Economist and former central bank governor Salehuddin Ahmed stated that Bangladesh currently lacks well-functioning institutions. At a book launch event in Dhaka, he said that 80% of the country’s banking resources are misallocated and that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates $35 billion will be required to restructure the sector. He added that both legal integrity and procedural systems have deteriorated. Mirza Fakhrul Islam, Secretary General of the BNP, also spoke at the event, claiming that corruption has increased fivefold. Both speakers called for urgent democratic reforms and structural changes in political power.

Pakistan is close to finalizing a trade agreement with the United States, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He said a team has been formed under the Prime Minister’s directive to coordinate the deal, which could be concluded within days. The agreement is expected to focus on minerals, offshore gas, and broader commercial cooperation. Dar also invited U.S. investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan.

A progress review meeting on customs and VAT revenue collection was held under the leadership of NBR’s Chairman of the Internal Resources Division, Md. Abdur Rahman Khan. The chairman praised the performance of high-achieving commissionerates and customs houses. He emphasized preventing tax evasion, expediting cargo clearance, timely audits, and regular updates on bonded licenses and BIN suspensions. Plans are underway to introduce a new software system as an alternative to ASYCUDA, following a successful pilot. The meeting stressed the importance of trade facilitation and risk management in boosting revenue.

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has officially invited Bangladesh for final tariff negotiations in Washington on July 29, confirmed Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman. The Bangladeshi delegation will be led by Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin. Discussions may also be held virtually. Bangladesh hopes to negotiate a reduction in the current 35% tariff rate and has proposed duty-free imports of cotton, wheat, LNG, aircraft, and agricultural products from the U.S. A deal has already been signed to import 700,000 tons of wheat.

Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin has assured that Bangladesh will not take any actions that compromise its national interests in response to the recent imposition of U.S. tariffs. Speaking at the Secretariat on Thursday, he confirmed that a formal letter has been sent to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and a request has been made for an online meeting.

Regarding the appointment of lobbyists, Sheikh Bashir noted that while businesses may engage lobbyists independently, the government has not taken any such initiative. He stressed that the government remains actively engaged in discussions and is not passive on the issue.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a “massive” trade agreement with Japan. According to Trump, the deal will see Japan invest $550 billion in the United States and impose a 15% reciprocal tariff.

The agreement will also open Japanese markets to American automobiles, trucks, and agricultural products. Speaking at the White House, Trump called the deal "one of the largest in history." Japanese negotiator Ryosei Akazawa also praised the agreement as a success.

Bangladesh has submitted its final position paper to the United States Trade Representative (USTR), seeking a reduction in the 35% additional tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. The country has also requested a third round of negotiations to be held on July 26–27.

The previous discussions ended without a breakthrough, raising uncertainty about potential tariff relief. The new tariffs are scheduled to take effect from August 1.

In an inter-ministerial meeting, Bangladesh decided to increase imports of U.S. goods—including wheat, soybeans, LNG, and military equipment—and to lower tariffs on some American products. However, the talks remain under a non-disclosure agreement, keeping key details confidential.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is considering hiring a lobbying firm in Washington, although securing one has reportedly become increasingly difficult.

Citigroup forecasts silver prices could exceed $40 per ounce within the next three months due to increased demand and supply constraints. The long-term target is set at $43 per ounce for the next 6 to 12 months. Silver prices have already risen over 30% this year, driven by strong fundamentals and anticipated Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, gold reached a record $3,500 per ounce in 2025 but may decline gradually to between $2,500 and $2,700 next year.

Intel is no longer among the world’s top 10 semiconductor companies, according to CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Once a dominant force, Intel has fallen behind due to strategic missteps and late entry into AI development. Competitors like NVIDIA, AMD, and TSMC have surged ahead. While the company is trying to regain ground, experts say it faces an uphill battle. Despite challenges, Intel hopes recent leadership changes can help reclaim relevance in the rapidly evolving semiconductor and AI industries.

Bangladesh and the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which Bangladesh will import 700,000 metric tons of wheat annually from the US at competitive prices over the next five years.

Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder stated that this initiative will play a vital role in strengthening the country's food security, nutrition, and supply chain. The agreement was signed by Director General of the Directorate General of Food, Abul Hasnat, and Vice President of the US Wheat Associates, Joseph Sowers. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both countries, including US Chargé d’Affaires Tracy Ann Jacobson.

Government-issued prize bonds are facing increasing transaction deficits, as proceeds from new bond sales are insufficient to repay older liabilities. Investor confidence has waned due to lack of profitability, complex prize collection procedures, and a lottery-based system. As of January 2025, the deficit stands at Tk 20.9 crore, with similar trends continuing throughout the year. While sales spike before each quarterly draw, they quickly taper off, disrupting the original goal of encouraging savings. Currently, only Tk 100-denomination bonds are available, with limited promotional efforts and reduced public interest. The government is now forced to draw funds from other sectors to cover obligations—an alarming sign for the broader economy.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has withdrawn the excise duty on raw materials used in the ready-made garments (RMG) sector, including cotton, synthetic fibers, and acrylic. According to a notification issued on July 17, these imported materials will now attract zero percent excise duty. Previously, there was a 2% advance income tax on cotton imports, which had been criticized by industry stakeholders.

The textile sector supplies approximately 70% of the yarn and fabric used in the RMG industry, which has investments worth nearly $23 billion. This decision is expected to provide some relief to the sector, which plays a crucial role in the country’s economy.

Bangladesh’s total foreign currency reserves have increased to $30.02 billion, according to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank. However, using the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, which excludes short-term liabilities, the net reserve stands at $24.99 billion. The recent rise follows a payment of $2.02 billion to the Asian Clearing Union, which had temporarily reduced reserves earlier this month. Officials noted a gradual recovery over the past weeks. The BPM6 method is now the global standard for reporting accurate net reserves.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen met with Bangladesh's Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin on July 16 at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The two discussed strengthening trade and investment cooperation between the two nations. Both sides emphasized the importance of deepening bilateral ties and exploring new avenues for economic collaboration. The meeting reflects ongoing efforts by Bangladesh and China to enhance strategic partnerships, particularly in the areas of commerce and investment, aiming for mutual growth and long-term economic benefits.

India’s merchandise trade deficit is projected to rise to $300 billion in the 2025–26 fiscal year, up from $287 billion last year, driven by sluggish exports and robust import growth. According to an ICICI Bank report, weaker demand in major global markets—excluding the U.S.—has slowed export momentum. U.S. demand remains relatively high due to advance orders ahead of potential tariffs. Meanwhile, strong domestic consumption is expected to boost imports further, potentially widening the trade imbalance.