 250 MW in four lots. The CPD survey released on Tuesday, however, revealed that participation has been strikingly low. Of the 55 packages, 23 received only a single bid, while 13 failed to attract any bids at all. On average, just 1.4 bids were submitted per package. Titled ‘Renewable Energy Procurement under the Public Procurement Act and Rules: Enterprise Survey Findings on Transparency, Accountability, and Efficiency’, the study reviewed the regulatory provisions of the PPA (2006) and PPR (2008), monitored the procurement process for the newly launched solar packages and assessed them against international standards in the power sector. According to the findings, financial capacity requirements emerged as a major deterrent, particularly for local firms. Bidders are required to demonstrate access to liquid assets or credit facilities of at least USD 1.14 million per MW equivalent to USD 57.2 million for a 50 MW plant and USD 114.4 million for a 100 MW plant. While 61.1 per cent of foreign firms found the requirement manageable, 83.6 per cent of local firms said it was difficult to meet. The absence of sovereign guarantees further undermined investor confidence. As no Implementation Agreements are being signed for the solar projects, power purchase agreements lack sovereign backing, affecting bankability. About 68.4 per cent of firms said this negatively influenced their decision to participate. Big push for renewables: 220 MW Sonagazi solar plant gets green light Land acquisition responsibilities placed entirely on winning bidders also discouraged participation, the study noted, citing land scarcity and bureaucratic hurdles. Around 31.5 per cent of firms found this very discouraging, while 27.1 per cent described it as moderately discouraging. According to the study, technical and contractual terms were also flagged as problematic. A fixed annual generation requirement over a 20-year period for example, 109.5 million kilowatt-hours per year for a 50 MW plant was viewed as unrealistic by 76 per cent of firms, given solar panel degradation and fluctuating irradiation. Besides, a provision allowing contract termination with just 28 days’ notice was considered very problematic by nearly two-thirds of respondents. While 91.3 per cent of firms reported receiving tender-related information on time and 66.3 per cent said pre-bid queries were addressed promptly, perceptions worsened after bid submission. Half the firms expected decision-making to be slow, with over 20 per cent anticipating very slow procedures. Overall, 44.6 percent of firms rated the procurement process as inefficient and 18.5 per cent as very inefficient.   Among fully local firms, more than half described the process as inefficient or very inefficient, while all foreign firms surveyed characterised it as inefficient to varying degrees. Concerns were also raised about documentation and transparency, the study noted, citing only 40 per cent of firms found tender documents clear and complete, while many pointed to missing or insufficient technical specifications. Access to information was rated moderately easy by 44.8 percent of firms, though late publication and unavailability of documents on official websites were cited as recurring issues. On transparency, nearly 30 percent of bidders said the evaluation process was only slightly transparent, and 45.5 percent reported facing discrimination. All foreign firms that submitted bids said they experienced discrimination, compared to none among two-thirds of local firms. Despite these issues, a majority of firms, about 59 per cent rated overall transparency as moderate, neither good nor bad. Almost all foreign firms shared this assessment, while most joint ventures described transparency as poor, according to the CPD findings.   Without targeted reforms to procurement design, risk-sharing mechanisms and institutional capacity, Bangladesh’s ambition to scale up renewable energy, particularly solar, may remain constrained, despite policy intentions to improve governance under the PPA-PPR regime, the CPD study says.

BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to eternal rest with full state honour beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar’s Zia Udyan in the capital on Wednesday afternoon. She was buried around 4:30 pm, with her eldest son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman personally placing her in the grave, following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. A guard of honour was provided by the armed forces during the burial. On completion of the burial, the chiefs of the army, navy, and air force, the Home Adviser and Tarique Rahman, laid separate wreaths at the grave, paying tribute to Khaleda Zia. Two wreaths were also laid at Khaleda Zia’s grave on behalf of President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Professor Muhammad Yunus Chief Adviser. Later, a munajat was offered, seeking the salvation of her departed soul. Members of her family, high-ranking state officials, armed forces personnel, government authorities, and senior BNP leaders attended the burial and the munajat. Access to Zia Udyan was restricted to designated personnel during the burial, and public movement in the area remained limited until the ceremony concluded. After the namaz-e-janaza, Khaleda Zia’s body was transported from the Jatiya Sangsad complex to Zia Udyan in a national flag-draped freezer van under tight security. Her body was moved in a special vehicle around 4:25pm to rest beside her martyred husband, former President Ziaur Rahman. Near the grave, members of the army and navy carried her coffin to the burial site. During the funeral, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, younger brother Arafat Rahman’s wife Shameela Rahman, and her daughters Jahia and Zafira Rahman, along with other family members, BNP leaders, and politicians, and the members of armed forces stood in mourning and paid their respects.

