An inclusive consultative workshop titled 'Advocating for Changed Women’s Economic Empowerment Through Collective Action' was held in Khulna on Tuesday at the Darbar Hall of Hotel Castle Salam. The event aimed to identify barriers to women’s economic empowerment, market access, and social participation, and to explore possible solutions. It was organized under Window-3 of the FAME project, funded by the French Development Agency and supervised by the Dhaka Women Chamber of Commerce. Local NGO Purnima hosted the event, with the Center for Women and Children Studies (CWCS) as the lead organization and Concerned Women for Family Development (CWFD) as a partner.

Representatives from government and private institutions, entrepreneurs, researchers, and members of marginalized communities attended the workshop. Participants conducted a gender lens assessment to identify obstacles such as limited access to resources, market entry challenges, mobility safety, and restrictive social norms. The day-long discussions generated several recommendations.

Organizers stated that the recommendations will guide efforts to create an inclusive and gender-sensitive economic environment. A joint advocacy document will also be prepared and submitted to relevant ministries for policy consideration.

Farmers across Bangladesh are preparing sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha 2026, with local livestock departments reporting sufficient supply to meet national demand. In Dinajpur district alone, 426,523 animals have been readied against a demand of 273,262, leaving a surplus of over 153,000. Similar surpluses are reported in Madaripur’s Shibchar, Jamalpur’s Madarganj, and Pirojpur’s Kaukhali upazilas. Farmers are busy fattening cattle using natural feed, while local administrations have instructed law enforcement to remain alert along borders to prevent the entry of Indian cattle.

Officials from livestock departments in multiple districts confirmed that animals are being raised without harmful chemicals, and training and veterinary support are being provided to ensure safe meat production. Farmers, however, expressed concern over rising feed costs and the possibility of foreign cattle entering local markets, which could affect fair prices for domestic producers.

Authorities expect that the surplus livestock will allow districts like Dinajpur to supply animals to other regions, ensuring adequate availability across the country during the upcoming Eid festival.

Rakib Hasan, a first-year history student at Kotchandpur Government College, has achieved notable success in grape cultivation in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah. In May 2024, he planted Baikunur and Black Magic grape varieties on ten kathas of land. Within a year, he earned BDT 200,000 from grape sales, making a profit of BDT 100,000 after expenses. This year, his vineyard produced grapes worth BDT 350,000, with only BDT 15,000 spent on irrigation, fertilizer, and maintenance.

Rakib began his venture without formal training, relying on online resources and personal effort. He initially invested about BDT 100,000, including BDT 46,000 for 120 saplings and additional costs for trellising and care. The Baikunur variety, originally from Russia, proved highly productive and sweet in taste. He has also started producing and selling grape saplings alongside fruit cultivation.

Kaliganj Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahabub Alam Roni said several farmers in the area are now growing grapes and receiving guidance from the department. He praised Rakib’s initiative, noting that the student continued his agricultural venture despite not owning land.

Farmers in Sunamganj are facing severe hardship after heavy rains and waterlogging submerged vast areas of Boro paddy fields. The flooding has destroyed crops across about 20,000 hectares of haor land, leaving thousands of small and marginal farmers burdened with debt. Many had borrowed from NGOs, banks, or local lenders to cover costs for seeds, fertilizer, irrigation, and labor. With their harvests lost, they now struggle to repay loans and sustain their families.

Farmers report that even the limited paddy they managed to harvest has been damaged by continuous rain, as the grains could not dry properly and began to sprout. Many households are now left without food reserves, facing acute uncertainty. Livestock feed shortages have also become severe, worsening the crisis. The Department of Agricultural Extension in Sunamganj has begun preparing a list of affected farmers.

Officials said two government ministers have already inaugurated a three-month relief program for the victims, and all affected farmers will gradually be brought under assistance coverage.

Heavy rainfall has submerged ripe Boro paddy fields in low-lying areas, leaving farmers unable to harvest due to a severe shortage of laborers. In Madhupur of Tangail, around 13,000 hectares were cultivated this season, with at least 35 hectares flooded. Farmers are struggling to bring in their crops as labor costs have surged to Tk 1,000–1,200 per day, or Tk 7,000–10,000 per bigha, while paddy prices remain low at Tk 700–850 per maund.

