The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has withdrawn the floor prices for Beximco and Islami Bank shares, according to an order signed by BSEC Chairman Masud Khan on Monday. The decision will take effect from Tuesday, and both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) have been instructed to implement the directive. Following the withdrawal, the share prices of the two companies will now be determined by market forces.

This move comes on the fifth day of Masud Khan’s tenure as BSEC chairman. After his appointment on June 4, he had announced plans to remove floor prices for listed companies and stated that such measures would not be imposed again in the future. Floor prices had previously been used to artificially maintain share values, with Beximco’s floor set at 100.10 taka and Islami Bank’s at 32.60 taka.

The BSEC stated that the decision aims to support capital market development and protect investor interests. It also reaffirmed that all listed securities will now follow the circuit breaker limits set by the June 17, 2021 directive, allowing daily price movements of up to 10 percent.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman has emphasized the need to keep the country’s banking sector free from political influence. Speaking on Monday at the central bank’s headquarters during a courtesy meeting with editors of national newspapers, he said that ensuring professionalism, accountability, and good governance in bank management and loan distribution is the main goal of current reform efforts. Deputy governors of Bangladesh Bank were also present at the meeting.

During the discussion, the central bank presented its ongoing initiatives to reduce non-performing loans, strengthen weak banks, advance digital transformation, and maintain financial stability. The governor stated that the restructuring and merger process of weak banks is underway, with administrative and managerial changes already implemented. He added that the process will accelerate once improvements to core banking systems are completed.

Rahman further noted that amendments to the Money Loan Court Act are being pursued to expedite loan default cases, and a new law is being drafted to manage uncollectible loans. He also mentioned that assets worth 25 million dollars have been seized in the United Kingdom and efforts are ongoing to repatriate the funds.

Independent Member of Parliament Rumin Farhana alleged that around 8 billion US dollars are being laundered abroad each year under the guise of import and export transactions. She made the allegation on Monday during a supplementary question to the Commerce Minister in the National Parliament session, asking what steps the ministry could take to prevent such illicit transfers and whether any government initiatives were underway.

In response, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that identifying specific products involved in money laundering within Bangladesh’s approximately 130 billion dollar trade economy is a complex matter. He described the alleged 8 billion dollar figure as a perceived amount and noted that many imports are subject to tariffs and pre-shipment inspection clauses. The minister emphasized that any weaknesses allowing excessive laundering would require detailed study and research.

He added that the government remains aware of the issue and is conducting studies. If any concrete evidence of laundering emerges, the ministry will take appropriate action.

Bangladesh and Mauritius have agreed to reopen the Mauritian labor market for Bangladeshi workers, which had been closed for some time. The two countries reached this understanding to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on manpower export soon. According to a press release issued on Monday by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, a draft of the MoU will be sent to the Bangladesh government shortly.

The decision came after a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh’s Minister of Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, and Mauritius’s Minister of Labour, Muhammad Reza Kassam Utim. The meeting took place at the United Nations office in Geneva on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference 2026. Discussions covered the current status of Bangladeshi workers in Mauritius, reopening of the market, and future cooperation.

During the meeting, Bangladesh highlighted its capacity to supply skilled professionals across various sectors, while Mauritius expressed strong interest in hiring Bangladeshi workers, particularly for its one-stop textile industry.

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has formally requested permission from the Prime Minister to keep all shops, markets, and shopping malls open until 10 p.m. nationwide. The association submitted its appeal on Sunday, citing that the current operating hours are negatively affecting retail trade, employment, and overall economic activity. Association president Nazmul Hasan Mahmud confirmed the submission of the appeal.

According to the association, the retail sector is a vital part of the national economy, supporting around seven million shop owners, employees, and their families. Rising costs for rent, electricity, bank loan repayments, and wages have increased financial pressure on entrepreneurs. Many customers prefer shopping in the evening due to work schedules, but early closing hours are reducing potential sales.

The association argued that extending business hours until 10 p.m. would boost sales, protect jobs, and enhance economic momentum, potentially increasing government revenue. The government had earlier reinstated a 7 p.m. closing time from June 1 to conserve electricity, with a temporary extension during Eid-ul-Azha. No final government decision on the new request has yet been announced.

