The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of four crore liters of edible oil and 22,500 tons of lentils for the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) at a total cost of Tk 822.31 crore. The decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday. The products will be sold through TCB at affordable prices to low-income families.

According to the Finance Ministry, the committee approved 23 procurement proposals, including fertilizer imports, infrastructure development, fishery exploration, and youth employment programs. Under local tenders, Chattogram-based Payel Automatic Food Processing Mills will supply 10,000 tons of lentils at Tk 81.47 per kg, while Australia-based MCG International Pty Ltd will supply 12,500 tons at USD 559 per ton. Shabnam Vegetable Oil Industries Ltd will provide two crore liters of refined palm olein at Tk 183.95 per liter, and MCG International Pty Ltd will supply two crore liters of refined soybean oil at Tk 164.77 per liter.

The approved purchases aim to strengthen TCB’s capacity to stabilize essential commodity prices and support low-income consumers.

The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved $450 million in financing for Bangladesh to reinforce the foundation of its banking sector, aiming to revive economic growth and create jobs. The funding, under the “Financial Sector Support Project-2,” will enhance deposit protection for small savers, improve Bangladesh Bank’s supervisory capacity, and support restructuring of state-owned banks. The announcement was made through an official press release on June 24, 2026.

According to the World Bank, the project will increase the capital of the Deposit Protection Fund, establish an effective emergency liquidity support framework, and modernize Bangladesh Bank’s ICT infrastructure to address cybersecurity risks and data gaps. The initiative comes amid rising stress in the banking sector, where non-performing loans reached 32.6 percent by March 2026, far above the South Asian average of 7.9 percent, and the capital adequacy ratio stood at negative 2.6 percent by December 2025.

World Bank officials stated that the project, part of a coordinated effort with the IMF and Asian Development Bank, will help restore confidence, strengthen crisis preparedness, and enhance the resilience of Bangladesh’s financial system.

Mobile financial service provider Upay, operated by United Commercial Bank PLC, has signed a partnership agreement with Foodpanda Bangladesh, the country’s leading online food and product delivery platform. The signing ceremony took place recently at the Golden Tulip The Grandmark Hotel in Dhaka. The collaboration aims to ensure seamless, secure, and convenient digital cash collection services for Foodpanda’s delivery riders.

Under the agreement, Foodpanda riders will be able to use Upay’s digital payment platform to collect and manage payments more efficiently. The partnership is expected to make riders’ daily financial activities faster and hassle-free. Officials from both organizations stated that the initiative will introduce a rider-focused, user-friendly service structure that connects Foodpanda’s delivery ecosystem with Upay’s extensive agent network.

According to the companies, this collaboration will promote cashless transactions, enhance financial inclusion, and strengthen the foundation of Bangladesh’s digital economy by integrating Upay’s mobile financial infrastructure with Foodpanda’s wide customer and delivery network.

After nearly a month of suspension, the 275-megawatt third unit of the Barapukuria coal-fired power plant in Dinajpur resumed electricity generation on Tuesday night at around 9:30 p.m., supplying power to the national grid. Officials expect the restart to enhance overall electricity supply and stability across the country.

According to plant sources, the unit was restarted after completing necessary technical preparations and coordination. Initially, it is generating about 170 megawatts, with plans to gradually increase output beyond 200 megawatts. The plant’s first unit, with a capacity of 125 megawatts, is also operational, producing an average of 60 to 65 megawatts. With both units running, officials anticipate a significant rise in national grid supply.

The chief engineer of the power plant stated that the third unit’s operation has boosted total generation capacity, making coal-based power production more stable. The Barapukuria Coal Mine authorities have also taken steps to resolve storage issues and manage increased coal demand as nearby power units resume operations.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury informed Parliament that Bangladesh currently has 193.25 million bank accounts, including 177.95 million savings accounts and 1.53 million loan accounts, according to Bangladesh Bank data. He made the disclosure during a parliamentary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The minister said the government has adopted the National Financial Inclusion Strategy to ensure full adult financial inclusion by 2026, with the current inclusion rate at 64.5 percent.

Responding to separate questions, the minister said around 30 banks affected by loan defaults and illicit fund transfers abroad have engaged nine international legal firms under “no win, no fee” terms to recover funds. He also reported that as of March 2026, Bangladesh’s external debt stood at USD 78,233.448 million, while registered taxpayers increased by 11.86 percent to 13.83 million. Emergency liquidity support totaling Tk 75,903.11 crore has been provided to banks facing cash shortages.

