The first meeting of the Private Sector Development Advisory Council was held in Dhaka under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. During the three-and-a-half-hour discussion, business leaders demanded assurance of uninterrupted energy supply to sustain industrial operations and investment growth. Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury briefed reporters after the meeting, noting that the session aimed to strengthen the investment climate and address existing industrial challenges.

According to the finance minister, business representatives also sought government support for renewable energy initiatives, introduction of e-visas for foreign investors, lower bank interest rates, and reforms in the National Board of Revenue to expand the tax base without burdening specific sectors. They further called for easier licensing for medium entrepreneurs, faster trade processes, and the activation of a deep-sea port to boost exports.

Discussions also covered reopening closed factories and reviving dormant government projects. The prime minister listened to the business community’s concerns, and notes were taken for follow-up action to resolve pending issues through continued dialogue.

A delegation from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The meeting was confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Roni. Discussions focused on how the government and AIIB would collaborate on future initiatives.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that the talks covered cooperation on resolving the country’s energy crisis and advancing development investments. He added that the AIIB agreed to provide budgetary support to help Bangladesh address current economic pressures related to development and energy challenges. The meeting also included discussions on potential collaboration for infrastructure improvement.

The assurance of budget support from AIIB is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s fiscal capacity and facilitate progress in key infrastructure and energy sectors, according to the discussions reported from the meeting.

An oil tanker named 'Shan Gang Fa Jian' carrying more than 34,000 tons of diesel from Malaysia has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port. The vessel anchored off Kutubdia coast on Saturday morning and is scheduled to unload its cargo at the Dolphin Jetty on Sunday, according to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) public relations officer Farzin Hasan Moumita.

Nazrul Islam, managing partner of the vessel’s local agent Pride Shipping Lines, said that about five to six thousand tons of diesel will be unloaded offshore through lightering using at least two smaller tankers in two phases. Another tanker from Singapore carrying 27,300 tons of diesel began unloading at Dolphin Jetty on Friday and is expected to leave the port on Sunday.

Chattogram Port Authority Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim stated that oil and gas vessels are being given priority berthing to address the ongoing fuel shortage. BPC sources added that new import initiatives from various countries are underway to maintain stable fuel supply.

Researchers at Gazipur Agricultural University have developed a new high-yielding, short-duration, slender Aus rice variety named GAU Dhan-4. After nearly a decade of research and field trials, the variety received official approval at the 115th meeting of the National Seed Board on February 5, 2026. The university announced the development in a press statement on Saturday, noting that the innovation aims to boost farmers’ income and strengthen national food security.

The research team, led by Professors M. Moynul Haque and Mosiul Islam from the Department of Agronomy, created the variety by crossing the traditional Aus rice Parija with the high-yielding fine-grain BU Dhan-2. GAU Dhan-4 matures within 90 to 100 days, allowing farmers to cultivate up to four crops annually. It yields 5 to 5.5 tons per hectare under favorable conditions, requires less water, and shows resistance to diseases. The grain contains about 24.58% amylose and 8.38% protein, making it nutritious and easily digestible.

University Vice-Chancellor GKM Mostafizur Rahman praised the innovation as a reflection of researchers’ dedication and said it would significantly contribute to increasing agricultural productivity in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh government has taken a major initiative to modernize and expand the fleet of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The process of purchasing 14 new Boeing aircraft is in its final stage, with policy approval already granted and only the signing of the agreement remaining. Due to the long delivery timeline, the government is also planning to lease Airbus aircraft as an interim solution.

According to the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, the proposed Boeing deal, worth about 3.7 billion dollars, may include Dreamliner models such as the Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 MAX for regional routes. Delivery of these aircraft could take up to five years, prompting the government to consider dry leasing Airbus planes for the next five years. Discussions with the European manufacturer are ongoing.

Currently, Biman operates around 14 aircraft on international routes, though at least 30 to 35 are needed to meet demand. The government has also initiated reforms to address operational inefficiencies and staff shortages, aiming to transform Biman into an internationally competitive airline.

Starting Sunday, trading hours on Bangladesh’s stock exchanges will end at 1:55 PM, according to a notice issued by the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Saturday. A five-minute closing session will follow, ending all trading activities by 2:00 PM. Previously, trading continued until 2:30 PM, while the opening time will remain unchanged at 10:00 AM. The new schedule will take effect on April 5 and remain in place until further notice.

The DSE also announced that its office hours will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in line with government directives. The government recently reduced working hours for both public and private offices by one hour to conserve fuel and electricity, a measure that will also take effect from Sunday.

The adjustment means that daily trading time will be shortened by 30 minutes compared to the previous schedule, aligning the stock market’s operations with the nationwide energy-saving initiative.

A Tk 50 crore BSCIC industrial estate in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, remains abandoned years after its completion. The project, built on 20 acres in Uttarsur area, began in 2012 and was completed in 2019, but no factories have started operations. Due to neglect and lack of maintenance, the site has turned into dense jungle, with key installations and equipment stolen.

The estate includes 122 plots, an administrative building, pump house, residential quarters, dumping yard, and pond. However, promised utility connections for electricity, gas, and water are mostly nonfunctional. Local sources report theft of gas substation parts, transformers, and metal fixtures, leaving the infrastructure unusable. Entrepreneurs cite high plot prices, poor services, and bureaucratic hurdles as reasons for their reluctance to invest.

BSCIC officials say new plots are being allocated under conditions requiring factories to be established within two years, and inactive plot holders have been notified. The local administration has informed higher authorities and initiated limited restoration work.

District Commissioner Mohammad Zahedul Islam Miah inaugurated a 10,000-tree plantation program at DC Park in Faujdarhat, Sitakunda, Chattogram, on Saturday afternoon. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s national goal of planting 2.5 billion trees in five years. On the first day, around 2,000 saplings of 54 species were planted across the park, with a target to complete 10,000 within a month.

The district commissioner said the program aims to restore environmental balance and offset trees cut for development. Plans include transforming DC Park into a modern, aesthetic, and eco-friendly space by planting Sonalu and Krishnachura trees, creating a visually striking design visible from aerial views. A large fruit orchard will also be developed on the park’s northern side, featuring mango, guava, jackfruit, and other species, envisioned as a future bird sanctuary.

He added that the park is expected to host the upcoming Pahela Baishakh celebration instead of DC Hill. The initiative is intended to raise environmental awareness and contribute to climate resilience in the region.

India has confirmed that crude oil supplies from Iran remain uninterrupted despite escalating instability in the Middle East. The country's Ministry of Petroleum stated that domestic refineries continue to meet their crude oil requirements without disruption, including imports from Iran. The ministry also clarified that there are no payment difficulties related to Iranian oil transactions, dismissing circulating rumors as baseless.

The statement, released on social media platform X, emphasized that Indian refineries have ensured a steady supply of crude oil to maintain national energy stability. This assurance comes amid growing regional tensions that have raised concerns about potential disruptions in global energy flows.

According to the ministry, maintaining stable energy supplies is part of India’s broader strategy to safeguard its fuel security amid geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East.

Bangladesh Bank has announced a new schedule for banking operations, effective from April 5, 2026. Under the revised timetable, customers will be able to conduct transactions from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., instead of the previous 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. window. The official office hours for banks will now run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Fridays and Saturdays designated as weekly holidays. The directive was issued by the Supervisory Data Management and Analytics Department of Bangladesh Bank on Saturday.

According to the circular, the adjustment follows the government’s decision to modify official working hours across public and private offices to conserve electricity and energy. Previously, bank offices operated from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the new government schedule has shortened general office hours to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In line with this policy, banking hours have been revised accordingly.

The circular also notes that bank branches located in seaport, land port, and airport areas may operate according to their specific operational needs.

The government has initiated measures to resolve the long-standing ferry and water transport crisis in Hatiya, Noakhali. During an on-site visit to the Nalchira ferry terminal on Saturday, State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan said efforts are underway to add a new ferry before Eid-ul-Azha. He also mentioned that several additional steps will be taken to improve connectivity and ensure safer travel for residents of the island region.

