Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen on Tuesday at the minister’s office in Dhaka. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries. Both sides described the discussions as productive and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding mutual economic engagement.

Ambassador Christensen praised the effective functioning of Bangladesh’s parliamentary activities under the leadership of Prime Minister and Parliamentary Leader Tarique Rahman, calling it a positive example of democratic practice. He emphasized that expanding bilateral trade would benefit both nations. The ambassador also announced that Brendan Lynch, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, would soon visit Bangladesh as part of efforts to strengthen trade dialogue and expressed interest in the country’s new import policy order.

Minister Muktadir stated that the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant ministries are working on the new Import Policy Order 2026, which will soon be shared with the business community for feedback.

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, has said that the world is currently experiencing the largest energy crisis in history. In an interview with France Inter radio, he explained that the combined effects of petrol and gas shortages and the situation surrounding Russia have created an unprecedented global crisis. Birol described the situation as the most severe energy disruption the world has ever faced.

He added that ongoing geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in energy supply are driving up oil prices, putting significant pressure on the global economy. In March, IEA member countries decided to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves to stabilize markets affected by conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

The IEA’s emergency release aims to ease market volatility and mitigate the economic strain caused by supply disruptions and rising energy costs.

Authorities have announced that all import-export and immigration activities at the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh will remain suspended for three days. The closure begins on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and will continue until Thursday, April 23, 2026. The decision was confirmed by the port’s manager, Abul Kalam Azad.

According to an official letter signed by Sandeep Kumar Ghosh, District Magistrate and Returning Officer of Jalpaiguri, India, the suspension is linked to the upcoming Lok Sabha election in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, scheduled for April 23, 2026. The letter instructed relevant authorities to halt all trade and passenger movement through the port during this period.

The temporary closure affects both import-export operations and immigration services, meaning no goods or travelers will be allowed to cross through the Banglabandha checkpoint until the election concludes.

Widespread and prolonged power outages have severely disrupted daily life in Rajshahi amid an ongoing heatwave. Residents across both urban and rural areas are facing frequent electricity cuts lasting eight to fifteen hours a day, affecting farmers, small businesses, industrial workers, and students. The situation has become particularly worrying as the SSC examinations begin, with students and parents expressing concern over study interruptions and health impacts due to sleepless nights and extreme heat.

Farmers in Tanore, Paba, Godagari, Durgapur, and Mohanpur upazilas report severe irrigation crises, threatening boro paddy and other crops. Many have resorted to diesel-powered pumps, but fuel shortages and higher costs are adding financial strain. Business owners in Rajshahi city say production and sales have dropped sharply due to power cuts, while households struggle with water shortages and mosquito infestations.

Electricity officials, however, claim the situation is under control. NESCO’s managing director asserts that supply exceeds demand, while rural electricity managers acknowledge limited load shedding but describe it as temporary. Locals remain skeptical, warning that prolonged disruptions could harm agriculture, the local economy, and students’ performance.

A severe shortage of bottled soybean oil has hit markets across Bangladesh, with retailers reporting that companies have drastically reduced supply. Many firms are allegedly refusing to sell bottled oil unless retailers also purchase other products. Prices have risen above government-fixed rates, with five-liter bottles selling for 960–970 taka instead of the official 955 taka. Loose soybean and palm oil prices have also increased, reflecting the broader supply strain.

Retailers and consumers say the shortage has persisted for more than six weeks. Companies cite reduced profit margins on bottled oil as the reason for limiting distribution. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association recently met with the commerce minister to seek a price adjustment, but no decision was made. The ministry and the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission decided against raising prices, opting instead to explore other incentives for producers.

Consumer rights advocates accuse companies of creating an artificial crisis to pressure the government into approving higher prices. They urge stronger monitoring to prevent unfair trade practices and stabilize the edible oil market.

Individuals and companies accused of large-scale corruption in Bangladesh’s power sector continue to evade accountability nearly two years after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Despite the interim administration led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus repealing the indemnity law for the energy sector and exposing years of irregularities, no punitive action has been taken. Huge sums of money allegedly laundered abroad remain unrecovered, while the sector still pays high capacity charges to private power producers.

