The Rangamati district administration has imposed a complete ban on fishing in Kaptai Lake to ensure proper breeding, growth, and natural expansion of released fish fry. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by District Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi, who also heads the Kaptai Lake Management and Operations Committee. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued a press release confirming the decision, which takes effect from midnight on April 24 until further notice.

According to the directive, fishing, transportation, and marketing of fish will remain suspended during the ban period. However, fish already caught may be landed at the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) jetty until 4 p.m. on April 25. The release of new fish fry will begin on May 2. To prevent illegal fishing, joint patrols by the naval police and BFDC will be conducted, with temporary checkpoints and mobile court operations in place.

The ministry has also launched a humanitarian program to support 26,845 affected fishing families in Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts, providing 40 kilograms of rice per family over two months and transportation allowances to ensure food security during the ban.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman announced that transport fares in Bangladesh will be determined rationally following the recent rise in fuel prices. He made the statement on Tuesday at a press conference held at the Department of Information in the Secretariat, where State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury was also present.

Rahman said discussions are ongoing between the government and stakeholders to adjust fares in line with fuel costs. To resolve complexities, air-conditioned bus fares may be set in two or three tiers, with implementation expected before the upcoming Eid. He also mentioned that city corporations have been instructed to improve facilities at Dhaka’s bus terminals, particularly toilet management.

The adviser added that eight night markets are planned in Dhaka to relocate street vendors and keep sidewalks free for pedestrians. He further stated that the pilot expansion of the “Fuel Pass BD” app now covers motorcycle registration in several districts beyond Dhaka, with over 170,000 registrations completed so far.

Global oil prices declined following reports of possible second-round peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad. The news brought renewed optimism to investors and a slight rebound in Asian stock markets on Tuesday. Brent crude fell by 54 cents, or 0.6 percent, to 94.94 dollars per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May delivery dropped by 1.11 dollars, or 1.2 percent, to 88.50 dollars per barrel.

The decline followed a sharp rise of nearly 6 percent in oil prices on Monday, when uncertainty over the talks had unsettled markets. The long-running conflict between Iran and the United States has disrupted global energy supplies and raised fears of a potential global recession. The renewed prospect of dialogue between the two nations has eased some of those concerns.

Analysts noted that expectations of progress in the Islamabad discussions could help stabilize energy markets if negotiations proceed as anticipated.

Italian energy company Eni has announced the discovery of a large new natural gas reserve off the coast of Indonesia. According to the government, this find could allow the European firm to triple its production in the country by 2028. The discovery site lies about 70 kilometers off East Kalimantan province, containing an estimated 5 trillion cubic feet of gas and 300 million barrels of condensate, a liquid hydrocarbon. Eni said the new reserve will open an important supply route for both domestic and international markets.

Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia described the discovery as significant, projecting condensate production to reach 90,000 barrels per day by 2028 and 150,000 by 2029–2030. The government expects higher condensate output to reduce oil imports. The announcement comes as Indonesia faces rising global energy prices following conflict in the Middle East.

Recent diplomatic efforts by President Prabowo Subianto included meetings with Russia and France to secure oil supply and advance renewable energy cooperation, reflecting Indonesia’s broader push for energy security and self-sufficiency.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Secretariat in Dhaka. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Australia. Both sides discussed opportunities to expand collaboration in renewable energy, industrial development, and employment generation.

Minister Muktadir said the government is working to create an investment-friendly environment and is prioritizing foreign investment in renewable energy. He highlighted the government’s goal to activate industrial assets worth around 7 billion dollars and attract private investment to make them more productive. He also invited Australian investors to increase participation in Bangladesh’s solar power sector.

High Commissioner Ryle noted that bilateral trade currently stands at about 5.14 billion US dollars and continues to grow. She said there is significant potential for investment in renewable energy, and an Australian delegation is reviewing opportunities in green energy, innovation, and technology cooperation. Both sides expressed interest in expanding collaboration in trade, education, scholarships, and infrastructure development.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam said the government is working to reopen all closed jute mills across Bangladesh in line with its election pledges. He stated that efforts are underway to restart the mills under both public and private management. The minister made these remarks on April 21, 2026, after inspecting the closed Cooperative Jute Mill in Palash, Narsingdi.

