Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the government is enhancing an online one-stop service system to streamline licensing and approval processes for investors. Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) in Dhaka, he said the initiative aims to eliminate the need for investors to visit multiple offices. The minister noted that while physical inspections for industrial or factory establishments cannot always be completed within 15 days due to safety and environmental checks, provisional licenses will be introduced to prevent delays in investment activities.

He explained that sector-specific licensing procedures are being developed, as requirements differ across industries such as power generation and textiles. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) will coordinate inspection schedules among relevant agencies to ensure a single, integrated inspection process. Muktadir also highlighted the government’s interest in promoting electric and hybrid vehicles to reduce fuel dependency and enhance transport sustainability.

JBCCI representatives emphasized the importance of simplifying licensing, expanding trade, and adopting sustainable technologies. The minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to creating a transparent and efficient business environment for Japanese investors.

The Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) has warned that the government’s plan to relocate Dhaka’s four inter-district bus terminals—Sayedabad, Mohakhali, Gabtoli, and Fulbaria—to the city’s outskirts could increase public suffering and safety risks. The government intends to move the terminals to Kanchpur, Hemayetpur, Tongi, and Keraniganj to ease traffic congestion in the capital.

According to IPD, shifting the terminals without ensuring adequate public transport connections and effective planning will not solve Dhaka’s traffic problems. Instead, it could raise travel costs, extend commuting times, and heighten security concerns, especially for women, children, and the elderly. The organization noted that the proposed sites are 15–20 kilometers from central Dhaka and lack reliable, affordable transport links.

IPD urged the government to cancel the relocation plan, improve management around existing terminals, and develop new depots in extended urban areas. It also recommended introducing quality feeder services, implementing the bus route rationalization project, and ensuring passenger safety through integrated terminal management.

Iran has resumed loading crude oil from its main export hub, Kharg Island, after a pause of about six weeks. The activity restarted following the withdrawal of a US naval blockade. According to available information, three large oil tankers, each capable of carrying up to two million barrels, are currently anchored at the Sea Island terminal. Satellite images show two of the ships docked while the third is approaching.

European Union satellite data indicated that until Friday, the jetties at the terminal had remained empty, with few large vessels seen since May. Analysts suggest that after a temporary understanding with the United States reduced tensions, Iran quickly reactivated its oil export operations and supply network. Additional reports note that some tankers near Chabahar port have transported around 20 million barrels of oil.

Despite ongoing security uncertainties that have led many international ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is gradually reintroducing vessels into the Persian Gulf. Analysts believe that with at least 20 more ships waiting east of the Gulf, Iran’s oil exports may increase further in the coming days.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said Bangladesh will need two years to recover from its fragile economic situation. He stated that the government aims to reduce reliance on borrowing and is exploring alternative financial strategies. The minister made these remarks on Sunday afternoon while speaking to journalists.

He explained that the government is reviewing various aspects to make the national budget more accurate and emphasized the importance of bringing more citizens under the tax net, even with small contributions. Chowdhury noted that the current administration inherited a heavy debt burden from the previous government, which he described as fascist, and that the 2026–27 fiscal budget is not yet perfect. However, he assured that efforts are ongoing to stabilize the economy within two years.

The minister also mentioned that many of the 1,300 projects initiated by the previous government were canceled due to inefficiency or lack of utility. He added that borrowing from local banks at 11–13 percent interest is unsustainable for the private sector and burdensome for the government, which plans to move away from such borrowing.

On June 15, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarek Rahman directed that four major bus terminals in Dhaka—Fulbaria-Gulistan, Gabtoli, Mohakhali, and Sayedabad-Jatrabari—be relocated outside the capital to ease chronic traffic congestion. The government says the move aims to bring all terminals and counters under a unified structure. Urban planners and transport experts have welcomed the decision but identified seven key challenges that could hinder its success.

The challenges include coordination among implementing agencies, infrastructural readiness, passenger connectivity from new terminals to the city, potential traffic shifts to city outskirts, slow progress in bus route rationalization, resistance from transport unions, and ensuring passenger safety. Experts warn that without proper feasibility studies, land acquisition, and modern facilities, the relocation could remain a political promise rather than a practical solution. They also caution that moving terminals without improving route management and intercity transport systems may simply transfer congestion elsewhere.

