The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) has warned that Bangladesh’s economy could face negative impacts if global energy markets become unstable due to the ongoing military aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran. In a statement issued on Thursday, SANEM said rising energy prices could reduce GDP growth, exports, imports, garment sector output, and agricultural production, while inflation would increase and real incomes decline.

According to SANEM’s analysis, if global crude oil prices rise by about 40 percent and LNG prices by 50 percent, Bangladesh’s real GDP growth could fall by around 1.2 percent. Exports might drop by 2 percent and imports by 1.5 percent. Consumer prices could rise by up to 4 percent, and real wages might decline by 1 percent, reducing purchasing power. The report also warned that a prolonged closure of the Hormuz Strait could cause a severe energy crisis, as 72 percent of Bangladesh’s imported LNG comes from Qatar and the UAE.

SANEM noted inconsistencies between government austerity and energy rationing policies and their implementation. It recommended boosting renewable energy investment, infrastructure development, tax-free equipment supply, and low-interest loans to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and stabilize the economy in the long term.

An agreement was signed on Thursday at the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) headquarters in Agargaon between BEZA and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). The deal outlines joint efforts to construct, operate, and share revenue from jetties in the Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar regions. Under the agreement, jetties and related facilities will be built at the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Mirsarai and at the Sabrang Tourism Park in Teknaf, on 6.18 acres and 5 acres of land respectively.

The project is part of a broader initiative titled “Construction of Jetties and Ancillary Facilities in Mirsarai and Sandwip of Chattogram and Sonadia Island and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar.” Net profits from the completed jetties will be shared between BEZA and BIWTA in a 45:55 ratio. Officials from both organizations attended the signing ceremony and described the initiative as a milestone for the country’s industrial and tourism sectors.

According to BEZA officials, the project will help transform NSEZ into a self-sufficient industrial zone and open new tourism opportunities at Sabrang Tourism Park. BIWTA expressed strong optimism about successful implementation.

Bangladesh Bank has extended the tenure of its pre-shipment credit refinancing facility, allowing clients to access loans under the scheme until December 31, 2030. The central bank’s Banking Regulations and Policy Department issued a circular on Thursday announcing the extension. The decision aims to help export-oriented sectors, including the ready-made garment industry, overcome ongoing challenges caused by global economic instability and conflicts in the Middle East and Europe.

Previously, the refinancing facility was scheduled to remain in effect until April 2025. Under the revised terms, up to Tk 5,000 crore will be allocated for pre-shipment credit refinancing from the Tk 10,000 crore Export Facilitation Pre-Finance Fund (EFPF). All scheduled banks are eligible to participate but must sign new participation agreements with the central bank. Banks must apply for refinancing within one week of disbursing pre-shipment loans to exporters, with an additional 15 days allowed for justified delays.

The Banking Regulations and Policy Department-3 will manage and oversee the fund’s operations, while all previous conditions from the 2022 and 2023 circulars will remain unchanged.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) reported that the government granted tax exemptions totaling Tk 1,07,132 crore in the 2022–23 fiscal year, equivalent to 2.39 percent of the country’s GDP. The report, released on Thursday, revealed that the value of these exemptions was nearly 99 percent of the revenue collected from direct taxes. The data highlights how tax holidays, rebates, and exemptions have significantly reduced the amount of revenue reaching the national treasury.

According to the NBR report, more than two-thirds of the total tax exemptions were provided to businesses and institutions. Corporate tax exemptions amounted to Tk 73,989 crore, or 69 percent of the total, mainly benefiting sectors such as microfinance, social welfare, power and energy, and the ready-made garment industry. Personal income tax exemptions totaled Tk 33,143 crore, with the largest share going to salaried income.

The report recommended a phased withdrawal of unnecessary tax exemptions and aligning incentives with national priorities such as export diversification, green economy, SME growth, gender equality, and regional balance to enhance revenue collection without raising tax rates.

The Energy Division of Bangladesh announced that there will be no shortage of petrol or octane in the country over the next two months. Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury shared the update at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Thursday, stating that the current fuel reserves include 143,000 metric tons of diesel, 9,569 metric tons of octane, and 16,812 metric tons of petrol. He emphasized that the country currently faces no fuel crisis.

