Bangladesh’s postal department-backed digital financial service Nagad recorded its highest-ever monthly transaction volume in January 2026, reaching Tk 40,301 crore. This marks the company’s largest single-month transaction since its inception seven years ago. The record-breaking figure came mainly from cash-in, cash-out, money transfers, payments, bill settlements, mobile recharges, and remittances.

Nagad’s administrator, Md. Motasim Billah, congratulated all involved, noting that the company’s customer-centric approach and trust-building efforts have driven continuous growth. He said Nagad, as a digital transaction platform under the Bangladesh Post Office, is enhancing service quality and ensuring greater financial security for users. This has led to rising engagement from both new and existing customers.

Previously, Nagad’s highest monthly transaction was Tk 34,705 crore in October 2025. The company handled Tk 3.8 trillion in total transactions in 2025, up from Tk 3.3 trillion in 2024, reflecting sustained expansion in Bangladesh’s mobile financial services sector.

Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for immediate discussions with the European Union to establish a free trade agreement (FTA). He made the appeal during a meeting with Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of the European Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham), at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka. EU Ambassador Michael Miller also attended the meeting, where participants discussed enhancing European investment, improving trade relations, and strengthening a business-friendly environment.

Yunus emphasized that Bangladesh must prepare now to maintain duty-free access for its exports, particularly ready-made garments, after the current trade privileges expire. He noted that Bangladesh recently signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, granting duty-free access to over 7,300 products, and intends to pursue similar arrangements with the EU. Lopez supported the FTA initiative, warning that Bangladesh could lose existing benefits after graduating from the least developed country category.

EU Ambassador Miller said the nature of Bangladesh-EU trade relations will change after LDC graduation, expected no earlier than 2029, and confirmed plans for an EU-Bangladesh Business Forum in 2026 to promote investment and technology cooperation.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that all banks across the country will remain closed on February 11 and 12 due to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum. The central bank issued a circular on Sunday stating that the closures follow an executive order declaring public holidays on those dates.

According to the notice, the decision applies to all banks nationwide as part of preparations for the election and referendum. This year’s parliamentary election involves more than 50 political parties and independent candidates, with nearly 2,000 contenders competing for 300 parliamentary seats. Alongside the election, a referendum on the July Reform Charter will also take place on the same day.

The simultaneous scheduling of the election and referendum has prompted the government to ensure administrative readiness, including the temporary suspension of banking operations during the designated holidays.

The three-day 2nd Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2026 will begin on February 2 at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka. Organized by the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BAISHIMAS) with support from the Ministry of Commerce and the World Bank-backed Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) project, the event will run daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The expo aims to enhance the competitiveness and export orientation of the country’s light engineering sector by showcasing the latest technologies, machinery, and innovative products.

BAISHIMAS President Md. Abdur Razzak said the sector supplies backward linkages to agriculture, textiles, construction, power, and automobile industries, contributing about 3 percent to national GDP. Around 50,000 small and medium enterprises employ over 300,000 skilled workers, meeting nearly half of the domestic demand worth USD 8.2 billion. Despite this, Bangladesh holds less than 1 percent of the USD 7 trillion global engineering market. The current export value of USD 795 million could reach USD 12.56 billion by 2030 with proper policy and investment support.

The expo will feature over 50 booths, two seminars, and participation from government officials, business chambers, and international buyers. Organizers expect the event to strengthen domestic industry, attract investment, and expand global market access.

The Additional District Judge Court No. 2 in Dhaka has delivered a final verdict in favor of Unilever Bangladesh in arbitration miscellaneous cases No. 436/2025 and 437/2025 filed by former distributors Masud & Brothers and Agrani Trading Corporation. The distributors had challenged the termination of their distributorships and sought injunctions against the termination notices and the appointment of new distributors in their respective areas. On January 29, 2026, the court dismissed the cases, finding no merit in the distributors’ applications.

Before filing these arbitration cases, the distributors had previously filed two declaratory suits and two money suits in an incorrect legal forum, which were dismissed for lack of maintainability. During the hearing on February 28, 2026, Unilever Bangladesh presented its position, demonstrating that the termination was lawful and in accordance with the distributor agreements. The company also informed the court that the distributors had concealed key documents and provided misleading information in earlier proceedings.

