Bangladesh Bank has directed that the shares of five Shariah-based banks undergoing merger be valued at zero, citing negative net asset values. The affected institutions—First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, and EXIM Bank—received official letters instructing them to nullify their paid-up capital under the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2025. The central bank stated that the decision followed an assessment showing each bank’s equity had turned negative.

Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed that the order does not require approval from the Dhaka or Chittagong stock exchanges or the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies. Governor Ahsan H. Mansur earlier explained that shareholders would not receive stakes in the newly formed Combined Islami Bank PLC, as each share’s net asset value had fallen between Tk 350 and Tk 420 below zero.

The move effectively wipes out shareholder equity, leaving investors facing heavy losses. Trading of the banks’ shares remains suspended, while the newly licensed Combined Islami Bank PLC begins operations as the country’s largest state-owned Shariah-compliant bank.

China has reportedly discovered an enormous undersea gold deposit off the coast of Laizhou in Shandong province, which local media describe as Asia’s largest underwater gold mine. The find, located near Yantai, is estimated to contain over 3,900 tons of gold, accounting for roughly 26 percent of China’s total reserves. While the central government has yet to confirm the discovery, reports from the South China Morning Post suggest the actual volume may exceed initial estimates.

The discovery follows a series of major gold finds across China, including deposits in Liaoning and Xinjiang provinces. The China Gold Association notes that China remains the world’s top gold ore producer, with 377 tons mined last year. However, it still trails South Africa, Australia, and Russia in total reserves. Geological teams have increasingly used artificial intelligence, high-powered radar, and satellite imaging to locate new mineral resources.

Analysts believe this discovery could strengthen China’s position in global gold markets and reduce import dependency. The government’s ongoing investment in exploration—totaling about 4.5 trillion yuan since 2021—signals a strategic push to secure critical resources amid global economic uncertainty.

Bangladesh’s Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain has called for dismantling entrenched systems surrounding the nation’s ports, alleging that a long-standing mafia network continues to dominate operations. Speaking at the 48th annual general meeting of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) in Chattogram, he said the same group of officials and business figures have maintained control for decades, hindering reform and innovation.

Hossain highlighted that BSC has achieved its highest net profit in its 53-year history, a milestone that has emboldened the corporation to invest in new vessels. He emphasized that such financial strength should be used to modernize management and bring in new leadership. The meeting was also attended by Shipping Ministry Secretary Dr. Nurun Nahar Chowdhury.

The adviser’s remarks signal growing government intent to reform port governance and curb corruption. Analysts suggest that implementing structural changes could improve efficiency and transparency in Bangladesh’s maritime trade sector.

The Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association (BGBA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday night at Uttara Club in Dhaka. The event was attended by BGBA members and key guests including founding president Kaiyum Reza Chowdhury, Director General of the Department of Textiles Md. Shahidul Islam, NBR First Secretary Shahriar Hasan, and Adnan Masud, AMD of United Commercial Bank PLC. The meeting began with a moment of silence for the late Sharif Osman Hadi, followed by prayers led by BGBA Treasurer Fazlul Haque Saeed.

Presided over by BGBA President Mofazzal Hossain Pavel, the AGM reviewed the association’s 2024–25 financial audit and discussed progress on previous initiatives. Secretary General Md. Zakir Hossain presented the annual report, while members raised questions and offered recommendations for organizational improvement. Pavel noted that after a High Court ruling, multiple AGMs had been consolidated in 2024, and the 2025 session marked a return to the regular calendar cycle. He expressed optimism for continued unity and thanked all members, committees, and donors for their support.

Bangladesh’s stock market has gone 16 months without a single company listing or submitting an initial public offering (IPO) application, marking the longest such pause since the COVID-19 pandemic. The last company to list was Techno Drugs in July 2024. Despite directives from Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to accelerate listings of state-owned and multinational firms, no progress has been made, raising concerns among investors and market analysts.

Officials attribute the stagnation to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission’s (BSEC) ongoing revision of IPO regulations. The new Public Offer of Equity Securities Rules, 2025, has completed public consultation and awaits final approval. BSEC spokesperson Abul Kalam said companies could still apply under the 2015 rules but lacked initiative due to governance issues and restrictive pricing models. Market leaders, including the DSE Brokers Association, criticized the regulator for failing to maintain supply and investor confidence.

