The Port Protection Council in Chittagong has staged a torch procession and road blockade demanding that no part of the Chittagong port, including the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), be handed over to foreign entities. The protest took place on Tuesday evening at the Port Connecting Road in the city’s Bara Pol area. Speakers at the rally, including Hasan Maruf Rumi of the Ganosamhati Andolon, alleged that the government was conspiring to lease out profitable port facilities to foreign companies under the guise of development. They claimed the port’s revenue had already increased by 21 percent, proving its efficiency. The council gave the authorities 40 hours to withdraw any such decision, warning that otherwise, they would announce tougher programs at a press conference on November 20. Protesters emphasized that while they support foreign investment in new projects like the Bay Terminal, they strongly oppose foreign control over existing profitable terminals like NCT and CCT.

In Nilphamari’s Saidpur, Bangladesh, potato farmers and traders are facing severe financial losses as market prices have plummeted far below production costs. Despite storing around 90,000 tons of potatoes in 11 cold storages with hopes of earning fair prices, demand has sharply declined, forcing many to sell at Tk 10–12 per kilogram, while production and storage costs reach Tk 20–25. Some farmers, unable to recover expenses, are feeding potatoes to cattle. Compared to last year, prices have dropped by more than half, leaving both farmers and cold storage owners struggling. Many traders have yet to release their stock due to the low market rate. Farmers are urging the government to increase market monitoring, offer incentives, and explore export options to stabilize prices. Agricultural officials report that 9,300 hectares have been planted with potatoes this season, and new crops are expected soon, which may provide some relief if prices improve.

After a 22-day suspension, the Barapukuria coal-based thermal power plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, resumed electricity production on Tuesday afternoon by restarting its first unit. The plant, which has a total capacity of 525 megawatts across three units, is currently generating only 50 megawatts per day. Operations had been halted due to mechanical failures that rendered all three units inactive, cutting off power supply to the national grid. The second unit, with a capacity of 125 megawatts, has been permanently out of service since 2020, while the third 275-megawatt unit remains offline. Authorities expect that full restoration of operations may take until January, as discussions with Chinese technical experts continue to resolve the mechanical issues. The partial resumption offers some relief amid ongoing power shortages in the region.

The Government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of 220,000 metric tons of fertilizer from China, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Kafco at a total cost of approximately Tk 1,579 crore. The procurement includes 70,000 tons of urea, 120,000 tons of DAP, and 30,000 tons of TSP fertilizer. Additionally, the government will construct 34 buffer warehouses across the country at a cost of Tk 55.25 crore to improve fertilizer storage and distribution. The decisions were approved at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salahuddin Ahmed. The imports will be made for the 2025–26 fiscal year, with specific agreements including 40,000 tons of urea from Saudi Arabia’s SABIC Agro Nutrients Company and 30,000 tons from Bangladesh-based Kafco. The move aims to ensure adequate fertilizer supply for the upcoming agricultural seasons.

A World Bank delegation led by Jean Denis Pesme, Director of the bank’s Dhaka Regional Office, held a meeting with Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, on Tuesday, November 18. The meeting took place at the Jamaat chief’s office and included World Bank officials Mehrin A. Mahbub, Economic Adviser, and Gaelle Martin, Operations Manager. On the Jamaat side, economist Dr. Mizanur Rahman, former senior secretary Muhammad Safiullah, and foreign affairs adviser Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan were present. Discussions focused on Bangladesh’s financial sector reforms, sustainable economic growth, taxation systems, and social sector development. The meeting reflected an exchange of views on the country’s ongoing economic challenges and potential areas for structural improvement, though no specific agreements or commitments were publicly disclosed.

The Bangladesh government has approved the purchase of one cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Singapore at a cost of approximately Tk 490 crore. The decision was made during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salahuddin Ahmed. Petrobangla invited bids from 24 companies with existing Master Sale and Purchase Agreements (MSPA), and four firms submitted offers. BP Singapore Private Limited emerged as the lowest bidder, offering LNG at a rate of USD 11.64 per MMBtu. The cargo, totaling about 3.36 million MMBtu, will be imported through the international spot market. Officials said the procurement aims to ensure adequate energy supply amid rising domestic demand and global fuel price fluctuations. The approval reflects Bangladesh’s continued reliance on imported LNG to meet its growing energy needs.

The eastern Chinese city of Ningbo has introduced a new incentive program to counter the country’s declining marriage rate. According to the city’s Civil Affairs Department, newly married couples will receive eight cash vouchers worth a total of 1,000 yuan (about $141 or £107). These vouchers can be used for wedding photography, ceremonies, celebrations, hotels, shopping, and other marriage-related services. The vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Similar initiatives have been launched in other eastern cities such as Hangzhou and Pinghu, running through the end of the year. Official data show that over 6.1 million couples registered marriages last year, down nearly 20% from 7.68 million in 2023. Analysts attribute the decline to high child-rearing and education costs. In response, Chinese authorities have promoted policies encouraging marriage and childbirth, including “love education” programs at universities and local government support for marriage at an “appropriate age.”

