Global crude oil prices fell by more than 5 percent after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated progress in diplomatic discussions concerning the Middle East. The decline came amid easing investor concerns over potential conflict involving Iran. On Wednesday, Brent crude dropped to 105.70 dollars per barrel, marking a significant downturn in the international energy market.

Analysts attributed the fall to reduced fears of escalation in the region following Trump’s remarks that negotiations with Iran were in their final stage. However, he also warned that further attacks could occur if Tehran refused to agree to a peace deal. This mixed message created both optimism for a possible settlement and lingering uncertainty about future tensions.

Experts noted that while the market experienced temporary relief, the overall uncertainty in the global energy sector remains unresolved, leaving investors cautious about the next developments in U.S.-Iran relations.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that the country's total foreign currency reserves have increased to 34,376.53 million, or 34.37 billion US dollars, as of May 20, 2026. The information was confirmed by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of the central bank. According to the latest data, the gross reserve stood at 34,376.53 million dollars, while under the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, the reserve amounted to 29,719.44 million dollars.

The previous day, on May 19, the gross reserve was recorded at 34,324.12 million dollars, and the BPM6-based reserve was 29,665.46 million dollars. The central bank clarified that the net reserve is calculated following the IMF’s BPM6 standard, which deducts short-term liabilities from the total reserve to determine the actual amount.

The increase in reserves reflects a modest day-to-day improvement in Bangladesh’s foreign currency position, as reported by the central bank’s official data.

An emergency discussion meeting was held at the Kaptai Karnaphuli Range under the South Forest Division of the Chittagong Hill Tracts to address the ongoing human-elephant conflict. The meeting took place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and included members of the Elephant Response Team (ERT). Organized by the Karnaphuli Range, the session focused on elephant movement, protection, and maintaining active elephant corridors.

Officials present included Jamal Hossain Talukder, Assistant Conservator of Forests for the South Forest Division, Abu Kawsar, Assistant Conservator of Forests for the Karnaphuli Range, Abu Nayeem Shahidul Alam, Range Officer, and Mostafizur Rahman, Beat Officer of Karnaphuli Sadar Beat. Staff members of the Karnaphuli Range and 20 ERT members from Teams 1 and 2 also attended.

The meeting emphasized regular attendance and duty performance by ERT members to ensure effective management of elephant movements and to reduce conflicts between humans and elephants in the region.

The 275-megawatt Unit 3 of the Barapukuria coal-fired thermal power plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, resumed electricity production on Wednesday at 5:46 p.m. after remaining closed for nearly seven months. The unit, which had been shut down since October 2025 for general overhauling, began supplying power to the national grid. Chief Engineer Md. Abu Bakkar Siddique confirmed that the unit is currently generating 20 megawatts, with plans to gradually increase output.

The Barapukuria power plant has three units with a total capacity of 525 megawatts. Units 1 and 2 each have a capacity of 125 megawatts, while Unit 3 produces 275 megawatts. At present, Units 1 and 3 are operational, generating a combined 70 megawatts. The chief engineer expressed hope that total production could reach around 300 megawatts by tomorrow.

Unit 2 has remained nonfunctional since November 2020 due to mechanical failure. Officials have cited a lack of effective action by the plant authority, the Power Development Board, and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources as reasons for the prolonged shutdown.

Bangladesh will celebrate two decades of high-speed internet and digital transformation on May 21, marking the 20th anniversary of the country’s first submarine cable, SEA-ME-WE 4, inaugurated in 2006 at Cox’s Bazar by then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCCPLC) reaffirmed its pledge to safeguard national data infrastructure and digital sovereignty on this milestone occasion.

Before 2005, Bangladesh’s international communication relied entirely on satellites, resulting in slow internet speeds and high costs. The launch of SEA-ME-WE 4 connected Bangladesh to a global network stretching from Singapore to France, initially offering 22 Gbps capacity. Through successive upgrades, the cable’s capacity has reached about 4,650 Gbps by 2024. The project spurred rapid growth in freelancing, e-commerce, mobile banking, and digital public services across the country.

Following the success of SEA-ME-WE 4, the second cable SEA-ME-WE 5 was launched in 2017, and the third, SEA-ME-WE 6, is nearing completion. Together, these systems will raise total capacity to about 38 Tbps, exceeding projected national demand for 2027. BSCCPLC has also initiated plans for a fourth cable to further strengthen Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher said that integrated spatial planning is essential to ensure planned, inclusive, and sustainable urban development amid rapid urbanization. Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organized by the Urban Development Directorate at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Wednesday, he emphasized the need for science-based planning that balances development and environmental protection to create a safe and livable Bangladesh for future generations.

