Business - The Daily Ittefaq

Trump reaches deal with Putin for Russian diesel

UNB — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 10:30:25 +0600

US President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to secure diesel supplies from Russia, marking a major shift in Washington’s longstanding policy of pressuring Moscow over its war against Ukraine. The move comes as the administration faces rising fuel prices ahead of the US midterm elections. Trump announced the agreement on social media Friday... Details

Bangladesh seeks removal of Indian export barriers, anti-dumping duties

BSS — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 22:58:16 +0600

Bangladesh has called for the removal of restrictions on its exports through Indian land ports, withdrawal of anti-dumping duties on Bangladeshi jute products and PET film, and continuation of tariff preferences after graduating from the least developed country (LDC) category. The issues featured prominently at the 16th meeting of the Bangladesh–India Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade,... Details

Fuel hike hits kitchen budgets

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 09:31:24 +0600

Rising rice transportation costs, attributed to higher fuel prices, and price increases at the mill level have driven up the prices of all varieties of rice in the capital’s retail markets. Over the past one to one and a half weeks, the price of fine rice has increased by Tk 2 to Tk 3 per kilogram, while medium-quality rice has risen by Tk 1 to Tk 2 per kilogram. Alongside rice, the... Details

AI chip boom pushes Samsung profits to record $80bn

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 11:17:22 +0600

Samsung Electronics says it expects a nine-fold surge in its quarterly profits compared with a year earlier, driven by surging demand for memory chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. The tech giant estimates that its operating profit for the three months to the end of September will jump to 107.4tn won (£61bn; $80bn), its fourth quarter in a row of record earnings, BBC... Details

Oil rises and stocks fall as Hormuz worries flare

BSS — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:59:14 +0600

Oil prices rose Wednesday and stocks fell amid fresh concerns about Middle East supplies following a warning that Iran appeared to be stepping up attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. The retreat came as investors brushed off another record day on Wall Street where the Nasdaq and S&P 500 were boosted by a rush back into the AI trade that saw chip titan Nvidia push towards a $6 trillion market... Details

Govt working to ensure investment-friendly environment: PM

BSS — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 22:39:54 +0600

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said his government is working to ensure a stable, competitive and investment-friendly environment for both domestic and foreign investors. He made the remarks when a high-level delegation of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, led by its Vice Chairman Ichiro Kashitani paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Secretariat, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary... Details

Ctg Customs orders public e-auction of perishable goods

BSS — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 19:45:16 +0600

Chattogram Customs House has ordered the disposal of auctionable perishable goods through public e-auctions to ensure their quick, transparent and lawful sale. The directive, issued today by the customs house's auction division and signed by Acting Commissioner Md Mahbubur Rahman, will remain effective until the National Board of Revenue (NBR) issues a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for... Details

Bangladeshi exports thrive in Asian markets

BSS — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:04:54 +0600

Bangladesh's exports to several major Asian markets recorded year-on-year growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, signalling scope for further market diversification beyond traditional destinations in the United States (US) and Europe. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), exports to China increased by 9.33 percent to US$225.41 million during July-September of fiscal... Details

AI borrowing binge rattles US markets

BSS — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:33:43 +0600

The world's richest companies can no longer rely on their massive cash piles alone to stay in the artificial intelligence race and have suddenly started borrowing massively in a shift that is sending repercussions across the world. Rising US interest rates, including on the Treasury bonds that anchor the global economy, are sending tremors through the financial world, and some analysts point... Details

Bangladesh's exports to Turkey more than double in Q1

BSS — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 16:02:53 +0600

Bangladesh's exports to Turkey more than doubled in the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2026-27, highlighting the growing potential of the Turkish market for the country's export diversification drive. Exports to Turkey reached US$210.54 million during July-September of fiscal year 2026-27, up 100.11 percent from US$105.21 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year,... Details

'IPO approval to take no more than 3 months'

UNB — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 19:53:43 +0600

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has set a target of approving initial public offerings (IPOs) within a maximum of three months of application under the new rules, aiming to cut long delays in the process. "To resolve the IPO crisis in the capital market, the time taken for IPO approval will be significantly reduced under the new process. We will definitely approve IPOs... Details

Foreign transactions in capital market rise 37.6pc in 8 months

BSS — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 13:34:33 +0600

Foreign investors’ participation in Bangladesh’s capital market is increasing amid reform initiatives and efforts to simplify investment procedures, with their total transactions rising 37.6 percent in the first eight months of this year compared to the same period last year. The total value of foreign investors’ transactions from January to August this year reached Tk... Details

G7 countries to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel as

UNB — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 09:57:04 +0600

The Group of Seven (G7) wealthy nations announced Friday that they will release about 100 million barrels of oil and refined petroleum products in the coming weeks. A major portion of the initial release will consist of diesel, following a sharp rise in fuel prices in the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump said the diesel supplies would be released “immediately.” The G7 has... Details

