The hill town of Bandarban, long known as one of Bangladesh’s most popular tourist destinations, is preparing for a new phase of tourism growth. Following a busy winter season when hotels and resorts were fully booked, the area has entered a quieter period during Ramadan. Local businesses are using this time for renovation and maintenance, aiming to attract visitors during the upcoming Eid holidays and beyond.

Hotel owners report strong performance in the last tourist season and expect good business between Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha. They have added new facilities and improved comfort to enhance visitor experience. Entrepreneurs note that despite Bangladesh’s tourism potential, the sector lags behind due to limited international branding and complex visa policies. They hope the new government will prioritize tourism development.

Newly elected Member of Parliament Saching Prue Jerry has pledged to protect the interests of small and medium tourism entrepreneurs. He emphasized developing eco-friendly resorts and homestays that preserve the natural environment while improving local livelihoods and promoting traditional crafts and cuisine internationally.

A fire broke out at the central July Memorial in Shariatpur district, according to a report published on March 29, 2026. The incident gained attention after Mohsin Madbor, identified as the district convener of a banned organization named Chhatra League, posted a video of the fire on his personal Facebook account last Friday.

Former convener of the District Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Imran Al Nazir, criticized the local administration, saying repeated incidents like this occur due to administrative failure. He described the fire as not only an act of arson but also an insult to the memory of July. Nazir warned that if those responsible are not arrested promptly, the administration itself should be held accountable.

The report did not mention the extent of the damage or whether any arrests had been made following the incident.

The prosecution has filed a petition to show Lieutenant General (Retd.) Mamun Khaled, former Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), and Lieutenant General (Retd.) Masud Uddin Chowdhury as arrested in cases pending before the International Crimes Tribunal. The application was submitted on Sunday morning to Tribunal-2, confirmed by prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim.

According to tribunal sources, Mamun Khaled faces a case related to enforced disappearance, while Masud Uddin Chowdhury is implicated in a case concerning the July killings. Both cases are being handled under the jurisdiction of the International Crimes Tribunal, which deals with serious offenses under international and domestic law.

The tribunal has also directed that Mamun Khaled and Masud Uddin Chowdhury appear before it on April 7, marking the next procedural step in the ongoing legal process.

In Netrokona’s haor region, several crop protection embankments have collapsed and developed cracks following light rainfall, causing panic among local farmers. The embankments, built annually under the government’s Kabita project through the Water Development Board (Paubo), are meant to protect boro crops from early flooding. This year, construction and repair work began late, and residents allege that inexperienced committees were formed under the scheme, leading to poor-quality work.

Reports indicate that embankments in Khaliajuri upazila’s Chakua union, including the Chautara haor and PI river embankments, have been damaged. Some projects allegedly involved minimal soil work, and protective measures such as sandbags and bamboo reinforcements were not completed on time. Paubo officials acknowledged the damage and said repair work was underway. Local officials, including the upazila executive officer and district administration, have instructed immediate repairs and regular monitoring.

According to official data, 202 project implementation committees were responsible for maintaining 136.798 km of embankments across five upazilas, covering about 134,000 hectares of farmland. The total estimated cost was around 310 million taka.

Global fertilizer supply chains have been severely disrupted following the United States and Israel’s military aggression against Iran, according to reports on March 29, 2026. Massive quantities of fertilizer shipments are stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, while fertilizer plants in India, Algeria, and Slovakia have either shut down or reduced production due to soaring natural gas prices. China has imposed an export ban on fertilizers, and Australian wheat farmers have cut production. Meanwhile, U.S. corn and soybean growers have sought subsidies from President Donald Trump.

The conflict has driven up oil and gas prices, intensifying global economic concerns. Fertilizer prices have surged worldwide, heightening food security risks in several regions. The Middle East, a major fertilizer-producing area after Russia, supplies about one-third of global fertilizer through the Hormuz Strait. Independent Commodity Intelligence Services expert Dipika Thapliyal warned that the shortage is pushing prices higher and could lead to widespread agricultural strain.

A World Trade Organization report last week cautioned that food supply risks are rising globally, particularly in Gulf countries dependent on imports. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the conflict has destabilized trade in energy, fertilizer, and food, marking one of the most volatile periods in 80 years.

Despite the enforcement of new IPO regulations, Bangladesh’s stock market is unlikely to see new company listings soon. Market insiders indicate that the ongoing IPO drought, lasting nearly two years, may continue for another year. The new rules require audited financial statements not older than 120 days and prohibit IPO applications based solely on half-yearly or quarterly reports. As a result, only companies with fiscal years ending June 30 may be eligible to apply later this year, but approvals could take up to two years.

