Toyota Bangladesh Limited (TBL), a fully owned investment of Toyota Tsusho Asia Pacific and Toyota Tsusho Japan, recently held a meeting with the Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ashik Chowdhury, to discuss the future of the automotive industry in Bangladesh. The meeting focused on long-term growth, a sustainable automotive future, and improving the overall business environment in the country.

During the discussion, TBL emphasized its commitment to contributing to Bangladesh’s evolving industrial landscape through innovation, efficiency, and responsible business practices. BIDA welcomed Toyota Bangladesh’s participation and reaffirmed its growing support for sustainable investments that strengthen industrial capacity and promote environmentally responsible growth.

The meeting highlighted mutual interest in advancing Bangladesh’s automotive sector through collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to foster a more sustainable and competitive industry.

The Pay Commission led by Zakir Ahmed Khan will submit its report on new salary and allowance recommendations for government employees to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed the submission to the media. According to the report, the commission has proposed partial implementation of the new pay structure from January 1, 2026, with full implementation from July 1, 2026, marking the start of the 2026–27 fiscal year.

Sources indicate that the current minimum salary of Tk 8,250 may more than double, while the maximum salary could rise from Tk 78,000 to over Tk 120,000. The commission has recommended setting the ratio between the highest and lowest salaries at 1:8. The revised 2025–26 budget has already increased operating expenses by Tk 22,000 crore to accommodate partial implementation. Full implementation of the proposed structure is expected to require an additional Tk 70,000–80,000 crore.

The commission, formed on July 27 last year with 21 members, was tasked with submitting its report within six months and has suggested higher increases for lower-grade employees.

The National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization approved the final structure and responsibilities of the newly formed Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Departments, officially dissolving the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The approval was granted on Tuesday during the committee’s meeting, confirming the administrative framework for the two new departments.

According to the decision, the specific duties of the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Departments have been defined. The meeting also outlined the types of officials to be appointed to these departments and the process for staff deployment. The session was attended by six government advisers, including those from the Finance and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs ministries, along with the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary, and 14 secretaries or senior secretaries.

In total, the committee approved 11 proposals related to administrative reorganization, marking a significant step in restructuring Bangladesh’s revenue administration system.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh is preparing to recommend a significant rise in allowances for government employees under the ninth pay scale. The proposal includes increasing the Pahela Baishakh festival allowance from the current 20 percent of basic salary to 50 percent. The commission is expected to submit its final report to the Chief Adviser on Wednesday, with all preparatory work reportedly in the final stage. Eid bonuses will remain unchanged under existing rules.

In addition, the commission plans to recommend raising the medical allowance from 3,500 taka to a maximum of 5,000 taka per month. Two age-based categories are proposed: 4,000 taka for employees aged 40 or below, and 5,000 taka for those above 40. Retired government employees would continue to receive a monthly medical allowance of 5,000 taka.

The Finance Ministry has allocated 1,06,684 crore taka for salaries and allowances in the 2025–26 budget, about 22,000 crore more than before. The ministry indicated that either the revised salary or allowance structure may be implemented from January, with further decisions left to the next government.

The Mobile Business Community Bangladesh has demanded the unconditional release of 56 imprisoned mobile phone traders and the withdrawal of what they called false cases against innocent businesspeople. The demand was made during a human chain protest held on Tuesday afternoon in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, where the organization’s general secretary, Abu Sayeed Piyas, spoke about the issue.

Speakers at the event said that decisions taken under the name of implementing NEIR have pushed around 20,000 small and medium mobile phone traders and about 2.5 million people dependent on the sector into uncertainty. They alleged that many traders were arrested in harassment cases for participating in peaceful protests. The leaders also noted that over 30 days of continuous demonstrations and shop closures have caused severe economic losses, leaving employees unpaid and traders unable to cover rent or loan installments.

Considering the national situation and the upcoming election, the organization announced a temporary suspension of its shutdown program, with all mobile showrooms set to reopen nationwide on January 22. However, they vowed to continue boycotting products from a specific syndicate accused of trying to monopolize the market under the NEIR initiative.

Farmers in Nilphamari district are reporting a bumper yield of early varieties of mustard during the 2025–2026 fiscal year. Harvesting is in full swing as growers take advantage of favorable weather, improved seeds, and government incentives. The Department of Agricultural Extension set a target of 9,023 hectares for mustard cultivation, but actual cultivation exceeded 11,000 hectares. Many farmers, previously affected by potato losses, have turned to mustard due to lower costs and higher profits.

