Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented a detailed statement on Bangladesh’s overall economic condition in the National Parliament on Friday. His report highlighted widespread irregularities, mismanagement, and corruption in the financial sector during the previous authoritarian government. He said that due to economic mismanagement and illicit financial flows, foreign reserves had fallen to 20 billion dollars. The minister noted that while exports rose slightly under the interim government, import growth slowed and remittance inflows increased significantly.

He stated that social safety programs under the former regime failed to adjust benefits for inflation, leaving many beneficiaries outside inclusive development. Weak market management and syndicate corruption caused abnormal price hikes and supply disruptions, burdening ordinary citizens. The minister also described steps taken under the current government’s election manifesto, including improved debt management, reduced loan dependency, and structural reforms to strengthen the capital market.

He announced plans to form a special commission to investigate irregularities from the past 15 years and expressed hope that by 2034 Bangladesh would become a developed economy through sustained growth and fiscal discipline.

The '36 July Memorial' in Chattogram’s New Market area, built to honor the martyrs of the July Revolution, has turned into a garbage dump less than three months after its inauguration on February 5, 2026. The site, located on railway land behind a police box, is now surrounded by waste, weeds, and debris. Locals report that the area has become a hub for drug users and muggers at night, while nearby traders and drivers use it as a dumping ground and parking space, creating noise, pollution, and foul odor.

Local activists, July Revolution veterans, and civic groups have expressed outrage, calling the neglect a sign of government disregard for the movement’s legacy. They accuse various authorities—including the district administration, railway, and public works department—of shifting responsibility instead of maintaining the site. Activists also criticized the memorial’s hidden location and lack of visibility.

Chattogram’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Sharif Uddin acknowledged the problem, citing public irresponsibility and promising sustainable cleaning measures through a coordination committee involving relevant agencies.

A severe shortage of safe drinking water has persisted for years in the hilly border areas of Durgapur upazila in Netrokona. Thousands of residents in Kullagora and Sadar unions, including villages such as Gopalpur, Bhabanipur, Fanda, Baromari, Bharatpur, and Gazikona, are forced to collect and drink dirty water from mountain streams. Locals, including elderly residents like Minati Hajong, described the daily hardship of fetching water from muddy sources, often leading to illness.

Community members expressed frustration that despite repeated appeals, no permanent solution has been implemented. Leaders from the Hajong community, including the president of the Bangladesh National Hajong Organization, urged the government to launch a large-scale project to supply clean water through pipelines. Public Health Engineering Department officials acknowledged the challenge of installing deep tube wells due to rocky soil but said a project has been proposed and will begin once approved.

Local authorities, including the upazila executive officer and the area’s member of parliament, stated that deep tube wells are being allocated and installed gradually to ensure safe water access for all affected villages.

Farmers in northern Bangladesh, particularly in Bogura, Joypurhat, and Rangpur, are facing severe financial losses despite a bumper potato harvest this season. Wholesale prices have dropped to 8–12 taka per kilogram, far below the production cost of 14–18 taka. As a result, farmers are losing 15,000–25,000 taka per bigha, with total regional losses estimated between 1,200 and 1,500 crore taka over the past two seasons.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, potato cultivation and yields have increased by 10–15 percent in recent years, but the lack of minimum price protection has left farmers vulnerable. High transportation costs and limited access to cold storage—where rental fees reach 300–400 taka per maund—have forced many to sell their crops at low prices. Cold storage owners confirmed that corporate buyers and middlemen often book space in advance, leaving little room for small farmers.

Agricultural officials acknowledged that market pricing falls under the jurisdiction of the marketing department. Experts suggested introducing a minimum support price system for potatoes to prevent recurring losses and discourage farmers from abandoning the crop.

The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) has warned that Bangladesh’s economy could face negative impacts if global energy markets become unstable due to the ongoing military aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran. In a statement issued on Thursday, SANEM said rising energy prices could reduce GDP growth, exports, imports, garment sector output, and agricultural production, while inflation would increase and real incomes decline.

According to SANEM’s analysis, if global crude oil prices rise by about 40 percent and LNG prices by 50 percent, Bangladesh’s real GDP growth could fall by around 1.2 percent. Exports might drop by 2 percent and imports by 1.5 percent. Consumer prices could rise by up to 4 percent, and real wages might decline by 1 percent, reducing purchasing power. The report also warned that a prolonged closure of the Hormuz Strait could cause a severe energy crisis, as 72 percent of Bangladesh’s imported LNG comes from Qatar and the UAE.

