State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit announced that shops and shopping malls in Bangladesh may now remain open until 7 pm instead of 6 pm, considering the current electricity and energy situation. He made the statement on Sunday afternoon. Business representatives had earlier requested permission to keep shops open until 8 pm.

The decision follows recent government measures to address an energy crisis triggered by ongoing tensions and conflict in the Middle East. To conserve power, the government revised working hours for public and private offices, which will now operate from 9 am to 4 pm until further notice. Banking hours have been set from 10 am to 3 pm, and shops were previously required to close by 6 pm.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Saturday, April 4, implementing the new office schedule after cabinet approval on April 2. The updated shop closing time reflects a partial relaxation of earlier restrictions.

Bangladesh is not yet prepared to graduate from the list of least developed countries due to current economic realities, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after a multilateral consultation at the NEC Conference Center in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, he cited internal and external economic pressures that have complicated the situation and made the graduation process uncertain. The meeting presented the results of a UN-OHRLLS-led ‘Graduation Readiness Assessment’ conducted at the request of the Bangladesh government.

The minister identified rising foreign debt, domestic liabilities, high interest rates, and weaknesses in financial management as key risks to the economy. He added that subsidies in the energy sector, global price increases, and import dependency have further intensified challenges. The government faces continuous fiscal pressure, making the situation more complex.

Amir Khasru noted that there is an opportunity to extend the graduation timeline. During this period, the government plans to strengthen economic indicators, enhance skills, and implement policy reforms to improve readiness. He emphasized that capacity building and sound policy implementation are essential to overcome current challenges.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday, April 5, that all supply chains have been severely disrupted due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, leading to an inevitable rise in product prices. Speaking to reporters in Agargaon, Dhaka, he noted that global transportation systems have been badly affected, while the fuel crisis has worsened the situation.

The minister explained that the impact of the conflict extends beyond energy, affecting all types of goods, food items, and the entire supply system. He warned that price increases in the coming days are certain. Chowdhury added that the government is trying to minimize pressure on citizens as an elected administration but acknowledged that sustaining this effort may become difficult if public funds continue to be strained.

He cautioned that if the government’s financial resources remain under pressure, the ultimate burden will fall on the people, signaling potential economic challenges ahead for Bangladesh.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office to seek high-level guidance on implementing the proposed new pay scale for government officials and employees. Senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and relevant ministries, including Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, are expected to attend the meeting.

An interim government had earlier formed a 23-member National Pay Commission led by former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, which recommended a 100 to 140 percent salary increase for government employees. The proposal suggests raising the minimum salary from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000, requiring an additional Tk 106,000 crore for implementation. A nine-member review committee was also formed on February 8 to examine the recommendations but has yet to begin work due to political changes following the February 12 national election.

The government initially planned partial implementation in the 2025–26 fiscal year, but global economic instability and rising expenses have delayed the process, possibly pushing implementation to 2026–27 in phases.

Garment workers from Nasa Group staged a protest on Tejgaon Link Road in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding their due wages. The demonstration began after 10 a.m. when around 700 to 800 workers blocked the road between Mohakhali and Nabisco. The blockade caused a complete halt in traffic movement on routes connecting Tejgaon, Mohakhali, and Uttara. The protesters cleared the road around 11 a.m., according to the Gulshan Zone traffic police.

During the blockade, traffic police urged commuters to follow diversions to avoid congestion. They advised using the Elevated Expressway for travel between Uttara and Mohakhali and the Mohakhali Flyover for movement from Uttara, Gulshan, or Banani toward Tejgaon. The disruption lasted for about an hour before normal traffic resumed.

The incident highlighted ongoing tensions over wage payments in Dhaka’s garment sector, though no further details about negotiations or management response were provided in the report.

The government of Bangladesh has initiated steps to establish a new Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria. Preparations are underway following a letter dated March 29, signed by Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Investment Development) of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), confirming the plan. The letter stated that necessary measures will be taken in accordance with regulations to set up the EPZ. The initiative is part of the new government’s development agenda aimed at expanding industrial capacity.

