Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), representing smartphone and gadget traders, held a peaceful human chain in Dhaka demanding government dialogue before implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). The traders, who claim to control over 70% of the mobile market, argue that the NEIR policy was announced without prior consultation, creating instability and threatening the livelihoods of over two million people linked to around 25,000 businesses. They warned that enforcing NEIR under its current structure could lead to monopolistic control by a few companies, price hikes, and harm to consumers and the digital economy. MBCB proposed several reforms, including canceling mandatory manufacturer agreements, allowing automatic handset registration upon customs clearance, reducing the 57% import duty, and ensuring multi-ministerial oversight of NEIR. They cautioned that failure to engage in discussions before the December 16 launch would trigger a nationwide protest by mobile traders.

Bangladesh Bank has granted final approval for the merger of five struggling Islamic banks—First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank—into a new entity named 'Combined Islamic Bank'. The decision, endorsed at the central bank’s board meeting on November 30, marks the official launch of the country’s largest state-owned Islamic bank. The Ministry of Finance had earlier provided preliminary approval on November 9, following which necessary legal and administrative procedures were completed. The new bank’s board will consist of seven members, chaired by Nazma Mobarek, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division. Independent directors will include professional bankers, accountants, and lawyers. The central bank announced that depositors can withdraw up to 200,000 taka, with small depositors receiving top priority. Detailed policies on interest rates, salary structures, and repayment schemes will be announced soon. The merger aims to stabilize the Islamic banking sector and protect depositors’ interests.

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has urged the government to withdraw the proposed Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Regulation) Ordinance 2025, introduced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. At a press conference in Dhaka, HAAB leaders, including President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumdar, argued that the proposed law would severely harm the travel industry. They claimed that over 90% of the country’s 5,946 registered travel agencies rely on inter-agency ticketing, which the new ordinance seeks to ban. According to HAAB, this restriction could force around 5,000 agencies to shut down, affecting nearly 50,000 families dependent on the sector. The association also objected to provisions prohibiting travel agencies from operating recruiting businesses at the same address, saying it would increase operational costs. HAAB called for reconsideration of the ordinance to protect the continuity and stability of the travel and tourism sector, which plays a vital role in supporting remittance inflows and facilitating Hajj and Umrah travel services.

Safayat Arefin has been promoted to the position of Executive Director at Bangladesh Bank, effective November 19. Before this promotion, he served as Acting Managing Director of The Security Printing Corporation (Bangladesh) Ltd. Arefin began his career in 1999 as an Assistant Director at Bangladesh Bank and has since held key roles in several departments, including the Microcredit Regulatory Authority under the Ministry of Finance. He also served as General Manager overseeing finance, foreign procurement, research, and quality control. Arefin holds a master’s degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Dhaka and is a globally certified consultant in Business Solutions ERP SAP Germany, as well as a certified professional in public procurement from UNDP/CIPS, UK. Originally from Mirsharai, Chattogram, he has represented Bangladesh in various official and professional visits abroad.

Around 30,000 tons of Indian onions are reportedly rotting near the Bangladesh border after Dhaka temporarily suspended onion imports, leaving Indian exporters in severe distress. The affected consignments are mainly stored in West Bengal’s Malda and South Dinajpur districts, where traders had stocked onions anticipating regular exports to Bangladesh. With the ban in place, prices have plummeted to as low as 2 rupees per kilogram at the Mahadipur-Sonamasjid border, compared to 20–22 rupees in local markets. Exporters claim they had procured onions from Maharashtra’s Nashik region based on verbal commitments from Bangladeshi importers, who are now unable to take delivery. The suspension reportedly followed a notice from Bangladesh’s Department of Agricultural Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture on November 16. Local trade associations warn that if the border remains closed, many exporters could face bankruptcy due to the massive financial losses incurred.

Bangladesh Bank has advised five Islamic banks to reduce employee salaries and allowances by up to 20% as part of cost-cutting measures amid a severe liquidity crisis. The affected banks—First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank—are set to merge into a new entity called 'Combined Islami Bank.' During a meeting chaired by Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, the banks requested BDT 1,000 crore in liquidity support, but the central bank approved only BDT 350 crore. Officials emphasized the need to reduce operational expenses and expedite the launch of the new bank. Around 16,000 employees work across these institutions, which have previously received BDT 35,300 crore in government assistance yet to be repaid. The new bank’s board will consist of seven members, chaired by Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mubarak, with equal representation from professional bankers, accountants, and lawyers as independent directors.

Around 30,000 tons of Indian onions are reportedly rotting at the Bangladesh border after Dhaka abruptly halted imports to protect local farmers. Exporters from West Bengal and Maharashtra, who had shipped onions to border points like Mahadipur, Petrapole, Ghojadanga, and Hili, are now facing heavy losses. The onions, purchased at around 16 rupees per kilogram and transported at a total cost of 22 rupees, are being sold for as little as 2 rupees per kilogram to avoid total spoilage. In Mahadipur alone, nearly 20,000 tons of onions are stuck, with traders employing workers daily to separate rotten stock. Exporters claim they acted on verbal assurances from Bangladeshi importers, making the sudden ban particularly damaging. Meanwhile, retail onion prices in Indian markets remain between 20 and 30 rupees per kilogram, and traders fear further price drops once stored stock reaches the market. Consumers and traders alike have criticized both state and central governments for mismanagement.

Bangladesh Bank has announced plans to introduce a new interoperable digital payment platform called the Inclusive Instant Payment System (IIPS) by July 2027, aiming to make the country’s financial transactions fully cashless. The initiative, supported by the Gates Foundation’s Mojaloop platform, will connect banks, mobile financial services (MFS), insurance companies, and other financial institutions under a unified system. Governor Ahsan H. Mansur stated that the system will enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and lower transaction costs by minimizing the need for cash-outs. The agreement for the platform was signed virtually for security reasons. Experts believe the system will formalize the informal economy and could boost Bangladesh’s GDP by 2.5% to 5.4%, equivalent to an additional $12–25 billion. Currently, the country spends around Tk 20,000 crore annually on cash handling and currency management, a cost expected to drop significantly once IIPS is operational.

