A delegation from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The meeting was confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Roni. Discussions focused on how the government and AIIB would collaborate on future initiatives.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the talks covered cooperation on resolving the country’s energy crisis and advancing development investments. He added that the AIIB agreed to provide budgetary support to help Bangladesh address current economic pressures related to development and energy challenges. The meeting also included discussions on potential collaboration for infrastructure improvement.

The assurance of budget support from AIIB is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s fiscal capacity and facilitate progress in key infrastructure and energy sectors, according to the discussions reported from the meeting.

An oil tanker named 'Shan Gang Fa Jian' carrying more than 34,000 tons of diesel from Malaysia has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. The vessel anchored off Kutubdia coast on Saturday morning and is scheduled to unload its cargo at the Dolphin Jetty on Sunday, according to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) public relations officer Farzin Hasan Moumita.

Nazrul Islam, managing partner of the vessel’s local agent Pride Shipping Lines, said that about five to six thousand tons of diesel will be unloaded offshore through lightering using at least two smaller tankers in two phases. Another tanker from Singapore carrying 27,300 tons of diesel began unloading at Dolphin Jetty on Friday and is expected to leave the port on Sunday.

Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim stated that oil and gas vessels are being given priority berthing to address the ongoing fuel shortage. BPC sources added that new import initiatives from various countries are underway to maintain stable fuel supply.

The Bangladesh government has taken a major initiative to modernize and expand the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The process of purchasing 14 new Boeing aircraft is in its final stage, with policy approval already granted and only the signing of the agreement remaining. Due to the long delivery timeline, the government is also planning to lease Airbus aircraft as an interim solution.

According to the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, the proposed Boeing deal, worth about 3.7 billion dollars, may include Dreamliner models such as the Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 MAX for regional routes. Delivery of these aircraft could take up to five years, prompting the government to consider dry leasing Airbus planes for the next five years. Discussions with the European manufacturer are ongoing.

Currently, Biman operates around 14 aircraft on international routes, though at least 30 to 35 are needed to meet demand. The government has also initiated reforms to address operational inefficiencies and staff shortages, aiming to transform Biman into an internationally competitive airline.

Starting Sunday, trading hours on Bangladesh’s stock exchanges will end at 1:55 PM, according to a notice issued by the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Saturday. A five-minute closing session will follow, ending all trading activities by 2:00 PM. Previously, trading continued until 2:30 PM, while the opening time will remain unchanged at 10:00 AM. The new schedule will take effect on April 5 and remain in place until further notice.

The DSE also announced that its office hours will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in line with government directives. The government recently reduced working hours for both public and private offices by one hour to conserve fuel and electricity, a measure that will also take effect from Sunday.

The adjustment means that daily trading time will be shortened by 30 minutes compared to the previous schedule, aligning the stock market’s operations with the nationwide energy-saving initiative.

A Tk 50 crore BSCIC industrial estate in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, remains abandoned years after its completion. The project, built on 20 acres in Uttarsur area, began in 2012 and was completed in 2019, but no factories have started operations. Due to neglect and lack of maintenance, the site has turned into dense jungle, with key installations and equipment stolen.

The estate includes 122 plots, an administrative building, pump house, residential quarters, dumping yard, and pond. However, promised utility connections for electricity, gas, and water are mostly nonfunctional. Local sources report theft of gas substation parts, transformers, and metal fixtures, leaving the infrastructure unusable. Entrepreneurs cite high plot prices, poor services, and bureaucratic hurdles as reasons for their reluctance to invest.

BSCIC officials say new plots are being allocated under conditions requiring factories to be established within two years, and inactive plot holders have been notified. The local administration has informed higher authorities and initiated limited restoration work.

India has confirmed that crude oil supplies from Iran remain uninterrupted despite escalating instability in the Middle East. The country's Ministry of Petroleum stated that domestic refineries continue to meet their crude oil requirements without disruption, including imports from Iran. The ministry also clarified that there are no payment difficulties related to Iranian oil transactions, dismissing circulating rumors as baseless.

