State-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX) has launched gas exploration up to six kilometers beneath the surface, marking the deepest drilling effort in the country’s history. Preparations are complete for exploration wells at Titas in Brahmanbaria, Bakhrabad and Srikail in Cumilla, and Mobarakpur in Pabna’s Santhia upazila. Petrobangla sources confirmed that one well has already begun operations, breaking the previous depth record of four kilometers.

Officials said the initiative follows 3D surveys indicating potential gas reserves below hard rock layers, with estimates suggesting around 2.5 trillion cubic feet of gas across the targeted fields. Petrobangla plans deep drilling at four wells—two under Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited and two under BAPEX. The move comes after years of limited exploration activity, during which Bangladesh’s energy sector became increasingly import-dependent.

Petrobangla Chairman Md. Erfanul Haque described the six-kilometer drilling as a bold step to address the national gas shortage. He said 150 wells are planned under short-, medium-, and long-term programs, with expectations of adding about three trillion cubic feet of gas reserves upon completion.

Widespread load-shedding and fuel shortages have severely disrupted garment production in Savar and Ashulia, two major industrial areas near Dhaka. Factory officials reported that production has dropped by 15–20 percent, with some plants operating generators to maintain limited output. Abul Kashem, Deputy Managing Director of AKH Group, said daily production has fallen by about 10 percent due to fuel scarcity and rising costs, while transport delays are causing missed shipment deadlines and reduced foreign orders.

At Al Muslim Group and JK Group factories, managers said fuel shortages and higher prices have forced them to cut production from over 100,000 pieces a day to 80,000–90,000. Transport disruptions have led some owners to ship goods by air at their own expense, increasing costs. Jahangir Hossain of Stitches Limited warned that if the situation continues, operating garment factories will become unsustainable.

Dhaka Palli Bidyut Samiti-1’s Senior General Manager Akhtar Uzzaman Laskar said electricity supply shortages stem from lower-than-demand generation, but the government has taken measures to boost output soon.

A recent recruitment scandal at Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC has exposed deep governance failures within the institution. Between 2017 and 2024, under the control of S. Alam Group, the bank hired over 10,800 employees, about 75 percent without public advertisement, with most appointments concentrated in one Chattogram subdistrict. Once a leading Islamic bank in South Asia, it now faces near insolvency due to irregular recruitment and financial mismanagement.

Audit and central bank inspections revealed manipulated hiring policies and massive irregular loans issued without collateral to newly formed companies. The government has already injected around Tk 35,000 crore to address the resulting capital shortfall. The article outlines five urgent steps: reducing excess staff, separating bad assets through an asset management company, restructuring capital, strengthening governance, and protecting depositor confidence. It also calls for a national Shariah supervisory board to ensure ethical compliance across Islamic banks.

The author warns that restoring control to those responsible for the crisis would destroy public trust and undermine any reform effort, urging immediate and accountable action to rebuild the bank’s credibility.

Thousands of farmers in Bangladesh’s Haor region are facing a triple crisis caused by early rainfall, a shortage of laborers, and insufficient harvesting machinery. According to reports, there were about 10 percent fewer harvesters in the fields this year compared to last year, though the Department of Agricultural Extension disputes this claim. The department says additional officers have been deployed to assist farmers and that drying machines are being sent to affected areas such as Sunamganj.

Early floods have submerged 28,201 hectares of paddy fields, affecting around 4,000 farmers whose crops remain underwater. Farmers report that laborers from other districts, who usually arrive during the harvest season, could not come this year due to early rains, leading to higher wages and delayed harvesting. Experts warn that prolonged wet conditions are causing germination in standing crops, raising fears of further losses.

Agricultural economists estimate that 30–35 percent of crops in the Haor region may be damaged, potentially leading to a nationwide 10 percent shortfall in Boro rice production and possible food price increases.

The World Bank Group has warned that global energy prices could increase by up to 24 percent in 2026 due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Its latest Commodity Markets Outlook report attributes the projected rise to attacks on energy infrastructure and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about 35 percent of the world’s crude oil shipments. The report notes that global oil supply has already fallen by around 10 million barrels per day, creating immediate pressure on international energy markets.

