Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin announced that a meeting will be held on January 19 to review commodity prices ahead of Ramadan. He made the statement after a meeting at the Secretariat, noting that all relevant stakeholders will participate in the review to assess the overall market situation.

He also confirmed that the Ministry of Commerce has prepared a draft of the new Import Policy Order (IPO) for 2025–2028, introducing major changes from the existing 2021–2024 policy. The adviser said the revisions aim to liberalize and simplify trade procedures. Final approval will be sought through the Cabinet before details are disclosed.

Responding to questions about current tensions between Bangladesh and India, Sheikh Bashir Uddin stated that no impact on bilateral trade has been observed so far.

The interim government of Bangladesh has decided not to announce a new pay scale for public servants before the upcoming national election, citing financial constraints and the approaching polls. Instead, the Pay Commission has been instructed to continue its work and prepare a framework for the next administration. The final meeting of the commission, chaired by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, is expected on January 21, after which recommendations will be submitted to the chief and finance advisers.

According to commission sources, the new pay structure—known as the ninth pay scale—is in its final stage. Three salary ratio proposals of 1:8, 1:10, and 1:12 were considered, with 1:8 being finalized. Minimum salary proposals range from Tk 16,000 to Tk 21,000. The 23-member National Pay Commission 2025 was formed on July 27 to adjust government salaries in line with inflation and economic conditions. The commission’s term ends in mid-February, coinciding with the February 12 national election.

Officials indicated that the interim government will finalize recommendations but leave implementation to the next elected administration. Until then, public employees will continue receiving dearness allowances as per existing rules.

Bangladesh’s banking sector has come under renewed pressure as government borrowing surged sharply midway through the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to the latest Bangladesh Bank report, between July and January 4 the government borrowed a net Tk 59,756 crore from banks, representing 57.45 percent of its annual target of Tk 104,000 crore. This borrowing is about 619 percent higher than the same period last fiscal year, when the government had borrowed Tk 8,312 crore.

Sector insiders noted that at the start of the fiscal year, the government had reduced development spending and benefited from strong revenue growth and foreign loans, keeping borrowing low. However, rising development expenditures, investments in Islami Bank, election-related costs, and increased subsidy and interest payments have driven borrowing upward again. To meet financing needs, the government also held two additional auctions in December, raising about Tk 10,000 crore through treasury bills and bonds.

The report shows total government debt from banks reached Tk 610,661 crore by January 4, up from Tk 550,904 crore at the end of the previous fiscal year, raising concerns about liquidity and private sector credit flow.

Bangladesh has made significant progress toward strengthening mutually beneficial trade relations with the United States. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Saturday, during his visit to Washington, National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman requested U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamison Greer to raise the issue of reducing the existing 20 percent reciprocal tariff on Bangladesh with U.S. President Donald Trump. The USTR agreed to bring the matter forward, which could enhance Bangladesh’s competitive position in South Asia if implemented.

The two countries also discussed a new and innovative mechanism to support Bangladesh’s export priorities. Under the proposed preferential arrangement, Bangladesh could export an equivalent amount of apparel and textile products to the U.S. duty-free, based on the square meter volume of cotton and synthetic fibers imported from the U.S. Observers believe this creative and mutually beneficial system would strengthen bilateral ties, benefiting Bangladeshi producers and workers while deepening supply chain links with U.S. raw material suppliers.

Analysts view this development as a reflection of growing trust and positive momentum in U.S.-Bangladesh economic relations, potentially marking a promising new chapter for Bangladesh in global trade.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has called for legal action against individuals or groups allegedly creating an artificial crisis in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market despite sufficient reserves. In a statement issued to the media on Saturday, he said a vested quarter is deliberately causing public suffering by manipulating supply, which he described as inhumane and against public interest.

Porwar warned that such actions are destabilizing the market, raising prices, and harming the national economy, particularly affecting lower- and middle-income groups. He urged the government to restore order in the LPG market, identify those involved in hoarding and unethical business practices, and take strict legal measures against them.