Local farmers, including women entrepreneurs, said they achieved strong yields from early mustard varieties such as BARI-09, 14, 15, 18, and Tori-07. They noted that mustard requires less irrigation and labor, and its byproducts serve household fuel and cooking oil needs. The district’s deputy director of agriculture confirmed that quality seeds were distributed under government incentive programs, helping farmers achieve high productivity.

The success of early mustard cultivation has encouraged more farmers to adopt the crop, potentially expanding its acreage further in coming seasons if favorable conditions continue.

Gold prices in Bangladesh have reached a new record after the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) announced another increase. According to a press release issued on Monday, the price of 22-carat gold per bhori (11.664 grams) has been raised by Tk 4,199, bringing the new rate to Tk 238,879. The revised prices will take effect from Tuesday, marking the highest gold price ever recorded in the country.

BAJUS stated that the decision followed a rise in the local market price of refined gold. The Standing Committee on Pricing and Price Monitoring of BAJUS made the adjustment after a meeting. Under the new pricing, 21-carat gold will cost Tk 228,031 per bhori, 18-carat gold Tk 195,430, and traditional gold Tk 160,147.

Alongside gold, silver prices have also been increased. The price of 22-carat silver per bhori has risen by Tk 291 to Tk 6,240, with corresponding increases for other purities as well.

The Russian Federation has donated 30,000 tons of potash fertilizer to Bangladesh through the World Food Programme. The handover ceremony took place on Monday at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council auditorium in Dhaka. The event was attended by Agriculture and Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury as chief guest, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander G. Khokhin as special guest, and senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, WFP, and Russian fertilizer producer Uralchem.

According to a statement signed by the Agriculture Ministry’s Senior Information Officer Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Uralchem, one of Russia’s leading fertilizer producers, provided the donation. Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury noted that global fertilizer supply has become a major challenge due to climate change, unstable markets, and global crises, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation. He also stated that Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation currently holds 1.035 million tons of non-urea fertilizers, the highest since its establishment in 1961.

The ministry’s statement added that during the interim government’s tenure, Bangladesh’s agriculture sector achieved notable progress, with rice, potato, onion, vegetable, and mustard production all increasing compared to the previous three years.

Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam has assured that the agency’s server will be fully operational by February 1. He gave this assurance during a meeting with leaders of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) in Dhaka, where discussions focused on urban development, housing sector progress, and improving citizen services.

During the meeting, REHAB leaders, including Senior Vice President Liaquat Ali Bhuiyan and Vice President Engineer Abdul Latif, urged faster approval of designs under the new Detailed Area Plan (DAP). The RAJUK chairman pledged to simplify processes for land mutation and easement deeds, reduce customer harassment, and make digital services more efficient and transparent. He explained that software updates are underway following the issuance of new regulations and the revised DAP notification.

According to the chairman, once the software update is completed, design approvals will resume before February 1, ensuring smoother service delivery and improved transparency in RAJUK’s operations.

Bangladesh’s two leading garment associations, BGMEA and BKMEA, have demanded the government cancel its initiative to withdraw the bonded warehouse facility for importing 10–30 count cotton yarn. The Ministry of Commerce recently recommended ending this benefit to reduce yarn imports from India, citing misuse of the facility. At a joint press conference in Dhaka’s Sonargaon Hotel, industry leaders warned that removing the facility would raise raw material costs, reduce export competitiveness, and threaten the apparel sector’s stability.

BGMEA acting president Selim Rahman said the decision was taken unilaterally despite ongoing discussions with the Tariff Commission. He argued that imposing duties amid global market slowdown, geopolitical tensions, and domestic energy shortages would further strain the sector. The associations noted that apparel exports fell 2.63 percent in July–December of fiscal year 2025–26 compared to the previous year, with a 14.23 percent drop in December alone.

The Commerce Ministry, however, justified its proposal by citing protection of local textile mills, which are operating at 60 percent capacity and facing losses. It warned that continued bonded imports could make the knitwear sector import-dependent, increasing lead times and reducing foreign exchange reserves.

Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser in charge of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, announced that a court has ordered the sale of Nasa Group’s assets to settle the lawful outstanding wages and service benefits of its workers. He made the statement on Sunday at the ministry’s conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat during the 15th meeting of the advisory council reviewing labor and business conditions at Beximco Industrial Park.

According to the adviser, the court-appointed administrator has already sold Nasa Group shares and paid Tk 76 crore to the workers. The group has also made down payments to eight banks under Bangladesh Bank’s directives. The remaining payments to 15 banks and the rest of the workers’ dues will be cleared through the sale of additional Nasa Group properties via open competition, as directed by the court.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bangladesh Bank, industrial police, and other relevant ministries and institutions, along with Nasa Group representatives and commercial bank officials, attended the meeting.

The government of Bangladesh plans to fully implement the proposed new pay scale for public servants from July 1, 2026, marking the beginning of the 2026–27 fiscal year. According to the Ministry of Finance and the Pay Commission, the new structure has been partially effective since January 1, 2026. The Pay Commission is scheduled to submit its report on January 21 to Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, after which it will be presented to the advisory council for review.

As part of preparations for partial implementation, the Ministry of Finance has allocated an additional 22,000 crore taka in the revised 2025–26 budget for operating expenses. The commission estimates that full implementation will require an additional 70,000 to 80,000 crore taka. The proposed structure recommends higher increases for lower-grade employees, with the minimum salary—currently 8,250 taka—suggested to more than double, and the maximum salary—currently 78,000 taka—to rise above 120,000 taka. The commission also proposes maintaining a 1:8 ratio between the highest and lowest pay grades.

The 21-member Pay Commission, formed on July 27 of the previous year under former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, was tasked with submitting its recommendations within six months.

China’s birth rate has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1949, according to official data released Monday. The National Bureau of Statistics reported that only 7.92 million babies were born in 2025, resulting in a birth rate of 5.63 per 1,000 people. This marks the fourth consecutive year of population decline, with the total population dropping by about 3.39 million to 1.4 billion, as deaths outnumbered births.

Experts cited declining marriage and childbirth trends, rising living costs, and difficulties balancing work and family life as key reasons for the sustained drop in births. Despite government measures such as child allowances, tax breaks for housing, and free preschool education, younger generations remain reluctant to have children due to economic uncertainty and the high cost of raising families.

The continuing demographic decline is reducing China’s labor force and increasing the proportion of elderly citizens, posing a significant long-term challenge for the world’s second-largest economy.

In Keshabpur upazila of Jashore, waterlogging across 20 wetlands has raised concerns that boro rice cultivation on about 500 hectares of land may not be possible this season. The local agriculture office reported that due to the refusal of several fish farm owners to release water for irrigation, around 195 hectares will remain uncultivated. The upazila set a target of cultivating 13,000 hectares with an expected yield of 84,500 tons of rice worth Tk 34.2 crore, but production could fall short by about 12,067 tons, affecting nearly 1,000 farmers.

According to the agriculture office, boro planting has been completed on 8,000 hectares so far, with preparations continuing on the remaining land. Farmers in areas such as Bil Baldhali, Burli Banar Bil, and others have expressed frustration as they cannot prepare seedbeds due to stagnant water. The government has launched a project to dredge 81.5 kilometers of five rivers, including the Harihar, to address long-term waterlogging in the Bhobdah region.

Local farmers have sought assistance from the upazila administration and agriculture office to resolve the irrigation crisis and save their crops.

Default loans in Bangladesh’s non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) have risen sharply, reaching about Tk 29,409 crore by the end of September last year, accounting for over 37 percent of total loans. Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed the figures. The central bank’s report shows that total loans in the sector increased to Tk 79,251 crore in September from Tk 77,092 crore in June, while defaults grew by Tk 1,868 crore during the same period.

Sector insiders attribute the ongoing crisis to long-standing irregularities and fund misappropriation in several institutions, particularly those linked to PK Halder. Bangladesh Bank has issued notices to 20 NBFIs for failing to repay deposits and plans to close nine of them, including FAS Finance, Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company, and People’s Leasing. These nine hold about 55 percent of total default loans in the sector.

Governor Ahsan H. Mansur announced that individual depositors of the nine institutions will receive their principal amounts before Ramadan in February. The government has verbally approved Tk 5,000 crore to facilitate repayments, though no interest will be paid.