On Saturday, February 14, 2026, flower growers in Gadkhali, known as the flower capital of Jashore’s Jhikargacha, reported a sharp fall in flower prices due to the national election. Despite high demand for Valentine’s Day, sales dropped drastically. Last year, flowers worth about Tk 15 crore were sold during the same period, but this year the figure is expected to fall to around Tk 5 crore. Farmers said wholesale buyers could not reach the market because of transport disruptions linked to the election.

Growers described steep price declines across all varieties: roses sold for Tk 7–8 per piece, gladiolus for Tk 6–12, tuberose for Tk 3–5, gerbera for Tk 6–8, marigold for Tk 200–300 per thousand, gypsy for Tk 40–50 per bunch, and chrysanthemum for Tk 150–250 per hundred. Many farmers expressed frustration over losses and limited access to mobile banking services that hindered local deliveries.

Officials from local flower associations confirmed that the election and the upcoming Ramadan season reduced market activity, leaving growers without fair prices for their produce.

The United States House of Representatives has voted 219–211 to repeal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian goods. The resolution, introduced by Democrats and supported by six Republican lawmakers, seeks to withdraw the trade duties enacted by the Trump administration last year. Although passed in the House, the measure remains symbolic for now, as it must also pass the Senate and receive the president’s signature to become law. Analysts cited in the report suggest that Trump is unlikely to approve it.

Since his re-election, President Trump has continued to impose tariffs on Canada and recently threatened a 100 percent import duty in response to Canada’s potential trade deal with China. During the House vote, Trump warned on his social media platform Truth Social that any Republican voting against tariffs would face serious political consequences. He defended the tariffs as essential for protecting US economic and national security.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a close Trump ally, attempted to block debate on the resolution but failed. Despite a narrow Republican majority, the defection of six members allowed the proposal to pass easily.

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its 10-year fiscal outlook on Wednesday, projecting that federal deficits and debt will worsen over the next decade. The report attributes the deterioration mainly to increased spending on Social Security, Medicare, and debt service payments. The deficit for fiscal 2026, President Donald Trump’s first full fiscal year, is expected to be about 5.8 percent of GDP, similar to 2025’s $1.775 trillion shortfall. The deficit-to-GDP ratio is forecast to average 6.1 percent over the next decade, reaching 6.7 percent in 2036, far above Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s goal of 3 percent.

The CBO factored in recent policy changes, including the Republican “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” higher tariffs, and the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. These measures are projected to raise total deficits from 2026 to 2035 by $1.4 trillion and push public debt from 101 percent to 120 percent of GDP. Although higher tariffs are expected to generate $3 trillion in additional revenue, they also contribute to inflation through 2029. The CBO projects inflation will not reach the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target until 2030.

The report contrasts with the Trump administration’s more optimistic growth forecasts, as the CBO expects real GDP growth to slow from 2.2 percent in 2026 to an average of 1.8 percent later in the decade.

The United States has taken new steps to further ease sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry. On Tuesday, the U.S. administration issued several measures that expand opportunities for American companies to participate in the Venezuelan energy sector. The U.S. Treasury Department granted multiple licenses, including one allowing specific transactions with the Venezuelan government and state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA). These permits cover the supply of goods, technology, and software necessary for oil and gas exploration, development, and production.

Another license authorizes certain transactions related to port and airport operations, while a third document allows specific activities involving oil originating from Venezuela. According to AFP reports from Washington, the decision coincides with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s planned visit to Venezuela, though no date has been announced. Media reports suggest oil sector discussions may take place during the visit.

Venezuela, under strict U.S. sanctions since 2019, holds nearly one-fifth of the world’s proven oil reserves and was once a major crude supplier to the United States.

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) announced that it will sell essential commodities across the country through truck sales during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The state-run agency said in a notice on Tuesday that the initiative aims to support ordinary citizens by providing goods at subsidized prices. The truck sale program is expected to begin the day before Ramadan starts.

According to the TCB statement, the ongoing subsidized sales to smart cardholder families will continue alongside the truck sales. Through this special Ramadan initiative, TCB plans to reach 3 to 3.5 million consumers nationwide. The products to be sold include the corporation’s regular items—edible oil, lentils, and sugar—along with chickpeas and dates, which are in high demand during Ramadan.

TCB added that details on the quantity and prices of the products to be sold through the truck sales will be announced later.

