Members of Bangladesh’s National Parliament expressed strong dissatisfaction over the abnormal increase in air ticket prices toward the end of the week. The issue was raised on Thursday afternoon by BNP lawmaker Zainul Abdin Faruk from Noakhali-2 during a point of order, and later supported by opposition MP Professor Mujibur Rahman. Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal presided over the session.

Faruk criticized the steep fare hikes, noting that tickets priced at around 2,800 to 3,000 taka on regular days rise to as high as 10,000 taka on Thursdays. He urged the authorities to address what he described as unfair pricing practices affecting travelers. Mujibur Rahman agreed, saying the exploitation in air ticket pricing must stop and that he had previously submitted a notice on the issue without result.

In response, Deputy Speaker Kamal advised the MPs to submit formal notices following parliamentary procedures so that the issues could be discussed in detail in future sessions.

BNP lawmaker Reza Kibria has said that Bangladesh’s banking sector is in a state of collapse because of rampant loan defaults. Speaking in parliament on Thursday evening during the budget discussion, he cited his experience with the International Monetary Fund, noting that while other countries panic at a 6 percent default rate, Bangladesh’s rate stands at 61 percent. He warned that without strict measures, economic progress would be impossible and urged the finance minister to take action to improve banking efficiency.

Kibria criticized the inefficiency of the banking system, saying honest entrepreneurs face high interest rates of 14 to 16 percent while banks collect deposits at only 5 percent. He also said the definition of loan default has been relaxed, now requiring one year of nonpayment instead of 90 days. On inflation, he emphasized the need to keep it low, linking exchange rate depreciation to inflation differentials with trading partners.

He acknowledged that the finance minister prepared the budget under difficult global conditions and stressed maintaining macroeconomic balance to secure Bangladesh’s economic future, cautioning against excessive reliance on commercial foreign loans.

Dr. Md. Ershad Hossain Rana, Chairman and CEO of Don Group, has been elected president of the France-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFB) for the 2026–2028 term. The announcement was made following the chamber’s annual general meeting and board handover ceremony held on June 25, 2026. Alongside him, M. A. Riaz of Expo Holdings (BD) Ltd. and Md. Jahangir Alam Sarkar of 3i Logistics (Pvt.) Ltd. were elected vice presidents, while Farzana Chowdhury of Abista FS Ltd. was elected treasurer.

The newly elected 17-member board includes representatives from leading Bangladeshi business organizations such as ABN Group, Akhtar Group, Bangladesh Exports Ltd., and Bengal Airlift Ltd. The handover ceremony concluded with a luncheon that fostered networking among participants. During the event, the chamber reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations between France and Bangladesh.

The new leadership is expected to guide CCIFB’s initiatives aimed at enhancing business cooperation and expanding opportunities for members in both countries.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the government is working tirelessly to make marginalized communities economically prosperous and self-reliant. He made the remarks while visiting the regional center of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban. The minister stated that initiatives have been taken to use the livestock sector more effectively to improve the living standards of low-income people.

He recalled that the Naikhongchhari farm was established under the initiative of late President Ziaur Rahman, focusing on the conservation and production of gayal cattle and their distribution among small and marginalized communities in the hill region. The government has expanded this goal to promote self-sufficiency among these groups. Livestock such as goats and sheep have already been distributed to farmers, and research-based initiatives are underway to enhance support for small-scale farmers.

The minister also noted that the farm’s potential had not been fully utilized due to poor management in the past, but the current government will modernize and develop it. He emphasized that empowering marginal farmers through livestock rearing is central to the government’s vision of building a self-reliant Bangladesh.

Former IMF adviser and Habiganj-1 lawmaker Dr. Reza Kibria has called for ending policies that favor the wealthy and instead channeling direct financial support to low-income citizens. Speaking in the national parliament on Thursday during the general discussion on the proposed budget, he argued that giving extra money to millionaires has no positive effect on the economy, while even a small amount given to the poor immediately circulates through markets and keeps the domestic economy active.

Drawing on his 45 years of international experience, Dr. Kibria expressed frustration over the fragile banking system, rising inequality, and unproductive investments. He emphasized the practical importance of equitable income distribution, noting that wealthy individuals tend to save rather than spend additional funds, whereas poor households spend immediately, stimulating rural and local markets.

He urged policymakers to ensure that financial resources reach marginalized communities directly to maintain economic balance and strengthen internal demand.

