Residents across Dhaka are facing acute gas shortages, with stoves remaining off for most of the day. Despite paying regular bills, households are struggling to cook even one meal daily, forcing many to buy costly LPG cylinders. The crisis has disrupted daily life, with families waiting late into the night for minimal gas pressure. In several neighborhoods including Jatrabari, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Rampura, and Old Dhaka, gas supply is either extremely low or absent for long hours.

The shortage stems from reduced gas production and increased system loss. According to Titas Gas, 1,796 million cubic meters of gas were wasted in the 2024–25 fiscal year, causing losses of about Tk 4,107 crore. Petrobangla data show domestic production fell to 2,647 million cubic feet per day in early January 2026, down from 2,720 million the previous year. Only 10 percent of total supply reaches residential users, while industries and power plants receive priority.

Titas Managing Director Shahnewaz Parvez said daily production has dropped by 250 million cubic feet compared to last year. He noted that without discovering new gas fields or repairing old wells, the crisis will persist.

The Finance Division of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Finance has issued a new directive increasing the maximum price limits for purchasing government vehicles. The circular, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Shawkat Ullah and released on Tuesday, allows various government departments to buy vehicles within the revised ceilings. The adjustment covers cars, jeeps, pickups, microbuses, motorcycles, ambulances, minibuses, and trucks, reflecting current market prices.

Officials explained that the new limits mainly apply to replacing vehicles older than ten years, as earlier prices were insufficient due to rising market costs. The directive applies to government, statutory, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and state-owned organizations, with registration and taxes included in the set prices. Key revisions include raising the ceiling for AC minibuses to Tk 8 million, large non-AC buses to Tk 5.82 million, and private cars to Tk 5.6 million. The single-cabin pickup limit rose to Tk 5.2 million, while motorcycle limits increased to Tk 193,000.

The Finance Division had previously suspended new vehicle purchases for the 2025–26 fiscal year, except for replacements of vehicles over ten years old. The new directive updates those restrictions in line with current market realities.

Bangladesh Bank has continued buying US dollars from local banks as supply remains strong. On Tuesday, it purchased $223.5 million from 14 banks, bringing total purchases in the first six months of the fiscal year to $3.54 billion. As a result, the central bank’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $33.18 billion, according to Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan.

Bankers said the increase in remittances through formal channels has boosted dollar supply, easing the earlier market crisis. Since supply now exceeds demand, the central bank is buying dollars to prevent a sharp fall in the exchange rate, which could hurt remittance inflows and exports. The move has had a positive impact on reserves.

The report notes that after the fall of the previous Awami League government, the new administration took strict measures to curb money laundering, leading to higher export earnings and remittances. Bangladesh Bank’s current intervention aims to maintain market stability and protect key economic sectors.

Bangladesh’s economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that the current tensions between India and Bangladesh will not impact the country’s economy. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday after a meeting of the government’s procurement advisory committee, he said trade and purchase activities with India remain normal and there is no economic problem arising from the situation.

He described the recent incident involving cricketer Mustafizur Rahman as unfortunate, noting that Bangladesh was not responsible for initiating the issue. According to him, the sudden decision to stop the player’s participation was unexpected and regrettable, and such actions are not beneficial for either country. He emphasized that the political strain between the two nations will not affect economic or commercial relations.

Dr. Ahmed added that emotional factors may have influenced the situation and expressed hope that both sides would act with consideration to avoid harming bilateral relations. He reaffirmed that Bangladesh’s response to the incident was appropriate and that reactions naturally follow actions.

Industries Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman has officially joined as the new Chairperson of the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Foundation. He took charge at the foundation’s office on Monday following his appointment through a government notification issued by the Ministry of Industries on January 1, 2026. The notification stated that Rahman will hold the position until a new chairperson is appointed, in addition to his existing duties as Industries Secretary.

Obaidur Rahman holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in management from the University of Dhaka. A member of the 15th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration), he has served in various ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Public Administration, as well as in field administration. His appointment marks him as the ninth chairperson of the SME Foundation.

