Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that the government has adopted a strict position against abnormal price hikes, manipulation, and market syndicates. Speaking at the inauguration of a farmers’ market in Sylhet on Saturday afternoon, he said the goal is to eliminate market syndicates from Bangladesh within the government’s current term.

The minister announced that the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will strengthen its operations. The government currently provides subsidies of about Tk 3,200 to 3,300 crore annually to ensure affordable food supply. He added that while subsidies will gradually be reduced, TCB’s market interventions will increase through higher imports to maintain balance. Efforts are also underway to modernize the entire supply system using advanced technology.

As part of agricultural development, Muktadir highlighted initiatives for canal re-excavation and water drainage in Sylhet. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the re-excavation of the Basia Canal on May 2. Areas prone to waterlogging will receive improved drainage and irrigation facilities to boost crop production. A pilot project by the Department of Agricultural Extension may later expand nationwide if successful.

Bangladesh is set to host its first international-scale textile and garment exhibition, the BTKG Expo 2026, marking a major milestone for the country’s fast-growing apparel industry. The four-day event, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Inforchain Digital Technology Co. Ltd., will take place at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka from April 29 to May 2, 2026. According to organizers, around 900 exhibitors from 30 countries, including Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, will participate across seven halls covering 20,000 square meters.

The exhibition will feature machinery and technology from across the textile and garment value chain, such as knitting, embroidery, dyeing, washing, and testing equipment. Bangladesh’s apparel sector, which earned about USD 39 billion in exports in fiscal year 2024–25 and employs over four million people, remains the backbone of the national economy. Organizers expect the expo to strengthen the industry’s technological capacity, foster international collaboration, and attract new investment.

The BTKG Expo 2026 is anticipated to enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global apparel market and accelerate long-term industrial growth through innovation and networking opportunities.

Women's fashion brand Exclusivea has opened a new outlet at Center Point Shopping Mall in Uttara, Dhaka. The store, located on Level 2, Unit C3, was inaugurated recently with notable figures from the fashion and lifestyle sectors attending the event. Guests explored the brand’s latest collection and expressed interest in its design and presentation.

Founded in 2018 by Nomrata Khan, Nabeen Ahmed, and Tanvir Ali, Exclusivea began its journey with its first outlet at Pink City in Gulshan. The brand has since built a loyal customer base by offering contemporary yet elegant designs tailored to modern women’s tastes and comfort. The new outlet’s interior has been designed to enhance customer comfort and make shopping more enjoyable.

According to the founders, the Uttara outlet aims to bring the brand closer to local customers while maintaining its commitment to quality and design consistency. This expansion marks another step in Exclusivea’s effort to make stylish and accessible fashion available to more women in Dhaka.

The Shibchar Upazila administration in Madaripur has launched a special diesel distribution program to support local farmers during a fuel shortage. On April 10, 2026, Upazila Nirbahi Officer H. M. Ibne Mizan inaugurated the initiative at the Shibchar Upazila Parishad premises. Following the inauguration, diesel was sold directly to farmers, each receiving 10 liters at the government-fixed price. The administration collected 12,000 liters of diesel from a depot to ensure uninterrupted irrigation during the Boro season, benefiting around 1,200 farmers.

Local farmers expressed relief, saying the initiative eased their worries about irrigation disruptions caused by irregular fuel supply at pumps. They noted that direct access to diesel would help them continue cultivation smoothly. Farmers such as Mojibur Sardar and Jalal Mia described the program as a significant support for small-scale growers.

According to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer, the initiative aims to maintain agricultural productivity by ensuring fuel availability despite supply constraints, and the administration expects marginal farmers to benefit substantially.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, inaugurated the country’s first government-managed ‘Krishoker Hat’ in Sylhet on April 11, 2026. The initiative, jointly organized by the Sylhet District Administration and the Department of Agricultural Extension, aims to reduce middlemen’s influence, ensure fair prices for farmers, and provide consumers with safe and affordable food. The market, located near Tilagor Point, allows marginal farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers without intermediaries.

During the inauguration, the minister said the government is introducing new measures to bring transparency and balance to the market system. He noted that agricultural products often change hands multiple times before reaching consumers, causing unjustified price hikes. The ‘Krishoker Hat’ is expected to create a win-win situation for both farmers and consumers. The program will operate weekly under local administration supervision to prevent extortion or unexpected costs.

The minister also announced plans to digitize the supply chain from import to retail, strengthen the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh’s operations, and expand irrigation and canal re-excavation to boost agricultural production and market stability.

