According to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Amar Desh Online, Iran exported crude oil worth about $6 billion to China within 20 days after the United States temporarily lifted its export sanctions. The sanctions were lifted on June 17, 2026, following an agreement signed in Islamabad, but were reimposed on July 7 amid renewed tensions. During this brief window, Iran shipped nearly 70 million barrels of crude oil to China using around 20 tankers routed through Malaysia’s eastern coast.

The report stated that Iran took full advantage of the short sanction-free period to boost its oil exports. China remains Iran’s largest oil buyer, purchasing about 90 percent of its total exports. Even during previous sanction periods, Iranian tankers reportedly transferred oil to Chinese vessels in the Eastern Outer Port Limits area of the South China Sea.

After sanctions were reinstated on July 7, the United States also imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, preventing Iranian ships from leaving and foreign vessels from entering.

After India resumed visa services for Bangladeshi citizens following a long suspension, Kolkata’s major commercial areas such as New Market and Marquis Street have remained unusually quiet. Local traders and hotel owners had expected a revival of business once visas reopened, but the anticipated influx of Bangladeshi tourists has not materialized. Many attribute this reluctance to political tensions, safety concerns, and the growing appeal of alternative destinations.

Social media discussions among Bangladeshis reveal widespread apprehension about traveling to India, citing reports of hostility toward Muslims and fears of harassment. Some travelers emphasize that personal safety and hospitality are now their top priorities. The political climate and negative rhetoric from Indian political groups have further discouraged potential visitors.

As a result, many Bangladeshis are exploring other destinations such as China, the Maldives, Thailand, Nepal, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. Kolkata’s tourism-dependent economy is suffering, with hotel occupancy and retail sales plummeting. Local business owners warn that unless safety and respect are restored in travelers’ perceptions, the city’s tourism and trade sectors may face a deeper crisis.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a strict ultimatum to 29 banks with high levels of default loans, directing them to reduce their non-performing loan (NPL) ratios within six months. Banks with NPLs above 20 percent must bring them below that threshold, while those already under 20 percent must lower them to below 10 percent. Failure to comply will result in the transfer of default loans to an asset management company. The directive was delivered by Governor Mostakur Rahman during meetings with managing directors of the affected banks held between July 12 and 19, 2026.

The central bank emphasized that no dividends can be distributed from unrealized interest on toxic assets and instructed banks to resolve long-standing classified loans through legal or alternative dispute resolution processes. It also warned against irregularities and urged bank boards to act independently of political pressure. According to Bangladesh Bank data, the country’s overall default loan ratio rose to 32.26 percent by March 2026, the highest in South Asia.

Officials said the move aims to restore stability in the banking sector by enforcing strict monitoring and accountability among weak banks.

US-Bangla Airlines Managing Director Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said Bangladesh cannot become a developed nation without strengthening its aviation sector. He made the remarks on Sunday at a press event in Cox’s Bazar marking the airline’s tenth anniversary. Mamun emphasized that aviation ensures connectivity and should be a national priority. He criticized high cargo export costs and the lack of government support during crises such as the pandemic and fuel price hikes, describing the sector as operating under a “go-it-alone” policy.

He noted that nine airlines have shut down in recent years due to high landing, parking, and fuel costs, heavy taxes, and policy complications. US-Bangla plans to expand to 30 destinations in 20 countries by 2027, adding 21 new aircraft and developing Chattogram and Sylhet as regional hubs. Mamun urged journalists to promote domestic airlines and report responsibly on technical issues.

He also announced plans to build a healthcare city on 1,000 bighas of land, send students abroad for pilot training, and establish a data center and software park, all funded without bank loans.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines plans to lease 10 aircraft by 2027 to expand its international routes and increase passenger capacity. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the initiative aims to address the airline’s short-term capacity gap until 14 new Boeing aircraft are added to the fleet from 2031. Initially, three aircraft will be leased, with the number potentially increasing based on operational needs and route expansion strategies.

The government has emphasized transparency in the leasing process and has begun selecting an international consultant to oversee it. Around 40 applications have been received, and one qualified firm will be chosen. The leasing plan is separate from Biman’s $3.7 billion Boeing purchase agreement. As part of the initiative, Biman has invited proposals for a six-year dry lease of three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, expected to join the fleet in early 2027.

The expansion comes amid rapid growth in Bangladesh’s aviation sector, with private airlines like US-Bangla, Air Astra, and Novoair also pursuing fleet and route expansions to capture a larger share of the international passenger market.

