The government has set new operating hours for shopping malls, markets and shops across Bangladesh to conserve electricity and promote restrained fuel use. A directive was issued on Wednesday night by the Coordination-2 branch of the Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. Under the decision, the establishments may remain open from 11am until 8pm.

The previous government decision had allowed shopping malls, markets and shops to stay open until 9pm. The new directive also requires illuminated billboards to be switched off by 7pm and orders all decorative lighting to be turned off. Relevant parties were instructed to take effective measures against unnecessary lighting and wastage of electricity.

The decision applies as well to ongoing and upcoming fairs, trade fairs and cultural events in different parts of the country. Organizers have been directed to make arrangements to end such events by 8pm. Restaurants, hospitals and pharmacies are exempted from the time restriction in consideration of the public’s emergency needs and may continue their operations as required.

The government of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched a pilot project to collect cow urine from farmers in 15 villages in Buland city. Published on August 12, 2026, the report said roughly 500 litres are currently being collected each day. The villages have also received tanks with a capacity of 200 litres.

The government plans to collect cow urine at 20 rupees per litre in the future. The project is intended to provide farmers with additional income, create employment for rural women and help support the upkeep of non-milking cattle. About 300 women have joined the initiative and have been made shareholders of an FPO.

Women assisting with collection receive a commission of two rupees per litre. The collected material is planned for use as an agricultural raw material to develop alternatives to chemical fertilisers and farm inputs. If the pilot succeeds, a separate policy will be formulated for statewide implementation. The Samajwadi Party called the initiative a scam and alleged it was aimed at raising election funds, while the BJP rejected the charge.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir has called on Bangladesh to reduce reliance on conventional export products and pursue the halal economy as a major new opportunity. Speaking as chief guest at a Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies seminar titled “Halal Ecosystem in ASEAN Region: Prospects for Bangladesh,” he urged the country to use ASEAN experience to build a strong, internationally compliant halal ecosystem.

The minister said the halal economy now extends beyond food and beverages to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, modest fashion, tourism, logistics, technology, finance and international certification. He stressed that higher exports require greater domestic production capacity, domestic and foreign investment, and a safe, attractive environment for investors. He also said Bangladesh is pursuing FTA, PTA and EPA initiatives to retain export benefits after LDC graduation.

Speakers highlighted the need for an internationally accepted national halal assurance framework, specialized halal industrial clusters with modern laboratories and logistics, and upgrades to existing production sectors. Malaysia’s integrated approach to production, research, certification, marketing and exports was cited as a relevant example for Bangladesh.

Business leaders and entrepreneurs in Chattogram have welcomed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s plans for industrialisation, investment and employment during his visit to the city. Speaking on Sunday at a rehabilitation programme for flood-affected people in Banshkhali, he said the government planned to establish industries from Mirsarai to Matarbari and attract Chinese investment to develop Chattogram as an economic hub. They said implementation could benefit both Chattogram and the national economy.

Chattogram Chamber President Amirul Haque described the plan around maritime resources as a potential source of new investment and expanded trade. Entrepreneurs, however, stressed the need for uninterrupted gas and electricity supplies, citing low gas pressure, fluctuating power and fuel shortages that disrupt production. On July 8, the Chattogram Chamber sent separate letters to two ministers seeking special concessions for industrial owners over gas and electricity issues.

Business representatives also called for local entrepreneurs to participate alongside foreign investors. They raised concerns about delayed customs assessments, demurrage charges, cargo clearance costs and time, port capacity, and road and rail links. They emphasised policy continuity, faster approvals, land and utility facilities, and law-and-order assurances to strengthen investor confidence.

Consumers in Matlab Uttar, Chandpur, have alleged that they are receiving unusually high or “ghost” electricity bills despite severe load shedding. The report, published on August 12, says customers face hardship and dissatisfaction as power outages during hot weather coincide with higher bills. Residents allege that abnormal bills have been issued for the past two months even though electricity supply has remained limited.

Dulal Darji of Islamabad village said his household bill, previously below Tk2,000 a month, reached Tk5,000 in July. Nayan Das of Sujatpur said his bill rose from Tk300–350 to Tk650. Small business owner Ankan Das said his shop bill increased from Tk1,300–1,400 to Tk2,200, while electricity is unavailable for about 18 hours in a day.

Customers allege bills are prepared and distributed without meter readings, and claim nearly 80 percent of consumers are facing harassment. They also allege harassment when contacting the Matlab Uttar zonal office. Chandpur Palli Bidyut Samity (2) AGM Md Naim said load shedding results from receiving 10–12 megawatts against demand of 27 megawatts, and maintained that bills reflect customers’ actual usage.

