Numerous Baiera Life Insurance customers in Bangladesh say they have not received their savings or principal years after their policies matured, according to a report published on July 27, 2026. Policyholders including Cumilla resident Nurjahan Begum, Noakhali resident Nurunnabi and Alamgir described repeated visits to the insurer’s office without payment. Company officials acknowledged that Baiera Life currently lacks the financial capacity to settle maturity payments in full at once.

Officials said policy maturities began in 2010 and payments effectively stopped from that period. Following customer complaints to government offices in 2019, the company’s operations were dissolved under a government decision. General Manager Mobarak Hossain said Baiera Life has no new business or premium collection, while interest of Tk15 lakh to Tk22 lakh monthly on paid-up capital deposited with Bangladesh Bank is used to cover office costs. He said about 100 customers visit daily seeking dividend payments.

IDRA has red-listed Baiera Life and six other insurers, with about 6.5 million policies pending and total claims of roughly Tk4,600 crore. It said about Tk54 crore from acquisition of Baiera Life land in Malibagh for the metro rail project would be kept in a special account for customer claims. The insurer’s total dues are estimated at Tk58 crore to Tk60 crore, leaving a Tk8 crore to Tk10 crore shortfall.

The future of the 800MW Rupsa combined-cycle power plant in Khulna is uncertain because it has no assured fuel supply, according to a July 27, 2026 report by Amar Desh. The project has cost about Tk8,500 crore from foreign loans and government funds, but it has not supplied electricity to the national grid. It had been expected to begin supplying power in 2022, but a lack of gas prevented that outcome.

The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council in 2018. Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank loans of $500 million, alongside government financing, supported construction. Although Petrobangla had provided a gas-supply assurance before the loan agreement, gas has not been delivered as required. Plans involving India’s H Energy and a floating LNG terminal at Payra also did not materialize.

The Justice Moinul Commission described the plant as unnecessary and a waste of state money, recommending legal action against those responsible. Officials say much of the equipment’s lifetime and its warranty period have already elapsed. NWPGCL says it could prepare for commissioning next year if Petrobangla confirms fuel supplies, while commercial generation would depend on gas availability.

At a parliamentary committee meeting on 27 July 2026 at the Parliament Building, NCP lawmaker and committee member Hasnat Abdullah proposed announcing monetary policy every three months instead of the current six-month interval. The parliamentary committee on the Finance Ministry discussed the proposal under chair Mushfiqur Rahman. Bangladesh Bank described the suggestion positively and said it could be adopted.

The meeting reviewed Bangladesh Bank’s monetary policy framework and discussed a gradual move from the current interest rate-based policy toward inflation-targeting monetary policy to achieve long-term economic goals. The central bank presented its existing framework, implementation and future priorities, after which committee members exchanged views on monetary policy and the future of the financial sector.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman called the quarterly policy proposal good advice and said he believed it should be taken. Jamaat lawmaker Saiful Alam also raised problems at Islami Bank and urged Bangladesh Bank to demonstrate a zero-tolerance policy. He said Tk 2,400 crore had been withdrawn from the bank in one month. The governor said Islamic banking was being expanded and that work was under way to strengthen Shariah boards.

Trade through the Petrapole-Benapole border, the main land-port link between India and Bangladesh, has declined, with freight truck movements falling in both directions. The report, published on July 27, 2026, said Indian cargo trucks entering Bangladesh via Petrapole have nearly halved, while Bangladeshi trucks heading to India have also dropped markedly. In normal times, 450 to 500 Indian trucks entered Bangladesh daily; the current figure is 200 to 300. Bangladesh’s daily export truck movements to India have fallen from 250 to 300 to below 100.

During 13 working days from July 1 to 15 this year, 3,038 Indian trucks carrying various goods entered Bangladesh. During the same period, only 753 trucks carrying goods went from Bangladesh to India. Traders attributed the trade crisis mainly to reciprocal restrictions imposed by the two countries after the fall of the Hasina government in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024.

Bangladesh ended facilities for importing Indian yarn through Benapole, Bhomra, Sonamasjid, Banglabandha and Burimari land ports on April 15, 2025. Jashore Chamber president Mizanur Rahman Khan urged government action to restore land-route imports of goods restricted by India. Petrapole representative Kartik Chakraborty said resumed tourist visas and India’s ambassador assuming duties in Dhaka offered hope for normalized relations and stronger trade.

Bangladesh Bank has instructed banks to resolve disciplinary cases against officers and employees within a maximum of two months. The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department, or BRPD, issued a circular on Sunday, according to a report published on July 26, 2026. Under the new instruction, any pending disciplinary case against a bank officer or employee must be concluded within two months in line with service rules.

