Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, stated that citizens have been left with a heavy debt burden due to past decisions in the power sector. Speaking on Thursday, February 26, at the ministry’s conference room during the handover ceremony of the Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB) executive committee, he said it is better to endure hardship than to remain trapped in debt.

The minister criticized previous governments for failing to follow earlier policy guidelines that limited private participation in power generation to 35 percent. He noted that private involvement has now reached 82 percent, reducing government control and increasing financial liabilities. He also highlighted inefficiencies such as idle power plants requiring capacity payments and a rise in system loss from 6 percent to 10 percent over 19 years. Each percentage point of system loss equals about 5 million taka in losses.

Tuku said the government aims to reduce system loss to 3 percent, starting with a directive to bring it down to 5 percent. He added that discussions are underway with private power producers to reach a balanced solution without raising electricity prices.

Bangladesh’s domestic debt increased by more than Tk 1.13 trillion during the 14 months of the interim government, according to data from Bangladesh Bank. The total domestic debt stood at Tk 9.24 trillion in July 2024, when the Awami League government was in power, and rose to Tk 10.36 trillion by the end of October 2025. This growth indicates continued borrowing from domestic sources, creating additional pressure on revenue management.

Bangladesh Bank data show that the government borrowed Tk 5.49 trillion from banks and Tk 4.88 trillion from non-bank sources, reflecting a strong reliance on domestic financial institutions. The upward trend in borrowing had already been visible earlier, with domestic debt increasing by about 10 percent year-on-year as of October 2024.

The report suggests that while new borrowing from banks may be slowing, the overall rise in domestic debt continues to strain fiscal stability and highlights the government’s dependence on internal financing channels.

Bangladesh Bank’s newly appointed governor, Mostakur Rahman, announced an 11-point plan on his first day in office aimed at accelerating economic recovery and strengthening growth. The central bank’s spokesperson released the written plan on Thursday, outlining measures to maintain macroeconomic stability while promoting investment-driven expansion to create employment opportunities.

According to the official statement, the interim government had stabilized the economy at a low equilibrium after a fragile period, and the new governor emphasized the need to move toward sustainable, inclusive growth. His plan includes maintaining macroeconomic stability, ensuring inclusive growth beyond GDP expansion, reopening closed factories and businesses, reconsidering high interest rates, controlling inflation, ensuring good governance in the banking sector, adopting objective-based and rule-based management, delegating authority to speed up operations, coordinating with other government agencies, and protecting the central bank’s reputation.

The announcement marks the governor’s first policy direction since assuming office, signaling a focus on stability, governance, and coordinated economic management.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan announced that newly appointed governor Mustakur Rahman has formally taken charge after stepping away from all business affiliations. The statement came on Thursday, February 26, following a meeting between the new governor and officials from various departments of the central bank.

According to the spokesperson, the governor’s main objective is to create employment opportunities. The meeting focused on high interest rates and inflation, with emphasis on maintaining price stability while exploring ways to ease interest rates. The governor also highlighted the importance of reopening closed factories and promoting inclusive economic growth through job creation.

Khan added that the governor instructed departments to coordinate their activities and prepare an action plan to ensure the government does not face challenges due to lack of coordination. The meeting reaffirmed the central bank’s commitment to good governance and policy coherence across departments.

The new government has decided to waive agricultural loans of up to 10,000 taka, including interest, for farmers across Bangladesh. The decision was made on Thursday, February 26, 2026, during the first cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. According to official estimates, around 1.2 million farmers will be freed from a total debt burden of approximately 1,550 crore taka.

Cabinet Secretary Md. Nasimul Gani informed reporters that the initiative aims to strengthen farmers’ financial capacity and revitalize the agricultural sector. The waiver applies to outstanding loans of up to 10,000 taka, covering both principal and interest, and will directly benefit marginal farmers who have struggled to repay small loans.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, government and private commercial banks, as well as specialized banks, are owed about 1,550 crore taka in agricultural loans as of February 25. These loans will now fall under the waiver scheme, providing direct relief to about 1.2 million farmers nationwide.

Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Food Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said that with proper planning, efficient management, and effective field-level initiatives, agro-products could become Bangladesh’s leading export items. He emphasized that if newly appointed officers work closely with farmers and communities, agricultural potential can be turned into economic strength, ensuring food security and socio-economic development. The minister made these remarks on Thursday, February 26, at the closing ceremony of a five-day orientation course for newly recruited 44th BCS (Livestock) cadre officers at the Soil Resource Development Institute in Dhaka.

He noted that many countries with limited agricultural seasons have made agriculture the foundation of their economies, while Bangladesh’s favorable climate and fertile soil allow year-round production. However, he stressed that more initiatives are needed to achieve the desired economic success. The minister also highlighted the benefits of properly processing and using cow dung to reduce chemical fertilizer use, protect the environment, and preserve soil fertility.

He urged the new officers to serve people with honesty, responsibility, and competence, saying that proper use of natural and agricultural resources would help build a prosperous and sustainable Bangladesh for future generations.

Bangladesh received $2.79 billion in remittances during the first 25 days of February 2026, equivalent to about Tk 34,062 crore at an exchange rate of Tk 122 per dollar. On February 25 alone, expatriates sent Tk 1,317 crore. The figures were released by Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan on February 26.

According to the central bank, remittance inflows during the same period last year totaled $2.28 billion, marking a 22.4 percent increase this year. From July 1, 2025, to February 25, 2026, total remittances reached $22.22 billion, compared with $18.24 billion during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

The data indicate a steady rise in remittance inflows, reflecting stronger contributions from Bangladeshi expatriates and potentially supporting the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Bangladesh Bank’s newly appointed Governor Md. Mostakur Rahman stated that he intends to speak less and work more, emphasizing a results-oriented approach. He made the remarks on Thursday morning after arriving at the central bank headquarters, where he was welcomed by deputy governors and senior officials. Following meetings with deputy governors and executive directors, the bank’s spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan briefed the media on the governor’s initial directives.

According to the spokesperson, the governor expressed commitment to supporting the reopening of closed factories and providing policy assistance to boost economic growth and employment. He praised the previous interim government’s efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability and pledged to build on that foundation to revitalize the economy. The governor also highlighted the need to control inflation, stabilize commodity prices, and review high interest rates that hinder investment.

He further emphasized institutional good governance, promising a rule-based, non-discriminatory decision-making process and greater delegation of authority to accelerate operations within the central bank.

Bangladesh Bank announced that disciplinary action will be taken against officials involved in a mob incident that occurred at the central bank on Wednesday. The announcement was made by spokesperson and executive director Arif Hossain Khan during a press conference on Thursday afternoon. He stated that the new governor has pledged to establish good governance within the institution and that those linked to the mob culture will face measures under the bank’s HR policy.

Earlier in the day, the new governor formally joined the central bank and held a meeting with senior officials. The press conference was organized to share decisions from that meeting. During the meeting, the governor emphasized cooperation in reopening closed factories and promised policy support to promote economic growth and employment.

According to the report, the incident involved several officials who forced the governor’s adviser Ahsan Ullah out of the bank premises and compelled a deputy governor to sign transfer orders under pressure. The bank’s leadership has indicated that such behavior will not be tolerated.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for the 2025–26 fiscal year by one month. According to a notification signed by Md. Ekramul Haque, Second Secretary (Tax Law-1), taxpayers can now submit their returns without penalty until March 31, 2026. The decision was made under Section 334 of the Income Tax Act, 2023, with prior government approval and in the public interest.

Previously, the deadline for individual and Hindu Undivided Family taxpayers was February 28, 2026. The NBR had already extended the filing period three times earlier, each time by one month. Normally, the last date for submitting income tax returns in Bangladesh is November 30.

The latest extension aims to provide additional time for taxpayers to complete their filings and comply with the updated tax regulations for the current fiscal year.