The government is advancing a process to place Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal, or NCT, under Dubai-based ports and logistics company DP World, according to Amardesh. The Public-Private Partnership Authority is working on behalf of the government. The report says NCT was built with the port authority’s own funds, with total public investment reaching about Tk2,712 crore by January this year. The PPP Authority website says DP World would invest $205 million, but does not specify investment sectors.

Former port member Jafar Alam said the modern terminal already has nearly all required equipment, leaving limited scope for major new investment beyond software, IT upgrades and skilled staffing. Former Chattogram Port chairman Mohammad Shahjahan said the arrangement was initially intended to make DP World an operator paid a service charge, but was later framed as a concession. He warned that this could shift a large share of terminal revenues to the company.

An evaluation committee estimated that if gross revenue reaches $120 per 20-foot container under the proposal, the port’s net margin could fall to $17.18, compared with $65.25 under the current model. The PPP Authority said the government’s decision remains under discussion and review, and that specific details cannot be provided before a final decision.

Global fuel oil prices rose, with Brent crude nearing $90 a barrel. Reuters data showed Brent crude gaining 72 cents, or 0.81%, to $89.63 a barrel on Wednesday morning. At the same time, US West Texas Intermediate, or WTI, crude rose 71 cents, or 0.85%, to $83.91 a barrel.

On Tuesday, benchmark contracts for both Brent and WTI ended the day more than $1 higher. Reuters said both benchmarks reached their highest levels since July 31 that day. Oil prices had already increased by nearly 5% on Monday.

The rise was linked to expectations that the prospect of a peace deal between the United States and Iran had diminished. Industry data also showed an increase in US crude oil inventories. Despite the inventory increase, uncertainty surrounding the possibility of a US-Iran peace agreement continued to support the upward trend in oil prices.

Advocate Atikur Rahman, central president of the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation, demanded cancellation of a decision to privatise six distribution regions of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). He made the call on Tuesday while speaking as chief guest at a human chain organised by the BPDB Workers-Employees Union in front of the National Press Club. Rahman said electricity is a service sector and the authorities must withdraw from the privatisation decision.

He said those who made the decision would have to answer to the public. Rahman alleged that the move was a conspiracy to award work to the S Alam Group, and questioned the power minister’s role. He urged officials to stop what he described as playing with institutions funded by public taxes. He also warned of a protest encircling the Power Bhaban with ordinary people if inflated bills were collected through “ghost bills.”

The human chain presented eight demands to the government, including modernising existing power companies, ensuring accountability, filling vacant posts quickly, employing eligible dependents of deceased workers, holding CBA elections and implementing the pay scale. Participants also sought permanent jobs for outsourced workers and construction of modern, non-discriminatory residential buildings for board offices.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said a state becomes stronger when its people are economically empowered, describing the government’s goal as moving the country toward greater economic and social strength. He made the remarks on Tuesday, August 11, at Bangladesh Secretariat during a contract-signing ceremony to lease three closed state-owned jute mills to two private institutions.

Rahman said political rights must be accompanied by economic capacity for citizens. He argued that no state can become strong by leaving ordinary people in deprivation or silencing them. Pledging support for genuine domestic entrepreneurs, he said the government would provide necessary policy assistance to encourage investment and job creation.

The prime minister stressed the importance of domestic investment alongside foreign investment, saying the government wants foreign investment while also encouraging local investors and entrepreneurs. He thanked the two business groups taking responsibility for the three mills and expressed hope that the new investment would make the institutions successful, create jobs and contribute to the economy. Ministers, officials and business representatives attended the event.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government will safeguard public interests, business opportunities and the national economy regardless of whether Chittagong Port is managed by domestic or foreign operators. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a news briefing after meeting Chittagong port and customs officials. He said the identity of the operator was less important than compliance with state interests and established policies.

The minister said the elected government has focused on stabilising a fragile economy after taking office so it can rapidly “take off.” He said the government aims to turn Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034 through greater industrialisation, exports and employment, alongside measures to improve the ease of doing business.

He announced a decision to form a joint port-customs committee for the first time to identify and resolve longstanding importer and exporter problems within set timelines. The minister said this should speed cargo clearance, improve supply systems and ultimately help control prices or inflation. Business representatives called for simpler customs procedures and deregulation to reduce industrial costs, and he promised implementation. He also warned against political patronage and illegal influence over customs clearance.

