The Bangladesh Parliament has passed the Bank Resolution Bill 2026, overturning a previous ordinance that barred individuals responsible for bank failures from regaining ownership even after repaying losses. The new law enables former shareholders of five merged banks to reapply for ownership, including groups such as S Alam and Nasa, which previously held major stakes. Applicants must pledge to repay government and central bank support, inject new capital, and ensure full repayment to depositors and creditors.

Under the new provisions, Bangladesh Bank will verify applications and seek government approval before any transfer of control. Former owners must initially deposit 7.5 percent of the government’s investment and repay the remaining 92.5 percent within two years with 10 percent interest. The central bank will supervise the restructured banks for two years to ensure compliance.

Critics, including economists and opposition lawmakers, warned that the bill rewards those responsible for past mismanagement and could endanger depositors’ funds. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury defended the bill, saying it aims to maintain financial stability and protect depositors while reducing the government’s fiscal burden.

The Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh (AOAB) has stated that the country’s aviation industry is facing a severe crisis due to rising jet fuel prices, high hangar rents, customs complications, and elevated fees set by the Civil Aviation Authority. The remarks came during AOAB’s annual general meeting held on Saturday at the Samson Centre in Gulshan, Dhaka, chaired by AOAB President and Square Air Limited Managing Director Anjan Chowdhury.

During the meeting, leaders including AOAB Secretary General and Novoair Managing Director Mofizur Rahman highlighted that these financial and regulatory pressures have placed aviation business owners in serious distress. They urged all stakeholders to work together to overcome the ongoing challenges. The association also expressed gratitude to the government for reconsidering certain provisions of the Bangladesh Travel Agency Act published in the Bangladesh Gazette.

Members present at the meeting called for support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant government bodies to sustain the aviation sector amid the current difficulties.

US President Donald Trump said that numerous empty oil tankers are heading toward the United States to load what he described as the 'world’s best and sweetest' oil and gas. In a recent post on Truth Social, he claimed that the United States possesses more oil than the world’s two largest oil economies and that its quality is superior. He invited buyers to come quickly, saying the country is ready to supply.

Trump’s remarks came as global oil prices fluctuated due to war conditions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Benchmark Brent crude recently rose above 110 dollars per barrel but fell by about 15 percent to just under 92 dollars after the United States and Iran agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire. The agreement also included reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.

Iran’s earlier restrictions on shipping through the strait had driven up fuel and food prices worldwide. Although prices have eased since the ceasefire, they remain higher than before the conflict, when oil traded around 70 dollars per barrel.

UAE-based airline Air Arabia has resumed limited international flight operations from the United Arab Emirates after disruptions caused by recent conflicts in the Middle East. The airline announced on Saturday that it is gradually restarting services from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to 49 destinations across 17 countries, subject to regulatory approval.

According to Air Arabia’s official statement, the decision was made to align with the evolving situation in the region. The destinations include countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe, with Bangladesh among those listed. The airline emphasized that passengers whose flights were previously canceled can rebook their tickets, provided they have not already opted for a date change or refund.

Air Arabia stated that affected passengers will be contacted directly regarding rebooking procedures, as part of its phased plan to restore international operations following the earlier disruptions.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that market control through syndicates will no longer be allowed in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Saturday morning while inaugurating the country’s first direct farmers’ sales center, ‘Krishoker Hat,’ at Tilaghar in Sylhet city. The initiative, jointly organized by the Sylhet District Administration and the Department of Agricultural Extension, allows marginal farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers without intermediaries.

The minister said the program aims to eliminate market mismanagement that prevents farmers from receiving fair prices while consumers face high costs. As part of the plan, deputy commissioners in every district will ensure that farmers can sell directly to buyers at least once a week. He added that the entire supply chain will be integrated into an AI-generated model to enhance government monitoring and stabilize prices.

Muktadir also announced that the operations of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will be expanded, even as subsidies—currently amounting to about Tk 3,200–3,300 crore annually—are gradually reduced.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called on accountants to evolve beyond traditional financial management roles and position themselves as strategic advisors in modern organizations. He made the remarks on Saturday while addressing the 22nd convocation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) held at a hotel in Dhaka.

The minister emphasized that in today’s technology-driven world, accountants must remain aware of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and the digital ecosystem, rather than limiting themselves to institutional knowledge. Addressing newly certified chartered accountants, he described the current era as one of both challenges and opportunities, urging them to enhance their skills and contribute to national and professional development.

