Afghan business representatives and leading Bangladeshi pharmaceutical manufacturers have reached a direct agreement to import medicines from Bangladesh to Afghanistan. The understanding was finalized during a visit to Dhaka by a delegation led by Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry, Maulvi Ahmadullah Zahid. According to a statement from the Afghan ministry, the delegation visited two major Bangladeshi drug producers, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited and Renata PLC.

The statement described these companies as among Bangladesh’s top pharmaceutical exporters, currently supplying medicines to around 50 countries. During the visit, Deputy Minister Zahid invited Bangladeshi investors to establish pharmaceutical production facilities in Afghanistan, asserting that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan fully supports industrial and manufacturing sectors and ensures all necessary facilities for investment.

Additionally, Dr. Naimullah Ayubi, Director General of the Department of Medicine and Health Product Regulation under Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health, said Bangladeshi manufacturers would receive full cooperation under existing policies. The agreement marks a step toward strengthening bilateral trade in pharmaceuticals between the two countries.

Israeli media reported that the country’s once-profitable agricultural export industry is facing a severe crisis as international opposition to Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza begins to affect trade. Orders for Israeli lemons and mangoes from Europe and Asia have nearly stopped, leaving farmers fearing a total collapse of this key economic sector. Some farmers, including orchard managers and former military officials, said they are operating at a loss since the war began.

According to reports from Kan 11 and Middle East Monitor, many farmers acknowledge that the main reason for the export decline is global outrage over Israel’s actions in Gaza, despite citing supply disruptions and Red Sea blockades. Some farmers have refused to sell produce to Gaza’s Palestinian market, even at the cost of heavy financial losses, citing ideological opposition to Hamas. The Citrus Growers Organization confirmed that no containers have been exported since the war started.

The crisis has left hundreds of tons of fruit rotting in northern Israel and forced producers to rely on local markets. Analysts noted that this agricultural decline reflects a broader economic downturn, with Israel’s overall economic activity dropping 26 percent in late 2023.

Electricity generation at the first unit of the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur resumed at 9:03 p.m. on Wednesday after a three-day shutdown. The plant’s chief engineer, Md. Abu Bakkar Siddique, confirmed that production had been halted on January 18 at 11:15 a.m. due to a boiler tube rupture. Following repairs, firing began at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, and the unit returned to production later that night.

According to plant sources, Barapukuria has three units: the first and second units each have a capacity of 125 megawatts, while the third unit has a capacity of 275 megawatts. The second unit has remained closed since November 2020 due to mechanical issues, and the third unit has been offline since October 16 of last year. The first unit has faced repeated shutdowns in recent months, including four stoppages in the past two months.

The chief engineer stated that the first unit will now produce an average of 50 to 60 megawatts daily, requiring 700 to 800 metric tons of coal per day. Repair work on the 275-megawatt third unit is ongoing and is expected to be completed by mid-March if conditions remain stable.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has announced a temporary suspension of its Dhaka-Sylhet-Manchester route, effective from March 1, 2026. The airline cited fleet shortages, operational pressure, and economic inefficiency as the main reasons behind the decision. According to a press release issued on Thursday, the Manchester route is currently not profitable, and the long-haul flights occupy aircraft for several days, creating additional strain on fleet management.

The airline explained that during the Hajj season, it must operate extra flights to transport large numbers of passengers within a limited time, requiring adjustments to other routes. Due to high demand on Middle Eastern routes, particularly from expatriate workers and Umrah travelers, Biman decided to allocate its limited wide-body Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft to more viable destinations. Routine maintenance, engine overhauls, and a global crew shortage have further intensified operational challenges.

To ease passenger inconvenience, Biman has increased London route frequency to five flights per week and offered ticket refunds or rerouting via London without extra charges. The airline stated that new aircraft procurement and crew recruitment are underway, and the Manchester route may resume once capacity improves.

Pakistan’s state-owned Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has announced the discovery of new oil and natural gas reserves in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to a notice filed with the Pakistan Stock Exchange, production has begun from the exploratory well ‘Baragzai X-01’ in Kohat district, yielding approximately 3,100 barrels of crude oil and 8.15 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. Two other wells in the same area are already producing oil and gas.

OGDCL stated that the new discovery will help narrow the gap between domestic energy demand and supply while boosting Pakistan’s hydrocarbon reserves. With the addition of the new output, the Baragzai fields are now producing about 9,480 barrels of oil daily, accounting for roughly 14.5 percent of the country’s total crude oil production. Pakistan currently produces around 66,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

The announcement comes as Pakistan intensifies efforts to expand domestic oil and gas production and reduce dependence on costly imports amid ongoing economic challenges. Last year, the government signed five exploration agreements with local and international companies for three offshore and two onshore blocks.

