The Cabinet has approved a policy framework for a direct foreign investment (FDI) incentive scheme aimed at encouraging all Bangladeshi citizens, including expatriates, to contribute to attracting FDI. The approval was given during the Cabinet’s ninth meeting held on Thursday at the Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Cabinet Division confirmed the decision in an official press release.

According to the release, the government formulated the FDI incentive scheme to promote participation of Bangladeshis in bringing foreign investment into the country. In the same meeting, the Cabinet also granted policy approval to the draft of the Bangladesh Medical University (Amendment) Act, 2026, initiated by the Ministry of Health Education and Family Welfare. The amendment aims to expand the scope of medical services, education, and research under the university.

The proposed amendment would allow the university to form profit-based or non-profit companies or organizations and acquire shares to enhance its operational and research capacity, requiring changes to the existing Bangladesh Medical University Act of 1998.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a Tk 20,000 crore pre-financing scheme aimed at reopening closed industrial and service establishments. The central bank issued a circular on Thursday outlining that defaulters, money launderers, and entities involved in fraud or misuse of previous loans will not be eligible for this facility. The scheme, valid for three years, will be operated using surplus liquidity from scheduled banks, which must sign separate agreements with Bangladesh Bank to participate.

According to the circular, the initiative seeks to boost industrial production, employment, exports, and overall economic activity. Priority will be given to export-oriented and high-potential enterprises, as well as entrepreneurs reopening closed factories through acquisition or lease. Each borrower may receive up to Tk 200 crore for a maximum term of one year, with interest rates capped at 7 percent. The funds must be used for operational expenses such as wages, utilities, and raw materials, not for repaying existing loans.

Banks will bear all credit risks and must ensure proper loan utilization through regular reporting and inspections. Misuse of funds will trigger penalties, including recovery from the bank’s account and possible legal action against involved parties.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan said that the recent increase in electricity prices will directly raise production costs, affecting sectors from agriculture to industry. He made the remarks on Thursday at a seminar organized by Jatiya Juboshokti at the organization’s central office in Banglamotor.

Asif Mahmud noted that ordinary citizens in Bangladesh are already burdened with various taxes, including those on personal vehicles and motorcycles, yet improvements in public services remain limited. He criticized the lack of effective planning to address road infrastructure and traffic congestion, despite tax revenues being collected for such development.

Discussing the electricity price adjustment, he pointed out that while the government promotes a reduction in monthly charges for prepaid meters, it has simultaneously raised electricity tariffs. He warned that this move could increase commodity prices and urged the government to take necessary measures to minimize the negative impact on the general population.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has decided to extend the operating hours of the metro rail by 20 minutes at night starting Sunday. Under the new schedule, one additional trip will be added to the service. The last train from Uttara North to Motijheel will now depart at 9:50 p.m., while the final train from Motijheel to Uttara North will leave at 10:30 p.m. Currently, the last trains depart at 9:30 p.m. and 10:10 p.m. respectively.

According to Ahsan Ullah Sharifi, Deputy Project Director (Public Relations) of the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line-6), the decision was made considering passenger demand. The new schedule will take effect on June 7.

The extension aims to accommodate increasing ridership during late hours and improve commuter convenience across the metro network.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep disappointment and anger over media reports that the government is considering allowing the legalization of undisclosed or black money in the upcoming 2026–2027 fiscal year budget through a declaration of unconditional amnesty, without allowing any authority to question the source of such funds. The organization said the move, justified by the government as a way to boost investment and economic growth, would instead institutionalize corruption and irregularities under state patronage.

In a statement, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that successive governments since independence have continued this unconstitutional practice under Article 20(2) of the Constitution, often under the pretext of short-term financial benefits. He noted that such policies have encouraged tax evasion and discouraged honest taxpayers. He also criticized the current government’s attempt to reintroduce the provision, arguing it undermines previous efforts to abolish it.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman added that while the government may aim to repatriate laundered money through general amnesty, those involved in illegal earnings or ongoing legal cases must not be exempted from accountability.