Trump threatens export ban on US fuel

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:45:45 +0600

Donald Trump has said he may ask European countries to release some of their diesel reserves as he mulls a ban on US exports of the fuel amid a global shortage. The comments followed his Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urging Europe to immediately ready and release such supplies, arguing that US "farmers, truckers, and businesses should not be left carrying the burden" as prices soar, reports... Details

Demand for AI chips fuels 83.5% surge in S Korean exports

BSS — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 09:15:15 +0600

South Korea's exports soared 83.5 percent in September to a record monthly high, official data showed Thursday, propelled by surging global demand for chips fuelled by a boom in artificial intelligence. The country is home to tech giant Samsung Electronics, one of the world's leading memory-chip makers, as well as SK hynix -- both key suppliers to the booming global AI industry. Overseas... Details

BB keeps policy rate unchanged at 9.5%

UNB — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 17:09:31 +0600

Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Wednesday unveiled its first-ever quarterly Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) for October–December quarter of FY 2026–27, keeping the benchmark policy interest rate unchanged at 9.50 % to curb inflation, while acknowledging that elevated borrowing costs continue to suppress private sector credit growth. The central bank transitioned to a quarterly monetary... Details

Bangla QR transactions surge to Tk 143.54cr daily: BB

UNB — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 14:07:17 +0600

Digital transactions through the universal Bangla QR system have surged sharply over the past 90 days, with average daily transaction value rising from around Tk 28 crore in June to Tk 143.54 crore currently, Bangladesh Bank said Wednesday. The number of daily transactions has also increased 3.5 times during the period, from around 100,000 in June to nearly 350,000 now. Bangladesh Bank... Details

Southeast Bank to raise Tk 800cr through subordinated bond

UNB — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:41:40 +0600

Southeast Bank PLC will raise Tk 800 crore through the issuance of its “Southeast Bank 6th Subordinated Bond”. According to Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) sources, the approval was given at the commission’s 1,031st meeting on Tuesday, chaired by BSEC Chairman Masud Khan. The seven-year bond will be fully redeemed at maturity and will be non-convertible... Details

BB to unveil 1st quarterly MPS Wednesday

BSS — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 23:10:06 +0600

Bangladesh Bank (BB) is set to announce its first-ever quarterly Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) tomorrow, replacing the existing six-month monetary policy cycle. The central bank will unveil the MPS for October-December 2026 at a press conference at 3:00pm, with BB Deputy Governor Md Habibur Rahman scheduled to attend as the chief guest. The move is aimed at making monetary policy more... Details

Stocks drop and oil rises as Hormuz hopes fade

BSS — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:54:58 +0600

Asian stocks mostly fell and oil prices extended gains as hopes for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz fade amid expectations the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates again next month. Hopes for an easing of Middle East tensions were dashed at the weekend when Donald Trump rejected Iran's offer for a seven-day truce. While he said talks would resume this week, that was unable to lift the... Details

UK diesel price hits all-time high: RAC

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 23:19:08 +0600

Diesel prices have hit an all-time high of 199.18p per litre, according to the RAC motoring organisation, as the war in the Middle East continues to push up the cost of fuel. Petrol prices are also still rising, with a litre currently costing 174.13p, reports the BBC. Over the past seven months, the Iran war has severely disrupted the production and transportation of wholesale oil across the... Details

Govt takes initiative to reopen jute mills, create 50,000 jobs

BSS — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:18:49 +0600

The government has taken an initiative to reopen the long-closed jute mills of the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) in phases. Stakeholders said once the initiative is implemented, employment opportunities will be created for about 50,000 people across the country. Production has already commenced in nine of the seventeen leased-out jute mills, creating jobs for around 9,500 people.... Details

Oil prices spike after Trump rejects Iran truce offer

BSS — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 11:42:17 +0600

Oil prices spiked with bond yields Monday as Donald Trump's rejection of an Iranian offer of a seven-day truce stoked inflation concerns, while stocks were mixed as traders look ahead to the release of key US data. Tehran last week set out a plan at the UN General Assembly for a halt in hostilities that would see the Strait of Hormuz reopened, which would ease a crippling supply crisis that... Details

NBR adopts 3-R strategy to harness revenue collection

BSS — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 15:44:42 +0600

National Board of Revenue (NBR) has framed a 3-R (Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction) strategy to harness revenue collection by overcoming the existing challenges. Under the strategy, investment in tax administration, skill development, system interoperability, risk management, taxpayer service, technology and compliance would act as catalysts in harnessing the realization of challenging... Details

Investment in Karnaphuli EPZ jumps 412-fold in two decades

BSS — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 14:24:00 +0600

Foreign and local Investments in the Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) here has surged 412-fold over the past two decades, marking a significant expansion of the country’s industrial investment. Anowar Parvej, Executive director of BEPZA told BSS that Karnaphuli EPZ began operations in fiscal year 2006–‘07 with an investment of just US$1.91 million. As of August... Details

