Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the United States dropped sharply by 17.21% in April 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier, according to data from the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). The decline follows earlier signs of recovery in the sector, which contributes over 80% of Bangladesh’s total export earnings. Between January and April 2026, total apparel exports to the US reached USD 2.98 billion, down 11.24% year-on-year, with both unit prices and export volumes decreasing.

Industry representatives attributed the fall mainly to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which raised costs and reduced consumer demand. Analysts noted that overall US apparel imports fell 12% due to high inflation and interest rates, while Vietnam and Cambodia increased their exports to the US by 1.31% and 14.07%, respectively. In contrast, China’s and India’s exports to the US dropped by 50.21% and 28.03%.

Export Promotion Bureau data showed Bangladesh’s total exports in May 2026 fell 7.07% year-on-year to USD 4.4 billion, with apparel exports down 8.29%. Industry leaders warned that it remains uncertain when export growth will resume under current global conditions.

The government has revived the process of leasing Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign operator, DP World, after receiving a directive from the Ministry of Shipping. The port authority has sought approval to form a new seven-member committee to complete tender evaluation and negotiations under the public-private partnership model. This move comes three months after a major protest during the interim government period forced a suspension of the same process.

Previously, workers’ unions and port users had united under the Nationalist Workers Party and allied groups to halt port operations for six days, opposing the lease to a foreign company on national security grounds. However, despite the renewed process, those same groups have remained notably silent, prompting speculation among port stakeholders. A consortium involving companies owned by two BNP lawmakers has also submitted a new proposal offering better terms than DP World’s.

Civil society representatives have questioned why successive governments—Awami League, interim, and now BNP—have all supported foreign operation of the terminal. Labor leaders have warned that if the government ignores their concerns, protests could resume to protect national interests.

More than 4,400 current and former SpaceX employees are set to become millionaires as the company, founded by Elon Musk, prepares for its initial public offering this week at a share price of $135. The IPO marks the largest public debut ever by a private space company, valuing SpaceX at $1.77 trillion—five times the market capitalization of General Electric. Former launch engineer Trevor Heis, who joined SpaceX in 2011, holds over 100,000 shares now worth at least $13.5 million.

According to San Francisco-based investment platform Hill.com, around 400 of these employees will see their wealth exceed $100 million. Hill.com CEO Andrew Benson described this as an unusual outcome, noting that such wealth creation typically benefits only founders. The IPO is expected to transform the financial lives of thousands of SpaceX workers, both current and former.

Some early employees sold their shares years ago, doubting that SpaceX would ever go public. Others, like former supply manager Helvin Bacariza, plan to hold onto their shares even after the IPO, anticipating further growth.

The government of Bangladesh is set to allow individuals to legalize undeclared or black money in specific sectors without facing any questioning. According to the proposal for the 2026–27 fiscal year budget, taxpayers will be able to declare unreported funds used in real estate transactions—such as land, buildings, or flats—if the actual value exceeds the deed value. Both buyers and sellers will be eligible for this opportunity by paying regular income tax on the undeclared portion.

The Ministry of Finance has proposed adding a new clause to the Finance Bill to formalize this provision. If approved, taxpayers can voluntarily pay income tax at the applicable rate for individuals on the undeclared amount, and no authority will raise questions or take action regarding the source of that money, regardless of existing laws.

The initiative is part of the upcoming national budget, which aims to provide relief to citizens within limited resources while addressing a large revenue collection target for the National Board of Revenue.

The Bangladesh government has set a revenue collection target of Tk 6.95 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year, assigning the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to collect Tk 6.04 trillion. This represents an increase of more than 21 percent from the current year, despite NBR facing a shortfall of over Tk 1 trillion in the first ten months. Officials and analysts doubt the feasibility of achieving the new target, citing a decade-long pattern of missed goals.

According to NBR sources, Tk 2.23 trillion is expected from VAT, income tax, and travel tax, accounting for 74 percent of total revenue, while Tk 2.57 trillion is projected from customs duties. Policy Exchange of Bangladesh Chairman Dr. M Masrur Reaz described the target as unrealistic, pointing to weak economic growth, widespread tax exemptions, and structural weaknesses in the tax system. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury attributed current shortfalls to slow economic activity, political instability, high inflation, and import duty waivers.

The government aims to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio from 6.6 percent to 10 percent in the medium term and 15 percent by 2035. NBR is pursuing digitalization and compliance reforms, supported by a World Bank–funded project, to reduce tax evasion and expand the tax base.

