Import and export activities at the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh resumed in full swing from 10 a.m. on Thursday. The operations had been suspended for two days due to the announcement of results from the Indian state assembly elections. According to Md. Jahangir Alam, general secretary of the Banglabandha Land Port Importers and Exporters C&F Association, several previously halted goods-laden trucks have now entered the port after receiving clearance from India’s Fulbari customs station.

Alam added that the formation of a new committee at the Fulbari customs station in India may take about a week, which could delay the full restoration of regular trade activities. The resumption marks a return to cross-border trade flow between Bangladesh and India through this key northern land port.

The gradual normalization of operations is expected to ease the backlog of goods and support regional trade once the administrative processes at the Indian customs station are fully completed.

In Kishoreganj’s Austagram upazila, relentless rainfall, upstream floods, and adverse weather have destroyed vast stretches of boro paddy fields, leaving local farmers in despair. Many, including smallholder farmers from Habelipara and Daspara, have seen their crops submerged or spoiled, turning their hopes of a good harvest into financial ruin. Farmer Md. Malek, who cultivated 20 acres on high-interest loans, managed to harvest only a fraction of his crop, with the rest lost under water. The poor quality of the salvaged paddy has further reduced its market value.

Another farmer, Md. Rezaul Islam Rezu, reported similar losses, while on May 2, 2026, farmer Md. Akhtar Hossain of Alinagar village reportedly died of cardiac arrest amid mounting debt and crop failure. Thousands of farmers across Austagram now face the dual burden of natural calamity and loan repayment pressure from moneylenders and NGOs.

The report warns that without urgent government or private assistance, recovering from these losses will be nearly impossible for affected farmers.

The government of Bangladesh has announced a plan to upgrade Bogura Airfield into an international-standard airport to strengthen air connectivity between the northern and northwestern regions and the capital. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam revealed the plan during a visit to the airfield and surrounding areas on Thursday, accompanied by State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for LGRD Mir Shahe Alam, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan.

Minister Khanam said the northern region holds significant potential in agriculture, industry, and tourism, and that modern infrastructure is essential for sustainable development. She noted that establishing an international airport would accelerate economic activity, attract investment, expand tourism, and create new employment opportunities.

Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan expressed optimism that the project would enhance both national economic growth and the region’s military and strategic capacity. He added that the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh will take necessary steps to begin commercial flights soon, with full cooperation from the Air Force.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, announced that the government will provide policy support to accelerate the country’s solar energy sector. Speaking at the inauguration of the Power, Energy and Infrastructure Expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center on Thursday, he said Bangladesh remains behind regional peers like India and Pakistan in renewable energy use. Under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, a committee has been formed to finalize a policy framework aimed at driving rapid growth in solar and wind power.

The minister explained that the policy will simplify imports of solar equipment such as inverters, frames, and photovoltaic panels, while emphasizing battery storage systems to meet evening peak demand. He added that the government plans to reduce tax burdens on entrepreneurs and finalize the policy within the month, with cabinet approval expected by June. Bangladesh aims to generate 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy within five years.

Tuku also outlined plans to use rooftops in Dhaka and other cities for solar power generation through private investment, using net metering to benefit both entrepreneurs and building owners.

Electricity and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku stated that no final decision has been made regarding an increase in electricity prices. He announced that solar power will be made more accessible to create alternative energy sources. The minister made these remarks on Thursday while inaugurating the 'Power, Energy and Infrastructure Expo' at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

Mahmud noted that Bangladesh remains far behind in renewable energy compared to neighboring countries such as India and Pakistan, which have expanded solar and wind power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the government to prioritize solar and wind energy development.

Meanwhile, the government is considering raising electricity prices following a recent fuel price hike. The Power Division has given policy approval to the proposal, and the Power Development Board has suggested a 17 to 21 percent increase at the wholesale level. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission has formed a technical committee to review the proposal.

Bangladesh is expecting record mango production and exports in the 2025–26 season, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). The country currently exports mangoes to 38 destinations, with Malaysia showing new interest after China joined last year. Officials said no harmful chemicals are used in export-quality mangoes, and no shipments have been rejected abroad. The DAE has set a production target of 2.795 million tons from 207,247 hectares and an export goal of 279,000 tons.

Officials noted that commercial mango farming remains profitable due to low pest risks and stable transport conditions. Fourteen districts are engaged in large-scale cultivation of varieties such as Gopalbhog, Himsagar, Langra, and Amrapali. The export season will run from May 12 to August 14, slightly extended due to weather. However, growers face challenges including a shortage of fruit-protective bags and rising air freight costs, which may affect small and medium exporters.

If export volumes decline, local supply could increase, potentially influencing prices. Farmers remain cautiously optimistic that a stable domestic market will offset export-related risks.

South Korea has extended its temporary ban on stockpiling petroleum products for another two months, the country’s Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol announced. The decision comes as global energy supply concerns persist due to instability in the Middle East. The measure, initially imposed in March to prevent unfair trading, was set to expire next week but will now remain in effect for two additional months.

According to the state news agency Yonhap, the government introduced the restriction earlier this year to curb speculative hoarding of fuel products. The extension aims to stabilize the domestic energy market and ensure fair distribution amid fears of supply disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Officials described the move as a precautionary step to mitigate potential risks to South Korea’s energy security while monitoring global developments closely.

The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday its decision to withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), ending nearly six decades of membership. Analysts view the move as driven by both economic and political motives. The UAE has long sought freedom from OPEC’s production quotas to fully utilize its oil capacity. The decision comes amid regional instability following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and growing tensions with Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s leading member.

