Bangladesh Bank has discontinued the CAMELS rating system used to assess banks’ financial health and introduced a new Composite Risk Rating (CRR) framework effective from January 2026. The CRR system is part of the central bank’s Risk-Based Supervision structure and aims to evaluate banks’ overall risk and management capacity. The decision was confirmed by internal sources of Bangladesh Bank.

Previously, CAMELS ratings were based on six indicators—capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity, and market sensitivity—and were kept confidential. Officials noted that the CAMELS system was backward-looking, relying on past financial data, and failed to detect emerging risks. The new CRR approach is forward-looking, assessing both current conditions and potential future vulnerabilities.

According to internal documents, the change was made to eliminate duplication and improve supervisory efficiency. Bangladesh Bank has reorganized its internal structure, forming 17 new supervision departments. The shift aligns with international practices in countries such as India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Singapore. Analysts believe the success of the CRR will depend on the central bank’s commitment to impartial enforcement.

During Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China, a memorandum of understanding was signed to enable the export of jackfruit from Bangladesh to China. The agreement is part of 17 MoUs covering areas such as infrastructure, disaster management, and the digital economy. Officials said the deal marks a formal step toward approving jackfruit exports, reflecting China’s continued interest since it began importing raw mangoes from Bangladesh in May 2025.

Experts noted that Bangladesh, despite being a major jackfruit producer, has a minimal share in the global market. China, the world’s largest jackfruit importer, currently sources most of its supply from Vietnam and Thailand. Economists believe access to the Chinese market could boost Bangladesh’s agricultural exports and create new opportunities for processed jackfruit products. However, challenges remain in maintaining product quality, processing, and packaging standards.

Agricultural economists emphasized that government investment and technical collaboration with China could help overcome logistical and preservation challenges. They also cautioned that local demand and nutritional needs should be balanced alongside export ambitions.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that if Bangladesh joins the China-Myanmar corridor, Bangladeshi goods could reach China within 24 hours, significantly accelerating bilateral trade and boosting investment. He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking to journalists after attending the Sylhet Lawyers Association’s reception for new members.

The minister explained that China has already granted duty-free access to all Bangladeshi products, and the government is now focusing on attracting more Chinese investment as a key strategy to expand exports. He mentioned that the cabinet recently approved the establishment of an 800-acre Chinese industrial park in Chattogram. Referring to the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China, he expressed optimism that substantial Chinese investment would soon flow into Bangladesh, helping to reduce the trade deficit.

At the same event, Muktadir emphasized the vital role of lawyers in upholding the rule of law, justice, and social order, and called for building a modern training system to enhance professional skills within the Sylhet District Lawyers Association.

Beximco Pharmaceuticals has resumed trading of its Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) from June 26, following the withdrawal of a trading suspension. The Dhaka Stock Exchange Brokers’ Association (DBA) confirmed the development on June 27. The company had faced a suspension since January 2 due to delays in publishing audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and subsequent reports.

According to the source, the suspension stemmed from a dispute over the company’s board composition after the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) was restructured under the interim government formed following political changes in 2024. The reconstituted BSEC appointed nine independent directors to Beximco Pharma’s board, a move the company challenged in court. This deadlock delayed financial approvals, triggering the LSE suspension.

After investor appeals and coordination among BSEC, DBA, and company management, Beximco Pharma held a special board meeting on June 23 to approve pending financial statements. The LSE then lifted the suspension, a move the DBA said would strengthen Bangladesh’s international market reputation and investor confidence.

Opposition lawmaker Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan from Sirajganj-4 has described Bangladesh’s proposed 2026–27 national budget as anti-poor and not people-friendly. Speaking in parliament on Saturday, he said the budget increases the cost of living through higher prices of essentials and added taxes on daily goods. He cited price hikes in LPG, diesel, kerosene, and petrol, arguing that the poor are disproportionately burdened. The session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.

Khan criticized the government’s economic targets, saying the projected 6.5 percent GDP growth and 7.5 percent inflation goals are unrealistic given current inflation above 9 percent. He noted that only about 48 percent of the Annual Development Programme had been implemented in eleven months, warning that last-minute spending could fuel corruption. He also highlighted rising non-performing loans, now totaling about Tk 5.88 trillion, and warned of growing foreign debt repayment pressures.

