Bangladesh Bank has removed inter-institution fees on all Bangla QR transactions to promote digital payments, meaning customers will face no fee or service charge. The central bank also introduced incentives for small-value transactions under a circular issued Monday. Both measures will take effect on October 1.

For each Bangla QR payment of up to Tk2,000 at small merchants and service providers, a total incentive of 0.3 percent will be available. The bank or mobile financial service app used by the customer will receive 0.2 percent, while the bank or payment institution providing the QR code through which the merchant receives payment will receive 0.1 percent.

Transactions cannot be split into multiple smaller payments, or conducted through other artificial means, to obtain incentives. Failed, cancelled, refunded, chargeback, disputed, or subsequently cancelled payments will not qualify. Bangladesh Bank may inspect transaction records, merchant information and supporting documents, recover wrongly paid incentives, or adjust them against future incentives. Acquiring institutions must monitor unusual merchant transactions and take action where artificial splitting, cash-out activity, or other irregularities are found.

Bangladesh Bank has allowed the use of international cards to pay tuition fees and other education-related expenses for higher education abroad. In a circular issued on Monday, the central bank said authorised dealer banks may issue debit, credit or prepaid cards in the name of a student or the person bearing the student’s education costs. The report was published on August 10, 2026.

The decision follows growing demand for card-based payments to foreign universities and international admission platforms. Bangladesh Bank said transactions made through such cards for overseas education will be considered separately. These expenses will not be counted under existing travel quotas or other foreign-exchange facilities.

Under the circular, authorised dealer banks must complete all required regulatory formalities before issuing the cards. They must also ensure within the specified period that cards are used only for approved education-related payments. Banks have been instructed to maintain proper records of these transactions and regularly report them to Bangladesh Bank using the designated purpose code.

Bangladesh has launched an initiative to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties with New Zealand, focusing on agriculture technology, dairy, green energy, pharmaceuticals, leather, jute, sustainable textiles and information technology. At a meeting with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Bangladesh highlighted opportunities for joint investment, business connections and export expansion. The Commerce Ministry disclosed the information in a Monday statement. Commerce Ministry Secretary Md Ataur Rahman led Bangladesh’s delegation, while Rachel McGakian, NZTE’s market manager for Southeast and East Asia, took part in the discussion.

Annual trade between the two countries currently stands at about $450 million. Bangladesh imports significant dairy and metal products from New Zealand, while its exports to New Zealand total about $147 million and are largely ready-made garments. Bangladesh sought NZTE support to diversify trade by expanding non-garment exports, particularly pharmaceuticals, environmentally friendly jute products, leather goods, sustainable textiles and IT services.

Bangladesh invited New Zealand companies to invest in its special economic zones in dairy processing, cold-chain logistics, agriculture technology, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and environmentally friendly technology. It proposed direct contact between BIDA and NZTE, virtual business-to-business meetings involving Bangladeshi pharmaceutical, IT and leather exporters and New Zealand buyers, and coordination with New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministry. Both sides also agreed to establish a bilateral business council and arrange or participate in trade fairs.

Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit has identified 42 loan-defaulting groups suspected of laundering bank-borrowed money abroad, according to a report published on August 10, 2026. Their combined defaulted loans total $2.549 billion, or about Tk31,557 crore at Tk123.80 per dollar. Authorities identified nearly $221.9 million allegedly laundered by four companies and said related banks have begun efforts to recover funds and assets.

The listed groups include SB Exim, Habib, Yasir, AWR, Liberty, Premier, Laskar and Saad Musa. Reported identified amounts include $26.8 million for SB Exim, $134.1 million for Habib, about $40 million for Yasir and about $20 million for AWR. The 42 entities were identified in a second phase using Bangladesh Bank Credit Information Bureau data covering institutions with more than Tk200 crore in defaulted loans.

Eight international legal and professional advisory firms have been contracted to identify and recover overseas assets on a no-win, no-pay basis. Preliminary information points to possible laundering in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Canada and Singapore. Bangladesh Bank officials said identified assets would first be frozen or seized under relevant foreign laws before legal steps are taken to return proceeds to Bangladesh.

Commercial banks in Bangladesh are increasingly directing investments toward government Treasury bills and bonds rather than productive private-sector financing, according to the report published on August 10, 2026. At the end of March, government securities accounted for 91.32 percent of banks’ total investments, while other sectors received 8.68 percent. Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostaqur Rahman recently instructed banks in a meeting to increase new lending.

During the March quarter, bank investment in government securities rose 10 percent, while investment in other sectors fell 0.83 percent and loan growth was only 0.37 percent. BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem said entrepreneurs were reluctant to borrow because gas and electricity shortages put investments at risk. Bangladesh Steel Mills Association founding president Sheikh Masadul Alam said banks were focusing more on recovering existing loans than issuing new ones.

