A coordination dispute between the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board and Jiban Bima Corporation has left nearly Tk56 crore in insurance claims unpaid for about 1,000 migrant workers and their families through June this year. The claims involve deceased workers, workers who lost limbs, and those who returned home. Both institutions blame each other while families remain waiting. The family of Liton Mia, who died in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 9 last year, has not received insurance money, and the family of Jamal Mia, who died in Kuwait in January last year, has not received the Tk1 million benefit.

Mandatory insurance for migrant workers began under the 2018 Welfare Board Act. An agreement with Jiban Bima Corporation was signed in December 2019 and renewed in December 2023. Workers aged 18 to 55 pay a one-time Tk1,000 premium for a five-year policy. From 2019 through May this year, 5,773,062 workers joined the scheme, while the board paid Tk4.885 billion in premiums. Claim settlement stood at 56.11 percent through April.

Jiban Bima Corporation said the board’s new MIS software was not integrated with its system, creating a documentation backlog, and alleged more than Tk220 million in premiums remained due. A high-level review meeting on July 1 adopted several measures to address the crisis. Officials from both institutions said they were working on the software issue and expected insurance payments to be resolved quickly.

US President Donald Trump announced a pause in planned military strikes on Iran’s infrastructure, triggering a sharp decline in global crude oil prices. The report, published on August 3, said oil prices fell by more than $4 per barrel immediately after the announcement.

According to Reuters, Brent crude futures had fallen $4.08, or 4.64%, to $83.85 a barrel by early Monday Bangladesh time. US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $4.01, or 4.74%, to $80.66 a barrel over the same period.

Oil markets had previously faced major volatility as tensions rose in the Middle East. Prices for both crude benchmarks had increased by more than 20% after the United States resumed attacks on Iran last month and Iranian forces attacked several oil tankers in waters near Oman. Analysts said indications that Washington and Tehran may avoid military conflict had eased concerns about potential supply disruptions, contributing to the market decline.

Europe has been disrupted by intense heat and heatwaves, driving a sharp increase in demand for air conditioners. Chinese home-appliance companies are using China-Europe freight trains rather than conventional sea routes to supply the market faster, according to a report published on August 3, 2026. Major firms are seeking to move larger volumes in less time as demand rises across Europe.

At a special briefing, China’s National Development and Reform Commission said companies including Midea Group and Gree Electric Appliances had altered their logistics arrangements for faster air-conditioner deliveries. Sea shipments take about 40 days, compared with roughly 15 days by China-Europe freight train, reducing transport time by more than 60 percent. The report said Europe’s relatively limited local air-conditioner manufacturing capacity leaves much of its market dependent on Chinese production.

More than 80 percent of global air-conditioner production capacity is located in China’s Pearl River Delta, the report said. In the second quarter, the value of air conditioners and related parts carried by Guangzhou Railway Group’s China-Europe trains reached $52 million, with more than 100,000 complete units shipped. The rail network currently operates on 96 routes linking 236 cities in 26 European countries.

Power generation at the first, or Unit 1, of the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, was temporarily suspended after a mechanical fault was detected on Saturday. Plant authorities said they expect to restart the unit quickly after completing necessary repairs. Before the shutdown, the unit had been supplying 50 to 55 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.

Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant Chief Engineer Abu Bakar Siddique confirmed the development. He said the fault was identified and the required repair work had been completed. If everything remains in order, electricity generation from Unit 1 will resume within the night and its output will be connected to the national grid.

The plant's Unit 3 remains operational. The unit, which has a capacity of 275 megawatts, is currently generating about 175 megawatts for supply to the national grid. Meanwhile, the plant's Unit 2 has remained shut since 2020. The source did not provide further details on the nature of the mechanical fault or the reason for Unit 2's prolonged closure.

Bangladesh has proposed importing gas from Myanmar through a pipeline, prioritising expanded energy cooperation with its neighbouring country. The proposal was made during a meeting in Dhaka on August 2 between Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud and Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe. State Minister Anindya Islam Amit and senior ministry officials also attended the meeting at the Secretariat.

Mahmud said Bangladesh has significant domestic demand for natural gas and is particularly interested in obtaining fuel from Myanmar through a pipeline. The ambassador responded positively to the proposal and said the feasibility of supplying gas as LNG could also be discussed in detail. The energy minister gave a positive response to that suggestion.

The sides also expressed interest in reviving an earlier proposal for a pipeline from Myanmar to Chattogram. Mahmud proposed a ministerial-level meeting between relevant officials of both countries to advance bilateral energy discussions. He said he would formally invite Myanmar’s energy minister to visit Bangladesh and expressed interest in visiting Myanmar if needed. The ambassador suggested reviewing the matter through a Bangladesh-Myanmar joint technical committee.

Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) fined Nabisco Biscuit and Bread Factory Limited Tk 200,000 for marketing biscuits that weighed less than stated on their packages and for displaying differing, misleading weights on the front and back of the same packaging. A BSTI mobile court conducted the operation on Sunday in Tejgaon Industrial Area of Dhaka metropolitan city.

The court, led by BSTI Executive Magistrate Lutfunnesa Khanam, imposed the penalty under Section 24(41) of the Weights and Measures Standards Act, 2018. According to BSTI sources, officials checked the labelled weights of several Nabisco biscuit brands against registration certificate information during the operation. The products’ actual weights were found to be lower than the declared package weights.

The mobile court instructed the company to ensure accurate weights matching the information declared on packages when producing, selling and marketing products. It also warned that stricter legal action would follow if similar irregularities recur. Dhaka Metropolitan Police provided support during the operation, which was attended by relevant BSTI officials. BSTI said its mobile court and market-monitoring activities would continue to protect consumer rights, ensure correct weights and maintain fair trade conditions.

Bangladesh’s government has permitted green chilli imports and moved to reduce existing import taxes to curb rising prices. Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid announced the measures after visiting Shantinagar Kacha Bazar in the capital on August 2. He said imports would begin on Monday and expressed hope that prices would return to a tolerable level within two to five days.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muqtadir, the agriculture minister and State Minister for Food Md Abdul Bari inspected the market to review supplies, prices and overall conditions for essential goods. Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Md Abdus Salam was also present. The ministers spoke with buyers and sellers and sought information on the availability and prices of different daily necessities.

Green chillies were selling for Tk320 to Tk380 per kilogram in different markets in the capital, after reaching as high as Tk400 several days earlier. Muqtadir said the government would take all necessary measures to keep market conditions tolerable for consumers. Officials hope the steps will normalize supplies of green chillies and other essential products and restore price stability.

Bangladesh received $2.85 billion in remittances in the recently concluded month of July, 15.40 percent higher than in the same period a year earlier. Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed the figure in a report published on August 2, 2026.

Central bank data show that remittance inflows exceeded $3 billion for six consecutive months from December through May of the previous fiscal year. The monthly figures were $3.22 billion in December, $3.17 billion in January, $3.01 billion in February, $3.75 billion in March, $3.12 billion in April and $3.43 billion in May. March recorded the highest inflow during that six-month period.

In the final month of the fiscal year, June, remittances fell to $2.81 billion. The report said remittances have remained below $3 billion for the past two months. Expatriates sent a total of $35.56 billion to Bangladesh in fiscal year 2025-26, compared with $30.33 billion in the previous fiscal year, representing growth of 17.30 percent.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) raised the price of a 12-kilogram liquefied petroleum gas cylinder used for cooking by Tk70 to Tk1,598. The previous price was Tk1,528. According to the BERC notification issued on August 2, the revised rate will take effect from 6pm on Sunday.

BERC set the consumer-level retail price of private LPG at Tk133.15 per kilogram in line with international market conditions. The commission said it recalculated private LPG and autogas prices after considering higher international propane and butane prices, shipping costs, trader premiums and the exchange rate of the US dollar.

For August, Saudi Aramco's announced price for propane was $620 per metric ton and for butane was $640, with the average contract price set at $633 per metric ton. The adjustment also used $180 per metric ton for shipping and trader premiums and an average exchange rate of Tk123.69 per dollar. Under the new rates, a 5.5kg cylinder costs Tk732, while the largest 45kg cylinder is priced at Tk5,992.

Major General (Retd.) Dr Md Sahedul Islam has formally assumed office as the new secretary general of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, or BGMEA. The announcement concerning the country’s leading trade body for the ready-made garment sector was published on August 2, 2026.

Dr Islam has more than 35 years of experience in military leadership, international diplomacy and academia. While serving as defence attaché in Washington, DC, he received the United States’ Legion of Merit. He earned PhD, MPhil and MBA degrees from the University of Dhaka, including doctoral work on reviewing and developing workers’ skills, and a Master of Management Studies from Osmania University in India.

He previously served as dean at Bangladesh University of Professionals and as treasurer and professor at Central University of Science and Technology, and also played a role in UN peacekeeping missions. BGMEA leaders said they expect his leadership to support industry growth, skilled workforce development and responses to global challenges. He pledged to work with the BGMEA board and entrepreneurs on economic conditions, product and market diversification, skills development and strengthening Bangladesh’s international market position.

Bangladesh’s government is considering shifting retail electricity distribution and customer management to private companies, while retaining electricity generation and wholesale supply under state control. Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said the prime minister had given consent to move ahead with the idea, but stressed that it is not being implemented immediately and is still under study.

