The government has pledged a series of sweeping reforms to meet International Monetary Fund conditions for the next instalment of its $5.5 billion loan, including a public survey to measure corruption in tax administration and a phased reduction of subsidies on electricity, fertiliser, remittances and exports.

Dhakai Muslin: ancient craft weaves new life, livelihoods in rural Bangladesh

On Thursday, forex reserves stood at $25.51 billion as per the IMF’s calculation method

The ongoing demonstration has disrupted businesses and trade activities nationwide

Protesting National Board of Revenue officials have announced an all-out shutdown from Saturday if the tax authority’s chairman is not removed by today.

Bangladesh’s allocation to social safety net programmes is inadequate, and a significant portion of the existing funds does not reach the poor, said speakers at a discussion in Dhaka yesterday.

Despite their multibillion-dollar export potential, Bangladesh’s agro-based products are yet to account for a substantial portion of the global market due to systemic challenges in compliance, quality control, and value addition, according to experts and industry leaders.

The Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (Idra) has finalised a draft of the Insurance Resolution Ordinance 2025, which would grant the regulator sweeping powers to declare financially troubled insurers bankrupt.

Bangladesh’s budget for fiscal year 2025-26 is missing out on enabling transformative trade policy reforms amidst two looming challenges—LDC graduation and US reciprocal tariffs, Policy Research Institute (PRI) warned in a post-budget analysis yesterday.

Let’s begin this serious discussion with two extremely serious incidents, both tragic in their own way. A Sardarjee, celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary, took his highly educated and poetic wife to a posh candlelight dinner.

United Commercial Bank (UCB), one of the oldest private banks in Bangladesh, looks to return to sustainable profitability within around two years as it takes steps to improve governance, recover loans, and enhance asset quality.

The Directorate of Post, which oversees mobile financial service (MFS) provider Nagad, has restructured its board.

Inadequate safety net fails poor; funds diverted, direct aid urged

Budget lacks bold trade reforms amid LDC graduation, US tariff threats

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that China can continue to purchase Iranian oil after Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, a move that the White House clarified did not indicate a relaxation of US sanctions.

In Bangladesh, we cannot think of a holistic economy without attending to the CMSME sector. From rural artisans to urban tech start-ups, CMSMEs are everywhere, creating jobs, generating income, and driving inclusive growth. Over the past decade, it is evident that the Bangladesh Bank, along with private commercial banks, has made significant strides in improving access to finance. This effort continues to evolve.

Bangladesh’s macroeconomic landscape is showing early signs of stability after months of volatility, as inflation appears to have peaked, foreign exchange reserves are steadying, the taka has firmed up, and export performance is improving, according to Standard Chartered Bangladesh.

The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is preparing to take over the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) for now, as the current contract with private operator Saif Powertec Ltd is set to expire on July 6.

Despite its potential to accelerate economic growth, Bangladesh’s automobile sector remains constrained by the absence of a conducive national policy, keeping logistics costs among the highest in the world.

Bangladesh’s economic confidence has improved following the announcement of a firm election timeline, ending political uncertainty that had been weighing on investor sentiment, according to Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed.