A new analysis by environmental group 350.org reports that the global rise in fuel and gas prices, driven by the ongoing Iran war, has caused an estimated $111 billion in losses to consumers and businesses within a month. The organization warned that major oil companies such as Chevron, Shell, and ExxonMobil could gain billions in additional profits from the crisis.

According to 350.org, imposing taxes on these windfall profits could help offset the economic impact of rising energy costs. The group noted that its estimate does not include indirect effects such as higher fertilizer and food prices, suggesting that the real economic damage may be significantly greater. It also cited examples of policy responses, including a proposed windfall tax in the Philippines, renewed export taxes in India, and Indonesia’s plan to install 100 gigawatts of solar power to strengthen energy independence.

The organization emphasized that investment in renewable energy could help stabilize global energy prices over time.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to purchase 260,000 metric tons of fuel oil to strengthen the country’s energy security. The decision was approved on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase.

According to meeting sources, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division proposed the purchase in response to the unstable geopolitical situation following the Iran–United States–Israel conflict. The committee approved the direct international purchase of 100,000 metric tons of crude oil from Abir Trade and Global Markets, 100,000 metric tons of EN590-10 PPM sulfur standard diesel from Exxon Mobil Kazakhstan Inc. (EMKI), and 60,000 metric tons of gas oil (0.5% sulfur diesel) from Indonesia’s PT Bumi Siak Pusako Japin (BSP Japin) under a government-to-government arrangement.

The approved purchases aim to meet emergency fuel demand and maintain stability in the domestic energy supply amid global market volatility.

On March 31, 2026, the SME Foundation signed an agreement with Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) to expand its credit wholesaling program. Under this deal, the foundation will provide Tk 125 crore in loans at 9% interest to cottage, micro, small, and medium (CMSME) entrepreneurs in the agro-based and food processing sectors. The financing will be channeled through banks and financial institutions with support from JICA.

The initiative is part of BIFFL’s Food Value Chain Improvement Project, financially and technically assisted by JICA. It aims to strengthen the food value chain, enhance food security, and build entrepreneurial capacity, with special priority for women entrepreneurs. Funding will cover processing of fruits, vegetables, spices, rice, pulses, edible oil, seeds, organic fertilizers, and biopesticides, as well as wholesale, logistics, and retail sectors. It will also support capital investments such as machinery, factory infrastructure, and warehouses.

The project is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s food value chain, reduce import dependence, boost export potential, and create rural employment opportunities.

The government has directed all travel agencies with expired licenses to renew their registration certificates within 15 working days. The Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry issued the order on Tuesday, warning that agencies failing to comply will face strict legal measures under existing laws.

According to the ministry, operating a travel agency without a valid registration certificate or with an expired one is completely illegal under the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Act 2013, its 2021 amendment, and the 2022 regulations. The statement noted that delays in renewal have caused revenue losses for the government.

The ministry urged all individuals and organizations with expired licenses to apply for renewal through the online Travel Agency Management System at www.regtravelagency.gov.bd. It further cautioned that failure to obtain or renew valid registration within the specified period will result in legal action under the 2013 Act.

The Bangladesh government has announced that fuel prices will remain unchanged in April 2026. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed on Tuesday, March 31, that there will be no increase in the prices of diesel, kerosene, octane, or petrol. The decision was formalized through an order signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Enamul Haque from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

According to the order, issued under the revised 'Automatic Fuel Pricing Guideline,' the retail prices will stay fixed at 100 taka per liter for diesel, 120 taka for octane, 116 taka for petrol, and 112 taka for kerosene. These rates will take effect from April 1, 2026. The ministry stated that the decision aligns with the automatic pricing mechanism and has been duly approved by the competent authority.

The announcement provides clarity for consumers and businesses ahead of the new month, ensuring price stability in the domestic fuel market for at least the immediate term.

A tanker named ‘PVT Solana’ carrying 30,000 tons of refined diesel from Malaysia arrived at Chattogram Port’s outer anchorage on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The Panama-flagged vessel’s arrival was confirmed by the port’s secretary, Syed Refayet Karim, who said the fuel will be unloaded through lighters after completing formalities. The port authority is also considering docking the ship at the Dolphin Jetty if necessary to complete the unloading process.