SANEM noted inconsistencies between government austerity and energy rationing policies and their implementation. It recommended boosting renewable energy investment, infrastructure development, tax-free equipment supply, and low-interest loans to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and stabilize the economy in the long term.

An agreement was signed on Thursday at the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) headquarters in Agargaon between BEZA and the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). The deal outlines joint efforts to construct, operate, and share revenue from jetties in the Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar regions. Under the agreement, jetties and related facilities will be built at the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Mirsarai and at the Sabrang Tourism Park in Teknaf, on 6.18 acres and 5 acres of land respectively.

The project is part of a broader initiative titled “Construction of Jetties and Ancillary Facilities in Mirsarai and Sandwip of Chattogram and Sonadia Island and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar.” Net profits from the completed jetties will be shared between BEZA and BIWTA in a 45:55 ratio. Officials from both organizations attended the signing ceremony and described the initiative as a milestone for the country’s industrial and tourism sectors.

According to BEZA officials, the project will help transform NSEZ into a self-sufficient industrial zone and open new tourism opportunities at Sabrang Tourism Park. BIWTA expressed strong optimism about successful implementation.

Bangladesh Bank has extended the tenure of its pre-shipment credit refinancing facility, allowing clients to access loans under the scheme until December 31, 2030. The central bank’s Banking Regulations and Policy Department issued a circular on Thursday announcing the extension. The decision aims to help export-oriented sectors, including the ready-made garment industry, overcome ongoing challenges caused by global economic instability and conflicts in the Middle East and Europe.

Previously, the refinancing facility was scheduled to remain in effect until April 2025. Under the revised terms, up to Tk 5,000 crore will be allocated for pre-shipment credit refinancing from the Tk 10,000 crore Export Facilitation Pre-Finance Fund (EFPF). All scheduled banks are eligible to participate but must sign new participation agreements with the central bank. Banks must apply for refinancing within one week of disbursing pre-shipment loans to exporters, with an additional 15 days allowed for justified delays.

The Banking Regulations and Policy Department-3 will manage and oversee the fund’s operations, while all previous conditions from the 2022 and 2023 circulars will remain unchanged.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) reported that the government granted tax exemptions totaling Tk 1,07,132 crore in the 2022–23 fiscal year, equivalent to 2.39 percent of the country’s GDP. The report, released on Thursday, revealed that the value of these exemptions was nearly 99 percent of the revenue collected from direct taxes. The data highlights how tax holidays, rebates, and exemptions have significantly reduced the amount of revenue reaching the national treasury.

According to the NBR report, more than two-thirds of the total tax exemptions were provided to businesses and institutions. Corporate tax exemptions amounted to Tk 73,989 crore, or 69 percent of the total, mainly benefiting sectors such as microfinance, social welfare, power and energy, and the ready-made garment industry. Personal income tax exemptions totaled Tk 33,143 crore, with the largest share going to salaried income.

The report recommended a phased withdrawal of unnecessary tax exemptions and aligning incentives with national priorities such as export diversification, green economy, SME growth, gender equality, and regional balance to enhance revenue collection without raising tax rates.

Two hotel owners in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet have been fined and sentenced for dumping waste beside Joybunnecha Girls High School. The mobile court, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Munmun Nahar, conducted the operation on Wednesday afternoon following a report published on April 3 about the persistent waste problem near the school. The owner of Capital Hotel was initially sentenced to five years in prison and fined 20,000 taka under three sections of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, but the jail term was waived after he promised to build a drainage system within a week and apologized for his actions.

The owner of Gram Bangla Hotel was fined 2,000 taka for dumping garbage next to the school wall and was strictly warned against repeating the offense. The operation freed around 200 students from the foul odor and improved the school’s environment. The administration announced that regular monitoring would continue to protect the school’s surroundings and directed steps to establish a permanent waste management system in the area.

The school’s teachers and students expressed relief and gratitude, hoping that the initiative would restore a healthy learning environment soon.

The Energy Division of Bangladesh announced that there will be no shortage of petrol or octane in the country over the next two months. Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury shared the update at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Thursday, stating that the current fuel reserves include 143,000 metric tons of diesel, 9,569 metric tons of octane, and 16,812 metric tons of petrol. He emphasized that the country currently faces no fuel crisis.

