The Dhaka Metro Passenger and Goods Transport Committee has approved route permits for 690 new air-conditioned buses to operate across various routes in the capital. The decision, confirmed by multiple committee members on Friday, allows eight transport companies to introduce modern and comfortable buses aimed at improving passenger experience. The companies include Shapla Paribahan, Chitra Paribahan Limited, Time Bird Express, Sprint Shuttle Private Limited, Iqbal Enterprise, New Dhaka Paribahan, Trust Transport Services, and Dhaka Transport Line, each assigned specific routes and bus numbers.

According to the committee’s decision, all buses must feature automatic doors and e-ticketing systems, operate under a counter-based service instead of contract systems, display route numbers and company names, and maintain uniform colors for each company’s fleet. The committee, chaired by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police chief, oversees route permits and transport operations in the city.

Transport experts emphasized the need for demand assessment, designated stops, and scheduling before launching the new buses. They also urged a scientific approach to route permits for sustainable solutions to Dhaka’s public transport challenges.

Bangladesh’s universal pension scheme is facing a severe trust crisis, with declining public interest and irregular contributions from existing members. The National Pension Authority met with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury to discuss ways to restore confidence and revitalize the program. The meeting emphasized stronger public outreach, cybersecurity, professional staffing, and a goal to include at least one member from each of four crore families by 2030. The minister also supported proposals for Shariah-based schemes and lifelong pension benefits for nominees.

The scheme, launched in August 2023 under the previous government, was designed to cover private and informal sector workers through four programs—Prabash, Suraksha, Pragati, and Samata. However, allegations of corruption under the former administration and the controversial, later-cancelled Pratyay scheme eroded public confidence. As of April 2026, only 377,554 people were enrolled, with 40–45 percent irregular in payments.

The new leadership of the National Pension Authority plans to make the schemes more attractive through reforms, awareness campaigns, and potential Shariah-compliant options. Officials hope renewed government support will help overcome skepticism and expand participation nationwide.

The Bangladesh government has taken major steps to begin oil, gas, and mineral exploration in the deep waters of the Bay of Bengal. Officials from the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed that international tenders will be invited within days, following approval of the 'Bangladesh Offshore Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2026' by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on May 7. Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said the initiative aims to reduce dependence on imported fuel and increase domestic production.

Officials noted that despite resolving maritime boundary disputes with India and Myanmar years ago, Bangladesh has failed to capitalize on its marine resources due to weak policies and technical limitations. Previous exploration efforts by international companies such as ConocoPhillips, ONGC, Santos, and POSCO Daewoo were discontinued for various reasons. Experts said the country’s gas reserves could be exhausted within 12 years if no new fields are discovered.

Petrobangla and government policymakers expressed optimism that the new exploration drive will end two decades of stagnation in offshore energy development and help Bangladesh achieve energy self-sufficiency.

The United States Secretary of Energy has stated that the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz will gradually decline as Middle Eastern nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and others, significantly expand their pipeline capacities. In an interview with CNBC, the secretary said that future energy transport from the Gulf region will have alternative routes, reducing dependence on the narrow maritime passage that currently handles a large share of global oil and gas shipments.

The US official emphasized that while the Strait’s importance may lessen, the energy production and supply roles of Gulf countries will remain vital. He praised the contributions of Middle Eastern nations, describing them as key allies of the United States and major partners in the global energy supply system.

The secretary also expressed optimism that peace, prosperity, and economic growth would return to the region, underscoring the continuing strategic partnership between the United States and Gulf energy producers.

Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that Bangladesh’s leather industry is being developed into a billion-dollar export sector. Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the National Science and Technology Week and Science Fair in Sylhet on Friday, he said the government has identified weaknesses in the sector and initiated measures to address them.

The minister acknowledged concerns about the low prices of raw hides and said that frustration over unfair pricing has led to various criticisms. He noted that the current government is only two and a half months old, making it difficult to solve structural problems in such a short time. However, multiple meetings have been held with stakeholders to begin resolving the sector’s challenges.

Muktadir described leather as a valuable national resource and emphasized that wasting it would mean losing blessings. He said the government is pursuing long-term plans to transform the leather industry into a major contributor to the national economy.

