Japanese trading and investment giant Mitsui & Co. has entered into a strategic partnership with ACI Logistics Limited, the operator of Bangladesh’s largest retail chain, Shwapno. The agreement was signed on February 25, 2026, at the ACI Centre in Dhaka, attended by senior executives from both organizations. Under the deal, Mitsui, through its subsidiary, will provide a structured convertible loan facility in foreign currency to ACI Logistics, subject to legal approvals.

Mitsui & Co., a multinational enterprise with operations in over 60 countries, is recognized for its technical expertise, global sourcing capabilities, and extensive industrial experience. The partnership aims to support ACI Logistics in achieving its strategic goals, with Mitsui expressing strong confidence in Shwapno’s leadership, operational efficiency, and ability to deliver quality products and superior shopping experiences to Bangladeshi consumers.

Looking ahead, Mitsui plans to work closely with Shwapno to enhance operational excellence, governance, supply chain optimization, and sustainability within Bangladesh’s modern retail sector.

China has announced plans to increase its investment in Bangladesh, citing the country’s current political stability. The decision was conveyed by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon. The minister urged Chinese investors to expand their ventures in Bangladesh, emphasizing the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.

During the meeting, both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in security, law enforcement, cybercrime prevention, police training, and trade. The ambassador noted that around 10,000 Chinese nationals are working in various sectors in Bangladesh and stressed the importance of maintaining law and order to support investment growth. He also invited Bangladesh to join China’s proposed International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud.

The Home Minister directed officials to review the expired memorandum on law enforcement training cooperation and informed the ambassador of his intention to visit China at a convenient time. Senior officials from the ministry and the Chinese embassy attended the meeting.

Mostakur Rahman has been appointed as the new governor of Bangladesh Bank, replacing Ahsan H. Mansur. The appointment was confirmed through an official notification issued on Wednesday. Rahman is a Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) with over 33 years of post-qualification experience and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Dhaka.

He has been associated with several professional and industry organizations, including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). Rahman has served on various key committees within these bodies and has worked closely with regulatory institutions such as Bangladesh Bank and the Chittagong Stock Exchange Limited.

As an entrepreneur and senior financial governance expert, Rahman brings more than three decades of leadership experience in corporate finance, export economy, and financial management. His background includes oversight in manufacturing, real estate, and agribusiness sectors, emphasizing financial planning, investment supervision, and governance frameworks.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur said on Wednesday that recent protests and unrest among some central bank officials were being fueled by a vested group seeking to undermine government policy decisions. Speaking at an emergency press conference at the bank’s headquarters, he stated that the recent administrative actions, including staff transfers and show-cause notices, were aimed at preserving institutional and financial stability, not serving personal interests.

Mansur explained that the government and the central bank jointly provided Tk 32,000 crore in support to stabilize seven banks, protecting around 7.6 million depositors. He said the measures, including equity support and special funds for exporters, were restoring stability in the sector. The governor defended the temporary transfers of some officials following social media misinformation and said further actions would depend on their responses.

He dismissed calls to cancel contractual appointments, noting such practices existed before. Mansur added that the bank’s CSR fund of Tk 450–500 crore was being distributed to educational and medical institutions and that the central bank earned Tk 24,000 crore in profit last fiscal year.

Mostakur Rahman, a professor in the Accounting Department at the University of Chittagong, is set to become the new governor of Bangladesh Bank. The appointment, reported by the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday afternoon, will replace Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, who currently holds the position.

Dr. Mansur had been appointed as governor by the interim government following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina administration. He had succeeded former governor Abdur Rouf Talukder at that time. The latest change marks another transition in the leadership of the central bank amid ongoing adjustments in the country’s financial administration.

The report did not specify when Mostakur Rahman will formally assume office or the reasons behind the leadership change at Bangladesh Bank.

Officials and employees of Bangladesh Bank have warned they will begin a symbolic pen-down strike from Thursday if their demands, including withdrawal of show-cause notices and transfers of three officials, are not met. The announcement came Wednesday during a protest meeting held under the banner of the Bangladesh Bank Officers’ Welfare Council at the central bank’s 30-storey building. Council president A.K.M. Masum Billah declared that if the demands remain unfulfilled, they will escalate their movement to demand the resignation of Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur.