The MP further alleged deterioration in law and order, citing killings and drug abuse, and called for reforms, anti-corruption measures, and fair treatment of officials. He demanded budget allocations for Qawmi madrasa students, religious leaders, and victims of political violence.

Iran has announced the resumption of cargo clearance from the United Arab Emirates following a temporary halt caused by recent regional tensions. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, shipments from Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port to Iran have started receiving clearance again after disruptions triggered by a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent U.S. airstrikes.

An Iranian trade official stated that many Iranian containers had been stranded at Jebel Ali Port due to instability and emergency conditions in the region. With conditions now somewhat stabilized, the port has begun releasing the containers for shipment to Iran, though full normalization of trade is expected to take more time.

Jebel Ali Port is considered a key economic hub for Iranian goods transit in the Middle East. The resumption of cargo clearance is viewed as a significant step toward reviving trade activity that had been severely affected by regional conflicts and Western sanctions on Iran.

National Tea Company (NTC) Director and PKSF official Saleh Uddin held a meeting with representatives of indigenous communities in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj on Friday morning. The discussion took place at the NTC bungalow in Chandichhara Tea Garden, chaired by garden manager Selimur Rahman and conducted by Palash Hajong, president of the Indigenous Social Welfare Organization. Local journalists and several labor leaders also attended the session.

During the meeting, community representatives highlighted that indigenous residents of tea gardens remain deprived of basic services such as education, healthcare, fair wages, and housing. They announced plans to organize a large “Bacha-Bara” rally in Chunarughat soon to press for their rights and improve living standards for tea workers and minority groups.

Saleh Uddin stated that he is working to transform the tea sector into an agro-industry and ensure fair prices for tea leaves and fair wages for workers. He also alleged that corruption during the previous Awami League government had pushed the tea industry into crisis, urging the current administration to take steps to overcome it.

The World Bank has approved an emergency loan of $1.1 billion for two projects in Bangladesh to help the country address global fertilizer and energy market volatility, maintain food security, and ensure rapid response measures. The approval was announced on Friday through a statement from the World Bank’s Dhaka office. Jean Pesme, the Bank’s Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said the assistance aims to mitigate the economic impact of rising food, fertilizer, and fuel prices caused by conflicts in the Middle East, which have severely affected small farmers and vulnerable communities.

The funding will be used under the “Emergency Support for Food Security Project” to import 600,000 metric tons of essential fertilizer, half of which will be urea, for the 2026 Aman and 2026–27 Boro rice seasons. This is expected to sustain rice production across 1.4 million hectares of farmland. Another portion, under the “Contingent Emergency Response Project,” will provide cash support to affected families and small businesses, and maintain essential services such as food, medicine, electricity, and water. The funds are scheduled for disbursement by June 30.

World Bank officials said the emergency fund was created by reallocating unused resources from existing projects to ensure quick delivery and avoid bureaucratic delays.

In Sapahar, Naogaon—one of Bangladesh’s largest mango-producing regions—farmers are struggling with low prices despite a busy trading season. At the midpoint of the harvest, markets across the upazila are filled with ripe mangoes, but growers report that production costs have risen sharply while market prices have dropped by Tk 1,000 to 1,500 per maund compared to last year. Many farmers are also forced to sell mangoes in heavier units of 52–55 kilograms per maund instead of the traditional 40 kilograms, deepening their financial losses.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, mangoes have been cultivated on 30,310 hectares across Naogaon this season, with Sapahar targeting 140,000 metric tons of production worth about Tk 2,000 crore. Farmers blame increased costs for fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, labor, and transport, while traders argue that local pricing follows regional norms. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer said the administration is monitoring markets and will act on any complaints.

Agriculture experts warn that without fair pricing, transparent weighing, better cold storage, and stronger market oversight, farmer interest in mango cultivation could decline, affecting Naogaon’s economy.

Two ferries began uninterrupted operations on the Mongla River in Bagerhat, marking the start of a long-awaited transport service. The service was officially inaugurated on Saturday by Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, MP and State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It aims to ensure safe and comfortable river crossings for workers, employees, and residents of Mongla EPZ, Mongla Port, and nearby industrial areas until the planned hanging bridge over the river is completed.