Meta shares soar after launch of Muse AI

BSS — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 23:45:47 +0600

Meta shares bounced back to their summer 2025 highs this week, riding a wave of investor excitement about Muse, the social media giant's AI agent which presents an opportunity to generate revenue beyond advertising. The stock gained 4.5 percent on Thursday after jumping more than 11 percent on Monday, its biggest single-day rise since April 2025. At around $778, the share price has recovered... Details

Bangladesh halts hilsa import from India, cancels 103 permits

UNB — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:25:02 +0600

Bangladesh has halted hilsa import from India after the Department of Fisheries cancelled 103 no-objection certificates (NOCs) issued for importing the popular fish. The NOCs were revoked on Tuesday through a letter signed by Acting Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Khaled Konok. Following the decision, the process of importing hilsa from India through Benapole land port... Details

Oil prices fall after Trump hails 'good' talks with Iran

BSS — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:08:22 +0600

Oil prices fell on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said US and Iranian representatives had met for "very good" talks at the United Nations. The international benchmark, Brent crude, and main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, dipped to $98.91 and $89.93 per barrel respectively in early Asian trade -- well below the symbolic $100 mark they have smashed repeatedly since the Middle Eat... Details

Trump says he would back ban on diesel exports

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:56:06 +0600

US President Donald Trump has said he would back proposals to halt American diesel exports in a bid to ease prices for drivers at the pumps. His comments come after Republicans lawmakers put pressure on the president ahead of November's mid-term elections to curb exports, as diesel prices soar to record highs in the US, BBC reports. Speaking on the sidelines at the United Nations General... Details

Bangladesh lags global trends in value-added apparel exports: Report

UNB — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:55:56 +0600

Bangladesh’s apparel export basket remains heavily skewed toward basic items while significantly lagging behind global market trends in value-added, advanced garment categories, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). Citing figures from EPB and the International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Map, the report revealed that Bangladesh exported $38.825 billion worth of apparel... Details

Forex reserve stands at $36.31b

BSS — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 07:11:56 +0600

Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves stood at $36.31 billion, according to the latest data released by the Bangladesh Bank (BB) today. The central bank said that under the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM-6) accounting standard, the country's reserves were recorded at $31.45 billion. Officials noted that the reserve... Details

BDT strengthens against USD after over five years: BB

UNB — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 23:02:58 +0600

Ending a continuous depreciation trend spanning five and a half years, the Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) has shown signs of appreciation against the US dollar (USD), according to a Bangladesh Bank (BB) report released on Sunday. On a point-to-point basis from June last year to June this year, the value of the Taka appreciated by 0.06 percent. Furthermore, between August 30 and September 17, the local... Details

Flour gets dearer, chicken and eggs stay high

Click Ittefaq Desk — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:39:48 +0600

Prices of flour and refined flour have risen again in the market for essential commodities. Within a month, prices of both loose and packaged flour and refined flour have increased significantly. Retailers selling these products at higher prices due to price hikes in the wholesale market. Alongside flour and refined flour, prices of broiler chickens, eggs, and fish are also under upward... Details

UK inflation jumps to 3.1% in August as fuel prices rise

BSS — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:08:18 +0600

Britain's annual inflation rate climbed in line with analysts' expectations in August, official data showed Wednesday, as the Middle East war drove up fuel prices. The Consumer Prices Index rose 3.1 percent in the 12 months to August, up from 2.9 percent the previous month, the Office for National Statistics said. Higher inflation adds pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his finance... Details

UK gas and diesel prices hit highest since 2022

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 07:15:23 +0600

Petrol and diesel prices have both hit the highest levels since 2022 as the conflict in the Middle East continues to impact drivers' finances. The average price of a litre of petrol now stands at 169.68p, according to the RAC motoring body, while diesel has risen to 191.68p, reports the BBC. The cost of filling up a vehicle is back to where it was after Russia launched a full-scale invasion... Details

US now Bangladesh’s 2nd-largest trading partner, overtaking India

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:16:26 +0600

he United States has overtaken India to become Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner, as trade between Dhaka and New Delhi declined while imports from Washington surged. According to data from Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR), cited by Prothom Alo, Bangladesh’s total two-way trade with the US stood at $12.67 billion in the last financial year, according to... Details

Amazon pauses work with cargo firm after fatal crash

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:14:36 +0600

E-commerce giant Amazon says it is suspending work with the firm that operated a cargo plane that was involved in a fatal crash in Miami this month. "After the tragic incident last weekend, we've spent time supporting the investigation and reviewing some of the surrounding circumstances, and we've decided to pause our operations with 21 Air," an Amazon spokesperson said on Sunday, reports the... Details

Oil extends gains as Mideast tensions deepen supply fears

BSS — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:22:12 +0600

Oil prices rose sharply on Monday, pushing Brent crude above $107 a barrel as escalating tensions in the Middle East stoked fears of disruptions to global energy supplies. Brent crude for November delivery gained 2.8 percent to $107.54 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October rose 2.3 percent to $102.34. Both contracts extended last week's gains after climbing back... Details

