Egypt has ordered all shops, restaurants, and shopping centers to close by 9 p.m. each night for one month starting Saturday. The government said the measure aims to conserve energy as fuel prices have surged due to the ongoing war in Iran. Street lighting and advertising illumination will also be reduced, and employees will be allowed to work from home one day a week during April to save energy.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stated that Egypt’s petrol expenses more than doubled between January and March, reaching 2.5 billion dollars. Although Egypt is not directly involved in the conflict, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, leaving the import-dependent country vulnerable to shortages.

Hotels and tourist resorts are exempt from the restrictions, as tourism accounts for about one-tenth of Egypt’s economy. Essential services such as hospitals, schools, and factories will also remain unaffected by the work-from-home directive.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to abolish the monthly rental or meter charge for electricity prepaid meters. The announcement was made by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku on Sunday afternoon while speaking to reporters. He said the decision was taken to address long-standing dissatisfaction among consumers over extra charges on prepaid meters.

According to the minister, many users have been paying a fixed amount each month as meter rent or maintenance charge during recharge, even though the actual cost of the meters had already been recovered. The Ministry of Power stated that in the past, irregularities and excessive spending in meter procurement had placed an unfair financial burden on consumers. The current government aims to ensure transparency in the power sector and reduce costs for users.

Officials said the removal of the charge is part of broader efforts to make electricity services more consumer-friendly and restore public trust in the sector.

A severe energy shortage triggered by the Middle East war has forced the shutdown of India’s $6.5 billion ceramic production hub in Morbi, Gujarat. The once-bustling factories now stand idle, with only a few workers loading the last shipment produced three weeks ago. The disruption stems from the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has halted gas supplies critical to ceramic manufacturing.

According to the local producers’ association, most factories in Morbi, which accounts for about 80 percent of India’s ceramic output, have been closed for nearly a month due to the gas crisis. The industry, valued at around $8.1 billion, employs roughly 400,000 workers who are now affected. Factory owners report that both propane and natural gas supplies have dwindled, forcing them to suspend operations.

Advisers to the Morbi Ceramic Manufacturers Association said about 550 factories have stopped production, with only a few operating where gas is still available. The shutdown is expected to continue until April 15, raising concerns of domestic shortages as inventories decline from April onward.

The hill town of Bandarban, long known as one of Bangladesh’s most popular tourist destinations, is preparing for a new phase of tourism growth. Following a busy winter season when hotels and resorts were fully booked, the area has entered a quieter period during Ramadan. Local businesses are using this time for renovation and maintenance, aiming to attract visitors during the upcoming Eid holidays and beyond.

Hotel owners report strong performance in the last tourist season and expect good business between Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha. They have added new facilities and improved comfort to enhance visitor experience. Entrepreneurs note that despite Bangladesh’s tourism potential, the sector lags behind due to limited international branding and complex visa policies. They hope the new government will prioritize tourism development.

Newly elected Member of Parliament Saching Prue Jerry has pledged to protect the interests of small and medium tourism entrepreneurs. He emphasized developing eco-friendly resorts and homestays that preserve the natural environment while improving local livelihoods and promoting traditional crafts and cuisine internationally.

Global fertilizer supply chains have been severely disrupted following the United States and Israel’s military aggression against Iran, according to reports on March 29, 2026. Massive quantities of fertilizer shipments are stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, while fertilizer plants in India, Algeria, and Slovakia have either shut down or reduced production due to soaring natural gas prices. China has imposed an export ban on fertilizers, and Australian wheat farmers have cut production. Meanwhile, U.S. corn and soybean growers have sought subsidies from President Donald Trump.

The conflict has driven up oil and gas prices, intensifying global economic concerns. Fertilizer prices have surged worldwide, heightening food security risks in several regions. The Middle East, a major fertilizer-producing area after Russia, supplies about one-third of global fertilizer through the Hormuz Strait. Independent Commodity Intelligence Services expert Dipika Thapliyal warned that the shortage is pushing prices higher and could lead to widespread agricultural strain.

A World Trade Organization report last week cautioned that food supply risks are rising globally, particularly in Gulf countries dependent on imports. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the conflict has destabilized trade in energy, fertilizer, and food, marking one of the most volatile periods in 80 years.

Despite the enforcement of new IPO regulations, Bangladesh’s stock market is unlikely to see new company listings soon. Market insiders indicate that the ongoing IPO drought, lasting nearly two years, may continue for another year. The new rules require audited financial statements not older than 120 days and prohibit IPO applications based solely on half-yearly or quarterly reports. As a result, only companies with fiscal years ending June 30 may be eligible to apply later this year, but approvals could take up to two years.

