Bangladesh Bank has appointed Md. Khurshid Alam as the new chairman of Islami Bank following the resignation of the bank’s previous chairman, Zubaidur Rahman. The appointment was confirmed through an official letter sent to the bank’s managing director. The decision came shortly after Zubaidur Rahman stepped down from his position on Sunday.

Khurshid Alam previously served as a deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, having been appointed to the post in February 2024 under the then Awami League government for a three-year contractual term. However, after the Awami League lost power in August 2024, he and three other senior central bank officials appointed during that period were forced to resign amid staff protests. His new appointment marks his return to a key position in the country’s banking sector.

The central bank’s move to place a former deputy governor at the helm of Islami Bank indicates a reshuffle in financial leadership following political changes in Bangladesh.

The Sonahat land port in Bhurungamari upazila of Kurigram will remain closed for eight days during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. According to a notice signed by the convener and senior joint convener of the Sonahat Land Customs Station C&F Agents Association, all import and export activities at the port will be suspended from Monday, May 25, to Monday, June 1. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, June 2.

The association stated that the decision was made in its monthly meeting to align with the Eid-ul-Azha holiday schedule. The Assistant Director of Traffic at the Sonahat Land Customs Station, Aminul Haque, confirmed that official administrative activities will resume on June 1 in accordance with the government holiday schedule, while import and export operations will restart on June 2.

The announcement ensures coordination between customs officials and trade representatives to manage the temporary suspension and smooth resumption of cross-border trade following the Eid holidays.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud announced that new oil and gas fields could be discovered in the country’s maritime areas through ongoing exploration efforts. He made the statement at a press conference organized by the ministry on the occasion of launching the Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2026. The minister said the government would sign agreements that protect national interests while encouraging foreign investment.

He recalled that the first successful bidding round was held in 1993 under Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, leading to major discoveries such as the Bibiyana and Sangu gas fields. The current government aims to build on that legacy by strengthening the capacity of state-owned Bapex and inviting foreign companies to explore offshore resources. The new Offshore Model PSC 2026 includes international-standard, investor-friendly provisions such as third-party gas sales, export options, and tariff arrangements for pipeline investments.

Under the 2026 bidding round, 26 offshore blocks—11 shallow sea and 15 deep sea—are open for bids. Officials expressed hope that the new incentives will attract strong international participation and enhance Bangladesh’s energy security.

Ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha 2026, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority has implemented special traffic management and infrastructure improvements on the Elenga to Jamuna Bridge East Circle section under the SASEC Road Connectivity Project-2. The measures aim to ensure safe, smooth, and congestion-free travel for homebound passengers. The highway now effectively operates with four lanes by combining two newly built service lanes with the existing two main lanes, allowing vehicles to move without artificial congestion.

Bridge Division Secretary and Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf stated that this section had previously been a major challenge for northern-bound travelers during Eid seasons. This year, coordinated improvements, including lane expansion, bus bays, and drainage systems, have been completed to prevent traffic jams. Reflective markers, concrete dividers, and round-the-clock monitoring teams have been deployed to enhance safety and traffic discipline.

Additional measures include trained toll collectors, nonstop ETC lanes, surveillance cameras, and emergency response teams at both Jamuna and Padma Bridge areas. Authorities expect that these initiatives will eliminate traffic bottlenecks and ensure uninterrupted vehicle movement during the Eid travel rush.

Professor Dr. Zubaidur Rahman has resigned as chairman of Islami Bank. On Sunday, he submitted his resignation to the bank’s board of directors and later to the governor of Bangladesh Bank, according to information from both the central bank and Islami Bank sources.

Following the fall of the Awami League government after a student and public uprising, Bangladesh Bank dissolved the Islami Bank board. The central bank then appointed Obaid Ullah Al Masud as an independent director, who later became chairman. After Masud’s resignation in July last year, Zubaidur Rahman joined the board as an independent director and took over as chairman. He has now stepped down after ten months in the role.

Zubaidur Rahman began his career in 1975 as a lecturer in finance at the University of Dhaka and later earned a PhD in finance from the University of Manchester. He has held academic and advisory positions in several international institutions and is the founding vice chancellor of ZNRF University of Management Sciences in Dhaka.

Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Maulana Yusuf Ashraf, stated that half of Bangladesh’s development budget is lost to corruption and that effective implementation is possible only if corruption is eliminated. He made the remarks at a press briefing at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, where the party presented its proposals for the 2026–27 national budget.

