Biman Bangladesh Airlines has reduced airfares on the Dhaka-Sylhet-Dhaka route following widespread public dissatisfaction and protests over high ticket prices. According to a statement from the Sylhet District Administration’s media cell on Friday, the fare revision aims to improve passenger service and reflect current market conditions. Under the new pricing structure, the minimum one-way fare on the Sylhet-Dhaka route has been set at 2,024 taka, totaling 3,199 taka with taxes, while the maximum fare is now 7,024 taka, totaling 8,199 taka with taxes. The fare reduction comes after several days of demonstrations in Sylhet, where residents accused a syndicate of exploiting the poor condition of the Sylhet-Dhaka highway to artificially inflate airfares. The move is expected to ease travel costs for passengers frequently commuting between the two cities.

At an international conference organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF) in Dhaka, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter cautioned that relying on national average data to assess nutrition levels masks the real dietary disparities between rich and poor citizens. She emphasized that 'Zero Hunger' means ensuring nutritional quality, not just food quantity. Akhter noted that while agriculture receives subsidies, the fisheries and livestock sectors—vital for rural livelihoods and nutrition—do not, and she called for policy support and subsidies for these sectors. She warned against uncontrolled hybridization that threatens native species and highlighted the risks of antibiotic overuse in aquaculture, which could lead to antimicrobial resistance. Akhter also stressed preserving local food diversity and protecting indigenous fish and livestock breeds. Other speakers, including senior officials and researchers, discussed policy commitments to restore river fish, reduce pesticide use, and ensure quality in farmed fish production.

In Dhaka’s major markets, the price of green chili has fallen by nearly half over the past week, dropping from Tk 160–200 per kilogram to Tk 80–100. Onion prices have also eased slightly, with regular onions selling for Tk 95–105 and new leafy onions for Tk 70–80 per kilogram. However, vegetable prices remain high despite increased winter supply. Tomatoes, beans, and eggplants are still selling at elevated rates, ranging from Tk 80–140 per kilogram. Other vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, radish, and bottle gourd have seen modest price drops. Meat, fish, eggs, and poultry prices remain stable, with broiler chicken selling at Tk 155–170 per kilogram and eggs at Tk 115–120 per dozen. Retailers report that edible oil prices may rise by Tk 5–6 per liter soon, though supply remains steady. Traders expect vegetable prices to decline further in the coming days as supply improves.

India’s onion export industry is facing a sharp downturn as key buyers Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia reduce imports and turn to alternative suppliers like Pakistan and China. According to The Economic Times, India’s repeated export bans to control domestic prices have pushed traditional buyers to seek new sources and even develop self-sufficiency using Indian onion seeds. Experts note that Bangladesh, once importing nearly three-quarters of India’s total onion exports, has drastically cut purchases in the past eight months despite high domestic prices. Saudi Arabia has also limited imports for nearly a year, preferring cheaper onions from Yemen and Iran. Exporters say India’s absence from the global market during export bans allowed competitors to capture market share. Officials warn that India’s dominance in the global onion trade is weakening as former buyers become producers themselves, posing long-term risks to Indian farmers and exporters.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is facing a severe crisis marked by record levels of non-performing loans (NPLs), rising capital and provisioning shortfalls, and declining investor confidence. According to the latest Bangladesh Bank data, total bad loans have surged to Tk 6.45 trillion, representing 35.77% of all distributed credit. Analysts attribute this deterioration to years of mismanagement, irregularities, and alleged looting during the previous Awami League government. Experts warn that the incoming government after the February election will inherit a fragile financial system, with nearly half of the country’s banks struggling to survive. Liquidity shortages, high lending rates of 14–18%, and declining deposits are further constraining investment and job creation. Economists fear that without strict action against top defaulters and systemic reforms, the banking sector’s instability could severely undermine Bangladesh’s overall economic recovery and growth prospects.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is facing an unprecedented crisis marked by soaring default loans, capital shortfalls, and declining profitability. Analysts attribute the turmoil to years of mismanagement and irregularities during the previous Awami League government. According to Bangladesh Bank data, non-performing loans (NPLs) have surged to a record Tk 6.45 trillion, representing 35.77% of total disbursed loans. The sector’s provision deficit has also ballooned to Tk 3.2 trillion, while nearly half of all banks are struggling to stay afloat. Experts warn that the liquidity crunch, high interest rates, and eroding depositor confidence could further cripple investment and job creation under the new government. Former Bangladesh Economic Association president Dr. Mainul Islam estimates real NPLs may exceed 40% once written-off and renewed loans are included. Analysts urge strict legal action against top defaulters to restore stability. The worsening situation poses a major challenge for the interim and upcoming elected governments to revive confidence and ensure sustainable economic growth.

Despite an abundant supply of winter vegetables in Dhaka’s markets, prices remain unusually high, frustrating consumers and leaving farmers underpaid. Vegetables such as eggplants, beans, and cauliflowers are selling at nearly double their usual seasonal rates, with eggplants priced between Tk 80–100 per kg and beans exceeding Tk 100. Vendors blame October’s heavy rains for disrupting production and damaging crops, while middlemen continue to profit heavily. Chicken prices have also risen by Tk 20 per kg due to higher feed and transport costs, though egg prices remain stable. Fish prices, particularly for hilsa, have surged, with medium-sized hilsa selling for around Tk 1,500 per kg. Market traders predict that vegetable prices may ease within a week as supply improves. However, consumers and farmers alike accuse syndicates of manipulating prices, calling for stronger government action to curb profiteering and stabilize the market.