BB launches 'UDYOG' to finance young entrepreneurs

BSS — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 22:54:17 +0600

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has launched a new financing programme titled “UDYOG Upazila-Driven Youth Opportunity for Growth” to identify, develop and finance promising young entrepreneurs at the upazila level. The central bank introduced the programme with the aim of promoting employment, encouraging innovative business initiatives and supporting young people in becoming economically... Details

Uber leaves two African markets — and drivers in despair

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 07:22:30 +0600

A week ago, Uber unexpectedly announced its departure from the Nigerian market after spending more than a decade building up its presence in Africa's most populous country. The ride-hailing platform also said it would be winding up its operations in Uganda — also with immediate effect. With the exit from both Nigeria and Uganda, Uber now remains operational only in a handful of African... Details

Oil prices, US inflation stoke Fed hike worries

BSS — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 14:38:12 +0600

High oil prices, record American diesel costs and hot US inflation data on Friday cemented investor fears that the Federal Reserve is all but certain to hike rates soon, despite the potential to dent growth in the world's biggest economy. After a rollercoaster week for markets, bonds and energy, driven by a sharp escalation in the US-Iran war, US consumer inflation was unchanged at 3.4 percent... Details

Flour, aromatic rice prices spike as edible oil crisis persists in Dhaka

UNB — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 14:37:30 +0600

Prices of flour, refined flour (maida) and aromatic rice have risen sharply in Dhaka kitchen markets, adding to pressure on bakeries, biryani businesses and middle-income households amid a continued shortage of soybean oil. A visit to markets in Shantinagar, Rampura, Badda and Shahjadpur on Friday found loose flour selling at Tk 50 per kg, up from Tk 45 last week, while the maida price climbed... Details

Oil prices flare as Iran tightens grip on Hormuz

BSS — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:59:16 +0600

Oil prices hovered above $100 a barrel on Thursday, a day after Iran said it attacked more than a dozen vessels trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran tightened its grip on the vital oil and gas shipping route on Wednesday, expanding a no-go zone outside the waterway where it has restricted traffic since the war with the United States began on February 28. The price of Brent... Details

Amazon starts selling first sterling bonds

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:46:30 +0600

Amazon started selling sterling bonds for the first time on Wednesday, according to the banks managing the deal, as hyperscalers rush to diversify their funding sources to finance the AI boom. The deal is the latest ‌example of how hyperscalers are increasingly selling bonds across markets outside of the U.S. this year, from euros to Swiss francs and the yen, as they make sure they can... Details

Oil prices climb as Mideast war flares

BSS — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:54:44 +0600

Oil prices climbed on Wednesday to near $100 a barrel in early Asia trade, as war in the Middle East threatened to further choke supply from the crude-rich region. The price of Brent crude, the benchmark international contract, rose to $99.38 per barrel, while the main US contract West Texas Intermediate was at $94.51 per barrel. Iran said on Wednesday it struck a US military base in Jordan... Details

China starts charging fees on chipmaking chemical from Japan

BSS — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 09:34:20 +0600

China began collecting "deposits" on imports of a key chipmaking chemical from Japan on Tuesday after it said a probe found evidence of dumping that harmed Beijing's domestic industry. The Chinese commerce ministry announced in January an anti-dumping investigation into dichlorosilane imported from Japan -- a major global supplier of the chemical used to manufacture semiconductors. The probe... Details

Banknote printing costs nearly double

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:23:52 +0600

The Bangladesh Bank’s expenditure on printing new banknotes in the country nearly doubled within a year. In the completed 2025–26 fiscal year, the central bank spent a total of Tk 4.589 billion (Tk 458 crore 92 lakh 75 thousand) on printing banknotes, which was 95.46 percent higher than in the previous fiscal year. The information comes from Bangladesh Bank’s latest audited... Details

Iran raises price of petrol as US applies economic pressure

BSS — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:20:50 +0600

Iranian authorities on Sunday announced they were raising the price of petrol for heavier consumers, as the United States steps up sanctions seeking to isolate the country's economy. Iran's quota system prices petrol in three tiers -- 1,500 tomans per litre for a consumer's first 60 litres in a given month, 3,000 tomans per litre for their next 50, and 5,000 tomans per litre after that. The... Details

Polao rice price surge raises questions

Munna Raihan — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:12:01 +0600

At one time, polao was a staple dish at ordinary family gatherings. Now, buying the rice used to make polao costs Tk 200 to Tk 230 per kilogram. The price has nearly doubled in just six months. This sharp increase has put pressure not only on families but also on restaurant owners. But what is behind this unusual price hike? Is it the government’s approval of nearly double the... Details