He further emphasized that the government must act responsibly to protect citizens’ rights by strengthening market monitoring and ensuring exemplary punishment for offenders, warning that failure to do so could lead to recurring crises. Porwar also called on the public to remain vigilant and united against any anti-public activities.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur announced that at least two large and strong Islamic banks are expected to emerge in the country in the future. Speaking on Saturday at the second day of the International Islamic Finance and Banking Conference at the University of Dhaka, he said these banks would ensure healthy competition and better returns for depositors. The conference was jointly organized by the Central Shariah Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh and the university’s finance department.

Mansur noted that although a significant portion of the banking sector operates under Shariah principles, investment opportunities for Islamic banks remain limited, creating liquidity management challenges. He emphasized the need to develop a Shariah-compliant bond or sukuk market to ease liquidity pressure and strengthen the sector. Currently, about one-fourth of the country’s total banking assets are under Islamic management, but the corresponding investment avenues have not developed proportionately.

The governor added that the government’s initiative to establish a sukuk market would reduce financing costs and help Islamic banks manage liquidity more effectively, leading to greater stability in the overall financial system.

Bangladesh’s Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that it is not possible to reduce bank interest rates at this time. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 10, at an event organized by Banking Almanac at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, where he attended as the chief guest. Ahmed emphasized that given the current realities, lowering loan interest rates is not feasible.

He noted that the banking sector has become relatively stable but cautioned that reducing interest rates remains difficult. The adviser also mentioned that controlling inflation cannot be achieved by the government alone without the cooperation of the business community and the broader society. He expressed hope that he would not fail in his role as economic adviser and that moving Bangladesh forward remains a major challenge.

The comments highlight the government’s cautious stance on monetary policy adjustments amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the financial sector and manage inflationary pressures.

The contractor responsible for building the Government Technical School and College in Saghatta, Gaibandha, has abandoned the project midway, leaving the construction incomplete after seven years. The project began on February 20, 2018, under the Gaibandha District Education Engineering Department, with a budget of Tk 15.47 crore. Dhaka-based firm Messrs Dhali Construction was tasked to complete the work by June 30, 2021, but only 67 percent has been finished. Locals reported that the contractor’s workers left the site three months ago, taking equipment with them.

Despite the institution starting academic activities two years ago, students and staff continue to face difficulties due to the lack of classrooms and administrative buildings. Principal Tarikul Islam said the incomplete construction is disrupting educational activities, and repeated appeals to the ministry have not resolved the issue.

Executive Engineer Ashish Kumar Roy of the Education Engineering Department confirmed that a new tender process has begun to appoint another contractor, and work will resume once the new work order is issued.

The United States has approved the 'Russian Sanctions Bill', which proposes tariffs of up to 500% on countries importing oil from Russia. Although the bill has not yet been voted on, it signals potential pressure on nations such as India and China to halt purchases of discounted Russian crude. The move comes amid an unfinished US-India trade agreement, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggesting delays were linked to a lack of direct communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.

India, a major buyer of Russian oil, has already reduced imports following earlier US tariff threats. Experts warn that if the bill passes, India could face severe export losses, with $87.4 billion in trade with the US at risk. Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative said the bill’s passage is unlikely but urged India to clarify its oil policy. Former trade secretary Ajay Dua described the measure as weaponizing trade.

Analysts note the bill could primarily target India while sparing China, potentially straining India-US relations further. The US has also withdrawn from the India-led International Solar Alliance, adding to diplomatic friction.

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman met US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamison Greer in Washington, D.C. on Thursday afternoon, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Friday. Dr. Rahman also held a separate meeting with US Deputy Trade Representative Brendan Lynch. During the talks, he highlighted progress in reducing the trade deficit between Bangladesh and the United States and proposed lowering the existing 20 percent reciprocal tariff.

Ambassador Greer assured that the proposal would be considered positively and agreed to review Dr. Rahman’s suggestion to reduce or remove tariffs on garments made with US raw materials. Both sides agreed to resolve outstanding issues quickly to finalize and implement the reciprocal tariff agreement. Dr. Rahman noted that increased trade would strengthen business connections between the two countries.

He also urged the US side to ease business travel for Bangladeshis following the country’s inclusion in the US visa bond program and requested access to Development Finance Corporation (DFC) funds for Bangladesh’s private sector. Ambassador Greer expressed willingness to cooperate on these matters.

