Bangladesh Railway has announced the schedule for advance ticket sales ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure a comfortable journey for homebound passengers. According to a railway notice issued on Tuesday, online advance ticket sales will begin on March 3, with all seats available exclusively through online purchase. Return ticket sales will start on March 23. The authority also confirmed that tickets will be sold in two phases based on regional routes.

Tickets for intercity trains operating in the western region will be available each morning from 8:00 a.m., while tickets for eastern region trains will be released daily at 2:00 p.m. To accommodate the increased travel demand during the holiday, Bangladesh Railway will add 20 special trains, comprising five pairs of services.

The initiative aims to ease passenger pressure and improve convenience during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, continuing the practice of full online ticketing introduced in previous Eid seasons.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that countries delaying trade agreements with the United States could face higher tariffs, following a Supreme Court ruling that suspended his administration’s global duties. The court ruled that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose import taxes. In response, Trump announced new global tariffs of 10 percent, later raised to 15 percent, set to take effect Tuesday under a different legal provision allowing temporary tariffs for 150 days without congressional approval.

The European Union said it would delay ratifying a summer trade deal, while India postponed scheduled talks. The United Kingdom sought clarification on whether its agreement would remain exempt from the new 15 percent tariff. British Trade Secretary Peter Kyle acknowledged the uncertainty, and European Parliament trade chair Bernd Lange said the situation had become more unpredictable. The White House maintained that the ruling did not alter its trade policy, with U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer stating that only the legal tools had changed.

The new tariffs are due to expire after 150 days unless extended by Congress. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned his party would oppose any effort to increase tariffs. U.S. stock prices fell about 1 percent Monday amid growing market uncertainty.

Social Welfare Minister Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain announced that the Family Card distribution program will begin simultaneously in 14 upazilas on March 10, with Prime Minister Tareq Rahman inaugurating the initiative. The program will later be expanded across the entire country. The announcement came after a meeting of the Finance Ministry’s subcommittee on the Family Card, held at the Secretariat in Dhaka under the Prime Minister’s chairmanship.

According to the minister, the Family Card will provide monthly financial assistance of 2,500 taka to three groups: the ultra-poor, poor, and lower-income families. He said the initiative aims to promote women’s empowerment and economic self-reliance. The minister emphasized that no political figures will be involved in the card distribution process.

He added that government officials in each upazila will form teams to manage the program. The selection process will include verification and two rounds of rechecking by a final committee before the cards are distributed.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Engineer Ishraq Hossain held a meeting with regional officials of Titas Gas on Tuesday at the ministry conference room to address the prolonged gas shortage in households across Dhaka-6 constituency. The meeting aimed to find solutions to the persistent supply disruptions that have caused severe inconvenience for residents in daily cooking and household activities.

According to meeting sources, residents of various areas in Dhaka-6 have long suffered from acute gas shortages and repeatedly lodged complaints about the issue. In response, the authorities have taken steps to strengthen coordination among relevant agencies to resolve the problem. Addressing the gas crisis was one of Ishraq Hossain’s key election pledges, and he has been holding regular discussions with Titas Gas officials to achieve a lasting solution.

The meeting discussed the current state of gas supply, pipeline pressure problems, illegal connections, and possible improvements to the distribution system. Sources indicated that effective measures would be taken soon to reduce public suffering.

Bangladesh Bank has issued show-cause notices to three of its officials after they publicly labeled Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur as a 'dictator' during a press conference held on February 16. The officials—Naushad Mostafa, A.K.M. Masum Billah, and Golam Mostafa Shraban—have been given ten days to respond. Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed the action, stating that disciplinary measures will follow if their explanations are deemed unsatisfactory.

The press conference criticized the governor’s handling of bank mergers involving EXIM and Social Islami Bank, and the process of granting digital bank licenses. According to internal regulations, central bank officials must obtain the governor’s approval before making public statements or holding press events. The spokesperson declined further comment until the replies are received.

Sources indicated that the officials’ actions violated staff rules, as grievances against senior management should be raised through internal forums. The incident has drawn attention to internal tensions within the central bank over governance, autonomy, and regulatory reforms.