According to port sources, another ship carrying the same amount of diesel is expected to arrive on April 3, followed by a vessel with 70,000 tons of LNG on April 4. In March alone, 33 fuel-carrying ships have arrived at Chattogram Port, including 15 oil tankers—eight of which carried diesel—alongside eight LNG and nine LPG carriers. Officials noted that the latest diesel shipment offers some relief amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The continued arrival of fuel shipments indicates stable supply operations at Chattogram Port despite global disruptions.

The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association announced plans to close fuel stations from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily, citing supply shortages and logistical challenges. The decision was discussed at a meeting in Dhaka’s Moghbazar on Tuesday, where members said filling stations were not receiving adequate fuel from depots.

Owners identified supply and transportation management as their biggest challenges. They explained that partial tanker loads increase transport costs and cause financial losses, urging that tankers be fully loaded to ensure efficient distribution. They also called for better coordination when supplying multiple stations within the same district to reduce inefficiencies.

The association acknowledged that some unauthorized fuel sales or hoarding might occur but stressed that such actions do not represent the entire sector. They stated that any station withholding sales despite having fuel should face strict action, including possible cancellation of dealership rights, with cooperation from both the government and the association.

The Bangladesh government is set to announce new fuel prices today, Tuesday, aligning domestic rates with global market trends. The Energy and Mineral Resources Division spokesperson, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, confirmed the decision would be finalized based on current conditions. He spoke to reporters at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government is trying to provide some relief to citizens despite rising global prices and assured that all development activities remain ongoing.

According to the Energy Ministry, as of March 30, the country holds 192,919 tons of fuel oil in reserve, including 128,939 tons of diesel, 7,940 tons of octane, 11,431 tons of petrol, and 44,609 tons of jet fuel. This stock can meet national demand for 15 to 16 days. An additional 150,000 metric tons of diesel are expected to arrive in April, eliminating concerns about shortages.

The ministry also noted that diesel accounts for about 63 percent of national fuel consumption, mainly used in irrigation and public transport. The government is considering energy-saving measures such as extended weekends, reduced office hours, and online classes.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh announced on 31 March 2026 that the country currently holds 192,919 tons of fuel oil in reserve. The disclosure came during a press briefing at the Secretariat, where ministry spokesperson and Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury said that 87,700 liters of illegally stored fuel were recovered across the country on 30 March as part of an ongoing government operation.

According to the ministry, the reserves include 128,939 tons of diesel, 7,940 tons of octane, 11,431 tons of petrol, and 44,609 tons of jet fuel. Officials stated that fuel supply remains stable through regular imports, and special attention is being given to maintaining adequate jet fuel stocks ahead of the upcoming Hajj season.

To strengthen oversight, the government has appointed “tag officers” at filling stations nationwide. In Dhaka Division alone, 479 officers are deployed across 13 districts and 116 in the metropolitan area, with similar arrangements in other divisions. The ministry expects this initiative to improve transparency and discipline in fuel management.

Economist Debapriya Bhattacharya has said that the new government faces significant challenges in preparing its first national budget amid structural weaknesses, incomplete reforms, and growing economic pressures. Speaking at a pre-budget media briefing titled “Citizen Thoughts and Expectations on the Budget” at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) office in Dhaka, he noted that maintaining fiscal discipline and prioritizing expenditures carefully are essential under current constraints.

Bhattacharya highlighted that the government is operating under severe budgetary limitations, making it difficult to balance spending and resources. He pointed to inherited liabilities from the previous government’s pay scale initiative, urging the formation of a new commission to review the issue. He also emphasized recovering illicitly transferred funds, expanding the tax base, and reducing inefficient subsidies, particularly in agriculture and energy. He identified four main pressures on the upcoming budget: structural weaknesses, election promises, limited fiscal space, and external imbalances.

He warned that without realistic expectations and effective short- and medium-term planning, the forthcoming budget may fail to stabilize the economy or sustain growth.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan announced that from the next fiscal year, taxpayers will be able to file their income tax returns online throughout the year. He made the statement on Tuesday while presiding over a pre-budget discussion organized by the NBR. Currently, November 30 is observed as Income Tax Day, and taxpayers are required to submit their returns by that date.

