Both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) will remain closed from March 17 to March 23, 2026, in observance of Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr. The exchanges confirmed that no trading or official activities will take place during this seven-day holiday period.

According to the exchanges, the government has declared March 18 as an additional public holiday by executive order, extending the closure period. After the Eid and Ramadan holidays, both exchanges will resume normal operations on March 24. Regular office hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with trading scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 2:20 p.m., followed by a post-closing session until 2:30 p.m.

The extended closure is part of the national holiday schedule, and trading activities are expected to return to normal immediately after the break.

Bangladesh has formally requested additional fuel supplies from India to address an energy shortage caused by instability in the Middle East. The country currently receives 15,000 tons of diesel per month under an existing agreement. Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Nasrul Hamid announced that a letter has been sent to the Indian government seeking extra fuel as part of emergency measures.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma confirmed receipt of the letter and said it would be forwarded to the Indian government for consideration. He noted that India and Bangladesh maintain strong cooperation in the power and energy sectors, supported by cross-border electricity transmission lines and the operational Maitree pipeline.

The Maitree pipeline, stretching about 131 kilometers from India’s Siliguri Marketing Terminal to Parbatipur Depot in Dinajpur, is a key channel for diesel transport to Bangladesh. Under the current arrangement, it delivers around 15,000 tons of diesel monthly, but Bangladesh has now requested additional volumes to meet rising demand.

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz following attacks by the United States and Israel but continues to export large volumes of crude oil to China, according to a CNBC report published Wednesday. Satellite data from TankerTrackers shows that since the war began on February 28, Iran has shipped at least 11.7 million barrels of crude through the strait, all bound for China. Kepler, another shipping intelligence firm, estimated the figure at around 12 million barrels. The International Maritime Organization reported that at least ten vessels have been attacked in the strait since the conflict began, leaving seven sailors dead.

Despite threats to attack any vessel attempting passage, Iran has maintained exports mainly through its Kharg Island terminal, which handles 90 percent of its shipments. Tehran has also resumed loading at the Jask terminal on the Gulf of Oman, seen as a potential alternative route. Analysts noted that China remains Iran’s main crude buyer, with February exports reaching 2.16 million barrels per day, the highest since 2018. China’s crude imports rose 15.8 percent year-on-year in the first two months of the year as it built up reserves.

Global oil prices surged to record levels amid fears of supply disruption, while U.S. President Donald Trump urged ships near the strait to proceed despite Iranian threats.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has increased petrol and octane supply to filling stations by 10 percent, effective from Wednesday. Officials confirmed the decision, saying it follows a reduction in rationing from 25 percent to 15 percent, allowing 85 percent of normal fuel supply to resume. The government said fuel imports are continuing as scheduled, with shipments arriving regularly and distributed through depots and marketing companies to maintain supply stability.

At a press conference in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association demanded enhanced security at depots and filling stations, citing incidents of attacks and chaos amid public confusion over rationing. Association president Mohammad Nazmul Haque said many stations are not receiving regular deliveries and that actual shortages exceed official figures. Owners also opposed mobile court operations, claiming these actions socially humiliate them and disrupt business.

The association presented eight demands, including deployment of police and army personnel for security, equal fuel distribution to all pumps, and strict punishment for illegal hoarding. They also urged authorities to stop unauthorized entry into fuel depots and to ensure fair monitoring practices.

Fuel prices have risen sharply in 85 countries since the outbreak of war between Iran and the United States-Israel alliance on February 28, 2026. The conflict has severely disrupted global oil supply chains, with the closure of the Hormuz Strait causing acute shortages, particularly in Asia. According to the American Automobile Association, the average price of regular gasoline in the United States increased by 20 percent to $3.58 per gallon, while in California it exceeded $5 per gallon, the highest in two years.

Global Petrol Prices data show Vietnam experienced the steepest rise, with prices jumping nearly 50 percent per liter, followed by Laos, Cambodia, Australia, and the United States. Japan is preparing to release oil from its strategic reserves, and South Korea has imposed maximum price caps for the first time in 30 years. Bangladesh and Pakistan have implemented emergency measures, including university closures and reduced workweeks, to conserve fuel.