The UAE’s departure is expected to weaken OPEC’s control over global oil supply and pricing. While Saudi Arabia depends heavily on high oil prices to balance its budget, the UAE has invested heavily in expanding production and can tolerate lower prices. The move also reflects Abu Dhabi’s closer alignment with Israel and the United States, contrasting with Riyadh’s more cautious diplomatic stance. The timing coincided with a Gulf summit in Jeddah, where the UAE president was notably absent.

Analysts suggest the split could reshape regional alliances, forcing countries like Egypt and Jordan to navigate between Saudi and Emirati blocs. The rift may also influence broader Arab and Islamic cooperation frameworks, signaling a new phase of rivalry in the Gulf.

China’s National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) has advised major banks not to issue new loans to five oil refineries recently added to the US sanctions list for alleged involvement with Iranian oil. The directive, reported by Bloomberg News, also instructs banks to review their business dealings with these refineries but not to recall existing loans immediately.

Among the sanctioned companies is Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, one of China’s largest private refineries. The report suggests that Beijing’s cautious stance aims to shield its state-owned banks from potential secondary sanctions imposed by the United States. This move contrasts with a notice issued by China’s Ministry of Commerce on May 2, which had instructed companies to disregard US sanctions.

Al Jazeera noted that it could not independently verify the Bloomberg report. The situation highlights a possible policy divergence within China’s financial and trade authorities regarding compliance with US sanctions.

Global crude oil prices increased following reports of a potential peace agreement between Iran and the United States. Early Thursday trading saw US crude futures rise by nearly one dollar per barrel. According to Reuters, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed 80 cents to reach 95.88 dollars per barrel, after hitting an intraday high of 96.33 dollars on Wednesday.

Market analysts attributed the upward trend to optimism surrounding the possible preliminary peace deal between the two countries. However, Verisk Maplecroft’s head of energy and resources, Kaho Yu, cautioned that oil prices and shipping routes are unlikely to normalize until threats of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz are fully removed.

Yu added that despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the energy market has not yet returned to pre-crisis conditions. Discussions between China and Iran may help ease tensions, but the market remains focused on whether the Strait of Hormuz will reopen. The coming months’ oil supply and tanker movement will indicate whether lasting stability returns to the Middle East.

Japan’s stock market responded positively on Thursday to reports of a possible diplomatic agreement between the United States and Iran. Following the news, the Nikkei 225 index rose more than 4 percent shortly after trading began, reaching 61,937.78 points at 9:31 a.m. local time (GMT 00:31).

Alongside the geopolitical developments, investors were closely monitoring movements in the Japanese yen. Market speculation suggested that the Japanese government might intervene in the currency market to prevent further depreciation of the yen.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates that optimism over potential diplomatic progress between Washington and Tehran has temporarily boosted investor confidence in Japan’s equity market.

German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd is losing about 60 million US dollars per week due to the closure of the Hormuz Strait, according to AFP. The company said the high risk of using this strategic waterway has sharply increased fuel and insurance expenses. Based in Hamburg, Hapag-Lloyd cited threats from Iranian drones and small boats as key factors behind the surge in insurance costs.

The company explained that alternative routes through safe ports or land transport are limited and cannot fully replace the regular maritime routes in the region. Iran has required all vessels to undergo verification by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including sailing near Iranian coasts, providing crew and cargo details, and in some cases making payments.

AFP reported that shipping companies now face a dilemma: either absorb millions in additional costs or risk violating US and EU sanctions by paying Iranian authorities for safe passage.

The government of Bangladesh has revised passenger fares for vessels operating on domestic waterways. According to a notification issued by the Technical Assistance Branch of the Ministry of Shipping on May 5, 2026, the new fare rates have been implemented from the same day in the public interest. The revision was made under Rule 27 of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport (Routes, Permits, Schedules and Fare Determination) Regulations, 2019.

Under the new rates, the fare for the first 100 kilometers has been increased by 18 paisa per kilometer, raising the rate from Tk 2.77 to Tk 2.95 per passenger per kilometer. For distances beyond 100 kilometers, the fare has been raised by 14 paisa, from Tk 2.38 to Tk 2.52 per kilometer. The minimum passenger fare has also been increased from Tk 29 to Tk 32.

The notification, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Chhanda Pal on behalf of the President, has been circulated to all relevant departments, with instructions for publication in the Bangladesh Gazette and on the ministry’s website. The decision has been communicated to BIWTA, BIWTC, and the launch owners’ association.

The government has cancelled all activities related to the 2024 Commercially Important Person (CIP) cards. The Ministry of Commerce issued an official notification on Tuesday announcing the decision. The move halts all administrative and procedural actions connected to the issuance and use of the 2024 CIP cards.

According to the source, a similar decision had been made earlier regarding the CIP cards issued in 2023 during the tenure of the interim government. The latest cancellation continues that approach, effectively suspending the CIP card program for consecutive years.

The notice did not specify reasons for the cancellation or outline any future plans for the CIP program, leaving the status of upcoming CIP recognitions uncertain.

Eastern Refinery PLC, the country’s only oil refinery, will restart its refining operations on Thursday afternoon, according to Deputy General Manager (Operations) Mamunur Rashid Khan. He said a shipment of crude oil has arrived in the country, and if all preparations go smoothly, refining will begin after 5 p.m. The initial production target has been set at around 3,500 tons per day, with output expected to increase gradually after technical adjustments.

A vessel named MT Nainemia from Saudi Arabia has anchored at Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar carrying 194,000 metric tons of crude oil for the refinery. Current reserves are expected to support refining operations for 20 to 25 days. The next shipment of crude oil is likely to arrive after May 20, depending on loading schedules in Saudi Arabia.

Managing Director Md. Sharif Hasnat confirmed that the refinery will begin operations at full capacity as planned, ensuring continuity of supply if the next shipment is loaded between May 10 and 12.