Chinese investors have expressed strong interest in investing in Bangladesh’s eco-friendly technology, jute, textile, and pharmaceutical sectors as part of efforts to support Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s vision of manufacturing transformation. During a meeting in Dhaka, Yang Dongning, Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of China, and Dr. Ma Jun, President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability, discussed potential large-scale investments, particularly in rooftop solar energy and the jute industry. China aims to utilize around one million tons of jute to produce biofertilizers, green energy, and plastic alternatives through joint ventures with Bangladeshi partners. Dr. Yunus welcomed the initiative, urging China to relocate manufacturing plants to Bangladesh and use closed state-owned jute mills for new ventures. He also encouraged Chinese companies to explore AI, e-commerce, and infrastructure projects, including a proposed railway linking Bangladesh with southern China to boost regional trade connectivity.

Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) announced that its Ghorashal valve station will remain closed for two hours on Friday, November 28, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM due to urgent maintenance work. As a result, gas supply pressure may remain low in several areas including Joydebpur, Tongi, Konabari, Shafipur, and Chandra. The information was confirmed through a press release signed by Md. Al Amin, Manager (Media and Public Relations) of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited. The company expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience and assured that the maintenance work is essential to ensure uninterrupted service in the future. Residents and industrial consumers in the affected areas have been advised to plan accordingly during the maintenance period.

A new International Monetary Fund (IMF) assessment identifies entrenched corruption and elite-driven 'state capture' as the root causes of Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis. The report highlights how political and business elites manipulate state policies to serve their interests, undermining governance, accountability, and the rule of law. It warns that without dismantling elite privileges, Pakistan’s economic stagnation will persist. The IMF estimates that comprehensive governance reforms could boost Pakistan’s GDP by up to 6.5%, compared to its 2024 level of $340 billion. The report also criticizes weak institutions, judicial inefficiency, and misuse of the National Accountability Bureau for political purposes. Experts from Oxford University and local think tanks agree that corruption and poor governance are deeply intertwined, requiring political will and structural reforms. They call for unified economic planning, procurement modernization, and transparency to rebuild public trust and stabilize the economy.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has announced plans to introduce area-based rent rates and new guidelines for tenants and landlords by early December. During a roundtable discussion on tenant and landlord rights held at the DNCC auditorium on Thursday, the city’s administrator stated that although the House Rent Control Act of 1991 exists, many of its provisions are not being followed. The DNCC aims to prepare a directive ensuring compliance with safety measures such as fire protection and earthquake resistance. Tenants will have the freedom to move in or out of rented houses at their convenience. The city authority will also publish a standard agreement format on its website and take steps to prevent commercial activities in residential areas. Additionally, DNCC will ensure that tenants are informed about landlords’ holding tax payments, and services will be withheld from properties with unpaid taxes.

After two years and eight months of signing the transit agreement and protocol, the first cargo shipment under the Bangladesh-Bhutan transit arrangement has departed from Chattogram Port. The consignment, consisting of 6,530 kilograms of goods including shampoo, chocolate, juice, and palm fruit imported from Thailand, left the port by road on Wednesday night. The shipment will travel through the Burimari land port, enter India via Changrabandha, and reach Bhutan via Siliguri, covering a total distance of 684 kilometers. Bangladesh earned Tk 101,713 in port charges and duties from this trial run. Chattogram Port Secretary Omar Faruk confirmed that the trial aims to identify and resolve any logistical or procedural issues before regular operations begin. Bhutan, a landlocked country previously reliant on India’s Kolkata and Haldia ports, seeks to diversify its trade routes and reduce costs through this new corridor. The initiative follows Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering’s recent visit to Bangladesh, which accelerated the trial process.

Bangladesh is set to host the first-ever Global Sourcing Expo 2025 from December 1–3 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal, Dhaka. Organized by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the event aims to expand Bangladesh’s global export footprint by connecting local exporters with leading importers, sourcing agents, and trade promotion organizations from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The expo will highlight eight promising sectors beyond garments, including leather goods, IT, processed agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, jute, electronics, and lifestyle items. Participating countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have confirmed official delegations. The event will feature B2B sessions and business forums to facilitate direct interaction between foreign buyers and local producers. Organizers and experts believe the expo will strengthen Bangladesh’s export diversification strategy, attract new investments, and enhance the country’s long-term economic growth by promoting emerging industries to international markets.

Global gold prices fell by 0.5 percent after two weeks of record highs, as investors began profit-taking amid uncertainty over the U.S. Federal Reserve’s future monetary policy. According to a Reuters report published Thursday, spot gold declined to $4,145.08 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery dropped 0.6 percent to $4,140.80 per ounce. In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS) also reduced local gold prices by Tk 1,353 per bhori (11.664 grams). The new rate for 22-carat gold now stands at Tk 208,167 per bhori, while 21-carat, 18-carat, and traditional gold are priced at Tk 198,696, Tk 170,318, and Tk 141,648 respectively. BAJUS further stated that a 5 percent government VAT and a minimum 6 percent making charge must be added to the selling price, with variations allowed based on design and quality.

Bangladesh’s interim government has reaffirmed its stance against importing unsafe foreign animal resources, emphasizing the protection and development of domestic livestock to achieve food self-sufficiency. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter made the statement after inaugurating National Livestock Week 2025 on Thursday. The event, held nationwide for the first time under the theme 'Local breeds, modern technology: progress in livestock,' began with a colorful rally from Manik Mia Avenue to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar field. Akhter said the government aims not only to meet domestic demand through local production but also to explore export opportunities. Highlighting challenges in the poultry sector, she stressed the urgent need to resolve feed shortages to support small farmers. She also announced that the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry will, for the first time, present awards in five categories to 15 individuals for their contributions to the sector.