Speakers at the protest accused the governor of authoritarian behavior and ignoring repeated appeals from staff. They alleged that contractual appointments have increased while effective economic policies remain absent, and that the governor’s remarks have negatively affected the banking sector. Director and assistant spokesperson Shahriar Siddiqui and executive director Mofizur Rahman Khan Chowdhury both urged the governor to accept the employees’ legitimate demands.

If the issues are not resolved by Thursday, officials plan to hold further discussions on Sunday to decide their next course of action.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has requested a Tk 14,000 crore soft loan from Bangladesh Bank to address a severe cash shortage ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The appeal was made during a meeting with Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, attended by deputy governors and BGMEA leaders. BGMEA Vice President Shihab Udduja Chowdhury said the funds are needed to cover two months of wages and bonuses for workers, and the governor responded positively to the proposal.

BGMEA cited multiple challenges, including political instability, labor unrest, the 2024 movement, election-related uncertainty, and tariff issues, which have led to seven consecutive months of negative export growth. The association also urged the release of pending export incentives worth about Tk 5,700 crore to improve cash flow. Bangladesh Bank data show that Tk 2,500 crore in incentives has been disbursed so far in fiscal year 2025–26.

BGMEA proposed that the loan be repayable over 12 months with a three-month grace period, a 7% interest rate, and expansion of the pre-shipment credit refinancing scheme to Tk 10,000 crore until 2030. The group warned that delays in payments could trigger unrest and urged swift government action to protect workers and sustain the industry.

The government will launch the Family Card program on March 10 as part of the BNP’s election pledge, initially covering one union in each of 14 upazilas. The decision was made at a committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division, according to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the program in Bogura, and the initiative will gradually expand nationwide.

After the meeting, Social Welfare Minister Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain said the program aims to empower women by providing Tk 2,500 per card. He emphasized that the distribution will be free from political or religious bias. The rollout will begin on a limited scale, expanding from one ward to full unions and eventually to all upazilas across the country.

The meeting was attended by several senior ministers and advisers, including the finance and planning minister, local government state minister, and cabinet secretary, reflecting the government’s coordinated approach to implementing the Family Card initiative.

Prices of essential commodities in Rangpur city have sharply increased since the start of Ramadan, causing distress among low-income and working-class residents. Consumers allege that traders have formed syndicates to manipulate prices in the absence of effective market monitoring. Field visits to several municipal markets revealed significant price hikes in almost all Ramadan-related goods, particularly dates, chickpeas, spices, and poultry.

Buyers report that traders are charging arbitrary prices, with some varieties of dates selling two to three times higher than last month. Local traders attribute the rise to reduced supply, higher wholesale prices, and increased transport costs. The price of local chicken has doubled, while vegetables, lemons, and spices have also seen steep increases. Consumers demand stronger oversight of wholesale markets to prevent manipulation.

Officials from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection stated that monitoring drives will continue throughout Ramadan, warning of fines and legal action against price gouging. The Rangpur district administration confirmed that executive magistrates are conducting inspections to ensure fair pricing for consumers.

In Chattogram, a total of 186 garment factories have closed over the past 18 months following the July Revolution, according to industry and police data. Of these, 111 factories were permanently shut by owners, while 76 remain temporarily closed. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) confirmed that 19 of the closed factories were large-scale members, including six under the Well Group. Around 27,766 workers lost their jobs, though about 18,000 have since found new employment.

Investigations revealed that eight of the 19 large factories were owned by fugitive Awami League-linked businessmen who fled after the political upheaval, while nine others closed due to banking complications tied to merged and inactive banks. BGMEA officials said the sector’s recovery was hindered by financial instability and weak banking operations, despite improved trade conditions with the United States. Many large factories have shifted to subcontracting, leaving smaller units struggling for orders.

Industry Police reported that 55 more factories are now at risk, with concerns over paying wages and bonuses before Eid. Business leaders expressed cautious optimism that new government policies and revived banking operations could help the sector recover.