The report details how politically connected business groups, including Summit and Orion, received billions of taka in payments for idle or underperforming plants. The Power Development Board (PDB) admits it cannot easily terminate contracts without risking legal disputes. Current Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said the government is reviewing legal options to recover stolen funds and end exploitative capacity charge arrangements.

According to official data cited, over 100,000 crore taka was paid in capacity charges between 2008 and 2024, with most private plants operating far below licensed capacity. The sector remains financially strained, with unpaid loans exceeding 149,000 crore taka and ongoing pressure to raise electricity prices.

Expatriates Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury inaugurated the excavation of the Barni Sabri canal in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet on Monday, April 20, 2026. The project, under the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGP), covers a 1.5-kilometer stretch that will connect to the Gile Katagang canal. The excavation will employ 214 laborers for 43 days, each earning a daily wage of Tk 500, alongside the use of excavator machines.

The total cost of the project is approximately Tk 9.3 million, with half of the budget allocated for wages of the ultra-poor workers. Local administrative and political representatives, including the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Robin Mia, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Palash Talukdar, and several BNP leaders, were present at the inauguration ceremony.

The initiative aims to improve local water management and create temporary employment opportunities for low-income residents under the government’s poverty alleviation program.

The Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association has accused influential bus and launch owners’ associations of attempting to unilaterally increase fares in violation of international consumer rights laws. The allegation was made by the association’s secretary general, Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, at a press conference held on Monday afternoon at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. He claimed that transport owners were fixing fares without passenger representation by influencing certain government officials.

The association argued that while fare adjustments should reflect changes in fuel prices, the current process lacks transparency and excludes passengers. It alleged that fare calculations are based on arbitrary cost components determined by owners, with no opportunity for verification by government or independent parties. The group also criticized the use of outdated buses in Dhaka and Chattogram, claiming inflated costs are used to justify higher fares.

The Passenger Welfare Association demanded government intervention and warned of strong protests if fare hikes exceed justified levels. Representatives from the Consumer Association of Bangladesh also spoke at the event, supporting the call for fair fare determination.

Two diesel-carrying ships have anchored at the Dolphin Jetty of Chattogram Port, and fuel unloading has already begun. According to a press release from Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) issued on Monday afternoon, the MT Oaktree carrying 35,000 metric tons of diesel and the MT Cape Bonny carrying 33,000 metric tons arrived between midnight and 8 a.m. on Sunday. Unloading from both ships started before noon.

BPC also reported that three more vessels—MT Lian Song Hu with 41,000 metric tons of diesel, MT Pacific Indigo with about 33,000 metric tons of diesel, and MT Nave Cielo with about 27,000 metric tons of octane—are waiting at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. The corporation stated that these arrivals have strengthened the country’s fuel reserves.

The port authority confirmed that all necessary logistics and security measures have been reinforced to ensure quick unloading. BPC added that the fuel will be distributed to depots and marketing networks nationwide to help stabilize supply and meet ongoing demand.

Hasan O Rashid has officially assumed the role of Managing Director of Eastern Bank PLC (EBL), one of Bangladesh’s leading private banks. Before joining EBL, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Prime Bank PLC. With over 31 years of experience in the banking sector, Rashid has held senior positions at Credit Agricole Indosuez, HSBC, and Standard Chartered Bank.

Rashid is recognized for his leadership in transformation, innovation, and strategic management. Between 2015 and 2021, he served as Additional Managing Director at EBL, where he played a key role in strengthening the bank’s position. Under his leadership, EBL’s balance sheet doubled, trade finance operations expanded significantly, and the bank introduced financial instruments such as commercial paper and zero-coupon bonds for the first time in Bangladesh.

He holds degrees in economics and business administration from Capital University in the United States and a master’s in international management from Thunderbird’s Garvin School. Rashid is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh, and is active in several professional and social organizations.

The United Arab Emirates has approached the United States for financial assistance as the Iran war continues to strain its economy. According to the Wall Street Journal, UAE Central Bank chief Khaled Mohammed Balama proposed a currency swap with the U.S. Federal Reserve to offset losses from missile strikes on oil and gas infrastructure and revenue disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Informal talks have begun, though no official announcement has been made.