In 2025, government securities represented 67.46 percent of banks’ investments. Banks recorded a Tk12,537 crore loss in net interest income that year, while non-interest income from Treasury operations and investments rose to Tk83,171 crore. The government plans to borrow Tk1.12 lakh crore from the banking system in the current fiscal year to finance the budget deficit.

Bangladesh’s trade deficit climbed to its highest level in three years in fiscal year 2025-26, as import spending rose sharply while export earnings declined. Latest Bangladesh Bank data put the deficit at $27.28 billion in the fiscal year that has just ended, up 34 percent from $20.39 billion in fiscal year 2024-25.

Merchandise exports totalled $43.85 billion in 2025-26, a 1 percent decline from the previous year. Import expenditure rose 10.5 percent to $71.14 billion, the fastest annual import growth rate since fiscal year 2021-22. Sector representatives attributed the wider gap mainly to global conditions, including higher fuel prices, tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in the United States, high inflation in Western countries, and war-related disruptions to global supply systems.

Record remittance inflows of $35.58 billion helped limit the current-account deficit to about $1.6 billion. The financial account posted a $7.89 billion surplus, supported by foreign direct investment, foreign grants and foreign loans, while the overall balance of payments showed a $6.6 billion surplus. Economists said reducing reliance on remittances requires export diversification, stronger production capacity and improved competitiveness.

Oil prices rose on the first trading day in Asia as uncertainty persisted over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The report, published on August 10, 2026, said Brent crude futures gained 91 cents, or 1.09%, to $84.46 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 61 cents, or 0.78%, to $78.79 a barrel.

Both benchmarks had fallen more than 7% last week after hopes emerged that the strait could reopen. Markets had anticipated a possible understanding between Iran and Oman that could allow the key maritime route to resume operations. Before the war began, roughly one-fifth of the world’s total oil was transported through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran said an understanding with Oman was close to being finalized, but added that the United States still had to meet several conditions. The timing of any reopening therefore remains uncertain. That unresolved situation has kept volatility in the fuel market continuing, despite the earlier decline in oil prices linked to expectations of progress on the route.

Bangladesh Bank has dissolved the boards of four financial institutions undergoing closure and declared their managing director posts vacant. On Sunday, it appointed administrators to Aviva Finance, Far East Finance, FAS Finance and International Leasing, according to a report published on August 9, 2026. Two additional Bangladesh Bank officials have been assigned at each institution to assist the administrators.

Bangladesh Bank Director Alauddin Hossain was appointed administrator of Aviva Finance, while Directors Sadekur Rahman, Ataur Rahman and Mohammad Iqbal Hossain were assigned to Far East Finance, FAS Finance and International Leasing respectively. Peoples Leasing has not yet received an administrator because of litigation-related complications and the absence of a court order. An official said the administrators will advance liquidation and repay individual depositors using government-provided funds.

The five institutions facing closure have non-performing loan rates ranging from 93 percent to nearly 100 percent and total deposits of Tk 16,076 crore. Individual depositors will receive priority, with a maximum repayment of Tk 10 lakh per person. Four other institutions have been given three months to recover; failure to improve could lead to their closure.

Germany’s trade deficit with China widened to nearly €55 billion in the first half of 2026, despite China becoming Germany’s top trading partner. Preliminary data from Germany Trade & Invest, reported by Reuters, showed German exports to China fell by more than 12% from January through June to below €37 billion. China has dropped to ninth place as a market for German goods.

Chinese companies have reduced their reliance on European imports, contributing to the decline in German exports. Around 2021, China was Germany’s second-largest export market, when Germany sold €104 billion in goods there despite the effects of the pandemic. In 2026, several smaller economies, including Austria and Switzerland, bought more German goods than China.

German imports from China rose 8.9% to €91.8 billion during the period, taking total bilateral trade above €128 billion, €3 billion more than Germany’s trade with the United States. The deficit was €40 billion in the first half of last year. Germany’s manufacturing sector is also facing pressure from US tariffs and Chinese competition, with major industrial companies such as Volkswagen seeing substantial job cuts.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the 1,200-megawatt ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant at Matarbari in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, on August 9. He said Bangladesh needs to diversify energy sources while meeting rising electricity demand. The prime minister also said economic capacity, environmental impacts and the public’s long-term interests should receive the highest priority in power generation and management of major infrastructure.

He stressed integrated development around Matarbari, covering power, energy, a deep-sea port and related industrial infrastructure. Planned and effective use of these facilities could play an important role in energy security, industrialisation and overall economic activity, he said. Project officials briefed him on the plant’s current status, generation and operational activities, production capacity, fuel supply and management, operating efficiency, maintenance, safety arrangements and future plans.