According to the baseline forecast, the average price of Brent crude oil could reach 86 dollars per barrel in 2026, up from 69 dollars this year. If the conflict continues or supply chains fail to recover quickly, prices could climb as high as 115 dollars per barrel. The report also predicts a 31 percent rise in fertilizer prices, with urea potentially increasing by 60 percent due to higher natural gas costs and supply uncertainty.

The World Bank projects that developing economies may face average inflation of 5.1 percent next year, rising to 5.8 percent in a worst-case scenario, while their economic growth could slow to 3.6 percent.

Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division (ERD) reported that in the first nine months of the current fiscal year (July–March), foreign loan commitments and disbursements declined, while repayment obligations increased significantly. The government repaid a total of 3.52 billion US dollars in principal and interest, up 9.74 percent from the same period last year. Meanwhile, foreign aid commitments fell by 6.69 percent to 2.80 billion dollars, and total disbursements dropped by 19 percent to 3.89 billion dollars.

ERD officials attributed the slowdown in foreign fund releases to election-related transitions, administrative restructuring, and project re-evaluations following the new government’s assumption of office. Delays in tender reviews, contract approvals, and design revisions also contributed to slower disbursements. The officials expect improvement later in the fiscal year, citing efforts to secure about 3.2 billion dollars in budget support.

The report noted that Russia, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank were the top lenders during the period. Rising repayment obligations, both foreign and domestic, indicate growing fiscal pressure on the government, with total repayments reaching about 430 billion taka in local currency terms.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has signed a contract with US manufacturer Boeing to purchase 14 new aircraft worth about 3.7 billion US dollars, equivalent to roughly 40,000 crore Bangladeshi taka. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday evening at a hotel in Dhaka, where Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Kaiser Sohail Ahmed and Boeing Vice President Paul Righi signed the agreement. The event was attended by the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, US Ambassador Brent T Christensen, and other officials.

Under the deal, Biman will acquire eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners, and four 737-8 MAX jets. Officials said the purchase aims to modernize the fleet and expand long-haul operations to meet growing passenger demand. The new aircraft will serve routes across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The agreement follows years of competition between Boeing and Airbus, with the interim government ultimately choosing Boeing after the 2024 political transition.

Payments will be made over 10 to 20 years, with annual installments estimated at 1,500 to 2,000 crore taka. The first delivery is expected by November 2031, meaning short-term fleet shortages will persist.

International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol has warned that the world is facing the largest energy crisis in history due to the ongoing war. Speaking at a conference in Paris, he said the current situation has created major economic and energy challenges globally. Birol noted that oil and gas markets are under severe strain, with oil prices exceeding 120 dollars per barrel, putting immense pressure on many countries.

He emphasized that the war has caused unprecedented instability in global energy security. According to Birol, high prices and disruptions in supply chains have pushed the world economy into a difficult period. His remarks highlight the scale of the crisis and the vulnerability of global energy systems under current geopolitical tensions.

The IEA chief’s warning underscores the urgent need for stability in energy markets as nations struggle with rising costs and supply uncertainties.

Bangladesh Bank has withdrawn the requirement for maintaining provisions against funds stuck in five merged Shariah-based banks. The decision, announced on Thursday by the central bank’s relevant department, aims to ease financial pressure on the affected banks and institutions that have been unable to recover large sums for an extended period.

The merged banks are First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, Social Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank. These institutions were consolidated into a unified Islamic banking structure due to severe liquidity crises. According to Bangladesh Bank sources, over Tk 15,000 crore from other banks and financial institutions remain stuck with these five banks, including more than Tk 8,000 crore belonging to one Islamic bank.

Officials explained that the funds are covered under a specific scheme, ensuring eventual recovery either through direct repayment, long-term fixed deposits, or share allocations. Industry observers noted that while the decision offers short-term relief, recovering the trapped funds remains a major long-term challenge.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has announced full exemption from all existing duties and taxes on the import of electric buses used for transporting students of schools, colleges, universities, and similar educational institutions. The decision was formalized through a statutory regulatory order (SRO) issued on Thursday, according to an official press release. The exemption covers customs duty, regulatory duty, value-added tax, supplementary duty, advance tax, and advance income tax.

