The World Bank has approved an emergency loan of $1.1 billion for two projects in Bangladesh to help the country address global fertilizer and energy market volatility, maintain food security, and ensure rapid response measures. The approval was announced on Friday through a statement from the World Bank’s Dhaka office. Jean Pesme, the Bank’s Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said the assistance aims to mitigate the economic impact of rising food, fertilizer, and fuel prices caused by conflicts in the Middle East, which have severely affected small farmers and vulnerable communities.

The funding will be used under the “Emergency Support for Food Security Project” to import 600,000 metric tons of essential fertilizer, half of which will be urea, for the 2026 Aman and 2026–27 Boro rice seasons. This is expected to sustain rice production across 1.4 million hectares of farmland. Another portion, under the “Contingent Emergency Response Project,” will provide cash support to affected families and small businesses, and maintain essential services such as food, medicine, electricity, and water. The funds are scheduled for disbursement by June 30.

World Bank officials said the emergency fund was created by reallocating unused resources from existing projects to ensure quick delivery and avoid bureaucratic delays.

In Sapahar, Naogaon—one of Bangladesh’s largest mango-producing regions—farmers are struggling with low prices despite a busy trading season. At the midpoint of the harvest, markets across the upazila are filled with ripe mangoes, but growers report that production costs have risen sharply while market prices have dropped by Tk 1,000 to 1,500 per maund compared to last year. Many farmers are also forced to sell mangoes in heavier units of 52–55 kilograms per maund instead of the traditional 40 kilograms, deepening their financial losses.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, mangoes have been cultivated on 30,310 hectares across Naogaon this season, with Sapahar targeting 140,000 metric tons of production worth about Tk 2,000 crore. Farmers blame increased costs for fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, labor, and transport, while traders argue that local pricing follows regional norms. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the administration is monitoring markets and will act on any complaints.

Agriculture experts warn that without fair pricing, transparent weighing, better cold storage, and stronger market oversight, farmer interest in mango cultivation could decline, affecting Naogaon’s economy.

Two ferries began uninterrupted operations on the Mongla River in Bagerhat, marking the start of a long-awaited transport service. The service was officially inaugurated on Saturday by Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, MP and State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It aims to ensure safe and comfortable river crossings for workers, employees, and residents of Mongla EPZ, Mongla Port, and nearby industrial areas until the planned hanging bridge over the river is completed.

Local leaders and residents welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely and people-friendly step that will significantly reduce the daily travel difficulties faced by thousands of workers and commuters. They noted that the new ferry service will make travel faster, easier, and more reliable for industrial workers, businesspeople, and students.

Residents also urged authorities to expedite the construction of the long-anticipated hanging bridge, viewing the ferry service as a step toward improved connectivity and economic activity in Mongla’s port and industrial zones.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on European goods if any European country enacts digital service taxes targeting American technology companies. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said several European nations are discussing such taxes, and some are close to implementing them. He warned that the punitive tariffs would be applied soon and could render existing bilateral trade agreements ineffective.

Trump’s warning specifically targets countries moving toward new digital taxes on US tech firms. The statement did not clarify how the measure would affect the United Kingdom, which has had a similar tax in place since 2020. Trump emphasized that any country imposing such a tax would face immediate 100 percent tariffs on all goods exported to the United States.

The remarks signal potential escalation in trade tensions between the United States and Europe if digital service tax plans proceed.

Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has dismissed as false the U.S. claim that Tehran’s recently released funds will be used to purchase American agricultural products. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf accused Washington of spreading misinformation and breaking promises, saying the distrust caused by U.S. policies has now turned against it. He also mocked the U.S. export list, saying it is filled with genetically modified soybeans and empty rhetoric.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance had said that under a memorandum of understanding brokered by Pakistan, $500 million worth of U.S. goods would be included in the initial phase, with the funds used to buy corn and wheat for Iran’s food needs. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in Bahrain that Washington seeks a deal aligned with its security and economic interests and those of its regional allies.