The Pay Commission is set to hold its final meeting on January 21 to finalize recommendations for Bangladesh’s ninth national pay scale. The decision to hold the conclusive session was made during a full commission meeting on Thursday. A commission member, speaking anonymously, confirmed that all aspects of the pay scale will be finalized at that meeting, though another full session may occur beforehand due to limited time.

According to a reliable commission source, the new pay ratio between the lowest and highest grades has been fixed at 1:8. This means if the lowest grade salary is 1 taka, the highest will be 8 taka. Three proposals have been submitted for the minimum salary—Tk 21,000, Tk 17,000, and Tk 16,000—with one expected to be finalized. The highest salary scale remains undecided as allowances such as housing and medical benefits are still under review.

Once finalized, the ninth pay scale is expected to bring significant changes to the salary structure of government employees, according to the report.

The Credit and Development Forum (CDF), a national network of microcredit organizations, has issued a statement defending the proposed Microcredit Bank Ordinance 2025 amid recent media debates. CDF described the ordinance as a positive and exemplary step, rejecting claims that it promotes profit-oriented banking or undermines microcredit principles. The organization said the proposed bank would operate as a social business, with investors barred from taking dividends beyond their initial capital.

According to CDF, the ordinance aims to strengthen the microfinance structure by focusing on poverty reduction, employment generation, and support for small enterprises and cottage industries. The bank’s operations would include loans, insurance, remittance services, and access to domestic and foreign grants and credit. CDF clarified that NGOs would not be forced to convert into banks, and dual regulation would not occur because the Bangladesh Bank and Microcredit Regulatory Authority would oversee separate parts of operations.

CDF also highlighted that 60 percent of the bank’s shares would be owned by poor members, ensuring empowerment and equitable benefit distribution. The group argued that the model represents a unique, socially driven approach compared to profit-based microcredit banks in Asia and Africa.

A severe shortage of LPG cylinders has hit Nilphamari district and its upazilas, with allegations that certain dealers and distributors have created an artificial crisis by ignoring government-set prices. Despite the official price for a 12-kg cylinder being set at Tk 1,306 for January, consumers report paying between Tk 1,800 and Tk 2,100. Many households, hotels, and small businesses have been forced to halt cooking and operations due to the scarcity.

Retailers claim they are unable to obtain sufficient supply from dealers even when offering higher prices. Some dealers are reportedly selling limited quantities without receipts and at inflated rates. Consumers and traders allege that the crisis intensified after rumors of a price hike spread, leading to hoarding and speculative selling. A distributor representative, however, attributed the higher prices to transport costs and denied wrongdoing.

Experts and consumers have urged immediate administrative action against hoarding, overpricing, and unrecorded sales, warning that the artificial shortage could worsen if enforcement delays continue.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that there is no possibility of announcing a new pay scale before the upcoming national election. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in a local hotel in Barishal on Thursday afternoon, he said the current interim government will not make any final decision on the matter, which he described as reasonable.

Dr. Mansur explained that the interim government might prepare a framework, but its implementation will depend entirely on the next elected government. With the election only a month away, he noted that the government’s focus is now centered on election-related activities. He expressed confidence that the next government will be able to take a comprehensive decision after reviewing previous work.

During the same event, the governor discussed the benefits of digital transactions, suggesting that mandatory QR codes for new trade licenses could boost cashless payments. He also described the country’s import policy as complex and said inefficiency among officials often delays imports, leading to price increases in the market.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company on Friday reported that a distribution pipeline under the Turag River in Dhaka’s Aminbazar area was damaged after being struck by the anchor of a cargo trawler. The incident caused extremely low gas pressure across the capital, disrupting supply in multiple neighborhoods.

According to the company, although the damaged pipeline has been repaired, water entered the line during the repair process. Combined with an overall shortage in gas supply to the city, this led to widespread low pressure in various parts of Dhaka. Titas Gas stated that technical and operational measures are ongoing to restore normal supply levels.

The company expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to customers and assured that efforts to resolve the issue are continuing.