He added that the government aims to gradually reopen all closed factories, including two in Narsingdi, and attract both domestic and foreign investors to create employment opportunities. The minister also mentioned that corruption and mismanagement in the jute sector during previous administrations are being investigated. The visit was attended by BJMC Chairman Brigadier Kabir Uddin Sikder, Chief Operating Officer Mamunur Rashid, and local officials.

During his visit, the minister also inspected Bangladesh Jute Mill and Pran Industrial Park in Ghorashal, Palash upazila, as part of the government’s broader plan to revive the jute industry.

The Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA) has increased service charges by 8.5 percent, effective from one minute past midnight on Sunday, citing a rise in fuel prices. A letter announcing the new rate was sent to stakeholders on Monday morning. Business leaders, including those from the BGMEA and import-export sectors, expressed anger, saying the decision was made unilaterally without approval from the tariff committee or consultation with stakeholders.

BICDA argued that the adjustment was not a fee hike but a necessary fuel surcharge due to increased diesel costs. The association stated that all depot machinery and transport vehicles depend on fuel, and the recent government price increase of about 20 taka per liter has sharply raised operating expenses. The 19 private container depots handle a significant portion of Chattogram Port’s import and export containers, and their charges are normally set through a tariff committee under the port authority.

Business representatives warned that such unilateral action could destabilize the national economy and urged that the surcharge be suspended until proper discussions are held.

Farmers in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj are struggling to harvest ripe Boro paddy due to an acute shortage of laborers. Despite the crops being fully mature, harvesting has been delayed, raising fears of damage from further storms or rainfall. According to the local agriculture office, Boro paddy was cultivated across 45 haors this season, but heavy rains on March 14, 15, and 27 submerged about 410 hectares of land in 16 haors, completely destroying crops in 13 of them. Another storm on April 16 flattened ripe paddy, and rising water levels have made it impossible to use harvesters.

Farmers report that daily wages for harvest workers have surged to Tk 1,000–1,200, while the market price of paddy remains only Tk 27–28 per maund. Many are resorting to traditional sharecropping methods where workers take half the yield. Rising fuel prices have further increased costs for threshing and transporting paddy from the haor areas. Farmers are urging the government to ensure labor supply and fair pricing to prevent large-scale losses this season.

Riverbank erosion has appeared at two points of the Jamuna River protection area in Kazipur, Sirajganj, during the dry season. Several sections have collapsed into the river, with locals blaming illegal sand extraction for intensifying water currents that struck the western bank. The Water Development Board (WDB) said there is no cause for panic, as sand-filled geo bags are being placed to prevent further damage.

Residents alleged that influential groups have been illegally extracting sand from the Jamuna using dredgers in areas such as Kazipur Eco Park, Palashpur Ghat, Meghai Ghat, and Dhekuriya. The WDB completed riverbank protection work in 2014, but recent collapses have raised fears for Meghai embankment, farmland, and nearby structures. Locals said the erosion has already consumed large portions of their land.

Officials stated that legal sand extraction must occur at least one kilometer away from public and private structures, embankments, and pipelines. The administration has conducted drives and imposed fines against illegal operators, vowing to prevent further unauthorized sand lifting.

The new government of Bangladesh has borrowed Tk 445 billion from the banking system within just 52 days of assuming power. According to Bangladesh Bank data, this rapid borrowing has already exceeded the fiscal year’s target of Tk 1.04 trillion, with total government borrowing reaching Tk 1.127 trillion by April 9. Of this, the interim government borrowed Tk 682.29 billion between July and February 16. The report indicates that the government’s net bank borrowing during the first nine months and nine days of the fiscal year rose by 139.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Sector insiders attribute the surge in borrowing to election-related expenses, new investments, and increased subsidies in the energy sector due to the Iran war’s impact. Revenue collection has fallen short by about Tk 715 billion over the first eight months, forcing the government to rely more heavily on bank loans to meet expenditure.