In Naogaon’s Niamatpur, many fields remain unharvested because of the same labor shortage, raising fears of crop loss from storms and rising water levels. The local agriculture office reported that five hectares of paddy still await harvesting. Meanwhile, in Jamalpur’s Madarganj, despite good yields, farmers face mounting losses as labor costs exceed returns, with paddy selling for Tk 700–900 per maund while daily wages reach Tk 1,100–1,200.

Officials in Tangail and Jamalpur acknowledged the challenges, citing ongoing efforts to improve drainage and advising timely harvesting to minimize losses.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that the government will review, rather than cancel, the existing trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States. He made the statement on Tuesday at a press conference held at the Press Information Department in Dhaka, where he discussed progress in various government activities. Rahman said the agreement allows for termination with a 60-day notice but also provides an option for both countries to revise its terms through mutual discussion.

He explained that the government will first conduct an internal review to assess which provisions might be problematic or harmful to the state. Rahman noted that the agreement is strong and that cancellation could have implications for bilateral relations and tariff issues. He added that the government intends to explore opportunities to renegotiate certain clauses rather than withdraw entirely.

Rahman further clarified that different types of agreements exist, such as formal agreements and memorandums of understanding, and that legal obligations vary among them. He emphasized that the government will evaluate all past agreements to ensure none are detrimental to public interest.

NCC Bank and the Gono Unnayan Kendra (GUK) have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance climate resilience and improve living standards in the char areas of Fulchhari upazila, Gaibandha. The agreement, signed at NCC Bank’s head office, supports a two-year project titled “The Adaptive Eco Char Project: A Blueprint for Thriving Dynamic Landscapes,” to be implemented in Fazlupur and Fulchhari unions. Cultivera Limited will serve as the strategic partner, while Dahuk will handle research and evaluation.

The project aims to strengthen local communities’ capacity to adapt to climate change and ensure sustainable livelihoods. Key initiatives include establishing solar-powered digital resilience centers, providing telemedicine-based health services, installing safe water and solar power systems, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and supporting women entrepreneurs. Thousands of families are expected to gain access to safe water, energy, and healthcare, while over 300 families will engage in income-generating activities.

NCC Bank’s managing director M. Shamsul Arefin said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainable development. GUK’s chief executive M. Abdus Salam expressed hope that the partnership would serve as a model for climate resilience in other vulnerable regions.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that there will be no political interference in Bangladesh’s financial sector or related economic areas. Speaking as chief guest at the launch of the Bangladesh Startup Investment Company (BSIC) at Hotel Radisson Blu on Tuesday, he said the institution will operate as a fully professional entity without political appointments or influence. He added that BSIC’s initial capital will expand over time, serving as both an investment firm and a platform to strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem.

The minister said the initiative addresses two major challenges for young entrepreneurs—lack of funding and inability to provide collateral. Investment decisions will be transparent, efficient, and professional. He linked the project to the government’s manifesto goal of creating employment for ten million people by leveraging the demographic dividend, particularly through the creative economy to engage rural and urban youth.

He noted that the government is advancing capital market reforms and has appointed skilled advisors for investment and market development. Several domestic banks have joined to form this venture capital initiative, which aims to attract international venture capital firms and open new horizons for Bangladesh’s economy.

Pakistan is planning to increase its oil imports from Russia as tensions continue around the Strait of Hormuz, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS. The report cited Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, as the source of the information. However, there has been no immediate official comment from the Pakistani government regarding the plan.

In April of this year, Russia’s energy export revenue rose by 4 percent compared to the previous month, reaching 733 million euros per day, the highest level in two and a half years. In U.S. dollar terms, this amounted to approximately 861 million dollars per day. Analysts noted that rising tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz could significantly affect energy supply and market stability.

The reported plan suggests Pakistan may be seeking to secure its energy needs amid global supply concerns linked to regional instability.

In Nabinagar of Brahmanbaria, farmers are struggling to harvest ripe Boro paddy due to a severe shortage of laborers during peak season. Despite fields being filled with golden paddy, they cannot bring the crop home as labor wages have doubled. Even the price of two maunds of paddy is not enough to hire one worker, leaving many farmers in distress as ripe paddy begins to spoil in the fields.

Local farmers report that laborers now demand between Tk 1,600 and Tk 1,800 per day, while a maund of raw paddy sells for only Tk 750 to Tk 900. The government’s fixed price for a maund of dry paddy is Tk 1,440. Rising costs of plowing, irrigation, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor have worsened the situation, while recent heavy rains have caused additional crop damage.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, Boro paddy was cultivated on 18,115 hectares this season, with 151 hectares affected by storms. Officials hope that government procurement at fixed prices will help farmers recover some losses.

