Bangladesh’s Annual Development Program (ADP) for the current fiscal year is progressing sluggishly, with only about 8.33% of allocated funds spent between July and October, compared to 7.90% during the same period last year. The Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) reported that Tk 19,878 crore was spent in the first four months, down from Tk 21,978 crore a year earlier. Political unrest, curfews, and shutdowns following last year’s government change significantly disrupted development activities. Many projects were halted or re-evaluated due to fiscal constraints and political considerations, leading to the lowest implementation rate in two decades. The revised ADP for FY2024–25 saw only 67.85% of total allocations utilized, nearly 13 percentage points lower than the previous year’s 80.63%. Officials note that early-year spending is typically slow but expect acceleration later, though the current stagnation reflects deeper structural and political challenges.

After nearly six years of closure, gas has been rediscovered in Well No. 1 of the Kailashtila gas field in Sylhet, Bangladesh. According to Sylhet Gas Fields Limited Managing Director Abdul Jalil Pramanik, the well contains an estimated reserve of around 20 billion cubic feet of gas. Daily production is expected to reach 5 to 6 million cubic feet, potentially sustaining output for the next decade. The well, originally drilled in 1961 and last active in 2019, was reopened under a government project to overhaul old wells, with Bapex initiating work in August 2023. Following three months of operations and testing, officials confirmed the find on Thursday evening. The gas will be added to the national grid within two to three days, saving an estimated 33 billion taka in foreign currency by reducing LNG imports. This rediscovery is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s domestic energy supply and reduce dependence on imported gas.

The Bangladesh government plans to complete a nationwide rice and paddy procurement drive before the February national election to ensure strong food reserves for the incoming administration. Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder announced that the target for the current Aman season is 700,000 tons—comprising 50,000 tons of paddy, 50,000 tons of atap rice, and 600,000 tons of parboiled rice—purchased directly from farmers. The procurement campaign will run until February 28, 2026. Farmers will receive Tk 39 per kg for paddy, Tk 50 for parboiled rice, and Tk 49 for atap rice. The government has also expanded its food-friendly program to cover 5.5 million families for six months instead of five. Last season’s shortfall in collection led to the decision to import 800,000 tons of rice in FY2024–25. Despite current self-sufficiency, retail rice prices in Dhaka range between Tk 54 and Tk 85 per kg, depending on quality.

Pakistan is preparing to construct an artificial island in the Arabian Sea, about 30 kilometers off the coast of Sujawal district in Sindh, to facilitate offshore oil and gas exploration. According to Bloomberg, the project is being led by Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), whose general manager Arshad Palekar revealed the plan during an oil and gas conference in Islamabad. The six-foot-high platform will withstand sea waves, allowing continuous drilling operations. Inspired by a similar project in Abu Dhabi, this marks Pakistan’s first artificial island for energy exploration. The construction is expected to be completed by February next year, after which PPL plans to drill 25 wells. The initiative follows renewed interest in Pakistan’s offshore resources, reportedly after comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump about the country’s potential oil reserves. Experts believe the project could enhance Pakistan’s energy supply, provide eco-friendly marine fuel, and improve maritime trade routes.

Bangladeshi shipbuilder Western Marine Shipyard has exported three newly built landing crafts named Maya, Emi, and Muna to the United Arab Emirates-based Marwan Shipping Limited. The handover ceremony took place on November 20 on the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram. UAE Ambassador Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al Hamoudi praised the collaboration as a sign of strengthening bilateral ties and expressed optimism for future exports from Bangladesh. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, highlighted Western Marine’s contribution to diversifying Bangladesh’s export portfolio. The crafts, each 69 meters long and 16 meters wide, were built under Bureau Veritas classification standards and can operate at 10 nautical miles per hour. Equipped with Yanmar engines, electro-hydraulic ramp winches, and advanced navigation systems, the vessels are designed for heavy equipment and bulk cargo transport. The delivery is part of an eight-ship contract signed in 2023 between Western Marine and Marwan Shipping.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh is advancing its work to review and recommend a revised salary and allowance structure for government employees. A meeting with secretaries from various ministries and departments is scheduled for November 24 at the Secretariat, chaired by Commission President Zakir Ahmed Khan. The commission aims to finalize recommendations covering government, semi-government, autonomous bodies, state-owned banks, approved universities, and public educational institutions. Earlier, from October 1 to 15, the commission collected public and institutional feedback through online questionnaires. Formed on July 27, the commission plans to submit its final report by December. Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed stated that three reports are being reviewed before final recommendations are made, emphasizing that the current government will lay the groundwork while the next administration will implement the new pay scale, considering fiscal and social spending realities.

Bangladesh has officially launched the Overseas Employment Platform (OEP) to promote safe migration and fair recruitment processes for migrant workers. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, was developed in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Government of Switzerland. The digital gateway aims to connect all stakeholders involved in the labor migration process, including aspiring migrant workers, recruitment agencies, the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), technical training centers, foreign employers, immigration authorities, and reintegration service providers. The platform’s inauguration ceremony was attended by key officials, including Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Swiss Deputy Head of Mission Deepak Elmer, and ILO Bangladesh Country Director Max Tunon. Senior Secretary Dr. Niamat Ullah Bhuiyan presided over the event, emphasizing the platform’s role in improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in overseas employment management.