Iranian state and semi-official media described the agreement as a strategic success for Iran, not a concession. The Central Bank governor said the released funds could be used beyond essential goods if necessary, while ongoing talks reveal clear differences between the two sides over implementation and interpretation.

Electricity supply will remain suspended for several hours on Saturday, June 27, in parts of Chattogram and Natore due to maintenance and tree trimming work. Separate notices from the Chandanaish Palli Bidyut Office and Natore Palli Bidyut Samiti-2 confirmed the planned outages. In Chandanaish, power will be cut from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., affecting multiple areas including Munshef Bazar, Kerani Bari, Choudhury Market, Chandanaish Municipality, and Noapara. In Natore, power will be off from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., impacting Bonpara Municipality and several unions under Baraigram-1 and Baraigram-3 substations.

The authorities stated that the outages are necessary to remove risky tree branches near transmission lines and to conduct line maintenance. They apologized for the temporary inconvenience and noted that the duration of the power cuts may vary depending on work progress.

The maintenance work aims to ensure safer and more reliable electricity distribution in the affected regions once completed.

Four months after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, the involved parties have begun talks in Switzerland aimed at ending the conflict. Observers expect that a lasting agreement could ease the global economic strain caused by the war, which has disrupted trade and driven up energy prices.

Since the conflict began, international energy markets have faced volatility, with oil prices surging and global commerce suffering setbacks. Businesses and consumers worldwide have borne higher costs as a result. Yet, amid the turmoil, certain sectors have profited significantly. Defense equipment manufacturers, oil and gas producers, and investment banks have recorded notable gains due to increased demand for arms, rising energy prices, and a shift toward safer investments.

Analysts suggest that if the Swiss negotiations succeed, both Middle Eastern security and global economic stability could improve, offering relief to businesses and consumers affected by wartime pressures.

Beijing has proposed establishing an economic corridor connecting Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China to expand regional connectivity and trade. The proposal was presented during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarek Rahman at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday morning. According to Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin, the discussion focused on enhancing connectivity and developing a multimodal transportation network to strengthen Bangladesh’s economic reach and transaction capacity.

China also expressed interest in modernizing Chattogram Port to transform it into a regional hub serving not only Bangladesh but also other countries. Additionally, Beijing showed willingness to upgrade Mongla Port to make it more progressive and service-oriented. Both sides discussed these infrastructure initiatives as part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation and regional integration.

Further details on the implementation timeline or specific investment commitments were not disclosed in the briefing.

Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco has resumed crude oil loading operations at Ras Tanura, the Gulf region’s largest export terminal, after nearly four months of suspension. According to a Reuters report, two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) operated by Bahri, a Saudi shipping company, are currently loading crude at the terminal, while another vessel is waiting nearby. Each VLCC can carry about two million barrels of oil, signaling a restart of exports from one of Saudi Arabia’s key oil hubs.

The move comes as Middle Eastern oil and gas producers have recently increased production and exports amid hopes of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume exports from within the Gulf aligns with this broader regional trend.

The resumption of operations at Ras Tanura indicates a potential stabilization in regional oil trade routes following months of disruption.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain told parliament that Bangladesh’s government debt has increased by over one trillion taka within four months of the current administration taking office. He said the total debt rose from about 23 trillion to 24 trillion taka. Hossain made the remarks during Thursday’s budget session chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

He questioned the government’s commitment to implementing the referendum mandate, including forming a constitutional reform council and ensuring judicial independence. Hossain cited the finance minister’s statement acknowledging economic disruption and the need for political reform. He also claimed that the International Monetary Fund withheld loans due to the absence of economic reforms and criticized the government for not addressing banking sector irregularities.

Hossain further alleged that the economy has become fragile, with high inflation and rising defaulted loans. He criticized the government for increasing electricity and fuel prices twice in three months before announcing the budget, arguing that price hikes began even before the budget was presented.

Bangladesh’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) implementation fell to its lowest level in 16 years during the first 11 months of the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) report released on Thursday, only 48.23 percent of the allocated funds were spent between July and May. Ministries and divisions managed to use just over Tk 1.76 trillion out of a revised ADP allocation of Tk 2.08 trillion for 1,359 projects.

