A taskforce report has revealed that six major business groups in Bangladesh allegedly embezzled and laundered large sums of money abroad during the tenure of the ousted Awami League government, causing severe financial losses to at least 28 banks. The affected banks have signed non-disclosure agreements with several multinational firms to trace and recover the siphoned funds. The groups named in the report include S Alam Group, Aramit, Sikder Group, Beximco, Orion Group, and Nasa Group.

According to the report, these groups collectively hold the majority of the defaulted loans in the banking sector, with S Alam Group alone linked to loans worth over Tk 225,000 crore. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit confirmed evidence of large-scale fund transfers abroad. Following the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024, the interim administration restructured an inter-agency taskforce led by the Bangladesh Bank governor to recover laundered assets.

The Anti-Corruption Commission, National Board of Revenue, and police agencies are jointly investigating the financial irregularities. Civil proceedings have begun against the six groups, which account for 77 percent of total defaulted loans among 11 industrial conglomerates under scrutiny.

Energy experts and civil society representatives have welcomed Bangladesh’s government plan to generate 10,000 megawatts of solar power by 2030, calling it a timely and strategic move amid global energy market volatility. Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club, they emphasized the need for an enabling investment climate, low-interest financing, and tax exemptions to achieve the target sustainably.

Presentations by analysts from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis and Change Initiative highlighted Bangladesh’s heavy import dependence in the power sector and the growing strain from fuel subsidies. They proposed redirecting fossil fuel subsidies toward renewables, introducing carbon pricing, and launching a $4.5 billion expatriate bond to attract investment. Policy suggestions included full tariff waivers on solar equipment and a revolving fund of Tk 5,000 crore.

However, experts expressed doubts about implementation capacity, citing past shortfalls in renewable targets and high import duties on solar materials. They urged institutional strengthening of SREDA, simplification of PPP models, and faster policy reforms to ensure a sustainable and inclusive energy transition.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam announced that Bangladesh aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the national GDP from the current 3 percent to between 6 and 7 percent. She made the announcement on Monday at the District Commissioners’ Conference 2026 held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, where she and State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat attended as special guests.

Afroza Khanam stated that there are 1,742 tourist spots across the country, indicating that every district has tourism potential. She said a master plan is being prepared to develop the tourism sector and called for the active involvement of district administrators. The minister also urged the culture minister to focus on developing the Baliati and Teota Zamindar Houses in Manikganj to attract more visitors.

State Minister Millat emphasized that local administrators can be catalysts for change by promoting clean, safe, and creative tourism initiatives that strengthen district economies and enhance Bangladesh’s global tourism image.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to simplify the project approval process to attract both domestic and foreign investors. He also assured necessary support for those willing to invest in long-closed state-owned mills and factories. The directive came during a meeting held on Monday at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, focusing on the current status and future plans for closed textile and jute mills under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute.

During the meeting, an official noted that lengthy approval times and complex inter-departmental permissions discourage investors. In response, the Prime Minister instructed that unnecessary ministerial or departmental approvals be removed from the process. He emphasized that the government is committed to creating an investment-friendly environment and that reducing bureaucratic hurdles is essential to achieving this goal.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the need to make loan access easier for private investors interested in reviving closed state-owned factories and directed relevant ministers to take prompt and effective measures in this regard.

The government will provide financial assistance to farmers affected by recent heavy rainfall in the haor regions. Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that each affected farmer will receive at least Tk 7,500. He made the statement on Monday after the third session of the second day of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium. Earlier, sessions were held with the ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, and Food.

The minister said field-level agricultural officers are preparing lists of affected farmers, categorizing them for assistance that will continue from May to July. He added that the amount could increase depending on the extent of damage. The Agriculture and Disaster Management ministries are jointly compiling the lists, and funds will come from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and the Disaster Management Ministry. Rashid noted that while full compensation may not be possible, the aid aims to ease the farmers’ distress.

He also mentioned that there is no shortage of sacrificial animals in the country, border markets have been closed, and imports of cattle have been restricted. Additionally, the issue of low potato prices was discussed, with plans to expand export-oriented potato cultivation for products like French fries and chips.