The written proposal, presented by Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad, described the proposed 9.3 trillion taka budget as one of the largest in the country’s history but warned that without just and effective planning, it would not improve living standards. The proposal identified inflation, unemployment, revenue shortfall, stagnant investment, and rising foreign debt as key economic challenges. It recommended reducing tariffs on essential goods, expanding OMS programs, providing direct subsidies to farmers, and promoting digital supply systems.

The party also called for interest-free financing through Islamic banking, AI-based education support, and the establishment of “Digital Skills Hubs” in each division. It proposed Sukuk bonds, waqf-based social development, and tax relief for zakat payers, alongside recognition and welfare for families of those killed in past movements.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced a 25 percent fare discount on single journey tickets for senior citizens and persons with disabilities or special needs. The discount will take effect from Monday, according to a press release issued on Sunday by Md. Mashiur Rahman, Executive Director (Additional Charge) of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).

The announcement states that citizens aged 65 years or above will receive the discount upon verification of age through their national identity card. Additionally, individuals with disabilities or special needs who hold a ‘Suborno’ identity card issued under the Ministry of Social Welfare will also be eligible for the same 25 percent discount on single journey tickets.

An official inauguration ceremony for the new fare benefit will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday at Farmgate Metro Station, to be inaugurated by Sheikh Robiul Alam.

Bangladesh’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAB) has expanded export cargo screening capacity at the country’s airports. The authority confirmed that Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport regained approval to use the Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) method for screening cargo bound for the United Kingdom. This reinstatement, achieved through coordinated diplomatic and technical efforts, aligns Bangladesh’s cargo security system more closely with international standards.

CAAB spokesperson Kawsar Mahmud said the renewed EDD approval will strengthen and streamline security verification for UK-bound goods, reducing delays and costs for exporters. He added that the launch of a second Explosive Detection System (EDS) at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport has significantly increased screening capacity, enabling faster and more efficient cargo processing.

According to CAAB, these developments will enhance direct cargo transport capabilities to the UK and European Union. The improvements are expected to boost exporter confidence, attract new airlines seeking validation, and support Bangladesh’s broader international trade expansion.

The Ministry of Commerce has launched a control room to ensure proper preservation and management of raw hides from sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha 2026. The initiative aims to streamline collection, storage, and care of hides across the country. A special awareness campaign will also be broadcast on government and private television channels to educate the public on proper handling methods.

According to a ministry press release issued on Sunday, an inter-ministerial meeting was held on April 12 to review preparations for raw hide management during the festival. The meeting emphasized correct skinning techniques, adequate use of salt, and timely preservation after collection. It also decided to run awareness programs through various media outlets to inform the public about best practices.

The ministry stated that the control room will supervise hide management activities and provide related services. Citizens can contact the control room at 01617-338067 for information or assistance. Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated in Bangladesh on May 28, and the government has taken early measures to prevent the recurring problem of hide spoilage due to poor preservation.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Textiles Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has urged for sector-specific proposals to expand exports to Saudi Arabia. He made the call during a meeting with a delegation from the Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry at his office on Sunday. The minister said Bangladesh’s exports remain heavily dependent on the ready-made garment sector, but there are significant opportunities in pharmaceuticals, leather goods, jute products, food items, and customized apparel for Saudi consumers.

He emphasized that the government is ready to support initiatives that enhance the country’s image, export capacity, and skilled workforce. Muktadir also highlighted the importance of training and skill development for migrant workers, noting that skilled human resources can become a major national asset. The minister asked the delegation to submit specific and realistic proposals identifying areas where policy or financial support is needed.

The chamber’s president, Ashraful Haque Chowdhury, said Saudi Arabia offers major trade potential for Bangladeshi goods and services. With coordinated government support, he projected that exports to Saudi Arabia could reach one billion US dollars by 2027.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that the government has taken comprehensive measures to prevent counterfeit currency and ensure safety at livestock markets across Bangladesh ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. During a visit to the Diabari cattle market in Dhaka on Sunday, he said special machines have been installed to detect fake notes, and banking services are available at the markets for secure transactions and account openings.