Education Minister Dr. Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that the upcoming 2026–27 fiscal year budget will allocate two percent of Bangladesh’s GDP to the education sector, amounting to 1.23 trillion taka. He made the statement on Thursday after a meeting with Prime Minister Tareque Rahman at the Secretariat. The minister noted that this is the first time the country’s education sector will receive a full two percent of GDP, covering primary, secondary, madrasa, and higher education.

In the previous budget, education received 1.69 percent of GDP, which included allocations for projects such as the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and ICT. The minister said the Prime Minister has pledged to gradually raise education spending to five percent of GDP. The government will prioritize teacher training, quality improvement, and technical education to develop skilled human resources. The Prime Minister also instructed that funds be arranged soon for teachers’ welfare and retirement benefits.

A detailed press conference on the allocation and related projects will be held within a few days, according to the minister.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has withdrawn the increased electricity tariff for residential consumers using up to 75 units, known as lifeline customers. The decision was announced on Thursday afternoon through an official notice, following concerns about the impact of higher rates on marginal consumers.

Earlier, the Power Division had requested BERC to reconsider the revised electricity tariff. The commission had held public hearings on May 20 and 21 after receiving proposals from distribution companies to adjust retail rates. Using its authority under the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003, BERC had redefined wholesale, transmission, and retail tariffs. However, the approved rates did not reflect the Power Development Board’s proposal for lifeline consumers, prompting the Power Division’s intervention.

Citing the government’s commitment to improving living standards for low- and lower-middle-income families, the Power Division argued that the revised tariff conflicted with national policy. In response, BERC decided to restore the previous rate for lifeline consumers based on the Power Development Board’s earlier proposal from May 3, 2026.

Cuba’s central bank announced that starting June 6, Visa and Mastercard transactions will no longer be processed in the country. The move follows new US trade sanctions imposed by the Trump administration, which have intensified economic pressure on Cuba’s already struggling economy. According to Reuters, several foreign companies have begun limiting or ending business ties with Cuba after a US executive order issued on May 1.

The central bank stated that due to these restrictions, payments for goods and services through international cards can no longer be received. Analysts described the development as a major blow to Cuba’s economy, particularly its tourism sector, which was already in distress. The sanctions also target GAESA, a military-controlled business group accused of secretly managing revenues from tourism, financial transactions, and remittances.

Cuba’s government has denied the allegations, asserting that GAESA contributes to the country’s economic and social development. In recent weeks, several foreign hotels, airlines, and shipping companies have reportedly begun withdrawing from Cuba amid the tightening sanctions.

The U.S. Department of Defense is facing growing financial pressure as fuel prices surge due to the ongoing Iran war. According to Pentagon data, the average refined fuel price for the military rose from 154.14 dollars per barrel in October to 195.72 dollars in April. The increase could lead to more than one billion dollars in unexpected additional costs this year, as the department consumes about 80 million barrels of fuel annually.

Military leaders are also struggling with rising civilian fuel and commercial flight costs. Since troops often rely on commercial flights, rental cars, and private vehicles for training and other activities, the higher fuel prices are placing extra strain on the defense budget.

As a result, travel expenses have come under strict review. Reports indicate that since at least April, some units have significantly reduced or canceled travel for training and other events to control spending.

The government of Bangladesh is considering exempting two categories of electricity consumers—lifeline (marginal) and first-step users—from the recently announced price increase. The Power Development Board (PDB) has already applied to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to keep electricity rates unchanged for these groups. BERC sources confirmed that a revised decision on this matter could be issued soon.

On Wednesday, BERC had announced a record hike in electricity prices across all consumer categories. The wholesale rate was raised by an average of 19.85 percent, transmission charges by 23.96 percent, and retail consumer rates by 16.68 percent. Under the new rates, lifeline users consuming 0–50 units were to pay Tk 5.32 per unit, while first-step users consuming 0–75 units were to pay Tk 6.18 per unit, effective from June.

If approved, the exemption would maintain previous rates for these two consumer groups, providing relief to lower-income households affected by the recent price adjustments.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, announced that a total of 9,367,418 animals were sacrificed across the country during Eid-ul-Azha. The data, presented at a press briefing at the ministry’s conference room on Thursday, showed that Dhaka division recorded the highest number of sacrifices, followed by Rajshahi and Chattogram. Compared to last year, the number of sacrificial animals increased by 231,418.