The Bangladesh Steel Manufacturers Association (BSMA) has warned that the recent electricity price hike has severely increased production costs, putting the domestic steel industry at risk. At a press conference held on Monday at the National Press Club in Dhaka, BSMA President Mohammad Jahangir Alam said the new tariff will add about Tk 1,785 per metric ton to production costs, which could rise to Tk 3,560 when other expenses such as VAT, fuel, and transport are included. The association demanded immediate withdrawal of the increased tariff.

BSMA leaders said the industry was already struggling due to low demand in the construction sector, high interest rates, currency depreciation, dollar shortages, and gas supply constraints. The sector comprises around 40 modern steel mills and over 150 re-rolling mills with a combined annual capacity of 12.2 million metric tons, though national demand is only about 5 million tons. They argued that the higher electricity cost will also raise expenses for government infrastructure projects, as about 60 percent of domestic steel is used in public development works.

The association urged the government and the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission to reconsider the decision and restore the previous tariff to protect investment, employment, and industrial growth.

Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has initiated a plan to bring water from the Bhandaljhuri treatment plant across the Karnaphuli River into the city using the utility duct of the Karnaphuli Tunnel. The project, built during the Awami League government without prior survey, cost nearly Tk 1,994 crore and has a daily production capacity of 60 million liters. However, due to lack of customers, the plant has been operating at only 2.5 million liters per day, leaving 95 percent of its capacity unused.

The Bhandaljhuri project was originally designed to serve residential areas in Boalkhali, Patiya, Anwara, and Karnaphuli, as well as 13 major industrial clients. Most of these clients, except CUFL, did not opt for WASA’s water supply. Under new Managing Director Engineer Selim Mohammad Zane Alam, WASA has sought permission from the Roads, Bridges, and Local Government ministries to install pipelines through the tunnel duct.

If approved, the plan could supply an additional 30 million liters of water daily to Patenga, helping meet the area’s 90 million-liter demand and significantly easing water shortages within a year.

Oil prices in Asian markets increased following retaliatory attacks between Iran and Israel. On Monday morning, Brent crude rose by 2.6 percent to reach 95.50 dollars per barrel, while U.S. crude climbed 2.5 percent to 92.75 dollars per barrel. The escalation has added pressure to global energy markets already facing instability.

Since the ceasefire agreement in April, energy prices have shown significant fluctuations. Over the past week, crude oil has hovered around 95 dollars per barrel, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in supply and demand conditions. Traders and investors are closely monitoring the situation to assess the potential long-term effects of the conflict on global energy supply chains and fuel flows.

Market participants remain cautious as the duration and intensity of the conflict could determine future price movements and supply stability across regions.

OPEC Plus has decided to increase its oil production quota by 188,000 barrels per day for July, amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East and disruptions to crude transport through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was approved during a virtual meeting attended by energy ministers from Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, according to an official statement from the group.

OPEC Plus stated that the move aims to maintain stability in the global oil market and accelerate compensatory production adjustments among member states during a period of high oil prices. However, analysts at Rystad Energy, including Jorge Leon, noted that the production increase may have limited real impact due to the continuing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which restricts actual oil supply.

Experts warned that if instability in the Strait persists, global energy markets could face further pressure, keeping oil prices elevated for an extended period.

Bangladesh’s Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud told Parliament on Sunday that temporary power interruptions during summer and irrigation seasons should not be termed load-shedding. He explained that such outages occur due to fuel shortages, maintenance work, storms, and infrastructure limitations, which occasionally disrupt electricity supply when demand peaks at around 18,000 megawatts. Responding to lawmakers’ questions, he said there is currently no power shortage in the country.

The minister stated that Bangladesh’s grid-based generation capacity stands at 28,919 megawatts, with 32 new power plants under construction adding 7,928 megawatts of capacity. Additionally, tenders are ongoing for 15 renewable energy-based plants with a combined capacity of 665 megawatts, expected to be operational by 2030. He emphasized that 100 percent of the population now has access to electricity and that the government aims to ensure uninterrupted, quality power for all by 2030.