The verdict confirms that Unilever Bangladesh lawfully terminated the distributorships and can continue normal business operations through newly appointed distributors.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) will announce new consumer-level prices for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for February 2026 on Monday, February 2. According to a BERC notice issued on Sunday, the updated prices will be declared at a press briefing scheduled for 3 p.m. at the commission’s office in the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka. The adjustment will be based on the Saudi Aramco-declared Saudi CP for February.

In January, the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder was set at 1,306 taka, up from 1,253 taka in December. The upcoming announcement will determine whether the February price increases or decreases compared to January. The new rate will remain effective for one month.

The BERC’s monthly price adjustments are part of its regular process to align domestic LPG prices with international benchmarks, ensuring consistency with global market trends.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed support for Chinese investment in Venezuela’s oil industry, saying Beijing is welcome to make major deals in the sector. He made the remarks aboard Air Force One while speaking to reporters, as Venezuela seeks new foreign investment following the removal of Nicolás Maduro and amid efforts to overcome a deep economic crisis.

Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, recently introduced legal reforms to ease private and foreign investment in its oil sector. Under Maduro, China had been the country’s main oil buyer, but Beijing condemned his January 3 arrest by U.S. forces, creating uncertainty about future ties. Trump also said interim President Delcy Rodríguez reached an energy cooperation agreement with India, which plans to buy Venezuelan oil instead of Iranian supplies.

Trump indicated that Washington and Caracas will share oil profits and that the U.S. is working closely with Venezuela’s new leadership. He further suggested that the U.S. may pursue a potential deal with Cuba, hinting at possible diplomatic openings.

Workers and employees at Chattogram Port continued their strike for a second day on Sunday, halting operational activities and disrupting import-export traffic. From 8 a.m., workers attempted to stage demonstrations outside the port, while law enforcement, including the army, tightened security. The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) issued directives prohibiting assemblies and gatherings in the port area for one month to maintain normal port operations.

According to sources, the strike was called to protest the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company and a related court ruling. The port authority formed a six-member committee to assess revenue losses and identify those responsible. Four employees accused of leading the movement were transferred to Dhaka’s Pangaon ICT, and officials warned of disciplinary action against participants during office hours.

CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz’s public notice imposed restrictions under the 1978 Metropolitan Police Ordinance, banning gatherings, weapons, and explosives in key port areas until March 2. However, election campaigns for the 2026 national polls remain exempt from the ban.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that India has signed an agreement to purchase oil from Venezuela instead of Iran. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump said the deal had already been made. However, there was no immediate response from New Delhi regarding the claim, according to NDTV.

Trump had earlier imposed a 25 percent tariff in March 2025 on countries, including India, that buy Venezuelan oil, and also introduced additional tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil. He further asserted that U.S. forces took control of Venezuelan oil after the January 3 abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the U.S. Delta Force. Bloomberg reported that in January, 18 tankers carrying Venezuelan crude were sent to refineries in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, marking the highest volume since December 2024.

Following the alleged abduction, Venezuelan oil exports to China dropped from 400,000 barrels per day to zero, while shipments to the U.S. rose to about 275,000 barrels daily, double the previous month’s level.

Bangladesh’s Ninth Pay Commission has recommended increasing government employees’ salaries by 100 to 150 percent, roughly two to two-and-a-half times the current levels. The proposal, submitted on January 21 to the chief adviser, suggests raising the minimum basic salary from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000. Implementing the plan would require an additional Tk 106,000 crore in government spending. In comparison, India, Pakistan, and Nepal have recently proposed or implemented salary increases ranging from 10 to 35 percent.

Economists and analysts have questioned the timing and feasibility of the recommendation, citing Bangladesh’s sluggish economy, revenue shortfalls, and rising government borrowing. The interim government’s economic and energy advisers have stated that the proposal will not be implemented under their administration, leaving the decision to the next elected government. Critics, including former officials, warned that the recommendation could create fiscal pressure and political complications for the incoming administration.

Experts further cautioned that implementing such a large pay hike could force cuts in the annual development program, affecting key sectors like education, health, and infrastructure.