An interim framework for a new trade agreement between the United States and India has been released, aiming to reduce additional tariffs imposed on India during the Trump administration. The deal seeks to rebuild energy ties and expand economic cooperation, potentially reshaping global supply chains. Under Washington’s pressure, India agreed to allow entry of certain US agricultural products into its market, a move that has drawn criticism from farmers and opposition parties.

The agreement permits imports of high-protein animal feed, corn, and ethanol byproducts from the US, expected to benefit India’s $30 billion poultry industry by lowering feed costs. However, soybean and oilseed growers may suffer due to reduced demand and falling prices. The inclusion of duty-free soybean oil and cotton imports has raised further concerns, though the government says import quotas will protect domestic producers. Apple and dry fruit imports are also covered, but officials expect minimal harm since domestic supply is insufficient.

India’s major farmers’ union, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, has called for a nationwide strike on February 12 to protest the deal, citing threats to the agricultural sector.

Bangladesh and the United States have signed a landmark trade agreement granting duty-free access for garments made in Bangladesh using US-imported cotton and synthetic fibers. Under the deal, both countries will reduce mutual tariff rates to 19 percent, and apparel produced with US raw materials will face no counter-tariffs when exported to the American market. The agreement is expected to reshape Bangladesh’s export strategy by allowing direct sourcing of cotton from the US and exporting finished goods back to the same market with tariff exemptions.

Trade analysts note that Bangladesh’s textile industry has long depended on Indian cotton, but frequent policy shifts, export bans, and price instability in India have created supply risks. According to the National Board of Revenue, India’s share in Bangladesh’s cotton imports fell from 31.39 percent in 2021 to 15.9 percent in 2025, while Brazil and the US have strengthened their positions. Textile mill owners believe the new deal will ensure more reliable supply chains and reduce dependence on India.

Industry data show that US cotton imports reached 346 million dollars in 2024–25, up from 278 million the previous year, and this share is expected to grow further under the new arrangement.

Bangladesh has signed a new trade agreement with the United States, reducing its counter-tariff rate by one percentage point to 19 percent. The deal, finalized a week after a separate US-India trade understanding, includes a key provision allowing certain Bangladeshi garments made with US cotton and synthetic fibers to enter the American market duty-free. This clause has sparked concern among Indian textile exporters and cotton traders, who fear losing competitiveness in the US market where Indian products still face an 18 percent tariff.

India’s textile sector, which contributes 2.3 percent to its GDP and sends about 30 percent of its exports to the US, had initially welcomed Washington’s tariff reduction from 50 to 18 percent. However, the new Bangladesh-US deal is seen as undermining that advantage. Analysts note that Bangladesh, the world’s largest cotton importer, may now shift more purchases toward US cotton, further pressuring Indian cotton exporters.

The development has already affected Indian textile and yarn company shares, while the opposition Congress party criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, calling the deal a dual blow to India’s economy and textile workers.

Bangladesh and the United States have signed a trade agreement establishing a 19 percent tariff rate, announced on Monday. The deal includes exemptions for certain textiles and garments made with US materials. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said Washington committed to a mechanism allowing some Bangladeshi apparel using US-produced cotton and man-made fibre to enter the US market with zero reciprocal tariff. The White House confirmed that Bangladesh will grant preferential market access for a wide range of US industrial and agricultural goods.

Under the agreement, Bangladesh will also ease non-tariff barriers by accepting US vehicle safety and emissions standards, recognising Food and Drug Administration certifications, and lifting restrictions on remanufactured goods. The two nations highlighted commercial deals involving aircraft procurement, $3.5 billion in US agricultural purchases, and $15 billion in energy product imports over 15 years. The accord followed nine months of negotiations that began in April last year.

The reduced tariff is expected to help Bangladesh’s apparel sector, which accounts for over 80 percent of export earnings, remain competitive with India, whose tariff rate now stands at 18 percent. The announcement comes days before Bangladesh’s national election under its interim government.

Political groups in the European Parliament reached an agreement on Tuesday on the EU-US trade deal, originally struck in July 2025 by US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The deal, which still requires ratification, sets US tariffs at 15% on EU exports, while the EU will cut its tariffs on US goods to zero. The Parliament’s International Partnership Committee will vote on February 24, followed by a plenary session as early as March.

The approval process had been frozen in January after Trump announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on eight European countries involved in an Arctic military mission. Work resumed weeks later, leading to a compromise that includes a sunset clause expiring in March 2028 unless renewed, and a suspension clause triggered if the US violates the deal. Socialist MEP Bernd Lange said the Greenland issue prompted the inclusion of a sovereignty criterion for possible suspension.

