Sohel Parvez

When the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, the first signs of trouble in Bangladesh were felt at airports. Flights to several Middle Eastern destinations were suspended, leaving migrant workers stranded and creating chaos at Dhaka airport.

In a bid to secure supply, the government has confirmed the purchase of seven LNG cargoes from the spot market since the beginning of the US-Israel war on Iran

Credit growth to the private sector has been staying around 6 percent as businesses continue to be shy about taking on fresh projects amid economic uncertainty.

In January, banks’ credit to the private sector grew by 6.03 percent, the lowest in at least five years

bKash alone handled Tk 20,000 crore in remittances last year. While the growth was substantial, the amount of remittance sent using MFS was only 5 percent of the total.

Bangladesh’s private investment fell for the third consecutive year, reaching 22.03 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the fiscal year 2024-25, the lowest level in 11 years, amid a weak investment climate and macroeconomic stress.

TakaPay card, the first-ever national debit card, has failed to secure a significant foothold in the two years since its launch by the central bank, aimed at reducing dependency on global payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

Bangladesh has met the criteria to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, but serious gaps in trade readiness, macroeconomic stability and institutional strength could threaten a smooth transition in November 2026, according to a new independent assessment commissioned by the United Nations (UN).

Bangladesh has recorded a sharp jump in hybrid rice coverage as many farmers gradually move away from farming inbred and local varieties, looking for higher yields and profits.

The reciprocal trade deal signed by the interim government with the United States has raised questions regarding the economic sovereignty of Bangladesh, especially in decisions on trade, energy and security.

Over the past three and a half decades, Bangladesh has seen the entry of several dozen private airlines and helicopter operators, driven by the ambition to capture a share of the country’s growing passenger and cargo market.

The interim government’s net borrowing from the banking system rose almost fivefold in the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2025-26, as spending raced ahead of sluggish revenue collection.

Banking is no longer limited to brick-and-mortar branches. People are banking remotely using the internet more and more. Of late, mobile applications have come up as a new and inviting option, and a growing number of customers are using apps for banking in Bangladesh.

Production remains over 10 lakh tonnes thanks to improved varieties

Record remittances and recovering foreign-exchange reserves offer a rare cushion, but weakening exports expose vulnerabilities

Tents and camping gear exports are showing signs of revival, with global buyers placing fresh orders after selling off pandemic stockpiles.

Bangladesh remains heavily dependent on imports for sugar, palm oil, soybean oil and wheat

Recovery began in July, following an overall export decline of 4 percent in FY2024-25

India was the second-largest supplier with 1.4 million bales, followed by Benin

The decline is owed to a reduction in Aush rice acreage, which is harvested during the monsoon