Food and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said rice prices are expected to decrease within the next few days. He made the remark on Wednesday afternoon while speaking to journalists at the Kushtia Collectorate premises before attending a meeting on referendum campaigning and voter motivation. Majumder stated that the government has initiated the process to import about 600,000 tons of rice, while private importers have received approval to bring in another 200,000 tons. He said the impact of these imports would benefit consumers, and the government currently holds a record stock of 2.1 million tons of rice.

Addressing the recent price rise in Kushtia markets, Majumder said discussions with mill owners revealed that prices had increased by about two taka but would likely drop within a few days. He added that from the next day, Open Market Sale (OMS) operations would run daily in every upazila, and import permissions through letters of credit from neighboring countries had been granted. Majumder also emphasized that the government aims to maintain stability and prevent unrest similar to that of 2024 through reforms and coordination with political parties and experts.

He further instructed local administrations to ensure a fear-free environment for voters and to take action against anyone attempting to disrupt the election process.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur stated that the country’s current 61 banks far exceed its actual needs, suggesting that 10 to 15 banks would be sufficient. He made the remarks on Wednesday at Jagannath University during a discussion titled “Banking Sector: Current Challenges and Future Prospects.” Mansur emphasized that reducing the number of banks would make it easier to ensure good governance. He added that the government plans to merge state-owned banks, keeping only two in operation.

The governor warned that personal or individual-centric decisions should not influence the banking sector, noting that a lack of proper governance has pushed the sector toward crisis. He stressed the need for comprehensive reforms across all areas of banking. Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Rezaul Karim, speaking as a special guest, said the governor’s leadership is crucial in reviving a nearly collapsed sector. He expressed optimism that ongoing initiatives would help restore stability and sustain positive progress.

The event was attended by faculty members, students, and economists including Professor Dr. Mahbub Ullah and Dr. Mohammad Helal Uddin.

The Bangladesh government will provide an additional Tk 10 million to the family of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, for their livelihood. Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed announced that the amount will come from the Chief Adviser’s Fund. Earlier, the Ministry of Finance approved another Tk 10 million for the purchase of a flat or house for the family. The announcement was made on Wednesday after a meeting of the government’s advisory committee on public procurement at the Secretariat.

According to the Finance Division, the Housing and Public Works Ministry had applied for a grant to buy a flat for Hadi’s family. The proposal was approved on the condition that the identities of Hadi’s wife and children are verified. The allocation covers the purchase and furnishing of a 1,215-square-foot apartment in the government’s Doel Tower at Lalmatia, Dhaka. The ministry will use part of its existing Tk 60 million residential building budget for the current fiscal year.

The allocation requires compliance with all financial regulations, inclusion in the revised 2025–26 budget, and return of any unspent funds to the treasury by June 30.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of 27.15 million liters of refined soybean oil from the international market at a cost of Tk 357.62 crore, with each liter priced at Tk 131.49. The decision was made on Wednesday at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. The procurement will be conducted under the Direct Purchase Method (DPM) to ensure adequate supply and market stability ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to meeting sources, the Ministry of Commerce proposed the urgent import to meet increased demand during Ramadan. After evaluation by the tender committee, the purchase was finalized from Canada-based NSRIC Green Supplies Inc. Officials stated that the oil will be sold in the open market at a price lower than the government-fixed rate but not below the purchase cost, meaning no subsidy will be required. Consumers will access the product through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

The meeting also approved the import of 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO) for the 2025–26 fiscal year at a cost of Tk 149.17 crore.

Private airline Novoair has announced an increase in flight frequency on the Dhaka–Chattogram route to meet growing passenger demand and improve travel convenience. Starting January 26, 2026, the airline will introduce an additional flight on this route, operating every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Currently, Novoair operates one daily flight between Dhaka and Chattogram, departing Dhaka at 1:15 p.m. and returning from Chattogram at 2:40 p.m.

According to Novoair Managing Director Mofizur Rahman, Chattogram is a key commercial and tourism hub in Bangladesh, and the decision to expand service reflects increasing passenger needs and the company’s commitment to better connectivity. The new flight will depart Dhaka at 4:15 p.m. and return from Chattogram at 5:40 p.m. on the specified days.

In addition to the Chattogram route, Novoair currently operates regular flights to Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, and Saidpur, maintaining its focus on domestic air connectivity within Bangladesh.