The government has finalized its decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port to foreign operator DP World. The agreement is expected to be signed in Dhaka today, Sunday, in the presence of senior government and ministerial officials. However, port authorities claim they have not been officially informed about the deal, which is being managed by the Public-Private Partnership Authority. Meanwhile, BNP-backed port workers and employees continue strikes and protests opposing the foreign operator’s appointment.

According to port sources, the handover of NCT to DP World may be completed before the February 12 national election. Workers argue that leasing the profitable terminal to a foreign company could cost the state around two thousand crore taka annually and threaten national security. The port authority counters that DP World’s advanced technology will enhance operational capacity while preserving national interests through lease revenues.

In response to ongoing strikes, the port authority has transferred four employees and formed a committee to identify those violating institutional discipline and assess related losses.

The Bangladesh government has reduced the prices of all types of fuel oil by Tk 2 per liter for February. According to a notification issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division on Saturday night, the new rates will take effect from Sunday, February 1. Under the revised pricing, diesel will cost Tk 100 per liter, kerosene Tk 112, petrol Tk 116, and octane Tk 120.

The government introduced an automatic fuel pricing system in March of the previous year to align domestic prices with global market trends. Under this system, new prices are announced each month based on international market movements. The latest adjustment reflects the continuation of that policy framework.

The notification did not specify how long the new rates will remain in effect beyond February, but the monthly review mechanism suggests further adjustments may follow depending on global price changes.

At the 14th Zakat Fair 2026 held at the Officers’ Club in Dhaka, speakers emphasized the need for a state-managed zakat system to reduce financial inequality in Bangladesh. Religious Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, the chief guest, said that institutional collection and distribution of zakat could generate up to one trillion taka annually, significantly aiding poverty alleviation. The event was chaired by former caretaker government adviser Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, with a welcome address by Center for Zakat Management (CZM) CEO Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia.

Speakers noted that zakat is both a financial and moral obligation, requiring proper oversight to ensure funds are used effectively. They highlighted that despite a large Muslim population, many capable individuals either do not pay zakat or fail to calculate and distribute it correctly. A symposium titled “Islamic Social Finance: Future Roadmap” proposed forming an Islamic Social Finance Ministry, noting that zakat and waqf income could contribute up to 4% of GDP.

Former NBR chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdul Majid stressed that government involvement and clear guidelines are essential to make zakat management transparent and impactful for national development.

Professor Dr. M. Zubaidur Rahman, Chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, called on officials to strengthen public trust in the bank by ensuring customer satisfaction through dedicated service. Speaking as chief guest at an officers’ conference held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Sena Prangon in Dhaka Cantonment, he emphasized that customers are the lifeblood of the bank and that all complaints should be addressed promptly and seriously. He urged employees to treat the institution as their own to enhance service quality and operational efficiency.

The event was presided over by Managing Director Md. Omar Faruk Khan, with senior executives including Executive Committee Chairman Mohammad Khurshid Wahab, Audit Committee Chairman Md. Abdus Salam, Risk Management Committee Chairman Professor Dr. M. Masud Rahman, and Independent Director Md. Abdul Jalil attending as special guests. Additional Managing Director Md. Altaf Hossain delivered the welcome speech, while Deputy Managing Director Md. Mahbub Alam gave the vote of thanks.

In his remarks, Managing Director Khan highlighted the importance of expanding investment in the SME sector to strengthen the national economy and make banking services more accessible through improved customer care.

The four-day 25th Dhaka International Yarn and Fabric Show (DIFS) 2026 – Winter Edition and the 8th Dhaka International Denim Show 2026 concluded successfully at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka. Organized jointly by Conference and Exhibition Management Services (CEMS-Global USA) and the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT-TEX China), the exhibitions ran from January 28 to 31, 2026.

More than 325 companies from over 15 countries participated, displaying modern technologies and innovations in yarn, fabric, denim, and related textile products across over 650 booths. The first day featured a seminar titled “Why Invest in Bangladesh?” organized with the support of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), while the second day hosted “Importance of MICE Tourism in Bangladesh” in collaboration with the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB).

Organizers stated that the international exhibitions would strengthen Bangladesh’s global position in the textile and apparel sector and open new opportunities for investment and event-based tourism.