A recent HSBC ‘Global Trade Pulse’ survey reveals that global businesses are adapting to evolving trade and tariff policies despite rising costs and working capital pressures. Conducted between October 6 and 21, the survey covered 6,750 companies across 17 countries, including 250 from Bangladesh. It found that 67% of firms now feel more confident about trade policy impacts than six months ago, while 77% better understand policy changes. In Bangladesh, 88% of businesses are aware of regulatory shifts and are either prepared or preparing for them—slightly above the global average of 85%. Moreover, 58% of Bangladeshi firms reported revenue growth from trade-related adjustments, compared to the global average of 47%. Half of Bangladeshi businesses expect international trade growth in the next two years. To mitigate risks, 48% are decentralizing operations, 48% focusing on regionalization, and 46% increasing inventory. Many are also expanding exports to Germany, the UK, and France, reflecting growing resilience amid global uncertainty.

In the past one and a half months, a total of 13,528 tons of coarse rice have been imported from India through the Benapole land port via Petrapole. The first shipment of 315 tons arrived on August 21, and by November 18, 145 consignments carried by 395 trucks had entered Bangladesh. The government allowed rice imports through all ports to stabilize domestic prices, leading to steady inflows since August. Monthly imports included 1,260 tons in August, 5,435 tons in September, 5,188 tons in October, and 1,645 tons in November. Importers noted that the volume has recently declined, but overall supply remains stable due to continued imports through other ports. Officials said the ongoing Aman paddy harvest is expected to further ease prices and meet domestic demand. The Benapole Plant Quarantine Center confirmed that imported rice is being inspected and cleared promptly to ensure smooth distribution.

Energy experts have cautioned that ensuring an adequate and sustainable energy supply will be the biggest challenge for Bangladesh’s next government. Speaking at a seminar titled “Powering Prosperity: Creating a Stable and Bankable Energy Future for Bangladesh,” organized by Policy Exchange Bangladesh and the Economic Reporters Forum, specialists emphasized the need for immediate investment in the energy sector to avoid a potential supply crisis by 2031. Abu Chowdhury of EMA Power Limited projected that electricity demand will exceed 35,000 megawatts by 2029, urging new investments and policy dialogues with the private sector, which currently holds 48% of production capacity. Former FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo highlighted the importance of local investment, while Professor M. Tamim stressed the need for foreign expertise in gas exploration. Business leaders, including MCCI president Kamran T. Rahman, called for consistent policy frameworks to encourage renewable energy and prepare for rising demand from electric vehicles.

The Bangladesh High Court has issued an injunction halting arbitration proceedings initiated by India's Adani Group in Singapore over unpaid electricity bills amounting to $234 million. The court ruled that the arbitration must remain suspended until a judicially appointed committee submits its report on alleged irregularities in the power purchase agreement between Adani Power and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). The bench, led by Justices Md Bazlur Rahman and Urmi Rahman, delivered the order after a preliminary hearing. The dispute stems from Adani’s claim of unpaid dues under a 25-year electricity supply contract from its Jharkhand-based power plant. BPDB has resisted arbitration, citing an ongoing investigation into the deal’s legality and potential corruption. The High Court’s committee has already found preliminary evidence of irregularities and is expected to submit its final report by mid-December. Adani had earlier warned of possible power supply suspension if dues remained unpaid. The case has drawn attention due to allegations that the contract was politically influenced under the previous government.

The Bangladesh government is considering limited onion imports to curb rising prices after a sharp increase of Tk 30–40 per kilogram over the past month due to reduced supply. Although wholesale prices have slightly declined following news of possible imports, retail prices remain high at Tk 100–110 per kg. Discussions are ongoing between the agriculture and commerce ministries, with the former opposing imports to protect farmers and the latter supporting limited imports to stabilize the market. The Department of Agricultural Extension claims there is no current shortage and expects prices to fall as new crops arrive in early December. Import permissions are being issued cautiously, and shipments may begin within one to two weeks through ports like Chattogram and Hili. Historically, Bangladesh imported over one million tons of onions annually, but imports have dropped significantly in recent years to support local farmers.

Chattogram Port has set a new record by issuing 6,301 gate passes in a single day, marking the highest number ever recorded. On Tuesday, the port issued 4,734 consignee gate passes and 1,567 off-dock gate passes. The Chattogram Port Authority confirmed the achievement on Wednesday, noting that the milestone reflects the port’s ongoing digital transformation. According to Secretary Md Omar Faruk, the successful use of modern technology, particularly the Terminal Operating System (TOS) app, has made import and export operations more efficient and transparent. He emphasized that Chattogram Port remains the central hub for Bangladesh’s trade and industrial growth, contributing significantly to national revenue and international competitiveness. The authority believes that such advancements will further strengthen the country’s overall trade system and enhance operational efficiency.

The Bangladesh government is taking steps to reduce the prices of legally imported mobile phones while intensifying efforts to curb the trade of illegal and cloned handsets. Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, announced that initiatives are underway to simplify mobile and SIM registration, de-registration, and re-registration processes. He emphasized that illegal phones are linked to various crimes, including SIM fraud, online scams, tax evasion, and cross-border smuggling. To support consumers, the government has requested the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to consider reducing import duties and urged local manufacturers to lower prices. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is also working to make registration easier and ensure that all active phones before December 16 are recognized as legal. Authorities reaffirmed that only legally imported or locally produced phones will be allowed in the market, with strict action planned against smuggling and digital crimes tied to illegal devices.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a new directive removing the previous time restriction on writing off default loans. According to the circular released by the Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD) on November 19, banks can now write off loans classified as bad or loss if recovery is deemed unlikely, without waiting for a specific time period. Previously, only loans classified as bad or loss for two consecutive years were eligible for write-off. The new rules prioritize older classified loans and require banks to notify borrowers at least 10 working days before writing off their loans. The directive, which takes immediate effect, aims to streamline the loan management process and improve the accuracy of banks’ financial statements by clearing long-standing non-performing assets from their books.