The construction of the 20-kilometer regional highway between Nabinagar and Ashuganj in Brahmanbaria remains unfinished after eight years. Approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2017, the project began on July 1, 2018, but only partial work has been completed. Heavy rainfall has worsened the condition of the unfinished road, creating large potholes and causing severe public suffering. The project’s term, set to expire in June this year, has been proposed for a two-year extension.

According to the Brahmanbaria Roads Department, land acquisition has become the main obstacle. Construction has stalled in several areas, including Krishnanagar, Birgaon, and Lalpur, where houses still occupy the road alignment. Landowners have refused to vacate their properties due to unpaid compensation. The acquisition process, covering 53 acres and 17.45 decimals of land with an estimated cost of Tk 296.62 crore, began in the 2022–23 fiscal year but remains entangled in legal disputes.

Local MP Advocate Abdul Mannan stated that efforts are underway to resolve the land acquisition complexities to expedite completion of the highway.

Australia and Japan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy and critical minerals sectors as global trade faces disruptions from ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The agreement was signed in Canberra following a meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Albanese said the initiative aims to protect both economies from future shocks and uncertainties.

Prime Minister Takaichi told reporters that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has severely affected the Indo-Pacific region, and both nations will maintain close communication to address the situation. Australia is Japan’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG), while Japan provides about 7 percent of Australia’s diesel imports. Takaichi added that both countries will work to enhance self-reliance and capacity to ensure stable energy supplies.

According to the International Energy Agency, about one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, with roughly 80 percent destined for Asian countries. Recent restrictions by Iran following U.S. and Israeli attacks have disrupted global oil supply routes.

The article discusses the rapid expansion of e-commerce in Bangladesh and globally, highlighting how technology has transformed daily life and business practices. Online shopping has become a key part of modern living, allowing consumers to purchase goods and services easily from home through websites, mobile apps, and social media platforms. This shift has saved time and effort while enabling businesses to reach customers beyond local boundaries.

Despite its benefits, e-commerce faces several challenges. Consumers often cannot verify product quality before purchase, leading to trust issues and occasional fraud. Delayed or incorrect deliveries and technical disruptions also affect reliability. The article notes that in Bangladesh, young entrepreneurs are driving growth through social media-based ventures, supported by mobile banking systems that simplify online payments.

To ensure sustainable growth, the piece emphasizes the need for strong data protection, secure transactions, and ethical business practices. Government policy and public awareness are seen as essential for building a safe and trustworthy e-commerce environment that can further strengthen the national economy.

Several branches of five recently merged banks in Chattogram’s Agrabad area were locked by depositors on Monday morning. Acting under the banner of the Depositors Association, hundreds of customers marched to the area and forced staff out of Exim Bank’s Agrabad branch before locking it. They later locked branches of Union Bank and First Security Islami Bank PLC as well. The protest began around 11 a.m. and ended at about 12:30 p.m., when police oversaw the reopening of the branches.

Depositors said they have been unable to withdraw money from these banks since the final period of the Awami League government. Despite having large deposits, even small cheques are not being cleared. They alleged that government funds supplied to repay depositors are being used for staff salaries instead. The interim government’s decision to merge weak banks has not improved the situation, according to protesters.

Police reported that extra forces were deployed in Agrabad ahead of the pre-announced protest and that the situation is now normal.

A public interest writ petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the legality of the bilateral trade agreement signed between Bangladesh and the United States on February 9, 2026. The petition was submitted on Monday morning by Supreme Court lawyers Mohammad Maidul Islam Polok and Subir Nandi Das.

According to the petition, the agreement is described as unreasonable, structurally unequal, and harmful to Bangladesh’s national interests. It alleges that the authorities failed to protect the country’s economic sovereignty and public welfare during the negotiation and signing process. The secretaries of the foreign, finance, and commerce ministries have been named as respondents in the case.

The writ also raises constitutional questions regarding the agreement’s validity, citing concerns over disproportionate obligations on Bangladesh, adverse tariff structures, erosion of regulatory autonomy, and potential harm to domestic industry, agriculture, and environmental protection.

The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran is reshaping global energy dynamics, forcing countries to reconsider their dependence on unstable regions for fuel supply. The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has already caused significant changes in global markets, with energy trade patterns shifting rapidly.