The future of Bangladesh’s mobile financial service provider Nagad will depend on the new government’s policy direction, according to economist Ahsan H. Mansur. Dhaka-14 Member of Parliament Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem Arman shared this after a meeting with the Bangladesh Bank governor on Tuesday. The discussion followed ongoing talks from the previous interim government period regarding potential foreign investment in Nagad.

Arman stated that the current government has not yet finalized its stance on whether Nagad will be handed over to private investors. If the government decides to proceed as the interim administration had planned, the investment process will begin. Acting as a professional lawyer and local representative for foreign investors, Arman said the investors are mainly interested in Bangladesh’s digital banking sector and have expressed willingness to conduct an audit to assess Nagad’s profitability.

Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed that the central bank will act according to the new government’s decision and remains firm on its position.

Bangladesh Bank has issued show-cause notices to three of its officials for holding a press conference where they described Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur as an authoritarian figure. The notices were sent by the bank’s Human Resources Department under the governor’s directive, requiring written responses within ten days before further action is taken. The officials involved are Naushad Mostafa, Director of SME and Special Programs; A.K.M. Masum Billah, President of the Officers’ Welfare Council; and Golam Mostafa Shrabon, the council’s General Secretary.

The press conference, held on 16 February, criticized the governor’s decisions on merging weaker banks with EXIM and Social Islami Bank and on issuing digital bank licenses. According to internal sources, the event violated staff regulations requiring prior approval from the governor before public statements. The officials also questioned the agenda of a board meeting held the same day, alleging favoritism in digital banking approvals.

Sources added that a cross-party alliance within the central bank has been formed to push for full institutional autonomy, legal reforms, and promotion-related demands. The show-cause process marks a new phase in internal tensions within Bangladesh Bank.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to introduce a pilot 'Family Card' program to bring marginal and low-income families under social protection. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman will officially inaugurate the initiative on March 10. The decision was made at a committee meeting chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. Initially planned for two upazilas, the pilot will now cover 13 wards across 13 upazilas, including areas in Dhaka, Rajbari, Chattogram, Brahmanbaria, Bandarban, Khulna, Bhola, Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Bogura, Natore, Thakurgaon, and Dhaka’s Nawabganj.

According to the meeting, the Family Card will structurally assist poor and ultra-poor families, integrating existing programs such as the Food-Friendly Program, TCB Card, and Vulnerable Women Benefit Program. Beneficiary selection will use NID, birth date, and mobile number verification to prevent duplication. Each card will cover five family members, with additional cards for larger households. Female-headed households will receive the cards, and financial support will be distributed through banks or mobile financial services.

Officials expect the initiative to reduce targeting errors—currently estimated at 50 percent—and minimize resource wastage by unifying multiple social safety programs.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to 30.11 billion dollars, according to Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The announcement was made on Monday, February 23, 2026, in Dhaka. The central bank attributed the growth to its purchase of dollars from commercial banks through auctions.

Officials explained that the rise in reserves was supported by a significant increase in remittance inflows through formal banking channels, which boosted the supply of dollars in the market. In January 2026, Bangladesh received 3.17 billion dollars in remittances, the third-highest monthly total in the country’s history and 45.41 percent higher than the same month in 2025, when 2.18 billion dollars was recorded.

A senior central bank official noted that the increased dollar supply prompted the bank to buy dollars through auctions to prevent a sudden drop in the exchange rate. This approach has allowed the central bank to strengthen reserves while maintaining currency stability.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed has alleged that extortion in Bangladesh has increased by 20 to 50 percent during the interim government period. Speaking at a press conference at the DCCI office in Motijheel, Dhaka, he said the rise followed the fall of the Awami League government. When asked who was involved, he mentioned individuals linked to the ruling party, police, and revenue officials among those engaged in extortion.

The press conference, titled “Expectations from the Newly Formed Government to Address the Current Economic Situation,” outlined DCCI’s concerns and recommendations. Ahmed urged the government to identify those responsible for extortion and corruption, warning that businesses might shut down if the situation persists. He called for strong government action to restore law and order, ensure transparency in public administration, and support non-willful loan defaulters with working capital.

He further advised reducing dependence on bank loans by listing quality companies on the capital market and creating a green channel for profitable state-owned enterprises. DCCI also demanded disclosure of trade-related clauses in the tariff agreement with the United States.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has demanded visible improvements in law and order and a complete end to extortion to keep Bangladesh’s trade and economy functional. At a press conference on February 23 in Motijheel, DCCI President Taskin Ahmed warned that business leaders might shut down operations if the government fails to act. He described widespread extortion affecting factories and transport, saying the situation has become increasingly complex and burdensome for businesses.

