Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on Chinese businesses to increase investment in Bangladesh. He made the appeal on Thursday morning at the 'Bangladesh Investment Forum' held at the Diaoyutai Hotel in Beijing. The event, organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), featured a presentation by BIDA Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury on investment opportunities in Bangladesh. A total of 125 Chinese business representatives attended the forum.

In his address, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is open for business, ready for the future, and eager to build deeper industrial partnerships with China. He urged Chinese companies to expand their value chains in Bangladesh. Rahman also announced that the government is implementing a 180-day plan to reform international capital procedures, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, digitize public services, ensure policy continuity, and foster an investment-friendly environment.

He further stated that a Chinese economic and industrial zone is being developed in Anwara, with a second zone planned in Mongla. Bangladesh will soon open its first investment office in China to provide more effective services to Chinese investors.

The Bangladesh government has initiated plans to reopen several unused domestic airports without conducting feasibility studies, raising questions about the economic viability of the move. Aviation experts cautioned that while a few airports such as Ishwardi might turn profitable due to local demand, most others could face heavy losses. The government has already approved the construction of an international-standard airport in Bogura and intensified efforts to revive Thakurgaon Airport, despite concerns over infrastructure and passenger demand.

According to officials, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has proposed reopening seven abandoned airports in phases, including Lalmonirhat, Ishwardi, Shamshernagar, Khan Jahan Ali, and Patuakhali. The Bogura airport project, covering 2,050 acres, is expected to feature modern facilities such as dual runways, a four-story terminal, and advanced navigation systems, with a tentative launch in March 2028. The estimated cost may exceed Tk 3,000 crore.

Experts warned that without sustainable planning and proper demand assessment, the projects could become financially risky. However, the government maintains that reopening the airports will enhance regional connectivity, boost trade, and create employment opportunities.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said vannamei shrimp will play a vital role in Bangladesh’s economy in the coming days. He made the remarks on Wednesday night after visiting several hatcheries in Cox’s Bazar, including the Niribili Fish Hatchery, the government-run Crab Hatchery under the Department of Fisheries, and the Niribili Tilapia Hatchery in Ukhiya.

The minister stated that the production process of vannamei shrimp has been reviewed on-site and expressed confidence that the sector will significantly contribute to export earnings, employment generation, and overall economic growth. He described the industry as highly promising for national development and noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government is providing full support for its expansion. The prime minister is fully informed about the matter and has opened vannamei shrimp farming to local entrepreneurs under his guidance.

Tuku added that new investors in shrimp farming will receive all necessary policy and technical assistance from the government, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to modernizing and diversifying the fisheries sector.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the nomination for the managing director of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC has been finalized and the appointment will be made soon. He made the statement in the National Parliament on Wednesday in response to a question from Jamalpur-3 MP Md. Mostafizur Rahman Babul regarding plans to make the newly formed Combined Islami Bank fully functional.

The minister explained that under the Bank Resolution Scheme 2025, customers of five banks under resolution are able to withdraw their deposits from the Combined Islami Bank. The government has already appointed a chairman for the bank’s board of directors, who has assumed responsibility, and directors have also been appointed. The process of appointing the managing director is ongoing.

He added that the new board, under close supervision of the relevant division, is working to make the bank fully operational as soon as possible. Preparations include developing organizational structure and service rules, integrating IT and CBS systems, merging staff and branches, and recruiting key officers such as the company secretary, chief finance officer, and chief technology officer.

Pirojpur-1 MP Masud Sayeedi stated that the district had been deprived for 17 years because it was the birthplace of Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi. He confirmed that the government has now approved Pirojpur as an economic zone and initiated plans to extend rail connectivity with Dhaka. The approval came during an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council meeting on June 14, followed by confirmation from the rail minister on June 16. Masud Sayeedi said he had personally met the prime minister to present the district’s development needs and received assurances of support.

According to the report, the establishment of the economic zone is expected to transform the coastal region’s economy by creating large-scale employment and expanding industries in fisheries, agriculture, and marine resource processing. Improved rail connectivity will ease transport of goods and passengers, boost trade, and enhance living standards. Local residents have expressed gratitude to the prime minister and the MP for these initiatives.

Stakeholders believe the projects will end Pirojpur’s long-standing development deprivation and position it as a key economic hub in southern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have crossed 36 billion dollars, reaching 36.10 billion dollars by the end of Wednesday, the highest level in 43 months. According to the IMF’s BPM-6 calculation method, the reserves stand at 31.55 billion dollars. The information was confirmed by Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan.