According to the ministry’s preliminary statistics, the total included 4,864,158 cattle and buffalo, 4,502,233 goats and sheep, and 1,027 other animals. The national demand for sacrificial animals this year was 10,106,334, while availability stood at 12,333,840, leaving a surplus of 2,966,422 animals. The minister stated that Bangladesh is now self-sufficient in livestock production and that the government aims to export surplus animals and meat after meeting domestic demand.

He credited timely government policies, farmers’ dedication, and private investment for achieving self-sufficiency in the livestock sector, which he said contributes to strengthening the rural economy and sustainable development.

Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX is preparing for what could become the largest initial public offering in history, targeting a market valuation of about $177 trillion. According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, SpaceX plans to sell 556 million shares at $135 each, aiming to raise roughly $75 billion. Trading is expected to begin on June 12 on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in New York.

The IPO would make SpaceX the world’s seventh-largest company by market capitalization, surpassing Tesla and Meta, and ranking just behind Taiwan’s TSMC. The listing is also set to break Saudi Aramco’s 2019 IPO record. Despite going public, Musk will retain effective control of SpaceX through a dual-class share structure granting him over 82% of voting rights. The company’s decision to set a fixed share price before launch is considered unusual compared to standard IPO practices.

Founded in 2002, SpaceX designs and launches rockets and spacecraft for NASA and private clients, and also operates its Starlink and xAI divisions. The IPO will test investor confidence in Musk’s long-term vision, as SpaceX reported heavy losses in 2025 and early 2026.

The chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), Khondkar Rashed Maksud, along with four commissioners, resigned on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The commissioners who stepped down are M. Mohsin Chowdhury, Md. Ali Akbar, Farzana Lalarukh, and Md. Saifuddin. They submitted their resignation letters to the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance in the morning. Maksud had been appointed chairman on August 18, 2024, for a four-year term, while the commissioners were appointed between June 2024 and July 2025.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the BSEC, the country’s capital market regulator, will be reconstituted within the next two weeks. The resignations came a day after the officials cleared their personal belongings from their offices. A planned Eid reunion event at the BSEC headquarters, scheduled for Thursday morning, was canceled earlier that day, and invitees were informed via text message.

The ministry’s announcement indicates that a new leadership team for the BSEC will be formed soon to ensure continuity in regulatory oversight of the capital market.

Concrete brick and block manufacturers across Bangladesh are facing a severe crisis due to inadequate government support and limited use of eco-friendly materials in public and private construction projects. Despite a 2019 government plan to phase out traditional clay bricks and fully adopt concrete blocks in public works by the 2024–25 fiscal year, production and use of clay bricks continue nationwide, harming both the environment and investors in sustainable industries.

Entrepreneurs and environmental officials say that concrete blocks, produced with modern technology using stone chips, Sylhet sand, and high-quality cement, are durable, heat- and sound-resistant, and environmentally safer. However, many factories are struggling or closing due to lack of policy enforcement, awareness, and incentives. Local engineers and business owners note that using hollow and uni blocks reduces construction costs, time, and maintenance expenses while improving durability.

Environmental experts warn that without stronger policy execution and incentives, Bangladesh may fail to meet its sustainability targets and risk discouraging future investment in eco-friendly construction materials.

The chairman and commissioners of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) have resigned unexpectedly, ending weeks of speculation. The resignations were submitted on Thursday morning to the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance. The outgoing chairman, Khondkar Rashed Maksud, and commissioners Md. Mohsin Chowdhury, Md. Ali Akbar, Farzana Lalarukh, and Md. Saifuddin stepped down from their positions.

Two days earlier, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury had announced at an Economic Reporters Forum event that new appointments for the BSEC chairman and commissioners would be made within two weeks. Following this announcement, the resignations came sooner than anticipated. A scheduled Eid reunion event at the BSEC office, organized by the chairman, was also canceled after the resignations.

According to sources connected to the invited guests, the chairman and commissioners were advised to resign. The developments mark a significant leadership change at the country’s capital market regulatory body.