The government of Bangladesh has decided to continue customs and related services at airports even on weekends to address the ongoing cargo congestion. Commerce Minister announced the plan during a meeting at the ministry on Thursday, emphasizing that limited operations on Fridays and Saturdays have prevented a reduction in the backlog. He said the measure would remain in place until a permanent solution is established.

The meeting discussed the European Union’s concerns over non-tariff barriers, including the airport cargo handling crisis. The Commerce Minister stressed that airports are transit points, not storage facilities, and called for the establishment of a modern cargo village outside the airport with safe storage and specialized management for different types of goods. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam warned that the congestion is harming both businesses and Bangladesh’s international image, urging visible progress within seven days.

Officials and business representatives agreed that modernizing cargo management and ensuring faster clearance could enhance Bangladesh’s export competitiveness in global markets, particularly in the European Union.

Bangladesh Bank has announced that the use of the Bangla QR code will become mandatory across the country starting July 1. The declaration was made by Deputy Governor Dr. Habibur Rahman during the inauguration of the 'Bangla QR Transaction Campaign' held at the central bank’s headquarters in Dhaka.

Dr. Rahman stated that the initiative aims to reduce cash transactions and promote a cashless society. The Bangla QR system will allow customers to make payments without handling small change, ensuring transactions are easier, safer, and more secure. He added that digital documentation of all transactions would help reduce informal economic activities, expand the GDP, and make the economy more dynamic.

The Deputy Governor also urged banks and related operators to integrate Bangla QR features into their apps so that both ordinary citizens and small businesses can benefit from digital financial services more conveniently.

Elon Musk has lost his trillionaire status within just two weeks, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As of Wednesday’s U.S. market close, his net worth fell to 957 billion dollars, down from 1.11 trillion dollars less than 14 days earlier. The decline followed a sharp global stock market downturn that heavily impacted technology shares, including those of SpaceX and Tesla.

Despite the loss, Musk remains the world’s richest individual, with wealth still far exceeding that of his closest competitors. He had become the first person to surpass one trillion dollars in net worth after the stock market debut of his rocket, satellite, and artificial intelligence company. The blockbuster initial public offering was priced at 135 dollars per share and opened trading at 150 dollars, giving the company a market value of over 1.77 trillion dollars.

Musk’s 42 percent ownership in SpaceX had initially pushed his paper wealth beyond the trillion-dollar mark, but the recent market slump reversed that milestone.

Banks in Bangladesh continue to depend primarily on immovable assets such as land and buildings when issuing loans, according to data from Bangladesh Bank for the first quarter of 2026. About 63.74 percent of total loans, amounting to Tk 11.37 trillion, were backed by real estate collateral. This reliance has increased slightly from the previous quarter, when 63.54 percent of loans were secured by similar assets. Despite this, many of these mortgaged properties are now difficult to sell, particularly those linked to influential defaulters.

Industry insiders attribute the trend to rising irregularities and corruption in the banking sector, which have made asset-based lending appear safer. Reports indicate that some borrowers diverted loan funds to purchase more land, later using those properties for additional loans, often with inflated valuations. As a result, banks are struggling to recover defaulted loans through asset sales.

Experts and young entrepreneurs argue that this property-dependent lending culture is hindering economic diversification and limiting access to finance for startups and innovative ventures lacking tangible assets.

The Secretary Committee, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, has finalized five major decisions to implement Bangladesh’s ninth government pay scale. The meeting, held at the Secretariat, reviewed the Public Administration Commission’s recommendations and set July 1 as the target date for implementation. The committee prioritized improving living standards for lower-income employees and reducing pay disparities amid rising inflation. Officials on post-retirement leave will also be included under the new pay scale.

According to meeting sources, while consensus was reached on public administration-related recommendations, proposals concerning the judiciary and armed forces remain unresolved. The new structure will be implemented in two phases instead of three, with employees in grades 10–20 receiving 60 percent of the raise in the first phase and those in grades 1–9 receiving 40 percent. The plan also includes significant increases in house rent and medical allowances to align with current market conditions.

Legal vetting and regulatory amendments are being expedited to avoid technical or legal complications before the official notification is issued. Another meeting may be held soon to finalize pending decisions for the judiciary and armed forces.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on Chinese businesses to increase investment in Bangladesh. He made the appeal on Thursday morning at the 'Bangladesh Investment Forum' held at the Diaoyutai Hotel in Beijing. The event, organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), featured a presentation by BIDA Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury on investment opportunities in Bangladesh. A total of 125 Chinese business representatives attended the forum.