DCCI highlighted that corruption and informal transactions have sharply raised business costs and discouraged new investment. The organization presented four key demands: effective improvement of law enforcement, elimination of extortion, corruption-free public institutions, and investment-friendly financial policies. It also called for refinancing non-willful loan defaulters and lowering bank interest rates. Ahmed urged reform of the tax system through automation and separation of the National Board of Revenue, and emphasized activating the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority’s single-window system to ease business processes.

The chamber expressed concern over unemployment affecting about 2.6 million people and stressed technical education to strengthen the private sector. It also urged review of a recent U.S.-aligned trade agreement and prioritized development of 30 sectors, including leather and light engineering, to boost export diversification.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that Bangladesh’s market situation remains satisfactory and that positive changes in market management will be visible soon. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon after an unannounced visit to Mohammadpur Town Hall kitchen market in Dhaka, where he inspected product prices and supply conditions. The minister stated that there is adequate supply of goods and that legal action will be taken against those manipulating prices ahead of Ramadan.

Muktadir emphasized that several plans have been adopted to make the market stable and consumer-friendly, though implementation will take time. He noted that ten monitoring teams from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection are working regularly, as it is not feasible to deploy inspection teams simultaneously across all markets in Dhaka. The minister urged media cooperation and reminded traders to act ethically during Ramadan, avoiding excessive profit-taking.

He added that the ministry’s efforts through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh have kept import-dependent markets stable, with some product prices even lower than last year. A recent assault on a consumer rights official has led to a filed case, and legal proceedings are underway.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government will introduce a farmer card as soon as possible, similar to the existing family card. He made the statement on Monday after an inter-ministerial meeting on the farmer card held at the Secretariat, chaired by the Prime Minister.

The minister said that the decision to issue farmer cards had been made earlier in principle, and the meeting discussed its implementation. He added that a pilot project would begin soon to distribute the cards. According to him, farmers will receive all production-related benefits through the card, and the initiative aims to prevent middlemen from taking undue advantage.

Swapan further noted that the smart farmer card will gradually be provided to all farmers across the country, ensuring that agricultural support reaches the intended beneficiaries directly.

China has called on the United States to unilaterally withdraw tariffs following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated some of former President Donald Trump’s imposed duties. The court, in a six-to-three decision on Friday, ruled that Trump lacked the authority under the 1977 law to impose sudden tariffs on multiple countries. The verdict has had a significant impact on global trade. In response, Trump expressed anger and announced a new 10 percent global import tariff under a different legal authority, later raising it to 15 percent, effective Tuesday for up to 150 days with some exemptions.

China’s Ministry of Commerce said Monday it is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the ruling’s impact and urged Washington to remove the tariffs, warning that trade wars have no winners and protectionism leads nowhere. The Chinese Foreign Ministry added that it is closely monitoring potential U.S. actions such as trade investigations and will safeguard its interests.

The ruling is seen as a major setback for Trump, whose economic policies were often upheld by the judiciary. The decision has also unsettled global trade systems, prompting the European Union and other nations to review the developments.

Bangladeshi exporters have expressed renewed concern following U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to increase a planned global tariff from 10 percent to 15 percent within 24 hours. The tariff, announced for 150 days after a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated Trump’s earlier reciprocal tariffs, has created uncertainty about when it will take effect. Although the new rate remains below the 19 percent set under the Bangladesh-U.S. trade agreement, exporters say the policy volatility poses long-term risks.

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the previous reciprocal tariff’s cancellation means the current trade deal with the U.S. will also lapse. However, trade experts caution that Bangladesh cannot easily withdraw from such agreements without facing pressure in global forums. Policy Exchange of Bangladesh Chairman Dr. M. Masrur Reaz noted that the Supreme Court’s ruling removes the threat of a 37.5 percent counter-tariff, opening room for renegotiation of unfavorable terms.

Market analysts believe the 15 percent tariff could temporarily benefit Bangladesh’s apparel exports by lowering import costs for U.S. buyers, but competition from China, Vietnam, and India is expected to intensify once the new structure takes effect.