Financial institutions and multinational companies, which could have applied earlier, are showing little interest. Many local financial firms lack profitability, while multinationals are not obligated or motivated to list. Bureaucratic delays and board-level approvals have further stalled government plans to offload shares in state-owned multinational ventures. Consequently, experts predict that no new company will be listed in 2026, extending the IPO-free period.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission’s new rules, effective from December 30, 2025, include stock exchange recommendations in the approval process. However, even with faster reviews, the timeline suggests minimal chance of new listings within the current year.

Bangladesh Bank has not recovered Tk 68,250 crore lent to 12 commercial banks, according to central bank sources. The loans, issued by printing money during the previous Awami League government and the subsequent interim administration, were meant to be repaid within three months but remain unpaid after more than a year. The funds were extended under the tenures of former governors Abdur Rouf Talukder and Ahsan H. Mansur. The banks include First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, ICB Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, National Bank, Padma Bank, AB Bank, BASIC Bank, and Premier Bank.

Industry observers said the banks became financially weak due to large-scale irregularities and mismanagement, particularly under groups such as S. Alam. Despite repeated liquidity support, the sector shows little improvement. Former chief economist Mustafa K. Mujeri described the assistance as a temporary relief that fails to address structural problems like default loans and corruption.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that the central bank was compelled to provide liquidity support to prevent depositor panic but acknowledged that such measures cannot continue indefinitely. The new governor is expected to decide on the next steps for the troubled banks.

The Gazipur-Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has become a major burden for the government after years of delays, flawed planning, and alleged corruption. Initiated in 2012 under the Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project, the 20.5-kilometer scheme aimed to provide a fast, affordable, and eco-friendly transit system. However, after spending over Tk 4,000 crore, the project remains incomplete, with its operations suspended since December 2024 and the route now used as a regular road. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) rejected proposals to extend the project’s duration and budget following revelations of design weaknesses and mismanagement.

Experts and former officials have described the project as one of the worst examples of corruption and poor planning, citing copied foreign designs unsuited to Bangladesh’s traffic system. A special committee is investigating financial irregularities and design flaws. Interim government adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud called for legal action against those responsible, while the current administration awaits the committee’s report before deciding future steps.

Despite widespread criticism, some project officials remain optimistic, claiming that once completed, the BRT could still offer efficient urban transport if technical issues are resolved.

Sri Lanka has reinstated fuel rationing and raised fuel prices by about 33 percent following the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28. Iran’s decision to halt most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for 20 percent of global oil and gas, has severely disrupted supplies to the island nation, which imports 60 percent of its energy needs through the strait. The government has introduced a QR-based rationing system similar to that used during the 2022 economic crisis, limiting weekly fuel allocations for vehicles and implementing a no-work-on-Wednesday policy to conserve fuel.

Officials say the government is absorbing part of the international price increase, resulting in monthly losses of $63 million. Bus fares have risen by more than 12 percent, while liquefied petroleum gas prices are up 8 percent. Negotiations are under way with Russia for fuel imports, and Sri Lanka has declined Iran’s offer due to lack of transport capacity. Experts warn that continued disruption could raise food prices by 15 percent and threaten food security, as fertiliser supplies are also affected.

President Anura Dissanayake’s administration is expanding storage capacity and pursuing agreements with India and the UAE to renovate facilities, but economists caution that the crisis’s duration remains unpredictable.

The World Trade Organization opened its 14th ministerial conference in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Thursday amid warnings of a potential “disorderly collapse” if members fail to agree on new global trade rules. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the world was experiencing the worst trade disruptions in 80 years and that the old world order would not return. The meeting comes as global economic turmoil, driven by conflict in the Middle East and rising protectionism, challenges the multilateral trading system.

Sharp divisions emerged among major economies over the WTO’s “most-favoured nation” (MFN) principle, which requires equal tariff treatment for all partners. The United States, represented by Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, criticized the system as unworkable and called for smaller group agreements. China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao defended MFN as the “bedrock” of global trade, warning against discriminatory treatment. The European Union proposed a more flexible framework, while the United Kingdom cautioned that failure to reach consensus could fragment the system.

The Yaounde gathering follows years of stalled negotiations, with the WTO’s consensus-based decision-making often paralyzed by individual objections, leaving the future of multilateral trade cooperation uncertain.

