Indian cattle are reportedly entering Bangladesh through the Padma River near the Chapainawabganj border ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Smugglers are crossing the river at night despite the risks of arrest or death, driven by the higher profitability of Indian cattle. Local farmers and business leaders have expressed anger and fear as the inflow continues, undermining domestic livestock markets. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) claims to be enforcing a zero-tolerance policy, though reports indicate that smuggling persists with limited interceptions.

Farmers say they have invested heavily, often through loans, to raise cattle for Eid sales, but rising feed costs and the influx of cheaper Indian cattle have pushed them toward losses. Some farmers report failing to recover their costs at local markets, blaming the illegal imports. The Chapainawabganj Dairy Association warns that the situation could devastate small farms and urges government intervention. A local lawmaker has also voiced concern at a recent law and order committee meeting, calling for swift action.

BGB officials maintain that only isolated incidents occur and that seized cattle are being confiscated, but farmers remain skeptical as smuggling continues unchecked.

Five cattle markets under the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) have not yet been leased ahead of Eid-ul-Azha due to land ownership disputes and a shortage of bidders. Three of the markets face unresolved ownership conflicts, while two others could not proceed with open tenders because of a lack of interested lessees. CCC officials are holding discussions with landowners to resolve the disputes and aim to open all markets before the festival.

According to CCC sources, the city will host ten cattle markets this year—three permanent and seven temporary. The permanent markets at Sagorika, Bibirhat, and Postarpar have completed tender processes and are already operating. The district administration approved seven temporary markets out of sixteen proposed. Among these, three have completed leasing, while the rest face disputes or logistical challenges. The total projected revenue from all markets stands at Tk 13.11 crore, with Tk 9.97 crore from permanent markets and Tk 3.13 crore from temporary ones.

Officials indicated that if disputes persist, CCC may finalize leases through negotiation, adding six percent to last year’s rates to complete the process before Eid.

Iran’s stock market resumed trading this week after being closed for nearly three months, with authorities implementing a controlled two-day reopening under restrictions. The Tehran Stock Exchange sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday allowed limited liquidity generation, though about 36 percent of listed companies, including major petrochemical and steel firms, remained offline to protect shareholders from the effects of the United States-Israel war. Trading hours were extended by one hour each day, and price movements were capped at three percent to prevent volatility.

Officials said the reopening aimed to stabilize investor confidence, but deep economic challenges persisted. Economist Mehdi Haghbaali noted that security concerns prevented companies from disclosing full damage assessments, while smaller brokerage firms and leveraged traders faced difficulties. Inflation exceeded 70 percent in late April, and a sharp depreciation of the rial has made export-oriented firms appear more attractive. However, trade disruptions and rising prices continue to weigh on real value creation.

Authorities face limited fiscal options amid sanctions and a naval blockade of southern ports. Haghbaali suggested that renewed import restrictions or a potential peace agreement with the United States could reshape Iran’s economic outlook.

The United States is increasing its energy exports to India as the South Asian nation seeks to diversify its energy supply sources. U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said in an interview with Bloomberg News that India has shown a positive attitude toward diversification, which translates into greater purchases of American energy. He added that Washington is pleased with India’s growing interest in buying from the United States.

The ambassador’s remarks come just days before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s scheduled visit to India. The trip is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in energy, regional security, and trade relations between the two countries.

The timing of the statement suggests that energy collaboration will be a key agenda item during Rubio’s visit, potentially deepening bilateral economic and strategic ties.

A meeting chaired by the governor of Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday revealed differing opinions among senior officials regarding whether to lower interest rates in the upcoming monetary policy. The discussion took place as business groups continued to urge the central bank to reduce lending rates, which have remained high due to previous policy rate hikes.

Some officials argued that reducing interest rates could boost investment and employment, warning that Bangladesh risks losing competitiveness compared to neighboring countries with lower borrowing costs. Others disagreed, citing the 2021–2024 period when low rates failed to attract expected investment. Deputy Governor Zakir Hossain Chowdhury noted that inflation and investment in Bangladesh are not strongly tied to interest rate changes, while Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmad urged caution in decision-making.

The meeting also discussed the widening interest rate spread as stronger banks attract deposits from weaker ones. No final decision was made. The next monetary policy, expected by June, will set targets for inflation, GDP growth, and private sector credit expansion.

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.