Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land, Saleh Ahmed, stated that the e-return or online income tax return system represents not only technological progress but also the reflection of a modern and accountable state structure. He made the remarks on Sunday during a learning session at the ministry’s conference room for officials of grade 9 and above, focusing on electronic submission of individual taxpayers’ income tax returns. The session was conducted by AKM Moniruzzaman, Assistant Commissioner of the Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit.

Saleh Ahmed emphasized that transparency and accountability are essential for building an effective and citizen-friendly administration. Making e-return submission mandatory for government officials institutionalizes these principles. He noted that automated data storage and analysis make it easier to identify inconsistencies in income and expenditure, reducing opportunities for corruption and supporting revenue growth.

He added that government officials represent the state, and ensuring transparency in their financial affairs is both a legal and moral obligation. The e-return initiative sets a positive example of administrative discipline and ethics, encouraging public trust and participation in tax compliance.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan stated that the recent rise in import prices is due to the increase in the dollar’s value, not tariff hikes. Speaking at a press conference at the NBR headquarters on Sunday, ahead of International Customs Day, he said that no new tariffs have been imposed on imported fruits in the past one and a half years; rather, tariffs and source taxes have been reduced. He noted that the dollar’s exchange rate rose from 80 taka two years ago to 125–126 taka, directly affecting import costs.

Khan emphasized that the government has not raised tariffs on essential goods such as rice, lentils, and edible oil, but instead reduced them in the public interest, even at the expense of revenue. He added that tariff increases are only applied to protect domestic industries and are decided through consultation with stakeholders. The chairman also said customs now focus more on trade facilitation and preventing smuggling rather than being a major revenue source.

He concluded that to increase revenue, the NBR is working to expand income tax and value-added tax collection.

A total of 125 metric tons of explosives were imported from India through the Benapole land port in Jashore on Saturday evening. The shipment, classified as highly dangerous, arrived in eight Indian trucks and was placed in the port’s 31st transshipment yard. Authorities have issued special security alerts across the port area due to the hazardous nature of the materials.

According to port sources, the explosives were imported for use in the Madhyapara Granite Mining Project in Dinajpur. The importer is Madhyapara Granite Mining Company Limited, while the exporter is India’s Super Shiv Shakti Chemical Private Limited. Local residents, workers, and traders have expressed concern about storing such a large quantity of explosives in a populated area, though port officials assured that maximum safety measures are in place.

Benapole Land Port Director Shamim Hossain said customs, port security, police, BGB, and fire service units have been placed on alert. He added that steps are being taken to transport the explosives quickly to their destination following international safety standards, with law enforcement maintaining oversight at every stage.

Venezuela has announced a plan to increase its oil production by 18 percent in 2026. The state oil company PDVSA’s Chief Executive Officer Hector Obregon said the country has launched a reform program to fully open the energy sector to private investors in order to achieve this target. He noted that the previous law was not aligned with current industry needs, and Venezuela’s current oil output stands at around one million barrels per day.

Analysts said the new legislation is part of President Delcy Rodríguez’s commitment and that pressure from the United States played a key role in its initial approval. The pressure reportedly intensified after Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was detained during a U.S. special forces operation. U.S. President Donald Trump has also expressed interest in Venezuela’s oil sector.

If the law is finally passed, it will ease decades of state control over Venezuela’s oil industry, a system that was further tightened in the mid-2000s under the late socialist leader Hugo Chávez.

Saudi Arabia has implemented a new law from January 2026 allowing foreigners to purchase houses and other properties in designated areas. Both foreign residents living in the kingdom and those residing abroad can now buy property, though ownership remains prohibited in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The government stated that foreigners outside Saudi Arabia will be limited to buying in Riyadh and Jeddah, with a detailed map of approved zones to be published by March.

Foreign residents can apply through an online portal using their residence permit (Iqama) number, while non-residents must first obtain a digital ID from a Saudi embassy in their home country before applying online. Property transactions will incur up to a 5% real estate tax. The law also imposes strict penalties for false information or anonymous purchases, including fines up to 10 million Saudi riyals and property confiscation.