In his address, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is open for business, ready for the future, and eager to build deeper industrial partnerships with China. He urged Chinese companies to expand their value chains in Bangladesh. Rahman also announced that the government is implementing a 180-day plan to reform international capital procedures, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, digitize public services, ensure policy continuity, and foster an investment-friendly environment.

He further stated that a Chinese economic and industrial zone is being developed in Anwara, with a second zone planned in Mongla. Bangladesh will soon open its first investment office in China to provide more effective services to Chinese investors.

The Bangladesh government has initiated plans to reopen several unused domestic airports without conducting feasibility studies, raising questions about the economic viability of the move. Aviation experts cautioned that while a few airports such as Ishwardi might turn profitable due to local demand, most others could face heavy losses. The government has already approved the construction of an international-standard airport in Bogura and intensified efforts to revive Thakurgaon Airport, despite concerns over infrastructure and passenger demand.

According to officials, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has proposed reopening seven abandoned airports in phases, including Lalmonirhat, Ishwardi, Shamshernagar, Khan Jahan Ali, and Patuakhali. The Bogura airport project, covering 2,050 acres, is expected to feature modern facilities such as dual runways, a four-story terminal, and advanced navigation systems, with a tentative launch in March 2028. The estimated cost may exceed Tk 3,000 crore.

Experts warned that without sustainable planning and proper demand assessment, the projects could become financially risky. However, the government maintains that reopening the airports will enhance regional connectivity, boost trade, and create employment opportunities.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said vannamei shrimp will play a vital role in Bangladesh’s economy in the coming days. He made the remarks on Wednesday night after visiting several hatcheries in Cox’s Bazar, including the Niribili Fish Hatchery, the government-run Crab Hatchery under the Department of Fisheries, and the Niribili Tilapia Hatchery in Ukhiya.

The minister stated that the production process of vannamei shrimp has been reviewed on-site and expressed confidence that the sector will significantly contribute to export earnings, employment generation, and overall economic growth. He described the industry as highly promising for national development and noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government is providing full support for its expansion. The prime minister is fully informed about the matter and has opened vannamei shrimp farming to local entrepreneurs under his guidance.

Tuku added that new investors in shrimp farming will receive all necessary policy and technical assistance from the government, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to modernizing and diversifying the fisheries sector.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the nomination for the managing director of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC has been finalized and the appointment will be made soon. He made the statement in the National Parliament on Wednesday in response to a question from Jamalpur-3 MP Md. Mostafizur Rahman Babul regarding plans to make the newly formed Combined Islami Bank fully functional.

The minister explained that under the Bank Resolution Scheme 2025, customers of five banks under resolution are able to withdraw their deposits from the Combined Islami Bank. The government has already appointed a chairman for the bank’s board of directors, who has assumed responsibility, and directors have also been appointed. The process of appointing the managing director is ongoing.

He added that the new board, under close supervision of the relevant division, is working to make the bank fully operational as soon as possible. Preparations include developing organizational structure and service rules, integrating IT and CBS systems, merging staff and branches, and recruiting key officers such as the company secretary, chief finance officer, and chief technology officer.

Pirojpur-1 MP Masud Sayeedi stated that the district had been deprived for 17 years because it was the birthplace of Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi. He confirmed that the government has now approved Pirojpur as an economic zone and initiated plans to extend rail connectivity with Dhaka. The approval came during an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council meeting on June 14, followed by confirmation from the rail minister on June 16. Masud Sayeedi said he had personally met the prime minister to present the district’s development needs and received assurances of support.

According to the report, the establishment of the economic zone is expected to transform the coastal region’s economy by creating large-scale employment and expanding industries in fisheries, agriculture, and marine resource processing. Improved rail connectivity will ease transport of goods and passengers, boost trade, and enhance living standards. Local residents have expressed gratitude to the prime minister and the MP for these initiatives.

Stakeholders believe the projects will end Pirojpur’s long-standing development deprivation and position it as a key economic hub in southern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have crossed 36 billion dollars, reaching 36.10 billion dollars by the end of Wednesday, the highest level in 43 months. According to the IMF’s BPM-6 calculation method, the reserves stand at 31.55 billion dollars. The information was confirmed by Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan.