Amid the turmoil, US energy exports have reached record highs, while the United Arab Emirates has withdrawn from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), effective May 1. Analysts view this as a major turning point for the global oil market. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has described the situation as the largest global energy security challenge in history.

Experts suggest that the ongoing instability in the Strait of Hormuz, combined with OPEC’s fragmentation and the search for alternative supply routes, could permanently alter the global energy order.

Iran’s health sector is facing a severe crisis as recent war and sanctions have sharply disrupted the country’s medical supply chain. Grigor Simonyan, head of the Iran mission of Doctors Without Borders (MSF), said that the conflict has caused major interruptions in supply systems, leading to a significant rise in medicine prices. Locally produced medical equipment had previously met much of the demand, but the war has damaged the entire supply chain, increasing pressure on the system and driving up costs.

Simonyan added that the number of patients has risen notably in recent weeks, particularly after a ceasefire announcement, as uncertainty has prompted more people to seek treatment. Iranian officials confirmed that prices of some medicines have doubled, while others have increased up to tenfold due to shortages of essential materials and raw inputs.

Long-standing U.S. sanctions, recent military attacks damaging major pharmaceutical producers, and port blockades have further complicated the situation. Government sources said prices of about 20 percent of all medicines have already changed, raising serious concern among ordinary citizens.

Bangladesh Bank has adopted a short-, medium-, and long-term financing plan to reopen closed factories and increase employment. The initiative aligns with the BNP government’s election pledge to create ten million jobs within the first 18 months. The central bank discussed the plan with 20 commercial banks’ business and credit risk departments in a meeting chaired by Deputy Governor Kabir Ahmed. Banks requested government-backed credit guarantees to mitigate potential lending risks.

According to meeting details, short-term loans will support factories with active utility connections but lacking working capital, while medium-term financing will assist those with disconnected utilities or damaged equipment. Long-term loans will target factories requiring new machinery or utility reconnections. Banks expressed limited capacity for self-financing due to past sectoral losses and sought government or central bank funds. A 19-member committee formed on April 26 was tasked with preparing a full financing report.

The central bank is consulting stakeholders to design low-interest support packages, though the IMF has discouraged new refinancing funds under its ongoing loan program. Priority will go to factories not involved in major financial crimes or money laundering.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has reduced its revenue collection target for the 2025–26 fiscal year to Tk 4.3 trillion after failing to meet earlier goals. Initially set at Tk 4.99 trillion and later revised upward to Tk 5.54 trillion, the target proved unattainable as collections fell short by about Tk 1 trillion in the first nine months. Although the official target remains unchanged on paper, NBR officials confirmed that the revised internal goal is now Tk 4.3 trillion.

According to NBR sources, Tk 2.88 trillion has been collected so far from income tax, VAT, and customs combined. To meet the new target, the agency must collect Tk 1.42 trillion in the remaining three months—over Tk 47,000 crore per month—far above its previous monthly record of Tk 37,000 crore. Officials acknowledge that achieving even the reduced goal will be challenging.

The report links the revenue shortfall to political upheaval following the August 5 ouster of Sheikh Hasina, economic disruptions from corruption and capital flight, and slow implementation of the Annual Development Programme. Ongoing global instability, rising fuel prices, and declining garment exports have further constrained revenue growth.

Boro paddy collection in Moulvibazar has not yet started due to adverse weather conditions. Although farmers are willing to supply paddy, they are currently unable to do so. The district food department stated that since there are still four months left, they expect to complete the full collection within that period.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, this year’s Boro cultivation target covered 62,400 hectares, including 27,355 hectares in haor areas and 35,045 hectares in non-haor regions. Heavy rainfall and flash floods have submerged 5,042 hectares, completely damaging 2,282 hectares and partially affecting 2,160 hectares. Farmers are struggling to harvest ripe paddy due to bad weather and a shortage of labor, while high water levels have made mechanical harvesting impossible.

The district food controller said the government plans to buy 6,004 tons of paddy directly from registered farmers at Tk 36 per kilogram. However, continuous rainfall and rising river levels have raised concerns about possible flooding in the coming days.