Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told the National Parliament that initiatives are underway to strengthen Bangladesh’s capital market through institutional and regulatory reforms. Responding to a supplementary question from a lawmaker during Tuesday’s question-and-answer session, he said the reforms aim to boost domestic capital mobilization and stimulate overall economic activity.

The minister acknowledged that the current state of the capital market remains weak and that several financial products essential for its growth are yet to be fully developed. He said the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has been restructured to enhance market oversight and efficiency, with experienced professionals added to strengthen the regulator’s capacity.

He expressed optimism that a stronger regulatory framework and ongoing reforms will revitalize the capital market, enabling it to play a more effective role in channeling public savings into productive investments and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Bangladesh Bank has decided to appoint administrators to five non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) as part of a closure or liquidation process. The decision was made at a board meeting held on Tuesday at the central bank’s headquarters, chaired by Governor Mostakur Rahman. The institutions affected are FAS Finance, Fareast Finance, Aviva Finance, Peoples Leasing and Financial Services, and International Leasing and Financial Services. Four other NBFIs—BIFC, Premier Leasing, GSP Finance, and Prime Finance—have been given three months to recover.

According to the central bank, the five institutions facing closure hold deposits of about Tk 2,700 crore from 27,000 individual depositors. Each depositor will be eligible to receive up to Tk 10 lakh after administrators are appointed. The decision follows years of financial distress, high default rates, and failure to return deposits. Bangladesh Bank had earlier issued notices to 20 NBFIs over poor performance, later narrowing the list to nine, and now five are set for closure.

The financial sector has been struggling with liquidity shortages, high non-performing loans, and weak governance. The central bank’s resolution framework aims to restore stability and protect depositors’ interests.

Bangladeshi film actor and road safety activist Ilias Kanchan is currently receiving the second phase of chemotherapy treatment in London for a brain tumor. According to Liton Ershad, vice chairman of the ‘Nirapad Sarak Chai’ movement, Kanchan’s physical condition remains unstable, showing periods of slight improvement and deterioration. The ongoing treatment phase is expected to continue until July.

Liton stated that no final decision has been made about bringing Kanchan back to Bangladesh before his treatment is completed. Depending on medical advice, he may return temporarily in August after the second phase ends. Liton also mentioned that the actor’s prolonged illness has affected his mental state, leaving him somewhat weak and forgetful, though he continues to communicate normally.

Kanchan, who has been staying at his daughter’s residence in London since April last year, has requested prayers from the public and urged continued support for the ‘Nirapad Sarak Chai’ movement, which he founded after losing his wife in a 1993 road accident.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told Parliament that recent conflicts in Iran and the wider Middle East, along with global energy market instability, have sharply increased Bangladesh’s subsidy burden in four key sectors—oil, gas, electricity, and fertilizer. Preliminary estimates show that by June of the 2025–26 fiscal year, additional subsidies of about Tk 42,600 crore will be required. He provided the figures in response to a question from BNP lawmaker S. M. Jahangir Hossain during a session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

According to the minister, the estimated extra costs include Tk 10,258 crore for oil, Tk 11,170 crore for gas, Tk 19,821 crore for electricity, and Tk 1,350 crore for fertilizer. Despite these pressures, the government continues policy and financial support to protect citizens, agriculture, and production sectors. The minister said the Middle East unrest poses both immediate and potential risks to Bangladesh’s economy, particularly in energy, imports, inflation, foreign exchange, remittances, and overseas employment.

He added that the government is closely monitoring the situation and has initiated measures such as diversifying energy import sources, expanding local gas exploration, maintaining supply stability, managing foreign exchange prudently, and exploring alternative labor markets.

Ferry and launch services on the Daulatdia-Paturia route resumed normal operations after being suspended for 20 minutes due to adverse weather and strong winds. Authorities halted vessel movement around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday to prevent accidents as the storm intensified. Operations restarted at 4:50 p.m. once conditions improved, restoring regular ferry traffic between Rajbari’s Daulatdia and Manikganj’s Paturia.

According to the BIWTC Daulatdia terminal’s assistant manager (commercial), Jesanul Islam Tapu, the suspension was a precautionary measure following sudden rough weather that caused strong currents and large waves. He confirmed that ferry services resumed once the weather stabilized. Currently, 15 ferries of various sizes are operating on the route to transport vehicles across the river.