Economists warn that disruptions in transport and logistics are increasing inflation and unemployment simultaneously, raising the risk of global stagflation similar to past oil crises.

Natural gas prices across Europe and the United Kingdom rose sharply on March 11, 2026, as fears grew that ongoing tensions in the Middle East could disrupt energy supplies. According to Al Jazeera, the increase followed unverified reports that Iran had begun placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical routes for oil and gas transport.

Market analysts noted that any disruption in the strait could significantly affect liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries to Europe and Asia. During morning trading, European gas prices climbed by about 5.7 percent, while the UK’s main wholesale gas contract rose nearly 6 percent. The situation intensified after the US Central Command announced that American forces had “eliminated” 16 Iranian vessels allegedly involved in mine-laying near the waterway.

Analysts warned that further deterioration of security in the Strait of Hormuz could have major consequences for global energy markets, heightening international concerns over Middle East stability and supply reliability.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a new circular allowing commercial banks to provide loans to customers using treasury bonds as collateral. Under the directive, banks can lend up to 75 percent of the face value of a customer's treasury bonds. However, the total outstanding loan amount, including interest, cannot exceed the bond’s nominal value. The circular was released on Wednesday from the central bank.

According to the circular, the decision was made as many banks expressed interest in accepting treasury bonds as lien for overdraft or term loans. Before granting such loans, banks must mark the bonds as lien in the Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI) system. The loan tenure must not exceed the maturity period of the treasury bond, and banks are prohibited from providing loans to customers for the purpose of purchasing bonds.

The directive aims to facilitate secured lending while maintaining risk control through strict compliance with bond valuation and tenure limits.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all scheduled banks to adopt energy-saving measures in response to the ongoing geopolitical situation affecting global energy supplies. In a circular issued on Wednesday, the central bank instructed that air conditioners in bank offices must not be set below 25 degrees Celsius. It also urged bank officials to use public transport instead of personal vehicles and to consider ride-sharing where possible.

The directive emphasized the need for prudent use of electricity and fuel across bank headquarters, branches, and offices. It called for turning off unnecessary lights, fans, and electrical equipment, and for limiting non-essential travel to reduce fuel consumption. The circular further required compliance with existing schedules and restrictions on building illumination and digital display boards, discouraging excessive lighting.

Bangladesh Bank’s instructions aim to ensure efficient energy use across the banking sector as part of a broader national effort to manage fuel and electricity consumption during disruptions in international energy supply chains.

Authorities in Sirajganj have completed the long-awaited four-lane expansion of the Jamuna Bridge western link highway, aiming to ease traffic congestion during the upcoming Eid travel rush. The Dhaka–Bogura highway and Hatikumrul interchange lanes have also been finished, with highway and district police preparing to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow. Officials expect the northern region’s Eid journeys to be more comfortable this year.

The Jamuna Bridge western link serves as the main gateway to northern Bangladesh, carrying 17,000–18,000 vehicles daily across 22 districts, a figure that triples during Eid. The previous two-lane road caused severe congestion, but the new four-lane expansion is expected to reduce delays. Police have increased patrols, introduced separate lanes at Hatikumrul, and deployed drones for traffic monitoring. Over a thousand officers will be on duty through the festival period.

Project officials and drivers expressed optimism that the improved roads and coordinated efforts by police, highway authorities, and road departments will prevent major traffic jams and ensure safer travel during Eid.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to deploy the army to major oil depots across the country to ensure security amid an ongoing fuel crisis. The decision was formalized through a directive issued on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. The move comes as the country faces heightened demand from fuel dealers, leading to supply strain on marketing companies such as Padma Oil PLC, Meghna Petroleum Limited, and Jamuna Oil Company Limited.

