The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Sirajganj has projected a combined market value of around Tk 1,200 to 1,250 crore from mustard and honey production in the current season. Mustard cultivation has expanded to 90,550 hectares across Ullapara, Tarash, Raiganj, and Shahjadpur upazilas, exceeding the initial target of 90,000 hectares. The DAE expects about 146,000 metric tons of mustard to be produced if weather conditions remain favorable. Farmers are optimistic about good profits due to improved seed varieties and favorable weather.

Honey production has also become a significant economic activity alongside mustard farming. The district has set a target of producing 404,000 kilograms of honey this season, with 220 beekeepers already collecting about 100,000 kilograms. Ullapara upazila leads in both mustard and honey output, creating employment opportunities for many. The DAE is promoting the high-yielding BARI Sarisha-20 variety, which matures within 75–80 days and allows farmers to cultivate boro rice afterward.

Officials noted that expanding mustard cultivation could help reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imported edible oil, as domestic production currently meets only a small portion of national demand.

The July Shaheed Smriti Foundation (JSSF) has announced that it needs an additional Tk 2.38 billion to fulfill its commitments to the families of martyrs and injured fighters of the July uprising. The foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Kamal Akbar, made the statement at a press conference held on Thursday in front of the JSSF stall at the International Trade Fair in Purbachal. He said the foundation’s goal is to ensure dignity, security, and a sustainable future for those who sacrificed their lives or were injured during the July movement.

According to Kamal Akbar, JSSF has already distributed Tk 1.1621 billion out of Tk 1.1998 billion received from the Chief Adviser’s Fund and public contributions. The funds have reached 829 martyr families and 6,471 injured fighters, while 7,769 injured fighters are still awaiting financial assistance. He added that 7,082 injured fighters have applied for rehabilitation, with 25 percent seeking training, 20 percent employment, and 54 percent self-employment opportunities. So far, 82 injured fighters have been sustainably rehabilitated through the foundation.

Kamal Akbar emphasized that sustainable rehabilitation and proper recognition of the July fighters are essential for the nation’s long-term progress, calling for coordinated support from the media, society, and the state.

China’s export trade reached a record $3.77 trillion in 2025 despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s year-long imposition of high tariffs on multiple countries. According to customs data released Wednesday, exports rose 5.5 percent from the previous year, while imports remained stable at $2.58 trillion, resulting in a trade surplus of $1.19 trillion. Although exports to the United States declined, Beijing expanded sales to markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.

The data showed that China’s exports grew 6.6 percent in December, surpassing economists’ forecasts of 3 percent, while imports increased 5.7 percent, also exceeding expectations. However, trade with Russia fell for the first time in five years, as demand for Chinese cars dropped and crude oil imports from Russia declined due to Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

At a press briefing, China’s Vice Minister of Customs Administration Wang Jun said global trade growth remained insufficient and the current environment was not favorable for China’s foreign trade development.

The World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report, released in January 2026, states that Bangladesh’s medium-term economic outlook has improved, with growth expected to strengthen steadily over the next two fiscal years. The forecast for 2025–26 has been revised upward to 4.6 percent, and for 2026–27 to 6.1 percent, reflecting stronger domestic demand, industrial activity, and investment.

According to the report, easing inflation is expected to boost private consumption, while reduced political uncertainty following the 2026 general election and anticipated structural reforms by the new government will support industrial expansion. Public spending and investment growth are also projected to accelerate faster than previously forecast, with the 2027 growth estimate raised by 0.3 percentage points compared to the June projection.

In the global context, the World Bank noted that despite trade tensions and policy uncertainty, the world economy remains more resilient than expected. However, it warned that if current trends persist, the 2020s could become the weakest decade for global growth since the 1960s.

The Pay Commission is scheduled to hold a full meeting on Thursday at 12 p.m. in the Cabinet Division’s old building at the Secretariat to discuss unresolved matters regarding the implementation of the new pay scale for government officials and employees. The session will address maximum and minimum salary levels, grade numbers, housing rent, medical and festival allowances, retirement benefits, and other facilities. Issues that reach consensus among members may be finalized during the meeting.