Bangladesh Bank has proposed a new rule limiting bank directors to a maximum of three consecutive months of leave per year, as part of the draft Bank Companies (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. The proposal aims to strengthen governance after reports that many directors remained absent for extended periods while retaining their positions. The draft has been published by the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance for stakeholder feedback, and a meeting chaired by Secretary Nazma Mobarek was recently held to discuss it.

The draft also includes a proposal to restrict individuals, families, or institutions from holding significant shares in multiple banks simultaneously. Under the proposed rule, anyone holding 2% or more of a bank’s shares cannot hold 2% or more in another bank. The Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB) has opposed this shareholding restriction, arguing that general shareholders do not directly influence bank policy decisions. However, Bangladesh Bank officials maintain that the measure is necessary to prevent excessive control by business groups that have previously harmed the sector.

If enacted, the new law would automatically cancel the position of any director absent from board meetings beyond the permitted period, ensuring stricter accountability in bank governance.

A severe shortage of lighter vessels has caused a major operational crisis at Chattogram port, where more than 85 mother vessels carrying over 300,000 tons of goods are stranded at the outer anchorage. Importers are reportedly paying daily waiting charges of 12,000 to 15,000 dollars per vessel, which is expected to impact consumer prices. Business groups fear the situation could worsen ahead of Ramadan.

Officials said large ships cannot dock directly at the port due to insufficient draft, requiring goods to be unloaded onto smaller lighter vessels for inland transport. Although about 1,500 lighter vessels exist on paper, fewer than 1,000 are active. Around 40 percent of vessels are currently stuck elsewhere, many being used as floating warehouses by fertilizer importers and industrial groups. The Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell (BWTCC) has been unable to meet demand for over a month, intensifying the congestion.

Port authorities have launched enforcement drives against vessels idling for more than 72 hours, while business leaders call for coordinated action among port, transport, and vessel owners to resolve the crisis and prevent further disruption to essential commodity supply.

Bangladesh Bank has decided to provide a 4 percent annual profit rate to depositors of five banks currently undergoing a merger process for the years 2024 and 2025. The central bank communicated this decision to the administrators of the five banks through an official letter issued on Wednesday. This move replaces an earlier decision to suspend profit payments for the same period, which had sparked strong dissatisfaction among depositors.

According to a directive from the Bank Regulation Department, the earlier suspension of profit on fixed-term deposits under the Islamic Bank Company formation and expansion regulations has been reconsidered. The revision came following appeals from depositors and to maintain normal banking operations. Under the new decision, the 4 percent profit rate will apply to personal (non-institutional) deposits from January 1, 2024, to December 28, 2025.

Banks have been instructed to recalculate deposit balances as of the last working day of 2025 and submit revised statements to the central bank within three working days. If any depositor has already received a higher profit, the excess will be adjusted against future earnings, while previous instructions remain valid for deposits not covered by the new decision.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that tariffs imposed by his administration were targeted only at countries with which the United States has trade deficits. Speaking at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump described the decision as fair and claimed that most people understand the reasoning behind it. He acknowledged that some have been negatively affected but maintained that the overall policy was justified.

Trump also stated that in some cases, tariff rates had been reduced. He cited Switzerland as an example, noting that an initial 30 percent tariff was later lowered because he did not want to cause harm to people. During his remarks, Trump further asserted that the United States is sustaining the entire world.

The comments, reported by the BBC, reflect Trump’s continued defense of his trade policies on the global stage, emphasizing fairness and national interest as key motivations behind the tariff measures.

Food and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said rice prices are expected to decrease within the next few days. He made the remark on Wednesday afternoon while speaking to journalists at the Kushtia Collectorate premises before attending a meeting on referendum campaigning and voter motivation. Majumder stated that the government has initiated the process to import about 600,000 tons of rice, while private importers have received approval to bring in another 200,000 tons. He said the impact of these imports would benefit consumers, and the government currently holds a record stock of 2.1 million tons of rice.

Addressing the recent price rise in Kushtia markets, Majumder said discussions with mill owners revealed that prices had increased by about two taka but would likely drop within a few days. He added that from the next day, Open Market Sale (OMS) operations would run daily in every upazila, and import permissions through letters of credit from neighboring countries had been granted. Majumder also emphasized that the government aims to maintain stability and prevent unrest similar to that of 2024 through reforms and coordination with political parties and experts.

