Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has made it clear that fuel prices will not increase, according to his Policy and Strategy Adviser Jahid Ur Rahman. Speaking at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on March 25, the adviser warned that petrol pump owners would not benefit from hoarding fuel. He emphasized that the government is monitoring the situation and urged citizens to refrain from panic buying.

Jahid Ur Rahman explained that the current fuel supply strain is linked to global crises and public fear rather than government mismanagement. He compared the situation to a bank run, noting that excessive withdrawals—or in this case, hoarding—can disrupt normal supply chains. The adviser said the government deliberately avoided raising domestic fuel prices to prevent inflation, given the country’s limited purchasing power.

He added that fuel rationing before Eid was lifted to ensure smooth travel, and called for public awareness to prevent unnecessary shortages caused by fear-driven behavior.

Nobin Fashion has announced the reopening of its showrooms with attractive offers ahead of Eid. The company made the announcement on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, stating that the decision to resume operations was made possible through the intervention of NCP leader and Member of Parliament Hasanat Abdullah.

According to the announcement, all branches except the Moghbazar outlet will remain open and host a 15-day Eid festival featuring various special offers and events for customers. The company’s managing director will join a Facebook Live session from China to share details of the promotional campaign.

Earlier, on Tuesday night, Managing Director Enamul Hasan posted a status from Shahjalal International Airport on his personal Facebook account, signaling preparations for the reopening.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapan has stated that Bangladesh is not facing any fuel crisis and that the government has no plan to increase fuel prices. He made the remarks on Wednesday morning during a press conference marking the government’s first month in office. The minister urged citizens not to panic or purchase extra fuel unnecessarily.

Swapan acknowledged that Bangladesh, like other countries, is facing challenges due to the conflict in the Middle East. However, he emphasized that the domestic fuel supply remains stable. His comments came amid public speculation about possible price adjustments following global tensions.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired a special meeting at the Secretariat to discuss measures for managing the country’s fuel situation, according to information released by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Diesel prices in Vietnam have more than doubled following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, according to data released Wednesday by the country’s Ministry of Trade. The ministry reported that since two days before the United States and Israel began attacks in Iran on February 26, diesel prices have risen by about 105 percent. The price increased from 19,270 dong per liter last month to 39,660 dong, or roughly 1.50 dollars. During the same period, 95-octane gasoline prices climbed nearly 68 percent, from 20,150 dong to 33,840 dong per liter.

The conflict has driven up global oil prices, raising fuel costs and sparking fears of a worldwide energy shortage. In response, Vietnam has sought energy assistance from countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Algeria, and Japan. On Monday, it signed an oil and gas production agreement with Russia. The Finance Ministry also proposed halving environmental protection taxes on petrol and diesel to ease domestic pressure.

Local residents have reported difficulties coping with the price surge, with some reducing vehicle use due to unaffordable fuel costs.

Dubai’s property market has suffered a sharp downturn following the spread of conflict across the Middle East after US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The city’s long-standing image as a safe investment haven has been damaged, leading to a rapid decline in real estate transactions and falling property values. Some housing agents have already signaled price cuts, while shares of major developers have dropped significantly, with Emaar Properties losing more than 26 percent since the war began.

A Goldman Sachs analysis reported that property transactions in the UAE fell 37 percent in the first 12 days of March compared with the same period last year, and nearly 49 percent compared with February. Some properties are being sold at discounts of 12 to 15 percent. The downturn follows five years of steady price growth, raising concerns of a broader market slowdown.

Citibank analysts warned that the ongoing conflict poses a major risk to Dubai’s future population growth and investor confidence, potentially deepening pressure on the housing market.

Larry Fink, chairman and chief executive of BlackRock, has warned that the global economy could face a severe recession if international oil prices rise to 150 dollars per barrel. In an interview with the BBC, he said the final outcome of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East remains uncertain but could lead to two extreme scenarios.

According to Fink, if the conflict is resolved quickly and Iran regains acceptance within the international community, oil prices could fall below pre-war levels. However, if the conflict drags on, prices may remain above 100 dollars for an extended period and could approach 150 dollars, which would have a serious impact on the global economy.