The proposed site in Tinlakhpir area of Binauti Union was recommended by Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, an executive member of the Brahmanbaria district BNP. The location lies beside the Cumilla–Sylhet highway and has close access to Akhaura land port and railway junction. The region benefits from nearby energy and transport infrastructure, including Ashuganj river port and power plant, and Titas gas field. Officials said the EPZ would create employment and transform the local economy.

Local authorities view the project as a key step toward regional economic growth, with expectations of new investment and long-term energy security through nearby gas field development.

Bangladesh has introduced a new schedule for government and private offices effective from Sunday, April 5, 2026, as part of efforts to save energy and electricity. According to a circular from the Ministry of Public Administration, offices will now operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday designated as weekly holidays. Emergency services are exempt from this schedule, and the Supreme Court will issue separate guidance for court hours. All markets, office buildings, and commercial establishments, except essential services, must close by 6 p.m.

The Bangladesh Bank announced that all scheduled banks will follow the revised hours until further notice. Banking transactions will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., while office hours will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Branches located in port and customs areas will continue operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, under existing directives.

The government decided to shorten office hours by one hour in response to the global energy crisis triggered by the war situation in the Middle East. The decision was approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday night.

Pakistan has announced a one-month period of free travel on government-run public transport across the country, including the capital and the most populous province. The decision was made after widespread protests erupted following a sharp rise in fuel prices driven by the ongoing Iran-related war situation. The announcement came on Friday, shortly after the government raised petrol prices by 42.7 percent to 485 rupees per liter, triggering public anger and long queues at petrol stations.

According to The Guardian, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif later partially reversed the decision the same night, reducing petrol prices to 378 rupees per liter by cutting fuel taxes. In a televised address, he said the new price would remain in effect for at least one month and pledged to continue efforts to stabilize daily life. However, diesel prices were not reduced and now stand at 520 rupees per liter, a 54.9 percent increase from previous levels.

The temporary free transport measure aims to ease public hardship while the government works to manage the economic fallout from the fuel crisis.

The BSCIC industrial estate in Srimangal, Moulvibazar, built at a cost of about Tk 50 crore, has remained unused for six years since its completion in 2019. Despite having 122 plots and full infrastructure including administrative and residential buildings, pump house, dumping yard, and pond, no industrial plant has started operations. The site has turned into a jungle, with key installations and equipment stolen due to neglect and lack of maintenance.

The project began in 2012 on 20 acres of land in Uttarsur area to promote industrialization. However, electricity, gas, and water connections are now largely nonfunctional. Local sources report theft of gas substation parts, transformers, and metal fittings. Entrepreneurs cite high plot prices, poor services, and administrative complications as major deterrents. One investor, Shamim Akter Hossain of Do Impex Ltd, said he suffered financial losses after returning a plot without full refund.

BSCIC officials claim new plots are being allocated under conditions requiring factories within two years, and inactive owners have been notified. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that higher authorities have been informed and some work has already resumed.

A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll found that 56 percent of Americans believe the ongoing war with Iran will negatively affect the U.S. economy. The survey, conducted from March 27 to 29 across the United States, included responses from 1,021 participants. Only 7 percent thought the war would have a positive impact, while 12 percent expected no effect. About 25 percent did not answer the question.

The poll also revealed widespread concern for U.S. military personnel, with 86 percent of respondents expressing worry about the safety of service members involved in the conflict. In addition, 52 percent said they believe the U.S. military operation will worsen stability in the Middle East, while 21 percent expect conditions to improve.

The findings highlight growing public anxiety over both economic and security consequences of the U.S. military campaign in Iran, reflecting skepticism about its potential to bring regional stability.

Bangladesh Bank has provided Tk 2,721 crore in short-term liquidity support to the newly formed Sammilit Islami Bank, created through the merger of five struggling Islamic banks. The three-month loan was issued after deposit withdrawals surged during merger discussions, forcing the central bank to inject funds. The merged institutions include First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank.

