Bangladesh’s export earnings have declined for four consecutive months since August of the 2025–26 fiscal year, reflecting persistent weakness in the country’s key apparel sector. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), November’s export income fell by 5.54% year-on-year to $3.89 billion, down from $4.12 billion in the same month last year. Despite this, total exports for July–November reached $20.02 billion, slightly higher than $19.90 billion a year earlier, marking a marginal 0.62% growth. The readymade garment industry remained the top export earner, contributing $3.14 billion in November, though 5% lower than last year. Exporters attribute the decline to aggressive competition from China and India in the EU market and higher tariffs in the US, which have reduced demand by about 30%. Analysts warn that achieving the government’s $63 billion annual export target will be difficult amid sluggish global demand, high interest rates, and domestic economic challenges.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has cancelled more than 550 flights nationwide for the fourth consecutive day, severely disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers. The cancellations affected major airports including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa. The disruption stems from newly implemented crew rostering and flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations, which have increased mandatory rest periods and reduced the number of permitted night landings. With a shortage of pilots and crew, IndiGo has struggled to maintain its schedule. The airline stated that it is taking all necessary measures to restore normal operations and expects the situation to stabilize within 48 hours. However, cancellations may continue for the next few days, and IndiGo plans to reduce flight operations from December 8. Passengers have faced severe inconvenience, with reports of thousands of unclaimed suitcases piling up at Delhi airport terminals.

A vessel carrying 60,950 metric tons of wheat from the United States has arrived at the outer anchorage of Chattogram Port, marking the fourth shipment under a government-to-government (G2G) purchase agreement between Bangladesh and the US. According to the Ministry of Food, the wheat was imported under cash purchase contract G2G-01, part of a memorandum of understanding signed between the two governments. The total agreement covers the import of 440,000 metric tons of wheat. Earlier shipments arrived on October 25, November 3, and November 15, totaling 239,586 metric tons so far. The ministry confirmed that sample testing of the newly arrived wheat has already begun, and unloading will proceed once quality verification is complete. The import aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s food security and stabilize the domestic grain supply amid global market fluctuations.

Thousands of government employees gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Friday, December 5, demanding the immediate implementation of the ninth pay scale. The rally, organized by the Government Employees Demand Implementation Unity Council, was attended by representatives from various departments, including the Bangladesh Postal Department. Abu Nasir Khan, president of the Bangladesh Administrative Officers Implementation Unity Council, said that although salaries were supposed to be adjusted every five years, no pay increase has occurred since 2015 despite soaring living costs. He criticized the interim government’s delay, noting that the finance adviser’s statement that the next government would implement the pay scale had angered employees. Speakers, including Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Nurul Haque Nur, expressed solidarity with the workers’ demands. The participants urged the interim government to announce and enforce a fair and discrimination-free ninth pay scale before the national election schedule is declared.

Despite strict government warnings, edible oil prices in Bangladesh have surged again, with producers allegedly increasing prices without official approval. Bottled soybean oil is now selling at Tk 198 per liter, up Tk 9 from the previous rate. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association had twice sought permission from the Commerce Ministry to raise prices but received no response. Ignoring the ministry, producers raised prices and distributed oil with new labels, causing shortages in retail markets. Retailers claim they are being forced to sell at higher prices while facing potential fines. The Commerce Ministry later held an emergency meeting and proposed a Tk 5 increase instead of Tk 9, with a final decision expected Sunday. Consumer rights groups and government officials have warned of legal action against unauthorized price hikes and hoarding, emphasizing the need to stabilize essential commodity prices ahead of Ramadan.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has cancelled more than 550 flights in a single day, marking the worst air travel disruption in two decades. The airline attributed the cancellations to a combination of crew shortages, planning errors linked to new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations, and technical issues. The new policy, effective since November 1, aims to reduce pilot fatigue and enhance safety but has increased the demand for pilots, especially for night operations. IndiGo’s on-time performance dropped sharply to 19.7 percent on Wednesday, down from 35 percent the previous day. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have held meetings with IndiGo executives to address the crisis. Major airports including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa were affected. IndiGo operates around 2,300 flights daily and is planning further cancellations over the next few days as it works to restore normal operations.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is preparing to operate three weekly flights between Dhaka and Karachi, according to Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan. Speaking at the Foreign Services Academy in Islamabad, he confirmed that the national carrier will soon begin direct operations on the route. He also clarified that the flights will use Indian airspace, similar to how Indian aircraft use Bangladesh’s airspace. Due to India’s ongoing airspace restrictions on Pakistan, Pakistani airlines are unlikely to start flights to Dhaka soon. The High Commissioner emphasized that direct air connectivity could significantly enhance bilateral trade, which remains limited due to logistical barriers. He noted that in the past, direct trade links existed via rail, and improved connectivity could benefit farmers and expand profitable commerce. Khan further stressed that weak regional connectivity hinders South Asia’s progress and that regional cooperation is essential for sustainable development.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a newly designed Tk 500 banknote as part of its 'Historical and Archaeological Architecture of Bangladesh' series. The note, bearing the signature of Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, will first be issued from the central bank’s Motijheel office before distribution to other branches. The 152mm by 65mm green-colored note features the Central Shaheed Minar on the left and the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on the reverse side. It includes advanced security features such as a Royal Bengal Tiger watermark, optically variable ink that changes color from green to blue, and a twisted security thread combining red and golden hues. Additional elements include tactile marks for the visually impaired, UV-reactive designs, and micro-printing of 'Bangladesh Bank'. The new note aims to enhance durability and prevent counterfeiting, continuing the series that previously introduced redesigned Tk 1000, Tk 100, Tk 50, and Tk 20 notes.

