Environmental Adviser Rizwana Hasan announced amendments to the Grameen Bank Ordinance, reducing the government’s shareholding from 25% to 10%, while allocating 90% to bank beneficiaries. Additionally, penalties for false lawsuits—previously BDT 20,000—have been raised to BDT 50,000. Hasan also confirmed Bangladesh’s decision to sign one of two key international treaties on shared water resource management.

US President Donald Trump has excluded smartphones, computers, and various tech devices from new reciprocal tariffs, including a steep 125% levy on Chinese goods. The decision follows warnings from US tech companies about potential price surges, with iPhones and other devices possibly tripling in cost. Many gadgets, especially Apple’s, are manufactured in China, though companies are shifting production to India and Vietnam. The exemptions serve as a temporary relief while the US negotiates better trade terms. China remains subject to higher tariffs.

Abdul Samad Dawood, CEO of Pakistan’s Engro Holdings, met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to discuss potential investment opportunities. Dawood expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector and highlighted interest in contributing to industrial development by utilizing gas supplies from Bhola.

Welcoming Engro’s interest, Professor Yunus emphasized Bangladesh’s focus on long-term, impactful projects that can bring meaningful change to people’s lives. He added, “We want to focus on initiatives that improve the lives of our people in sustainable ways.”

Dawood praised the recently held BIDA Summit, describing it as “warm, welcoming, and purpose-driven.” The Chief Adviser concluded the meeting by inviting Dawood to visit again, stating, “Bangladesh has a lot to offer—not just to investors, but to the world.”

Nine out of the world’s ten richest individuals have lost a combined $370 billion since the beginning of the year, primarily due to market instability triggered by former US President Donald Trump’s trade war policies.

Warren Buffett stands out as the only billionaire who saw his fortune grow—by $11.5 billion—during this period. Others were not so lucky: Elon Musk lost $135 billion, Larry Ellison $44.9 billion, Jeff Bezos $42.6 billion, Larry Page $34.7 billion, Sergey Brin $32.5 billion, Bernard Arnault $26.2 billion, Mark Zuckerberg $24.5 billion, Steve Ballmer $20.4 billion, and Bill Gates $9.45 billion.

Experts warn that continued trade tensions may deal a heavy blow to the global tech industry. China has already signaled this possibility by tightening controls on its tech exports.

In response to the Trump administration’s new tariffs on Chinese imports, China has announced a 34% additional tariff on all U.S. goods, effective from April 10. The Chinese finance ministry confirmed the surcharge will be applied over existing duties. Additionally, China has restricted the export of seven rare minerals, including gadolinium and yttrium. Beijing also plans to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization. This comes as the U.S. imposes a universal 10% tariff on all imports.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has urged Chinese investors to take advantage of Bangladesh’s economic opportunities. Highlighting Bangladesh as the world’s second-largest garment producer after China, Yunus emphasized the country’s strategic geographic location, with major rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra flowing through it. He also underscored the potential of Bangladesh’s youthful workforce, stating, “Our young population—both men and women—actively contribute to the economy.” Yunus stressed the need for regional connectivity, pointing out that Nepal, Bhutan, and India’s northeastern states are landlocked and would benefit from stronger trade ties with Bangladesh.

India’s revenue department has lifted the export duty on onions, effective April 1. Previously, a 20% duty was imposed, following an earlier export ban and subsequent 40% tariff. The decision comes at a time when onion prices in Bangladesh are already low. Historically, such moves have led to an influx of Indian onions, further lowering prices in Bangladesh and adversely affecting local farmers.

Benapole Land Port will remain closed for nine consecutive days from March 29 to April 5 due to Eid-ul-Fitr and weekly holidays. However, passport-holding travelers can still cross the border. Customs and port activities will resume on April 6. Although official guidelines suggest limited trade activities on government and weekly holidays, Benapole and other customs houses typically shut down completely as workers go on leave.

Following a meeting with the Chief Adviser, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen announced that LONGi, the world’s leading solar panel manufacturer, has decided to establish an office and invest in solar panel production in Bangladesh. The announcement came after the Chief Adviser invited Chinese companies to relocate their manufacturing units to Bangladesh. Alongside LONGi, at least two other Chinese firms have also decided to open offices and factories in Bangladesh. Welcoming the investment, the Chief Adviser stated that Bangladesh could become a top production hub for companies looking to export goods to Western markets.

Senior executives of Turkey’s Koç Group have visited Dhaka to reinforce business ties with Bangladesh. As one of Turkey’s leading investors, the conglomerate reaffirmed its commitment to expanding operations in the country. Koç Group’s flagship consumer durables brand, Beko, operates in Bangladesh through Singer Bangladesh Ltd., a subsidiary of the group. Koç Holding CEO Levent Çakıroğlu stated that Bangladesh and the broader South Asian region present significant opportunities for investment in sustainable consumer goods, energy, local manufacturing, research, and exports.

The Ministry of Food announced on Wednesday that two shipments carrying a total of 37,250 tons of rice have arrived at Chattogram Port from India and Pakistan. Under an international open tender (Package-05), Bangladesh has procured 26,250 tons of rice from Pakistan and 11,000 tons from India. Samples from the shipments are currently undergoing quality inspection, and unloading operations are expected to commence today. The ministry assured that all necessary measures are being taken regarding the rice distribution.

According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Tesla’s stock has fallen 8% so far in 2025, resulting in a 19.2% decline in Elon Musk’s net worth—approximately $83 billion lost. A major blow on Tuesday pushed Tesla’s market capitalization below the $1 trillion mark for the first time. Although European car sales have increased by 37%, Tesla’s sales in the region have dropped by 45%. Analysts speculate that Musk’s involvement in U.S. politics may be impacting investor confidence.

The joint forces arrested 743 individuals in the past 24 hours under ‘Operation Devil Hunt’, bringing the total number of arrests since the operation began on February 8 to 11,313. Additionally, 914 fugitives with existing arrest warrants were apprehended.

Law enforcement recovered one firearm and two knives during the operation. In a separate crackdown, 27 professional drug traffickers and criminals were arrested in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area.

A total of 1,756 TEUs of containers bound for Dhaka ICD are currently stuck at Chattogram Port, causing significant financial losses for importers. These containers hold essential consumer goods, raw materials for domestic and export industries, and other crucial shipments. The government is expected to fall short of its revenue target by BDT 8.68 billion this year. The National Board of Revenue has stated that these essential containers can be transported via waterways to the Pangaon terminal for clearance, and relevant authorities have been directed accordingly. However, stakeholders have blamed the outdated railway locomotives and transport shortages for the delays in container clearance.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of imposing retaliatory tariffs on Indian and Chinese goods, stating that the U.S. will match India’s tariff rates. His administration is preparing to take action after a long delay. During Modi’s U.S. visit, trade reforms were discussed, with experts suggesting tariff reductions instead of a full trade deal. Opinions remain divided on the impact of U.S. tariffs on India, with S&P predicting minimal effects while Goldman Sachs warns of uncertainties. A White House report on the tariffs is expected in six months.