Export and import activities between Bangladesh and India through Benapole land port remained suspended from Wednesday morning due to a general holiday in Bangladesh. Shamim Hossain, director of Benapole port, said trade through Benapole port remained suspended from Wednesday due to the general holiday in Bangladesh over the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The trade will resume on Thursday, he said. Officer-in-Charge of Benapole Checkpost Immigration Police, Sakawat Hossain said, despite the halt in trade, passport-holding passengers are crossing the border as usual.  

Hundreds of thousands of people on Wednesday offered prayers at Manik Mia Avenue as the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was held, bidding her a final farewell amid waves of grief. Renowned Islamic scholar and Baitul Mukarrom Mosque Khatib Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek led the namaz-e-janaza at 3:02pm Dhaka stands still as Khaleda’s coffin being taken to Manik Mia Avenue  Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, interim government advisers, BNP leaders, leaders of other political parties, and the chiefs of the three services joined the janaza. Foreign dignitaries, including representatives from India, Pakistan, and other South and Southeast Asian countries, were also present. Khaleda Zia’s body was taken to a temporary stage set up at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad around 2:45pm. Later, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief life sketch of Khaleda Zia on behalf of the party. Khaleda Zia’s body taken to Tarique Rahman’s Gulshan residence He explained the circumstances that led her to enter politics and highlighted her long struggle for democracy, her unwavering commitment to democratic values and her deep patriotism. He also recalled her contributions to the country and urged everyone to pray for her departed soul. At around 2:58pm, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman delivered a short address to the gathering, requesting people to forgive his mother if she had hurt anyone, knowingly or unknowingly, at any time in her life. He said if Khaleda Zia owed anything to anyone, they should inform him and he would make arrangements to repay it. People from across the country thronged Manik Mia Avenue, Khamar Bari, Bijoy Sarani, Asad Gate, Karwan Bazar and surrounding areas. Around 11:50 am, a freezer-van draped in the red-and-green national flag, carrying Khaleda Zia’s body, arrived at the avenue from the Gulshan Avenue residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman. A multi-layered security arrangement was in place around Manik Mia Avenue to maintain law and order as thousands of mourners gathered. Members of the army, police, RAB, BGB, and other law enforcement agencies remained deployed throughout the event. After the janaza, she will be laid to rest beside her husband, late President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, where a grave has been prepared next to his. Despite the biting winter cold, people from across the country arrived in the capital from early morning to attend the janaza and pay their respects. Crowds were also seen overnight near the National Parliament area, Evercare Hospital, the Gulshan office, and Firoza. Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister, passed away at Evercare Hospital at around 6:00 am on Tuesday (December 30) after receiving treatment for more than a month.  

A massive crowd of mourners thronged Manik Mia Avenue and adjacent areas on Wednesday as people from all walks of life gathered to attend the Namaz-e-Janaza of BNP Chairperson and three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Braving cold, traffic restrictions and security restrictions, supporters and citizens poured into the area to pay their final respects to the uncompromising leader. People from different parts of the country have been arriving in the capital since early morning to attend the janaza and pay tribute.  

The government has promulgated the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, with provision of maximum fine of Tk 5,000 for selling cigarettes or tobacco products in areas near educational institutions, hospitals and other sensitive areas. The ordinance was promulgated on Tuesday night by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Law Ministry amending the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005. As per the amended ordinance, no person will be allowed to sell or cause the sale of tobacco or tobacco products within 100 metres of educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, sports venues and children’s parks. The ordinance also states that the government or local government bodies may from time to time extend the boundary of the restricted area through general or special orders. Any violation of the law will attract a fine of up to Tk 5,000. In case of a second or repeated offence, the punishment will be doubled, the ordinance added.  

The body of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has been kept at Manik Mia Avenue where her namaz-e-janaza will be held at 2pm, with thousands of people in attendance.  Around 11:50am, a freezer-van wrapped in the red-and-green national flag, carrying the BNP chief’s body arrived at the avenue from the Gulshan Avenue residence of her elder son Tarique Rahman. The freezer-van left Tarique’s residence amid tight security around 11:02am. A multi-layer security has been taken in and around the Manik Mia Avenue to maintain the law and order as thousands of people have already thronged there. Members of the army, police, RAB, BGB and other law-enforcement agencies have remained deployed. After the janaza, she will be laid to rest beside the grave of her husband, late President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. A grave has already been prepared next to Ziaur Rahman’s tomb. Dhaka stands still as Khaleda’s coffin being taken to Manik Mia Avenue  Despite the biting winter cold, people from different parts of the country have been arriving in the capital since early morning to attend the janaza and pay tribute. Crowds were also seen overnight at the National Parliament area, Evercare Hospital, the Gulshan office and Firoza. Several foreign dignitaries, including representatives from India, Pakistan and other South and Southeast Asian countries, are expected to attend the funeral prayers. Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister, passed away at Evercare Hospital at around 6:00am on Tuesday (December 30) after receiving treatment for more than a month.