The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) has given policy approval to establish the country’s first Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Anwara upazila of Chattogram. The decision was taken at a BEZA governing board meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka’s Tejgaon. BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun said the proposed FTZ will cover about 600 to 650 acres and operate as an offshore territory exempt from customs duties, allowing storage, re-export, and production of goods.

Mahmud explained that the FTZ aims to significantly reduce the time required to supply raw materials to export-oriented industries. Materials such as cotton could be stored within the zone and used instantly by local factories or re-exported to other countries like Vietnam. He cited Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone as a global example, noting its major contribution to Dubai’s GDP. The proposal will now go to the Cabinet for final approval, and legal amendments will be required for implementation.

The BEZA board also approved plans for a Defense Industrial Park in Mirsarai and to convert the Kushtia sugar mill area into a full industrial park under BEZA’s supervision.

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has signed a lease agreement with South Korean company Park Handbag BD Limited to establish a factory for producing bags, luggage, and high-end garments in the BEPZA Economic Zone at Mirsarai, Chattogram. The agreement, signed on January 26, 2026, at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka, involves a proposed investment of 80 million US dollars. The signing was attended by BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain and senior officials from both sides.

According to the agreement, Park Handbag BD Limited will build the factory on 57,600 square meters of land, producing handbags, backpacks, luggage, and knit and woven garments such as polo shirts, T-shirts, jackets, trousers, sportswear, and undergarments. Once fully operational, the project is expected to create about 10,960 jobs for Bangladeshi workers, with products exported to the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, South America, and Asia.

BEPZA reaffirmed its commitment to providing round-the-clock services to investors and emphasized ongoing modernization, automation, and digitalization to enhance investment facilitation.

A BNP leader named Nurul Islam Sardar has been accused of threatening market owners in Narayanganj city to take control of a market built on leased government land. The allegation was filed by Moazzem Hossain on behalf of the market owners through a general diary at Narayanganj Sadar Police Station on Sunday night. The market, located in the Charargop area, was constructed on land leased from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority and is managed by the Baitus Salat (Mosque) Cooperative Shopping Society Limited.

According to the complaint, Nurul Islam Sardar and several associates had been attempting to seize the market, prompting a court case earlier. Following a petition on August 19, the Additional District Magistrate instructed police to maintain peace on the disputed property. Despite this, the complainant alleged that threats continued, including one on January 24. Attempts to contact the accused leader by phone were unsuccessful.

Narayanganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdul Halim stated that both parties have since reached a settlement and no further complaints remain.

Police in Rajbari arrested five individuals on Sunday afternoon for allegedly attempting to create disorder by chanting slogans in the district and sessions judge court premises. The arrests were made later that night during raids in different areas of Rajbari Sadar upazila. The detainees were identified as Sajjat Hossain, Parash Ali Sheikh alias Shanto, Jony Sheikh, Toufik Ahmed Tahim, and Md. Munjil Sheikh.

According to police sources, the incident occurred when Rajbari District Chhatra League president Md. Shahin Sheikh, an accused in a case related to an attack on anti-discrimination student activists, appeared in court. Some of his followers reportedly chanted slogans demanding his release. Rajbari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ziaur Rahman stated that the youths tried to cause unrest in the court area and were arrested based on investigation findings.

The five accused were sent to court on Monday following their arrest, police confirmed.

Bangladeshi actor and producer Ananta Jalil has announced his departure from the film industry due to a severe downturn in his garment business. Once operating a factory in Savar with around 12,000 workers, Jalil now manages only about 4,000 employees. He said the business situation has become so difficult that he cannot focus on acting or complete his pending film projects. Jalil emphasized that he has always prioritized business over cinema and will not return to acting until his business recovers.

Jalil also confirmed that his wife and co-star, actress Barsha, will no longer appear in films. This decision has cast uncertainty over their ongoing productions, including “Netri: The Leader,” “Operation Jackpot,” and “Chita,” which have yet to finish shooting. Jalil, who entered the film industry in 2008, stated that he and Barsha have always worked together and will only return to cinema jointly if conditions improve.

He added that his focus now is on overcoming the current business crisis, suggesting that any future film work will depend on better times ahead.

The government has approved a policy decision to provide a 20 percent rebate on electricity bills for marginal fish farms, hatcheries, and livestock and poultry farms. The initiative aims to reduce production costs in these sectors. To implement the rebate, the Finance Division has decided to allocate a subsidy of Tk 100 crore. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the decision in a press release issued on Monday.