The full meeting of the Ninth National Pay Commission concluded on Wednesday, finalizing recommendations for a new pay structure for government employees and pensioners. According to meeting sources, the commission has proposed increasing government employees’ salaries by 100 to 147 percent, setting the lowest salary at 20,000 taka for the 20th grade and the highest at 160,000 taka for the first grade.

The proposed pay scale also includes significant pension increases. Pensioners currently receiving less than 20,000 taka per month would see their pensions doubled, while those receiving between 20,000 and 40,000 taka would get a 75 percent increase. Pensioners earning more than 40,000 taka would receive a 55 percent rise. Additionally, the commission suggested raising medical allowances for elderly pensioners, recommending 10,000 taka for those over 75 years old and 5,000 taka for those under 55.

Officials said the recommendations were finalized after extensive discussions and reviews. The report will be submitted to the government for verification and approval before the new pay and pension structures are implemented.

The National Pay Commission is set to propose a new pay scale for government employees, raising the maximum salary to Tk 160,000 and the minimum to Tk 20,000. The commission will submit its final report on the ninth national pay scale to the Chief Adviser on Wednesday afternoon at the State Guest House Jamuna. The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., following a preparatory session held earlier in the day at the Secretariat.

According to commission sources, the proposed pay structure includes salary increases ranging from 100 to 147 percent, with proportionally higher raises for lower-grade employees. The commission has recommended partial implementation from January 1, 2026, and full execution from July 1, 2026, marking the start of the 2026–27 fiscal year. Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed noted that not all recommendations may be implemented exactly as proposed but expressed confidence that government employees would be satisfied.

The 21-member commission, led by former finance secretary and PKSF chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan, was formed on July 27 of the previous year and tasked with submitting its report within six months.

The National Pay Commission, led by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, has finalized recommendations for a new salary structure for Bangladesh’s government employees. The proposal suggests increasing basic pay by 100 to 147 percent, raising the minimum salary in the 20th grade from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum in the 1st grade from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000. The report is scheduled to be formally submitted to Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to the proposal, the new structure would take effect partially from January 1 and fully from July 1. Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that after submission, several committees will review the report, a process expected to take three to four months. The recommendations also include major revisions to housing and transport allowances, with the Boishakhi allowance proposed to rise from 20 to 50 percent and transport benefits extended up to the 10th grade.

For pensioners, the commission proposed significant increases, including a 100 percent rise for those receiving less than Tk 20,000 per month and smaller increments for higher pension brackets.

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez announced that the country has received 300 million U.S. dollars from oil sales. Speaking on Tuesday, she said the payment represents the first installment under a 50-million-barrel oil supply agreement announced by U.S. President Donald Trump with Caracas. The deal came into effect earlier this month following the detention of President Nicolás Maduro.

According to Reuters, the Venezuelan government informed four domestic banks that the 300 million dollars, held in an account in Qatar, would be distributed among them. The funds will allow banks to sell dollars to local companies facing foreign currency shortages so they can pay for raw materials and essential imports. Rodríguez said the money, part of an initial 500 million dollar tranche, will be managed by the national and central banks to stabilize the currency market and protect workers’ income and purchasing power.

On the same day, lawmaker Jorge Rodríguez stated that a proposal to reform the country’s main oil law could be discussed this week. The reform aims to attract foreign investment and build on existing partnership models introduced under Maduro’s administration.

Bangladesh’s domestic textile industry, with investments worth about $25 billion, is facing severe pressure due to a surge in low-priced yarn and fabric imports from India. The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) reported that since 2022, yarn imports from India have risen sharply—from $429 million in 2022 to $2.28 billion in 2024—now accounting for 95 percent of total yarn imports. Despite a government ban on land-route imports in August 2024, Indian exporters have continued shipments by sea at dumping prices, supported by export subsidies of 3.88 percent per kilogram.

BTMA and local mill owners warn that aggressive Indian pricing has forced many domestic mills to shut down, with over 30 closures in three years. The Ministry of Commerce has proposed ending bonded warehouse facilities for certain yarns to protect local spinners, while garment exporters’ associations BGMEA and BKMEA oppose the move, citing higher production costs and reduced export competitiveness. Industry leaders are urging policy support, lower bank interest rates, and stronger oversight at land ports to prevent further losses.

