Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil producer of Saudi Arabia, reported a net profit of 12.13 trillion riyals ($32.5 billion) for the first three months of 2026. The figure marks a 25.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when the company earned 9.57 trillion riyals ($25.4 billion). Aramco’s sales rose from $107.6 billion to $114.9 billion, while its cash flow reached $30.7 billion.

The company attributed this strong performance to higher sales and the full operational capacity of its East-West Crude Oil Pipeline, which runs to the Red Sea and bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said the pipeline now transports up to seven million barrels of oil per day and has become a vital supply artery, helping ease disruptions caused by shipping limitations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Nasser added that recent developments have underscored the critical role of oil and gas in global energy security and economic stability, emphasizing the importance of reliable energy supply.

Leading retail company Shwapno has extended long-term financial assistance to 12-year-old Samia Akter from Pohnkucha Paschim Para in Bagmara Dakshin Union of Lalmai upazila, Cumilla. The company recently handed her a cheque of 5,000 taka at a local event. Under the arrangement, Samia will receive 5,000 taka monthly under the supervision of the local chairman to support her education and daily needs. Shwapno authorities announced a total donation of 480,000 taka for her future.

A senior Shwapno official said the initiative reflects the company’s belief that small efforts can bring major changes in someone’s life. Local residents described the support as a significant relief for a struggling family and expressed hope that the regular assistance would help shape Samia’s future.

Shwapno has long been involved in social and humanitarian activities. Company representatives stated that similar support programs for underprivileged and vulnerable individuals will continue in the future.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the government will avoid loan-dependent mega projects and instead focus on eliminating unnecessary initiatives to ensure balanced national development. He made the remarks on Sunday, May 10, at the inauguration of the second phase of the PKSF and World Bank joint project ‘RAISE’ in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The minister emphasized that the government is working to ensure economic democratization by bringing marginalized groups under financial support. He stated that those excluded from the mainstream economy must be integrated, as participation in economic activities is a citizen’s right. He added that democracy should not be limited to politics but must also extend to the economy, underscoring the government’s commitment to democratizing economic opportunities.

The announcement signals a shift toward inclusive growth policies, prioritizing financial empowerment and sustainable development over debt-driven infrastructure expansion.

Bangladesh has fallen behind India and Vietnam in global export capacity rankings due to high trade costs, slow port operations, and weak logistics infrastructure. The issue was highlighted at a roundtable titled “Integrated Port and Logistics Sector Development for Trade-Driven Bangladesh,” organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in Dhaka. Experts said customs complexities, transport delays, and lack of modern supply systems are eroding Bangladesh’s competitiveness in international markets.

According to the discussion, Bangladesh ranks 88th in the global logistics capability index, compared to India’s 38th and Vietnam’s 43rd. In customs efficiency, Bangladesh stands 101st, while India and Vietnam are 47th and 43rd respectively. The country’s infrastructure ranking is 108th, and its position in international shipment is 91st. Experts, including Dr. M Masrur Reaz of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, noted that inefficient logistics and high business costs are limiting the nation’s trade potential.

Speakers urged rapid implementation of a national logistics policy, modernization of port management, and greater private sector involvement. They emphasized adopting AI, blockchain, and digital customs systems to reduce clearance times and improve export competitiveness.

Bangladesh’s tea industry is showing renewed optimism as early rainfall at the start of the 2026 season has improved growing conditions across major tea-producing regions including Chattogram, Sylhet, Panchagarh, and Moulvibazar. The first two months of the year saw an increase of 258,000 kilograms of tea compared to the same period last year. The first auction of the season was held on April 27, where about 95 percent of the tea offered was sold. The Bangladesh Tea Board has set a production target of 104 million kilograms for this season, slightly higher than last year’s 103 million, which fell short by over 8 million kilograms.

Officials and industry leaders attribute the positive outlook to favorable weather and expanding cultivation in northern plains. However, they also warn of challenges including rising production costs, illegal tea trading, and market management issues. The government has fixed maximum auction prices at Tk 245 per kilogram for Sylhet and Chattogram teas and Tk 170 for Panchagarh.

The Tea Board is emphasizing organic fertilizers and integrated pest management to improve quality and sustainability. If favorable weather continues, stakeholders believe Bangladesh could exceed its production target and reduce dependence on imports.