The minister confirmed that the country has an adequate supply of locally raised cattle, goats, and buffaloes to meet the sacrificial demand this year. He added that administrative, law enforcement, and volunteer teams are working continuously to prevent theft and recover lost animals. The government has also instructed border and security forces to stop illegal livestock entry from neighboring countries.

Rashid noted that livestock prices are determined by animal quality and market demand, and that a shift toward weight-based pricing could make transactions more transparent in the future. He said the government has deployed sufficient personnel to maintain order and safety at markets until Eid.

The upcoming 2026–27 national budget of Bangladesh is expected to be presented in parliament on June 11 by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, marking the first budget of the BNP government. Based on published reports, the proposed budget size may reach about Tk 9.32 trillion, the largest since independence. The budget’s main goals include job creation and inflation control, with the government targeting 10 million new jobs within five years. The finance minister has emphasized reopening closed factories, ensuring power and gas supply, and supporting small and medium enterprises through loans and incentives.

The World Bank, IMF, and ADB project GDP growth below 5 percent for the current fiscal year, prompting calls for a stable business environment. Inflation reached 9.04 percent in April, straining household purchasing power. Experts suggest that monetary policy alone is insufficient to curb inflation and recommend supply-side measures. The article also highlights structural weaknesses such as a low tax-to-GDP ratio of 8–9 percent, urging progressive tax reforms, pension incentives for taxpayers, and raising the tax-free income threshold to Tk 500,000–800,000.

The budget is also expected to promote export diversification beyond the garment sector and increase allocations for education, health, and technical training to build skilled human resources and boost remittance income.

The newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal has imposed a complete ban on cow slaughter and sale, joining 19 other Indian states with similar restrictions. The decision, announced just before Eid al-Adha, has sparked widespread unrest across the state. Hindu farming families have taken to the streets in protest, accusing Chief Minister Suvendu of destroying their livelihoods. Many farmers claim they can no longer sustain their families without the income from selling cattle.

According to Indian media reports and expert analyses cited in the article, the ban has triggered a severe chain reaction across India’s rural economy. Farmers, unable to sell aging cows, face mounting debts and reduced income. The dairy sector has slowed as farmers stop raising new cattle, driving milk prices beyond the reach of ordinary consumers. The meat and leather industries have also collapsed due to raw material shortages, leaving millions unemployed. Stray cattle now roam freely, damaging crops and forcing the government to spend heavily on shelters.

Experts warn that the cumulative impact of these policies has placed immense pressure on India’s national budget and worsened rural poverty, creating a broad economic downturn linked to religiously motivated governance decisions.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the European Union, the country’s largest export destination, declined sharply in early 2026. According to Eurostat data, export earnings from the EU fell by 19.26 percent in January and February compared with the same period in 2025, dropping from 3.57 billion euros to 2.88 billion euros. In February alone, exports decreased by 12.39 percent to 1.45 billion euros. The fall was driven by both lower export volumes and reduced average prices.

The EU’s overall apparel imports also declined by 11.27 percent during the same period, reflecting weaker consumer demand across Europe. Industry representatives attributed the downturn to global trade shifts, increased competition from China, India, and Vietnam, and reduced purchasing power in Europe due to high living costs and interest rates. Buyers have become more cautious and are negotiating lower prices, putting pressure on suppliers.

Experts warned that if the EU market slump continues, it could negatively affect Bangladesh’s broader economy, as nearly half of the country’s export earnings come from this region. They recommended diversifying products, improving value addition, and strengthening trade diplomacy to sustain export growth.

An investigative report by Amar Desh claims that Bangladesh’s recent fuel crisis, triggered by Middle East tensions, was worsened by a powerful domestic syndicate allegedly tied to former Awami League leaders and officials. Despite nearly doubling fuel imports between March and May 2026, the shortage persisted until the government raised fuel prices on April 19, after which the crisis abruptly ended. Customs data show that 97 ships brought over 2.7 million tons of fuel in 70 days, yet supply disruptions continued.

The report alleges that a large portion of the fuel market operates outside the state distribution system through smuggled supplies controlled by politically connected groups. Many tankers used for illegal fuel transport are reportedly owned by former ministers, MPs, and bureaucrats linked to the Awami League. Experts cited in the report describe this parallel market as an “open secret” that undermines the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s capacity.

Analysts warn that without stricter monitoring and transparency, similar crises could recur. The BPC acknowledged the sudden resolution of the shortage after the price hike but offered no explanation.