The NBR chairman explained that the new system will replace the single deadline with four quarterly filing periods. Taxpayers who submit returns in the first quarter will receive tax rebates, while those filing in later quarters will face progressively higher tax rates. The aim is to give taxpayers flexibility in choosing their filing period. He also mentioned that 4.2 million people have submitted returns this year, and around 20,000 have applied for deadline extensions.

According to the chairman, online applications for time extensions are available, and tax officials can approve up to 90 additional days. He emphasized that improved governance and reduced revenue leakage will help increase overall tax collection.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan has assured that the value-added tax (VAT) on imported newsprint, used as raw material for newspapers, will be reduced in the next fiscal year’s budget. He made the remarks during a pre-budget discussion held on Tuesday at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon, following proposals from the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB).

NOAB President and Manabzamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury urged the government to withdraw the existing 15 percent VAT on newsprint imports, reduce the 5 percent withholding tax on advertising income, and lower the 5 percent advance income tax on raw material imports. He highlighted that newsprint accounts for 50 to 60 percent of total production costs, creating a dual financial burden on the industry. NOAB also proposed reducing the corporate tax rate from 27.5 percent to 10 percent and exempting institutions from employees’ income tax liabilities.

In response, the NBR chairman confirmed that corporate tax would not increase and said employee income tax must be borne individually unless the ninth wage board is implemented by newspaper owners.

South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce (SBAC) Bank, established on April 3, 2013, will mark its 13th anniversary this April. Managing Director S M Moinul Kabir said the bank currently operates 90 branches, 32 sub-branches, agent outlets, and 77 ATMs, with both conventional and Islamic banking services. Its total deposits stand at about Tk 11,000 crore, loans and advances at Tk 9,265 crore, and total assets at Tk 13,360 crore. The bank’s capital adequacy ratio is 14.22 percent, exceeding regulatory requirements.

Kabir noted that non-performing loans rose slightly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the political unrest of August 2024 but remain manageable. SBAC is prioritizing SME and agro-based lending, aiming to raise SME loans from 38 to 50 percent of total disbursement. The bank is also investing in digitalization aligned with the government’s cashless vision and strengthening cybersecurity.

Kabir emphasized that the board allows management to work independently and that customer deposits have increased by about 30 percent since August 5. The bank’s goal is to become one of Bangladesh’s top 20–25 banks within three years.

Global maritime trade is facing renewed instability as the Middle East war and a severe fuel crisis disrupt shipping routes. Main line operators are preparing to raise freight charges again from April 1, potentially increasing Bangladesh’s import and export costs. Container rates to Europe have already risen sharply, while connections on Middle East routes have nearly collapsed, with limited vessels charging several times higher rates. Freight for a 40-foot container from Chattogram to Europe has climbed from about $1,600–$1,700 in February to around $2,400 in March.

Shipping companies cite rising global fuel prices and war risks as reasons for the new rate adjustments, with expectations of a further 25–30 percent increase in April. Industry leaders warn that the surge will directly affect Bangladesh’s export sector, particularly the ready-made garment industry, as existing orders were priced under earlier freight structures. Freight forwarders also report a 20 percent rise in bulk cargo rates and growing risks in the Red Sea and Hormuz Strait.

Experts urge the government to closely monitor shipping line pricing and take measures to mitigate the impact on trade and the broader economy.

The government has directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to investigate the operations of three private submarine cable companies—Summit Communications Limited, Metacore Subcom Limited, and CdNet Communications—and the legality of their jointly formed consortium. The directive, issued by the Posts and Telecommunications Division, seeks a detailed report on whether the consortium was formed with prior approval and if it complies with licensing conditions and government guidelines.

According to the ministry’s letter, each company received separate submarine cable licenses in September 2022 to strengthen Bangladesh’s internet infrastructure and reduce state monopoly in the sector. The three firms later formed the “Bangladesh Private Cable System” consortium to establish a 1,300-kilometer submarine cable link with Singapore. Officials from Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCCPLC) have expressed concern that the consortium may have violated licensing rules by installing fewer fiber pairs than required and by planning to connect through a branch cable mostly located in Myanmar’s shallow waters.

The government aims to ensure compliance with licensing terms for national security and sectoral discipline. If irregularities are found, authorities may take action against the involved companies.