A severe fuel shortage has disrupted daily life in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur, where farmers, drivers, and residents are struggling to obtain fuel despite waiting in long queues. The crisis has been most visible at the Ma Sufia Filling Station near Kaunia Railgate, where many customers have returned empty-handed after hours of waiting. Station owner Shafiqul Islam Shafi said the shortage stems from limited supply, forcing them to distribute smaller quantities that quickly run out. He added that fuel distribution continued late into Friday night to manage the situation.

Local residents alleged that some unscrupulous traders are exploiting the crisis by selling petrol and octane at inflated prices ranging from Tk 400 to 500 per liter. They also complained about the lack of visible monitoring by the local administration, which they fear is encouraging black market activity. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Papia Sultana warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in illegal hoarding or overpricing.

Government sources, however, claimed there is no nationwide fuel shortage, a statement that has sparked public frustration due to the apparent mismatch with local conditions.

Passengers traveling from Rangpur to Dhaka after Eid have faced severe difficulties due to a shortage of buses and alleged fare manipulation. On Saturday, hundreds of travelers were seen waiting at the city’s Kamarpara bus stand, unable to secure tickets despite long waits. Reports indicate that brokers are selling tickets at inflated prices, with fares rising from the usual 800 taka to between 1,600 and 2,000 taka. Some passengers alleged that counters falsely claimed buses were fully booked while seats remained empty.

Bus counter officials offered a different explanation, citing a fuel shortage that reduced the number of operating buses from 18 to 12 on the route. They denied charging beyond government-approved fares, a claim passengers strongly disputed. On Friday night, travelers blocked the road at Modern Mor in protest against the excessive fares, halting traffic for two to three hours until police intervened.

Passengers fear that the situation may worsen as ticket demand remains high through March 29 and 30, potentially prolonging the travel disruption.

A single hilsa fish weighing 1.765 kilograms was sold for Tk 7,500 at the Patharghata BFDC fish port in Barguna on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The price per maund reached Tk 170,000, reflecting a sharp rise in demand ahead of Pahela Baishakh. The fish was auctioned at Munni Fish Arat, where several local traders competed before wholesaler and merchant fish trader Alhaj Zakir Hossain made the highest bid and purchased it.

Local trader Imran Hossain said the supply of hilsa in the market is currently very low as catches from the sea have almost stopped. The hilsa caught in the Baleshwar River that morning became a major attraction. He added that demand for large hilsa has increased several times before the festival, while smaller jatka hilsa are selling for about Tk 60,000 per maund.

Upazila Fisheries Officer Hasibul Haque stated that the government will impose a 58-day ban on deep-sea fishing next month to ensure fish breeding and growth, which could help increase future catches of large hilsa.

Bangladesh is experiencing continued unrest over fuel supply despite repeated government assurances of sufficient reserves. The disruption follows a U.S.-Israel joint attack on Iran on February 28, which triggered a wider Middle East conflict and severely affected global energy supply chains. As a result, fuel prices have surged worldwide, and panic buying has spread across Bangladesh. The government introduced and later withdrew a rationing system, but long queues at petrol stations persist.

Officials claim there is no shortage, citing ongoing subsidies of 16.7 billion taka per day and approval to import 300,000 metric tons of diesel. However, conflicting statements from distributors and petrol pump owners have fueled confusion. Reports of illegal hoarding and black-market sales have led to several raids and fines. Experts blame poor coordination among government agencies and weak monitoring for the crisis and urge integrated action to stabilize supply.

The Energy Ministry has vowed strict measures against fuel theft and hoarding, while the Petrol Pump Owners Association has urged the public to remain calm, expecting supply normalization soon.

Bangladesh has received official permission to export potatoes to Vietnam, marking a new opportunity for local farmers and exporters. The approval was granted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Hanoi. This authorization allows Bangladesh to begin formal potato exports to Vietnam for the first time.

Under Vietnam’s current regulations, any country wishing to export potatoes must register with the ministry by submitting required data and documentation. The Bangladesh Embassy, in coordination with the country’s commerce, agriculture, and food ministries, applied for registration in May of the previous year. After a detailed verification process, Vietnam granted final approval for Bangladeshi potato exports.

Bangladesh’s ambassador to Vietnam, Lutfor Rahman, described the decision as a milestone that could help reduce the trade deficit between the two nations. He noted that the move would benefit both exporters and marginal farmers, given Vietnam’s strong demand for potatoes. The embassy is also working to expand access for other agricultural products such as sesame.