Residents of Shibchar upazila in Madaripur are facing severe load-shedding, with some areas reportedly without electricity for 12 to 14 hours over recent days. Repeated daytime outages and prolonged nighttime disruptions have intensified hardship during hot weather, particularly for children, older people and those who are ill. Consumers have also complained of unusually high electricity bills in June and July despite what they describe as normal or lower usage.

Shibchar Palli Bidyut office said daytime demand is about 28 megawatts while supply is 12 megawatts. At night, demand rises to about 35 megawatts but supply reaches 17 megawatts, requiring rotational outages. Electricity-dependent businesses, including clinics, diagnostic centres, computer and photocopy services, mobile servicing and refrigeration-based operations, have reported disruptions and added generator fuel costs.

Battery-powered van and easy-bike drivers say inadequate overnight charging has reduced their earnings. Residents also report problems charging phones, operating water pumps and preserving food. Junior Engineer Jahirul Haque said supply is less than half of demand and said complaints about higher bills would be investigated, while conditions would improve if power supply increases.

International oil prices rose on Tuesday after talks between Iran and the United States over reopening the Strait of Hormuz reached an impasse. Efforts to restore traffic through the important waterway were further complicated by a hard-line position from US President Donald Trump, according to the report published on August 11, 2026.

Iran presented its conditions for reopening the strait, while Trump responded by demanding that Iran provide compensation for casualties from past wars, attacks and protests. The opposing demands increased tensions between the two countries and made the prospect of quickly reopening one of the world’s key energy transport routes uncertain.

Brent crude rose to about $88 a barrel on Tuesday, while US West Texas Intermediate crude reached $82.45 a barrel. Both benchmarks were at their highest levels since July 31, following an increase of nearly 5 percent on Monday. The report said a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could place further pressure on global oil supplies and prices because substantial volumes of energy are transported through the route.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) failed to meet its revenue collection target for the 14th consecutive fiscal year, according to a report published on August 11, 2026. In the latest fiscal year, it collected Tk 415,473 crore against a revised target of Tk 503,000 crore, leaving a shortfall of about Tk 85,000 crore. The target had initially been set at Tk 499,000 crore, raised to Tk 554,000 crore midyear, and later reduced after collections lagged.

NBR annual report data show that the agency met its original target only five times over the past two and a half decades. It has met a revised target only seven times, and has not achieved either an original or revised target since fiscal year 2015-16. Revenue collection nevertheless grew by more than 12 percent in the latest fiscal year. The exception was fiscal year 2019-20, when collections declined 1.96 percent amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Policy Exchange of Bangladesh chairman Masrur Reaz cited flawed target setting, structural economic constraints, weak tax compliance culture and limited institutional capacity at NBR. He said 65 percent of institutions remain outside VAT registration. NBR officials said targets are set without its role or adequate analysis, while its capacity is not expanded. The BNP government formed separate task forces for customs, VAT and income tax, but the target was still missed.

Bangladesh Bank has removed the maximum two-year term limit for boards of directors it appoints at various banks. The central bank issued a circular on Monday under Section 121 of the Bank Company Act, 1991, allowing such appointed boards to remain in office beyond two years if necessary.

The circular said the provisions of Section 47(2), concerning the duration of orders dissolving boards of directors, would generally not apply to bank companies. Previously, Bangladesh Bank could extend the duration of an order dissolving a board from time to time, but the total term, including extensions, could not exceed two years.

As a result, newly appointed boards installed by Bangladesh Bank after a previous board is dissolved will no longer face a maximum two-year service limit. After the fall of the Awami League government, the central bank dissolved and reconstituted the boards of 14 banks. Their two-year terms were approaching expiry, and Bangladesh Bank was under pressure over their tenure, according to the report.

Bangladesh has formed a 22-member National Task Force on Deregulation and Ease of Doing Business to simplify the business and investment environment. Chaired by the finance and planning minister, the body was established through a Cabinet Division notification issued on August 9. The government says the initiative aims to identify and reform unnecessary rules, approvals and administrative complexities affecting businesses and investors.

The task force will approve sector-based reform road maps and review implementation progress. It will identify excessive licences, approvals, clearances and administrative steps in areas including taxes, duties, banking, capital markets, construction, environmental services and local services, and direct measures to reduce them. It will also provide policy guidance on introducing a single window, service level agreements, deemed or automatic approvals and online tracking systems.

The panel includes ministers, advisers, the Bangladesh Bank governor, the executive chairman of BIDA and senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies. Presidents of major business bodies, including FBCCI, FICCI, DCCI, MCCI, BGMEA and BKMEA, are also members. A dedicated website is planned through the Invest Bangladesh Authority to monitor complaints, irregularities and service delays. The task force will review reform progress every three months.