The statement, released on social media platform X, emphasized that Indian refineries have ensured a steady supply of crude oil to maintain national energy stability. This assurance comes amid growing regional tensions that have raised concerns about potential disruptions in global energy flows.

According to the ministry, maintaining stable energy supplies is part of India’s broader strategy to safeguard its fuel security amid geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a new schedule for banking operations, effective from April 5, 2026. Under the revised timetable, customers will be able to conduct transactions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., instead of the previous 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. window. The official office hours for banks will now run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Fridays and Saturdays designated as weekly holidays. The directive was issued by the Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department of Bangladesh Bank on Saturday.

According to the circular, the adjustment follows the government’s decision to modify official working hours across public and private offices to conserve electricity and energy. Previously, bank offices operated from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the new government schedule has shortened general office hours to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In line with this policy, banking hours have been revised accordingly.

The circular also notes that bank branches located in seaport, land port, and airport areas may operate according to their specific operational needs.

The government has initiated measures to resolve the long-standing ferry and water transport crisis in Hatiya, Noakhali. During an on-site visit to the Nalchira ferry terminal on Saturday, State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan said efforts are underway to add a new ferry before Eid-ul-Azha. He also mentioned that several additional steps will be taken to improve connectivity and ensure safer travel for residents of the island region.

The minister stated that the government is working sincerely to make travel easier and safer for people in the island areas. Plans include widening both ferry terminals in Hatiya and continuing regular dredging to maintain navigability. Coordination with the Water Development Board is ongoing to strengthen riverbanks and upgrade ferry ramps for safer and more sustainable operations.

Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority and the Ministry of Shipping accompanied the minister during the visit. The ministry also has several long-term plans to further enhance the country’s water transport system.

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has appealed to the Prime Minister to reconsider the government’s recent decision requiring all shops and shopping malls to close by 6 p.m. The measure was introduced in response to a deepening global energy crisis caused by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The association argues that the early closing time could harm businesses and has proposed allowing shops to remain open until 8 p.m. instead. They also requested permission to open shops at 11 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.

The proposal was discussed during an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s standing committee. Leaders stated that adjusting the schedule is essential to protect the livelihoods of approximately 7 million shop owners and 25 million employees across the country. They believe the revised hours would help maintain normal economic activity while still supporting energy-saving goals.

Government authorities have not yet responded to the proposal, but association leaders expressed hope that a decision will be made soon.

A severe diesel shortage in Uzirpur upazila of Barishal has disrupted irrigation activities, threatening the ongoing Irri-Boro rice cultivation season. Farmers and local officials warned that many diesel-powered irrigation pumps have stopped operating, preventing timely watering of fields and putting seedlings at risk of drying out. Farmers said continued shortages could cause extensive crop damage across the region.

Local farmers reported being forced to buy diesel at inflated prices from open markets, increasing production costs and reducing profit margins. Upazila agriculture officer Kapil Biswas said certification letters are being issued to ensure farmers can access diesel and prevent illegal hoarding. Agricultural extension officer Mahmudur Rahman noted that most of Uzirpur’s farmland is single-crop, making this irrigation season crucial for local food security.

Fuel station operators said they are receiving only one-third of their required supply, while weekend depot closures have worsened the crisis. The upazila administration has instructed priority fuel distribution to farmers, but tensions persist among fuel-dependent sectors. Farmers urged immediate action to avert large-scale crop losses.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has filed a criminal case alleging the embezzlement of Tk 568 crore from the Market Development Fund (MDF) under the International Gateway Operators Forum (IOF). The case, lodged at Gulshan Police Station in 2025, names 27 accused, including members of the IOF executive committee and relatives of Salman F Rahman. Twelve of the accused have surrendered and secured bail, but the key decision-makers behind the alleged irregularities remain beyond legal reach.

The IOF syndicate, formed around international gateway operators, is accused of manipulating international call termination rates and diverting government revenue over nearly a decade. Experts claim that under the guise of a test network topology, the state exchequer lost around Tk 8,000 crore. They have called for a full techno-commercial and forensic audit of the IOS structure, rate-setting mechanisms, and MDF expenditures to uncover the true extent of losses.