According to the Energy Division, 469,042 liters of illegally hoarded fuel have been recovered through 7,342 nationwide operations. Chowdhury noted that the government provides a subsidy of Tk 55 per liter of diesel, selling it at Tk 100 instead of Tk 155, costing the state Tk 2,000–2,500 crore monthly. He also mentioned that the government has begun pilot sales of fuel through the “Fuel Pass” system at two Dhaka stations, with plans for nationwide expansion.

Chowdhury added that the government aims to build capacity for at least three months of fuel reserves and will review consumer complaints about LPG prices.

Malaysia has expressed interest in expanding its economic relationship with Bangladesh. The commitment came during a meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Bangladesh’s Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, held on Thursday. Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin was also present at the meeting.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a transparent and efficient recruitment system to prevent worker exploitation. They also discussed the potential for increasing bilateral trade and investment, expressing mutual interest in strengthening economic cooperation. Opportunities for collaboration in the education sector were also reviewed.

The two governments expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of their bilateral relations and reiterated their pledge to deepen cooperation across various fields.

Motorcyclists blocked the Dhaka-Khulna highway at Mandartala in Gopalganj on April 9, 2026, after failing to obtain fuel from local filling stations. The protest caused traffic congestion stretching about two kilometers, leaving more than fifty vehicles stranded and passengers in distress. Police arrived at the scene, persuaded the protesters to withdraw, and cleared the road within an hour, restoring normal traffic flow.

According to reports, seven filling stations in Gopalganj municipality had stopped fuel sales since early morning, prompting frustration among bikers who had waited for hours. The protesters claimed that stations were withholding fuel despite having stock. Station owner Mofizur Rahman Lofiz said staff shortages and worker fatigue had disrupted distribution. Assistant Commissioners and Executive Magistrates Shahriar Ahmed and Fardeen Khan Prince supervised the resumption of fuel supply, which helped calm the situation.

Authorities confirmed that the highway is now operating normally, and fuel distribution has resumed under administrative monitoring.

Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam informed the National Parliament that Bangladesh Railway will begin receiving 200 broad-gauge coaches from India this year, financed by the European Investment Bank. The minister made the statement on Thursday while responding to questions from MPs Elias Molla and Ruhul Amin during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The delivery is expected to start in June 2026 and continue until December 2027, after which the new coaches will be added to the railway fleet.

According to the minister, Bangladesh Railway currently operates 3,428.09 kilometers of track, including meter-gauge, broad-gauge, and dual-gauge lines. Expansion projects are ongoing to extend the network through new broad-gauge and dual-gauge lines. Once the new coaches arrive, routes for new train services will be determined, particularly to increase intercity train connections between Dhaka and northern districts.

The minister added that projects are underway to procure 260 additional broad-gauge passenger carriages, 46 broad-gauge locomotives, and 50 meter-gauge locomotives to enhance passenger comfort and freight capacity.

A vessel named MT Central Store has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port carrying about 26,000 tons of refined octane from Malaysia. The Marshall Islands-flagged ship, measuring 183.6 meters in length, reached the anchorage on Wednesday night. According to the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s assistant manager for public relations, the ship will be berthed at the port’s Dolphin Jetty No. 5 on Thursday under the supervision of an experienced pilot and with tugboat assistance.

Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim stated that fuel-carrying vessels are being given priority berthing to maintain normal energy supply across the country. Several ships have already completed unloading of oil and gas, while others are in process. The arrival of the MT Central Store is part of ongoing efforts to ensure uninterrupted fuel distribution through the port.

The continued prioritization of fuel vessels at Chattogram Port is expected to support stable energy supply management in Bangladesh.

Officials from Bangladesh’s power sector have alleged that procurement of meters, transformers, and related equipment remains under the control of a syndicate formed during the previous Awami League government. According to the report, the network is allegedly linked to former state minister for power Nasrul Hamid and Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, nephew of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The syndicate is said to operate through companies such as Okulin Tech BD Limited, which continues to dominate major prepaid meter projects worth thousands of crores of taka.

Multiple officials claimed that despite 17 registered suppliers, only two or three firms tied to the syndicate received contracts over the past 18 years. The report details alleged irregularities in projects under DPDC, NESCO, DESCO, and REB, including pre-arranged tenders and inflated costs. Private entrepreneurs accused the group of using an “AMI technique” to restrict competition. However, Okulin Tech BD’s executive vice president denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all contracts were awarded through proper procedures and verified by investigations.