Chowdhury added that five Islamic banks are under the 2025 Bank Resolution Scheme, with depositors being repaid up to Tk 200,000 under the 2026 Deposit Protection Act. Further actions may follow for other liquidity-stressed banks.

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into major oil companies for allegedly failing to reduce gasoline prices in line with falling crude oil costs. The directive came Wednesday amid criticism over the impact of the Middle East war on fuel prices. According to AFP, global energy prices surged after Iran blocked oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks in February.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that large oil companies were not lowering pump prices even though they were paying much less for crude, accusing them of overcharging consumers. Gasoline prices remain a sensitive political issue in the United States, where most people rely on fossil-fuel vehicles for transportation. The controversy comes as congressional elections approach in November.

Economists have disputed Trump’s repeated prediction that fuel prices would drop “like a rock” after the conflict ended, saying it could take months for prices to return to prewar levels. Although a preliminary U.S.-Iran deal has reopened oil transit through Hormuz, pump prices remain higher than before the war.

Mercantile Bank Limited held its 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually from its head office on Wednesday. The meeting approved the balance sheet for the year ending December 31, 2025. Chairman Md. Anwarul Haque presided over the session, while Managing Director Matiul Hasan delivered the welcome address. Senior directors, independent directors, deputy managing directors, and shareholders joined the meeting online.

In his remarks, the chairman credited the bank’s 2025 achievements to customer trust, regulatory support, and collective efforts. He highlighted progress in technology adoption, improved risk management, and a significant reduction in non-performing loans. He also emphasized strengthening financial foundations and adopting forward-looking policies to safeguard shareholder interests.

Managing Director Matiul Hasan presented the bank’s 2025 performance and 2026 plans, reaffirming a commitment to reduce default loans and expand cashless banking. The bank reported an earnings per share (EPS) of Tk 1.10, a net asset value per share (NAVPS) of Tk 24.35, and a net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) of Tk 5.95 for 2025.

The Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldives has launched several initiatives to ensure an easier, safer, and more affordable remittance system for Bangladeshi migrant workers. On June 23, a key meeting was held at the Bank of Maldives headquarters between Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam and the bank’s CEO and Managing Director Mohamed Shareef. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on migrant welfare, legal remittance flows, and broader economic collaboration between the two countries.

Discussions focused on developing a direct financial transaction channel between the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) and the Bangladeshi taka (BDT) to enable faster and cheaper money transfers. The meeting also explored expanding financial inclusion for Bangladeshi workers, enhancing bilateral banking ties, and establishing potential credit facilities. Both parties emphasized that a sustainable financial cooperation framework could boost trade, investment, infrastructure, and food security.

The Bank of Maldives CEO praised the contributions of Bangladeshi workers and expressed a positive stance toward providing effective and user-friendly financial services for them.

Sylhet-born Mohib Chowdhury has been elected unopposed as president of the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI), the largest organization of Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom. The election results were announced on Tuesday at the BBCCI Conference Hall in London, where the election commission formally declared the new committee.

Mohib Chowdhury, originally from Kubajpur in Jagannathpur, Sunamganj, is the founding president of the London Bangla Press Club and a former editor of the weekly Naton Din newspaper. The newly elected executive committee includes Professor Dr. Sanawar Chowdhury as senior vice president, Abdul Wache Chowdhury as vice president, Musleh Ahmed as director general, Abdul Mumin as deputy director general, Abul Kalam Azad as finance director, and Mostafa Ahmed Lucky as membership director.

The new committee pledged to strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh, continuing BBCCI’s longstanding role in promoting entrepreneurship and protecting the interests of Bangladeshi businesspeople.

In Sreemangal of Moulvibazar, pineapple farmers are facing financial losses despite a bumper harvest this season because of the absence of adequate cold storage and processing facilities. The district has seen record production of the Honey Queen variety, which is in high demand nationwide. However, without proper preservation systems, large quantities of pineapples are wasted each year, leaving growers anxious about market fluctuations and falling prices during peak production.

Local farmers and traders have expressed concern that the lack of storage forces them to sell quickly at lower prices. Daily pineapple trade in local markets is estimated at around half a crore taka. Business owners have long demanded the establishment of a modern cold storage facility in the region to protect their produce and stabilize prices.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, pineapples are cultivated on 1,223 hectares across several upazilas, producing about 22,774 metric tons valued at roughly Tk 68.32 crore. Officials noted that pineapple farming is emerging as a key economic sector for Moulvibazar but stressed that preservation and processing infrastructure are essential for sustainable growth.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have dropped significantly, with the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announcing a reduction of Tk 5,482 per bhori for 22-carat gold. The new rate, including VAT, is set at Tk 225,290 per bhori and took effect from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The association stated that the adjustment follows a decline in the price of pure gold in the local market.