According to the Energy Division, 469,042 liters of illegally hoarded fuel have been recovered through 7,342 nationwide operations. Chowdhury noted that the government provides a subsidy of Tk 55 per liter of diesel, selling it at Tk 100 instead of Tk 155, costing the state Tk 2,000–2,500 crore monthly. He also mentioned that the government has begun pilot sales of fuel through the “Fuel Pass” system at two Dhaka stations, with plans for nationwide expansion.

Chowdhury added that the government aims to build capacity for at least three months of fuel reserves and will review consumer complaints about LPG prices.

Malaysia has expressed interest in expanding its economic relationship with Bangladesh. The commitment came during a meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Bangladesh’s Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, held on Thursday. Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin was also present at the meeting.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a transparent and efficient recruitment system to prevent worker exploitation. They also discussed the potential for increasing bilateral trade and investment, expressing mutual interest in strengthening economic cooperation. Opportunities for collaboration in the education sector were also reviewed.

The two governments expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of their bilateral relations and reiterated their pledge to deepen cooperation across various fields.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, has launched a pilot program for a new QR code-based mobile application called 'Fuel Pass' to make the country's fuel distribution system more transparent and organized. The pilot phase began in Dhaka at two filling stations—Trust in Tejgaon and Sonar Bangla in Asad Gate—targeting motorcycle owners and drivers. Following successful testing, the app will gradually be expanded nationwide for all vehicles.

According to the source, the current manual fuel distribution process causes delays and inefficiencies, including long queues and artificial shortages created by individuals collecting excess fuel. The new digital system aims to automate distribution and enable real-time monitoring by linking with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority’s central database. Citizens without smartphones can register via a website and print their QR codes.

Authorities expect that the initiative will enhance transparency, reduce irregularities and wastage, and strengthen fuel management during supply crises, contributing to improved national energy security.

Motorcyclists blocked the Dhaka-Khulna highway at Mandartala in Gopalganj on April 9, 2026, after failing to obtain fuel from local filling stations. The protest caused traffic congestion stretching about two kilometers, leaving more than fifty vehicles stranded and passengers in distress. Police arrived at the scene, persuaded the protesters to withdraw, and cleared the road within an hour, restoring normal traffic flow.

According to reports, seven filling stations in Gopalganj municipality had stopped fuel sales since early morning, prompting frustration among bikers who had waited for hours. The protesters claimed that stations were withholding fuel despite having stock. Station owner Mofizur Rahman Lofiz said staff shortages and worker fatigue had disrupted distribution. Assistant Commissioners and Executive Magistrates Shahriar Ahmed and Fardeen Khan Prince supervised the resumption of fuel supply, which helped calm the situation.

Authorities confirmed that the highway is now operating normally, and fuel distribution has resumed under administrative monitoring.

Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam informed the National Parliament that Bangladesh Railway will begin receiving 200 broad-gauge coaches from India this year, financed by the European Investment Bank. The minister made the statement on Thursday while responding to questions from MPs Elias Molla and Ruhul Amin during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. The delivery is expected to start in June 2026 and continue until December 2027, after which the new coaches will be added to the railway fleet.

According to the minister, Bangladesh Railway currently operates 3,428.09 kilometers of track, including meter-gauge, broad-gauge, and dual-gauge lines. Expansion projects are ongoing to extend the network through new broad-gauge and dual-gauge lines. Once the new coaches arrive, routes for new train services will be determined, particularly to increase intercity train connections between Dhaka and northern districts.

The minister added that projects are underway to procure 260 additional broad-gauge passenger carriages, 46 broad-gauge locomotives, and 50 meter-gauge locomotives to enhance passenger comfort and freight capacity.

A vessel named MT Central Store has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port carrying about 26,000 tons of refined octane from Malaysia. The Marshall Islands-flagged ship, measuring 183.6 meters in length, reached the anchorage on Wednesday night. According to the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s assistant manager for public relations, the ship will be berthed at the port’s Dolphin Jetty No. 5 on Thursday under the supervision of an experienced pilot and with tugboat assistance.

Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim stated that fuel-carrying vessels are being given priority berthing to maintain normal energy supply across the country. Several ships have already completed unloading of oil and gas, while others are in process. The arrival of the MT Central Store is part of ongoing efforts to ensure uninterrupted fuel distribution through the port.

The continued prioritization of fuel vessels at Chattogram Port is expected to support stable energy supply management in Bangladesh.