Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced another increase in electricity prices across the country. On Wednesday, the commission raised wholesale electricity rates by 19.85 percent and retail rates by 15 to 19.94 percent. Transmission charges were also increased by 23.96 percent. The decision follows applications submitted between May 3 and 6 by electricity producers, transmitters, and distributors seeking higher tariffs.

During public hearings held on May 20 and 21, political leaders, consumer rights activists, business representatives, and industrialists opposed the proposed price hikes. They argued that long-standing corruption, mismanagement, poor planning, and waste were being unfairly passed on to consumers. The last electricity price adjustment occurred in February 2024, when the average wholesale rate rose from Tk 6.70 to Tk 7.04 per unit by executive order.

The electricity price revision comes shortly after the government adjusted fuel prices effective June 1, increasing octane, petrol, and kerosene by Tk 5 per liter while keeping diesel unchanged at Tk 115 per liter.

The United States has proposed new tariffs on imports from 60 countries, including Bangladesh, citing failures to prevent the use of forced labor. According to official documents, the proposed tariffs range from 10 percent to 12.5 percent on goods imported from these countries. The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) stated that 54 of the affected countries have failed to effectively ban or enforce restrictions on goods produced through forced labor.

This proposal follows investigations launched by Washington against major trade partners such as China, the European Union, and Japan. The move comes as the Trump administration seeks to restructure its emergency tariff framework, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February.

USTR specified that imports from countries including Canada, Ecuador, the EU, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom would face an additional 10 percent tariff, while the remaining 45 countries would face a 12.5 percent tariff.

Global oil prices increased again as tensions escalated between the United States and Iran, following attacks targeting Kuwait and Bahrain. In Wednesday morning trading, crude oil prices rose by more than 1 percent, reflecting market concerns over regional instability.

According to the report, the United States carried out an attack on Iran’s Qeshm Island, prompting Iran to respond with missile and drone strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain. Meanwhile, peace talks between the United States and Iran have shown no progress, further fueling uncertainty in the energy market. The heightened conflict has directly influenced oil trading trends.

Brent crude futures rose by 1.05 dollars, or 1.09 percent, to settle at 97.05 dollars per barrel. Similarly, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased by 1.01 dollars, or 1.08 percent, reaching 94.77 dollars per barrel.

In Barishal, the expected abundance of Hilsa fish during the peak season has not materialized. Despite strong river currents and the onset of the monsoon, fishermen report catching very few fish even after casting nets all day. At Barishal’s Port Road fish market, only 50–60 maunds of Hilsa arrived on Tuesday morning, compared to several hundred maunds in previous years. Prices have soared, with one-kilogram Hilsa selling for Tk 2,500–3,000 and larger fish reaching up to Tk 4,500 per kilogram.

Local traders and fishermen expressed frustration, noting that Hilsa production has been declining for years. They said government conservation efforts have not yet yielded visible results, leaving both sellers and buyers in difficulty. Fishermen on the Meghna River reported severe hardship, with little to no income for a month due to the lack of fish.

Officials from the Department of Fisheries, however, remain optimistic. They stated that the main Hilsa season will begin in July and that sufficient rainfall could bring larger fish from the sea into rivers, improving supply later in the season.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to withdraw its earlier plan to impose advance income tax on motorcycles from the next fiscal year. According to National Board of Revenue (NBR) sources, all types of motorcycles will now be exempt from such tax. The initial proposal had suggested an annual advance tax ranging from two thousand to ten thousand taka depending on engine capacity. The decision follows protests by hundreds of bikers who demonstrated in front of the NBR headquarters in Agargaon and submitted a memorandum opposing the tax.

Bikers argued that motorcycles are no longer luxury items but essential for employment in ride-sharing and delivery services, as well as for daily commuting. They also pointed out that motorcycle prices in Bangladesh are already higher than in neighboring countries, and the proposed tax would further burden ordinary citizens. NBR had initially justified the tax by citing the growing commercial use of motorcycles and the possibility of adjusting the advance payment during annual tax returns.

