Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the plenary session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Dalian, China. The session, titled “Innovation at Scale,” began at 9 a.m. local time on June 24 at the Dalian International Conference Center in Liaoning Province. The WEF President and Chief Executive Officer delivered the opening remarks. Alongside Bangladesh, the prime ministers of China, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Montenegro, and Guinea also participated in the session.

On the sidelines of the event, Prime Minister Rahman held discussions with several heads of government to strengthen bilateral relations and exchange views on issues of mutual interest. He also joined a photo session with world leaders during the session break.

According to the report, Rahman’s participation in the “Summer Davos” is expected to expand opportunities for investment and employment in Bangladesh while enhancing national capacity through the adoption of best practices from other countries.

Global oil price trends are increasingly being influenced by China, as the United States and Iran continue discussions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring Middle Eastern oil supplies. Analysts say China, though not part of these talks, has become the most significant player in determining the next phase of the global oil market. As the world’s second-largest crude oil consumer, China has mitigated the impact of disrupted supplies exceeding 11 million barrels per day by reducing imports, using its vast reserves, and expanding clean energy use.

These measures have helped stabilize international prices despite a supply shortfall exceeding one billion barrels. Brent crude fell below 78 dollars per barrel on Monday, reflecting expectations of resumed trade through the Hormuz Strait. Analysts from Société Générale noted that while the Iran war has affected 14 percent of global supply, prices have not surged as in past crises, crediting China’s balancing role. Experts warn, however, that reliance on reserves cannot last indefinitely, and if prices drop, China may resume large-scale stockpiling, potentially reshaping the market again.

The International Energy Agency cautioned that if Middle Eastern production normalizes, global supply could exceed demand by 4.7 million barrels per day next year, making China’s future buying decisions crucial for market stability.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on world leaders to turn their climate commitments into concrete actions to protect millions of lives threatened by climate change. Speaking on Tuesday at the World Economic Forum’s 17th Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, he urged that promises be translated into results so the world can face the future with confidence. He expressed hope that COP-31 would address these challenges and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s readiness to play its part.

Rahman emphasized that climate action should be viewed as an investment in prosperity and stability, not as a cost. He outlined three priorities ahead of COP-31 and COP-32: operationalizing the loss and damage fund, making climate finance more accessible to vulnerable nations, and ensuring adaptation alongside mitigation. He highlighted Bangladesh’s initiatives, including dredging 20,000 kilometers of rivers and canals, constructing the Padma Barrage, modernizing the Teesta Barrage, planting 250 million trees, and expanding renewable energy to 20 percent by 2030.

He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to becoming a climate-resilient nation and called on global leaders to overcome differences and honor their pledges under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.

Prime Minister’s Adviser and Spokesperson Mahdi Amin announced that the government aims to ensure a trustworthy and competitive environment for global investors under the message ‘Bangladesh is open for business’. He made the statement at a press conference held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Dalian, China, during the World Economic Forum’s Summer Davos 2026. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman is attending the event, marking his first participation in a global summit as head of government.

Amin said Bangladesh’s participation focuses on attracting foreign investment, creating employment, and linking sustainable development and climate resilience with international partnerships. He noted that the WEF President and CEO Alois Zwinggi met with the Prime Minister to discuss investment growth and employment creation. The Prime Minister also addressed the ‘Climate Leadership in a Shifting Global Landscape’ session, presenting Bangladesh’s climate initiatives and future plans, including river dredging, tree planting, and renewable energy expansion.

According to Amin, the Prime Minister’s engagement is enhancing Bangladesh’s global stature while opening new opportunities for investment, employment, and knowledge exchange through international collaboration.

Bangladesh’s Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam stated that the government’s current budget focuses on addressing the fragile economic situation and reducing public suffering. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion on the 2026–27 fiscal year budget organized by the MBA Association of Bangladesh at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Highlighting instability in the banking sector, he criticized a previous law limiting depositor refunds to one lakh taka if a bank went bankrupt, arguing that such policies had pushed the sector toward collapse. He expressed deep concern over money laundering and inflation, claiming that about 30 lakh crore taka had been laundered abroad, forcing the dollar rate to rise from 82 to 130 taka, which severely burdened ordinary citizens.