Specialists emphasize that transparent project execution, stakeholder cooperation, and passenger-oriented planning are essential for the initiative to reduce Dhaka’s severe traffic problems effectively.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam announced that the direct flight between Dhaka and New York will not begin before 2028. She explained that it will take at least five years for new Boeing aircraft to join the Biman Bangladesh Airlines fleet. In the meantime, the government plans to lease aircraft from Airbus to maintain operations. She made these remarks while speaking to journalists after inaugurating a workshop on the National Civil Aviation Master Plan at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat added that Prime Minister Tareq Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 16. He expressed hope that the Japanese contractor will complete the construction before the inauguration date.

The workshop was organized to formulate the country’s first integrated National Civil Aviation Master Plan, with participation from senior officials of the Civil Aviation Ministry, CAAB, the armed forces, and other relevant agencies.

Bangladesh Bank’s Financial Stability Report 2025 reveals that due to High Court stay orders, banks cannot classify Tk 182,419 crore in loans as defaults. These stays stem from 845 writ petitions filed by 1,379 borrowers, allowing them to appear as regular clients and access new loans and rescheduling facilities. The report shows that the volume of loans under court protection rose by nearly 80 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year.

The central bank notes that this legal tactic hides the true scale of non-performing loans and strains liquidity across the banking sector. Some borrowers have used these stays to qualify for national elections despite outstanding debts. Former Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H. Mansur criticized the widespread issuance of such stays, calling them harmful to financial stability. The central bank has directed banks to strengthen their legal teams to expedite loan recovery cases.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, total non-performing loans, including those under litigation, now amount to Tk 771,123 crore, with the sector posting a combined net loss of Tk 136,666 crore last year.

Beximco Pharmaceuticals, the only Bangladeshi company listed on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) since 2005, is facing a major risk of delisting. The company failed to publish its audited financial statements for the 2024–25 fiscal year within the required six months, leading to suspension of its Global Depository Receipt (GDR) trading since January 2, 2026. Under AIM rules, if GDR trading remains suspended for six months, the company may be delisted by early July.

Six institutional investors in London have written to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) seeking a resolution to avoid delisting. BSEC confirmed it is treating the matter seriously to protect investor interests and Bangladesh’s image. The company’s shares continue normal trading on the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges, but only GDRs are traded in London.

The delay stems from a legal dispute over BSEC’s appointment of independent directors to Beximco Group companies, which halted board meetings needed to approve the financial report. BSEC officials said trading can resume only after court resolution and board approval of the pending audit.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has assured full cooperation to investors interested in reviving closed and loss-making state-owned factories. Speaking at a roadshow for domestic and foreign investors at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday, he urged business leaders to move forward with confidence, promising all possible assistance from the government. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Industries, the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

Rahman emphasized that the government’s main responsibility is to remove obstacles and create pathways to overcome challenges, but acknowledged that this cannot be achieved by the government alone. He called for collective effort, noting that gradual and planned action can solve existing problems. During the three-hour discussion, detailed information on 44 factories was presented, including their locations, infrastructure, investment incentives, and expansion potential.

Business representatives participated in an open discussion, raising around 50 questions that were addressed by relevant authorities. Senior ministers, advisers, and top officials attended the event, along with representatives from major Bangladeshi industrial groups and several Japanese corporations and organizations.

The United Arab Emirates has significantly reduced the approval time for tourist visas to make travel easier for visitors. According to the report, 30- and 60-day single-entry tourist visas are now being issued within a maximum of 48 hours after submission of required documents. Alongside the faster visa process, the UAE has announced special summer discounts at hotels, entertainment venues, and popular attractions across Dubai.

Travel industry representatives noted that the combination of quick visa approvals and seasonal discounts is expected to attract more tourists this summer. Many hotels are offering rooms starting from 139 dirhams, roughly 4,645 Bangladeshi taka, with well-known brands such as Rove Hotels providing limited-time offers. Popular activities like desert safaris, jet skiing, and buggy rides are also being offered at reduced prices, with some operators giving up to 50 percent discounts for advance bookings.

Applicants can apply for visas online through Emirates’ website by submitting a valid passport, recent photo, hotel booking proof, and confirmed flight ticket. Most applications are processed within 48 hours, though some may be approved even faster in special cases.

The Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh has expressed deep concern over the government's decision to retain the existing 10 percent income tax on private universities in the national budget. In a statement signed by the association’s director Belal Ahmed, the organization called on the government to reconsider the tax policy in the interest of students and the higher education sector.

According to the statement, the association had earlier presented the rationale for withdrawing the tax to the Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission, the National Board of Revenue, and other policymakers, but no positive response was received. It noted that private universities already pay significant amounts in VAT and other taxes for infrastructure, technology, laboratories, and educational services. The additional 10 percent income tax, the association warned, would hinder institutional development and indirectly increase the cost of higher education for students.

The association emphasized that private universities operate as non-profit entities under existing law, and imposing income tax raises a policy question internationally. It urged authorities to view investment in education as a long-term investment in human resource development rather than an expense.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has drawn renewed international attention as talks on easing economic sanctions between the United States and Iran gain momentum. Reports indicate that despite years of Western restrictions, the IRGC has maintained a strong presence across key sectors of Iran’s economy, including energy, construction, ports, shipping, telecommunications, and infrastructure development.

According to a report by The Times of Israel, any potential agreement between Washington and Tehran could boost foreign investment and oil exports in Iran. However, much of this economic activity is expected to flow through existing domestic networks where the IRGC holds significant influence. Analysts suggest that IRGC-linked companies could become essential partners for foreign investors due to Iran’s joint-venture business structure.

Experts warn that while sanctions relief could expand IRGC-affiliated business networks, Western companies may face legal and diplomatic risks because several countries classify the IRGC as a banned or terrorist organization. The potential deal could therefore reshape both Iran’s political relations and its internal economic power balance.

Road Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that direct train operations on the Pabna-Dhaka route will begin in August. He made the statement on Saturday evening at a meeting with government officials and local dignitaries at the Pabna Circuit House. The minister said locomotives for the route are ready, and new coaches are expected to arrive in July. Once the coaches are received, the direct service will start on a priority basis.

He added that two new train routes are planned to launch in August, starting with the Dhaka-Pabna service followed by the Dhaka-Khulna route. The minister also emphasized restoring discipline in the transport sector through coordinated efforts involving owners, workers, and all stakeholders, prioritizing public interest over any specific group.

Regarding the relocation of the Kazirhat ferry terminal, Robiul Alam stated that preliminary work has begun, including completion of the feasibility study and development project proposal. The government is committed to implementing the project promptly, considering its public importance and long-standing local demand.

At a roundtable organized by the Agriculturists Forum of Bangladesh (AFB) at the National Press Club, experts and civil society representatives said the proposed 2026–27 national budget includes some positive steps for agriculture but lacks bold measures to address long-term challenges in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors. They presented 13 recommendations aimed at sustainable agricultural development, food security, and farmers’ income growth.

Speakers noted that while the budget offers tax and duty exemptions on fertilizers, pesticides, veterinary inputs, and poultry equipment, as well as plans to expand grain storage and cold storage facilities, the overall allocation increase for the broader agriculture sector is only 2.25 percent—far below the national budget growth rate. They also highlighted that allocations for fisheries and livestock have declined by 18.45 percent from the previous year. Barrister A.S.M. Shahriar Kabir described the budget as deceptive and fiscally unrealistic.

AFB participants urged the government to allocate at least 10 percent of the total budget to agriculture, expand research funding, establish crop insurance and coastal agriculture authorities, and strengthen policies for processing and export of agricultural products.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Maulana Zahirul Islam, elected from Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali), emphasized the importance of using modern technology in agriculture to make farmers more aware and skilled. He made the remarks on Saturday morning while addressing the 'Partner Field School Congress' as the chief guest at the Upazila Parishad auditorium in Banshkhali.

The congress was organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension under the 'Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh (PARTNER)' project for the fiscal year 2025–26. The event featured presentations on the project's activities, achievements, and future plans by Upazila Agriculture Officer Shyamal Chandra Sarkar. Special guest Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, a member of Chattogram South District BNP and former chairman, also spoke at the event.

Presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ruhul Amin, the congress was attended by agricultural officials, farmers, field school members, and local dignitaries. Speakers highlighted the need to expand technology use in farming to boost productivity and ensure sustainable agriculture.