Earlier, on June 14, Bangladesh received a 1 billion dollar loan from the Asian Development Bank as budget support, which raised the reserves to 35.63 billion dollars. Under the BPM-6 method, the reserves were then 31.07 billion dollars. The central bank began publishing reserves under BPM-6 in June 2023, when they stood at 24.75 billion dollars. The reserves had first crossed the 30 billion dollar mark under BPM-6 on January 19 of the current year.

Bangladesh’s reserves had reached an all-time high of 48 billion dollars in August 2021 but later declined due to increased money laundering and currency depreciation. At the time of the Awami League government’s fall, reserves under BPM-6 had dropped to 20.48 billion dollars.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has distributed financial aid totaling Tk 14 million among 38 families affected by road accidents in Cox’s Bazar. The checks were handed over at a ceremony held on Wednesday afternoon at the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. The assistance was provided under government directives to support families who lost members or suffered severe injuries, including permanent disabilities.

The event was organized by the BRTA Trustee Board, with Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan serving as chief guest and presiding over the ceremony. Additional Deputy Magistrate Mamnun Ahmed Anik conducted the program, which was attended by BRTA officials, local journalists, labor leaders, and family members of the victims. According to BRTA sources, the beneficiaries include passengers, pedestrians, drivers, and helpers. Injured individuals received between Tk 100,000 and Tk 300,000, while the families of deceased victims received Tk 500,000 each.

BRTA expressed hope that the financial assistance would help the affected families rebuild their lives and support their rehabilitation efforts.

The government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of four crore liters of edible oil and 22,500 tons of lentils for the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) at a total cost of Tk 822.31 crore. The decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday. The products will be sold through TCB at affordable prices to low-income families.

According to the Finance Ministry, the committee approved 23 procurement proposals, including fertilizer imports, infrastructure development, fishery exploration, and youth employment programs. Under local tenders, Chattogram-based Payel Automatic Food Processing Mills will supply 10,000 tons of lentils at Tk 81.47 per kg, while Australia-based MCG International Pty Ltd will supply 12,500 tons at USD 559 per ton. Shabnam Vegetable Oil Industries Ltd will provide two crore liters of refined palm olein at Tk 183.95 per liter, and MCG International Pty Ltd will supply two crore liters of refined soybean oil at Tk 164.77 per liter.

The approved purchases aim to strengthen TCB’s capacity to stabilize essential commodity prices and support low-income consumers.

The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved $450 million in financing for Bangladesh to reinforce the foundation of its banking sector, aiming to revive economic growth and create jobs. The funding, under the “Financial Sector Support Project-2,” will enhance deposit protection for small savers, improve Bangladesh Bank’s supervisory capacity, and support restructuring of state-owned banks. The announcement was made through an official press release on June 24, 2026.

According to the World Bank, the project will increase the capital of the Deposit Protection Fund, establish an effective emergency liquidity support framework, and modernize Bangladesh Bank’s ICT infrastructure to address cybersecurity risks and data gaps. The initiative comes amid rising stress in the banking sector, where non-performing loans reached 32.6 percent by March 2026, far above the South Asian average of 7.9 percent, and the capital adequacy ratio stood at negative 2.6 percent by December 2025.

World Bank officials stated that the project, part of a coordinated effort with the IMF and Asian Development Bank, will help restore confidence, strengthen crisis preparedness, and enhance the resilience of Bangladesh’s financial system.

Mobile financial service provider Upay, operated by United Commercial Bank PLC, has signed a partnership agreement with Foodpanda Bangladesh, the country’s leading online food and product delivery platform. The signing ceremony took place recently at the Golden Tulip The Grandmark Hotel in Dhaka. The collaboration aims to ensure seamless, secure, and convenient digital cash collection services for Foodpanda’s delivery riders.

Under the agreement, Foodpanda riders will be able to use Upay’s digital payment platform to collect and manage payments more efficiently. The partnership is expected to make riders’ daily financial activities faster and hassle-free. Officials from both organizations stated that the initiative will introduce a rider-focused, user-friendly service structure that connects Foodpanda’s delivery ecosystem with Upay’s extensive agent network.

According to the companies, this collaboration will promote cashless transactions, enhance financial inclusion, and strengthen the foundation of Bangladesh’s digital economy by integrating Upay’s mobile financial infrastructure with Foodpanda’s wide customer and delivery network.