The UAE’s request follows heavy regional damage, including attacks on Dubai’s Fairmont The Palm Hotel, Fujairah’s oil terminal, and Amazon data centers. The U.S. has spent nearly $1 billion daily since February 28, while Israel’s war costs have exceeded $11 billion. Washington recently signaled it might seek war funding from Gulf states, but the UAE’s compensation demand could reverse that dynamic, forcing the U.S. to bear costs instead. Iran has separately demanded $270 billion in reparations from Gulf neighbors it accuses of aiding the conflict.

Analysts warn that adding a U.S. backstop to soaring war expenses could weaken the dollar’s dominance in energy trade, especially as the UAE explores yuan-based transactions with China.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir told Parliament that ongoing instability in the Middle East has already put pressure on Bangladesh’s exports and could affect remittance inflows if the situation continues. Responding to a question from ruling party MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul, he described the current Iran–Israel–US conflict as a military tension centered on Iran. The minister said the unrest has contributed to rising fuel prices, higher import, shipping, and insurance costs, and potential challenges for exports and remittances.

He noted that the Middle East is one of Bangladesh’s key trade partners, importing garments, pharmaceuticals, frozen foods, and leather goods from the country. The government is monitoring the situation and has initiated measures under the Prime Minister’s direction, including efforts to reduce logistics costs and expand markets beyond conflict-affected regions. The minister also presented recent export and trade deficit data, showing Bangladesh’s largest deficit with India.

Muktadir added that fuel price increases in Bangladesh have been moderate compared to global trends and are unlikely to significantly raise inflation, citing the limited impact of diesel price adjustments on production and transport costs.

The Ministry of Finance has issued a recruitment notice for 23 vacant posts under the Customs, Excise and VAT Training Academy. The positions span 11 categories, ranging from grade 11 to grade 20, with the application deadline set for May 10, 2026. The recruitment notice was published on April 20, 2026, and applications opened on April 19, 2026.

The available posts include Subedar, Office Assistant cum Computer Typist, Driver, Havildar, Nurse, Lineman Electrician, Pump Operator, Armorer, Projector Operator, Office Assistant, and Cook. Salary scales vary between 8,250 and 30,230 taka depending on the grade. Applicants must be between 18 and 32 years old as of May 10, 2026, though the maximum age limit is 40 years for certain positions.

Interested candidates must complete their applications and submit the examination fee through the designated website within the specified timeframe.

The government has launched Fuel Pass registration in 19 additional districts as part of its plan to streamline national energy management. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed the expansion in a notice issued on Monday, April 20, 2026. Registration is now open in Gazipur, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Lakshmipur, Noakhali, Bogura, Pabna, Sirajganj, Bagerhat, Chuadanga, Jashore, Barguna, Bhola, Jhalakathi, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, and Kurigram.

According to the ministry, the Fuel Pass system aims to make fuel usage more transparent and efficient. The registration process will gradually be extended to all remaining districts across the country. Citizens can also share feedback, complaints, or suggestions about the system through the official Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/fuelpass.

The initiative is expected to enhance monitoring and control of fuel distribution nationwide once fully implemented.

Farmers in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj are unable to harvest ripe Boro paddy due to a severe shortage of laborers. Despite the fields being ready for harvest, many farmers are watching their crops fall and rot as they fail to find workers. The situation has worsened following recent heavy rains that caused ripe paddy to collapse onto the ground, while rising water levels in the haor areas have made it impossible to use harvesters.

According to the local agriculture office, Boro paddy was cultivated across 45 haors this season. Farmers report that daily wages for harvest workers have surged to between Tk 1,000 and Tk 1,200, while the market price of paddy remains only Tk 700 to Tk 800 per maund. Many are being forced to share half their yield with workers under the traditional “Adi” system to avoid total loss. Rising fuel prices have also increased the cost of threshing and transporting harvested paddy.

Farmers have urged the government to take urgent measures to address the labor crisis and prevent large-scale crop losses.