Planning Division proposes Tk 3 lakh crore development budget for FY27

Commerce minister says

Gold ​drifted higher on Friday and headed for a weekly gain as optimism ‌over a potential end to the Iran conflict helped ease concerns about inflation and elevated interest rates.

Unpredictability, not cost alone, had become the biggest burden on businesses

Bangladesh has fallen into an "energy trap" where heavy dependence on fuel imports, costing nearly $12 billion annually, has left the country vulnerable to global shocks, business leaders and energy experts warned today

The minister visits Panchagarh Sugar Mills, meets sugarcane farmers

The chamber called for an integrated and efficient logistics ecosystem to support trade and investment

The following is a recap of those major stories as covered by Star Business

BG305 landed safely in London

Unmet need was higher in rural areas (68 percent) than in urban areas (59 percent)

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase yesterday approved the procurement of three LNG cargoes from the spot market, two proposals to purchase electricity from power plants, and a proposal to procure 163 vehicles.

The economy expanded at a faster pace in April compared with the previous month, driven by stronger performance in agriculture and manufacturing, according to the Bangladesh Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).

Non-performing loans (NPLs) in Bangladesh have built up over time due to weak financial governance, poor asset valuation, and a lack of accountability in professional institutions, said Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, finance and planning adviser to the prime minister.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir yesterday said the government will implement sweeping reforms to ease Bangladesh’s complicated business environment, as high logistics costs, low operational efficiency at ports and lengthy licensing procedures are undermining the country’s industrial competitiveness and export potential.

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has decided in principle to reject a bid by former owners of troubled Social Islami Bank PLC to reclaim control, as the banking regulator moves ahead with the merger of five shariah-based banks, according to top BB officials.

Import, export, and other operations at most factories under three export processing zones (EPZs) in Chattogram were badly disrupted for the last three days due to a strike enforced by prime mover workers, which ended yesterday evening.

bKash Limited, the country’s leading mobile financial service provider, recently organised the “bKash Partner Excellence Award 2026” to recognise the contributions of its supply chain partners in ensuring seamless services for millions of customers nationwide.

Shops and shopping malls across the country will remain open until 10:00pm, instead of 7:00pm, from May 12 until Eid-ul-Azha, Shop Owners Association said yesterday.

Sasso Hendrix Genetics Group, a global multi-species breeding company, has partnered with Bangladesh’s Kazi Farms to launch a grandparent project in Bangladesh, aiming to sustainably strengthen the local poultry supply and support long-term growth in the country.

There is an old corporate truth in Bangladesh: everyone admires integrity until it begins to disturb someone important.