BlackRock, founded in 1988, manages about 14 trillion dollars in assets and is considered one of the world’s largest investors. Fink, one of its co-founders, is known for his insights into global economic trends.

Bangladesh’s total foreign debt rose to 113.51 billion dollars by the end of December 2025, marking the highest level on record. According to the latest Bangladesh Bank report released on Tuesday, the debt increased by 1.30 billion dollars in the last quarter of the year. At the end of September, the figure stood at 112.21 billion dollars. When the Awami League government left office, the debt was 103.41 billion dollars, meaning it grew by 10 billion dollars during the 18 months of the interim government.

The report shows that both public and private sector debts increased between October and December. Government debt rose from 92.55 billion to 93.46 billion dollars, while private sector debt climbed from 19.65 billion to 20.05 billion dollars. Economists noted that foreign borrowing had been rising for years, driven by large infrastructure projects such as metro rail, power plants, and expressways. The interim government also borrowed externally to cover salary payments during its first year.

Former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain said most of the debt is government-held and warned that misuse of borrowed funds could undermine repayment capacity, even though the debt-to-GDP ratio remains manageable.

A severe fuel shortage has spread across Bangladesh as most petrol pumps remain closed or impose strict rationing due to global war-related supply disruptions. Reports from Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur, Cumilla, Barishal, Cox’s Bazar, and Mymensingh show long queues, limited distribution, and widespread public suffering. In Rajshahi, pumps have run out of fuel since Monday, while in Khulna and Cumilla, drivers wait for hours only to receive small amounts. In Rangpur, allegations surfaced that some dealers are selling fuel on the black market at inflated prices.

The crisis began after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran led to the closure of the Hormuz Strait, pushing global oil prices above $100 per barrel. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) introduced rationing by vehicle type to manage the shortage, but supply gaps forced many stations to shut down. Local pump associations have urged authorities to deploy the army to prevent chaos during fuel distribution.

Officials and pump owners expect partial improvement within days, though uncertainty remains about when normal supply will resume.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to European Union countries, the sector’s largest destination, dropped sharply at the start of 2026. According to Eurostat data, exports in January 2026 fell by 25.25 percent year-on-year to 1.43 billion euros, down from 1.91 billion euros in January 2025. The decline was driven by a 17.49 percent fall in export volume and a 9.41 percent drop in average price per kilogram. Industry stakeholders expressed concern that a prolonged downturn in the EU market could negatively affect Bangladesh’s overall economy, as nearly half of its export earnings come from this region.

Analysts attributed the slump to weaker consumer demand in Europe, rising living costs, higher interest rates, and slower retail sales. Increased competition from China, India, Vietnam, and other exporters has also intensified price pressure. Other major suppliers, including Turkey and China, also saw export declines. Former BGMEA director Mohiuddin Rubel noted that EU apparel imports overall fell by about 15.48 percent in January, reflecting a broader market slowdown.

Industry representatives urged swift policy action, emphasizing product diversification, higher value addition, stronger trade diplomacy, and exploring new markets to sustain export growth.

Israel has incurred more than $57 billion in economic losses due to its two-year-long military campaign in Gaza, according to the Bank of Israel’s 2025 annual report, as cited by Bloomberg. The report states that from 2023 to 2025, the country lost about 177 billion shekels, equivalent to roughly 8.6 percent of its gross domestic product. The majority of this loss was attributed to the Gaza conflict.

The report did not include the economic effects of Israel’s ongoing war with Iran, which involves Israeli airstrikes and retaliatory attacks. Earlier in March, Israel’s wartime cabinet approved a revised 2026 budget allocating an additional $13 billion to fund the war. The Bank of Israel also noted that trade with eight European Union countries criticizing Israeli strikes on Iran fell by $1.5 billion in 2025.

The report further warned that exports to countries taking a critical stance toward Israel could continue to decline, reflecting early signs of reduced trade activity.