According to the directive signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Enamul Haque, the deployment aims to prevent potential unrest and safeguard key installations. The army will be stationed at critical depots including Patenga in Chattogram, Daulatpur in Khulna, Baghabari in Sirajganj, Godnail and Fatullah in Narayanganj, Parbatipur in Dinajpur, and depots in Barishal. The ministry stated that the measure is necessary to maintain national energy security and avert any disorder arising from the crisis.

The directive underscores the urgency of stabilizing the fuel supply chain and ensuring uninterrupted operations at vital energy facilities during the ongoing shortage.

Oil prices in Asia showed signs of stabilization on Wednesday morning after recent sharp fluctuations triggered by the outbreak of war in Iran. West Texas Intermediate crude traded at 83.35 dollars per barrel, while Brent crude stood at around 87.88 dollars. Earlier this week, prices had surged to nearly 120 dollars per barrel before easing slightly, though they remain significantly higher than before the conflict began.

The International Energy Agency’s member countries are reportedly discussing a possible plan to release oil reserves to curb prices, but no decision has yet been made. The recent volatility has been linked to regional tensions and disruptions in oil supply routes.

The situation continues to evolve as global markets monitor developments in the Middle East, with energy-importing nations assessing potential impacts on supply stability and pricing trends.

The government of Bangladesh has issued a new directive regarding the supply of octane and petrol to filling stations amid an ongoing global energy crisis caused by the Iran-Israel and United States conflict. According to a notice signed by Shahina Sultana, Secretary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the average reduction in fuel sales in divisional cities has been revised from 25 percent to 15 percent.

The directive aims to maintain adequate fuel supply across the country in line with public demand during the current global crisis. BPC has instructed its marketing companies, depot supervisors, sales officers, and dealers or agents to ensure fuel distribution according to the revised allocation chart.

The notice emphasizes that all concerned parties under BPC must take necessary measures to implement the updated supply plan effectively to prevent further disruption in fuel availability.

Fuel unloading has started from six ships at Chattogram Port, with four more vessels currently within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary. According to port authorities, the ships are carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), various fuel oils, and industrial raw materials. Additional four ships are expected to arrive within the week, ensuring that fuel supplies remain stable for the next one and a half months.

Despite the stable supply outlook, port authorities have expressed concerns about possible sabotage attempts targeting fuel-carrying vessels. The Navy and Coast Guard have been instructed to take special measures to secure ships anchored offshore. Officials recalled that after the fall of the fascist government during the August 5, 2024 uprising, four fuel ships were damaged in mysterious explosions.

Currently, fifteen fuel vessels are positioned within the port’s waters, including tankers carrying LPG, LNG, gas, high-sulfur oil, chemicals, crude oil, and diesel. Two tankers from Singapore recently arrived, and three more are scheduled to reach the port by mid-March.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has warned that a closure of the strategically vital Hormuz Strait could lead to a significant rise in global food prices. The organization stated in an analytical report released on Tuesday that such a disruption would increase the cost of living worldwide, with the greatest impact falling on low-income populations.

According to the report, higher energy, fertilizer, and transport costs could drive up food prices, putting marginalized communities under severe pressure. UNCTAD’s data show that the strait is essential for global trade, carrying 38 percent of the world’s crude oil, 29 percent of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and 19 percent of liquefied natural gas (LNG). It also plays a key role in food security, as one-third of all fertilizer shipped globally passes through this route.

The findings highlight the vulnerability of global supply chains to geopolitical disruptions in critical maritime corridors such as the Hormuz Strait.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has proposed the largest oil reserve release in its history to stabilize global oil prices, which have surged due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The Wall Street Journal reported the proposal on Tuesday, citing relevant officials. According to AFP, the report noted that IEA member countries released 182 million barrels of oil in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the newly proposed release could exceed that amount.

The proposal was presented at an emergency meeting of energy officials from the IEA’s 32 member countries on Tuesday. A final decision on the plan is expected on Wednesday. The move reflects growing concern among member states about the impact of geopolitical tensions on global energy markets.

If approved, the release would mark an unprecedented intervention by the IEA to counteract supply disruptions and price volatility caused by the regional conflict.