According to the release, the rebate is part of the government’s existing electricity rebate policy, which currently covers 16 sectors to promote agricultural production, export of agricultural goods, and the growth of agro-based industries. In continuation of this policy, four additional sectors have now been included under the rebate scheme: animal and poultry feed manufacturing, fish feed production, poultry industry, and dairy processing industry.

The dairy processing category includes pasteurized milk, powdered milk, ice cream, condensed milk, sweets, cheese, ghee, butter, chocolate, and yogurt. The ministry expects the rebate to significantly ease electricity expenses for farmers and entrepreneurs in these sectors.

The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to establish the country’s first Free Trade Zone and Defense Industrial Zone, according to Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Bin Harun. The announcement was made on Monday at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. The Free Trade Zone will be set up on 600 acres of land in Anwara, Chattogram, while the Defense Industrial Zone will occupy 850 acres in Mirsarai.

The decision was approved at the fourth meeting of the governing board of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Harun stated that the Mirsarai site was previously designated for an Indian Economic Zone under a government-to-government framework, which has now been dropped. He added that countries maintaining good relations with Bangladesh have shown interest in the new project, and details will be disclosed once agreements progress further.

The Defense Industrial Zone will be located within the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Mirsarai, marking a significant policy shift in Bangladesh’s industrial development strategy.

Sub-Inspector Nazmul of Madhabpur Police Station in Hobiganj has been accused of detaining innocent people without warrants, subjecting them to abuse, and extorting money. A written complaint was filed on January 20 to the Hobiganj Superintendent of Police and on January 25 to the Sylhet Range DIG by Mosharaf Mia of Alekpur village, alleging that his brother Kamrul Hasan was unlawfully detained for 14 hours on January 17. Nazmul allegedly seized Kamrul’s belongings, threatened to implicate him in serious cases, and demanded money for his release.

The complaint states that Mosharaf paid Tk 50,000 but Nazmul demanded an additional Tk 30,000, later sending Kamrul to court as a suspect in an old case when the demand was not met. Nazmul denied taking money, saying Kamrul was sent to court properly. Investigations revealed similar incidents involving other locals, including journalist Farash Uddin and Abu Al Murshed Rubel, who were allegedly detained without warrants.

Hobiganj Superintendent of Police Mosammat Yasmin Khatun confirmed that an investigation into Nazmul’s alleged misconduct and extortion is ongoing and a decision will be made soon.

Two houses belonging to Jubo Dal leaders were attacked and set on fire in Sarishabari upazila of Jamalpur early Monday. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday night, January 25, in Doyail village of Doyail Union, when unidentified miscreants threw kerosene-filled bottles at the homes of Md. Liton Mia, a member of the union Jubo Dal, and Md. Wasim Munshi, president of the 9th Ward Jubo Dal. The attackers also vandalized the fence of Liton’s house before fleeing. Police from Sarishabari station visited the scene shortly after receiving the report.

According to Officer-in-Charge Md. Bacchu Mia of Sarishabari Police Station, initial investigation suggests that the attack may have stemmed from previous enmity. He added that preparations are underway to file a formal complaint, and legal procedures are in progress.

Police are continuing their inquiry into the incident, but no arrests or further details were reported at the time of publication.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) reported seizing smuggled goods, weapons, ammunition, and narcotics worth Tk 1,908.28 crore across the country in 2025. The force also arrested 7,492 individuals from India and Myanmar for illegal border crossings, according to a press release issued on Monday by BGB’s Public Relations Officer Md Shariful Islam.

The seized items included 60 kilograms of gold, 168 kilograms of silver, and large quantities of textiles such as saris, three-piece sets, and ready-made garments. Essential goods like sugar, onions, and cumin were also recovered, along with fireworks, cosmetics, and 1,708 vehicles. BGB confiscated 64 pistols, 10 rifles, 3 revolvers, 19 hand grenades, 79 hand bombs, and over 73,000 lead bullets. Under the government’s zero-tolerance policy on drugs, the force seized more than 14.7 million yaba tablets, crystal meth, phensedyl, heroin, cocaine, and illegal liquor.

BGB detained 2,334 people for involvement in smuggling and drug trafficking and stated that its strict operations to secure borders and prevent smuggling will continue nationwide.