The report shows a sharp decline compared to previous years, with spending dropping by about Tk 10,242 crore from the same period last year. Historically, ADP implementation averaged 65–70 percent during July–May, but this year it fell below 50 percent, even lower than during the pandemic. The internal resources division recorded the lowest implementation rate at 12.23 percent, while the science and technology ministry led with 83.33 percent due to progress in the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project.

Officials and economists cited delays in procurement, administrative inefficiencies, and a shortage of skilled project managers as key reasons. They warned that the slow implementation could hinder economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure expansion.

International oil prices dropped by about 2 percent on Friday, even after a cargo ship near Oman’s coast was hit by a missile from an unidentified source. According to Reuters, Brent crude fell by $1.47, or 1.95 percent, to $73.79 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined by $1.44, or 2 percent, to $70.48. Both benchmarks are heading for an 8 percent weekly loss.

LSEG shipping data showed that Saudi Aramco resumed crude loading at its Ras Tanura terminal in the Persian Gulf after nearly four months of suspension. Two very large crude carriers were loading oil, with another waiting nearby. Analysts from Sparta Commodities attributed the price drop to increased oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz and weak demand from China.

The report also noted that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have reached their highest level since the February conflict between Iran, the U.S., and Israel, though still below prewar levels. ING analysts warned that once previously trapped tankers clear the Gulf, supply could tighten again.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington plans to use seized Iranian funds to purchase American agricultural products for Iran. Speaking on Thursday, Trump said the initiative aims to buy U.S. wheat, soybeans, and corn for shipment to Iran, which he described as facing a food shortage. He added that the plan would create a new market for American farmers and that the process would begin soon on a large scale.

According to Trump, the move will allow the United States to utilize Iranian assets to address humanitarian needs while benefiting U.S. agriculture. He referred to Iran as a beautiful country and emphasized that the effort would be significant in size. The statement was reported by Anadolu Agency.

The plan, if implemented, could open a new trade channel between the two nations despite existing tensions, though the source did not specify when or how the transactions would be carried out.

Members of Bangladesh’s National Parliament expressed strong dissatisfaction over the abnormal increase in air ticket prices toward the end of the week. The issue was raised on Thursday afternoon by BNP lawmaker Zainul Abdin Faruk from Noakhali-2 during a point of order, and later supported by opposition MP Professor Mujibur Rahman. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal presided over the session.

Faruk criticized the steep fare hikes, noting that tickets priced at around 2,800 to 3,000 taka on regular days rise to as high as 10,000 taka on Thursdays. He urged the authorities to address what he described as unfair pricing practices affecting travelers. Mujibur Rahman agreed, saying the exploitation in air ticket pricing must stop and that he had previously submitted a notice on the issue without result.

In response, Deputy Speaker Kamal advised the MPs to submit formal notices following parliamentary procedures so that the issues could be discussed in detail in future sessions.

BNP lawmaker Reza Kibria has said that Bangladesh’s banking sector is in a state of collapse because of rampant loan defaults. Speaking in parliament on Thursday evening during the budget discussion, he cited his experience with the International Monetary Fund, noting that while other countries panic at a 6 percent default rate, Bangladesh’s rate stands at 61 percent. He warned that without strict measures, economic progress would be impossible and urged the finance minister to take action to improve banking efficiency.

Kibria criticized the inefficiency of the banking system, saying honest entrepreneurs face high interest rates of 14 to 16 percent while banks collect deposits at only 5 percent. He also said the definition of loan default has been relaxed, now requiring one year of nonpayment instead of 90 days. On inflation, he emphasized the need to keep it low, linking exchange rate depreciation to inflation differentials with trading partners.

He acknowledged that the finance minister prepared the budget under difficult global conditions and stressed maintaining macroeconomic balance to secure Bangladesh’s economic future, cautioning against excessive reliance on commercial foreign loans.