Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new type of account called the 'Non-Resident Convertible Taka Account' to encourage investment by expatriate Bangladeshis. According to a circular issued on Tuesday, the account will allow expatriates to deposit remittance funds in offshore banking units, use the money for domestic investments or as loan collateral, and repatriate funds abroad when needed.

The central bank stated that the initiative aims to integrate remittance flows more effectively into the financial system, expand offshore banking operations, and create greater investment opportunities for non-resident Bangladeshis. The account can be opened against foreign currency remitted through banking channels and may function as a savings, current, or term deposit account. Deposits may include remittance funds, transfers from other non-resident accounts, interest or profit income, and proceeds from approved investments.

Banking sector observers noted that the new account is expected to bring more remittance funds under formal banking channels, expand offshore banking activities, and enhance liquidity support for export-oriented industries operating in specialized zones.

The South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance’s Center for Migration Studies at North South University hosted a live webinar titled “Prime Minister’s Malaysia Visit: Will the Closed Labor Market Reopen?” on Monday. The discussion centered on Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s visit to Malaysia and the potential reopening of the Malaysian labor market for Bangladeshi workers. The session was moderated by Associate Professor Selim Reza.

Speakers highlighted the challenges faced by Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia, including documentation issues, high migration costs, work permit renewals, and limited access to legal support. Dr. Md. Mahbubul Haque noted that no formal agreement on reopening the labor market has yet been confirmed. Other participants emphasized the need for broader economic cooperation, improved worker protection, and transparent recruitment systems. They also called for stronger collaboration between civil society groups in both countries.

The webinar concluded with calls for evidence-based policymaking, sustainable diplomatic engagement, and enhanced protection for Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia.

The United Arab Emirates is set to launch its first passenger train service later this month, according to the state news agency WAM. The announcement followed the inauguration of Abu Dhabi’s new railway station by Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed. The initial route between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah will begin operations on June 30, with standard class tickets priced at 55 dirhams and premium class at 120 dirhams. The service will later expand to connect four of the country’s seven emirates.

Dubai’s railway station is scheduled to open on September 30, while Sharjah’s main station will begin operations on March 30, 2027. Authorities also plan to conduct feasibility studies for extending the network to other emirates. The new fleet will include 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers, and ticket booking opened on Tuesday.

The project reflects the UAE’s long-term vision for an integrated transport network aimed at improving connectivity, efficiency, and opportunities for investment, tourism, and urban development, according to Sheikh Khaled.

The United States is set to ease sanctions on Iran worth up to $50 billion under a long-discussed agreement between the two countries, according to reports on June 23, 2026. The deal will allow the gradual release of previously frozen Iranian assets. Initial talks in Doha, Qatar, led to a policy agreement to release $12 billion in two phases of $6 billion each, followed by a final signing ceremony planned in Switzerland. An Iranian spokesperson confirmed that the process has already been completed.

Under the proposed framework, Iran will first gain access to $12 billion, with another $12 billion expected to be released after 60 days of further discussions. If a full and final agreement is reached, the total value of sanctions relief and released funds could reach $50 billion. However, the funds will not be provided as unrestricted cash. U.S. officials have expressed concerns that the money could support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, prompting strict conditions on its use.

The released funds are expected to be used mainly for importing food, medicine, and humanitarian goods through approved U.S.-linked financial channels. Analysts suggest that if fully implemented, the deal could bring significant relief to Iran’s economy and open new opportunities for improved relations with Western nations.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said Bangladesh can raise its export earnings from the current level of about $50–55 billion to $150 billion. Speaking at a consultation workshop in Dhaka’s CIRDAP auditorium on Tuesday, he emphasized that achieving this goal requires targeted planning, policy support, research, and skilled workforce development in several promising sectors. The event was organized to present the Development Project Proposal (DPP) based on a study assessing the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s private sectors.

The minister noted that Bangladesh has met all conditions for graduation from the Least Developed Country category, but the main challenge now is to remain competitive globally. He stressed the need for greater efficiency, innovation, and technology adaptation in industries. Plans include developing international-standard training centers in the leather and light engineering sectors and launching joint research with China to boost jute-based product innovation. The commerce secretary added that a Tk 3,000 crore integrated project is being planned to strengthen export capacity and align with national budget priorities.