According to commission sources, the ratio between the highest and lowest salaries in the ninth national pay scale has already been set at 1:8, following a meeting on January 8. Three proposals for the minimum salary—Tk 21,000, Tk 17,000, and Tk 16,000—are under review, with a final decision expected in the upcoming session. The maximum salary scale has not yet been determined, as related allowances remain unsettled.

A commission member stated that the framework will incorporate inflation, commodity prices, family size, housing, and education costs as key indicators, serving as a reference for future governments in setting pay structures.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Moscow will continue its trade relations with Iran despite the recent U.S. decision to impose an additional 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Tehran. Speaking at a press conference in Moscow, Lavrov said Russia must carry on its work and implement existing agreements with Iran and other economic partners.

The Kremlin criticized the U.S. move, describing it as an attempt to isolate Iran. Lavrov argued that when a powerful country like the United States resorts to such measures, it signals a weakening position in the competitive global market. The statement came after China also rejected the U.S. tariff decision and confirmed its intention to maintain economic ties with Iran.

The Russian stance underscores continued resistance among key global players to U.S. economic pressure on Iran, suggesting that Washington’s tariff policy may face limited international compliance.

Depositors of five troubled Islamic banks in Bangladesh will not receive any profit on their deposits for the years 2024 and 2025. The directive was issued after approval from Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, instructing the banks to suspend profit calculations during this period. The affected banks are Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, Union Bank, and Global Islami Bank, all of which are being merged into a newly formed Combined Islami Bank.

According to the central bank’s resolution scheme, all deposit accounts will be recalculated without profit for the specified two years, applying a defined haircut to determine final balances. The new bank will have an authorized capital of Tk 40,000 crore and a paid-up capital of Tk 35,000 crore, with the government already injecting Tk 20,000 crore as Class A shares. Portions of institutional deposits will be converted into Class B and C shares totaling Tk 15,000 crore.

The scheme also sets withdrawal limits and allows up to 20 percent of term deposits to be used for loans or investments, aiming to stabilize the merged entity’s financial structure.

Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA has filed an appeal in a US court against an order to sell its American subsidiary, Citgo. Company representatives said on Tuesday that they have requested the cancellation of the court-directed sale, which was initiated to repay outstanding debts. Multiple creditors have long sought to recover more than 20 billion dollars owed by Venezuela, with Citgo being a key target for repayment claims.

According to AFP, a court in Delaware approved the sale of Citgo in late November last year as part of efforts to resolve the prolonged legal dispute. Citgo’s board has also petitioned to halt the sale, arguing that the US foreclosure process involves a serious conflict of interest that could harm the company’s economic value. The board estimates Citgo’s current worth at around 10 billion dollars.

The appeal marks the latest development in a complex legal battle over Venezuela’s unpaid debts and the future of one of its most valuable foreign assets.

Bangladesh’s 56 public universities, including Dhaka University and Bogura Science and Technology University, have not prepared any formal financial statements detailing their assets, income, or liabilities. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has identified this absence as a major governance risk and requested the University Grants Commission (UGC) to ensure that universities prepare full financial reports. Following this, the UGC has issued letters to all vice-chancellors instructing them to prepare financial statements following an FRC-recommended module.

Experts from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) and university officials have expressed concern that without balance sheets, universities’ assets and liabilities remain untraceable, creating opportunities for irregularities. The FRC’s review found that while private universities prepare audited financial statements, public universities only maintain internal income and expenditure records. The council has also noted inconsistencies in financial audit provisions across university laws.

The FRC is now working to establish external audits and standardized reporting for public universities to strengthen financial discipline and accountability. The UGC expects universities to comply with the new directives to improve transparency and governance in higher education finance.

Global oil prices have risen by nearly four dollars per barrel in recent days due to renewed tensions involving Iran, according to a Reuters report published on Tuesday. Brent crude reached 64.15 dollars per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at 59.78 dollars, marking their highest levels since December 8. The increase follows strong remarks by US President Donald Trump about Iran, reversing a previous price decline that occurred after the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The report noted that Iran is facing its largest anti-government protests in years, with allegations of deadly violence against demonstrators. As of Monday, the protests had entered their 16th day, with at least 648 protesters reported killed by the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights. In response, Trump warned of possible military action and threatened a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran. Barclays estimated that geopolitical risks added a three to four dollar premium to oil prices.