The Parliament’s version also adds safeguards to protect the EU market and an automatic reintroduction of tariffs if the US fails to reduce its own tariffs to 15% on over 400 steel-related products. After the plenary vote, negotiations with EU member states will determine the final terms.

Bangladesh Bank has extended the age limit for opening a 'Student Banking' account to 25 years, allowing school, college, and university students to access the service. The central bank issued a new policy on Monday, replacing the previous rule that restricted eligibility to students under 18. Under the revised guidelines, account holders will now be able to use credit cards in addition to debit cards, and the service previously known as 'School Banking' will now operate under the name 'Student Banking'.

The new policy also increases the monthly ATM withdrawal limit from 15,000 to 25,000 taka upon parental request, compared to the earlier 5,000-taka cap. Students can now deposit up to 25,000 taka per month, with a maximum account balance of 300,000 taka. Those studying abroad will no longer need separate student files or accounts, as the same account can be used for remittance and educational transactions.

The policy further allows students to take loans for educational materials under parental guarantee, aiming to make financial services more accessible to young learners.

The government of Bangladesh is preparing a compensation plan for general shareholders affected by the merger of five Islamic banks. Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said the issue is under policy consideration but involves complex technical calculations. He explained that compensation will be provided gradually after completing the necessary assessments. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the government’s procurement advisory committee on Tuesday, he emphasized that depositors’ protection had been the government’s first priority.

Dr. Ahmed noted that the government has already provided Tk 42,000 crore to safeguard depositors’ funds, ensuring that customers could fully recover their deposits. Only after securing depositors’ interests is the government now focusing on shareholders. He acknowledged that compensating shareholders is difficult because several banks have negative net asset values, making conventional loss recovery methods impractical.

Possible compensation options include partial share allocations or direct financial payments, though the final model will take time to determine. Dr. Ahmed added that broader banking reforms require sustained efforts, stronger regulatory capacity, and rebuilding market confidence to achieve long-term economic stability.

Bangladesh Bank has announced revised office and transaction hours for all scheduled banks during the upcoming Ramadan. The Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department issued a circular on Tuesday stating that banking transactions will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., while office hours will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All scheduled banks across the country will operate within this timeframe throughout the holy month.

According to the circular, there will be a short break for Zuhr prayers from 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., during which internal arrangements may allow transactions to continue. Normally, banks conduct transactions from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and official activities continue until 6:00 p.m. The circular also noted that regular office hours will resume after the end of Ramadan.

The adjustment aims to accommodate the special needs of employees and customers during the fasting period while ensuring uninterrupted banking services through internal coordination.

Thousands of passengers in Tongi, Gazipur faced severe transport shortages on Tuesday as they tried to travel home ahead of the national election. Long waits at bus stops along the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway yielded few available buses, and fares surged from the usual 200 taka to as high as 500 taka. Many commuters, unable to find seats, resorted to traveling on pickup trucks and mini-trucks at inflated prices, risking their safety to reach their destinations.

The rush followed factory closures in the industrial area of Tongi, where numerous garment and other factories declared holidays for employees to vote. Crowds filled Tongi Bazar, Station Road, Millgate, Cherag Ali, College Gate, and Gazipura, as well as the Tongi Railway Junction, where passengers waited from early morning but could not board overcrowded trains. Some reported paying up to 650 taka for long-distance bus tickets.

Gazipur Metropolitan Traffic Police Inspector Zahid Majumdar said the shortage occurred because many long-distance buses had not yet returned from previous trips, forcing passengers to take unsafe transport options despite warnings.

Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Adviser Farida Akhter stated that she is not departing her position with a sense of failure, emphasizing that price control of meat and fish is beyond her authority. She made the remarks on Tuesday during a press briefing at the ministry’s conference room, noting that her 15–16 months of work should not be judged as a complete measure of performance.

Akhter explained that her ministry focused on improving production quality rather than relying on unregulated livestock fattening practices. She highlighted efforts to curb excessive fishing caused by the use of sonar, which had reduced the availability of hilsa and other fish species. According to her, the ministry successfully stopped this overfishing trend. She also mentioned that the sector received subsidies worth 100 crore taka, including electricity rebates, and that the number of beneficiaries increased from 132,000 to 1.5 million.

The adviser added that fishermen from the Sundarbans and haor regions would receive VGF support, underscoring the ministry’s continued commitment to vulnerable fishing communities.