He expressed optimism that the professional success of new chartered accountants would play a significant role in the country’s progress. The event also featured speeches by Professor Dr. Salimullah Khan as the convocation speaker and ICAB President N K A Mobin.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the government has adopted a strict position against abnormal price hikes, manipulation, and market syndicates. Speaking at the inauguration of a farmers’ market in Sylhet on Saturday afternoon, he said the goal is to eliminate market syndicates from Bangladesh within the government’s current term.

The minister announced that the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will strengthen its operations. The government currently provides subsidies of about Tk 3,200 to 3,300 crore annually to ensure affordable food supply. He added that while subsidies will gradually be reduced, TCB’s market interventions will increase through higher imports to maintain balance. Efforts are also underway to modernize the entire supply system using advanced technology.

As part of agricultural development, Muktadir highlighted initiatives for canal re-excavation and water drainage in Sylhet. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the re-excavation of the Basia Canal on May 2. Areas prone to waterlogging will receive improved drainage and irrigation facilities to boost crop production. A pilot project by the Department of Agricultural Extension may later expand nationwide if successful.

Bangladesh is set to host its first international-scale textile and garment exhibition, the BTKG Expo 2026, marking a major milestone for the country’s fast-growing apparel industry. The four-day event, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Inforchain Digital Technology Co. Ltd., will take place at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka from April 29 to May 2, 2026. According to organizers, around 900 exhibitors from 30 countries, including Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, will participate across seven halls covering 20,000 square meters.

The exhibition will feature machinery and technology from across the textile and garment value chain, such as knitting, embroidery, dyeing, washing, and testing equipment. Bangladesh’s apparel sector, which earned about USD 39 billion in exports in fiscal year 2024–25 and employs over four million people, remains the backbone of the national economy. Organizers expect the expo to strengthen the industry’s technological capacity, foster international collaboration, and attract new investment.

The BTKG Expo 2026 is anticipated to enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global apparel market and accelerate long-term industrial growth through innovation and networking opportunities.

Women's fashion brand Exclusivea has opened a new outlet at Center Point Shopping Mall in Uttara, Dhaka. The store, located on Level 2, Unit C3, was inaugurated recently with notable figures from the fashion and lifestyle sectors attending the event. Guests explored the brand’s latest collection and expressed interest in its design and presentation.

Founded in 2018 by Nomrata Khan, Nabeen Ahmed, and Tanvir Ali, Exclusivea began its journey with its first outlet at Pink City in Gulshan. The brand has since built a loyal customer base by offering contemporary yet elegant designs tailored to modern women’s tastes and comfort. The new outlet’s interior has been designed to enhance customer comfort and make shopping more enjoyable.

According to the founders, the Uttara outlet aims to bring the brand closer to local customers while maintaining its commitment to quality and design consistency. This expansion marks another step in Exclusivea’s effort to make stylish and accessible fashion available to more women in Dhaka.

The Shibchar Upazila administration in Madaripur has launched a special diesel distribution program to support local farmers during a fuel shortage. On April 10, 2026, Upazila Nirbahi Officer H. M. Ibne Mizan inaugurated the initiative at the Shibchar Upazila Parishad premises. Following the inauguration, diesel was sold directly to farmers, each receiving 10 liters at the government-fixed price. The administration collected 12,000 liters of diesel from a depot to ensure uninterrupted irrigation during the Boro season, benefiting around 1,200 farmers.

Local farmers expressed relief, saying the initiative eased their worries about irrigation disruptions caused by irregular fuel supply at pumps. They noted that direct access to diesel would help them continue cultivation smoothly. Farmers such as Mojibur Sardar and Jalal Mia described the program as a significant support for small-scale growers.

According to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, the initiative aims to maintain agricultural productivity by ensuring fuel availability despite supply constraints, and the administration expects marginal farmers to benefit substantially.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, inaugurated the country’s first government-managed ‘Krishoker Hat’ in Sylhet on April 11, 2026. The initiative, jointly organized by the Sylhet District Administration and the Department of Agricultural Extension, aims to reduce middlemen’s influence, ensure fair prices for farmers, and provide consumers with safe and affordable food. The market, located near Tilagor Point, allows marginal farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers without intermediaries.