The circular refers to a policy governing the recruitment of officers and employees from one bank to another, established under BRPD Circular Letter No. 6 issued on May 4, 2005. Bangladesh Bank said a provision of that earlier circular had been amended because disciplinary allegations at different banks were taking a long time to resolve.

The amendment was made to ensure consistency with the Bangladesh Labour Rules, 2015, the circular said. All other provisions of the 2005 instruction will remain unchanged, according to Bangladesh Bank.

Bangladesh will need about $421 billion in additional financing from fiscal 2026-27 through 2029-30 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, according to a review of the government’s updated SDG financing strategy. The estimate was presented on Sunday at a national validation workshop on Development Finance Assessment and SDG financing in the capital.

The Economic Relations Division organized the workshop with support from UNDP and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh. Participants reviewed findings of the Development Finance Assessment report and the updated financing strategy. ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky said the remaining period for SDG implementation was highly challenging because of a large financing gap, limited time and an uncertain global situation.

Dhaka University economics professor Dr Selim Raihan said most of the required funding would need to come from domestic public and private financing, climate finance and international partnerships. UN Resident Coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak highlighted opportunities to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio and encourage SDG-aligned private investment. The assessment and financing strategy will be finalized using feedback received at the workshop.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said Japan is an old and trusted friend of Bangladesh that has stood beside the country during difficult times. She made the remarks as chief guest at the Japan-Bangladesh Business Women Conference at Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka, at 6pm on July 26. She said the two countries were working toward mutual prosperity.

Khanam said Japan has made important contributions to Bangladesh’s infrastructure development and technological progress. She also cited former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s role in women’s empowerment, describing the provision of free secondary education for women as a landmark example that expanded female education and empowerment.

The minister said current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, following Khaleda Zia, had made education free for women through degree level. The conference discussed trade, investment, women entrepreneur development and expanded mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan. Japan’s ambassador to Bangladesh, the chief representative of JETRO, leaders of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, businesspeople and women entrepreneurs attended.

Bangladesh Bank has issued comprehensive, stricter guidelines governing the establishment, expansion and relocation of bank business centres, as well as office rental, leasing and contract renewals. The Banking Regulation and Policy Department-1 issued the “Guideline on Establishment, Relocation, Rental/Lease and Renewal of Agreements for Bank Business Centres, 2026” on Sunday, according to a report published on July 26, 2026. The new directive replaces instructions issued on January 19, 2023.

The guidelines aim to balance banking services between urban and rural areas, curb unnecessary branch expansion, contain rental and operating costs, and increase financial inclusion. Banks must obtain board approval before such activities and then secure necessary Bangladesh Bank approval. Headquarters must be located at registered addresses, while unnecessary office space and luxurious infrastructure are discouraged.

A bank seeking to open one new urban branch must also apply for a rural branch, and at least 50 percent of approved new branches must be located in rural areas. At least 60 percent of approved sub-branches must be placed in other municipalities and rural areas. Operating or establishing a business centre without approval will be treated as a legal violation, with action under existing laws.

Bangladesh received $2.29945 billion in remittances during the first 25 days of July, equivalent to Tk28,283.235 crore in local currency. The updated Bangladesh Bank report said Islami Bank handled the largest amount among the country’s banks. The figures were reported on July 26.

Private banks received $1.6571 billion of the remittance inflow during the period. State-owned banks received $337.17 million, while specialised banks received $301.55 million. Branches of foreign banks received a further $3.62 million, according to the Bangladesh Bank report.

Islami Bank received $357.68 million, the highest remittance amount among individual banks in the first 25 days of July. Bangladesh Krishi Bank ranked second with $301.55 million. BRAC Bank received $226.09 million, followed by Agrani Bank with $169.31 million. The report provided the bank-wise figures for remittance received during the period.

A technical fault at one of two floating LNG terminals in Maheshkhali has sharply reduced gas supplies to Dhaka and nearby districts, causing severe disruption in homes, CNG filling stations and factories. The report, published on July 26, says the situation has worsened over the past week, while the energy division has been unable to provide a definite timeline for restoring normal supply.

Residents in New Market, Mohammadpur and the 600 Feet Road area reported little or no gas for cooking, while CNG drivers said many pumps lacked pressure and some queues lasted 10 to 12 hours. Shortages have also affected Narayanganj, Gazipur and Narsingdi, where industrial and household users are facing supply constraints. Normal production at factories in Savar and Gazipur has been seriously disrupted. CNG station owners are also preparing for a strike over demands for higher commissions.

State Minister Anindya Islam Amit said experts from the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates identified the fault and are carrying out repairs, but the technical complexity prevents a firm deadline. Bangladesh supplies about 2,700 to 2,800 million cubic feet of gas daily against demand of 3,800 million. The government says work is underway on additional FSRUs, a land-based LNG terminal at Matarbari and investment initiatives for gas exploration.