The minister stated that the government is working sincerely to make travel easier and safer for people in the island areas. Plans include widening both ferry terminals in Hatiya and continuing regular dredging to maintain navigability. Coordination with the Water Development Board is ongoing to strengthen riverbanks and upgrade ferry ramps for safer and more sustainable operations.

Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority and the Ministry of Shipping accompanied the minister during the visit. The ministry also has several long-term plans to further enhance the country’s water transport system.

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has appealed to the Prime Minister to reconsider the government’s recent decision requiring all shops and shopping malls to close by 6 p.m. The measure was introduced in response to a deepening global energy crisis caused by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The association argues that the early closing time could harm businesses and has proposed allowing shops to remain open until 8 p.m. instead. They also requested permission to open shops at 11 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.

The proposal was discussed during an emergency virtual meeting of the association’s standing committee. Leaders stated that adjusting the schedule is essential to protect the livelihoods of approximately 7 million shop owners and 25 million employees across the country. They believe the revised hours would help maintain normal economic activity while still supporting energy-saving goals.

Government authorities have not yet responded to the proposal, but association leaders expressed hope that a decision will be made soon.

A severe diesel shortage in Uzirpur upazila of Barishal has disrupted irrigation activities, threatening the ongoing Irri-Boro rice cultivation season. Farmers and local officials warned that many diesel-powered irrigation pumps have stopped operating, preventing timely watering of fields and putting seedlings at risk of drying out. Farmers said continued shortages could cause extensive crop damage across the region.

Local farmers reported being forced to buy diesel at inflated prices from open markets, increasing production costs and reducing profit margins. Upazila agriculture officer Kapil Biswas said certification letters are being issued to ensure farmers can access diesel and prevent illegal hoarding. Agricultural extension officer Mahmudur Rahman noted that most of Uzirpur’s farmland is single-crop, making this irrigation season crucial for local food security.

Fuel station operators said they are receiving only one-third of their required supply, while weekend depot closures have worsened the crisis. The upazila administration has instructed priority fuel distribution to farmers, but tensions persist among fuel-dependent sectors. Farmers urged immediate action to avert large-scale crop losses.

Bangladesh is facing an escalating plastic pollution crisis, with about 3.9 million tons of plastic waste contaminating its water bodies, forests, and farmland each year. Only 19 percent of this waste is recycled, while the remaining 81 percent ends up in landfills and rivers, worsening environmental degradation. The widespread use of single-use plastics has intensified the problem, releasing toxic chemicals into soil and water and contributing to air pollution when burned. Dhaka has become one of the world’s most polluted cities, and microplastics have entered the food chain, posing serious health risks.

The article highlights that coastal areas such as Chattogram are suffering from marine pollution that threatens biodiversity, while poor communities face health hazards from burning plastic for livelihood. Scientists warn of long-term health impacts, and the economic cost of pollution is rising, with health expenditures consuming about three percent of GDP. The author calls for urgent government, civil society, and private sector collaboration to implement waste segregation, ban single-use plastics, and promote recycling.

The report emphasizes adopting a zero-waste system, strengthening recycling infrastructure, and encouraging natural alternatives like jute and bamboo products. Strong political commitment, public awareness, and producer responsibility policies are deemed essential for Bangladesh to transition toward a sustainable, circular economy.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has filed a criminal case alleging the embezzlement of Tk 568 crore from the Market Development Fund (MDF) under the International Gateway Operators Forum (IOF). The case, lodged at Gulshan Police Station in 2025, names 27 accused, including members of the IOF executive committee and relatives of Salman F Rahman. Twelve of the accused have surrendered and secured bail, but the key decision-makers behind the alleged irregularities remain beyond legal reach.

The IOF syndicate, formed around international gateway operators, is accused of manipulating international call termination rates and diverting government revenue over nearly a decade. Experts claim that under the guise of a test network topology, the state exchequer lost around Tk 8,000 crore. They have called for a full techno-commercial and forensic audit of the IOS structure, rate-setting mechanisms, and MDF expenditures to uncover the true extent of losses.

BTRC has also decided to cancel operational approvals between IOF and IGW operators and announced plans to strengthen monitoring, bank guarantees, and regulatory controls in international call management.