Analysts warn that the prolonged freeze has set the market back by at least two years, with over a quarter of listed firms now in weak ‘Z’ category. The new IPO framework, expected by December, may determine whether investor trust can be restored in 2026.

Farmers in Kaukhali upazila of Pirojpur district have seen a remarkable turnaround in fortunes this season through early bottle gourd cultivation. With favorable weather and strong market demand, wholesalers from various regions are purchasing directly from fields, ensuring steady income for growers. Around 58 hectares of land have been brought under bottle gourd cultivation this year, alongside other vegetables such as pumpkin, beans, cucumber, and bitter gourd.

Local farmers report significant profits. Mamun Hossain from Purba Keundia village earned about 250,000 taka from early sales and expects to sell another 200,000 taka worth of produce, with production costs of only 30,000–35,000 taka. Another farmer, Sujit, reported sales of around 150,000 taka. Agricultural officers credit the success to Kaukhali’s fertile alluvial soil and continuous technical support.

Officials say government projects and training programs have encouraged farmers to adopt improved vegetable varieties. With rising prices and expanding cultivation, bottle gourd farming is emerging as a sustainable income source for rural households in southern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s tea production has dropped by 10–12% in 2025 due to adverse weather, labor unrest, and rising production costs, raising fears of a collapse in export trade. The National Tea Company and other producers reported that prolonged droughts, heavy rains, and delayed leaf growth have disrupted yields across major tea estates, particularly in Moulvibazar, which hosts more than half of the country’s 171 gardens.

Industry stakeholders say the government’s minimum price of Tk 245 per kilogram has failed to offset higher costs for fertilizer, fuel, and pesticides. Auction sales have also declined, while illegal imports of low-quality tea from neighboring countries are undercutting domestic producers. Laborers report reduced earnings as lower yields mean fewer leaves to pluck.

Experts warn that without urgent government intervention and improved irrigation, the industry could face long-term decline. Calls are growing for stricter border controls, better quality assurance, and modernization to restore competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan inaugurated an 'Income Tax Return Supporting Booth' for members of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on December 21, 2025, at the DRU’s Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium. The initiative aims to assist journalists in submitting their income tax returns efficiently and confidently. DRU President Abu Saleh Akon presided over the event, while General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel conducted the session.

In his remarks, the NBR Chairman assured taxpayers that online return submissions are secure and that the board does not access personal banking data unless required by law. He praised DRU’s initiative, noting that online tax and VAT filing will soon become fully digital. Other speakers, including legal experts and DRU leaders, emphasized journalists’ civic duty to pay taxes and the importance of removing fear and confusion around the process.

The booth will provide members with professional tax advisory services. The NBR expects such initiatives to encourage broader tax compliance and digital adoption nationwide.

Farmers in Khansama upazila of Dinajpur are facing severe financial uncertainty despite a good early potato harvest this season. While yields have been strong across several unions, market prices have dropped to just 8–12 taka per kilogram, far below production costs of 20,000–30,000 taka per bigha. Many small farmers say they are unable to recover their investment and are sinking deeper into debt.

Local farmers blame middlemen and wholesalers for manipulating prices, claiming that consumer prices remain high despite low farm-gate rates. The lack of affordable cold storage facilities has forced many to sell directly from the fields at a loss. According to the upazila agriculture office, early potato cultivation has already declined from 1,150 hectares last year to 890 hectares this season.

Officials acknowledge that oversupply has depressed prices and say they are advising farmers on storage and marketing. Farmers, however, demand stronger government intervention, including direct procurement and better market management, warning that continued losses could further reduce cultivation and harm the local economy.

The Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) has announced another increase in gold prices, marking the third consecutive adjustment in recent weeks. Effective from Monday, December 22, 2025, the price of 22-carat gold will rise by BDT 1,050 per bhori (11.664 grams), reaching a record BDT 218,117 — the highest in the country’s history. The new rates were confirmed in a BAJUS statement released Sunday night.

Under the revised pricing, 21-carat gold will sell at BDT 208,202 per bhori, 18-carat at BDT 178,459, and traditional gold at BDT 148,599. The previous adjustment on December 15 had raised prices by BDT 1,470 per bhori. Despite the surge in gold, silver prices remain unchanged, with 22-carat silver priced at BDT 4,572 per bhori.