BTRC has also decided to cancel operational approvals between IOF and IGW operators and announced plans to strengthen monitoring, bank guarantees, and regulatory controls in international call management.

A nationwide fuel shortage has raised concerns about an imminent disruption to Bangladesh Railway operations, with current diesel reserves sufficient for only 18 to 22 days of service. The railway requires around 5 million liters of diesel each month but received only about 4 million liters by March 28. Officials warn that if supply interruptions persist, freight train services could halt within 48 hours, severely affecting cargo transport from Chattogram and Mongla ports.

Railway data show that the eastern zone needs 2.2–2.5 million liters and the western zone about 2.5 million liters monthly, with freight trains consuming the largest share. Port officials caution that a rail shutdown would cause container congestion within 24 hours, increase demurrage costs, and potentially reduce international shipping routes. Experts say the railway’s heavy reliance on diesel—costing Tk 6,600–6,900 crore annually—has made the logistics network vulnerable.

Despite being prioritized for fuel supply as a strategic service, railway officials acknowledge uncertainty beyond the current stock period. They warn that any prolonged disruption could escalate into a national economic crisis affecting food, fertilizer, and industrial supply chains.

The United States’ national debt has exceeded $39 trillion just weeks after the start of the war against Iran, according to Treasury data released on March 18, 2026. The Congressional Budget Office reported that the federal budget deficit grew by another $1 trillion in the first five months of the fiscal year, with the government borrowing about $500 billion weekly. Analysts warn that under President Donald Trump’s policies, the debt could reach $64 trillion within a decade.

The debt surge reflects the combined impact of war spending, tax cuts, higher defense budgets, and immigration control costs. Interest payments alone have risen sharply, costing over $43 billion in the first five months. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and other economists have cautioned that the debt trajectory poses long-term risks, while the White House insists deficit reduction measures are beginning to take effect.

Financial institutions such as JPMorgan and experts like Ray Dalio and Janet Yellen have also warned that the growing debt burden could constrain investment, raise borrowing costs, and weaken the government’s ability to manage inflation and unemployment.

The Single Point Mooring (SPM) mega project built off the southwest coast of Maheshkhali Island at a cost of Tk 8,000 crore has yet to become operational. Completed in August 2024 under the previous Awami League government, the project was designed to unload crude oil directly from large tankers via undersea pipelines. However, a lack of storage facilities and complications in appointing an operator have left it idle, turning it into a major burden for the new government. The project was financed through Chinese loans and implemented by Eastern Refinery PLC with construction by China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited.

Officials and experts cited the project as an example of poor planning and politically motivated decision-making during the previous administration. They said the SPM was approved in 2015 without adequate feasibility studies and now faces controversy over tendering for maintenance contracts. Allegations have surfaced that former government-linked officials attempted to influence the process. The current government has pledged to review the project’s viability and investigate any irregularities.

Energy experts warned that without the launch of Eastern Refinery’s second unit, the SPM will remain largely underutilized, despite its potential to reduce oil unloading time and costs.

The government of Bangladesh has begun enforcing a new policy requiring all shopping malls and markets across the country, including in Dhaka, to close by 6 p.m. daily. The measure, implemented from Friday, aims to conserve fuel and electricity as part of a broader energy-saving initiative. On the first day of enforcement, major shopping centers such as Bashundhara City, New Market, Mirpur, and Jamuna Future Park shut their doors promptly at 6 p.m., bringing evening commercial activity to a halt.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions from the public and business owners. Many shoppers were unaware of the new rule and expressed frustration after being denied entry in the evening, while small and medium traders said their peak sales hours begin after sunset. Social media discussions reflected both criticism and support, with some urging flexibility on weekends and others praising the move as a responsible step toward reducing energy consumption.

Concerns were also raised about reduced evening foot traffic potentially affecting urban safety. Observers noted that the long-term impact on electricity savings and daily life remains to be seen.