Bangladesh Bank has increased the license renewal fee for money changer institutions operating in the country. According to a circular issued on Monday, the renewal fee has been raised from 5,000 taka to 10,000 taka. The new fee structure will take effect on January 15, 2026. All other existing instructions related to license renewal will remain unchanged. The central bank has also requested relevant parties to take necessary steps to inform all money changers and customers about the change.

Industry representatives have welcomed the decision, describing it as a positive recognition of their role in maintaining market stability. They said the increase in renewal fees indicates that the regulatory authority has a favorable assessment of their operations and has included them in its “good book.”

The adjustment reflects Bangladesh Bank’s satisfaction with the sector’s contribution to stabilizing the foreign exchange market, according to stakeholders quoted in the report.

Tax Commissioner Ikhtiar Uddin Mohammad Mamun has been appointed as the new head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). The Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance issued a notification on Monday confirming his appointment as the chief of the financial intelligence agency.

According to the notification, the appointment was made under Section 24(1)(gha) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 (amended 2015) and Rule 22 of the Money Laundering Prevention Rules, 2019. Mamun, currently a commissioner at the National Board of Revenue, will serve as a full-time officer with the rank equivalent to a deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank. His contractual appointment will be effective for two years from the date he assumes office, subject to relinquishing his duties with other organizations.

The BFIU operates under Bangladesh Bank and is responsible for investigating and preventing money laundering and related financial crimes, as outlined in the relevant laws and regulations.

As of January 12, 2026, a total of 3.188 million taxpayers have submitted their income tax returns online for the 2025–26 fiscal year, according to a press release issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR). More than 3,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have also filed e-returns voluntarily, despite not being required to do so. The NBR described this participation by expatriates as a positive development.

The NBR’s communication officer Al Amin Sheikh stated that 4.553 million taxpayers have completed registration in the e-return system, including around 5,000 expatriates. The deadline for individual taxpayers to submit returns has been extended twice, now set for January 31. From this fiscal year, online return submission has been made mandatory for individual taxpayers, except for senior citizens aged 65 or above, persons with disabilities, expatriates, legal representatives of deceased taxpayers, and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh.

The NBR urged all eligible taxpayers to complete their e-return submissions by January 31 through the online system.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to maintain existing export incentives and cash assistance for 43 sectors during the final six months of the 2025–26 fiscal year, from January to June 2026. The Bangladesh Bank issued a circular on Monday confirming that the rates for shipped goods will remain between 0.30 percent and 10 percent, depending on the product category. The decision aims to continue supporting export-oriented industries under current conditions.

Officials noted that Bangladesh is expected to graduate from the least developed country (LDC) category in November 2026, after which direct cash support for exports will no longer be allowed. Although the government had planned to reduce incentive rates further, it chose to keep them unchanged due to increased U.S. tariffs, export disruptions through Indian land ports, and industrial instability following political changes in August 2024. These factors have placed pressure on export-oriented sectors.

The circular details unchanged support rates across sectors including textiles, leather, jute, pharmaceuticals, frozen seafood, agriculture, light engineering, software, and handicrafts. The continuation is intended to stabilize export performance ahead of the LDC transition.

Bangladesh Bank has purchased an additional 81 million US dollars from ten commercial banks through an auction. The transaction took place on Monday, January 12, 2026, according to Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The exchange rate for the purchase was set at 122.30 taka per dollar, with the cutoff price matching that rate.

With this latest purchase, the central bank’s total dollar acquisition in January has reached 698 million US dollars. The report also notes that during the ongoing 2025–26 fiscal year, Bangladesh Bank has conducted several rounds of dollar purchases through auctions. So far, the total amount bought stands at 3.83 billion US dollars.

The continued dollar purchases indicate the central bank’s ongoing efforts to manage foreign exchange reserves and stabilize the domestic currency market, as reflected by the consistent auction-based acquisitions throughout the fiscal year.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has announced a major revision of its main index, DSEX, following an annual trading review. Nine new companies will be added to the index, six of which are identified as weak in fundamentals. At the same time, sixteen companies will be removed, including five well-known Islamic banks whose shares have been declared void and trading suspended. The changes will take effect on January 18, according to DSE authorities.