Analysts attribute the continued rise to global market volatility, higher import costs, and currency depreciation. Jewelers expect demand to remain steady during the wedding season, though consumers may face increased financial pressure if the upward trend persists.

Eleven Bangladeshi workers have left for Serbia after completing professional training in welding and shipping under the supervision of Asia Continental Group BD (RL-523). The group, trained at the JI Islamic Science and Technology Institute in Uttara, Dhaka, will receive monthly salaries between 600 and 700 euros, including accommodation and meals provided by their Serbian employer. Their departure ceremony was held on Sunday before their scheduled evening flight.

According to participants, the workers underwent several months of technical training and interviews with foreign delegates before securing visas. Each worker reportedly spent around 1.4 million taka to complete the process. Company officials stated that the initiative is part of a long-term program to send skilled Bangladeshi laborers to European countries through legal channels.

Asia Continental Group BD representatives expressed optimism about resuming overseas recruitment after recent political changes in Bangladesh. They emphasized their commitment to ethical recruitment and expanding opportunities for skilled workers in European labor markets.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh will integrate taxpayers’ banking information into the electronic return (e-return) system starting next year, NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan announced on Sunday. Speaking at the inauguration of an ‘Income Tax Return Submission Support Booth’ at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, he said the move aims to reduce data manipulation and improve transparency in income tax collection.

Khan noted that around 4.2 million taxpayers have registered for online return submission, with 2.6 million already filing their returns for the 2025–26 fiscal year. He added that about 50,000 taxpayers are submitting returns daily, and the government will consider extending the filing deadline beyond December 31 if necessary. The NBR also plans to launch a mobile app next year to make return submission more convenient.

The integration of banking data is expected to strengthen compliance, expand the tax base, and boost government revenue, aligning with Bangladesh’s broader digital governance goals.

Denmark’s national postal service, PostNord, announced it will deliver its final batch of letters on December 30, 2025, marking the end of a 400-year-old tradition that began in 1624. The decision follows a dramatic decline in letter volumes, with mail usage dropping by over 90% in the past 25 years as digital communication and e-commerce reshaped postal demand.

As part of the transition, PostNord will lay off around 1,500 employees and remove 1,500 of its iconic red mailboxes. The company has already sold 1,000 mailboxes within hours of listing them, with additional units set for auction in January. Private courier DAO will expand its letter delivery services from January 1, offering online payment and home collection options.

Experts note that while physical letters are fading, their emotional and cultural value is rising. Younger Danes, particularly those aged 18–34, are reportedly sending more letters than older generations, viewing handwritten correspondence as a meaningful counterbalance to digital saturation.

Bangladeshi non-governmental organization CSS has announced a new recruitment circular for 2025, seeking to hire 200 loan officers. The circular, published on December 20, 2025, invites both male and female candidates with at least an HSC or bachelor’s degree to apply. Applications must be submitted online between January 9 and January 30, 2026, depending on the chosen deadline. The salary range for the positions is set between BDT 23,080 and BDT 25,000 per month.

According to the announcement, both fresh graduates and experienced applicants are eligible to apply, provided they meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years. The recruitment process will be conducted through a formal examination. CSS, known for its community development and microfinance programs, aims to expand its workforce to strengthen its financial inclusion initiatives.

The recruitment is expected to support CSS’s ongoing rural development projects and microcredit operations. Interested candidates are advised to complete their online applications within the specified dates to ensure eligibility for the selection process.

Bangladesh Bank has reduced the provisioning rate for loans in the agriculture and cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprise (CMSME) sectors to encourage banks to expand credit to these areas. According to a circular issued on Sunday, banks will now need to maintain only 0.5% provisioning against standard and special mention account (SMA) loans in these sectors until December 31, 2026. This marks a reduction from the previous 1% rate set in October 2025.

The central bank stated that the decision aims to stimulate short-term agricultural lending and support small-scale industries that are vital for rural employment and economic resilience. Financial analysts view the move as a liquidity-friendly measure that could ease credit flow to underserved sectors. However, some caution that lower provisioning may heighten risk exposure if loan recovery remains weak.

The revised policy is expected to help banks allocate more funds to productive sectors, potentially boosting rural output and SME growth in 2026. Bangladesh Bank will monitor compliance and loan performance under the new framework.