Financial institutions and multinational companies, which could have applied earlier, are showing little interest. Many local financial firms lack profitability, while multinationals are not obligated or motivated to list. Bureaucratic delays and board-level approvals have further stalled government plans to offload shares in state-owned multinational ventures. Consequently, experts predict that no new company will be listed in 2026, extending the IPO-free period.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission’s new rules, effective from December 30, 2025, include stock exchange recommendations in the approval process. However, even with faster reviews, the timeline suggests minimal chance of new listings within the current year.

Bangladesh Bank has not recovered Tk 68,250 crore lent to 12 commercial banks, according to central bank sources. The loans, issued by printing money during the previous Awami League government and the subsequent interim administration, were meant to be repaid within three months but remain unpaid after more than a year. The funds were extended under the tenures of former governors Abdur Rouf Talukder and Ahsan H. Mansur. The banks include First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, ICB Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, National Bank, Padma Bank, AB Bank, BASIC Bank, and Premier Bank.

Industry observers said the banks became financially weak due to large-scale irregularities and mismanagement, particularly under groups such as S. Alam. Despite repeated liquidity support, the sector shows little improvement. Former chief economist Mustafa K. Mujeri described the assistance as a temporary relief that fails to address structural problems like default loans and corruption.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that the central bank was compelled to provide liquidity support to prevent depositor panic but acknowledged that such measures cannot continue indefinitely. The new governor is expected to decide on the next steps for the troubled banks.

The Gazipur-Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has become a major burden for the government after years of delays, flawed planning, and alleged corruption. Initiated in 2012 under the Greater Dhaka Sustainable Urban Transport Project, the 20.5-kilometer scheme aimed to provide a fast, affordable, and eco-friendly transit system. However, after spending over Tk 4,000 crore, the project remains incomplete, with its operations suspended since December 2024 and the route now used as a regular road. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) rejected proposals to extend the project’s duration and budget following revelations of design weaknesses and mismanagement.

Experts and former officials have described the project as one of the worst examples of corruption and poor planning, citing copied foreign designs unsuited to Bangladesh’s traffic system. A special committee is investigating financial irregularities and design flaws. Interim government adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud called for legal action against those responsible, while the current administration awaits the committee’s report before deciding future steps.

Despite widespread criticism, some project officials remain optimistic, claiming that once completed, the BRT could still offer efficient urban transport if technical issues are resolved.

Phulbaria upazila in Mymensingh, covering 399 square kilometers, is rich in natural and historical resources but remains underdeveloped as a full-fledged tourist destination due to insufficient government and private initiatives. The area features the country’s largest enclosed wetland, Barabila, and the mysterious Nabaikuri, which attract visitors with lotus blooms and migratory birds. Nearby stands the legendary site of King Anai’s palace, tied to a local folktale that continues to intrigue tourists.

Santoshpur forest, with its dense sal and gazari trees, wildlife, and a large rubber plantation, offers another attraction. The area’s “social monkeys,” known for their friendly behavior with visitors, have become a highlight. Other notable sites include the privately owned Deepto Orchid Garden in Dulma village, the historic Tamaltala Guptabrindaban, and a privately developed park in Betbari. Visitors can reach Phulbaria from Mymensingh for a modest travel cost.

Locals believe that with proper planning and investment, Phulbaria could emerge as one of Bangladesh’s most appealing tourism zones, generating significant annual revenue.

Sri Lanka has reinstated fuel rationing and raised fuel prices by about 33 percent following the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28. Iran’s decision to halt most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for 20 percent of global oil and gas, has severely disrupted supplies to the island nation, which imports 60 percent of its energy needs through the strait. The government has introduced a QR-based rationing system similar to that used during the 2022 economic crisis, limiting weekly fuel allocations for vehicles and implementing a no-work-on-Wednesday policy to conserve fuel.

Officials say the government is absorbing part of the international price increase, resulting in monthly losses of $63 million. Bus fares have risen by more than 12 percent, while liquefied petroleum gas prices are up 8 percent. Negotiations are under way with Russia for fuel imports, and Sri Lanka has declined Iran’s offer due to lack of transport capacity. Experts warn that continued disruption could raise food prices by 15 percent and threaten food security, as fertiliser supplies are also affected.

President Anura Dissanayake’s administration is expanding storage capacity and pursuing agreements with India and the UAE to renovate facilities, but economists caution that the crisis’s duration remains unpredictable.