He further instructed local administrations to ensure a fear-free environment for voters and to take action against anyone attempting to disrupt the election process.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur stated that the country’s current 61 banks far exceed its actual needs, suggesting that 10 to 15 banks would be sufficient. He made the remarks on Wednesday at Jagannath University during a discussion titled “Banking Sector: Current Challenges and Future Prospects.” Mansur emphasized that reducing the number of banks would make it easier to ensure good governance. He added that the government plans to merge state-owned banks, keeping only two in operation.

The governor warned that personal or individual-centric decisions should not influence the banking sector, noting that a lack of proper governance has pushed the sector toward crisis. He stressed the need for comprehensive reforms across all areas of banking. Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim, speaking as a special guest, said the governor’s leadership is crucial in reviving a nearly collapsed sector. He expressed optimism that ongoing initiatives would help restore stability and sustain positive progress.

The event was attended by faculty members, students, and economists including Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah and Dr. Mohammad Helal Uddin.

The Bangladesh government will provide an additional Tk 10 million to the family of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, for their livelihood. Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed announced that the amount will come from the Chief Adviser’s Fund. Earlier, the Ministry of Finance approved another Tk 10 million for the purchase of a flat or house for the family. The announcement was made on Wednesday after a meeting of the government’s advisory committee on public procurement at the Secretariat.

According to the Finance Division, the Housing and Public Works Ministry had applied for a grant to buy a flat for Hadi’s family. The proposal was approved on the condition that the identities of Hadi’s wife and children are verified. The allocation covers the purchase and furnishing of a 1,215-square-foot apartment in the government’s Doel Tower at Lalmatia, Dhaka. The ministry will use part of its existing Tk 60 million residential building budget for the current fiscal year.

The allocation requires compliance with all financial regulations, inclusion in the revised 2025–26 budget, and return of any unspent funds to the treasury by June 30.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of 27.15 million liters of refined soybean oil from the international market at a cost of Tk 357.62 crore, with each liter priced at Tk 131.49. The decision was made on Wednesday at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. The procurement will be conducted under the Direct Purchase Method (DPM) to ensure adequate supply and market stability ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to meeting sources, the Ministry of Commerce proposed the urgent import to meet increased demand during Ramadan. After evaluation by the tender committee, the purchase was finalized from Canada-based NSRIC Green Supplies Inc. Officials stated that the oil will be sold in the open market at a price lower than the government-fixed rate but not below the purchase cost, meaning no subsidy will be required. Consumers will access the product through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

The meeting also approved the import of 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) for the 2025–26 fiscal year at a cost of Tk 149.17 crore.

Private airline Novoair has announced an increase in flight frequency on the Dhaka–Chattogram route to meet growing passenger demand and improve travel convenience. Starting January 26, 2026, the airline will introduce an additional flight on this route, operating every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Currently, Novoair operates one daily flight between Dhaka and Chattogram, departing Dhaka at 1:15 p.m. and returning from Chattogram at 2:40 p.m.

According to Novoair Managing Director Mofizur Rahman, Chattogram is a key commercial and tourism hub in Bangladesh, and the decision to expand service reflects increasing passenger needs and the company’s commitment to better connectivity. The new flight will depart Dhaka at 4:15 p.m. and return from Chattogram at 5:40 p.m. on the specified days.

In addition to the Chattogram route, Novoair currently operates regular flights to Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, and Saidpur, maintaining its focus on domestic air connectivity within Bangladesh.

The full meeting of the Ninth National Pay Commission concluded on Wednesday, finalizing recommendations for a new pay structure for government employees and pensioners. According to meeting sources, the commission has proposed increasing government employees’ salaries by 100 to 147 percent, setting the lowest salary at 20,000 taka for the 20th grade and the highest at 160,000 taka for the first grade.

The proposed pay scale also includes significant pension increases. Pensioners currently receiving less than 20,000 taka per month would see their pensions doubled, while those receiving between 20,000 and 40,000 taka would get a 75 percent increase. Pensioners earning more than 40,000 taka would receive a 55 percent rise. Additionally, the commission suggested raising medical allowances for elderly pensioners, recommending 10,000 taka for those over 75 years old and 5,000 taka for those under 55.

Officials said the recommendations were finalized after extensive discussions and reviews. The report will be submitted to the government for verification and approval before the new pay and pension structures are implemented.