BB to launch 'Uddyog' for young entrepreneurs

UNB — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:25:19 +0600

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) is set to launch a specialised financial program titled "Uddyog: Upazila-Based Young Entrepreneur Search, Identification, and Financing Program" to transform young citizens into successful entrepreneurs across the country. The SME and Special Programs Department of the central bank will implement the initiative. Details of the scheme were unveiled by BB Spokesperson... Details

NPLs surpass Tk 6 lakh crore

UNB — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 21:56:46 +0600

Non-performing loans (NPLs) in Bangladesh's banking sector have surged once again, surpassing Tk 6 lakh crore by the end of June 2026 despite various policy concessions and restructuring facilities offered to borrowers. According to the latest data released by Bangladesh Bank, total default loans reached Tk 6,06,555 crore at the end of June, marking an increase of Tk 17,851 crore in three... Details

Bangladesh exports grow 13.14% in Aug

UNB — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 20:22:44 +0600

Bangladesh's merchandise exports rose 13.14 percent year-on-year to US$4.43 billion in August, up from $3.92 billion in the same month last year, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). Exports during the first two months of fiscal year 2026-27 also increased by 5.43 percent to $9.16 billion from $8.69 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. The... Details

Oil jumps more than 2% after US attack on Iran's Larak Island

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:48:07 +0600

Oil prices were trading more than 2% ‌higher on Monday after the U.S. attacked an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz and drew retaliation from Tehran, as their conflict extended into its sixth month. Brent crude futures climbed $2.21, or 2.51%, to $90.31 a barrel as of 0436 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $85.23, up $1.83, or 2.19%, according to a Reuters report.... Details

Energy crisis threatens exports

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:22:56 +0600

The country's industrial sector has come under pressure due to instability in the global market and a shortage of fuel supplies at home. Because of the lack of uninterrupted electricity and gas, factory owners are having to rely on alternative arrangements to keep production running. As a result, production costs have risen sharply, ultimately driving up the final prices of goods.... Details

BB earns Tk 25,977cr net profit in FY26

UNB — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 23:01:52 +0600

Bangladesh Bank (BB) recorded a net profit of Tk 25,977 crore for the recently concluded fiscal year FY2025-26, marking an increase of Tk 3,357 crore compared to the previous fiscal despite ongoing economic challenges. The final financial statements for FY2025-26 were approved on Sunday (August 30) during a Board of Directors meeting chaired by Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman at the... Details

US, Venezuela announce 'historic' oil deal

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 21:23:18 +0600

President Donald Trump said Friday the US had reached a deal to take control of part of Venezuela's vast oil reserves. He said the deal was negotiated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, reports the Deutsche Welle. "The United States of America has just entered into an agreement with the country of Venezuela on,... Details

French economy stalls in Q2, inflation speeds up

BSS — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:14:25 +0600

France's economic growth stalled in the second quarter, statistics office Insee said Friday, revising down its initial forecast while reporting a sharp rise in inflation in August. GDP growth was flat in the quarter, instead of the 0.2 percent growth Insee first reported last month. That followed a 0.2 percent decline in the first quarter -- also a downward revision from the previous estimate... Details

Tanker pays record $5.3m to transit Panama Canal: administrator

BSS — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:31:43 +0600

A tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas has paid $5.3 million for priority passage through the Panama Canal ahead of El Nino-related restrictions, the waterway's deputy administrator, Ilya Espino de Marotta, told AFP on Thursday. South Korean company SK Gas paid the record sum for the G. Spirit to transit the shipping lane on September 1, two days before canal authorities reduce the number... Details

How the Gulf conflict shaped financial markets

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:22:37 +0600

Friday marks six months since the U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran triggered a conflict that has disrupted global energy supplies and sent ripples through global financial markets. The charts below show how the conflict has affected oil, equities, safe-haven assets and food prices, reports the Reuters. 1 COSTLY ENERGY Oil prices soared as Gulf production was disrupted and shipments through... Details

Sammilito Islami Bank files 10,000 cases to recover defaulted loans

BSS — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:03:35 +0600

Sammilito Islami Bank PLC has so far filed around 10,000 cases to recover defaulted loans, as Bangladesh Bank (BB) intensifies efforts to protect depositors' interests and strengthen the financial position of the country's largest state-owned Shariah-based Islamic bank. The information came at a meeting held at the central bank headquarters today with the BB governor and officials of the Bank... Details

Why Tesla has been caught up in a massive car recall in China

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 22:53:08 +0600

Hidden car door handles - the sleek designs often found on electric vehicles (EVs) - have come under the spotlight over the past week. That's after China announced its biggest ever recall of cars, with more than four million vehicles - mostly Teslas – affected, reports the BBC. The recall comes ahead of new regulations in China, requiring cars to have a mechanical release both on the... Details