The ongoing dispute underscores tensions between protecting domestic textile producers and maintaining competitiveness in Bangladesh’s export-oriented garment sector.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that shipbuilding companies can regularize their defaulted loans by depositing three percent of the outstanding amount. The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department issued a circular on Tuesday outlining the terms. The loans can be repaid over a maximum of ten years, including a two-year grace period during which only interest must be paid monthly or quarterly. Companies must apply by June 30 of this year, and banks are required to resolve applications within sixty days.

The circular explains that the global economic downturn, geopolitical instability, and military unrest in Europe have disrupted supply chains, severely affecting both export-oriented and domestic shipbuilding industries. To sustain this promising export sector and facilitate loan recovery, Bangladesh Bank introduced special rescheduling and restructuring facilities. Previously rescheduled loans may also receive up to two additional years of repayment time with a two percent down payment.

Banks must verify through special inspections that borrowers were genuinely affected by uncontrollable circumstances. Islamic banks are instructed to implement the policy in accordance with Shariah principles.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said one of Bangladesh’s major problems is policy distortion caused by excessive laws and regulations conflicting with free-market principles. Speaking on Tuesday at a seminar titled ‘Post Election 2026 Horizon; Economy, Politics and Capital Market’ organized by BRAC EPL Stock Brokerage in Banani, Dhaka, he argued that the economy has reached a low equilibrium over the past one and a half years and requires major reforms, liberalization, and market-oriented policies to recover.

He emphasized that Bangladesh’s economy and capital market are overly regulated by controlling agencies, calling for deregulation, transparency, and accountability. Khasru said his party would pursue liberalization if in power, allowing markets to operate freely. He also highlighted issues such as reckless bank lending, capital flight, and lack of accountability as key causes of financial instability.

Khasru further noted that transparency in the capital market is essential, urging the removal of “garbage accounts” and accurate disclosure of non-performing loans, which he said could reach 40 percent if properly reported. He stressed that investor confidence depends on presenting a clear and credible financial picture.

Business operators in Bangladesh have decided to import over 28,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to ensure normal supply during Ramadan. The decision was made during an emergency meeting held on Tuesday at the Rail Bhaban in Dhaka between the LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Faozul Kabir Khan. During the meeting, business representatives assured that the current LPG shortage would be resolved before Ramadan.

The energy adviser instructed operators to prevent any LPG shortage before the upcoming national election and to maintain stable supply during Ramadan. He emphasized that the import commitments made for January and February must be fulfilled, assuring full government cooperation to achieve this goal. Operators explained that adverse international conditions had disrupted imports but denied charging higher prices.

According to the operators, twelve companies aim to import 167,600 tons of LPG in January and plan to increase the volume to 184,100 tons in February. They expressed confidence that meeting these targets would significantly ease the current supply crisis.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority announced that toll collection from the Padma Bridge has reached a milestone of 30 billion taka. The information was shared in a press release issued on Tuesday by Masud Rana Shikder, Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer of the authority. Since the bridge’s inauguration on June 25, 2022, both vehicle crossings and revenue have steadily increased.

According to the release, the Padma Bridge has significantly reduced travel time, created employment opportunities, and contributed positively to national GDP growth. It has also brought major improvements in the transportation of agricultural, fisheries, livestock, and industrial goods. The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system installed at the Mawa and Jajira ends has accelerated toll operations, minimizing waiting times at toll plazas.

The statement added that automatic toll collection through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards has made travel faster and easier. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority credited public cooperation and modernization of the digital toll system for achieving this milestone and extended thanks to all stakeholders involved in the bridge’s operation and maintenance.

The Pay Commission of Bangladesh is set to submit its report on the Ninth National Pay Scale to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The commission, led by Zakir Ahmed Khan, will hold its final meeting earlier in the day at the Cabinet Division’s old building. According to commission sources, the new pay structure will be partially implemented from January 1, 2026, and fully effective from July 1, 2026–27 fiscal year.

Under the proposed structure, house rent will not increase for all grades of government employees. Instead, it will rise proportionally for grades 20 to 9 but decrease for grades 8 to 1, as higher-grade officers are already receiving significant salary hikes. The lowest salary, currently Tk 8,250, is expected to more than double, while the highest salary will rise from Tk 78,000 to over Tk 120,000, maintaining a 1:8 ratio between the lowest and highest scales.

The government has already raised operating expenditure by Tk 22,000 crore in the revised 2025–26 budget to support partial implementation. Full implementation is estimated to require an additional Tk 70,000–80,000 crore.