In Lalmohan upazila of Bhola, fishermen staged a protest and human chain on Friday, April 10, demanding distribution of the allocated VGF rice that they have not yet received. The demonstration took place at the embankment near Kobkhali fish landing station in Dhaligournagar Union, where over a hundred fishermen participated. They complained that despite following government fishing restrictions, they were struggling to survive without the promised rice support.

The fishermen accused Dhaligournagar Union Chairman Maksudur Rahman of delaying the rice distribution and alleged that the upazila fisheries office had not taken any initiative to resolve the issue. According to the allocation, each fisherman was supposed to receive 80 kilograms of rice before Eid-ul-Fitr. Chairman Rahman said distribution was delayed because the local BNP unit had not yet submitted the full list of eligible fishermen. The upazila fisheries officer stated that the delivery order had already been issued, while the upazila executive officer explained that the delay was due to the late preparation of the fishermen’s list.

Officials indicated that rice distribution might begin on Sunday once the fishermen’s cards are verified.

A severe fuel shortage in Rangpur Division has persisted for over six weeks, worsening despite earlier expectations of improvement. Local residents are facing acute difficulties as fuel is distributed only during limited hours set by the government. Many people are reportedly hoarding fuel and selling it at inflated prices, while others have stopped using their motorbikes due to long queues and limited availability. According to the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s Office, the region’s daily demand for diesel is 1 million liters, but only 900,000 liters are being supplied. Petrol and octane supplies are also far below demand.

Fuel station managers report receiving insufficient deliveries from depots, forcing many pumps to close for several days between shipments. The Rangpur Petrol Pump Owners Association said that more than half of the 350 pumps in the division have already shut down. The Divisional Commissioner, Shahidul Islam, acknowledged shortages in petrol and octane but said diesel supply remains stable and expressed hope for a quick resolution, urging citizens to use fuel responsibly.

If supply conditions do not improve soon, pump owners fear heavy financial losses and further disruption to local transport and employment.

Two floating oil depots of Jamuna Oil Company Limited and Meghna Petroleum Limited in the Brahmaputra River at Chilmari, Kurigram, have remained without fuel for nine years. The shortage has severely disrupted irrigation and daily activities in the region, raising fears of setbacks in the current Boro rice season. Farmers said they are forced to buy diesel from the Parbatipur depot at higher transport costs, and they have demanded a quick resolution.

Authorities explained that the supply stopped because oil-laden ships cannot reach the depots due to reduced navigability of the Brahmaputra. The depots, established in 1989, previously supplied fuel to districts including Kurigram, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, and Lalmonirhat through 22 authorized dealers. Since early 2018, no fuel has been supplied, leaving local farmers and businesses struggling to meet daily fuel needs estimated at 70,000–90,000 liters.

Officials said a Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation team inspected the depots two years ago for possible permanent setup, but supply remains halted. Farmers warned that irrigation-dependent crops such as Boro rice, maize, wheat, and peanuts are now at risk.

Rangpur Sugar Mill, the only heavy industrial enterprise in Gaibandha district, has remained closed for nearly five years, leading to severe deterioration of its facilities. The 35-acre factory compound has become overgrown, while sugarcane transport vehicles and costly machinery are rusting and becoming unusable. The mill’s operations were halted in December 2020 to reduce losses and modernize the facility, but no reopening has occurred since.

Established in 1954 to promote sugarcane cultivation in the agricultural region, the mill once supported the livelihoods of about 30,000 people, including farmers, workers, and employees. By June 2021, it had accumulated losses of over Tk 514 crore, prompting the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation to shut it down. Farmers were later brought under the nominal operations of Joypurhat Sugar Mill to sustain limited sugarcane farming.

Local farmers, workers, and residents have renewed their demand for reopening the mill after local MP Mohammad Shamim Kaiser Linkon raised the issue in Parliament. The mill’s acting managing director said any decision to restart operations depends on higher authorities, while minimal staff and maintenance costs continue to burden the government.

The U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran that began on February 28 has raised concerns about the stability of the petrodollar system, which has underpinned global oil trade since a 1974 U.S.-Gulf agreement. Analysts warn that Iran’s decision to impose yuan-based tariffs on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could weaken the dollar’s role as the world’s primary energy currency. Deutsche Bank strategists noted that the conflict is testing the long-standing “oil-for-security” arrangement that has supported U.S. financial power for five decades.

Iran now controls access to the Hormuz Strait, through which 20 percent of global oil and gas normally pass. Tehran has restricted U.S. and Israeli-linked vessels while allowing limited passage to tankers paying in Chinese yuan. CNBC reported that Iran exported about 11.7 million barrels of crude to China since the conflict began. Meanwhile, China has increased its crude reserves to 1.2 billion barrels, enough for three to four months of demand.