The NBR stated that both educational institutions and their authorized representatives importing electric buses for student transport will be eligible for the exemption. The buses must be painted yellow and clearly marked with words such as “school,” “college,” “student bus,” or “transport.” The NBR will process import applications within ten working days. The board also mentioned that the government is considering reducing duties on electric buses for general passengers to encourage energy savings and reduce travel costs.

According to the NBR, the exemption will help institutions provide modern, eco-friendly transport for students, reduce traffic congestion, save fuel, and lower parents’ transportation expenses.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz are severely constraining the global economy. Speaking on April 30, 2026, he said the instability caused by ongoing conflict in the region is generating a long-term economic crisis worldwide.

Guterres cautioned that even under the best circumstances, recovery from the current economic shock will not be easy. He noted that lifting all restrictions immediately would still require several months for global supply chains to return to normal. During that period, economic growth would remain weak and high commodity prices would persist.

He further emphasized that the disruption in global supply systems caused by the Hormuz crisis is directly harming the world economy. If the situation continues, he warned, the cost of living for ordinary people will rise further.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to keep its key deposit interest rate unchanged at 2 percent for the 21 countries using the euro. The decision, announced on April 30, 2026, comes amid concerns that ongoing war-related disruptions could further intensify risks to economic growth and inflation. The rate has remained at this level since June 2025.

According to the ECB, the continuing conflict has heightened the likelihood of slower growth and rising inflation across the eurozone. The bank stated that maintaining the current rate is a prudent measure to preserve economic stability under these uncertain conditions. The decision reflects the institution’s cautious stance in balancing inflationary pressures with the need to support growth.

The ECB emphasized that keeping the rate steady is aimed at mitigating volatility and ensuring stability in the region’s financial environment as geopolitical tensions persist.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has announced that fuel prices will remain unchanged for May 2026. A government notification issued on Thursday confirmed that the existing retail prices of diesel, kerosene, octane, and petrol will continue. The decision, approved by the competent authority, will take effect from May 1.

According to the notification, diesel will sell at 115 taka per liter, kerosene at 130 taka, octane at 140 taka, and petrol at 135 taka throughout May. The ministry stated that the decision follows the country’s existing policy of adjusting fuel prices monthly in line with international market trends.

The last price adjustment occurred on April 18, when the government raised fuel prices, including a 15 percent increase in diesel. The unchanged rates for May indicate a pause in further adjustments after the recent hike.

Islami Bank has been downgraded from the 'A' to the 'Z' category after failing to declare dividends for two consecutive financial years. The decision followed a board meeting on April 29, 2026, where the bank reviewed its audited financial report for the year ending December 31, 2025, and announced a 'no dividend' policy. The downgrade was made in accordance with Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) regulations.

Following the downgrade, brokerage houses and merchant banks have been requested not to provide margin loan facilities for purchasing Islami Bank shares, as per the BSEC Margin Loan Regulations 2025. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) published these details on its website on Thursday. The bank’s share price fell by more than 4 percent, dropping from Tk 34.70 to Tk 33.30.

According to the 2025 audited report, Islami Bank’s consolidated earnings per share stood at Tk 0.85, and its net asset value per share was Tk 44.52, slightly higher than the previous year’s figures.

Bata Bangladesh has announced a 105 percent final cash dividend for the year 2025, raising its total annual dividend to 248 percent. The company reported a turnover of 9,164 million taka despite global economic pressures, political uncertainty, and challenging geopolitical conditions. The announcement reflects Bata’s continued focus on strengthening its long-term competitiveness in the footwear market.

Throughout the year, the company emphasized customer-centric strategies, prioritizing high-growth segments such as casual, sneaker, and premium product categories. These areas showed notable progress, aligning well with evolving market trends. The expansion of Bata’s omnichannel network further enhanced customer engagement across both digital and physical platforms.

Bata Bangladesh continues to improve institutional efficiency and maintain an organized structure to navigate current market conditions. With ongoing investments in product innovation and customer service, the company aims to capitalize on future opportunities and sustain its leadership in the country’s footwear industry.