Earlier, on June 14, Bangladesh received a 1 billion dollar loan from the Asian Development Bank as budget support, which raised the reserves to 35.63 billion dollars. Under the BPM-6 method, the reserves were then 31.07 billion dollars. The central bank began publishing reserves under BPM-6 in June 2023, when they stood at 24.75 billion dollars. The reserves had first crossed the 30 billion dollar mark under BPM-6 on January 19 of the current year.

Bangladesh’s reserves had reached an all-time high of 48 billion dollars in August 2021 but later declined due to increased money laundering and currency depreciation. At the time of the Awami League government’s fall, reserves under BPM-6 had dropped to 20.48 billion dollars.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has distributed financial aid totaling Tk 14 million among 38 families affected by road accidents in Cox’s Bazar. The checks were handed over at a ceremony held on Wednesday afternoon at the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. The assistance was provided under government directives to support families who lost members or suffered severe injuries, including permanent disabilities.

The event was organized by the BRTA Trustee Board, with Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan serving as chief guest and presiding over the ceremony. Additional Deputy Magistrate Mamnun Ahmed Anik conducted the program, which was attended by BRTA officials, local journalists, labor leaders, and family members of the victims. According to BRTA sources, the beneficiaries include passengers, pedestrians, drivers, and helpers. Injured individuals received between Tk 100,000 and Tk 300,000, while the families of deceased victims received Tk 500,000 each.

BRTA expressed hope that the financial assistance would help the affected families rebuild their lives and support their rehabilitation efforts.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of four crore liters of edible oil and 22,500 tons of lentils for the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) at a total cost of Tk 822.31 crore. The decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday. The products will be sold through TCB at affordable prices to low-income families.

According to the Finance Ministry, the committee approved 23 procurement proposals, including fertilizer imports, infrastructure development, fishery exploration, and youth employment programs. Under local tenders, Chattogram-based Payel Automatic Food Processing Mills will supply 10,000 tons of lentils at Tk 81.47 per kg, while Australia-based MCG International Pty Ltd will supply 12,500 tons at USD 559 per ton. Shabnam Vegetable Oil Industries Ltd will provide two crore liters of refined palm olein at Tk 183.95 per liter, and MCG International Pty Ltd will supply two crore liters of refined soybean oil at Tk 164.77 per liter.

The approved purchases aim to strengthen TCB’s capacity to stabilize essential commodity prices and support low-income consumers.

The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved $450 million in financing for Bangladesh to reinforce the foundation of its banking sector, aiming to revive economic growth and create jobs. The funding, under the “Financial Sector Support Project-2,” will enhance deposit protection for small savers, improve Bangladesh Bank’s supervisory capacity, and support restructuring of state-owned banks. The announcement was made through an official press release on June 24, 2026.

According to the World Bank, the project will increase the capital of the Deposit Protection Fund, establish an effective emergency liquidity support framework, and modernize Bangladesh Bank’s ICT infrastructure to address cybersecurity risks and data gaps. The initiative comes amid rising stress in the banking sector, where non-performing loans reached 32.6 percent by March 2026, far above the South Asian average of 7.9 percent, and the capital adequacy ratio stood at negative 2.6 percent by December 2025.

World Bank officials stated that the project, part of a coordinated effort with the IMF and Asian Development Bank, will help restore confidence, strengthen crisis preparedness, and enhance the resilience of Bangladesh’s financial system.

Mobile financial service provider Upay, operated by United Commercial Bank PLC, has signed a partnership agreement with Foodpanda Bangladesh, the country’s leading online food and product delivery platform. The signing ceremony took place recently at the Golden Tulip The Grandmark Hotel in Dhaka. The collaboration aims to ensure seamless, secure, and convenient digital cash collection services for Foodpanda’s delivery riders.

Under the agreement, Foodpanda riders will be able to use Upay’s digital payment platform to collect and manage payments more efficiently. The partnership is expected to make riders’ daily financial activities faster and hassle-free. Officials from both organizations stated that the initiative will introduce a rider-focused, user-friendly service structure that connects Foodpanda’s delivery ecosystem with Upay’s extensive agent network.

According to the companies, this collaboration will promote cashless transactions, enhance financial inclusion, and strengthen the foundation of Bangladesh’s digital economy by integrating Upay’s mobile financial infrastructure with Foodpanda’s wide customer and delivery network.