The brief disruption highlights the sensitivity of river transport operations to weather conditions in the region, though services have now returned to normal.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told the National Parliament that Bangladesh’s revenue collection fell short of its target for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Up to April, revenue collection reached Tk 326,928.16 crore against a target of Tk 431,461.27 crore, achieving 75.77 percent. He identified 11 reasons for the shortfall, including reduced purchasing power, business losses, industrial production gaps, and declining profits.

The minister said temporary political disruptions, supply chain breakdowns, high production costs, and weak macroeconomic conditions were key factors. He added that automation and stricter enforcement by the National Board of Revenue were helping to reduce the deficit. Other causes included high inflation, energy shortages, reduced imports, and lower corporate profits due to higher interest rates and currency depreciation. Tax and duty reductions on petroleum and LNG imports also contributed to the decline.

Chowdhury also reported that as of March, savings certificate debt stood at Tk 313,670.48 crore, while government borrowing through treasury instruments reached Tk 893,837.26 crore by May. He further noted that Bangladesh had received USD 484.411 million in climate finance from three international funds.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that new entrepreneurs in Bangladesh will be eligible for collateral-free loans of up to Tk 1 million. He made the statement on Tuesday during a question-and-answer session in the National Parliament, responding to a query from Sylhet-3 Member of Parliament Mohammad Abdul Malik.

The minister explained that while Bangladesh Bank currently has no interest-free loan programs for youth, it operates several refinancing schemes offering loans on easy terms and at low interest rates. The fund for the 'New Entrepreneur Refinancing Scheme' under Bangladesh Bank’s own financing has been increased from Tk 1 billion to Tk 5 billion. Through this scheme, new entrepreneurs can receive loans at a maximum interest rate of 7 percent without collateral, and up to Tk 3.5 million with collateral.

Additionally, a separate Tk 5 billion 'Startup Fund' has been established to support startup entrepreneurs, offering loans and equity assistance at a 4 percent interest rate.

All types of ferry and vessel movement on the Paturia-Daulatdia, Paturia-Kazirhat, and Aricha-Kazirhat river routes have been suspended. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) confirmed that operations were halted from 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday due to storms, rain, and adverse weather conditions. Several ferries that had already departed were anchored mid-river or at nearby terminals, while launches and speedboats remained docked at the ghats.

Passengers arriving from across the river took shelter in local shops and waiting sheds near the terminals as heavy rain continued. Many travelers were stranded and drenched, with children and elderly passengers facing the most hardship.

Authorities have not yet announced when ferry services will resume, as weather conditions remain unfavorable.

Islami Bank has requested Tk 10,000 crore in liquidity support from Bangladesh Bank after depositors withdrew around Tk 4,000 crore amid internal unrest. The instability followed the appointment of former deputy governor Khurshid Alam as the bank’s new chairman on May 24, 2026, after the resignation of Professor M Zubaidur Rahman. A senior bank official confirmed that the bank’s principal account balance dropped from Tk 7,015 crore to Tk 2,600 crore, leading to a shortfall in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR).

The unrest began after Khurshid Alam’s appointment, which some customers and shareholders opposed, organizing continuous protests in front of Islami Bank Tower for nine consecutive days. The bank’s liquidity stress has been linked to earlier irregular loans taken by S Alam Group during the previous Awami League government, which had previously caused CRR deficits. The situation had improved under the interim government but deteriorated again under the new administration.

A Bangladesh Bank official confirmed receiving Islami Bank’s request for liquidity support but said no decision had yet been made on the matter.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has proposed a total expenditure of Tk 8,39,505 crore in its shadow budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year, representing 12.14 percent of GDP. The projected budget deficit stands at Tk 1,68,321 crore, or 2.43 percent of GDP, lower than the Tk 2,21,000 crore deficit estimated for 2025–26. The proposal was presented at a press conference at Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka by party executive council member and MP Saiful Islam Khan Milon, in the presence of party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and other alliance leaders.

The proposed allocations include Tk 2,02,245 crore for public administration, Tk 1,27,500 crore for debt interest payments, and Tk 1,25,575 crore for education and technology. Other major sectors include transport and communication, agriculture, social welfare, health, and local government. The party emphasized governance reform, anti-corruption measures, and a fair tax system prioritizing SMEs and agriculture.