Market concerns also grew over crude supply from Venezuela, as the new government in Caracas may transfer up to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States under Western sanctions.

The Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association has urged the government to address six major problems affecting the restaurant sector, including a severe gas crisis and rising inflation. The call came during a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday, where association leaders, including President Osman Gani and General Secretary Imran Hasan, highlighted the growing difficulties faced by restaurant owners across the country.

Speakers alleged that private syndicates have created an artificial shortage of LPG gas, forcing restaurants to buy cylinders at inflated prices, while Petrobangla and government advisers remain inactive. They also complained about extortion and threats from individuals posing as labor union representatives, which they said are worsening the situation. The association demanded immediate measures to stabilize fuel supply, control commodity prices, and stop unethical practices in the sector.

The association further called on political parties to include a dedicated plan for protecting the restaurant industry in their election manifestos, emphasizing that the sector employs around three million people and indirectly supports about twenty million more.

The Bangladesh government has reduced import duties on mobile phones to keep prices within consumers’ purchasing power. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a notification on Tuesday announcing that the existing 25 percent duty on imported mobile phones has been lowered to 10 percent, while the total import tax burden has been reduced by 60 percent. The move is expected to significantly lower the prices of both imported and locally assembled phones in the market.

To ensure local assemblers are not disadvantaged, the government also reduced import duties on components used by domestic mobile phone assembly firms. A separate notification cut the duty on imported assembly materials from 10 percent to 5 percent, representing a 50 percent reduction. According to NBR estimates, the price of imported phones costing over 30,000 taka will drop by about 5,500 taka, while locally assembled phones in the same price range will decrease by around 1,500 taka.

The NBR stated that the duty cuts will help keep mobile phones affordable and make digital services more accessible to citizens across the country.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that no decision has yet been made regarding the introduction of the ninth pay scale. He said the government will decide after receiving the Pay Commission’s report. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday after a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Government Procurement, he noted that the Pay Commission is currently working on the matter and that he will meet with them within a day or two.

Ahmed explained that the commission comprises 21 members who will evaluate all aspects before publishing their report. Once the report is released, details about implementation and announcement timing will become clear. During the same meeting, he announced plans to train 60,000 drivers—40,000 new and 20,000 previously trained—in heavy vehicle operation, with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) organizing the program.

He also said a bridge will be built in Barishal under a joint government and OPEC Fund initiative. The Roads and Highways Department will implement the project on the Barishal (Dinerarpul)-Lakshmi Pasha-Dumki road, improving connectivity to remote areas of Bhola.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has reduced customs duty on mobile phone imports from 25 percent to 10 percent through a new gazette notification. The decision, announced on Tuesday by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, aims to keep mobile phone prices within consumers’ purchasing power. As a result, the total import duty on mobile phones has decreased by 6 percent.

To prevent local mobile phone assembling companies from facing unfair competition, the NBR also issued a separate notification reducing customs duty on imported components for assembly from 10 percent to 5 percent. According to the ministry’s statement, this represents a 50 percent reduction in the existing import duty on components.

The ministry said that due to these changes, the price of imported mobile phones priced above Tk 30,000 is expected to fall by about Tk 5,500, while locally assembled phones in the same price range may drop by about Tk 1,500. The government expects the overall price reduction to make mobile phones more affordable for the general public.

State-owned Sonali Bank achieved a record operating profit of Tk 8,017 crore in 2025, marking an increase of Tk 2,322 crore compared to 2024. The announcement was made by Managing Director Shawkat Ali Khan at a press conference held at the bank’s head office on Tuesday.

According to the managing director, the bank’s interest income rose significantly last year, contributing to the higher operating profit. After making necessary provisions, the net profit is expected to be around Tk 1,200 crore. He also reported that the bank’s total deposits stood at Tk 1,79,879 crore, while loans disbursed amounted to Tk 1,04,723 crore. In addition, Sonali Bank recovered Tk 1,203 crore in cash from defaulted loans during the year.

The figures highlight Sonali Bank’s strong performance in 2025, reflecting improved income generation and loan recovery within the state-owned banking sector.