Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC, a leading private Shariah-based commercial bank in Bangladesh, has issued a job circular for the position of Head of Investment Risk Management Division. The recruitment notice, published on November 13, 2025, invites applications from qualified candidates until November 25, 2025. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree and possess strong knowledge of investment profiles and risk management policies, along with a minimum of 15 years of experience. The position is full-time and based in Dhaka, open to both male and female candidates. Salary will be negotiable, with additional benefits provided according to the bank’s policies. Interested applicants can apply online through the official website of Al-Arafah Islami Bank (www.aibl.com.bd).

Global gold prices fell sharply on Friday, November 14, following hawkish remarks from U.S. Federal Reserve officials that dampened expectations for an interest rate cut in December. Spot gold dropped 1.9% to $4,092.72 per ounce after falling more than 3% earlier in the session, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery declined 2.4% to $4,094.20. Analysts said the reduced likelihood of a rate cut increased pressure on gold and silver markets, triggering widespread selling across global equities. The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has also created a data vacuum, leaving both the Fed and traders uncertain ahead of next month’s policy meeting. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut in December has slipped from 50% to 46%. Meanwhile, physical gold demand in major Asian markets remained weak, and other precious metals such as silver, platinum, and palladium also saw declines despite maintaining weekly gains.

Bangladesh’s total government debt has exceeded Tk 21 trillion for the first time, driven by weak revenue performance and ambitious development spending. According to the Finance Division’s debt bulletin released Thursday, total debt stood at Tk 21.44 trillion at the end of June, up 14% from Tk 18.89 trillion a year earlier. External debt reached Tk 9.49 trillion, accounting for 44.27% of total debt, compared to Tk 4.20 trillion in 2021. Domestic debt also rose by 11% year-on-year to Tk 11.95 trillion. Officials attribute the surge to increased borrowing for major infrastructure projects such as the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Dhaka Metro Rail, and Matarbari coal-based power plant, as well as post-pandemic budget support from development partners. The data indicates that external debt has grown more than twice as fast as domestic debt over the past five years.

Thousands of residents in northern Tehran gathered at Imamzadeh Saleh Mosque on Friday, November 14, to pray for rain as Iran faces one of its worst droughts in decades. Local officials reported that rainfall in the capital has dropped to its lowest level in a century, with half of the country’s provinces experiencing months without precipitation. The government has begun rationing water supplies for Tehran’s 10 million residents, implementing periodic shutdowns to conserve resources. President Masoud Pezeshkian recently warned that if rain does not arrive before winter, authorities might need to consider relocating residents, though officials later clarified he intended only to highlight the severity of the situation. Five major dams supplying Tehran are nearly empty, with one completely dry and another below 8% capacity. Nationwide, rainfall this year has reached only 152 millimeters—40% below the 57-year average—raising fears of worsening water shortages across Iran.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order rolling back tariffs on several imported food products, including coffee, tea, bananas, beef, cocoa, spices, and tropical fruits. The decision follows mounting political pressure over rising food prices, particularly beef, which has seen consistent monthly increases according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The administration stated that the rollback was necessary because many of these agricultural goods are not produced in sufficient quantities domestically. Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has pursued an aggressive tariff policy, imposing high duties on imports from multiple countries. While the administration touts new trade agreements as a success, economists warn that such protectionist measures often hurt consumers by driving up prices. The partial reversal marks a shift in Trump’s trade strategy as he faces growing domestic criticism over inflation and food affordability.

South Korea and the United States have finalized the draft of an expanded trade agreement, detailing new terms on automobiles, pharmaceuticals, defense cooperation, and South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine program. According to a joint statement released by both presidential offices, the agreement reduces tariffs on South Korean car exports to the US from 25% to 15%, aligning them with Japanese competitors. Similar tariff reductions apply to pharmaceutical exports. In return, South Korea will invest $200 billion strategically in the US, capped at $20 billion annually, a reduction from earlier proposals to avoid currency risks. The deal also reaffirms Washington’s support for Seoul’s nuclear submarine initiative and the broader US-South Korea security alliance, including commitments to extended deterrence and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Analysts believe the agreement will ease trade uncertainties that arose from former President Donald Trump’s tariff and investment demands. Both sides emphasized mutual trust and stability in implementing the accord.

The Adani Group has announced major investments totaling more than ₹1.63 lakh crore in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Assam. According to The Hindu, the conglomerate plans to invest ₹1 lakh crore in Andhra Pradesh across multiple sectors, including port infrastructure, creating over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs. Adani Ports and SEZ Managing Director Karan Adani described Andhra Pradesh as the gateway to eastern India. In Assam, Adani Power and Adani Green Energy have received government approval for a 3,200 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant and two pumped storage projects, together worth ₹63,000 crore. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said the investments represent the largest private sector commitment in the region, aimed at boosting energy security, industrial growth, and employment. The projects are expected to accelerate economic transformation across India’s northeastern corridor.

Global crude oil production is projected to increase in 2024, according to the US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Short-Term Energy Outlook. The report forecasts total global fuel production, including refined products, to average 106 million barrels per day, up by 100,000 barrels from earlier estimates. Global consumption is expected to reach 104.1 million barrels daily. Due to higher supply, global oil inventories are likely to continue rising through 2026, reaching 31.8 billion barrels by the end of that year. The EIA anticipates the average Brent crude price to fall to $68.76 per barrel in 2024, down from $80.56 last year, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) may average $65.15 per barrel. US crude output is forecast to reach a record 13.59 million barrels per day this year before slightly declining in 2025 and 2026. Analysts note that the EIA’s monthly forecasts show only minor adjustments but maintain expectations of a supply surplus through next year.

