Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have crossed 35 billion dollars for the first time in 39 months, according to data from Bangladesh Bank released on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The gross reserve stood at 35.04 billion dollars, while under the BPM6 calculation method, reserves were recorded at 30.30 billion dollars.

Central bank officials attributed the increase to stricter measures against money laundering, which have boosted remittance inflows through legal channels. As a result, dollar supply in banks has risen, prompting the central bank to purchase surplus dollars from the market. Since the beginning of the current fiscal year up to February 23, remittances through banking channels totaled 21.99 billion dollars, marking a 21.90 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

During this period, the central bank purchased 5.46 billion dollars from the market, contributing to the reserve growth. Officials noted that the higher supply of dollars relative to demand has strengthened the reserve position.

The government has decided to reopen the country's sick and closed industrial enterprises, following a directive from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary, Atikur Rahman Rumman, who said that relevant ministries have been instructed to work with private entrepreneurs to implement the plan. The initiative aims to create new employment opportunities across the country.

According to the directive, closed jute mills and sugar factories will be reopened while retaining existing workers and generating additional jobs. The move aligns with Prime Minister Rahman’s electoral pledge to revive non-operational industries and expand employment. Ashiq Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), confirmed that a committee led by the Ministry of Industries has already begun work on the initiative.

The reopening of these industries is expected to stimulate economic activity and strengthen collaboration between the government and private sector in industrial revitalization efforts.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced a new email-based one-time password (OTP) system to facilitate online income tax return submissions for Bangladeshi taxpayers living abroad. Announced on Tuesday, the feature allows expatriates to receive OTPs through their registered email addresses instead of mobile phones. The initiative is part of a new 'special registration' process designed for users who previously registered with biometric mobile numbers but are now unable to access mobile OTPs while overseas.

According to NBR, expatriate taxpayers must apply for email verification by sending an email to ereturn@etaxnbr.gov.bd with copies of their passport, national ID, visa page, foreign address, overseas contact number, and proof of departure date. After verification, NBR will approve the request, enabling users to reset passwords, complete registration, and file e-returns using the verified email.

NBR reported that the online filing system has received strong response, with about 3.9 million taxpayers already submitting returns for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The authority urged all taxpayers to file their returns through the e-return system by February 28.

Bangladesh’s revenue shortfall crossed Tk 600 billion in the first seven months (July–January) of the 2025–26 fiscal year, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) report released on 24 February. The deficit stood at around Tk 460 billion by December. During this period, NBR collected Tk 2.24 trillion against a target of Tk 2.84 trillion, achieving 12.9 percent growth compared to the same period last year.

The largest shortfall occurred in the income tax segment, which missed its target by Tk 289.25 billion. Import duties fell short by Tk 156.83 billion, and VAT collections were below target by Tk 155.06 billion. In January alone, revenue collection reached Tk 370.33 billion against a target of Tk 525.45 billion, leaving a monthly gap of about Tk 150 billion.

At the beginning of the fiscal year, NBR’s total revenue target was Tk 4.99 trillion, later revised upward to Tk 5.54 trillion by the Budget Monitoring and Resource Committee on 10 November, the report noted.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for February 2026. The price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder has been lowered by 15 taka to 1,341 taka. The new rate took effect from 6 p.m. on February 23, following an official announcement on February 24. This adjustment follows the last revision on February 2, when the price was increased by 50 taka to 1,356 taka per cylinder.

According to BERC, the price reduction aligns with recent fiscal changes by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), which withdrew the existing 7.5 percent VAT at the local production and trading levels and the 2 percent advance tax on imports. Instead, a 7.5 percent VAT has been imposed at the import stage. In the same notice, BERC also reduced the price of autogas by 0.28 taka per liter, setting the new consumer price, including VAT, at 61.86 taka per liter.

The adjustments aim to keep LPG prices affordable for consumers and stabilize the domestic energy market, as stated in the regulatory announcements.

Garment workers from S M Fashion factory blocked the main road in Mirpur-11, Dhaka, on Tuesday afternoon demanding payment of their overdue wages and allowances. The protest began around 1:30 p.m., halting traffic in the area. Workers said the factory management had promised to pay their January salaries and benefits on Monday but failed to do so, prompting them to take to the streets in anger.