The six weak fundamental companies joining the DSEX are BD Welding, Desco, Dulamia Cotton, Safko Spinning, Standard Ceramic, and Jhil-Bangla Sugar. The other three additions are Ha-Well Textile, Northern Islami Insurance, and Sharp Industries. The five Islamic banks being removed—First Security Islami Bank, Exim Bank, Social Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, and Union Bank—have merged to form a new entity named Sammilit Islami Bank. Other companies dropped include Apollo Ispat, United Capital, Meghna Condensed Milk, and several others.

The DSE also adjusted its DS-30 index, adding Meghna Petroleum, BSRM Steels, and Fine Foods, while removing Heidelberg Cement, GPH Ispat, and Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag.

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved a revised Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Tk 2 trillion for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Including projects under autonomous bodies and corporations, the total expenditure stands at Tk 2.289 trillion. The decision was made at an NEC meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The revised plan allocates Tk 1.28 trillion from domestic sources and Tk 720 billion from foreign sources.

According to the press briefing, the revised ADP reflects a reduction of Tk 300 billion compared to the original plan, with Tk 160 billion less from domestic sources and Tk 140 billion less from foreign assistance. The programme includes 1,330 projects, comprising 1,108 investment projects, 35 feasibility studies, 121 technical assistance projects, and 66 self-financed projects by agencies. Priority sectors include transport, power and energy, housing, education, and local government, which together receive Tk 1.211 trillion or 60.54% of total allocations.

Planning officials stated that the revised ADP aims to expand economic activities, generate employment, develop human resources, improve social services, and support sustainable growth.

Bangladesh Bank has eased loan facilities for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) importers, allowing them to import gas on credit for up to 270 days. The central bank issued a circular on Monday, stating that LPG, usually imported in bulk and later bottled for retail, will now be treated as an industrial raw material for trade credit purposes. This classification enables importers to access the same deferred payment terms available for other industrial raw materials under existing foreign exchange regulations.

According to the circular, banks have been instructed to assist importers in obtaining buyer’s credit from foreign banks and financial institutions. Additionally, offshore banking units have been authorized to provide bill discounting facilities to support the sector. The move aims to address the time-intensive nature of LPG storage, bottling, and distribution processes.

The decision comes amid a supply shortage that has pushed the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder up to 2,500 taka, significantly above the government-fixed rate, causing hardship for consumers and businesses.

Japan has launched a deep-sea expedition to extract rare minerals in an effort to reduce its dependence on China. On Monday, the scientific drilling vessel Chikyu departed from Shimizu Port in Shizuoka at 9 a.m. local time, heading toward the remote Pacific island of Minami Torishima. The area is believed to contain vast reserves of rare minerals. The mission, led by JAMSTEC, involves experimental drilling at a depth of 6,000 meters, marking a world first, and will continue until February 14.

The initiative comes as China, the world’s largest supplier of rare minerals, exerts pressure on Japan amid heightened political tensions following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Taiwan in November. Cabinet Office program director Shoichi Ishii stated that Japan aims to diversify supply sources and build domestic production capacity to avoid overreliance on any single country. Researcher Takahiro Kamisuna noted that regular extraction near Minami Torishima could secure a stable domestic supply chain for Japan’s industries.

Reports indicate that China has recently delayed imports of Japanese goods and slowed rare mineral exports, further motivating Japan’s push for resource independence.

Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has fallen by 40 percent due to ongoing tensions and border clashes, according to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The closure of key border crossings has disrupted the movement of goods, severely affecting bilateral trade. Official Afghan data show that total trade between the two countries declined from 2.461 billion dollars in 2024 to 1.766 billion dollars in 2025, a decrease of 695 million dollars.

During the same period, Afghanistan’s exports to Pakistan dropped from 817 million dollars to 505 million dollars, while imports fell from 1.644 billion dollars to 1.261 billion dollars. Economic analysts have emphasized that Afghanistan should not rely on a single trade partner or transit route. They suggest developing alternative corridors through Iran, Central Asia, and air routes to reduce dependence on Pakistan and achieve long-term economic stability.