The United States and Bangladesh signed a trade agreement on 9 February 2026 that reduced tariffs on Bangladeshi goods from 37% to 19% and promised zero duty for ready-made garments made with US cotton. However, subsequent US court rulings invalidated the legal basis for the original tariffs, creating uncertainty over the deal’s foundation. The agreement, signed just three days before Bangladesh’s national election, has drawn criticism for its unequal obligations and controversial clauses.

The 32-page deal contains 131 binding obligations for Bangladesh compared to only six for the US. Key contentious provisions include mandatory alignment with US sanctions, acceptance of genetically modified agricultural imports without local review, and a commitment to purchase Boeing aircraft. The deal also restricts Bangladesh’s ability to join regional trade blocs such as RCEP and obliges it to support a permanent WTO moratorium on digital customs duties. Some clauses, such as labor law reforms and environmental standards, align with Bangladesh’s own policy goals.

Following the US Supreme Court’s ruling and Malaysia’s similar experience, the BNP-led government now has legal and diplomatic grounds to seek renegotiation, focusing on sovereignty, GMO regulation, and trade diversification.

Global financial markets reacted negatively after the recent meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping failed to produce any concrete agreements. The discussions included vague talks on agricultural purchases and limited commitments from China on oil imports. Although there were hints about easing restrictions on microchip sales to China, no major trade deal was reached. Trump also confirmed that tariff issues were not discussed, and no firm decision was made on reopening the strategic Hormuz Strait.

Investor uncertainty increased following the inconclusive talks. On Friday morning, Dow Jones futures dropped more than 300 points, or about 0.6 percent, while S&P 500 futures fell 1 percent and Nasdaq futures declined 1.4 percent. Continued uncertainty around the Hormuz Strait pushed Brent crude oil prices up nearly 3 percent to above $108 per barrel.

Analysts said the lack of clear outcomes weakened investor confidence and heightened inflation concerns, prompting greater caution in global markets.

After a long period of price stability, the Indian government has increased fuel prices nationwide. On Friday, authorities announced a hike of three rupees per liter for petrol and diesel, and two rupees per kilogram for CNG. The decision follows growing pressure on foreign exchange reserves, rising global crude oil prices, and a weakening rupee. In Delhi, petrol now costs 97.77 rupees per liter and diesel 90.67 rupees, while prices in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai have also risen accordingly.

India had avoided fuel price hikes since April 2022, even cutting prices by two rupees per liter before the March 2024 general elections. However, surging crude oil import costs—rising from about 69 dollars per barrel in February to over 113 dollars in recent months—have strained the economy. As the world’s third-largest oil importer, India spent about 174 billion dollars on crude oil imports in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Economists warn that India’s current foreign exchange reserve of around 690 billion dollars may be insufficient to handle global uncertainty. Former RBI Deputy Governor Michael Debabrata Patra suggested reserves should reach at least one trillion dollars to ensure economic stability.

Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher Suman announced that all educational institutions in Bangladesh will receive duty-free electric buses in the upcoming national budget. He said this initiative fulfills a commitment made by the Prime Minister. The minister made the announcement on Friday while addressing the annual literary and cultural competition award ceremony at Comilla Victoria Government College.

During his speech, Suman stated that a new project is being undertaken for the century-old Victoria College. He mentioned that the college’s Zia Auditorium name had been removed in the past, recalling that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had donated a bus to the college in 1993. He pledged to arrange one or two more buses for the college, either through government support or his family’s AKM Abu Taher Foundation.

The minister also highlighted several development initiatives in Comilla, including the passage of a development authority law and progress toward establishing Comilla WASA. He expressed optimism that the current Prime Minister would continue the region’s development and eventually declare Comilla a division.

Bangladesh and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance strategic cooperation in the energy sector. The agreement was signed on Thursday at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright representing their respective countries. The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington confirmed the signing in a press release.

According to the embassy, the MoU aims to bolster Bangladesh’s long-term energy security amid global challenges stemming from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. It will support diversification of energy sources based on affordability and supply chain sustainability, opening new areas of collaboration between the two nations.

The agreement will facilitate capacity building, knowledge sharing, and research in oil, gas, geothermal, and bioenergy. It will also help Bangladesh import LNG, LPG, and other energy products from the United States at competitive prices. Both ministers described the MoU as a milestone and a historic advancement in Bangladesh-U.S. relations.

Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu has called on BRAC to take an active role in restoring the lost glory of Rajshahi’s traditional silk industry. Speaking at the launch of BRAC’s 2025 annual report in Rajshahi on Friday, he said the once-thriving silk sector is now nearly extinct, and BRAC’s organizational capacity and experience could help revive it. The minister expressed hope that BRAC would take responsibility for reintroducing Rajshahi silk to the global market.

He added that Prime Minister Tarek Rahman values BRAC’s work and expects its continued collaboration with the government in health and employment initiatives. Local MP Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon proposed establishing an agro-based export processing zone and specialized cold storage in the Barind region to boost employment and modernize agriculture. BRAC’s senior director K.A.M. Morshed emphasized that BRAC prioritizes Bangladesh and works independently to meet people’s needs.

According to BRAC, in 2025 it supported over 20,000 ultra-poor families in Rajshahi Division, with significant progress in poverty reduction, health services, and women’s empowerment.

Iran is increasingly relying on new land trade routes through Pakistan to maintain supply lines amid a U.S. naval blockade that has disrupted maritime commerce. Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce recently issued policy SRO 691, designating six transit corridors linking Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar ports to Iran’s Gabd and Taftan border crossings. The initiative revives a long-dormant project and provides both nations with a long-awaited relief as thousands of Iran-bound containers remain stranded at Karachi port.

The corridors are based on a 2008 bilateral road transport agreement between Iran and Pakistan that had remained inactive for years. Experts cited in the report said the routes could reduce Iran’s dependence on risky sea lanes and help sustain limited regional trade despite sanctions and tensions. Test shipments, including frozen meat bound for Uzbekistan, have already used these routes, showing potential for broader regional connectivity.

Analysts noted that while the corridors may not fundamentally transform Iran’s economy, they could ease pressure from sanctions and maritime restrictions by enabling overland cargo movement from Pakistan to Iran and onward to Central Asia.

Several filling stations in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur have turned into temporary paddy drying grounds as customer traffic has sharply declined. Once busy with motorcycles, cars, and trucks, these fuel stations now host farmers spreading freshly harvested Boro paddy across paved forecourts. Farmers said they chose the stations because of the lack of open and paved spaces in villages, and the areas’ exposure to sunlight allows faster drying.

Station owners confirmed that customer numbers have dropped even after the fuel supply crisis eased. They cited higher costs, a slowdown in the transport sector, and the use of alternative fuels as reasons for reduced sales. With large open spaces lying unused, some owners have allowed farmers to dry and thresh paddy temporarily.

Local observers have warned that since petrol pumps store flammable materials, drying and threshing activities must be conducted with extreme caution. They urged both station authorities and local administration to ensure safety and prevent fire or electrical hazards.

As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, cattle farmers across Bangladesh are working intensively to prepare their livestock for the sacrificial market. In districts such as Netrakona, Jamalpur, and Bogura, farmers have invested heavily—some through bank loans and others from personal savings—to raise cattle using natural and local methods. Many farms are now in their final stages of preparation, with families and workers providing extra care, feeding, and health monitoring to ensure the animals are ready for sale.

Farmers report that the cost of cattle feed, medicine, and maintenance has risen sharply, increasing production expenses. In border areas like Bakshiganj, concerns persist about the illegal entry of Indian cattle, which could depress local prices. Livestock officials have instructed farmers to avoid harmful substances and use natural fattening methods, assuring that animals are being prepared safely. Despite higher costs, farmers remain hopeful for fair prices and potential profits if market conditions remain stable.

Officials in Bogura’s Dhunot upazila confirmed that local supply exceeds demand, indicating no shortage of sacrificial animals this year.

The Bangladesh Madrasa General Teachers Association (BMGTA) has demanded that 20 percent of the upcoming national budget be allocated to the education sector. The demand was made at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Friday morning, where the association’s founder president Md. Harun-or-Rashid presented a written statement. The group also called for full festival allowances for MPO-listed teachers and the nationalization of all education systems, including madrasas.

According to the statement, the education sector received Tk 95,644 crore in the 2025–26 fiscal year, representing 12.1 percent of the total national budget, only Tk 934 crore higher than the previous year. The association noted that international standards recommend allocating 15–20 percent of the national budget or 4–6 percent of GDP to education, but Bangladesh’s allocation remains below both benchmarks. The statement added that this shortfall negatively affects marginalized communities.

The association further demanded the implementation of the ninth pay scale, government-standard medical and housing allowances, promotion opportunities for teachers, and the inclusion of independent ibtedayi madrasas under the MPO scheme.