A two-day Universal Pension Fair was held in Chuadanga under the theme ‘Participation in the universal pension scheme ensures a secure future life’. The event began on June 24 with a colorful rally from the Deputy Commissioner’s office, followed by an inauguration ceremony at the District Shilpakala Academy, where National Pension Authority Executive Chairman Dr. Md. Suratuzzaman inaugurated the fair. He stated that the state-guaranteed universal pension scheme is a sustainable system ensuring post-retirement financial security and that pension funds are safely invested in Bangladesh Bank treasury bonds.

Dr. Suratuzzaman announced a goal to bring 40 million people under the scheme by 2030 and urged at least one member from each family to enroll. The fair featured participation from banks, financial institutions, and government offices offering information and registration support. Workshops and cultural programs were also organized to raise awareness.

The National Pension Authority said similar fairs, workshops, rallies, and courtyard meetings will be organized across all divisions, districts, and upazilas to expand registration and awareness nationwide.

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh signed separate agreements with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and the BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) on Thursday to strengthen skills in the country’s ready-made garment industry. The signing ceremony, chaired by EPB Vice-Chairman and CEO Mohammad Hasan Arif, took place at the EPB conference room. The three-year training program, covering fiscal years 2026–27 to 2028–29, aims to train 22,815 workers, employees, and mid-level officials.

Under the program, BGMEA and BKMEA will organize five-day training sessions for workers, while BUFT will conduct six-month postgraduate diploma courses for officials. The initiative will be financed by the Ministry of Commerce’s training fund. The program seeks to improve productivity, promote modern machinery use, ensure compliance with international standards, and raise awareness of EU and other export market requirements. BGMEA and BKMEA representatives emphasized updating training modules to include circular machinery and compliance topics.

EPB’s vice-chairman stressed the need for modernizing training modules, strengthening monitoring, and evaluating how the acquired knowledge benefits the garment sector. The program is expected to enhance modernization and export competitiveness in Bangladesh’s apparel industry.

Economists and anti-tobacco advocates have called for the introduction of a specific tax on all tobacco products in Bangladesh’s final 2026–27 national budget. Speaking at a post-budget press conference at the National Press Club, organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), they argued that lowering cigarette price tiers, introducing a specific tax, and raising tobacco prices could simultaneously improve public health and increase government revenue.

Speakers cited Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics data showing a 10.27 percent rise in per capita income in 2026 compared to 2025, while prices of essential goods rose by 30 to 89 percent. However, the price of low-tier cigarettes, which dominate 75 percent of the market, increased by only 3.33 percent. They warned that unchanged tax rates would allow tobacco companies to retain a larger share of profits. They also criticized the unchanged tax on bidi, jarda, and gul, and the new duty on nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products, which they said legitimizes new tobacco forms.

PROGGA estimated that adopting their proposed tax structure could generate an additional 440 billion taka in revenue, prevent 400,000 premature deaths, and encourage millions to quit or avoid smoking.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain sharply criticized the government’s handling of the banking sector during the general discussion of the 13th National Parliament’s budget session on June 25. He alleged that the five banks recently merged, including Islami Bank, had been bankrupted by their former owners through looting and money laundering. He questioned why the new Bank Resolution Act allows those same owners to regain ownership by returning only 7.5 percent of the lost funds.

Hossain claimed that the finance minister failed to secure support from the IMF due to the lack of financial reforms. He described the proposed 2026–27 fiscal budget as a “death trap” for the middle class and ruinous for small businesses. Citing a previous white paper, he said $240 billion had been laundered abroad and that national debt had risen from 23 trillion to 24 trillion taka within months.

He further warned that the government’s plan to borrow 1.12 trillion taka from domestic banks would crowd out private investment and employment opportunities.

Bangladesh Bank has extended the maximum tenure for personal loans and loans for durable consumer goods from five years to eight years. The central bank issued a circular on Thursday to all scheduled banks, allowing them to set loan terms up to eight years under revised prudential regulations for consumer financing.

The circular also introduced relaxed conditions for auto loans to promote the domestic motor vehicle industry. Under the new rules, customers can now borrow up to 6 million taka for general auto loans, while loans for electric, hybrid, and locally manufactured vehicles can go up to 8 million taka. Additionally, banks may finance up to 80 percent of the vehicle’s value for these environmentally friendly and locally produced cars, compared to the previous 60 percent limit for regular auto loans.