Police intervened, and by 3:00 p.m. the workers ended their blockade following discussions between worker representatives and the factory management. According to Pallabi Police Station Officer-in-Charge A K M Alamgir Jahan, the factory owners assured that all outstanding payments would be made by Thursday. Traffic movement on the Mirpur-11 road returned to normal after the workers dispersed.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Dhaka’s garment sector over delayed wage payments, a recurring issue that often leads to worker protests and temporary disruptions in industrial areas.

Bangladesh Railway has announced the schedule for advance ticket sales ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure a comfortable journey for homebound passengers. According to a railway notice issued on Tuesday, online advance ticket sales will begin on March 3, with all seats available exclusively through online purchase. Return ticket sales will start on March 23. The authority also confirmed that tickets will be sold in two phases based on regional routes.

Tickets for intercity trains operating in the western region will be available each morning from 8:00 a.m., while tickets for eastern region trains will be released daily at 2:00 p.m. To accommodate the increased travel demand during the holiday, Bangladesh Railway will add 20 special trains, comprising five pairs of services.

The initiative aims to ease passenger pressure and improve convenience during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, continuing the practice of full online ticketing introduced in previous Eid seasons.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that countries delaying trade agreements with the United States could face higher tariffs, following a Supreme Court ruling that suspended his administration’s global duties. The court ruled that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose import taxes. In response, Trump announced new global tariffs of 10 percent, later raised to 15 percent, set to take effect Tuesday under a different legal provision allowing temporary tariffs for 150 days without congressional approval.

The European Union said it would delay ratifying a summer trade deal, while India postponed scheduled talks. The United Kingdom sought clarification on whether its agreement would remain exempt from the new 15 percent tariff. British Trade Secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged the uncertainty, and European Parliament trade chair Bernd Lange said the situation had become more unpredictable. The White House maintained that the ruling did not alter its trade policy, with U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer stating that only the legal tools had changed.

The new tariffs are due to expire after 150 days unless extended by Congress. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned his party would oppose any effort to increase tariffs. U.S. stock prices fell about 1 percent Monday amid growing market uncertainty.

Social Welfare Minister Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain announced that the Family Card distribution program will begin simultaneously in 14 upazilas on March 10, with Prime Minister Tareq Rahman inaugurating the initiative. The program will later be expanded across the entire country. The announcement came after a meeting of the Finance Ministry’s subcommittee on the Family Card, held at the Secretariat in Dhaka under the Prime Minister’s chairmanship.

According to the minister, the Family Card will provide monthly financial assistance of 2,500 taka to three groups: the ultra-poor, poor, and lower-income families. He said the initiative aims to promote women’s empowerment and economic self-reliance. The minister emphasized that no political figures will be involved in the card distribution process.

He added that government officials in each upazila will form teams to manage the program. The selection process will include verification and two rounds of rechecking by a final committee before the cards are distributed.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Engineer Ishraq Hossain held a meeting with regional officials of Titas Gas on Tuesday at the ministry conference room to address the prolonged gas shortage in households across Dhaka-6 constituency. The meeting aimed to find solutions to the persistent supply disruptions that have caused severe inconvenience for residents in daily cooking and household activities.

According to meeting sources, residents of various areas in Dhaka-6 have long suffered from acute gas shortages and repeatedly lodged complaints about the issue. In response, the authorities have taken steps to strengthen coordination among relevant agencies to resolve the problem. Addressing the gas crisis was one of Ishraq Hossain’s key election pledges, and he has been holding regular discussions with Titas Gas officials to achieve a lasting solution.

The meeting discussed the current state of gas supply, pipeline pressure problems, illegal connections, and possible improvements to the distribution system. Sources indicated that effective measures would be taken soon to reduce public suffering.