Electricity consumers in Rajshahi have reported severe difficulties recharging their prepaid meters after receiving unusually long token numbers ranging from 220 to 252 digits. Previously, users could easily complete recharges using 20-digit tokens, but the new format has caused widespread frustration, especially among elderly and less tech-savvy customers. Many have shared their experiences on social media, describing repeated failed attempts and hours without power despite paying their bills.

According to the Northern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO), the lengthy tokens are part of a one-time update to integrate new electricity tariff rates into the meters following a government decision. The company clarified that customers should enter the tokens in 20-digit segments and that normal 20-digit tokens will resume after successful entry. However, consumers and rights advocates criticized the lack of prior communication, saying the sudden change caused confusion and unnecessary hardship.

Consumer rights groups emphasized that better public awareness through SMS, media, and social platforms could have prevented the disruption. The issue has sparked concern among prepaid meter users across multiple electricity distribution companies.

A newly released United Nations report warns that the world’s oceans are under rapidly increasing pressure due to human activities. The report, titled the Third World Ocean Assessment, reveals that global sea levels have doubled over the past ten years. It attributes this to pollution, large-scale commercial fishing, and other human-induced factors. The assessment involved 600 scientists from 86 countries who monitored ocean conditions between 2021 and 2025, following an earlier study covering 2016 to 2021.

According to the report, the rate of sea level rise accelerated from two millimeters per year in 2015 to 4.3 millimeters in 2023. Since 1955, ocean temperatures have risen by an average of 16 percent globally, with the Atlantic Ocean warming the most, followed by the Indian and southern Pacific Oceans. Each year, about 52.1 million tons of plastic enter the oceans, affecting the habitats of over 4,000 marine species.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that oceans can no longer be considered limitless and called for urgent global cooperation to protect marine ecosystems through science-based and law-governed international partnerships.

In Narsingdi’s Baburhat, illegal shops are being built on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, reportedly under a multimillion-taka land trade scheme. The report says a group involving local land officials and market committee leaders is collecting three to four lakh taka per plot for temporary shop foundations. This activity is narrowing the river and damaging the heritage of Baburhat, the country’s largest wholesale fabric market.

According to the source, the initiative is allegedly coordinated by the Shilmandi Union land officer and the Baburhat traders’ association president, who is also a local political leader. Despite previous eviction drives and warning signs from the district administration, new tin-shed and even multi-storey structures are being erected without approval. Victimized traders claim they are forced to pay for illegal plots while officials deny wrongdoing.

Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner Israt Jahan Keya stated that the administration, along with the river protection committee and the Department of Environment, is taking action against illegal encroachment and will investigate the Baburhat case further.

The government of Bangladesh has announced a plan to construct 1,000 air-conditioned cold storages across the country to preserve perishable agricultural products such as potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes. The initiative aims to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure fair prices for farmers. Discussions are ongoing about whether the facilities will be built under a formal project or through direct budget allocation. The Ministry of Agriculture has already instructed officials to take necessary preparatory steps.

According to ministry sources, the cold storages will be established on an urgent basis without launching a long-term project. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Director General Abdur Rahim confirmed that he has been directed to take immediate action. The government has also begun preparations to procure 4,000 onion preservation machines. Officials noted that the country currently has cold storage capacity for about 4.5 million tons of potatoes, while annual demand is around 9 million tons, leading to significant spoilage.

A previous FAO-supported pilot project built 450 non-refrigerated model storage houses in 16 districts, but these were insufficient. The new cold storage plan is expected to significantly strengthen the agricultural supply chain and improve farmers’ income stability.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the upcoming national budget has been prepared to provide relief to all citizens within the country’s limited resources. He made the remarks on Thursday, June 11, while speaking to journalists on his way to attend a cabinet meeting before the budget session. The minister emphasized that the budget focuses on overall national development and improving people’s living standards, noting that this year’s context is somewhat different.

He added that after a long time, a national budget is being presented under an elected government, raising public expectations and aspirations. The budget has been designed with these expectations and future goals in mind. Chowdhury explained that the government had to work within its means, aiming to lead the country from a fragile economy toward stability and build a prosperous Bangladesh. He said this objective is reflected in the new budget.

The report also mentioned that the budget announcement would include major deficit figures, revenue collection targets, and provisions such as opportunities for legalizing undisclosed income.