Petrobangla plans to expand Bangladesh’s gas exploration capacity by adding six contract-based rigs to operate alongside Bapex’s five existing rigs, bringing the total to eleven rigs working simultaneously across the country. The move aims to accelerate drilling and well workover operations amid rapidly declining domestic gas reserves. The Energy Division targets drilling and rehabilitating 100 wells between 2026 and 2028 to meet growing energy demand. Several rigs, including those from Chinese companies CNPC and Sinopec, will be deployed under turnkey contracts, covering all materials and services. Petrobangla expects these efforts to add approximately 143 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid once completed. The initiative also includes new drilling projects in Titas, Sylhet, and Bhola, where pipeline construction is underway to transport surplus gas to the mainland. Officials emphasize that increasing local production is vital to reduce dependence on costly imported LNG, which poses economic risks for Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh government has introduced the 'Fertilizer Dealer Appointment and Distribution Policy 2025' to streamline fertilizer supply to farmers and ensure transparency in distribution. Under the new policy, each union and municipality will have three dealers, each required to maintain a warehouse with a minimum capacity of 50 tons and two additional sales centers with 5–10 ton capacity. The policy bans multiple dealerships within the same family, prohibits government employees and convicted individuals from applying, and mandates digital record-keeping for sales and inventory. The security deposit has been raised from 200,000 to 500,000 taka, and dealer registration must be renewed every two years. The policy merges the dual dealership structures of BCIC and BADC, allowing dealers to sell both urea and non-urea fertilizers under one system. Violations of government contracts will result in dealership cancellation and forfeiture of deposits. The new policy takes effect Sunday, replacing all previous fertilizer distribution regulations.

Blue Origin’s second-ever launch of its New Glenn rocket, intended to send NASA’s Escapade mission toward Mars, was postponed on Sunday due to thick cloud cover over Cape Canaveral, Florida. The 322-foot rocket, designed to rival SpaceX’s Falcon series, was scheduled to lift off during an 88-minute window but was grounded for safety reasons. The company said it is assessing new launch opportunities, possibly on Monday, though forecasts remain uncertain. The Federal Aviation Administration’s temporary restrictions on commercial launches during a government shutdown could further complicate scheduling. Blue Origin also plans to attempt recovery of New Glenn’s first-stage booster on a barge named Jacklyn, after a failed landing attempt in January. The Escapade mission, led by the University of California, Berkeley and funded by NASA, aims to study Mars’ atmospheric loss and space weather effects once the twin spacecraft reach orbit in 2027. Successful booster recovery is key to Blue Origin’s reusable rocket strategy.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a new two-year, $24 billion flexible credit line for Mexico to serve as a precautionary buffer against external risks. The new arrangement replaces a previous $35 billion line, reflecting Mexico’s reduced reliance on IMF support and improved economic resilience. This marks the country’s eleventh such arrangement since 2009, with the credit line size shrinking from a peak of $88 billion in 2017. The IMF noted that the smaller amount underscores Mexico’s stronger financial position and increased buffers. Mexican authorities plan to treat the facility as precautionary, citing sound fiscal management and reduced vulnerability to capital flow volatility. However, IMF Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke cautioned that economic activity remains subdued due to fiscal consolidation, tight monetary policy, and trade tensions. The IMF emphasized that the credit line will continue to support Mexico’s macroeconomic stability and bolster market confidence.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed that Bangladesh will continue to receive technical support even after graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026. WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang stated that Bangladesh remains a major beneficiary of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), which helps LDCs integrate into global trade. The country will be eligible for EIF benefits for five years after graduation. Bangladesh has also benefited significantly from the WTO’s Aid for Trade initiative, receiving around USD 23 billion between 2006 and 2023. Zhang highlighted Bangladesh’s strong institutional framework, including the WTO Reference Centre at the Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute. However, he noted that post-graduation, Bangladesh must adapt its engagement strategy within the WTO, shifting from the LDC group to forming strategic alliances with developing members. The continued support aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s trade capacity, diversify exports, and sustain competitiveness in the evolving global trade environment.

Petrobangla plans to expand Bangladesh’s gas exploration by deploying six contract-based rigs in addition to five operated by state-owned Bapex. The initiative aims to accelerate well drilling and increase domestic gas reserves amid declining local production. By 2028, Petrobangla targets drilling and overhauling 100 wells, with 11 rigs operating simultaneously across the country. The new rigs will be brought under turnkey contracts, where companies provide all equipment and services. Several wells, including in Titas, Sylhet, and Bhola, will be drilled by third-party contractors such as China’s CNPC and Sinopec. Petrobangla expects the new wells to add about 143 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid. Currently, Bangladesh’s daily demand stands at 3.8 billion cubic feet, while supply is just over 2.7 billion. To meet the shortfall, LNG imports have increased, though experts warn this is costly and risky for the economy. The government hopes the expanded drilling program will reduce dependence on imported gas.

The Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA) concluded a three-day roadshow in Penang, Malaysia, from November 11 to 13, 2025, aimed at promoting Bangladesh’s growing semiconductor capabilities and strengthening bilateral collaboration. The event was inaugurated by Penang’s Deputy Chief Minister Jagdeep Singh Deo, who praised Bangladesh’s progress in the sector. Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury, attended as a special guest. Professor Dr. Mostafa Hossain of Purdue University presented a keynote on potential cooperation opportunities. Six Bangladeshi semiconductor firms showcased their technological strengths. A 15-member BSIA delegation also visited Malaysian semiconductor companies to exchange knowledge and explore partnerships. The initiative is expected to enhance investment, technology transfer, and long-term cooperation between the two nations in the semiconductor industry.