Experts suggest the war could accelerate a shift toward a “petro-yuan” system, especially as global reserves diversify away from the dollar. Deutsche Bank’s Mallika Sachdeva described the conflict as marking the beginning of this transition.

A fragile ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel has been announced, but experts caution that oil and gas prices will take months to return to previous levels. During the conflict, Iran restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20 percent of global oil and gas exports, causing prices to surge. Attacks on energy infrastructure in several Gulf countries also pushed up helium prices and disrupted fertilizer production, worsening inflation and shortages, particularly in developing nations across Asia and Africa.

Tufts University professor Rockford Wizd said no one knows when conditions will normalize, emphasizing that stability depends on safe and regular shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Before the conflict, 120 to 140 ships crossed daily, but only five and seven ships passed on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Reports suggested Iran was charging tankers fees, prompting former U.S. President Donald Trump to call for an end to such charges. The IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva warned that global growth forecasts will be lowered next week, even if the ceasefire holds.

Iraq could resume production of 3.5 million barrels per day, which may help reduce prices, but uncertainty over the ceasefire and past attacks keeps its output outlook unclear.

A persistent fuel shortage in Bangladesh’s Rangpur Division has intensified over the past six weeks, severely affecting daily life and work. Despite an average daily demand of 1 million liters of diesel, only 900,000 liters are being supplied. Supplies of petrol and octane have also dropped sharply, forcing many residents to stop using their motorcycles. Government-imposed time restrictions on fuel sales—from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays—have further complicated access.

Local workers, teachers, and service employees report losing several hours each day waiting in long queues at filling stations. Many fuel pumps have closed due to insufficient supply, while others operate intermittently. Pump managers say depot deliveries are irregular and inadequate to meet demand. The Rangpur Petrol Pump Owners Association warns that without quick improvement in supply, owners could face heavy financial losses.

Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam acknowledged shortages in petrol and octane but said diesel supply remains stable. He expressed hope that the crisis would be resolved soon and urged the public to use fuel responsibly.

ACI Europe has warned that Europe could face a severe jet fuel shortage within three weeks if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. In a letter to the European Commission’s energy and tourism commissioners, the organization said its members are increasingly concerned about fuel availability. The warning highlights the potential disruption to airport operations and air connectivity, which could significantly affect European economies and communities.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s key energy routes, supplying nearly half of Europe’s jet fuel imports. ACI Europe’s director general said that without a stable resumption of fuel supply through the strait, a structural fuel crisis in the European Union would be inevitable. In anticipation of shortages, several airlines have already reduced flights and raised passenger fares.

Jet fuel prices in Europe have surged to a record high of $1,838 per ton, up from $831 before the conflict began, underscoring the growing pressure on the aviation sector.

City Bank PLC achieved the highest profit in its history in 2025, reporting a consolidated net profit of Tk 1,324 crore, up 31% from Tk 1,014 crore the previous year. The bank’s standalone profit was Tk 1,306 crore, with its four subsidiaries contributing an additional Tk 18 crore. This growth was driven by strong income expansion, disciplined cost management, and prudent risk control.

Interest income from loans rose 24% to Tk 5,452 crore, while the non-performing loan ratio improved to 2.5% from 3.7%. Despite inflationary pressure, the bank maintained deposit costs at 5.5%, supported by strategic investments in government securities, which contributed 26% of total operating income. Total operating income reached Tk 4,888 crore, with expenses at Tk 2,160 crore, keeping the cost-to-income ratio at 44%.

Managing Director and CEO Mashrur Arefin expressed satisfaction with the results but noted that higher provisioning expenses of Tk 815 crore prevented profit from reaching Tk 1,500 crore. He highlighted strong performance across all core banking segments, particularly retail and card businesses, which grew 33% year-on-year.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru stated that rebuilding public trust has become a major challenge for the new BNP-led government. He made the remarks on Friday, April 10, during a statement under Rule 300 in the National Parliament, which began its session earlier that morning under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. Khasru said the government assumed office at a time when nearly all economic indicators are under pressure.

In his address, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury acknowledged that the economic challenges are deep and multidimensional but expressed hope that good governance, reforms, and public participation could help overcome the situation. He criticized the previous government for corruption and mismanagement, claiming that mega projects failed to deliver expected benefits and led to large-scale capital flight. He argued that the economy had lost its industrial momentum, resulting in reduced employment and productivity.

The minister also emphasized the current government’s commitment to building a developed, dignified, and equitable state, outlining its guiding philosophy and policy direction to the nation.