The SME Foundation plays a key role in supporting small and medium enterprises across Bangladesh, and Rahman’s dual role is expected to ensure continuity in the organization’s leadership until a permanent appointment is made.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur announced that the government will initiate legal proceedings within a week to declare nine non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) defunct. The move aims to restore discipline in the country’s financial sector. Independent auditors will assess the true financial condition of these institutions. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the central bank’s headquarters.

According to the governor, if the plan proceeds as expected, individual depositors of these institutions will receive their principal funds before Ramadan. Institutional investors, however, will be settled gradually depending on the availability of government funds. The nine institutions are FAS Finance, Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company, Premier Leasing, Fareast Finance, GSP Finance, Prime Finance, Aviva Finance, Peoples Leasing, and International Leasing.

These nine NBFIs account for 52 percent of total defaulted loans in the financial sector, amounting to Tk 25,089 crore at the end of last year. Eight of them have an average negative net asset value of Tk 95 per share, indicating that without government intervention, repayment of liabilities is nearly impossible.

Customers withdrew Tk 107.77 crore from five troubled Islamic banks over two days, while new deposits of Tk 44 crore were made during the same period. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur disclosed the figures at a press conference held on Monday in Dhaka. He said the central bank had managed the situation well following the announcement of a new scheme, as the level of withdrawals was lower than initially feared.

According to the governor, a total of 13,314 transactions took place during the two days, with the highest withdrawal of Tk 66 crore recorded at EXIM Bank. He reassured depositors that their funds remained safe and that those placing new deposits could withdraw them at any time.

The governor’s remarks aimed to restore confidence among depositors amid concerns about the financial health of the affected Islamic banks.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin has confirmed that the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will not be inaugurated during the tenure of the current interim government. He made the statement while responding to a question at a press conference organized on the ‘Travel Agency (Registration and Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026’.

The adviser explained that despite extensive efforts, including meetings and negotiations with the Japanese vice minister, the government could not complete the necessary processes to open the terminal. He said the administration had made every possible attempt but their efforts were not successful.

Bashiruddin added that the government is currently working to keep the procedural requirements active for future actions, and the next government will make the final decision on the terminal’s opening.

US President Donald Trump has released a list of immigrant groups receiving welfare assistance in the United States. Published on Sunday, the list includes immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, China, and Nepal among more than 120 countries and regions. India, however, is not included. The chart shared by Trump on social media shows the percentage of immigrant families from each country receiving welfare or assistance.

According to the data, 54.8 percent of Bangladeshi immigrant families receive assistance, followed by 40.2 percent from Pakistan, 34.8 percent from Nepal, 32.9 percent from China, 42.7 percent from Ukraine, and 25.9 percent from Israel/Palestine. The list also includes an “unspecified Asia” category at 38.8 percent. The report, citing The Hindu and India’s PTI news agency, notes that Indian-Americans have the highest median household income among major immigrant groups in the US.

The Pew Research Center’s data referenced in the report states that Indian-Americans make up about 21 percent of the total Asian population in the United States, ranking as the second-largest Asian-origin group.

China’s government efforts to boost the national birthrate are facing growing resistance as many young couples choose to remain child-free. Despite financial incentives and social pressure, couples like 25-year-old content creator Grace and her husband are opting out of parenthood, citing financial strain, career priorities, and personal freedom. The trend reflects a broader shift in attitudes toward marriage and family life.

Nearly a decade after China replaced its one-child policy with a two-child rule in 2016, the country is experiencing a deepening demographic crisis. The population has declined for three consecutive years, and the United Nations projects it could fall from 1.4 billion to 630 million by the end of the century. In 2024, only 9.54 million babies were born—about half the number recorded in 2016. The “DINK” (dual income, no kids) lifestyle has gained massive popularity on social media, sparking both celebration and criticism.

Authorities have introduced pro-birth measures, including annual subsidies of about $500 per child under three and new taxes on contraceptives. Experts warn these steps have limited impact and caution that persistently low fertility could accelerate population aging and strain China’s long-term economic stability.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has issued the final gazette of the Public Offer of Securities Rules, 2025, allowing issuing companies to use up to 30 percent of funds raised through initial public offerings (IPOs) to repay bank loans. The decision, published on December 30, 2025, includes two conditions: the loan must be project or BMRE-related, and it cannot be a defaulted or rescheduled loan.