An NBR official confirmed that the government’s higher authorities instructed not to impose any advance income tax on motorcycles, ensuring that only existing registration fees and road taxes will continue to apply.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report shows that default loans in the country’s banking sector rose by Tk 31,487 crore in the first quarter of 2026, despite multiple policy supports and special rescheduling opportunities. At the end of March, total default loans reached Tk 5,88,704 crore, or 32.26% of total loans, up from Tk 5,57,217 crore three months earlier. The increase has renewed pressure on the banking system, reversing the temporary relief seen at the end of 2025.

Officials and bankers attributed the rise to slow economic growth, accumulating interest, and reclassification of previously understated loans after central bank inspections. Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said defaults were expected to fall under the special rescheduling policy, but accrued interest and grace periods prevented recovery. ABB Chairman Masrur Arefin cited sluggish production and limited borrower capacity to meet down payments as key factors.

The report also highlights that state-owned banks hold the highest default ratio at 45.85%, while private banks account for 30.11%. The interim government’s disclosure of previously hidden defaults has further exposed the sector’s vulnerabilities, underscoring persistent structural weaknesses in loan management.

A human chain was organized in Daudkandi, Cumilla, by customers, investors, and businesspeople of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited. The event took place on Tuesday in front of the bank’s branch office at Ahmadia Plaza in Daudkandi municipal market, drawing significant participation from local traders and clients.

Participants expressed unity in protecting business interests, maintaining the bank’s stability, and fulfilling various demands. They emphasized Islami Bank’s vital role in the national economy and called for ensuring customer trust, business interests, transparency, and accountability. Speakers urged that mutual trust between the bank and its clients must remain strong and that the institution should be kept free from irregularities, corruption, and vested interests.

Business leaders including Billal Miaji, Rezaul Haque Sarkar, Abu Bakar Siddiq, and Ismail Hossain Talukder addressed the gathering, while Nasir Uddin Ahmed conducted the program. They appealed to authorities to take prompt action to safeguard the bank’s governance and protect depositor confidence.

Social Welfare Minister Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain announced that the upcoming national budget will expand the scope of family cards, farmer cards, and religious sector programs. He said allocations for social safety programs have been increased, and financial grants for treating critical illnesses have been doubled. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday at a meeting with divisional officials at the Department of Social Services office in Agargaon.

Zahid Hossain stated that around 4.02 million people will be brought under the family card program next year. The government is also working to transform orphaned children into skilled human resources. Grants for patients suffering from cancer, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, thalassemia, and congenital heart disease will be raised to 100,000 taka, with total allocations proposed to increase from 3 billion to 6 billion taka. The minister said the program’s third pilot phase is expected to be completed by June.

State Minister Farzana Sharmin noted that despite many institutions under the ministry, coordination remains a challenge. The new work plan emphasizes better coordination to improve service quality.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced a significant reduction in gold prices across the country following a decline in international markets. The price of 22-carat gold has been lowered by Tk 3,266 per bhori, setting the new rate at Tk 234,855. The revised prices took effect from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, according to a BAJUS press release.

BAJUS stated that the decision was influenced by a sharp fall in global gold prices, which impacted the local market. The last price adjustment occurred on May 25, when the association raised the price of 22-carat gold by Tk 2,158 per bhori to Tk 238,121. Prices for 21-carat, 18-carat, and traditional gold have also been revised accordingly.

So far this year, BAJUS has adjusted gold prices 70 times, increasing them 37 times and reducing them 33 times, reflecting continued volatility in both domestic and international markets.

Commerce, Industry and Textile Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that within the next 18 to 24 months, the Ministry of Commerce will be transformed into an efficient and people-oriented institution. Speaking at a review meeting at the ministry’s conference room in Dhaka, he outlined four priority areas: ensuring market stability, revitalizing the tea industry, addressing post-LDC trade challenges, and controlling essential commodity prices.

He noted that even after 55 years of independence, a sustainable framework for price stability of essential goods has not been established. The ministry plans to build a long-term mechanism to maintain market stability year-round. The minister also emphasized strengthening the tea industry through coordinated efforts between public and private sectors, and preparing for Bangladesh’s transition from LDC to developing country status by expanding trade agreements and training officials for international negotiations.