Officials said the project will emphasize private sector participation, digitalization, and simplified procedures to build a sustainable export model after LDC graduation.

Bangladesh will no longer send workers to Malaysia through syndicates, according to Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury. He announced the decision after returning from Malaysia and said that Malaysia’s Human Resources Minister is scheduled to visit Dhaka in July. During that visit, both sides are expected to finalize a transparent and low-cost process for sending workers.

The minister stated that discussions between the two countries on labor recruitment were positive and that both governments share the same position on eliminating syndicates. The announcement follows Prime Minister Tarek Rahman’s two-day official visit to Malaysia, where he met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and senior business leaders.

During the visit, Bangladesh and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation and exchanged documents on counterterrorism research and investment collaboration. Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, labor, defense, energy, digital economy, and regional issues to elevate their longstanding bilateral relationship.

After years of global and domestic challenges, Chattogram’s shipbuilding industry is showing renewed momentum. Western Marine Shipyard, one of Bangladesh’s largest private shipbuilders, has overcome the pandemic and economic downturn to resume full-scale operations. Located on 34 acres along the Karnaphuli River in Patiya, the company is currently constructing 15 vessels for both domestic and international clients, including oil tankers, landing crafts, cargo ships, and fishing vessels.

Western Marine has exported 39 ships to countries such as Finland, Denmark, the UAE, and India, earning Bangladesh about 141 million US dollars in foreign exchange. The company employs around 1,000 workers and is listed on both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges. Industry representatives say the shipyard’s revival could strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the global market and stimulate local employment.

Stakeholders have urged the government to provide policy support and incentives for the sector in the 2026–2027 budget. They believe that with proper financing and modern technology, Bangladesh could further expand its shipbuilding exports and reduce import dependence.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest statistics reveal that 4,899 large borrowers, each with loans exceeding Tk 50 crore, collectively hold Tk 5.75 trillion—over 32 percent of the country’s total bank loans. This concentration has grown from 27.6 percent in March 2024, indicating a rising dominance of large corporate clients in the banking sector. Each of these accounts now averages around Tk 117 crore in loans.

The report highlights that this growing concentration poses significant risks to the banking system, as defaults by a few large borrowers could directly affect banks’ capital, liquidity, and profitability. Despite existing exposure limits, many large industrial groups have exceeded them, and Bangladesh Bank has recently relaxed these limits further, allowing banks to lend up to 25 percent of their capital to a single client until June 2028.

Meanwhile, small borrowers remain largely excluded. Over 93 percent of loan accounts hold less than Tk 10 lakh, yet together they receive only 9.19 percent of total loans. State-owned banks face the highest risk, with nearly half their loans concentrated among about 1,000 clients.

The government of Bangladesh is moving toward implementing a new national pay scale for public servants after more than a decade, following the 2026–27 budget announcement. Although the pay scale is set to take effect on July 1, the full implementation strategy has not yet been finalized, leaving government employees both hopeful and anxious. A secretary-level committee led by the cabinet secretary has discussed recommendations from the National Pay Commission and other bodies, but no final decision has been reached. Another meeting is scheduled for June 24 to determine the next steps.

According to official sources, employees may not receive the increased salary until September or October due to administrative preparations such as regulation updates and software adjustments. Discussions are ongoing about whether to implement the pay scale in phases, with an initial 50 percent adjustment possible in the first year. Employee groups are demanding full implementation from July, citing rising living costs. The government has allocated Tk 89,836 crore for salaries and allowances in the new budget, with a significant portion reserved for pay scale implementation.

Analysts note that the main challenge for the government is balancing employee expectations with fiscal capacity amid inflationary pressures.

The United States has granted Iran permission to sell oil in US dollars for the first time in several decades, enabling Tehran to export crude to American buyers. According to The Wall Street Journal, the decision has already led to a decline in global oil prices. US Vice President JD Vance stated that Iranian officials have agreed to allow nuclear inspectors to return to the country this week, a move seen as a major concession by Iran.

The report added that optimism over progress in ongoing talks to end the US-Iran conflict contributed to a 3.3 percent drop in Brent crude prices, bringing them below 78 dollars per barrel. The development marks a significant shift in the long-strained economic and diplomatic relations between the two nations.