Farmers in Nilphamari district are facing heavy financial losses as the market price of Irri rice has dropped sharply despite a bumper Boro harvest this season. Rising costs of fertilizer, irrigation, seeds, pesticides, and labor have increased production expenses, but rice prices have fallen to Tk 700–750 per maund from around Tk 1,000 a week earlier. Many farmers are being forced to sell at low prices to meet household needs and repay debts.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Boro rice was cultivated on 81,859 hectares in Nilphamari with a production target of 374,901 metric tons, and about 15 percent of the crop has already been harvested. Officials said favorable weather and low pest attacks contributed to good yields. However, the oversupply of rice and the delayed start of government procurement have allowed middlemen to buy at low prices, depriving farmers of fair returns.

Agricultural officials expect the situation to improve once government procurement begins. Farmers have urged authorities to ensure fair prices, accelerate procurement, and control input costs to prevent future declines in food production.

The Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued a recruitment notice to appoint 382 foresters. Applications can be submitted until June 10, 2026, either by post or directly to the designated box on the second floor (Level-1) of the Forest Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka. The position offers a salary range of 9,700 to 23,490 taka under grade-15, with an application fee of 100 taka.

Applicants must hold a Diploma in Forestry and meet physical requirements of 163 cm height and 76 cm chest measurement. The eligible age range for candidates is 18 to 32 years. Application forms are available for download from the Forest Department’s official website and must be sent to the Chief Conservator of Forests at the department’s Agargaon office in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

The recruitment aims to strengthen the department’s workforce in forest management and conservation activities across Bangladesh, as outlined in the official notice.

A canal excavation program was inaugurated in Patnitala upazila of Naogaon on Tuesday at 11 a.m. as part of Bangladesh’s nationwide ‘Canal Re-excavation Program’ initiated in March 2026. The program, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, aims to enhance agricultural production, improve irrigation, and reduce waterlogging across 54 districts through the excavation of 63 canals. The Patnitala event was inaugurated by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rifat Ara, with local officials, political representatives, and residents in attendance.

Under this project, a 1.80-kilometer canal stretching from the brickfield near Chakabdal (Kanchipukur) in Patnitala Union to the Abedia sluice gate will be re-excavated at an approved cost of 5.46 million taka, with completion expected by June 30, 2026. The initiative seeks to ensure water flow to farmland, improve monsoon drainage, and support fish cultivation and rural economic growth.

The program is modeled after the 1977 voluntary canal excavation initiative introduced by former President Ziaur Rahman and is expected to have a positive impact on rural livelihoods.

The Indian rupee fell to a historic low against the US dollar on Tuesday, pressured by sustained high crude oil prices, foreign investment withdrawals, and weak market sentiment. The currency opened trading at 95.50 per dollar, surpassing its previous record of 95.4325, and later weakened further to 95.6250. Since the start of the Iran-Israel war, the rupee has depreciated by about 5.2 percent. The Reserve Bank of India intervened in the market to stabilize the decline, but analysts noted that rising global oil prices continue to strain India’s import-dependent economy.

Brent crude prices have risen by nearly 46 percent, affecting other Asian currencies such as the Philippine peso and Indonesian rupiah. So far this year, the rupee has dropped around 6.5 percent, marking the worst performance among Asian currencies. Analysts warned that a prolonged US-Iran conflict could keep oil prices high, widening India’s current account deficit and further pressuring investment inflows.

ANZ Bank revised its December forecast for the rupee from 93 to 97.5, while BMI cautioned that the currency could approach 100 if conditions worsen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce energy use, travel, and imports to conserve foreign reserves.

Observers report that the ongoing war in Iran is now directly affecting ordinary citizens’ livelihoods and the national economy. The U.S. naval blockade has disrupted import operations at Iranian ports, compounding the broader impact of the conflict. Analysts note that psychological stress, repeated clashes, and uncertainty are undermining market stability and increasing pressure on household expenses.

The conflict has also led to an attack on a major Iranian steel plant, disrupting supply chains and creating shortages in sectors such as household appliances and automobiles. As a result, prices of various goods are rising rapidly, reducing consumers’ purchasing power.

Despite these challenges, a sense of resistance and solidarity is emerging across cities, with gatherings held to express unity since the war began. Overall, the situation reflects a mix of anxiety, uncertainty, and social resilience, according to observers.