The minister noted that three ongoing projects prioritize farmland preservation, environmental protection, improved communication systems, expanded civic amenities, waterlogging prevention, disaster risk reduction, and local economic growth. These initiatives aim to build climate-resilient infrastructure, protect biodiversity, and improve citizens’ quality of life.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Ahmad Sohel Monjur added that spatial planning is crucial for developing citizen-friendly and modern cities. He stressed the importance of ensuring effective implementation of the three projects presented at the seminar.

The 'Teesta Bachao Nodi Bachao Sangram Parishad' has demanded that the government implement the Teesta Master Plan with domestic funding, a one-time allocation, and a time-bound roadmap. The demand was made by the organization’s president, Nazrul Islam Hakkani, at a press conference held on Wednesday morning at a community center in Rangpur city. He emphasized that the Teesta River is vital to the agriculture, economy, environment, and livelihoods of millions in northern Bangladesh, where erosion, drought, and sudden floods have caused severe hardship.

Hakkani noted that despite an earlier announcement in January 2025 by the interim government’s water resources adviser, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, to begin work on the Teesta Master Plan, no visible progress has been made. The organization presented five demands, including a separate national budget allocation for the project, formation of a ‘Teesta Management Authority’ with experts and movement representatives, introduction of a ‘Teesta Bond,’ and adoption of river and agricultural protection plans.

The group announced a series of public outreach programs along the Teesta from May 21 to 26, followed by a special prayer after Eid, a citizens’ rally on June 5, and a month-long awareness campaign.

A delegation from the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) met with the finance minister to discuss the upcoming national budget and the stability of the country’s banking sector. The meeting focused on fiscal, regulatory, and structural reforms needed to strengthen the sector. BAB leaders highlighted key challenges including rising non-performing loans, capital adequacy pressures, weak private sector credit growth, governance failures, and declining public confidence due to economic uncertainty.

BAB reported that the overall capital adequacy ratio of the banking industry has dropped to around 3 percent, limiting banks’ ability to support growth, SME financing, job creation, and investment. The delegation called for strong recovery mechanisms, swift legal processes, and confiscation of illegally acquired assets to protect depositors’ interests. It also expressed concern over provisions in the proposed banking resolution framework that could allow former sponsors or major defaulters to re-enter the system.

The association proposed several measures including reducing corporate tax to 30 percent, full tax deductibility for loan loss provisions for five years, withdrawal of extra tax on stock dividends, faster approval of rights issues, and formation of a central asset management company. BAB reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with the government to restore confidence and ensure long-term stability in the banking sector.

Bangladesh Bank and Prime Bank PLC have signed an agreement to participate in two key refinancing schemes aimed at ensuring easier and more affordable financing for cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) across the country. The signing ceremony was held recently at Bangladesh Bank. Under the agreement, financing will be provided through the 'Cluster Financing Scheme' and the 'FSFDM-SME' scheme to strengthen the CMSME sector, enhance entrepreneurial capacity, create employment, and accelerate sustainable industrialization.

The FSFDM-SME scheme, operated under a revolving fund of Tk 1,500 crore from Bangladesh Bank’s own resources, will offer low-interest loans to support business expansion and modernization. Meanwhile, the Tk 3,000 crore Cluster Financing Scheme will assist geographically concentrated business groups by promoting shared resources, production efficiency, and market expansion. Senior officials from both institutions attended the signing event.

Both Bangladesh Bank and Prime Bank reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the schemes effectively in compliance with policy guidelines to generate a positive impact on the CMSME sector.

Bangladesh’s Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that the country aims to start exporting meat within the next three years. He said the meat will be produced from livestock fed with naturally grown, nutrient-rich grass without any genetic modification. The minister made the statement while addressing the “Australia-Bangladesh Research Showcase” seminar held in Dhaka, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) and Australia’s Charles Sturt University, with support from the Australian government.

The minister highlighted that safe and nutritional food has become a global priority and that genetically modified food has not yielded the desired benefits. He noted that researchers have developed a Napier grass variety containing 18 percent protein, which is drought-tolerant and cost-effective. This innovation is expected to reduce meat production costs and make meat more affordable for consumers.