Muktadir further mentioned plans to transform the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) into a modern resource center modeled after examples from Turkey, Malaysia, and India, to serve as a reliable data hub for both government and private sectors.

A human chain demonstration by customers and employees of Islami Bank was held in Chapainawabganj on Tuesday afternoon at Baten Khan Mor in the town. The event lasted for about an hour and was organized to express concerns about attempts to destabilize the bank.

Speakers at the demonstration alleged that during the previous authoritarian government, S. Alam had taken control of Islami Bank. They claimed that after the change of government, as the bank began to recover, a group was again trying to create instability. Participants called for maintaining the bank’s regular operations and ensuring its stability.

The demonstration reflected ongoing tensions surrounding Islami Bank’s management and operations in the post-government transition period, with participants urging continued normal functioning of the institution.

The United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has expressed a positive stance on Bangladesh’s proposal to extend its preparation period for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category until November 24, 2029. CDP Chair Professor José Antonio Ocampo informed the Bangladesh government that the committee considers the extension appropriate, according to a press release from the Ministry of Finance issued on Tuesday.

The CDP emphasized that the additional time should be used to address structural challenges and implement necessary policy reforms, not to delay them. Bangladesh formally requested the three-year extension on February 18, 2026, followed by a letter from the Prime Minister to the UN Secretary-General on April 6 seeking support. The committee noted that Bangladesh has exceeded all three LDC graduation criteria by a significant margin and is unlikely to regress in the near or medium term. However, it also cited global economic and geopolitical uncertainties, including Middle East tensions and energy market volatility, as potential risks.

The CDP welcomed Bangladesh’s commitment to its Smooth Transition Strategy and stressed the importance of continued international cooperation, including concessional financing, technical assistance, and trade capacity building, during and after the transition period.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced a reduction in liquefied petroleum (LPG) gas prices for consumers on Tuesday. The price of a 12-kilogram cylinder has been lowered from 1,940 taka to 1,885 taka. Additionally, the price of autogas has been reduced from 89.50 taka per liter to 86.93 taka per liter.

According to the report, the last price adjustment occurred on April 19, when the 12-kilogram cylinder price was increased by 212 taka to 1,940 taka. Seventeen days earlier, on April 2, BERC had raised the price by 387 taka to 1,727 taka. This means that within two consecutive revisions, the 12-kilogram cylinder price had increased by a total of 599 taka before the latest reduction.

The new pricing decision reflects a reversal of recent hikes and is expected to provide some relief to consumers following consecutive increases in April.

Lebanon’s Finance Minister Yassine Jaber has warned that the country’s financial losses from the ongoing Israel-Lebanon conflict have already exceeded $20 billion and could reach $25 billion if the fighting continues. The statement was reported by correspondent Zeina Khodr, citing the minister’s assessment of the escalating economic toll.

Jaber cautioned that the full extent of the economic and social damage will only become clear once the conflict ends, particularly when displaced residents begin returning to their devastated communities. He noted that the destruction of infrastructure, housing, and local economies will make the country’s reconstruction process significantly more difficult in the long term.

Analysts cited in the report said that if the conflict drags on, Lebanon’s economy could face an even deeper crisis, with recovery potentially taking many years.

Non-performing loans (NPLs) in Bangladesh’s banking sector have increased by Tk 314.88 billion over the past three months, according to the latest report from Bangladesh Bank. As of the end of December, total NPLs stood at Tk 5.57 trillion, representing 30.60 percent of total loans distributed at that time. By the end of March this year, the figure had risen to Tk 5.88 trillion, or 32.26 percent of total loans.

The report also shows that the total outstanding loans in the banking sector currently amount to Tk 18.24 trillion. The data highlights a continuing upward trend in defaulted loans within the country’s financial system, reflecting growing stress in the banking sector.

The increase in NPLs underscores ongoing challenges in loan recovery and credit management across banks, as indicated by the central bank’s updated figures.