The government cites mounting financial pressure in the power sector, including Tk67,000 crore in overdue bills and a possible Tk41,000 crore subsidy requirement in the current fiscal year. The Power Development Board buys electricity at higher prices and sells it at lower, regulator-set rates to six distribution companies, with the government covering losses through subsidies. The minister said private management could improve efficiency, billing collection and supply operations.

Energy experts warn that privatization without a strong, independent regulator could raise consumer costs and create service disparities in remote, hilly or sparsely populated areas. They argue that strengthening the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, improving accountability and revising existing contracts should come before any transfer of distribution responsibilities. Concerns were also raised about workers’ futures and potentially opaque agreements.

Bangladesh has proposed importing gas from Myanmar through a pipeline, prioritising expanded energy cooperation with its neighbouring country. The proposal was made during a meeting in Dhaka on August 2 between Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud and Myanmar Ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe. State Minister Anindya Islam Amit and senior ministry officials also attended the meeting at the Secretariat.

Mahmud said Bangladesh has significant domestic demand for natural gas and is particularly interested in obtaining fuel from Myanmar through a pipeline. The ambassador responded positively to the proposal and said the feasibility of supplying gas as LNG could also be discussed in detail. The energy minister gave a positive response to that suggestion.

The sides also expressed interest in reviving an earlier proposal for a pipeline from Myanmar to Chattogram. Mahmud proposed a ministerial-level meeting between relevant officials of both countries to advance bilateral energy discussions. He said he would formally invite Myanmar’s energy minister to visit Bangladesh and expressed interest in visiting Myanmar if needed. The ambassador suggested reviewing the matter through a Bangladesh-Myanmar joint technical committee.

Bangladesh Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir met Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh Kyaw Soe Moe at the Commerce Ministry on August 2. They discussed expanding bilateral trade, increasing imports and exports, strengthening maritime transport links, LNG imports and opportunities for mutual investment. The meeting also addressed the safe, voluntary, sustainable and dignified repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingya people sheltering in Bangladesh.

Muqtadir said Bangladesh is committed to strengthening relations with neighbouring countries through mutual respect, trust and economic cooperation. He said matters involving trade, transport, investment and border connectivity that concern other ministries would be reviewed through inter-ministerial coordination. The ambassador expressed interest in raising trade volumes and said resuming long-suspended border trade could benefit businesses and people in both countries, possibly initially on a limited or temporary basis.

The sides exchanged views on trade in agricultural and fisheries products, rice, medicines and frozen food, while stressing stronger business-to-business contacts. Myanmar said verification of repatriation lists was continuing and that steps would be taken when security and field conditions allowed. Both sides supported regular institutional talks and joint committee meetings, and emphasized finalizing a proposed agreement on direct maritime and shipping links.

REHAB President Dr Ali Afzal said government policies, tax rules and registration procedures are forcing legally earned income in Bangladesh’s housing sector to remain undisclosed. In an interview published by Amar Desh on August 2, 2026, he said 95 percent of businesses involved in land and apartments were in poor condition. Construction costs have risen by more than 40 percent, pushing flat prices beyond many buyers’ means and discouraging new projects.

Afzal described provisions in the Detailed Area Plan, or DAP, as discriminatory and detached from reality. He argued that population growth had not been adequately considered in planning. He called for coordination between public and private parties, government responsibility for utility services, and consistent rules for approving high-rise buildings. He also said taxes on products used by support industries total about 44 percent and that property registration costs are high.

The REHAB chief proposed a one-stop service, approval of plans within 30 days of complete document submission, and an end to harassment at registrar offices. He estimated that Tk50,000 crore to Tk60,000 crore in flat transactions goes undisclosed annually, arguing that minimum-value registration rules make it difficult to report actual sale values and profits.

The BNP government has moved to fill long-standing vacancies at Bangladesh’s state-owned banks as part of its pledge to create 10 million new jobs in public and private sectors over five years. The Financial Institutions Division of the Finance Ministry has asked the banks for updated vacancy lists and information on the progress of recruitment. The banks have already submitted the requested information, according to the report published on August 2, 2026.

Basic Bank has 886 employees against 1,083 approved posts and 237 vacancies in grades six, nine and 10. It aims to fill 119 posts within 180 days and complete most recruitment by December. Agrani Bank has 6,248 vacancies; 323 candidates have been finally selected for certain posts, while recruitment for 400 senior officers is under way.

Sonali Bank has 6,218 vacant posts, followed by Janata Bank with 3,000, Rupali Bank with 1,470 and Bangladesh Development Bank with 810. Officials said half of grade nine and 10 vacancies are filled through direct recruitment and half through promotion. Janata Bank’s managing director said its board is not currently interested in new hiring because of its financial condition and focus on recovering defaulted loans.