Major trade crossings such as Torkham and Spin Boldak have remained completely closed for about three months, halting cargo transport and causing financial losses for traders on both sides.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has advised that banks may use their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to support public awareness activities related to the upcoming national referendum. The suggestion came during a meeting with managing directors and chief executives of all banks held at Bangladesh Bank on Sunday. The referendum, scheduled for February 12, aims to implement the July National Charter, and the interim government is conducting awareness campaigns to encourage a ‘yes’ vote.

During the meeting, the governor emphasized that raising public awareness about the referendum is a collective responsibility and that banks should contribute to informing citizens about the potential impacts if the charter is not implemented. He also urged caution in fund management during the election period, noting that the central bank has injected about Tk 46,000 crore into the market after purchasing over USD 3.75 billion this fiscal year.

Separately, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has intensified monitoring of cash transactions to prevent the use of illicit funds ahead of the election, requiring weekly reporting of transactions exceeding Tk 1 million until further notice.

The Bangladesh government will raise Tk 10,000 crore from Samiliti Islami Bank by issuing a Sukuk bond named 'Bangladesh Government Special Sukuk-1'. According to a Bangladesh Bank press release issued on Sunday, the bond will have a maximum tenure of 10 years, and the bank will receive an annual profit rate of 9.75 percent. The government is scheduled to receive the funds from the bank on January 14.

The Shariah Advisory Committee of Bangladesh Bank, chaired by Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmed, held meetings on January 7 and 8 to finalize the issuance under the Ijara (lease) method. The Sukuk will be issued through private placement directly in favor of Samiliti Islami Bank. The underlying assets for this Sukuk include seven housing projects built by the Public Works Department for government employees and specific train services operated by Bangladesh Railway.

The issuance aims to mobilize funds for government projects while adhering to Islamic financial principles, as outlined by the central bank’s advisory committee.

Mobile Business Community Bangladesh, a group representing grey market mobile traders, has called on the government to make import taxes on mobile phones more reasonable. The appeal was made on Sunday at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha, where the group also accused a nine-member syndicate, including Smart Technologies Limited’s managing director Md. Zahirul Islam, of manipulating the system related to mobile registration and import.

At the event, representatives including Golam Mahfuz Jony from Jamuna Future Park said traders want to contribute to national revenue if fair tax policies are introduced. They argued that current measures unfairly label them as illegal traders and harm consumers who rely on affordable used phones. The group also demanded the release of detained traders and warned of unrest if further arrests occur.

Speakers further alleged irregularities in implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), claiming it poses national security risks because data may be stored abroad. They urged the government to ensure any implementation is handled domestically, even suggesting military oversight if necessary.

Bangladesh’s interim government spent about USD 3,877.74 million in 2025 to import 109 LNG cargoes, up from USD 3,022.32 million for 86 cargoes in 2024, according to Petrobangla officials. The imports totaled 350,766,440 MMBtu of LNG, reflecting a USD 855.42 million increase from the previous year. Officials said the rise was driven by growing industrial demand and insufficient domestic gas supply.

Petrobangla and Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL) reported that LNG was procured under long-term, short-term, and spot market contracts. QatarEnergy supplied 40 cargoes worth USD 1,204.49 million, while Oman’s OQ Trading delivered 16 cargoes under long-term deals and five under short-term contracts. Bangladesh also purchased 48 cargoes from the spot market through suppliers including PetroChina International and TotalEnergies Gas & Power. The government plans to import 115 cargoes in the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Officials noted that daily gas demand reached 3,800 million cubic feet against production of 2,594.7 million cubic feet on January 5–6, 2026. The Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan 2023 projects demand to rise to 6,240 million cubic feet per day by 2030.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin stated that the ongoing IPL issue has not caused any negative impact on trade between Bangladesh and India. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday after a meeting on the new import policy order, he said that business activities with India are continuing normally.

The adviser emphasized that Bangladesh believes in open trade with all countries and does not take country-specific bilateral decisions unless domestic trade is disrupted. He added that various trade measures with India are being monitored to assess any possible effects. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman noted that daily events rarely affect bilateral trade, though India’s closure of several land ports last May reduced Bangladesh’s exports. He clarified that Bangladesh did not take any countermeasures.

Rahman further explained that the decision to halt jute exports to India was made to maintain domestic supply and not to harm another country. He reiterated that Bangladesh’s trade policies are designed to protect internal markets rather than target any nation.