A Bangladesh-flagged vessel, MV Jahan Brothers-2, arrived at Pakistan’s Gwadar port on Saturday after sailing from Singapore. The ship is carrying more than 53,000 tons of prime steel billets, which will later be transported to the Al Hamriya port in the United Arab Emirates. The cargo will be temporarily unloaded and stored at Gwadar before being reloaded onto another vessel for onward shipment.

According to Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, the operation is part of a transshipment process linking regional ports. Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor-ul-Haq Baloch stated that despite regional challenges, port and commercial activities continue uninterrupted, and Gwadar is positioning itself as a safe, reliable, and efficient regional trade hub.

The development highlights Gwadar’s growing role in regional logistics and its efforts to attract more transshipment traffic through improved operational reliability.

Forkan Haider Chowdhury, ambassador and adviser of Netherlands-based United Dutch Exporters (Unidex), said that opportunities for Bangladeshi food products in European markets are expanding. He emphasized that ensuring international standards, building long-term business relationships, and maintaining regular market connections could further increase demand for Bangladeshi goods. The current market value of these exports already exceeds hundreds of crores of taka annually.

Unidex, founded in 1989 by Roland Jansen, has grown from a small operation into one of Europe’s largest ethnic food distribution networks. The company operates in both ethnic and mainstream retail markets, supplying products across Europe from Helsinki to Malta. It sources food items from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Norway, China, and Bangladesh. Under Chowdhury’s initiative, Bangladeshi brands such as Pran, BD Food, Ifad, and Danish have entered European markets through Unidex.

Recently, Unidex merged with the Europe-based Asian Food Group, significantly increasing its purchasing power and distribution capacity. Chowdhury noted that this expansion creates new opportunities for producers from Bangladesh and other countries to access European markets.

The government of Bangladesh is preparing to implement a Tk 6,000 crore project aimed at improving border connectivity roads under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). A Development Project Proposal (DPP) titled 'Border Connectivity Road Rural Infrastructure Development Project' has been prepared, with an estimated cost of Tk 5,991.28 crore and a project duration from July 2026 to June 2031. A letter signed by LGED’s acting chief engineer Belal Hossain was sent to the Local Government Division secretary on July 12, requesting necessary approval.

According to the source, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has not yet been involved or informed about the project. However, a senior BGB officer acknowledged that poor road conditions currently hinder troop movement and welcomed the government’s initiative. Rangpur Range DIG Aminul Islam and Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam both stated that improved border roads would help curb smuggling, illegal entry, and enhance rapid response capabilities.

The project proposal follows a series of reports published by the newspaper highlighting challenges faced by BGB and border residents, prompting LGED to take this development initiative.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has deployed special teams across Bangladesh to strengthen monitoring and verification of tax deduction at source. According to an official statement issued on Sunday by NBR’s Public Relations Officer Al Amin Sheikh, the teams are inspecting various commercial and economic institutions under the authority granted by Section 147 of the Income Tax Act, 2023.

The NBR notice explained that under Section 147, tax officials are empowered to enter business premises, examine financial records, and access digital systems, including cloud servers and encrypted data, to verify the authenticity of tax deductions. They may temporarily seize relevant documents or electronic devices and mark or seal copies of records as needed. The law also provides for penalties in cases of obstruction or non-cooperation during these operations.

The NBR urged taxpayers to deposit deducted taxes into the government treasury through e-challan using the correct legal provisions and economic codes. It also advised taxpayers to contact the Section 147 committee’s member secretary via email for assistance in case of confusion, complexity, or grievances related to the enforcement of the law.

An opinion article published on July 19, 2026, highlights Bangladesh’s persistent struggle to eliminate brokers from the overseas employment process. Despite having formal institutions such as BMET, BOESL, DEMO offices, technical training centers, and digital tools like the OIM-BMET platform and Ami Probashi app, the system remains inaccessible to many rural job seekers. The article notes that in 2023, over 1.1 million workers went abroad, but only 1.3 percent used the state recruiting agency BOESL, reflecting a major gap between policy and field reality.

The author cites findings from the World Bank, CPD, and ITUC showing that weak data integration, limited outreach, and informal recruitment practices allow brokers to dominate the process, often charging excessive fees and exploiting workers. To address this, the article proposes embassy-based Labor Market Development Cells, one-stop support for foreign employers, performance-based incentives for officials, and integrated upazila-level assistance centers combining existing agencies.

It further calls for transparent cost disclosure, verified contracts, expanded training linked to real labor demand, and direct access to low-interest loans. The author argues that investing a small portion of remittance income in these reforms would strengthen worker safety and national economic stability.