The Bangladesh government has intensified surveillance along its borders to prevent illegal cattle smuggling from India ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Authorities have decided to close cattle markets in border areas and maintain a policy of not importing sacrificial animals. Official data show the country has a surplus of about 2.2 million animals for sacrifice, though shortages persist in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.

According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh has 12.33 million animals ready for sacrifice against an estimated demand of 10.1 million. The government aims to protect local farmers who suffered losses in previous years when Indian cattle inflows depressed prices. Some farmers in flood-affected haor regions reported selling cattle cheaply due to feed shortages, though ministry officials denied any widespread crisis.

Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid said border cattle markets were banned to safeguard domestic producers. The government has also promoted online cattle sales without fees and arranged training for butchers to ensure proper handling of hides during Eid.

Bangladesh’s Industry Minister Khandaker Abdul Moktadir announced that the government aims to create employment opportunities for 20 million people within the next five years. He made the statement on Saturday evening while speaking to journalists after visiting the BSCIC industrial city in Saidpur, Nilphamari. The minister emphasized that small and cottage industries form the foundation of the national economy and play a vital role in reducing inequality.

He stated that the government will take necessary measures to increase investment in this sector while ensuring industrial expansion without harming agricultural land. Moktadir highlighted the potential for agro-processing and light engineering industries in Saidpur and surrounding areas, promising government support to realize these opportunities. He also mentioned that several programs have been launched to encourage entrepreneurs and that state-owned closed factories will be reopened gradually.

The minister said solving unemployment is the government’s top priority and that extensive plans have been undertaken to achieve this goal. Several senior officials and local representatives were present during his visit to the Saidpur industrial area.

The Planning Commission has given preliminary approval to a Tk 3 trillion Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the 2026–27 fiscal year. The draft development budget prioritizes education, health, transport, power, and local government sectors. The approval came at an extended meeting chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for May 16 to finalize sectoral allocations before submission to the National Economic Council (NEC), which is expected to meet on May 18 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

According to documents prepared by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), Tk 1.9 trillion will come from government funds, representing about 63 percent of the total, while Tk 1.1 trillion will be sourced from foreign loans and grants. Autonomous bodies and state-owned corporations will invest an additional Tk 8,924 crore from their own funds, bringing the total development budget to approximately Tk 3.08 trillion.

Transport and communication will receive the highest allocation, followed by education and health. Officials said the focus on education and health aims to build skilled human resources and strengthen social protection, while major investments in infrastructure and energy seek to ensure long-term growth and energy security.

The Federation of Indian Airlines has warned the government that operations may halt due to soaring fuel prices caused by the Iran war. The conflict has sharply increased global jet fuel costs, forcing Air India Group to revise fuel surcharges on domestic and international routes. Restrictions on Middle Eastern airspace have lengthened flight paths, raising expenses. The war has disrupted energy flows, driving inflation, weakening the rupee, and straining India’s energy security and foreign policy.

India’s pharmaceutical industry, a major global supplier of generic drugs, is also under pressure from rising energy costs and disrupted logistics. Delays in raw material shipments from China and higher transport and insurance costs have doubled production expenses. The country’s heavy dependence on Middle Eastern oil and gas has deepened the crisis, with LPG and LNG supplies severely affected. Domestic protests over living costs have erupted, and remittances from expatriates in the region are at risk as many return home.

A UNDP report warns that over 2.5 million Indians could fall into poverty due to the ongoing crisis. Political opposition has blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy, though recent state elections show the ruling party remains resilient.

Prime Bank PLC and Rancon Cars Limited have signed a strategic partnership agreement offering special discounts to Prime Bank customers on the purchase of Proton brand cars. The signing ceremony took place at Rancon Cars Limited’s office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, where senior officials from both organizations were present.

Under the agreement, Prime Bank customers will enjoy attractive price reductions and exclusive benefits when buying Proton vehicles from Rancon Cars Limited. The event was attended by senior executives including Mamur Ahmed, SEVP and Head of Distribution Network at Prime Bank, and Mohammad Mostafizur Rashid Bhuiyan, Director of Rancon Cars Limited.

Speakers at the event said the collaboration aims to enhance customer experience by providing lifestyle-oriented services and convenient financial solutions. Prime Bank also announced plans to continue introducing innovative services and attractive offers aligned with customer needs and lifestyles in the future.