Jamaat leaders described the proposal as the first alternative budget by an opposition party in Bangladesh’s history, aiming to build an equitable, corruption-free, and employment-oriented economy grounded in justice and good governance.

Farmers in Haimchar upazila of Chandpur have launched the area’s first-ever summer onion cultivation, opening new agricultural prospects. The initiative, undertaken by the upazila agriculture department, aims to increase domestic onion production and reduce dependence on imports. The project is being implemented under the 'Sustainable Agricultural Technology Expansion Project in the Cumilla Region' and currently covers about three hectares of land with the high-yielding 'Nasek Red N-53' variety.

Local farmers have shown strong interest after early signs of success, noting that they previously cultivated onions only in winter. With free seeds, fertilizers, and technical support provided by the agriculture department, they are now experimenting with summer cultivation. The department is also offering continuous training and field-level supervision to ensure proper crop management.

Officials believe that if the Haimchar model is replicated nationwide, it could help stabilize onion markets and move Bangladesh closer to self-sufficiency in onion production.

Jamaat-e-Islami has proposed an 839,505 crore taka shadow budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year. The proposal was presented on Tuesday at a press conference held at the Al Falah Auditorium in Dhaka’s Moghbazar area. Saiful Islam Khan Milon, a member of the party’s executive council and Member of Parliament for Dhaka-12, formally presented the 50-page document outlining the party’s alternative fiscal plan.

According to Jamaat representatives, the proposed budget prioritizes public administration, repayment of domestic and foreign debt interest, and the education and technology sectors. The party stated that the shadow budget was prepared considering the country’s overall economic structure and future development plans.

The presentation marks Jamaat’s effort to outline its economic vision despite its limited political activity, focusing on key sectors it deems vital for national progress.

India’s fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level for the first time, according to official statistics cited in a report by Al Jazeera. The Sample Registration System (SRS) data show that the total fertility rate (TFR), which was about 3.3 in the early 2000s, has steadily declined over the past two decades. Experts warn that this trend could slow population growth and affect the country’s long-term economic structure.

Analysts attribute the decline to multiple social and economic factors, including increased female education and workforce participation, greater access to contraception, and rising child-rearing costs, especially in urban areas. Regional disparities are significant, with Bihar’s TFR at 2.9 and Delhi’s at 1.2. Economists caution that a shrinking working-age population could lead to labor shortages, reduced productivity, and pressure on social security systems as the elderly population grows.

The demographic shift may also influence India’s internal politics, particularly in the upcoming delimitation process that reallocates parliamentary seats based on population. Experts suggest India must prepare for an aging society through stronger health, pension, and social protection systems.

Bangladesh inaugurated its first ocean satellite ground station at the University of Chittagong, marking a new phase in the nation’s capacity to collect and analyze satellite-based data from the Bay of Bengal and coastal regions. The inauguration took place on Tuesday morning, led by State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin. The ceremony was attended by the university’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan, UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmad, and representatives from China, including Cultural Counsellor Li Xuepeng and Professor Dr. Fu Bin of the Second Institute of Oceanography.

During the event, the state minister emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring necessary infrastructure such as electricity and high-speed internet to achieve the project’s goals. He noted that the satellite would play a vital role in marine resource management, fisheries, maritime transport, and coastal development. The vice-chancellor described the day as historic for the university, highlighting that the China-funded facility would benefit students and researchers nationwide by providing real-time ocean and fisheries data.

The project is expected to enhance Bangladesh’s research and operational capabilities in oceanography and coastal resource management.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved eight development projects with a total estimated cost of Tk 2,266.41 crore. Of this, Tk 2,229.13 crore will come from government funds and Tk 37.28 crore from agency financing. The approval was given at an ECNEC meeting held on Tuesday at the Bangladesh Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman. The approved projects include three new, three revised, and two extended-duration projects.

The approved projects cover multiple sectors, including water resources, transport, public administration, health, defense, education, and power. Notable projects include maintenance and rehabilitation of the Barishal Irrigation Project, upgrading of the Anwara–Banshkhali–Chakaria regional highway, expansion of the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, and construction of a cancer center at Dhaka CMH. The meeting also reviewed six smaller projects under Tk 50 crore previously approved by the planning minister, covering water supply, sanitation, waste management, postal services, military training facilities, child marriage prevention, and agricultural education.

The approvals reflect a broad government focus on infrastructure, education, and health development across Bangladesh.