A floating LNG terminal operated by Accelerate Energy in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, has remained out of service for four days, causing a severe gas shortage in Chattogram and other parts of Bangladesh. In a July 26, 2026 statement, Petrobangla said the outage has created long queues at CNG filling stations while gas-dependent industries are struggling to maintain normal production.

Petrobangla said the specific cause of the fire and technical fault at the FSRU has not yet been identified. Domestic and foreign technical specialists are working continuously to repair the damaged terminal. The impact has been greatest in the Chattogram region, where reduced gas pressure has halted supplies at many CNG pumps and limited operations at others, leaving drivers waiting for hours.

Bangladesh’s daily gas demand is about 3,800 MMCFD, but the outage has reduced national grid supply by roughly 450 MMCFD per day. The country’s two floating LNG terminals normally provide around 970 MMCFD, about 37 percent of total gas supply. Petrobangla did not provide a timeline for restoring service, but said supply would resume after repairs are completed.

Bangladesh Bank plans to set a maximum amount that a single customer can borrow across the entire banking sector, according to a report published on July 26, 2026. The central bank also intends to prioritize the capital market and bond market over banks for large and long-term financing. The measures aim to restore discipline in banking, reduce lending risks and contain non-performing loans. It has begun seeking views from relevant stakeholders and may issue a circular soon if preparations proceed as planned.

A customer can currently borrow up to 25 percent of an individual bank's capital, but there is no limit covering borrowing from the banking system as a whole. Officials said a sector-wide ceiling would reduce the risk of excessive credit concentration in one borrower. They also cited liquidity pressure created when banks use short- and medium-term deposits to finance long-term projects, producing asset-liability mismatches.

The plan is divided into one-year, two-year and five-year stages. Long-term measures include a borrowing cap across banks, stricter action against willful defaulters, legislation for private asset management companies and instructions to use bond issuance instead of bank loans for financing above Tk1,000 crore. Bankers said implementation should be gradual and alternative financing options should be ensured.

The Trump administration has imposed a new 10 percent additional tariff on imports from Bangladesh and 59 other countries under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, citing insufficient action against goods or raw materials produced with forced labor. In an interview published July 26, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Mohammad Hatem said the immediate overall tariff burden had not changed significantly because an earlier 10 percent tariff had expired and was replaced at the same rate.

Hatem said repeated tariff changes over the past 14 months had created uncertainty for businesses. He said Vietnam faces a 12.5 percent tariff, leaving a 2.5 percentage-point gap that could offer Bangladesh some price competitiveness. Competition may become harder against India, Cambodia, Indonesia and several Central American countries, he added. If competitors receive lower tariff rates, buyers could turn to alternative sources and Bangladeshi orders could decline.

The BKMEA president rejected the forced-labor allegation, saying there was no acceptable basis for it in Bangladesh and calling for verification by international bodies. He said the association would ask the United States to reconsider and assess Bangladesh’s situation. Hatem also urged greater production capacity, product quality and diversification, market expansion, lower production costs and action on cotton-use tariff relief in the US market.

Iran says it sold $18 billion worth of oil during its war with the United States and the subsequent ceasefire, according to a report citing Al Jazeera. Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said the revenue from those sales has made a significant contribution to the oil-income target set in the country’s current fiscal-year budget.

Paknejad said proceeds from oil sales have met more than 60 percent of the budget’s planned oil-revenue target for the current fiscal year. He attributed increased Iranian oil exports to a reduction in risks associated with the movement of oil tankers.

The minister also said Iran was able to sell part of its stockpiled crude oil and gas condensate, estimated at about 100 million barrels. The report did not specify the buyers, export destinations, the precise period of the conflict or ceasefire, or a breakdown between crude oil and gas-condensate sales.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called for greater emphasis on research, innovation and productive activities instead of political debate. Speaking as chief guest at the opening of the 36th Annual Planning Conference 2026 at the Rural Development Academy in Bogura on Saturday, he said research outcomes must reach farmers to raise their incomes and further strengthen the rural economy.

Before the event, the minister visited an RDA-developed green technology exhibition and planted a lotkon sapling. He said research and innovation achievements do not receive adequate attention despite frequent discussions of politics. Technologies developed by researchers can play an important role in increasing farmers’ productivity, he said, urging the media to give wider coverage to such successes.

Alamgir said farmers’ main problem is not production but ensuring fair prices for their goods. He stressed more research to improve cold storage, preservation and marketing systems, alongside encouragement for private investment in those sectors. He also urged young people to pursue agriculture-based enterprises, preservation and marketing rather than focusing only on jobs, saying this would increase employment and benefit farmers.