Bangladesh Bank’s former chief economist Dr. Mustafa K Mujeri noted that low revenue collection has made it difficult to meet budgetary spending targets, pushing the government to exceed its borrowing limit even with three months left in the fiscal year.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Homalin area along the India-Myanmar border on Tuesday at 6:29 a.m. local time. The tremor, originating in Myanmar’s Sagaing province at a depth of about 66 kilometers, caused mild shaking that was also felt in parts of Bangladesh, according to the international monitoring agency Earthquake Track.

Because the quake occurred at a relatively deep level, its intensity on the surface remained low. As of now, no reports of damage or casualties have been received from India, Myanmar, or Bangladesh. The event was described as a moderate seismic occurrence with limited impact.

Bangladesh, though not located directly on a major tectonic fault line, occasionally experiences tremors due to its proximity to seismically active regions in northeastern India and Myanmar. Authorities have not issued any warnings or alerts following this incident.

Bangladesh is experiencing mounting economic pressure as the Iran war sharply increases global oil prices. Since the United States and Israel launched an offensive in Iran on February 28, 2026, oil prices have surged from around 71–81 dollars per barrel to as high as 128 dollars in early April. The disruption of fuel supply through the Hormuz Strait, which carries about 63 percent of Bangladesh’s fuel imports, has forced the government to introduce oil rationing from March 8. Domestic fuel prices have risen by up to 16 percent, and liquefied gas prices have increased twice within 18 days, worsening inflation and living costs.

The conflict has triggered a cost-push inflation across Bangladesh, affecting households, transport, and industries. The government, already under fiscal strain, has sought about 2 billion dollars in emergency loans from development partners while facing pressure from the IMF and World Bank to reduce fuel subsidies. Rising fuel costs are also expected to severely impact agriculture, increasing production costs and threatening food security.

If the war continues, Bangladesh may face further economic instability, including risks to remittance inflows from the Middle East and potential social repercussions from returning migrant workers.

The Forest Department has filed an eviction case in Cox’s Bazar following a report alleging illegal construction of a multistoried building on reserved forest land in Ukhia’s Rajapalong union. The case, registered on April 16, targets two individuals accused of occupying the land. However, environmental activists have criticized the move as superficial, claiming that construction continues despite the legal action.

Local residents allege that the case has effectively legitimized the building, while some corrupt officials reportedly accepted around 300,000 taka in bribes to allow the project. The building, located in the Swarn Pahar area, has already reached three stories, with work ongoing. Forest officials admit to manpower shortages and say they need administrative and police support to enforce eviction orders.

Environmental groups warn that without swift and effective measures, such encroachments on protected forest areas could increase further, undermining conservation efforts in the region.

Bangladesh’s total foreign debt stood at 78.067 billion US dollars as of February 2026, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury informed the national parliament on April 21. He provided the figure in response to a question from Brahmanbaria-2 lawmaker Rumin Farhana during the parliamentary session.

The finance minister explained that the Economic Relations Division handles foreign debt repayments on behalf of the government. Each fiscal year, a projection is made for the total principal and interest payments, and corresponding allocations are included in the national budget to ensure timely repayment according to the schedule.

Amir Khasru further stated that since the current government assumed office, a total of 90.66 million US dollars in foreign debt has been repaid. The minister emphasized that repayments are being made regularly through the allocated budget funds.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen on Tuesday at the minister’s office in Dhaka. The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries. Both sides described the discussions as productive and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding mutual economic engagement.

Ambassador Christensen praised the effective functioning of Bangladesh’s parliamentary activities under the leadership of Prime Minister and Parliamentary Leader Tarique Rahman, calling it a positive example of democratic practice. He emphasized that expanding bilateral trade would benefit both nations. The ambassador also announced that Brendan Lynch, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, would soon visit Bangladesh as part of efforts to strengthen trade dialogue and expressed interest in the country’s new import policy order.

Minister Muktadir stated that the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant ministries are working on the new Import Policy Order 2026, which will soon be shared with the business community for feedback.