Engineer Ramanath Pujari has officially taken charge as the new Managing Director of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), which operates the Rampal Power Plant in Bagerhat. The appointment was announced in a company statement, confirming that he assumed the role on Tuesday.

Before this appointment, Pujari served as Project Director of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project (MSTPP) at Rampal. He also held the position of Executive Director at India’s state-owned NTPC Limited, where he contributed to plant management, reliability improvement, efficiency enhancement, and compliance with environmental regulations. Under his leadership, the MSTPP achieved more reliable power generation and maintained environmental standards, while he also supported local social and township development initiatives.

Born in 1968 in Odisha, India, Pujari holds a BE in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar, and an MBA from MDI Gurgaon. He has additional qualifications from IIM Ahmedabad and Harvard Business School and brings about 36 years of experience in the power sector.

Baraka Foundation has launched a low-cost iftar market aimed at supporting low-income and underprivileged people during the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative was inaugurated on Monday at the Shishu Park field in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj. The market offers essential iftar items at significantly reduced prices, such as chickpeas at Tk 60 per kg instead of Tk 80, onions at Tk 25 instead of Tk 40, dates at Tk 200 instead of Tk 300, puffed rice at Tk 80 instead of Tk 90, sugar at Tk 80 instead of Tk 98, and soybean oil at Tk 170 instead of Tk 195. In total, six items worth Tk 950 are being sold for Tk 560.

Buyers expressed relief and appreciation for the initiative, noting that it provides real assistance to families struggling with rising food costs. Locals described the program as a positive example of social responsibility that could inspire others to take similar steps.

According to Baraka Foundation, the project is funded by local expatriates and will continue throughout Ramadan to support poor and low-income communities.

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman stated that the final decision on transferring the mobile financial service provider Nagad to the private sector depends on the new government’s policy direction. He made the remarks on Tuesday after a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur. Arman said the governor informed him that the government has not yet finalized its stance on Nagad, and investment procedures will begin only if the government decides to allow private investors to take over, as the interim administration had considered.

Arman explained that discussions on bringing foreign investment into Nagad began during the interim government period, and his meeting with the governor continued that dialogue. He clarified that he is working as a professional lawyer and local representative for foreign investors, not in his capacity as a member of parliament. He also noted that potential investors are interested in Bangladesh’s digital banking sector and have expressed willingness to conduct an audit to assess Nagad’s profitability.

Addressing concerns about conflict of interest, Arman said his legal work does not conflict with his political role, emphasizing that his political activities are for public service while his legal practice supports his livelihood.

State Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare Nurul Haque Nur said the government’s top priority over the next three months is to reopen two or more closed labor markets and set fixed migration costs for certain countries. Speaking to reporters at his office in Eskaton, Dhaka, he added that recruiting agencies accused of fraud will have their licenses suspended and accountability among registered agencies will be strengthened.

He explained that Bangladesh is working to reopen labor markets in countries such as Bahrain, Oman, and Malaysia, where restrictions remain. The government has already sent a list of compliant agencies to Malaysia to meet its ten conditions. Nur also highlighted Japan as a promising destination, with an agreement to send 100,000 workers over five years, supported by language training and potential financial aid. The ministry is also considering expanding low-interest loans for skilled workers unable to afford migration costs.

The minister emphasized reducing excessive migration expenses, improving expatriate welfare, and reinstating state-funded repatriation of deceased workers’ bodies to Bangladesh.

The European Union Parliament has decided not to finalize its trade agreement with the United States at this time, citing uncertainty created by former President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. The decision follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent annulment of Trump’s earlier tariff measures, after which Trump imposed a new 15 percent export tariff on all goods. This move has led to renewed instability in transatlantic trade relations.

A vote on U.S. industrial export tariffs was expected in the EU Parliament’s trade committee on Tuesday, but it has now been postponed. European Commission spokesperson Olof Zill stated that Brussels cannot make any decision until Washington clarifies its position. He added that the EU expects a proper explanation from the United States regarding the current developments.

The delay underscores the EU’s cautious approach to trade negotiations with the U.S. as both sides navigate the implications of shifting American trade policies and their impact on global commerce.