Bangladesh Bank has issued show-cause notices to three of its officials after they publicly labeled Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur as a 'dictator' during a press conference held on February 16. The officials—Naushad Mostafa, A.K.M. Masum Billah, and Golam Mostafa Shraban—have been given ten days to respond. Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed the action, stating that disciplinary measures will follow if their explanations are deemed unsatisfactory.

The press conference criticized the governor’s handling of bank mergers involving EXIM and Social Islami Bank, and the process of granting digital bank licenses. According to internal regulations, central bank officials must obtain the governor’s approval before making public statements or holding press events. The spokesperson declined further comment until the replies are received.

Sources indicated that the officials’ actions violated staff rules, as grievances against senior management should be raised through internal forums. The incident has drawn attention to internal tensions within the central bank over governance, autonomy, and regulatory reforms.

The future of Bangladesh’s mobile financial service provider Nagad will depend on the new government’s policy direction, according to economist Ahsan H. Mansur. Dhaka-14 Member of Parliament Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman shared this after a meeting with the Bangladesh Bank governor on Tuesday. The discussion followed ongoing talks from the previous interim government period regarding potential foreign investment in Nagad.

Arman stated that the current government has not yet finalized its stance on whether Nagad will be handed over to private investors. If the government decides to proceed as the interim administration had planned, the investment process will begin. Acting as a professional lawyer and local representative for foreign investors, Arman said the investors are mainly interested in Bangladesh’s digital banking sector and have expressed willingness to conduct an audit to assess Nagad’s profitability.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed that the central bank will act according to the new government’s decision and remains firm on its position.

Bangladesh Bank has issued show-cause notices to three of its officials for holding a press conference where they described Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur as an authoritarian figure. The notices were sent by the bank’s Human Resources Department under the governor’s directive, requiring written responses within ten days before further action is taken. The officials involved are Naushad Mostafa, Director of SME and Special Programs; A.K.M. Masum Billah, President of the Officers’ Welfare Council; and Golam Mostafa Shrabon, the council’s General Secretary.

The press conference, held on 16 February, criticized the governor’s decisions on merging weaker banks with EXIM and Social Islami Bank and on issuing digital bank licenses. According to internal sources, the event violated staff regulations requiring prior approval from the governor before public statements. The officials also questioned the agenda of a board meeting held the same day, alleging favoritism in digital banking approvals.

Sources added that a cross-party alliance within the central bank has been formed to push for full institutional autonomy, legal reforms, and promotion-related demands. The show-cause process marks a new phase in internal tensions within Bangladesh Bank.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to introduce a pilot 'Family Card' program to bring marginal and low-income families under social protection. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman will officially inaugurate the initiative on March 10. The decision was made at a committee meeting chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. Initially planned for two upazilas, the pilot will now cover 13 wards across 13 upazilas, including areas in Dhaka, Rajbari, Chattogram, Brahmanbaria, Bandarban, Khulna, Bhola, Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Bogura, Natore, Thakurgaon, and Dhaka’s Nawabganj.

According to the meeting, the Family Card will structurally assist poor and ultra-poor families, integrating existing programs such as the Food-Friendly Program, TCB Card, and Vulnerable Women Benefit Program. Beneficiary selection will use NID, birth date, and mobile number verification to prevent duplication. Each card will cover five family members, with additional cards for larger households. Female-headed households will receive the cards, and financial support will be distributed through banks or mobile financial services.

Officials expect the initiative to reduce targeting errors—currently estimated at 50 percent—and minimize resource wastage by unifying multiple social safety programs.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to 30.11 billion dollars, according to Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The announcement was made on Monday, February 23, 2026, in Dhaka. The central bank attributed the growth to its purchase of dollars from commercial banks through auctions.

Officials explained that the rise in reserves was supported by a significant increase in remittance inflows through formal banking channels, which boosted the supply of dollars in the market. In January 2026, Bangladesh received 3.17 billion dollars in remittances, the third-highest monthly total in the country’s history and 45.41 percent higher than the same month in 2025, when 2.18 billion dollars was recorded.

A senior central bank official noted that the increased dollar supply prompted the bank to buy dollars through auctions to prevent a sudden drop in the exchange rate. This approach has allowed the central bank to strengthen reserves while maintaining currency stability.