The Bangladesh government has initiated the process of purchasing 1.8 million tons of diesel from the international spot market to address the ongoing fuel crisis. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has already begun discussions with several international suppliers, including two American companies and one based in Hong Kong. The procurement will follow current global market prices, which have surged sharply in recent weeks. BPC’s board has approved proposals to buy diesel from four companies, including Maxwell International SPC, AP Energy Investments Ltd, Superstar International Group Ltd, and DBS Trading House FZE.

Global diesel prices have fluctuated dramatically, rising from around 85 dollars per barrel in late February to over 213 dollars by late March. Officials said the government is cautious about fixed-price contracts due to potential price drops if U.S.-Iran talks progress. Despite high import costs, the government has no immediate plan to raise domestic fuel prices, raising concerns about subsidy burdens. BPC’s reserves have dropped to cover only six to seven days of demand, leading to pump closures and long queues nationwide.

Authorities expect new shipments to arrive soon and are optimistic that the crisis will ease once additional consignments reach the country.

QatarEnergy has declared a force majeure on its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies as the ongoing war in the Middle East severely disrupts energy production and delivery systems. According to Al Jazeera, the company announced the legal measure on Tuesday, applying it to several long-term supply contracts with major customers including Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China.

The force majeure clause allows a party to suspend contractual obligations due to unforeseen events such as war or natural disasters. Similar declarations have recently been made by petroleum companies in Kuwait and Bahrain. The decision follows escalating instability in the region after U.S. and Israeli attacks in Iran on February 28, which have pushed the global energy market into deep uncertainty.

The closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and repeated Iranian missile and drone strikes on oil and gas infrastructure across the Persian Gulf have further intensified supply risks, heightening global concerns over energy security.

The government of Bangladesh is preparing an incentive framework to encourage investment, according to Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir. He made the statement on Monday night after a discussion meeting on industrialization prospects in Panchagarh district, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room.

Dr. Titumir said that previous administrations had not taken initiatives to generate employment through investment in the northern region, despite its potential. The current government, committed to achieving regional balance, is therefore designing various incentive structures to promote investment. He emphasized that the government is committed to providing necessary tax benefits and financial support to investors.

He added that the government aims to reopen closed factories, including sugar mills and jute mills, and called on entrepreneurs to invest in agricultural and agro-processing industries in Panchagarh to foster significant growth in the sector.

Global gold prices declined further on Tuesday morning, dropping more than 2 percent in international trading. Spot gold fell 0.2 percent to 4,396.74 US dollars per ounce, marking its lowest level since November 24, when it had reached 4,097.99 dollars per ounce. US gold futures for April delivery also decreased by 1.5 percent to 4,340.90 dollars per ounce.

According to OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong, the current volatility in the market is closely tied to developments in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict. Mixed signals from the countries involved have made investors cautious, leading to instability across commodity markets. Since the onset of the conflict, gold prices have dropped by about 18 percent.

Other precious metals also saw declines. Spot silver fell 3.4 percent to 66.80 dollars per ounce, platinum dropped 2.1 percent to 1,841.68 dollars, and palladium decreased 2.7 percent to 1,395.25 dollars per ounce.

China has introduced temporary controls on fuel prices to limit the domestic impact of rapidly rising global oil prices. According to the state news agency Xinhua, this marks the first such intervention since the country’s fuel pricing mechanism was introduced over a decade ago. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) raised the maximum retail prices of petrol and diesel from midnight but capped the increase through a temporary regulatory measure.

Under the new decision, petrol prices rose by 1,160 yuan per metric ton and diesel by 1,115 yuan, compared with potential increases of 2,205 yuan and 2,120 yuan respectively without intervention. The NDRC said the move aims to cushion the economy from abnormal international price shocks, reduce pressure on consumers and industries, and maintain economic stability.

An NDRC official stated that if global oil prices continue to rise, the government may provide tax and subsidy support to stabilize supply. The report also noted China’s ongoing investments in strategic oil reserves and renewable energy sectors to strengthen energy security.