A former interim government adviser previously noted that procurement controversies had led to suspension of international funding, prompting a shift toward open tendering processes.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has failed to comply with the National Energy Policy’s requirement to maintain a 60-day fuel reserve, despite having the capacity to do so since 2020. The policy, adopted in 2004, mandates strategic reserves for emergencies, but BPC has continued to operate with only 25 to 30 days of supply. The shortfall became critical after the closure of the Hormuz Strait in early March, following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, which disrupted global oil shipments and triggered a severe fuel shortage in Bangladesh.

According to official data, BPC’s combined storage capacity across its depots, Eastern Refinery, and the Single Point Mooring project exceeds 1.58 million metric tons, enough for over 90 days of national demand. However, the corporation has not utilized this capacity fully. The shortage has led to public panic and increased fuel hoarding, while BPC attempts to calm fears by publicizing incoming shipments that carry less than full loads, raising costs and inefficiencies.

Experts attribute the crisis to mismanagement and poor coordination between BPC and the government. The government is now exploring direct purchase options from new suppliers, including Kazakhstan, though supply reliability remains uncertain.

Japan’s Nikkei share index declined on April 9, 2026, as earlier optimism over a potential United States–Iran ceasefire weakened. Investors turned cautious following a strong rally in the previous session. According to market data, the Nikkei fell 0.4 percent to 56,036.75 points at 02:00 GMT, while the broader Topix index dropped 0.5 percent to 3,755.52 points. The decline raised concerns that the market’s four-day upward trend might end.

The previous session had seen the Nikkei jump 5.4 percent to its highest level in more than a month, driven by expectations that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen after Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran. Overnight, Nikkei 225 futures traded above 57,000 points on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, reflecting earlier optimism that has since cooled.

If the current trend continues, Japan’s stock market may see a pause in its recent rally as investors await clearer signals regarding the ceasefire situation.

US crude oil prices rose again after a steep drop triggered by the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump declared a two-week ceasefire with Iran, which initially caused oil prices to fall sharply. As the market began to stabilize later, prices recovered moderately.

According to the report, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures increased by $2.68, or 2.84 percent, reaching $97.09 per barrel at 22:18 GMT. Earlier in the day, global stock markets surged on the ceasefire news, while oil prices dropped nearly 14 percent to around $95 per barrel, at one point falling as low as $90.40.

The report indicates that the oil market showed signs of recovery after the initial reaction to the ceasefire announcement, suggesting a gradual return to stability.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has initiated a joint operation to prevent artificial shortages and stabilize prices of essential commodities, including fuel and edible oil. The operation began at noon on April 8, 2026, in the outer anchorage of Chattogram, following intelligence reports that some unscrupulous traders were illegally hoarding goods on lighter vessels. Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon confirmed the operation.

According to the Coast Guard, the operation is being conducted in coordination with the Bangladesh Navy, the Department of Shipping, and the Chattogram Port Authority. The initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential goods and prevent manipulation of the market amid global fuel concerns. The Coast Guard has also intensified security and intelligence surveillance around the port and outer anchorage areas.

Authorities have instructed that no vessel carrying food, fuel, or edible oil may remain anchored for more than 72 hours. The Coast Guard will continue similar operations in the future to maintain market stability and protect public interest.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has called on the government to take an active role in controlling the country's rising commodity prices. In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday, the party’s secretary general, Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad, said that the abnormal price hikes of essential goods have become a serious burden for low- and middle-income families. Prices of vegetables, poultry, edible oil, sugar, and other daily necessities have sharply increased, forcing many consumers to buy cheaper alternatives or reduce their purchases.

Yunus Ahmad cited specific examples, noting that the price of golden chicken has risen to 400–430 taka per kilogram from 270–300 taka during Ramadan, while beef now sells for 800 taka per kilogram, up from 750–780 taka. He attributed the price surge to syndicates, extortion, and profiteering rather than genuine supply issues. The party demanded that the government strengthen market monitoring, prevent hoarding and syndicate manipulation, and take action against profiteers.

In a separate statement, Islami Andolan leaders from Dhaka South condemned threats allegedly made by U.S. and Israeli leaders against Persian civilization, calling such remarks a violation of global human rights.