If sustained, the easing of restrictions could reshape global energy markets and signal a broader thaw in US-Iran relations, though the long-term impact remains to be seen.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited has announced that gas supply pressure will remain low across its service areas for four days starting Monday night, June 22, 2026. The company stated in a notice that the reduction in regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) supply has caused the temporary disruption, which will affect residential, commercial, industrial, and CNG consumers.

According to the announcement, the low-pressure situation will continue until Thursday, June 25, 2026. Titas Gas expressed regret for the inconvenience and assured that gas supply will return to normal once the situation stabilizes. The company did not specify the reason behind the RLNG supply reduction but emphasized that the issue is temporary.

The notice serves as an advisory for all categories of consumers under Titas Gas to expect reduced gas pressure during the specified period.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, announced in parliament that all quick rental power plants have been retired. He said the decision aims to reduce dependence on short-term rental power and build a sustainable, environmentally friendly energy system. The announcement came during a parliamentary question session on Monday in response to a query from the member for Chattogram-15, Shahajahan Chowdhury.

The minister explained that under the government’s renewable energy policy, the target is to meet 20 percent of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040. A goal has also been set to achieve a capacity of 10,000 megawatts of solar power generation. He added that the government has undertaken extensive programs to expand renewable energy sources to ensure long-term energy security.

The move marks a significant policy shift from temporary rental-based electricity generation toward sustainable energy development, aligning with Bangladesh’s broader goals for cleaner and more reliable power supply.

The government has decided to keep all state-owned fertilizer factories in Bangladesh operational throughout the year, ensuring uninterrupted gas supply to maintain continuous production. This decision was announced during a visit by Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Moktadir to the Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) plant in Rangadia, Anwara, on June 22, 2026. The minister stated that the initiative follows directives from Prime Minister Tareque Rahman to identify and resolve operational issues in fertilizer factories.

During the inspection, the minister noted that CUFL’s machinery is outdated, leading to lower-than-expected production compared to gas consumption. He brought technical experts to assess the situation and planned discussions with CUFL and Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) officials to improve production efficiency and continuity. CUFL Managing Director Mizanur Rahman highlighted the poor condition of the ammonia plant’s boilers, originally imported from Japan, which are now barely functional.

After visiting CUFL, the minister also inspected the country’s only Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer factory. Senior officials from the ministry, BCIC, and local administration accompanied him during the visits.

State-run broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) has reported expenses 32 times higher than its income, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan. Responding to a parliamentary question from MP Fazle Huda, the minister said BTV earned Tk 8.05 crore including taxes in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, while spending Tk 254.18 crore. The statement was presented during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister also detailed BTV’s income and expenditure from fiscal years 2020–21 to 2024–25, showing consistent deficits each year. He further informed parliament about ongoing initiatives to counter misinformation through the ‘BanglaFact’ program, which has identified over 300 Facebook accounts and 199 X accounts spreading false or misleading content. Additionally, the ministry is working to amend the Press Council Act 1974 to set educational qualifications and registration requirements for journalists.

Swapan added that Bangladesh currently has 55 private television channels, of which 39 are broadcasting, and 1,436 daily newspapers nationwide. There are also 474 registered online news portals across various categories.

Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC organized a half-day financial literacy workshop titled “Let Financial Literacy Begin Safe Cashless Transactions” at its Uttara branch on Saturday. The event was jointly arranged by the bank’s Risk Management Division and Uttara branch. Managing Director Mosleh Uddin Ahmed attended as the chief guest, while customers and representatives from six branches participated. The program was conducted by Mohammad Abu Chayem, head of the Risk Management Division and Financial Inclusion Unit.

During the workshop, Khandaker Bedoura Mahbub, Head of IT and CTO, and Md. Riad Hossain, Head of Card Division, discussed the use and benefits of cashless transactions. Uttara branch manager Abu Hanif and several other branch managers were also present. The speakers presented detailed visuals explaining how cashless transactions can enhance convenience and reduce risks for customers.

The workshop emphasized that adopting cashless methods can save time and make financial transactions safer, reflecting the bank’s commitment to promoting financial literacy and digital banking practices.