The Chief Whip urged that the budget be viewed from a humanitarian perspective rather than as mere numbers. He called for unity to alleviate the suffering of marginalized people, recover looted wealth, and rebuild the economy through constructive criticism and necessary reforms.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu told parliament that a total of 445 safe shelters have been identified in Dhaka as part of earthquake and urban disaster preparedness efforts. The list includes 256 shelters under Dhaka South City Corporation and 189 under Dhaka North City Corporation. A formal proposal has been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office to officially declare these sites as earthquake shelters.

Responding to a question from Gopalganj-1 MP Selimuzzaman Mollah, the minister said a coordinated volunteer database is being developed to keep 100,000 volunteers ready in Dhaka and nearby areas. He added that monitoring and rapid dissemination of earthquake and tsunami information have been strengthened through coordination among the Meteorological Department, Geological Survey, and other relevant agencies.

The minister emphasized that, given Bangladesh’s proximity to earthquake and tsunami-prone zones, the government is prioritizing preparedness and risk reduction measures, including adherence to the Bangladesh National Building Code for earthquake-resistant infrastructure.

Bangladesh’s trade deficit for the 2024–2025 fiscal year reached 24.168 billion US dollars, according to Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir. He presented the figures in parliament on Tuesday, noting that export earnings totaled 55,191.24 million dollars while imports stood at 79,359.24 million dollars. The largest deficit was with China at 17,868 million dollars, followed by India at 7,859.87 million dollars. Other major deficits were recorded with Indonesia, Singapore, Brazil, Qatar, and Malaysia.

The minister said Bangladesh remains heavily dependent on the ready-made garment sector, which accounts for 84 percent of total export income. To reduce reliance on a single product, the government has extended bond facilities to exporters in eight additional sectors, including leather, jute, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, ICT, light engineering, frozen food, and plastics. The National Board of Revenue has issued the necessary orders to support this diversification.

He added that Bangladesh is pursuing free trade agreements and GSP Plus benefits with the European Union, China, and India to mitigate potential tariff challenges after graduating from least developed country status in 2026.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir informed the National Parliament that the National Security Intelligence Directorate has identified 31 tea estates as high-risk due to labor unrest over unpaid wages. He made the statement on Tuesday in response to a question from BNP lawmaker Selina Sultana during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The report, dated May 18, 2025, highlighted wage disputes and management disorder following some owners abandoning their estates in August 2024.

The minister said that although there is no current policy for identifying sick tea gardens, the Bangladesh Tea Board has taken several measures to address wage arrears and restore normal operations. Two committees were formed to reopen the closed Burjan and Phultola estates, and financial aid was provided from the Tea Board’s welfare fund. Both gardens are now operating normally.

He added that the government arranged special exports of unsold tea from 12 National Tea Company estates to pay workers’ dues and continues to ensure rations, healthcare, housing, and other welfare benefits for tea workers. A family card program is also being introduced to improve living standards.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new type of account called the 'Non-Resident Convertible Taka Account' to encourage investment by expatriate Bangladeshis. According to a circular issued on Tuesday, the account will allow expatriates to deposit remittance funds in offshore banking units, use the money for domestic investments or as loan collateral, and repatriate funds abroad when needed.

The central bank stated that the initiative aims to integrate remittance flows more effectively into the financial system, expand offshore banking operations, and create greater investment opportunities for non-resident Bangladeshis. The account can be opened against foreign currency remitted through banking channels and may function as a savings, current, or term deposit account. Deposits may include remittance funds, transfers from other non-resident accounts, interest or profit income, and proceeds from approved investments.

Banking sector observers noted that the new account is expected to bring more remittance funds under formal banking channels, expand offshore banking activities, and enhance liquidity support for export-oriented industries operating in specialized zones.

A rare and endangered reticulated python was rescued from a house in Muslim Para of Chitmaram Union under Kaptai upazila in Rangamati. The rescue was carried out by the local environmental group 'Prokritir Dol' under the Biodiversity Conservation Project of the Rangamati Hill District Council. The python, measuring about seven feet in length, was recovered on Wednesday morning and later handed over to the Kaptai Range of the South Forest Division.

Following the direction of divisional forest officer S M Sajjad Hossain, the python was released into a national park. Kaptai Range Officer Mohammad Mamunur Rahman confirmed that the snake was freed deep inside the forest. Officials said that around 18 snakes had been released into the wild over the past one and a half months.

The rescue and release were conducted in the presence of forest and biodiversity officials, local journalists, and members of the environmental team, highlighting ongoing efforts to protect wildlife in the region.