Canada unveils counter-tariffs of 15-50% on US goods

BSS — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:52:48 +0600

Canada on Tuesday announced counter-tariffs on US goods ranging between 15 and 50 percent, intensifying the trade war between the historically close allies. Ottawa's retaliation will take effect September 8, a timeframe earlier outlined by Prime Minister Mark Carney after US President Donald Trump's 50-percent duties came into place Saturday. The retaliatory tariffs of 15 percent, 25 percent... Details

Trump Weighs New 7.5% Tariff on China Over Cheap Exports

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:28:30 +0600

US President Donald Trump is considering imposing a new 7.5% tariff on Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of flooding global markets with cheaply priced products, according to people familiar with the matter. Two of three people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the proposed tariff is being considered at a level that officials believe would not threaten the current... Details

MCAB sets new USD buy-sell rates for money exchanges

UNB — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:33:49 +0600

The Money Changers Association of Bangladesh (MCAB) has set new exchange rates for buying and selling US dollars in the open market to maintain stability and curb exchange rate fluctuations. Under the new rates announced on Monday, authorized money exchanges across the country will purchase the US dollar at Tk 125.50 and sell it at Tk 126.50. MCAB President MS Zaman officially announced the... Details

Oil falls as Trump pledges economic war on Iran

BSS — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:26:05 +0600

Oil prices fell on Monday as investors braced for details of a US plan to isolate the Iranian economy that President Donald Trump billed as the "most crushing" financial operation ever against Tehran. Asian stocks were mostly down in early trading, with South Korea's tech-rich Kospi falling 1.4 percent after Samsung Electronics said it spent a massive $80 billion to buy back its own shares... Details

Bangla QR transactions cross Tk 110cr daily

BSS — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:13:46 +0600

Transactions through Bangla QR have almost doubled in number and nearly tripled in monetary value since the introduction of the mandatory "One Country, One QR" system in Bangladesh. From July 1, 2026, Bangladesh made it mandatory to replace all proprietary QR codes with a single Bangla QR under the "One Country, One QR" initiative, said a press release here today. At the... Details

Invest Bangladesh begins journey

UNB — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 11:52:34 +0600

Invest Bangladesh officially started operations on Sunday following the publication of the gazette notification under the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026. Formed through the merger of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and the Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPA), the new entity now serves as the country’s apex... Details

Trump announces temporary tariff relief on ground beef imports

BSS — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 11:23:18 +0600

President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States would temporarily allow a greater volume of foreign beef imports, in his latest bid to lower costs for American consumers as midterm elections approach. The US cattle herd has shrunk to its smallest size since the 1950s -- in part due to drought and international competition -- with the diminishing numbers pushing beef product... Details

Alibaba profit plunges 75% as AI investment surges

UNB — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:22:22 +0600

Chinese technology giant Alibaba reported a 75% fall in quarterly profit on Thursday as the company increased spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure, despite strong growth in its AI-related services. Alibaba, which is listed in Hong Kong and the United States, said its profit for the April-June quarter fell to 10.5 billion yuan ($1.6 billion), from 43.1 billion yuan ($6.4 billion)... Details

Trump pauses new tariffs on Canada for 3 days, saying deal close

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:03:54 +0600

US President Donald Trump said he will delay imposing new tariffs on a wide array of Canadian goods for three days as the countries firm up a trade deal. "I have paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!" Trump said in a... Details

UAE suspends all trade, financial transactions with Iran

Click Ittefaq Desk — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:43:52 +0600

The UAE has halted all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said. The announcement comes amid escalating regional tensions and follows allegations about the status of the UAE’s economic relationship with Iran, reports the Gulf News. UAE rejects claims over economic ties Afra Al Hameli, Director of... Details

Bangladesh's forex reserves hit $37.24bn

UNB — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 23:20:37 +0600

Remittance inflow to Bangladesh rose 21.6 percent year-on-year to $4.74 billion in the first 48 days of the current fiscal year, while the country's gross foreign exchange reserves stood at $37.24 billion on Tuesday. According to Bangladesh Bank data, the country received $4.74 billion in remittances between July 1 and August 17, 2026, compared with $3.90 billion during the corresponding... Details

BB revises Sukuk allocation rates for investors

BSS — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:36:41 +0600

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has revised the allocation rates of Sukuk among different categories of investors to ensure wider participation in the Islamic securities market. According to a circular issued by the central bank today, the revised allocation policy will apply to Sukuk issued by the government and other eligible entities. Under the new arrangement, 50 percent of an issued Sukuk will be... Details

Surplus liquidity in banking sector hits Tk 4 lakh crore

UNB — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:33:56 +0600

Excess liquidity in Bangladesh's banking sector reached an all-time high, crossing Tk 4.08 lakh crore at the end of June 2026, driven by rising bank deposits and a distinct reluctance among entrepreneurs to take new loans for business expansion or establishing industrial plants. Central bank data shows that deposit growth in the banking sector stood at 10.74 percent in June, whereas credit... Details