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the legality of the government-approved merger plan involving five Shariah-based private banks in Bangladesh—First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, EXIM Bank, and Social Islami Bank. The petition, submitted on behalf of investor Shahidul Islam by Barrister Mahsib Hossain, names the Bangladesh Bank governor and the finance secretary among the respondents. The merger proposal, approved on October 9 by an advisory council, aims to form a new Shariah-compliant entity tentatively named either United Islamic Bank or Sammilito Islamic Bank. The new bank would assume all assets and liabilities of the merged institutions, with an authorized capital of Tk 40,000 crore, including Tk 20,000 crore from the government. Bangladesh Bank recently appointed administrators to manage the financially weak banks, assuring depositors that their funds remain secure and that no employees will be dismissed during the restructuring process.

The Bangladesh government has issued the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, allowing the formation of trade unions with the consent of at least 20 workers in a factory. Previously, 20 percent of a factory’s workforce was required to form a union. The new ordinance specifies the number of workers needed for union registration based on total workforce size, ranging from 20 to 400. The amendment aims to modernize labor laws, align them with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, and ensure greater balance between workers and employers. It extends labor law protections to domestic workers and sailors, prohibits blacklisting, strengthens measures against sexual harassment, enhances maternity benefits, and bans gender-based wage discrimination. The ordinance also introduces improved mechanisms for dispute resolution and establishes a fund for rehabilitation and medical support of injured workers. Officials described the reform as a landmark step toward international labor standards.

Bangladesh has recorded a 17% increase in the import of nine essential consumer goods ahead of the upcoming Ramadan, according to a recent Bangladesh Bank report. The imported items include sugar, soybean oil, pulses, chickpeas, peas, onions, garlic, ginger, and dates. Among these, pea imports surged by 294%, while date imports rose by 231%. In contrast, onion imports dropped by 99%, and garlic and ginger imports declined by 89% and 22%, respectively. The central bank attributed the overall rise in imports to stable dollar supply and policy measures facilitating trade. To ensure adequate supply and price stability during Ramadan, Bangladesh Bank has instructed commercial banks to maintain minimal cash margins for opening letters of credit (LCs) on ten key commodities until March 2026. Officials expect that these measures will prevent shortages and may even lower prices if market monitoring remains effective.

Bangladesh Bank has announced it will discontinue five public services, including the sale and purchase of savings certificates and prize bonds, starting November 30. Initially, the closure will apply to the central bank’s Motijheel office, with other regional offices following later. The suspended services also include the exchange of damaged notes, treasury challan services, and providing change for challans. Customers will still be able to access these services through commercial banks, which the central bank will closely monitor to ensure smooth operations. The decision is part of a modernization and security enhancement plan involving automated vaults and restricted public access to sensitive areas. Although recent fraud incidents involving savings certificate servers occurred at the Motijheel branch, officials clarified that the closures are primarily driven by security and modernization concerns. Currently, Bangladesh Bank handles a significant portion of the country’s savings certificate transactions, with over 30% processed through its Motijheel office.

Denmark-based APM Terminals, a subsidiary of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, has signed an agreement with the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) to construct and operate the Laldia Container Terminal in Bangladesh for 30 years under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The company will invest approximately Tk 6,700 crore in the project. The signing ceremony took place in Dhaka, attended by senior officials including PPP Authority CEO Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, and Danish State Secretary for Trade and Investment Lene Gandløse Hansen. The terminal is expected to become operational between 2028 and 2030. Under the agreement, APM Terminals will be responsible for the design, financing, construction, and operation of the facility, which aims to enhance Bangladesh’s maritime trade capacity and efficiency.

Bangladesh Bank has announced it will stop selling savings certificates and prize bonds, along with discontinuing several customer-facing services such as exchanging damaged notes, accepting government challans, and providing change for challans from November 30. Initially, the decision will take effect at the Motijheel office before being extended to other branches. The central bank explained that the move aims to strengthen oversight of commercial banks, which will now handle these services independently. Officials cited security and policy reasons for the change, noting that no central bank globally offers direct counter services. Experts have supported the decision, emphasizing that central banks should focus on regulatory functions rather than commercial operations, but they also urged authorities to ensure that customers do not face additional difficulties at commercial banks. Bangladesh Bank confirmed that payments related to savings certificates will continue through the EFTN system.

New Zealand’s Supreme Court has upheld a lower court’s ruling that Uber drivers should be classified as employees rather than independent contractors, marking a major legal victory for gig economy workers. The unanimous decision dismissed Uber’s appeal against a 2022 Employment Court ruling involving four drivers represented by two unions. The court’s judgment could enable thousands of Uber drivers in New Zealand to claim full employment rights, including back pay and benefits such as minimum wage, paid leave, and the right to collective bargaining. The Workers First Union welcomed the ruling, saying it sets a precedent for fairer treatment of gig workers. Uber expressed disappointment, warning that the decision could have broad implications for contracting arrangements across the country. Despite the ruling, Uber said its operations in New Zealand would continue as usual for now. The case aligns New Zealand with similar legal developments in countries like the United Kingdom, where courts have also recognized Uber drivers as employees.

India has signed a significant energy agreement with the United States to import 2.2 million tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) annually, accounting for about 10% of Delhi’s total LPG consumption. The deal comes amid ongoing pressure from Washington over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and recent trade frictions, including US President Donald Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Indian goods to 50%. Despite these tensions, both nations continue dialogue on energy and trade cooperation. Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri described the deal as the first LPG supply agreement between the two countries, emphasizing India’s goal of diversifying energy sources to ensure affordable and secure fuel for its population. The agreement also opens the rapidly growing Indian LPG market to US suppliers. Analysts note that while India’s economy has recently shown strong growth, high US tariffs remain a concern that could slow GDP expansion if not reduced soon.