US energy company HKN Energy has suspended all operations in Iraq’s Kurdistan region due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The decision was reported by Kurdish media outlet Rudaw, citing a company official. It came only days after HKN signed an agreement with Iraq’s oil ministry to develop the Hamrin oil field in Salahuddin province. The deal, signed on July 9, aimed to raise daily oil output to 140,000 barrels and gas production to 40 million cubic feet.

The suspension follows a series of drone attacks in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah provinces that killed nine members of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group. The deteriorating security situation prompted the company to halt its activities. Earlier, UAE-based Dana Gas had also temporarily suspended operations at the Khor Mor gas field near Sulaymaniyah, citing credible threats.

The back-to-back suspensions highlight growing instability in northern Iraq’s energy sector as regional tensions intensify.

The Government of Bangladesh will launch the pilot phase of the 'Probashi Card' next month to provide multifaceted services for expatriate Bangladeshis. The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office, where it was announced that the trial launch will take place in mid-August. The initiative aims to enhance the social status, empowerment, and financial inclusion of expatriates through dual-currency cards enabling international payments and banking services.

According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, the Probashi Card will offer at least ten special benefits, including complimentary airport lounge access, priority immigration booths, meet-and-greet services, discounts on air tickets and hotel bookings, affordable car rentals, airport pick-and-drop for signature cardholders, dedicated service booths at government hospitals, and special discounts at private hospitals. Additional privileges include free repatriation of deceased cardholders, rehabilitation and insurance for returnees, priority in land registration and utility services, and remittance-linked financial incentives.

Initially, Janata Bank will issue the debit cards, targeting 50,000 cards by December 2026 and 200,000 by June 2027. In the second phase, Probashi Kallyan Bank will manage all related operations.

Iraq and the United States signed 48 agreements and memorandums of understanding during Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit to Washington. The deals include major partnerships in the energy sector, particularly oil, involving companies such as ExxonMobil, KBR, GE Vernova, Shell, and Halliburton. Iraq also reached agreements with Syria on constructing a crude oil pipeline and signed a deal with satellite communications firm Starlink to launch its services in the country.

Iraq, rich in oil resources, is seeking to rebuild its economy after decades of war and instability. The country continues to face challenges including weak infrastructure, poor public services, mismanagement, and widespread corruption. The recent halt in oil exports due to regional conflicts has severely impacted state revenues, prompting Baghdad to seek urgent investment and cooperation.

Prime Minister al-Zaidi, who took office earlier this year with U.S. support, has pledged to strengthen Iraq’s fragile economy and disarm Iran-backed armed groups. Iraq continues to balance its diplomatic relations between the United States and neighboring Iran.

Chinese-owned Huaran Tex Company Limited will invest 30 million US dollars to establish a textile manufacturing factory at the BEPZA Economic Zone in Mirsarai, Chattogram. The land lease agreement between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Huaran Tex was signed on July 16 at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka. The factory, to be built on 36,000 square meters of land, will produce 24,000 tons of yarn and 20 million meters of grey woven fabric annually once fully operational, creating employment for 580 Bangladeshi workers.

The agreement was signed by BEPZA Member (Investment Promotion) Md. Tanvir Hossain and Huaran Tex Managing Director Mr. Bin Wang, with BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain witnessing the ceremony. Senior officials from BEPZA and representatives of the company were also present.

During the event, the BEPZA Executive Chairman thanked Huaran Tex for choosing the BEPZA Economic Zone as its investment destination and reaffirmed BEPZA’s commitment to providing a secure, modern, and business-friendly environment for investors.

The Department of Architecture under the Ministry of Housing and Public Works has issued a recruitment notice to fill 33 positions across nine categories. According to the announcement, applications opened on July 15, 2026, at 10 a.m. and will remain open until August 6, 2026, at 5 p.m. Interested candidates must apply online, and both men and women are eligible. The appointments will be made on a temporary basis, and selected candidates may be posted anywhere in the country.

Applicants must be between 18 and 32 years of age as of July 1, 2026, though departmental candidates for position number five may apply up to age 37. Affidavits will not be accepted as proof of age. Applications must include a scanned photograph sized 300×300 pixels and a signature sized 300×80 pixels. Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.

Application fees must be paid through Teletalk pre-paid SIM within 72 hours. The fee is 168 taka for positions 1 and 2, 112 taka for positions 3 to 8, and 56 taka for position 9.