BB relaxes cash margin requirement for fruit imports

BSS — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 18:04:17 +0600

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has relaxed the cash margin requirement for opening letters of credit (LCs) for fruit imports, replacing the existing 100 percent cash margin requirement with a margin to be determined by banks based on their relationship with customers. The central bank issued the instruction in a circular today, saying the move was aimed at facilitating fruit imports, ensuring adequate... Details

BB consolidates foreign exchange rules for import trade

UNB — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:05:03 +0600

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has streamlined foreign exchange regulations governing import trade, aiming to simplify procedures and align them with contemporary business needs. The central bank issued a new consolidated circular on Thursday, bringing together various directives issued over the past year into a single framework. The move is expected to facilitate international trade by making... Details

Oil prices rise, stocks mixed ahead of crucial US inflation data

BSS — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:01:28 +0600

Oil prices rose again Wednesday and stock markets were mixed, with eyes on the release of key US inflation data that could guide the Federal Reserve on its plans for interest rates. Traders trod nervously ahead of the consumer price index (CPI) figures, which follow a report last week showing the world's top economy lost more than 20,000 jobs last month, suggesting the labour market was... Details

PM welcomes Visa’s investment in digital economy

UNB — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:31:02 +0600

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday welcomed greater private-sector partnership in Bangladesh’s digital financial services and technology sectors as Visa expressed interest in expanding its investment and business operations in the country. Visa Asia-Pacific President Stephen Karpin paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat... Details

Oil prices steady after 5% jump

UNB — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:56:20 +0600

Oil prices remained largely unchanged Tuesday after rising 5% in the previous session, as uncertainty continued over when the Strait of Hormuz might reopen and allow crude shipments to resume normally. US stock futures edged higher in early trading. Brent crude was unchanged at $87.72 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate also remained flat at $82.13 a barrel. Brent prices... Details

Trump media company reports massive loss

UNB — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:30:20 +0600

President Donald Trump's media company reported a massive loss in the second quarter and announced plans to abandon several new business ventures and refocus on its core mission as a social media platform. Trump Media & Technology, which operates the Truth Social platform, said Monday it lost $238 million in the three months through June after expanding into businesses outside traditional... Details

Bangla QR transactions near Tk 1,500cr since July 1

BSS — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:35:18 +0600

Transactions through the interoperable Bangla QR payment system have reached nearly Tk 1,500 crore through around 56 lakh transactions since July 1, signalling a rapid shift in payment behaviour and growing acceptance of digital transactions across the country. A senior Bangladesh Bank (BB) official told BSS that Bangla QR transactions have maintained strong momentum since the central... Details

Surprise fall in US jobs last month as slow summer continues

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:06:07 +0600

The US economy is creating fewer jobs than expected with the employment market performing weaker during the summer than previously thought, official figures show. There was a surprise shedding of 23,000 jobs last month, with declines driven by cuts in local government education and retail roles, despite analysts predicting growth, BBC reports. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised down... Details

Korean companies see prospect of upgrading RMG industry

BSS — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:31:35 +0600

South Korean companies see significant investment opportunities in upgrading Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) industry. Bangladesh’s RMG may enhance value addition and strengthen the country's global competitiveness by expanding the use of man-made fibres (MMF), functional textiles, automated sewing equipment and garment accessories Talking to BSS, Deputy Director of the Korea... Details

BB takes 18-month action plan to tackle soaring NPLs

UNB — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:19:43 +0600

Around 36 percent of the total loans disbursed in the country's banking sector are currently non-performing, posing a major risk to the financial sector, Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman said on Thursday. To tackle the crisis, the central bank has adopted an 18-month special action plan aimed at reducing non-performing loans (NPLs) and stabilising the banking sector, he said... Details

Oil prices fall on hopes of Hormuz reopening

Click Ittefaq Desk — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 23:24:25 +0600

Oil prices fell to a three-week low on Tuesday as senior US officials raised hopes of a deal with Iran to reopen the key Strait of Hormuz waterway. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent both announced talks had progressed to allow shipments to potentially resume as soon as this week, BBC reports. The cost of a barrel of brent crude, the global benchmark for... Details

Green chilli import from India begins via Hili Land Port

BSS — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 07:48:31 +0600

Imports of green chillies from India through Dinajpur's Hili Land Port resumed today after a gap of more than eight months, raising hopes of easing the prices in the domestic market. “Three Indian trucks carrying green chillies entered Bangladesh through the port at around 4:30 pm,” said Hili Land Port Importers and Exporters Association President Md Sakhawat Hossain Shilpi. The impact of the... Details

RMG exports rebound to $3.88bn in July despite YoY dip

UNB — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 23:07:45 +0600

Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports began fiscal year 2026-27 with a strong month-on-month rebound, rising 14.73 percent to US$3.88 billion in July from $3.38 billion in June, although earnings were slightly lower than a year earlier, according to the latest data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). The July export earnings were 1.92 percent lower than the $3.96 billion recorded... Details