A mobile court led by Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Md. Fakhrul Islam conducted an operation in the Bhatiari area on Saturday amid a nationwide fuel supply crisis. The court fined Bhatiari Filling Station Tk 50,000 under the Mobile Court Act for concealing government information and discrepancies in oil stock records. Officials found that the station reported 1,100 liters of octane but actually stored 1,069 liters more than declared.

To prevent illegal fuel hoarding or smuggling, the administration has appointed tag officers at every petrol pump for regular monitoring. While most stations maintained accurate records, irregularities were confirmed at Bhatiari Filling Station, prompting legal action. The same mobile court also fined three minibuses Tk 2,000 each for overcharging passengers on the Alangkar–Sitakunda route.

Officials said the trend of overcharging has recently increased, causing financial distress to passengers. They pledged to continue regular drives and urged passengers to report any fare violations immediately. Local residents welcomed the initiative as timely and beneficial for restoring discipline in the fuel and transport sectors.

The World Trade Organization opened its 14th ministerial conference in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Thursday amid warnings of a potential “disorderly collapse” if members fail to agree on new global trade rules. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the world was experiencing the worst trade disruptions in 80 years and that the old world order would not return. The meeting comes as global economic turmoil, driven by conflict in the Middle East and rising protectionism, challenges the multilateral trading system.

Sharp divisions emerged among major economies over the WTO’s “most-favoured nation” (MFN) principle, which requires equal tariff treatment for all partners. The United States, represented by Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, criticized the system as unworkable and called for smaller group agreements. China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao defended MFN as the “bedrock” of global trade, warning against discriminatory treatment. The European Union proposed a more flexible framework, while the United Kingdom cautioned that failure to reach consensus could fragment the system.

The Yaounde gathering follows years of stalled negotiations, with the WTO’s consensus-based decision-making often paralyzed by individual objections, leaving the future of multilateral trade cooperation uncertain.

A severe fuel shortage has disrupted daily life in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur, where farmers, drivers, and residents are struggling to obtain fuel despite waiting in long queues. The crisis has been most visible at the Ma Sufia Filling Station near Kaunia Railgate, where many customers have returned empty-handed after hours of waiting. Station owner Shafiqul Islam Shafi said the shortage stems from limited supply, forcing them to distribute smaller quantities that quickly run out. He added that fuel distribution continued late into Friday night to manage the situation.

Local residents alleged that some unscrupulous traders are exploiting the crisis by selling petrol and octane at inflated prices ranging from Tk 400 to 500 per liter. They also complained about the lack of visible monitoring by the local administration, which they fear is encouraging black market activity. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Papia Sultana warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in illegal hoarding or overpricing.

Government sources, however, claimed there is no nationwide fuel shortage, a statement that has sparked public frustration due to the apparent mismatch with local conditions.

Passengers traveling from Rangpur to Dhaka after Eid have faced severe difficulties due to a shortage of buses and alleged fare manipulation. On Saturday, hundreds of travelers were seen waiting at the city’s Kamarpara bus stand, unable to secure tickets despite long waits. Reports indicate that brokers are selling tickets at inflated prices, with fares rising from the usual 800 taka to between 1,600 and 2,000 taka. Some passengers alleged that counters falsely claimed buses were fully booked while seats remained empty.

Bus counter officials offered a different explanation, citing a fuel shortage that reduced the number of operating buses from 18 to 12 on the route. They denied charging beyond government-approved fares, a claim passengers strongly disputed. On Friday night, travelers blocked the road at Modern Mor in protest against the excessive fares, halting traffic for two to three hours until police intervened.

Passengers fear that the situation may worsen as ticket demand remains high through March 29 and 30, potentially prolonging the travel disruption.

Police in Chattogram’s Patenga area seized about 6,000 liters of illegally stored diesel during a raid on a tin-shed warehouse on Friday morning. The warehouse owner, Mohammad Alamgir, identified locally as a Jubo League leader, is currently on the run. Two suspects, Al-Amin and Masud, have been arrested in connection with the case. The operation followed a tip-off that the site had long been used for collecting, storing, and selling stolen fuel.

According to police, Alamgir expanded his illegal stockpiling amid recent international oil price volatility. The fuel was reportedly brought in by trawler at night and sold wholesale to contractors and transport owners in the morning. Locals alleged that Alamgir’s political influence had shielded him from scrutiny. The landowner’s sons, Arif and Ashraf, were also identified as collaborators in the operation.

Police said cases are being prepared under fuel storage and smuggling control laws. Officials believe the raid could expose a larger oil theft network active along the Patenga–Karnaphuli coast.