The previous draft of the regulation did not permit loan repayment from IPO proceeds, which had raised concerns among market participants about reduced corporate interest in stock market listings. Based on stakeholder feedback, BSEC reinstated the repayment option, similar to the one-third allowance under the 2015 rules. The new regulation also increases the quota for general investors and reintroduces the lottery system for IPO share allocation.

Additionally, the rules extend the IPO application submission period to 120 days and require stock exchange recommendations for IPO approvals. The number of qualified institutional investors for determining indicative prices in the book-building method has been reduced from 75 to 40.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Chairman Jalal Ahmed stated that consumers cannot be guaranteed to purchase liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at government-fixed prices. He made the remarks on Sunday during a press conference announcing new LPG prices. Ahmed said a meeting was being held at the Secretariat to discuss complaints of distributors charging higher prices, with members of the LPG Association in attendance. BERC will also hold discussions with the association on the issue.

The chairman explained that the commission sets prices based on importers’ total costs, but cannot ensure that consumers will always get LPG at that exact rate. The LPG Association claims it supplies gas at the fixed price. BERC has also spoken with the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection to conduct drives against overpricing, and action will be taken if any company is found guilty of charging extra.

Ahmed added that shipping shortages from the Middle East and difficulties in opening letters of credit (LCs) are affecting imports. He urged companies to increase imports from Singapore and said the government’s higher authorities would intervene if LC complications persist.

Owners of lighter cargo vessels transporting goods through Bangladesh’s waterways have accused a syndicate linked to senior Awami League figures of monopolizing the sector and withholding large payments. Despite arrests of several members after August 5, 2024, others remain active. The owners claim they must pay the group to operate at Chittagong’s outer anchorage and across the country. They have issued a 10-point demand to the government, including enforcement of the 2024 transport policy, payment of overdue demurrage, and dissolution of the syndicate, warning of a nationwide vessel shutdown if ignored.

The dispute centers on control of the Bangladesh Water Transport Coordination Cell (BWTCC). Owners allege that Awami-linked businessman Haji Shafiq Ahmed unlawfully declared himself convener to misappropriate about Tk 500 crore owed to them. They also accuse agents of using vessels as floating warehouses to create artificial market shortages. Government officials acknowledge unresolved corruption and policy violations but deny aiding the syndicate.

The standoff has left many vessel owners in debt, with hundreds forced to scrap ships. The government faces pressure to enforce maritime policy and resolve payment disputes to restore order in the inland shipping sector.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) announced that it registered 131,000 previously unregistered businesses for Value Added Tax (VAT) during a special campaign conducted across Bangladesh in December. According to an NBR press release issued on Saturday, the campaign was carried out by 12 VAT commissionerates, which worked daily, including holidays, to identify and register new entities. Before the interim government took office, the number of VAT-registered businesses stood at 516,000, which has now risen to 775,000.

NBR’s public relations officer Md. Al Amin Sheikh said the campaign coincided with VAT Day on December 10 and VAT Week from December 10 to 15, followed by a special registration drive from December 10 to 31. He noted that VAT contributes the largest share of total revenue, accounting for 38 percent last year. To expand the VAT base, the government has amended the VAT law, lowering the annual turnover threshold for mandatory registration from 30 million to 5 million taka.

NBR has also introduced measures to simplify VAT registration and payment, including online submission of VAT returns and automated refunds directly to bank accounts.

Bangladesh’s Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said on Sunday that rice prices are not expected to increase this year, citing the country’s highest-ever food grain reserves. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he explained that last year’s price hike was driven by government formation and natural disasters, but current stock levels are strong enough to stabilize the market.

According to Majumder, government warehouses currently hold 2,027,420 metric tons of food grains, with the capacity to increase reserves by another 2.4 million tons. He noted that this year’s stock is the highest in the past five years. The adviser emphasized that maintaining a smooth supply chain will be key to keeping rice prices steady.

Majumder also confirmed that rice imports from India remain normal and that no political issues are affecting the trade flow.