According to official data, EXIM Bank received the largest share of Tk 1,564 crore, followed by Social Islami Bank with Tk 482 crore, First Security Islami Bank with Tk 416 crore, Union Bank with Tk 161 crore, and Global Islami Bank with Tk 98 crore. The merged bank has an authorized capital of Tk 40,000 crore and paid-up capital of Tk 35,000 crore, with the government contributing Tk 20,000 crore. Around 7.8 million depositors are being compensated through an insurance fund totaling Tk 12,000 crore.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman recently directed administrators to recover embezzled funds by April through foreign legal assistance. As of December, the merged banks held Tk 196,827 crore in total loans, with 84.23 percent classified as non-performing.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the United States declined by 8.53 percent in January and February 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to data from the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). Both the average unit price and export volume dropped, by 2.47 percent and 6.21 percent respectively, leading to an overall contraction in export earnings.

Analysts attribute the decline to a broader downturn in US apparel imports, which fell 13.47 percent due to high inflation and interest rates reducing consumer purchasing power. While Bangladesh’s exports shrank, Vietnam and Cambodia recorded growth of 2.86 percent and 18.43 percent respectively, intensifying competition in the US market. Industry observers noted that these countries benefited from faster production capacity expansion, product diversification, and favorable labor and trade policies.

Despite the challenges, China’s apparel exports to the US plunged 57.65 percent during the same period, creating potential opportunities for Bangladesh. Exporters and the BGMEA emphasized the need to enhance competitiveness through cost control, efficiency, infrastructure improvement, and policy support to sustain market share and capitalize on emerging prospects.

Authorities in Patuakhali’s Mohipur area have distributed 27,000 liters of additional diesel to local fishermen to support their livelihoods and ensure fishing operations in the Bay of Bengal before an upcoming government ban. The distribution took place on Saturday, April 4, through two filling stations at the Mohipur–Alipur fish port. The supply was managed by acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Yasin Sadek, with fuel provided by Jamuna and Meghna Petroleum companies.

Under this special arrangement, around 70 small, medium, and large trawlers received 400, 600, and 1,000 liters of diesel respectively, based on their needs. The initiative comes ahead of a 58-day government fishing ban starting April 15. While the supply brought relief to fishermen and trawler owners, many said it was still insufficient compared to their actual requirements, as large trawlers typically need 700–800 liters for a 15–16 day trip.

Local leaders and fishing association representatives welcomed the move, calling it a commendable step to support the marine economy and fishermen’s livelihoods. Officials also indicated that additional fuel could be provided if necessary.

Farmers in India’s Punjab state are expressing deep concern over a looming fertilizer shortage that could threaten crop yields. The disruption stems from the Iran–US conflict that began after a joint American–Israeli strike on Iran on February 28, leading Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has disrupted global energy supplies, creating a gas shortage that has forced India to cut gas supply to fertilizer plants by 30 percent.

Agriculture experts warn that the conflict is already straining India’s fertilizer supply chain, particularly for urea, a nitrogen-based fertilizer central to the country’s farming. Although most urea is domestically produced, its production depends on imported natural gas. Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and other key grain-producing states fear that shortages during the upcoming kharif season could reduce yields of rice and cotton. The government insists that fertilizer plants are operating normally and that buffer stocks are higher than last year.

Despite official assurances, anxiety persists among small farmers already burdened by debt and losses. Observers note that prolonged supply disruptions could mirror Sri Lanka’s past fertilizer crisis, which severely affected its agriculture sector.

Bangladesh has established its first Private Sector Advisory Council, comprising nine leading industrialists from the country’s top private enterprises. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) announced the formation on Saturday, stating that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman created the council to enhance structured engagement between the government and business leaders. The council includes chairpersons and managing directors from major groups such as ACI, Apex Footwear, Runner, Pran-RFL, Bay, Incepta, DBL, Rangs, and Pacific Jeans.

The council’s inaugural meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday morning, chaired by the Prime Minister. Senior ministers and officials, including the finance, energy, and commerce ministers, as well as the BIDA chairman, attended. Members welcomed the initiative, praising the government’s openness to collaboration with the private sector to foster a more business-friendly environment.

According to BIDA’s executive chairman, the council represents a key reform aimed at creating a structured mechanism for private sector input at the highest level of government decision-making.