After nearly a month of suspension, the 275-megawatt third unit of the Barapukuria coal-fired power plant in Dinajpur resumed electricity generation on Tuesday night at around 9:30 p.m., supplying power to the national grid. Officials expect the restart to enhance overall electricity supply and stability across the country.

According to plant sources, the unit was restarted after completing necessary technical preparations and coordination. Initially, it is generating about 170 megawatts, with plans to gradually increase output beyond 200 megawatts. The plant’s first unit, with a capacity of 125 megawatts, is also operational, producing an average of 60 to 65 megawatts. With both units running, officials anticipate a significant rise in national grid supply.

The chief engineer of the power plant stated that the third unit’s operation has boosted total generation capacity, making coal-based power production more stable. The Barapukuria Coal Mine authorities have also taken steps to resolve storage issues and manage increased coal demand as nearby power units resume operations.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury informed Parliament that Bangladesh currently has 193.25 million bank accounts, including 177.95 million savings accounts and 1.53 million loan accounts, according to Bangladesh Bank data. He made the disclosure during a parliamentary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The minister said the government has adopted the National Financial Inclusion Strategy to ensure full adult financial inclusion by 2026, with the current inclusion rate at 64.5 percent.

Responding to separate questions, the minister said around 30 banks affected by loan defaults and illicit fund transfers abroad have engaged nine international legal firms under “no win, no fee” terms to recover funds. He also reported that as of March 2026, Bangladesh’s external debt stood at USD 78,233.448 million, while registered taxpayers increased by 11.86 percent to 13.83 million. Emergency liquidity support totaling Tk 75,903.11 crore has been provided to banks facing cash shortages.

Chowdhury added that five Islamic banks are under the 2025 Bank Resolution Scheme, with depositors being repaid up to Tk 200,000 under the 2026 Deposit Protection Act. Further actions may follow for other liquidity-stressed banks.

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into major oil companies for allegedly failing to reduce gasoline prices in line with falling crude oil costs. The directive came Wednesday amid criticism over the impact of the Middle East war on fuel prices. According to AFP, global energy prices surged after Iran blocked oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks in February.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that large oil companies were not lowering pump prices even though they were paying much less for crude, accusing them of overcharging consumers. Gasoline prices remain a sensitive political issue in the United States, where most people rely on fossil-fuel vehicles for transportation. The controversy comes as congressional elections approach in November.

Economists have disputed Trump’s repeated prediction that fuel prices would drop “like a rock” after the conflict ended, saying it could take months for prices to return to prewar levels. Although a preliminary U.S.-Iran deal has reopened oil transit through Hormuz, pump prices remain higher than before the war.

Mercantile Bank Limited held its 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually from its head office on Wednesday. The meeting approved the balance sheet for the year ending December 31, 2025. Chairman Md. Anwarul Haque presided over the session, while Managing Director Matiul Hasan delivered the welcome address. Senior directors, independent directors, deputy managing directors, and shareholders joined the meeting online.

In his remarks, the chairman credited the bank’s 2025 achievements to customer trust, regulatory support, and collective efforts. He highlighted progress in technology adoption, improved risk management, and a significant reduction in non-performing loans. He also emphasized strengthening financial foundations and adopting forward-looking policies to safeguard shareholder interests.

Managing Director Matiul Hasan presented the bank’s 2025 performance and 2026 plans, reaffirming a commitment to reduce default loans and expand cashless banking. The bank reported an earnings per share (EPS) of Tk 1.10, a net asset value per share (NAVPS) of Tk 24.35, and a net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) of Tk 5.95 for 2025.

The Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldives has launched several initiatives to ensure an easier, safer, and more affordable remittance system for Bangladeshi migrant workers. On June 23, a key meeting was held at the Bank of Maldives headquarters between Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam and the bank’s CEO and Managing Director Mohamed Shareef. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on migrant welfare, legal remittance flows, and broader economic collaboration between the two countries.

Discussions focused on developing a direct financial transaction channel between the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) and the Bangladeshi taka (BDT) to enable faster and cheaper money transfers. The meeting also explored expanding financial inclusion for Bangladeshi workers, enhancing bilateral banking ties, and establishing potential credit facilities. Both parties emphasized that a sustainable financial cooperation framework could boost trade, investment, infrastructure, and food security.

The Bank of Maldives CEO praised the contributions of Bangladeshi workers and expressed a positive stance toward providing effective and user-friendly financial services for them.