Bangladesh Bank has also withdrawn the earlier restriction that limited consumer financing growth to be lower than overall loan growth, giving banks greater flexibility in expanding their retail lending portfolios.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to continue customs and related services at airports even on weekends to address the ongoing cargo congestion. Commerce Minister announced the plan during a meeting at the ministry on Thursday, emphasizing that limited operations on Fridays and Saturdays have prevented a reduction in the backlog. He said the measure would remain in place until a permanent solution is established.

The meeting discussed the European Union’s concerns over non-tariff barriers, including the airport cargo handling crisis. The Commerce Minister stressed that airports are transit points, not storage facilities, and called for the establishment of a modern cargo village outside the airport with safe storage and specialized management for different types of goods. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam warned that the congestion is harming both businesses and Bangladesh’s international image, urging visible progress within seven days.

Officials and business representatives agreed that modernizing cargo management and ensuring faster clearance could enhance Bangladesh’s export competitiveness in global markets, particularly in the European Union.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that the use of the Bangla QR code will become mandatory across the country starting July 1. The declaration was made by Deputy Governor Dr. Habibur Rahman during the inauguration of the 'Bangla QR Transaction Campaign' held at the central bank’s headquarters in Dhaka.

Dr. Rahman stated that the initiative aims to reduce cash transactions and promote a cashless society. The Bangla QR system will allow customers to make payments without handling small change, ensuring transactions are easier, safer, and more secure. He added that digital documentation of all transactions would help reduce informal economic activities, expand the GDP, and make the economy more dynamic.

The Deputy Governor also urged banks and related operators to integrate Bangla QR features into their apps so that both ordinary citizens and small businesses can benefit from digital financial services more conveniently.

Elon Musk has lost his trillionaire status within just two weeks, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As of Wednesday’s U.S. market close, his net worth fell to 957 billion dollars, down from 1.11 trillion dollars less than 14 days earlier. The decline followed a sharp global stock market downturn that heavily impacted technology shares, including those of SpaceX and Tesla.

Despite the loss, Musk remains the world’s richest individual, with wealth still far exceeding that of his closest competitors. He had become the first person to surpass one trillion dollars in net worth after the stock market debut of his rocket, satellite, and artificial intelligence company. The blockbuster initial public offering was priced at 135 dollars per share and opened trading at 150 dollars, giving the company a market value of over 1.77 trillion dollars.

Musk’s 42 percent ownership in SpaceX had initially pushed his paper wealth beyond the trillion-dollar mark, but the recent market slump reversed that milestone.

Banks in Bangladesh continue to depend primarily on immovable assets such as land and buildings when issuing loans, according to data from Bangladesh Bank for the first quarter of 2026. About 63.74 percent of total loans, amounting to Tk 11.37 trillion, were backed by real estate collateral. This reliance has increased slightly from the previous quarter, when 63.54 percent of loans were secured by similar assets. Despite this, many of these mortgaged properties are now difficult to sell, particularly those linked to influential defaulters.

Industry insiders attribute the trend to rising irregularities and corruption in the banking sector, which have made asset-based lending appear safer. Reports indicate that some borrowers diverted loan funds to purchase more land, later using those properties for additional loans, often with inflated valuations. As a result, banks are struggling to recover defaulted loans through asset sales.

Experts and young entrepreneurs argue that this property-dependent lending culture is hindering economic diversification and limiting access to finance for startups and innovative ventures lacking tangible assets.

The Secretary Committee, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, has finalized five major decisions to implement Bangladesh’s ninth government pay scale. The meeting, held at the Secretariat, reviewed the Public Administration Commission’s recommendations and set July 1 as the target date for implementation. The committee prioritized improving living standards for lower-income employees and reducing pay disparities amid rising inflation. Officials on post-retirement leave will also be included under the new pay scale.

According to meeting sources, while consensus was reached on public administration-related recommendations, proposals concerning the judiciary and armed forces remain unresolved. The new structure will be implemented in two phases instead of three, with employees in grades 10–20 receiving 60 percent of the raise in the first phase and those in grades 1–9 receiving 40 percent. The plan also includes significant increases in house rent and medical allowances to align with current market conditions.

Legal vetting and regulatory amendments are being expedited to avoid technical or legal complications before the official notification is issued. Another meeting may be held soon to finalize pending decisions for the judiciary and armed forces.