Oil prices fall nearly 5% after US announces new Iran talks

BSS — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:28:44 +0600

Oil prices tumbled on Monday in early Asia trade after US President Donald Trump announced fresh talks with Iran to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The war, which began in late February when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, has caused oil prices to swing sharply as it effectively closed the waterway, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies. At around... Details

OPEC+ tipped to raise production again but new quotas loom

BSS — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 10:13:02 +0600

Saudi Arabia, Russia and five other members of OPEC+ are expected to raise their oil production quotas for September when they meet online Sunday as the Middle East war continues to disrupt global energy supplies. The enlarged Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will likely increase production by 188,000 barrels per day, following several months of similar hikes, said Jorge Leon,... Details

US economic growth sees surprise slowdown in 2nd quarter

Click Ittefaq Desk — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 23:35:22 +0600

There was a surprise slowdown in US economic growth in the three months to June despite an increase in consumer spending, according to official figures. The Commerce Department said the US economy grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the second quarter, down from 2.1% seen in the first three months of the year. Analysts had forecast growth to remain around 2%, BBC reports. It comes as the... Details

BB launches Tk 2,000cr pre-finance scheme for leather sector

UNB — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 21:01:23 +0600

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has formed a revolving pre-finance scheme worth Tk 2,000 crore to foster the development, sustainability and international competitiveness of the country’s leather and leather goods sector. The central bank issued a circular, signed by Director of its Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD) Gazi Md Mahfuzul Islam, on Thursday, outlining the operational... Details

Crude jumps on fresh Mideast flare-up, tech rout deepens

BSS — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:45:30 +0600

Oil prices spiked Wednesday after a fresh flare-up of fighting in the Middle East that revived fears over supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, while chip firms continued to bleed as nervous investors unwound their bets on the AI boom. Traders are also keeping a nervous watch on the Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the day, with some observers warning the US central bank could... Details

Oil price dives as US and Iran pause attacks

Click Ittefaq Desk — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:26:28 +0600

The price of oil has fallen sharply on hopes that a pause in attacks between the US and Iran could help to de-escalate the conflict. Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, sank more than 9% to $87.59 a barrel at one point, marking a sharp turnaround from last week when it had risen above $100, reports the BBC. The fall came after the US ambassador to the UN said attacks on Iran had been... Details

CEIZ to open new horizon in economy: Khosru

BSS — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:15:09 +0600

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Anwara, Chattogram is expected to attract investments over one billion US dollars. He emphasized that this initiative will positively influence not only Anwara but also the broader Chattogram economy, paving the way for new industrialization opportunities. He... Details

Oil down over 5% on renewed hopes for US-Iran deal

UNB — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:59:30 +0600

Oil prices eased in early trading Sunday, falling further from a two-month high set last week, after the United States and Iran refrained from launching military strikes in the Persian Gulf for a second straight day. The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil to be delivered in September dropped 4.9% to $92.02 shortly after trading resumed. The decline followed a 3.9% drop on Friday. Brent... Details

Govt sets $63.4bn export target for FY27

BSS — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 18:24:00 +0600

The government has set export earnings target of US$63.4 billion for the current fiscal year (FY2026-27), aiming to achieve 15 percent growth in exports of both goods and services. Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today announced the target at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Commerce conference room in the city. Of the total export target, $55.2 billion is expected to come... Details

Iran says it sold $18 bn of oil during war, ceasefire

BSS — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 09:22:37 +0600

Iran's oil ministry on Saturday said it was able to sell a total of $18 billion worth of oil during the war and the ensuing ceasefire with the United States. "The ministry sold $11.5 billion of oil during the war and $6.5 billion during the ceasefire" that collapsed earlier this month, the ministry said in a statement carried by its official website. "This covers more than 60 percent of the... Details

Why Trump's 'forced labor' tariffs leave the world puzzled

Click Ittefaq Desk — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:04:16 +0600

After the US Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump's emergency tariffs, the White House has turned to another trade law linked to alleged human rights abuses. Which countries will face Trump's new tariffs? The Trump administration on Thursday announced new tariffs on 60 economies, including the European Union, citing their handling of imported goods made with forced labor, according to a... Details

China hits travel giant Trip.com with $765 million penalty

BSS — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:18:43 +0600

China's market regulator said Saturday it had fined and confiscated 5.18 billion yuan ($765 million) from the country's largest online travel provider Trip.com Group for violating monopoly laws. Beijing has previously taken tough regulatory action on major internet companies over monopoly charges, notably launching an aggressive crackdown on tech and e-commerce giant Alibaba in late 2020.... Details

Groundbreaking ceremony of Chinese EZ to be held in Ctg on Monday

BSS — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 21:46:07 +0600

The groundbreaking ceremony of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) will be held at Anwara in Chattogram on Monday, marking the formal launch of one of the Bangladesh's largest foreign investment projects aimed at accelerating industrialisation and strengthening economic cooperation with China. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is expected to attend the ceremony as the... Details