Local leaders and residents welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely and people-friendly step that will significantly reduce the daily travel difficulties faced by thousands of workers and commuters. They noted that the new ferry service will make travel faster, easier, and more reliable for industrial workers, businesspeople, and students.

Residents also urged authorities to expedite the construction of the long-anticipated hanging bridge, viewing the ferry service as a step toward improved connectivity and economic activity in Mongla’s port and industrial zones.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on European goods if any European country enacts digital service taxes targeting American technology companies. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said several European nations are discussing such taxes, and some are close to implementing them. He warned that the punitive tariffs would be applied soon and could render existing bilateral trade agreements ineffective.

Trump’s warning specifically targets countries moving toward new digital taxes on US tech firms. The statement did not clarify how the measure would affect the United Kingdom, which has had a similar tax in place since 2020. Trump emphasized that any country imposing such a tax would face immediate 100 percent tariffs on all goods exported to the United States.

The remarks signal potential escalation in trade tensions between the United States and Europe if digital service tax plans proceed.

Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has dismissed as false the U.S. claim that Tehran’s recently released funds will be used to purchase American agricultural products. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf accused Washington of spreading misinformation and breaking promises, saying the distrust caused by U.S. policies has now turned against it. He also mocked the U.S. export list, saying it is filled with genetically modified soybeans and empty rhetoric.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance had said that under a memorandum of understanding brokered by Pakistan, $500 million worth of U.S. goods would be included in the initial phase, with the funds used to buy corn and wheat for Iran’s food needs. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in Bahrain that Washington seeks a deal aligned with its security and economic interests and those of its regional allies.

Iranian state and semi-official media described the agreement as a strategic success for Iran, not a concession. The Central Bank governor said the released funds could be used beyond essential goods if necessary, while ongoing talks reveal clear differences between the two sides over implementation and interpretation.

Electricity supply will remain suspended for several hours on Saturday, June 27, in parts of Chattogram and Natore due to maintenance and tree trimming work. Separate notices from the Chandanaish Palli Bidyut Office and Natore Palli Bidyut Samiti-2 confirmed the planned outages. In Chandanaish, power will be cut from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., affecting multiple areas including Munshef Bazar, Kerani Bari, Choudhury Market, Chandanaish Municipality, and Noapara. In Natore, power will be off from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., impacting Bonpara Municipality and several unions under Baraigram-1 and Baraigram-3 substations.

The authorities stated that the outages are necessary to remove risky tree branches near transmission lines and to conduct line maintenance. They apologized for the temporary inconvenience and noted that the duration of the power cuts may vary depending on work progress.

The maintenance work aims to ensure safer and more reliable electricity distribution in the affected regions once completed.

Four months after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, the involved parties have begun talks in Switzerland aimed at ending the conflict. Observers expect that a lasting agreement could ease the global economic strain caused by the war, which has disrupted trade and driven up energy prices.

Since the conflict began, international energy markets have faced volatility, with oil prices surging and global commerce suffering setbacks. Businesses and consumers worldwide have borne higher costs as a result. Yet, amid the turmoil, certain sectors have profited significantly. Defense equipment manufacturers, oil and gas producers, and investment banks have recorded notable gains due to increased demand for arms, rising energy prices, and a shift toward safer investments.

Analysts suggest that if the Swiss negotiations succeed, both Middle Eastern security and global economic stability could improve, offering relief to businesses and consumers affected by wartime pressures.

Beijing has proposed establishing an economic corridor connecting Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China to expand regional connectivity and trade. The proposal was presented during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarek Rahman at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday morning. According to Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin, the discussion focused on enhancing connectivity and developing a multimodal transportation network to strengthen Bangladesh’s economic reach and transaction capacity.

China also expressed interest in modernizing Chattogram Port to transform it into a regional hub serving not only Bangladesh but also other countries. Additionally, Beijing showed willingness to upgrade Mongla Port to make it more progressive and service-oriented. Both sides discussed these infrastructure initiatives as part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation and regional integration.

Further details on the implementation timeline or specific investment commitments were not disclosed in the briefing.