Oil prices fall back

Shares dipped and oil prices dropped back Tuesday as Tehran gave an encouraging response during talks with US officials in Geneva on Iran’s nuclear programme, after days of escalating rhetoric from President Donald Trump.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Dollar holds gains in thin trading

The dollar held gains on Tuesday as markets awaited signals, expected later this week, about the potential timing of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

India looks to new steel export markets

India is seeking new steel export markets in the Middle East and Asia to offset the impact of the European Union’s carbon tax that took effect in January, a government source said.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

AI, circular economy must align with national priorities

Bangladesh must strategically align artificial intelligence (AI), circular economy practices, and sustainability goals to remain competitive in a changing global landscape, experts said yesterday.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Adani Group to invest $100b in AI data centres by 2035

India’s Adani Group said Tuesday it plans to invest $100 billion by 2035 to develop “hyperscale AI-ready data centres”, a boost to New Delhi’s push to become a global artificial intelligence hub.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

The unsolved math of population

The election dust has finally settled. People now look to the new prime minister for results. Tarique Rahman stands at the helm of a nation of nearly 200 million. The campaign was won on trust and hope for change, but success will be measured by something far less poetic: the quiet, heavy weight of expectation carried by those same people.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Ramadan supplies adequate, but Ctg feels port backlog impact

With Ramadan at the doorstep, price movements in the essential commodities market present a mixed picture. Analysis of import data and market visits suggests that while overall import volumes of major Ramadan essentials are higher than last year, temporary logistical constraints have influenced price trends in certain wholesale hubs.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Magistrates’ courts to hear cheque bounce cases under Tk 5 lakh

First-class magistrates or metropolitan magistrates’ courts will now resolve cheque dishonour cases involving amounts below Tk 5 lakh, offering quicker access to justice for small creditors.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Sponsors, directors of Asiatic Lab barred from selling shares

The stock market regulator has barred the sponsors, directors, and placement shareholders of Asiatic Laboratories Limited from selling their shares after irregularities were found in the use of funds from the initial public offering (IPO) and inconsistencies in the company’s expansion plans.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

NBR revises LPG tax structure

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has restructured the VAT on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to reduce the tax burden on consumers and stabilise the domestic fuel market.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

IT exports up 14% in Jul-Nov on AI-driven demand

Bangladesh’s information technology (IT) exports grew 13.54 percent in the first five months of fiscal year 2025-26, buoyed by accelerating global artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and the widening digitalisation of services, according to government data.
18 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Sponsors, directors of Asiatic Laboratories barred from selling shares

The BSEC finds irregularities in use of IPO proceeds and inconsistencies in expansion plans
17 February 2026, 20:31 PM

The microfinance bank ordinance: a blueprint for social ownership or tokenistic theater?

This evolution marks a shift from a “regulatory island” to a bridge overseen by the Bangladesh Bank
17 February 2026, 18:48 PM

AI, circular economy must align with national priorities: experts

They spoke at a seminar on circular economy organised by the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries
17 February 2026, 17:52 PM

Development spending plunges to 16-year low

The government’s development expenditure in the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26) has slumped to its lowest level in at least 16 years amid fiscal restraints and political disruptions.
17 February 2026, 00:00 AM

US trade deal overshadows Bangladesh’s economic freedom

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.
17 February 2026, 00:00 AM

India hosts AI summit

A global artificial intelligence summit kicked off in New Delhi on Monday with big issues on the agenda, from job disruption to child safety, although some attendees warned the broad focus could make concrete commitments from world leaders less likely.
17 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Japan’s GDP falls short of expectations

Japanese economic growth fell short of market expectations in late 2025, official data showed Monday, adding to pressure on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to stimulate activity after her recent election landslide.
17 February 2026, 00:00 AM

A narrow window for US cotton gains

After a roller coaster period since the reciprocal US tariff was announced in April last year, the cut from 20 percent to 19 percent is modest but offers some relief. Under the new deal, certain Bangladeshi RMG and textile products made with US cotton and man-made fibres can enter the US duty free, with volumes tied to Bangladesh’s purchases. Turning this window into real export gains will require careful planning.
17 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Job threats, rogue bots: five hot issues in AI

As artificial intelligence evolves at a blistering pace, world leaders and thousands of other delegates will discuss how to handle the technology at the AI Impact Summit, which opens Monday in New Delhi.
17 February 2026, 00:00 AM