The South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance’s Center for Migration Studies at North South University hosted a live webinar titled “Prime Minister’s Malaysia Visit: Will the Closed Labor Market Reopen?” on Monday. The discussion centered on Prime Minister Tareq Rahman’s visit to Malaysia and the potential reopening of the Malaysian labor market for Bangladeshi workers. The session was moderated by Associate Professor Selim Reza.

Speakers highlighted the challenges faced by Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia, including documentation issues, high migration costs, work permit renewals, and limited access to legal support. Dr. Md. Mahbubul Haque noted that no formal agreement on reopening the labor market has yet been confirmed. Other participants emphasized the need for broader economic cooperation, improved worker protection, and transparent recruitment systems. They also called for stronger collaboration between civil society groups in both countries.

The webinar concluded with calls for evidence-based policymaking, sustainable diplomatic engagement, and enhanced protection for Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia.

The United Arab Emirates is set to launch its first passenger train service later this month, according to the state news agency WAM. The announcement followed the inauguration of Abu Dhabi’s new railway station by Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed. The initial route between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah will begin operations on June 30, with standard class tickets priced at 55 dirhams and premium class at 120 dirhams. The service will later expand to connect four of the country’s seven emirates.

Dubai’s railway station is scheduled to open on September 30, while Sharjah’s main station will begin operations on March 30, 2027. Authorities also plan to conduct feasibility studies for extending the network to other emirates. The new fleet will include 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers, and ticket booking opened on Tuesday.

The project reflects the UAE’s long-term vision for an integrated transport network aimed at improving connectivity, efficiency, and opportunities for investment, tourism, and urban development, according to Sheikh Khaled.

A sweeping heatwave has engulfed Europe, with France, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom reporting record or near-record temperatures. Scientists have identified the recurring heatwaves as a clear sign of global warming and warned that such events will become more frequent, prolonged, and intense. In France, nearly 20 people drowned over the weekend as citizens sought relief in rivers and lakes, prompting the sports minister to urge safety compliance. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was scheduled to chair an emergency cabinet meeting to address the crisis.

The heat forced the shutdown of a reactor at the Golfech nuclear power plant in southwestern France after river water used for cooling exceeded safe temperature limits. Over 1,350 schools were closed as the national average temperature reached 29.2°C, surpassing all previous June records. Belgium’s weather agency forecast that the heatwave could last a week, possibly marking the country’s hottest period on record. Germany reported at least five drowning deaths, while the UK issued its highest-level heat alert for parts of England.

Authorities across Europe have advised limiting travel and outdoor activity, particularly for vulnerable groups, as infrastructure and public health systems face mounting pressure.

The United States is set to ease sanctions on Iran worth up to $50 billion under a long-discussed agreement between the two countries, according to reports on June 23, 2026. The deal will allow the gradual release of previously frozen Iranian assets. Initial talks in Doha, Qatar, led to a policy agreement to release $12 billion in two phases of $6 billion each, followed by a final signing ceremony planned in Switzerland. An Iranian spokesperson confirmed that the process has already been completed.

Under the proposed framework, Iran will first gain access to $12 billion, with another $12 billion expected to be released after 60 days of further discussions. If a full and final agreement is reached, the total value of sanctions relief and released funds could reach $50 billion. However, the funds will not be provided as unrestricted cash. U.S. officials have expressed concerns that the money could support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, prompting strict conditions on its use.

The released funds are expected to be used mainly for importing food, medicine, and humanitarian goods through approved U.S.-linked financial channels. Analysts suggest that if fully implemented, the deal could bring significant relief to Iran’s economy and open new opportunities for improved relations with Western nations.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said Bangladesh can raise its export earnings from the current level of about $50–55 billion to $150 billion. Speaking at a consultation workshop in Dhaka’s CIRDAP auditorium on Tuesday, he emphasized that achieving this goal requires targeted planning, policy support, research, and skilled workforce development in several promising sectors. The event was organized to present the Development Project Proposal (DPP) based on a study assessing the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s private sectors.

The minister noted that Bangladesh has met all conditions for graduation from the Least Developed Country category, but the main challenge now is to remain competitive globally. He stressed the need for greater efficiency, innovation, and technology adaptation in industries. Plans include developing international-standard training centers in the leather and light engineering sectors and launching joint research with China to boost jute-based product innovation. The commerce secretary added that a Tk 3,000 crore integrated project is being planned to strengthen export capacity and align with national budget priorities.

Officials said the project will emphasize private sector participation, digitalization, and simplified procedures to build a sustainable export model after LDC graduation.