The new government has decided to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, for farmers engaged in crop, fishery, and livestock sectors. The decision was made on Thursday, February 26, 2026, during the first cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat. Cabinet Secretary Md Nasimul Gani announced the decision to the media after the meeting.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, the initiative aims to ensure social security for poor farmers and strengthen the backbone of the agricultural sector. Data from Bangladesh Bank shows that as of February 25, 2026, government and private commercial banks, along with specialized banks, have outstanding agricultural loans totaling about Tk 1,550 crore, which will fall under this waiver. The measure is expected to directly benefit around 1.2 million farmers.

Officials stated that the waiver will help small and marginal farmers free themselves from debt, boost their motivation, and contribute to increased agricultural production across the country.

Bangladesh Bank will assist in reopening factories that were shut down following recent political changes, according to the central bank’s new Governor, Md. Mostakur Rahman. The announcement was made at an emergency press conference on Thursday afternoon, where bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan conveyed the governor’s directives. Rahman had joined the central bank earlier that morning and held a meeting with top officials before the briefing.

During the meeting, the governor emphasized active cooperation in reviving closed industrial units and pledged policy support to boost economic growth and employment. He praised the previous interim government’s efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability and said he would build on that foundation to restore economic momentum. The governor also highlighted the need for policy incentives and stronger coordination within the banking sector to facilitate industrial recovery.

Rahman further prioritized controlling inflation and stabilizing commodity prices within consumers’ purchasing power. He indicated that high interest rates hindering investment would be reviewed, and institutional governance would be strengthened through rule-based, non-discriminatory decision-making and delegation of authority to accelerate operations.

Md. Mostakur Rahman has officially joined Bangladesh Bank as its new governor. He arrived at the central bank’s headquarters on Thursday morning around 10:45 a.m., where he was received by deputy governors and senior officials. Before entering the building, Rahman briefly told reporters that work would come before words.

His appointment came a day earlier, on Wednesday, when Ahsan H. Mansur was removed from the position and businessman Mostakur Rahman was named as the new governor for a four-year term. According to the report, he has taken up the role after stepping away from his business affiliations.

The report also notes that Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern about potential conflicts of interest regarding the new governor’s appointment, while the interim government period has seen a rise in domestic borrowing by Tk 1.13 trillion. The central bank spokesperson confirmed that Rahman assumed his duties free from business ties.

Bangladesh has imported fruits worth around Tk 5,000 crore during the ongoing Ramadan season, as local fruits are not in season. Despite a 30 percent increase in import volume compared to last year, retail fruit prices have risen by at least 30 percent per kilogram. Prices continue to climb daily by Tk 5 to Tk 8. Chattogram port data show large imports of apples, grapes, oranges, and dates, with total customs revenue exceeding Tk 2,500 crore.

Importers and traders attribute the high prices to heavy import duties of up to 136 percent, high transport and refrigeration costs, and additional port handling expenses. The Chattogram Fruit Traders Association argues that fruits are treated as luxury goods, urging the government to reduce duties during Ramadan when domestic supply is low. Port officials note that over a thousand refrigerated containers of fruits remain undelivered, which could ease prices once released.

Consumer rights advocates allege that market syndicates are manipulating supply to inflate prices, warning that without stricter monitoring, imported fruits will remain unaffordable for ordinary consumers.

Bangladesh Bank has reported a rise in the country’s total foreign exchange reserves, which reached 35.31 billion US dollars as of February 25, 2026. The information was confirmed by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of the central bank, on Wednesday. According to the latest data, the gross reserve stood at 35.31 billion dollars, while under the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, the reserve amounted to 30.28 billion dollars.

Just two days earlier, on February 23, the gross reserve was recorded at 34.86 billion dollars, and the BPM6-based reserve stood at 30.10 billion dollars. The net reserve is calculated following the IMF’s BPM6 standard, which deducts short-term liabilities from the total reserve to determine the actual amount.

The increase in reserves indicates a positive shift in the country’s foreign currency position, as reflected in the central bank’s latest update.