Mahmud added that the government has taken coordinated measures to meet projected demand for 2026, ensuring adequate fuel supply and maintenance of gas, coal, and liquid fuel-based plants to avoid load-shedding.

The 86th meeting of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) Board of Directors was held at the agency’s Rajshahi office on Sunday at 11 a.m. The meeting was chaired by BMDA Chairman Agriculturist Hasan Zafir Tuhin and attended by senior officials from the Cabinet Division, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, district administrators, police officials, and BMDA engineers and executives.

Discussions focused on ongoing and proposed development projects, modernization of irrigation systems, increasing agricultural production, and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of farmers in northern Bangladesh. The board also made several decisions on development-related matters.

Members expressed confidence in the current leadership of BMDA and voiced optimism that under capable and visionary guidance, the authority would continue to play an important role in advancing agriculture, water resource management, and the living standards of farmers in the region.

As Bangladesh’s BNP government prepares to present its first national budget, the country’s aviation and tourism industries are urging the inclusion of a coherent policy framework beyond nominal allocations. Industry representatives argue that such a framework is essential to transform these strategically important sectors into drivers of economic growth.

Aviation leaders are calling for tax exemptions on jet fuel, aircraft leasing, and operations to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness, while tourism entrepreneurs demand implementation of the long-awaited National Tourism Master Plan, stronger institutional backing, and investment incentives. The upcoming 2026–27 budget is viewed as a test of the BNP’s election pledge to make Bangladesh a regional aviation hub and a globally competitive tourism destination by 2034.

Stakeholders emphasize that the budget’s significance lies not in allocation size but in whether it signals long-term policy commitment. Both sectors seek reforms, investment, and coordination to unlock their potential, with the aviation industry focusing on cost reduction and infrastructure readiness, and the tourism sector pressing for incentives, funding, and policy continuity.

Bangladesh’s Industry Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir informed the National Parliament that fertilizer factories cannot operate because of a gas shortage. He made the statement on Sunday while responding to a question from Jamalpur-4 lawmaker Faridul Kabir Talukdar regarding the full-capacity operation of the Jamuna Fertilizer Factory. The minister said the factory is production-ready but cannot run without sufficient gas supply.

Muktadir added that the government is considering creating a separate gas network for fertilizer factories to address the issue. In response to another question from Jamalpur-3 lawmaker Mostafizur Rahman Babul, the minister reported that 12 state-owned industrial units are currently closed, and operations at six state-owned sugar mills have been suspended. He also stated that 43 industrial factories in five BSCIC industrial estates in Chattogram have shut down over the past 17 years.

The minister’s remarks highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate gas supply for industrial production, which continues to affect fertilizer and other state-owned manufacturing sectors.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced jet fuel prices again in line with international market trends. For June, the price of jet fuel for domestic flights has been set at 150.21 taka per liter, down from 165.88 taka, marking a decrease of 15.67 taka per liter. The new rates were announced on Sunday, June 7.

For international flights, the price has also been lowered from 1.0823 US dollars to 0.9808 US dollars per liter. BERC stated that the adjustment was made considering global market prices, exchange rates, and transportation costs. The commission had previously reduced the price on May 23, from 205.45 taka to 165.88 taka per liter.

According to BERC, jet fuel prices are reviewed and adjusted monthly based on international market conditions and related expenses.

Bangladesh’s overall inflation increased again in May 2026, reaching 9.42 percent on a point-to-point basis, up from 9.04 percent in April, according to data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on Friday. The latest figure marks a return to an upward trend after a brief slowdown in March, when inflation had fallen below 9 percent.

BBS data show that food inflation rose to 9.06 percent in May from 8.39 percent in April, driven by higher prices of edible oil, vegetables, eggs, and poultry. Non-food inflation also edged up to 9.71 percent from 9.57 percent, influenced by increased costs of fuel, gas, electricity, and transportation. Both rural and urban areas experienced higher inflation, with rural inflation at 9.48 percent and urban inflation at 9.25 percent.

The continued rise in both food and non-food prices indicates sustained pressure on low- and middle-income households, as essential commodities and utility costs remain elevated across the country.