During the inauguration, the minister said the government is introducing new measures to bring transparency and balance to the market system. He noted that agricultural products often change hands multiple times before reaching consumers, causing unjustified price hikes. The ‘Krishoker Hat’ is expected to create a win-win situation for both farmers and consumers. The program will operate weekly under local administration supervision to prevent extortion or unexpected costs.

The minister also announced plans to digitize the supply chain from import to retail, strengthen the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh’s operations, and expand irrigation and canal re-excavation to boost agricultural production and market stability.

In Lalmohan upazila of Bhola, fishermen staged a protest and human chain on Friday, April 10, demanding distribution of the allocated VGF rice that they have not yet received. The demonstration took place at the embankment near Kobkhali fish landing station in Dhaligournagar Union, where over a hundred fishermen participated. They complained that despite following government fishing restrictions, they were struggling to survive without the promised rice support.

The fishermen accused Dhaligournagar Union Chairman Maksudur Rahman of delaying the rice distribution and alleged that the upazila fisheries office had not taken any initiative to resolve the issue. According to the allocation, each fisherman was supposed to receive 80 kilograms of rice before Eid-ul-Fitr. Chairman Rahman said distribution was delayed because the local BNP unit had not yet submitted the full list of eligible fishermen. The upazila fisheries officer stated that the delivery order had already been issued, while the upazila executive officer explained that the delay was due to the late preparation of the fishermen’s list.

Officials indicated that rice distribution might begin on Sunday once the fishermen’s cards are verified.

A severe fuel shortage in Rangpur Division has persisted for over six weeks, worsening despite earlier expectations of improvement. Local residents are facing acute difficulties as fuel is distributed only during limited hours set by the government. Many people are reportedly hoarding fuel and selling it at inflated prices, while others have stopped using their motorbikes due to long queues and limited availability. According to the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s Office, the region’s daily demand for diesel is 1 million liters, but only 900,000 liters are being supplied. Petrol and octane supplies are also far below demand.

Fuel station managers report receiving insufficient deliveries from depots, forcing many pumps to close for several days between shipments. The Rangpur Petrol Pump Owners Association said that more than half of the 350 pumps in the division have already shut down. The Divisional Commissioner, Shahidul Islam, acknowledged shortages in petrol and octane but said diesel supply remains stable and expressed hope for a quick resolution, urging citizens to use fuel responsibly.

If supply conditions do not improve soon, pump owners fear heavy financial losses and further disruption to local transport and employment.

Two floating oil depots of Jamuna Oil Company Limited and Meghna Petroleum Limited in the Brahmaputra River at Chilmari, Kurigram, have remained without fuel for nine years. The shortage has severely disrupted irrigation and daily activities in the region, raising fears of setbacks in the current Boro rice season. Farmers said they are forced to buy diesel from the Parbatipur depot at higher transport costs, and they have demanded a quick resolution.

Authorities explained that the supply stopped because oil-laden ships cannot reach the depots due to reduced navigability of the Brahmaputra. The depots, established in 1989, previously supplied fuel to districts including Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, and Lalmonirhat through 22 authorized dealers. Since early 2018, no fuel has been supplied, leaving local farmers and businesses struggling to meet daily fuel needs estimated at 70,000–90,000 liters.

Officials said a Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation team inspected the depots two years ago for possible permanent setup, but supply remains halted. Farmers warned that irrigation-dependent crops such as Boro rice, maize, wheat, and peanuts are now at risk.

Rangpur Sugar Mill, the only heavy industrial enterprise in Gaibandha district, has remained closed for nearly five years, leading to severe deterioration of its facilities. The 35-acre factory compound has become overgrown, while sugarcane transport vehicles and costly machinery are rusting and becoming unusable. The mill’s operations were halted in December 2020 to reduce losses and modernize the facility, but no reopening has occurred since.

Established in 1954 to promote sugarcane cultivation in the agricultural region, the mill once supported the livelihoods of about 30,000 people, including farmers, workers, and employees. By June 2021, it had accumulated losses of over Tk 514 crore, prompting the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation to shut it down. Farmers were later brought under the nominal operations of Joypurhat Sugar Mill to sustain limited sugarcane farming.

Local farmers, workers, and residents have renewed their demand for reopening the mill after local MP Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Linkon raised the issue in Parliament. The mill’s acting managing director said any decision to restart operations depends on higher authorities, while minimal staff and maintenance costs continue to burden the government.