Analysts cited in the report believe the reform could boost foreign investment in Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector and accelerate development in selected areas of Riyadh and Jeddah.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has intensified efforts to expand and update its network of Double Taxation Avoidance (DTA) agreements. The agency has initiated new negotiations with Austria, Hungary, and Azerbaijan, completing two rounds of talks with the first two countries and one with Azerbaijan. Discussions with Uzbekistan and Nigeria are under consideration. Meanwhile, a DTA agreement with Kenya is at the final stage but its signing has been delayed due to scheduling issues before the national election.

In parallel, the NBR has begun reviewing older agreements signed decades ago to align them with modern business practices such as digitalization and e-commerce. The first rounds of review meetings with Singapore and Pakistan were held in December, and talks with Sri Lanka are expected around June. Bangladesh currently has DTA agreements with 43 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and India.

NBR officials stated that such agreements help prevent investors from being taxed twice on the same income, thereby encouraging cross-border investment and trade between partner countries.

Bangladesh’s gold market remains volatile as prices surged again within just 12 hours of a previous reduction. The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announced a new record high, setting the price of 22-carat gold at Tk 255,617 per bhori, effective nationwide from Saturday. The decision reversed Thursday night’s brief price cut, which had lowered the rate to Tk 249,318 per bhori before being superseded by Friday noon’s increase.

BAJUS said the adjustment was made due to a rise in the local price of acid gold and changing global conditions. The association noted that international prices had unexpectedly climbed after a previous downward trend, prompting an emergency meeting to revise domestic rates. Traders attributed the global volatility to heightened geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran, which have boosted demand for gold as a safe investment.

Market analysts reported that gold prices in Bangladesh have been adjusted 12 times so far this year, with nine increases and three reductions. They warned that without stability in global conditions, sustained relief in domestic gold prices remains unlikely.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that all goods entering the United States from Canada will face a 100% tariff if Canada completes a trade agreement with China. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said Canada must not act as a “drop-off port” for Chinese products entering the U.S., warning of severe consequences if it does.

Relations between Washington and Ottawa have become increasingly strained since Trump’s return to the White House in 2024, with disputes emerging over trade and other issues. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently described a “fracture” in the U.S.-led global system. During a visit to Beijing last week, Carney announced a “new strategic partnership” with China and an initial trade understanding aimed at reducing tariffs. Trump responded by calling the move dangerous and labeling Carney “governor,” echoing earlier remarks about Canada as a potential U.S. state.

Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc countered that the China deal only addresses tariff issues and is not a free trade pact. Analysts cited in the report warned that continued tensions could create major uncertainty for both economies.

The government pay commission of Bangladesh has proposed a new pay scale that would more than double the salaries of primary school teachers. According to the recommendation, teachers in the 13th grade would see their basic pay rise from 11,000 taka to 24,000 taka. The proposed scale sets the minimum salary for government employees at 20,000 taka and the maximum at 160,000 taka, with higher increases suggested for employees in grades 11 to 20. The commission also advised raising allowances, including tiffin benefits.

Commission chief Zakir Ahmed Khan told the media that implementing the proposal would require 1.06 trillion taka. The 23-member commission, formed on July 27 of the previous year, completed its work ahead of schedule, spending only 18 percent of its allocated budget. The report is due on February 14, and a special committee will be formed to oversee implementation.

Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said the next step is to execute the recommendations, with an implementation committee to be established to manage the process.

Nine Indian officials working at the Rampal Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat, operated by Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), left Bangladesh without official permission. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 24, 2026, when the officials were found missing during breakfast. Later, it was confirmed that they had crossed into India through the Bhomra land port. The plant authorities immediately informed the Power Development Board and relevant ministries, expressing deep concern over the unauthorized departure.

According to plant sources, the officials left citing security concerns, though the area is under four layers of security involving the army, police, and Ansar. The project director, Ramanath Pujari, confirmed their departure and the stated reason. However, officials noted that none of the individuals had previously reported any security issues or complaints. The sudden and unexplained exit has been described as mysterious by plant authorities.

The plant’s Deputy General Manager (Public Relations), Anwarul Azim, said the matter is being investigated seriously to determine the reasons behind their departure.

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), under the Ministry of Industries, has issued a recruitment notice to fill 50 vacancies across 10 categories under its revenue sector. The online application process began on January 15, 2026, and will remain open until February 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eligible Bangladeshi citizens aged between 18 and 32 years as of January 1, 2026, can apply online.