According to the revised pricing, 21-carat gold now costs Tk 215,142 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 184,758, and traditional gold Tk 150,932 per bhori. BAJUS confirmed that these rates will remain in force across all jewelry outlets until further notice. Labor charges will vary depending on design, and customers will not be charged VAT separately, as it is already included in the sale price.

The association had previously raised gold prices on June 22, 2026, by Tk 4,432 per bhori, setting the 22-carat rate at Tk 230,772. BAJUS also mentioned that a decision regarding VAT on silver jewelry will be announced soon.

A historic drop in onion prices has plunged farmers in Puthia upazila of Rajshahi into deep financial distress. Prices have fallen far below production costs, forcing thousands of growers to bear heavy losses. Farmers report that where onions previously sold for Tk 2,500–3,000 per maund at this time of year, prices have now dropped to Tk 800–1,000 depending on the variety. Storage losses, weight reduction, and oversupply have worsened the crisis.

Local farmers complain that prolonged storage has caused onions to dry out and rot, while irregularities in weighing have further reduced their returns. Abdul Momin, a farmer at Baneshwar market, expressed frustration, saying that the current price barely covers basic household needs. Traders attribute the price collapse to excessive supply, noting that high production and limited storage capacity have forced farmers to sell quickly.

Upazila agriculture officer Smriti Rani Sarkar confirmed that oversupply has driven prices down but expressed hope for a rebound soon. Farmers are urging the government to improve market regulation, expand storage facilities, and ensure fair prices to prevent future production and market crises.

District and sub-registrars in Bangladesh, responsible for both land registration and valuation, are facing allegations of long-term revenue fraud. Reports suggest that a network of officials and land grabbers has been manipulating land classifications to register high-value plots as low-value categories such as ‘nal’ land, depriving the government of millions in revenue. The issue has placed the registrars under scrutiny for allegedly aiding fraudulent land reclassification.

According to the Land Ministry, the government is planning to overhaul the traditional valuation process by expanding the valuation committees and including representatives from other ministries. Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu and Senior Secretary Saleh Ahmed confirmed that the ministry is working to bring all land-related services under one administrative framework to curb irregularities. Data from areas like Gulshan and Tejgaon show drastic differences in registration fees between land categories, highlighting the scale of potential revenue loss.

Experts and officials note that outdated land records and unlinked digital systems allow such discrepancies to persist. They suggest integrating land use data with registration systems to minimize tax evasion and improve transparency in land administration.

The Tengratila gas field in Doarabazar, Sunamganj, has remained inactive for over two decades following two major explosions on January 7 and June 24, 2005. As the 21st anniversary of the second explosion passes, residents express frustration over the lack of government action to restart operations. The field, once a key supplier for local industries, has been left idle, raising questions about legal and geopolitical factors behind its prolonged closure.

Local speculation links the inactivity to possible Indian interests, as the field lies only 7–10 kilometers from the Meghalaya border. Experts warn that underground gas reserves do not follow political boundaries, and extraction on the Indian side could cause a “drainage effect,” drawing gas from Bangladesh’s territory. Despite an international court ruling holding Canadian company Niko liable for damages, the site remains dormant.

Community leaders, environmental activists, and local officials have urged the government to conduct new surveys and resume production, citing national energy shortages and fears that valuable gas reserves may be slipping away across the border.

A BBC Bangla report published on June 24, 2026, outlines key financial terms such as default loans, distressed loans, loan rescheduling, and bankruptcy in Bangladesh’s banking sector. According to central bank data, by December 2025, about 60 percent of total outstanding loans worth Tk 18.2 trillion were classified as distressed, meaning they carried a high risk of default. The report notes that non-performing loans currently total Tk 5.88 trillion, with the default rate exceeding 30 percent across all types of banks.

Dhaka University’s Professor Md. Shahidul Islam Zahid attributes the high default rate to weak management, audit irregularities, misuse of power, and poor regulatory oversight. He warns that when 30–35 percent of loans become uncollectible, the banking system faces severe stress. The report also explains that distressed loans are not yet defaulted but at high risk, and that rescheduling allows borrowers to renegotiate repayment terms under specific conditions.

The analysis emphasizes that rising default loans reduce banks’ liquidity and lending capacity, affecting investment and deposit security across the economy.