Speakers at the seminar emphasized the importance of research, innovation, and international collaboration to build a sustainable and climate-resilient livestock sector. They also discussed strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmentally friendly livestock management.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit announced that the government is working to reduce reliance on imported energy by achieving self-sufficiency in gas production. Speaking after inaugurating an appraisal-cum-development well at the Kamta gas field in Kaliganj, Gazipur, he said four new wells, including Kamta-2 and three in Titas, are being drilled. The government expects to supply 55 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid by June next year from these wells.

The minister said the additional gas will help restart factories that remain idle due to shortages, creating employment for thousands and easing pressure on foreign currency reserves caused by energy imports. He added that the government aims to ensure affordable and uninterrupted energy and electricity supply while gradually reducing import dependence. The administration, led by Tarique Rahman, seeks to demonstrate progress through short-, medium-, and long-term plans.

Amit also noted that infrastructure limitations restrict additional gas imports and that decisions on fuel price adjustments depend on global conditions. Industrial and power sectors remain the top priority for gas supply, followed by residential consumers.

Russia and China have reached a general agreement on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project, according to a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The project, once implemented, would enable Russia to supply up to 50 billion cubic meters of gas to China annually. Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters that while some issues remain unresolved, a basic understanding has already been achieved. The information was reported by the state-run news agency RIA Novosti.

Peskov added that the agreement between China and Russia includes the pipeline’s route and construction methods. However, no further details or timeline for the project have been disclosed. The report did not mention any official signing or specific schedule for the next steps.

The development marks another step in energy cooperation between the two countries, though the absence of a detailed plan leaves the project’s immediate timeline uncertain.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has issued new guidelines for trading and Qualified Investor Offer (QIO) participation on the stock exchange’s SME platform. According to the directive signed by BSEC Chairman Khondkar Rashed Maksud on Tuesday, any institution or individual investor must have a minimum investment of Tk 3 million, based on either market or purchase value, to qualify for SME platform trading. Foreign investors with accounts under a registered securities custodian in Bangladesh will also be eligible to trade on the platform.

The directive further states that non-individual investors must meet the same Tk 3 million minimum investment requirement to apply for QIOs. For individual Bangladeshi investors, both resident and non-resident, the minimum investment threshold for QIO applications is set at Tk 1 million. Foreign investors can apply through accounts maintained with registered securities custodians in Bangladesh.

Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL) and depository participants will provide quarterly updates on eligible investors to the stock exchanges, which will maintain separate registers for QIO subscriptions and SME trading. Investors below the Tk 3 million threshold may sell but cannot purchase new SME shares.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has emphasized the need for complete transparency and accountability in Bangladesh’s financial sector to ensure economic stability and sustainable growth. Speaking on Wednesday at the FAR Summit held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, organized by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) with ICAB and ICMAB, he said that trustworthy financial reporting is essential to regain investor confidence in the capital market.

He noted that the country’s economy had faced instability in recent years due to ineffective regulatory and supervisory bodies, which allowed weak companies to enter the stock market through false reporting. The minister called for institutional reforms and urged professional accountants to uphold integrity and adopt self-regulation. He also highlighted new global investment interest in Bangladesh, mentioning plans to launch dedicated funds in Hong Kong and London and introduce domestic bonds.

Chowdhury appealed to all stakeholders in the capital market, NBR, and financial sector reforms to work together in building a globally compliant financial ecosystem based on transparency and accountability.

Cattle markets across Bangladesh have become active ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, though buyer turnout remains low. Bargaining between buyers and sellers is ongoing as customers seek affordable sacrificial animals. In Titas upazila of Cumilla, 12,165 animals have been prepared against a demand of 11,290, leaving an estimated surplus of 875. Farmers there are focusing on local breeds while also raising Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, and Friesian cattle for higher yields.

In Debiganj upazila of Panchagarh, 23,133 animals have been readied, exceeding the local demand of 17,220 by nearly 6,000. Local markets such as Bhaulaganj and Tepreeganj have started receiving animals, with expectations of supplying to nearby districts. The upazila administration has instructed banks to install counterfeit currency detectors and strengthened market security. In Lakhai upazila of Habiganj, 5,135 animals are prepared, surpassing demand, though rising feed prices are worrying farmers. The livestock office has launched a coordinated plan to ensure safe supply and animal health.

In Bera upazila of Pabna, despite large cattle inflows, sales remain slow due to fewer buyers. Traders attribute this to the growing trend of digital cattle trading in Dhaka, reducing in-person market competition.