The available positions include computer operator, UDC-cum-cashier, office assistant-cum-computer typist, data entry operator, lab assistant, cataloger, driver, office assistant (MLSS), and security guard. Educational requirements vary by position, ranging from completion of class eight to a bachelor’s (honors) degree. Applicants for computer-related roles must meet specific typing speed criteria, while lab assistants must have passed HSC in science. Application fees must be paid via SMS from a Teletalk prepaid mobile within 72 hours of submitting the online form.

BSTI’s recruitment aims to fill its vacant posts through direct appointment, offering salary grades between 13 and 20 as per the national pay scale.

Venezuelan lawmakers have given preliminary approval to a proposal allowing private investment in the country’s oil sector, paving the way for major U.S. energy companies to return. The bill, approved in its first reading less than three weeks after former president Nicolás Maduro’s removal, would permit private firms to independently explore and extract oil. If passed in a second reading, it would significantly loosen decades of state control tightened under late socialist leader Hugo Chávez.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s deputy, played a key role in advancing the bill and has moved to normalize relations with the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump praised Rodríguez’s leadership, noting that the U.S. is already receiving part of Venezuela’s oil. On the same day, Washington appointed Laura F. Dogu as its new chargé d’affaires in Caracas, marking a step toward restoring full diplomatic ties.

Analysts say the oil sector reform and renewed diplomatic engagement could strengthen relations between Venezuela and the United States after years of tension following the 2019 diplomatic break.

Global oil prices rose sharply on January 23, 2026, following reports that a large US naval fleet was moving toward Iran and after recent remarks by President Donald Trump. The West Texas Intermediate crude price climbed to nearly 60 dollars per barrel, while Brent crude futures increased by about 0.9 percent to 64.61 dollars. The developments triggered investor concerns over potential military escalation in the Middle East and possible disruptions to oil supply.

In a statement, President Trump confirmed that a powerful US fleet had departed for Iran but expressed hope that it would not need to be used. He also warned Tehran against targeting protesters or resuming its nuclear program. Unnamed US officials said the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided missile destroyers could reach the region within days, with additional air defense systems under consideration to protect US bases.

Analysts attributed the price increase to geopolitical tensions and a weaker dollar. Although the International Energy Agency had forecast an oil supply surplus for 2026, Trump’s tougher stance has cast uncertainty over that outlook.

The European Union has suspended the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits for most Indian exports, including apparel, textiles, plastics, and other major sectors. The decision took effect on January 1, 2026, following a regulation issued by the European Commission on September 25. The suspension will apply from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028, and also affects selected products from Indonesia and Kenya.

According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), about 87 percent of Indian exports to the EU will now face full tariffs, with only 13 percent—mainly agricultural and leather goods—retaining GSP benefits. Previously, Indian goods enjoyed lower tariffs than the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rate, but now full MFN duties will apply. For example, apparel tariffs will rise from 9.6 percent to 12 percent. The suspension covers key sectors such as minerals, chemicals, rubber, steel, machinery, and transport equipment.

GTRI’s Ajay Srivastava noted that despite ongoing India-EU free trade talks, exporters will face short-term challenges, compounded by the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Export organizations warned that India’s competitiveness may decline compared to Bangladesh and Vietnam, whose exports still enjoy lower or zero tariffs in Europe.

The Ninth National Pay Commission submitted its report to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on January 21, three weeks ahead of schedule. Led by Zakir Ahmed Khan, the commission proposed a 20-grade pay structure for government employees, recommending that the minimum salary rise from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000. Implementing the proposal would require an additional Tk 1.06 trillion, with salaries potentially increasing by 100 to 147 percent and similar adjustments for pensions and allowances.

During a meeting chaired by Dr. Yunus in Tejgaon, members of the interim government’s advisory council discussed the report extensively. Some advisers expressed concern that such a large increase might be inequitable given the current economic conditions and high inflation. They cautioned against placing excessive pressure on the national treasury while many citizens face limited incomes.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed that no committee has yet been formed to oversee implementation. The absence of this committee has raised uncertainty about whether the new pay structure will be enacted during the current government’s tenure.