Bangladesh Bank and commercial banks have collectively invested around Tk 12 trillion to promote cashless transactions across the country, according to a recent central bank report. The initiative includes building digital infrastructure, installing modern hardware and software, and expanding digital payment systems from cities to rural areas. Currently, about 45% of total financial transactions are conducted digitally, compared to 90% cash-based transactions previously. The move aims to reduce corruption, counterfeiting, and transaction risks while saving an estimated Tk 20,000 crore annually in cash printing and management costs. Despite progress, small-scale transactions remain largely cash-based, and cyber security has emerged as a major challenge due to low user awareness. The central bank is enhancing oversight, improving system security, and running awareness campaigns to encourage safer digital practices. Authorities believe that expanding digital payments will accelerate economic activity, formalize business operations, and increase government revenue by curbing illegal cash transactions.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new interoperable digital transaction system from November, allowing seamless money transfers among mobile financial services (MFS) such as bKash, Nagad, and Rocket, as well as between banks and payment service providers (PSPs). The initiative aims to reduce transaction costs and promote a cashless economy. Under the new fee structure, transferring BDT 1,000 from an MFS account to another MFS, bank, or PSP account will cost BDT 8.50, while bank-to-bank or bank-to-MFS transfers will cost BDT 1.50. The central bank has mandated that all charges be displayed before transactions and only the sender will bear the fee. This system operates through the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) platform, reviving a similar initiative halted in 2020. Bangladesh Bank previously suspended the ‘Binimoy’ platform due to irregularities and contract violations. The central bank now plans to launch another interoperable platform with support from Mojaloop, an open-source initiative backed by the Gates Foundation.

Dhaka Bank is implementing several initiatives to accelerate Bangladesh’s transition toward a cashless economy. The bank is introducing NFC-based mobile payment services, expanding the use of Bangla QR for small merchants and consumers, and modernizing its internet banking and mobile app platforms. It is also promoting financial literacy and awareness campaigns to encourage digital transactions. Drawing on experiences from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, Bangladesh is studying successful models like India’s UPI and Pakistan’s Raast to develop interoperable, low-cost, and real-time payment systems. Inspired by these examples, Bangla QR transactions are now free for users, and the country is moving toward cost-free peer-to-peer transfers. To ensure uninterrupted service, banks are upgrading core systems, enhancing cybersecurity, and strengthening data centers and disaster recovery sites. Despite progress, challenges remain in rural connectivity, cybersecurity threats, and occasional system downtime affecting transaction continuity.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all commercial banks, mobile financial service providers, and payment service operators to ensure instant transfer of funds to the accounts of small and marginal traders for transactions made through the Bangla QR code system. The move aims to promote a cashless society and reduce cash-based transactions across the country. Institutions have been instructed to build the necessary infrastructure by December 15, after which immediate fund transfers must be implemented. For other types of businesses, the timing of fund deposits will depend on the relationship and risk assessment between the financial institution and the merchant. The central bank issued the directive on November 24, emphasizing that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance digital payments and financial inclusion through the expansion of Bangla QR-based transactions.

Al-Arafah Islami Bank has positioned itself as a key player in Bangladesh’s journey toward a cashless economy, aligning with the government’s ‘Digital Bangladesh’ vision. The bank has introduced advanced internet banking, dual-currency debit and Islamic credit cards, Islamic wallets, Bangla QR payments, and digital donation boxes to promote secure and accessible digital transactions. It has also launched an Education Management System for automated tuition fee collection and expanded agent banking to rural areas to enhance financial inclusion. Managing Director Md. Rafat Ullah Khan highlighted Bangladesh’s upcoming digital reforms, including private credit bureaus, digital-only banks, e-money licenses, and an interoperable A2A platform similar to India’s UPI. Despite challenges like cybersecurity risks, user awareness, and network limitations, the bank is upgrading its core systems, adopting cloud technology, and strengthening cybersecurity. With Bangladesh Bank’s new policies and infrastructure initiatives, Al-Arafah aims to deliver faster, safer, and nearly cost-free digital transactions nationwide by 2026.

The Tenants’ Council, a renters’ rights organization, held a human chain protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday, urging the government to stop what they describe as unjustified rent increases across the country. The protest, chaired by the council’s president Jannat Fatema and conducted by acting president Md. Mostafa, featured several leaders who criticized landlords for raising rents annually under various pretexts. They argued that amid the current economic crisis, limited income sources, and rising prices of essential commodities, tenants are struggling to manage household expenses. The speakers accused the government of failing to take effective steps to control rent or inflation. The organization demanded an official government notification to freeze rent hikes, warning that if landlords continue to raise rents, the Tenants’ Council will launch a larger nationwide movement to protect renters’ rights.

Bangladesh Cold Storage Association (BCSA) announced that the two-day 'Potato Festival 2025' will be held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka from December 12. The event aims to promote Bangladesh’s potato industry on the global stage by showcasing modern storage technologies, processing capabilities, and export opportunities. BCSA President Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu said the festival will highlight the need for advanced cold storage, value-added processing, and investment-friendly policies to expand exports. Despite being the world’s seventh-largest potato producer, Bangladesh struggles with inadequate preservation facilities and limited processing infrastructure. Over a hundred local and international companies will participate in the exhibition, featuring innovations in cold-chain systems, agricultural machinery, potato-based food products, and culinary applications. The initiative seeks to attract foreign investment and strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the global potato market.