A severe fertilizer shortage has hit five unions in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur, causing major disruption for potato farmers. The scarcity of TSP and Moroccan fertilizers has prevented many from sowing seeds on time, raising fears of reduced potato yields this season. Farmers report that despite repeated contact with local agricultural officials, no clear information or supply has been provided. Investigations reveal that some dealers are secretly selling fertilizers at nearly double the government-fixed prices, with Moroccan fertilizer bags priced between Tk 2,200 and Tk 2,500 instead of Tk 1,350. Local farmers express frustration as their fields remain idle due to the lack of fertilizer. The upazila agriculture office claims that supply is being distributed as per government allocation but admits a temporary shortage due to increased demand. Officials have promised to resolve the crisis soon and take legal action against dealers overcharging farmers.

Bangladesh’s interim government has criticized traders for raising edible oil prices without prior consultation or approval from authorities. Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin stated that the traders increased prices by around 20 taka per liter despite recently selling oil to the government at lower rates. He questioned both the justification and legality of the move, suggesting that the price hike lacked any rational basis. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Bashir Uddin said the government would hold discussions with business representatives to determine necessary actions. He also responded to concerns about the growing influence of traders, emphasizing that the government would take appropriate measures through dialogue rather than confrontation. The incident has sparked debate over market regulation and the balance of power between the state and private sector in setting essential commodity prices.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new initiative aimed at increasing remittance inflows and controlling the overall cost of sending remittances from abroad. Under this directive, all commercial banks are required to submit detailed daily data on remittance transactions, including fees, exchange rates, taxes, and other related costs, to the central bank by noon of the following day. The central bank has provided two specific reporting templates for this purpose, effective from January 1. The move follows global trends observed by the World Bank, which has reported rising remittance transfer costs in several countries, including Bangladesh. By collecting and analyzing this data, Bangladesh Bank intends to identify ways to reduce these costs and ensure fair exchange rate practices among foreign exchange houses. Currently, domestic banks are prohibited from charging fees for crediting remittance funds to recipients’ accounts, a measure that has already helped lower costs slightly. The new system aims to further enhance transparency and affordability in remittance transfers.

Government employees in Bangladesh have announced a mass rally demanding the immediate publication of the Ninth Pay Commission gazette before the upcoming national election. The Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council submitted a memorandum to the Finance Adviser, warning of strict action from January 10 if the gazette is not issued by December. Leaders of the Ministerial Service Association expressed solidarity, noting that employees have worked under the same pay scale for nearly a decade despite rising living costs. They criticized the delay in implementing the new pay structure, which is supposed to be revised every five years. The organizations also proposed restructuring the existing 20-grade system into 10 steps with a 1:4 pay ratio to reduce disparities. Additional demands include the introduction of Secretariat allowance and ration benefits. The delay in finalizing the pay commission’s recommendations has reportedly caused frustration and resentment among lower-income government staff.

A faction of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Coordinated Council has warned of launching a tough program from January 10 if the government fails to issue a gazette notification on the ninth national pay scale by December. In a memorandum sent to the Finance Advisor on December 3, the group expressed frustration over delays in finalizing the recommendations of the National Pay Commission 2025, formed by the interim government. The organization demanded restructuring the existing 20 pay grades into 10 steps with a 1:4 ratio to eliminate long-standing salary disparities. It also called for the introduction of a Secretariat allowance and ration allowance. The memorandum highlighted that rising commodity prices and living costs have severely affected lower-grade employees, leading to growing resentment. The group urged the Finance Ministry to intervene directly to resolve the issue and meet their legitimate expectations promptly.

The president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), AHM Shafiquzzaman, has called on the government to take strict measures against traders who increased edible oil prices without approval from the Ministry of Commerce. Following a meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, he stated that under the Essential Commodities Act, the ministry determines prices for certain goods based on a specific formula. Shafiquzzaman emphasized that any price hike without ministry consent violates consumer rights and is unjustified. He expressed hope that the government would enforce the tough actions promised by the commerce adviser. He further noted that under the Competition Act and the Consumer Rights Protection Act, hoarding or price manipulation is punishable, urging the government to strengthen market oversight to ensure fair pricing of daily essentials.

Pakistan has announced plans to privatize its state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) amid mounting debt and IMF loan conditions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that an auction for the airline’s sale will be held on December 23 and broadcast live across national media. The government intends to sell between 51% and 100% of PIA’s shares to reform loss-making state enterprises and meet the terms of a $7 billion IMF bailout. Four consortiums—Lucky Cement, Arif Habib Corporation, Fauji Fertilizer, and Air Blue—have been shortlisted to participate in the bidding. Sharif emphasized transparency and merit in the privatization process, expressing hope that PIA will regain its former prestige and operational efficiency. The move marks Pakistan’s largest privatization effort in nearly two decades. A previous sale attempt failed after a $36 million offer fell far below the $305 million reserve price. The government aims to complete the process swiftly to stabilize the aviation sector and reduce fiscal pressure.