The Netherlands, long regarded as a global leader in water management, is confronting growing pressure to modernize its flood defense systems as sea levels rise faster than expected and extreme weather events become more frequent. Experts warn that the country’s advanced Delta Works infrastructure, built after the devastating 1953 North Sea flood, may struggle to keep the nation safe without major upgrades. Delta Program Commissioner Co Verdaas likened the country to a bathtub nearing its limit, emphasizing that technological solutions alone are reaching their boundaries.

The Delta Works, a vast network of dikes, levees, and storm barriers stretching over 1,000 kilometers, has protected the Netherlands for decades. However, reports from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute indicate that barriers like the Oosterscheldekering and Maeslant Barrier may need to close far more often due to rising water levels, increasing mechanical strain. Authorities are investing heavily in modernization, with the Delta Fund allocating €1.9 billion in 2026 and total program costs projected at €38 billion by 2050.

Officials are also experimenting with nature-based solutions such as using tidal flows and sediment to strengthen coastlines, while cities like Rotterdam are adopting floating infrastructure and water-resilient urban designs to adapt to a changing climate.

A special meeting of the cabinet began on Thursday morning at the cabinet room of the National Parliament Building, chaired by the Prime Minister or Leader of the House. The meeting was convened ahead of the presentation of the national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

According to the agenda, the meeting will review and approve the revised budget for the previous fiscal year and the draft of the 'Specification (Supplementary) Act, 2026'. It will also consider approval of the draft budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year and the 'Specification Act, 2026'. In addition, proposals related to income tax, customs, VAT, and other revenue collection and management for the upcoming fiscal year are included. The Finance Division prepared the revised and proposed budget drafts, while the Internal Resources Division prepared the tax and revenue proposals.

The government is reportedly considering measures to provide some relief for ordinary citizens while maintaining focus on revenue collection needs.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury is set to present a Tk 9.38 trillion national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year in Parliament on Thursday afternoon. The budget, the first under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s BNP government, comes amid severe economic pressure, weak banking performance, low export growth, and a major revenue deficit. The government plans to rely heavily on bank borrowing to finance a projected Tk 2.43 trillion deficit, with Tk 1.12 trillion expected from the banking sector.

The budget emphasizes implementing a new pay scale for public servants, doubling allocations for health, and expanding tax exemptions for women entrepreneurs, startups, and renewable energy ventures. It also proposes raising the tax-free income threshold, reducing duties on electric vehicles and locally produced electronics, and offering tax relief for freelancers and content creators. However, new advance taxes on retail sales and higher duties on tobacco and construction materials may increase consumer costs.

According to the Finance Division, the budget aims to stimulate domestic industries, attract investment, and create jobs while maintaining corporate tax stability. Implementation is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.

Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury will present the 2026–27 national budget in parliament today at 3 p.m., marking the first budget under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s BNP-led government. According to the state news agency BSS, the proposed budget size is expected to reach Tk 9.38 trillion, the largest in the country’s history. The budget aims for 6.5 percent GDP growth and plans to reduce inflation to 7.5 percent amid persistent price pressures.

The draft budget prioritizes 13 key areas, including inflation control, food security, economic recovery, and employment generation. It also proposes Tk 225 crore for an entrepreneurship development fund and Tk 2,000 crore for SMEs, alongside partial implementation of a new pay scale for public servants. Major allocations include Tk 138,339 crore for family and farmer card programs. Revenue collection is targeted at Tk 6.95 trillion, 23 percent higher than the current year, with a projected deficit of Tk 2.43 trillion.

Economists cited challenges such as high inflation, declining private investment, and growing subsidy burdens. The government plans to rely on domestic and foreign borrowing to bridge the deficit while introducing digital reforms like the ‘BanglaBiz’ one-stop service and online tax systems.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service announced on Wednesday that the likelihood of an extremely strong El Niño weather pattern forming later this year is increasing. Director Carlo Buontempo told AFP that all models had raised their forecasts between May 1 and June 1, indicating a higher probability of a strong or potentially record-breaking El Niño event.

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that causes warming of surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, leading to global shifts in wind, pressure, and rainfall patterns. According to the latest Copernicus update, 75 percent of participating global meteorologists expect sea surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific to rise by 2.5 degrees Celsius or more above average by November.

Historically, since the first major El Niño recorded in 1877–78, temperatures have exceeded the 2-degree Celsius threshold only three times—in 1982–83, 1997–98, and 2015–16.