A Dhaka court has granted a four-day remand for Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam, son of former PSC chairman’s driver Syed Abed Ali, in connection with a question leak case. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz. Siam, who was already in jail, was produced before the court for the remand hearing. Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) prosecutor Tarikul Islam argued in favor of the remand, while the defense sought its cancellation. After hearing both sides, the court approved the remand.

Earlier, on Thursday, ACC Assistant Director Al Amin had shown Siam arrested and sought a seven-day remand, with the hearing scheduled for January 26. On January 5, the ACC filed three cases against Abed Ali, his wife Shahreen Akter Shilpi, and their son Siam. The cases allege suspicious transactions totaling over Tk 41 crore across 12 bank accounts and the acquisition of unexplained wealth by all three family members.

The ACC also accused Siam, a Chhatra League leader, of possessing Tk 3.3 crore in unexplained assets.

The government has approved a policy decision to include marginal fish farms, hatcheries, livestock, and poultry farms in the list of beneficiaries eligible for a 20 percent rebate on electricity bills. The announcement was made on Monday through a press release signed by Md. Mamun Hasan, Senior Information Officer of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The decision aims to reduce production costs for farmers and hatchery owners across these sectors.

According to the press release, under the existing electricity rebate policy, 16 sectors currently receive a 20 percent rebate. Among them, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock oversees four sectors for which the Finance Division has approved a subsidy of Tk 100 crore. The sectors covered include animal and poultry feed manufacturing, fish feed production, poultry industry, and dairy processing industries such as pasteurized milk, powdered milk, ice cream, condensed milk, sweets, cheese, ghee, butter, chocolate, and yogurt.

The government expects that this initiative will significantly reduce production costs, attract more investment in the industrial sector, and enhance national self-sufficiency in safe and quality animal protein production.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of 148 decimals of land and two flats owned by Shahreen Akter Shilpi, wife of Syed Abed Ali, the former driver of a former Public Service Commission chairman, in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged illegal wealth. The court also froze her car worth Tk 3.3 million and four bank accounts. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz, following a petition from ACC Deputy Assistant Director Zakir Hossain.

According to the case, the ACC alleged that Shilpi acquired Tk 12.66 million in unexplained wealth and conducted suspicious transactions totaling Tk 35.64 million through two bank accounts. Her husband, Abed Ali, is accused of possessing Tk 37.29 million in illegal assets and making suspicious transactions worth Tk 412.9 million through 12 bank accounts. Their son, Syed Sohanur Rahman Siam, faces similar allegations involving Tk 33 million.

The court’s order aims to prevent the transfer of the assets during the ongoing investigation into the family’s alleged accumulation of wealth beyond known income sources.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) has launched extensive reforms under the interim government to modernize revenue management, expand the tax base, and enhance transparency. According to an official statement, the government issued the Revenue Policy and Management Ordinance 2025 to separate policy formulation from implementation, marking a major milestone in NBR’s structural reform. Between July and December 2025, NBR collected Tk 1,85,223 crore in revenue, Tk 23,000 crore higher than the same period last year.

The reforms include a ten-year Medium and Long-Term Revenue Strategy to strengthen revenue-GDP ratio and a World Bank–funded digitalization project worth nearly Tk 1,000 crore. NBR has also introduced online tax filing, e-payment, and refund systems, while establishing a Security Operations Center to protect customs data. Construction of new tax and customs facilities in Chattogram and Khulna is underway, and new VAT and customs laws have been published in authentic English versions to improve investor confidence.

Additional measures include tax exemptions for Hajj travelers and metro rail services, reduced tariffs on essential goods and mobile phones, and new traveler-friendly baggage rules. These initiatives aim to ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainable revenue growth.

A powerful snowstorm has paralyzed large parts of the United States, leaving at least 10 people dead and causing widespread disruption from Texas to New England. The storm forced the closure of schools and roads nationwide, canceled thousands of flights, and left millions without electricity. The U.S. National Weather Service said conditions were unlikely to improve before Monday morning and urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.

According to reports, two people in Louisiana died from hypothermia, while one person died in Texas. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said five deaths occurred over the weekend, though it was unclear if they were weather-related. Major U.S. media outlets, citing the National Weather Service, reported that heavy snow covered most of 15 states, including Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee. Freezing rain also hit the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic states, placing about 185 million people under winter weather alerts.

Airlines canceled around 11,000 flights scheduled for Sunday, and more than 900,000 customers lost power, including 250,000 in Tennessee.