Railways State Minister Habibur Rashid announced that a survey is underway to implement a dual gauge railway line on the Sylhet-Dhaka-Chattogram route. He made the statement during a visit to Sylhet on Saturday to assess the feasibility of the project announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. After inspecting the Sylhet railway station, the minister confirmed that the government is addressing the shortage of train engines on the Sylhet-Dhaka route.

The minister stated that the government aims to make Bangladesh Railway profitable by improving both passenger and freight services. He acknowledged existing limitations in railway services and emphasized the need for maximum effort and accountability among officials. He reiterated instructions for responsible officers to resolve negligence at the field level.

Habibur Rashid added that the government has directed the recovery of encroached railway land and will take strict measures against illegal occupation. He noted that additional engines and coaches are required to improve service quality and prevent schedule disruptions caused by accidents on single-line tracks.

Commerce, Industry and Textile Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that every industrial plant is deeply connected to the emotions and livelihoods of local people. He made the remarks on Saturday after visiting Panchagarh Sugar Mills Limited and holding discussions with sugarcane farmers.

The minister stated that when a mill operates, it generates employment, increases government revenue, and keeps the local economy active while enabling repayment of existing debts. He emphasized that the government aims to reopen all closed industrial plants across the country. Out of 15 sugar mills, six are currently closed, and initiatives have been taken to revive several state-owned enterprises.

Muktadir added that Panchagarh Sugar Mill requires extensive renovation of its infrastructure and machinery due to long-term closure. Experts are reviewing all possible aspects before decisions are made. Local officials, including the area’s Member of Parliament, the Industry Secretary, and representatives of workers and farmers, were present during the visit.

The Boro paddy harvest has begun in Dhunat upazila of Bogura, where farmers are expressing frustration over low market prices. Despite good yields this season, they report that the price of one maund of paddy, selling for only 850 to 950 taka, is not enough to hire even one laborer, whose daily wage now ranges from 1,000 to 1,100 taka. Many farmers say their hard-earned crops are bringing little return as costs continue to rise.

Local sources note that while fields are full of ripe paddy, concerns are growing over possible storm and rain damage, especially in low-lying areas. The sudden surge in demand for harvest laborers has nearly doubled wages. Farmers report that production costs, including plowing, irrigation, and pesticides, have increased sharply in recent years, but market prices have not kept pace, leaving them worried about repaying debts.

According to the Dhunat Upazila Agriculture Officer, about 16,485 hectares of land have been cultivated with high-yield and local paddy varieties. He advised farmers to harvest when 80 percent of the crop is ripe to avoid losses from hail or early flooding.

China’s aluminum exports increased by 15 percent in April compared with the same month last year, according to customs data released on Saturday and reported by Reuters. The country exported 598,000 tons of unprocessed aluminum and aluminum products in April, bringing total exports for the first four months of the year to 2.05 million tons.

The rise comes as global supply chains face severe disruption due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which has effectively halted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts noted that the war has sharply constrained aluminum supply worldwide, placing China in a key position to meet global demand.

As the conflict continues, many international buyers have begun stockpiling aluminum and related components in anticipation of higher production costs and raw material prices. To meet the surge in foreign orders, Chinese factories have accelerated production and delivery, further boosting the country’s export momentum.

Across Rajshahi’s Barind region, farmers are busy harvesting Boro paddy under intense heat, with cutting and threshing now in full swing. The Department of Agricultural Extension reports that 68,300 hectares have been cultivated this season, targeting 327,544 tons of rice. Early data show an average yield of 4.70 tons per hectare, and about 10 percent of the crop has been harvested so far.

Despite favorable weather and good yields, farmers are struggling with low market prices and rising labor costs. Fine-grain paddy, once a Rajshahi specialty, is selling for Tk 1,100–1,150 per maund, which barely covers wages. Farmers allege that millers and wholesalers are manipulating prices by stockpiling paddy during the peak season. Labor shortages and higher input costs have worsened the situation, leaving many unable to recover their investments.

Officials say the harvest will continue through May and could strengthen local food security if completed successfully. However, farmers urge direct government procurement from local markets to reduce losses and prevent middlemen from exploiting them.