Arriving by helicopter at 10:45am on Sunday, the prime minister attended a briefing from 11am to 12:15pm and planted a neem sapling in the project area. Officials also outlined a proposed solar power project and showed him sites earmarked for a proposed LNG-based power plant, a metrochemical project and a new refinery. He later inspected the coal jetty and observed the deep-sea port, LNG terminal and other plant facilities.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has raised the price of jet fuel used by aircraft in Bangladesh. The commission announced the revised rates in a notice issued on Sunday afternoon, August 9, 2026. Under the new pricing, jet fuel for domestic-route flights will cost Tk159.52 per litre.

For international-route flights, the new jet fuel price has been set at $1.0358 per litre. The revised rates are higher than the previously fixed prices for both domestic and international services. The notice reported the increase but did not state a reason for the adjustment or specify when the revised rates would take effect.

Previously, jet fuel for domestic flights was priced at Tk130.99 per litre. For international flights, the earlier price was $0.8556 per litre. The new BERC decision therefore increases the cost of aircraft fuel across both categories of flight routes.

Dhaka University held an awareness discussion on Bangla QR on August 6, aimed at supporting a cashless and smart Bangladesh. The university’s Accounting Department organized the event at the Professor Abdullah Faruq Multipurpose Conference Hall in the MBA Building, with support from Bangladesh Bank and Dutch-Bangla Bank. Teachers, students and staff were briefed on Bangla QR use, its benefits and interoperable digital payment systems.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman attended as chief guest, while Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A. B. M. Obaidul Islam inaugurated the programme. The governor said a single QR code can enable secure, simple and interoperable digital transactions among banks, mobile financial services and other payment providers. The vice-chancellor said such initiatives could increase student awareness of digital payments and help expand the use of digital financial services.

Dutch-Bangla Bank Managing Director and CEO Md Ehteshamul Haque Khan said digital transactions save both time and money. The event included a live transaction demonstration, an awareness presentation and a question-and-answer session. Organizers said such programmes are important for broadening awareness and use of safe, simple digital transactions.

Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC held a meeting of its Shariah Supervisory Committee at Islami Bank Tower on August 9. The meeting was organized by the bank and was attended by members of the Shariah Supervisory Committee and a management representative, according to the published report.

Mufti Shamsuddin Zia, chairman of the bank’s Shariah Supervisory Committee, presided over the meeting. Committee members Professor Dr Naqib Mohammad Nasrullah, Professor Dr Md Shamsul Alam, Professor Dr Zubair Muhammad Ehsanul Haque and Dr Md Nurullah were present.

Md Altaf Hossain, acting managing director of the bank, also attended. The source did not provide details about the meeting’s agenda, any decisions or recommendations, or subsequent actions.

Bangladesh Bank has allowed tour operators to sell overseas travel packages in Bangladeshi taka and remit necessary payments in foreign currency to overseas service providers. The central bank issued a circular on Sunday. The facility is available to members of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, or TOAB, that have contracts or business relationships with foreign tour operators, hotels, or destination management companies.

Under the new rules, operators may collect package prices in taka from Bangladeshi travellers and pay actual overseas travel costs, including accommodation and transport, in foreign currency. Outside a traveller’s regular annual travel quota, foreign currency of up to $3,000 per traveller may be remitted annually. Transaction information must be retained against the traveller’s passport number, and travellers must declare that the limit has not been exceeded through another tour operator.

Packages priced above $3,000 may also be sold, but the amount must be paid in foreign currency through international cards. Before remitting funds, banks must verify invoices, contracts, itineraries, traveller lists, and proof of taka collection. Authorised dealer banks must report the information to Bangladesh Bank within seven days of sending the funds. Businesses said the move would simplify customer transactions and make outbound tourism more transparent and institutionalised.

Eight international legal firms are seeking overseas assets linked to 42 institutions with defaulted loans exceeding Tk 200 crore, following an earlier initiative involving Sheikh Hasina’s family and 10 industrial groups. Using information supplied by the relevant banks, the firms are identifying the location, nature and value of assets held abroad by defaulting borrowers. The stated aim is to seize or attach assets through legal procedures and return the money to Bangladesh for repayment of the banks’ outstanding claims.

The firms involved include Grant Thornton, RI Consortium, Baker McKenzie and PwC, DLA Piper and Kroll, EY and Dentons, Rahman Ravelli and Interpath, BCG and HHR, and Animus Associates. They will not charge advance fees or costs. Instead, they will receive an agreed share of recovered funds if they successfully identify and recover overseas assets, under a no-win, no-pay arrangement.

Countries initially considered possible locations for transferred money or assets include the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Singapore, Belgium, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia. Once assets are identified, legal action will be taken under the laws of the relevant country. Earlier recovery efforts also involved the Anti-Corruption Commission, CID, customs and income tax units.