At a seminar in Manikganj, the Director General of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, Faruk Ahmed, highlighted widespread irregularities in the market and the challenges faced by regulators with limited manpower. He remarked that nearly every product category shows problems, emphasizing that the agency’s goal is not punishment but correction and awareness.

Ahmed announced that the Directorate has proposed amendments to the Consumer Rights Protection Act of 2009, citing existing legal barriers that hinder effective enforcement. He urged both consumers and businesses to act responsibly—consumers by becoming more aware, and businesses by maintaining honesty and integrity. The seminar, organized by the district administration and the Directorate’s local office, was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana and attended by officials, business leaders, and journalists.

The proposed legal reforms aim to strengthen consumer protection mechanisms and ensure a fairer marketplace. Officials indicated that awareness campaigns and stakeholder consultations will continue as part of the Directorate’s broader reform agenda.

Residents of several neighborhoods in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area blocked the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway on Monday, demanding restoration of household gas supply. The protest, which began around noon and lasted over three hours, brought traffic to a standstill across major routes including Mayor Hanif Flyover and Gulistan. Demonstrators carried placards calling for an end to alleged syndicate manipulation and urged authorities to resolve the gas crisis immediately.

The blockade caused heavy congestion stretching up to nine kilometers, severely disrupting city and long-distance travel. Ambulances faced delays, and one patient reportedly died en route to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Residents said they had been without gas for nearly three months, forcing families to cook with firewood or rely on restaurant food. Despite repeated complaints to Titas Gas, no improvement was seen. Police officials negotiated with gas authorities, who promised to restore supply, prompting protesters to withdraw.

The incident underscores Dhaka’s recurring utility supply challenges and highlights growing public frustration over service inefficiencies. Authorities have pledged to investigate the cause of the prolonged disruption.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman has warned that the country is already caught in a debt trap, stressing that acknowledging this reality is essential for moving forward. Speaking at a seminar in Dhaka’s NEC conference hall, he highlighted the sharp decline in the tax-to-GDP ratio—from over 10 percent a few years ago to around 7 percent now—and called for identifying the structural weaknesses behind this fall.

The seminar, organized by the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission, also unveiled the ‘Bangladesh State of the Economy 2025’ and the ‘SDG Progress Report 2025’. Policy experts, including CPD’s Mustafizur Rahman and former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain, expressed concern that rising debt servicing costs are crowding out spending on vital sectors such as agriculture and education. Rahman noted that interest payments have now become one of the largest budgetary expenditures.

Analysts warned that unless revenue mobilization improves, Bangladesh may face increasing pressure to borrow to repay existing loans, risking long-term fiscal sustainability and development priorities.

The Bangladesh government has reaffirmed its plan to activate the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system on December 16 to curb the use of unregistered, stolen, or illegally imported mobile phones. The initiative aims to enhance network security, reduce digital crimes, and increase state revenue. Ahead of the rollout, mobile retailers reported a surge in customer demand as buyers rushed to purchase devices before the new registration rules take effect.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) agreed to review aspects of the NEIR system following a day-long protest by mobile phone traders under the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB). Demonstrators demanded reforms to the system, the abolition of import syndicates, and lower taxes, arguing that the new policy could harm small traders and raise handset prices beyond consumers’ reach. Officials, however, maintain that 73% of digital fraud involves illegal smartphones, justifying the government’s firm stance.

A joint meeting involving the BTRC, National Board of Revenue, Commerce Ministry, and industry representatives is scheduled to address technical and regulatory concerns before the launch.

The number of bank accounts in Bangladesh holding deposits of at least one crore taka has continued to rise, surpassing 128,000 as of September 2025, according to Bangladesh Bank’s latest data. This marks an increase of 734 such accounts over the previous quarter, even as the total amount of deposits in these accounts fell by over 59,000 crore taka during the same period.

Banking analysts attribute this trend to widening income inequality. While rising prices have forced lower- and middle-income families to draw down savings, wealthier individuals and large businesses have continued to accumulate assets. Central bank officials clarified that not all crore-level accounts belong to individuals; many are held by corporations and government entities, and a single entity may maintain multiple accounts.

The data also show that the total number of bank accounts in the country reached 174.6 million by September, up by 5.6 million in three months. Economists warn that the growing concentration of wealth in fewer hands could deepen economic disparities if inflationary pressures persist.

In Bogura, wholesale and retail onion prices fell sharply on Sunday, dropping by Tk 30–35 per kilogram within a single day. Traders reported heavy losses as they rushed to sell stocks following news that letters of credit (LCs) had been opened for importing Indian onions. The sudden price fall brought relief to consumers but financial strain to local sellers.

According to market data from Rajabazar and Fatehali markets, new onions that sold for Tk 100–110 per kg on Saturday dropped to Tk 65–70 on Sunday, while old onions fell from Tk 115–120 to Tk 70–80. Traders said the market had been unstable due to limited supply and a long halt in Indian imports. The LC announcement triggered expectations of increased supply, prompting panic selling.

Local trade leaders expect prices to stabilize soon, possibly reaching Tk 50 per kg. However, they warned that the timing of import approvals, just before new domestic onions enter the market, could cause significant losses for Bangladeshi traders.

Malaysia has announced a target to attract 300,000 tourists from Bangladesh by 2026, according to Malaysian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Mohammad Suhaimi Osman. Speaking at a gala dinner during the Malaysia Tourism Fair in Dhaka, he emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening tourism, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections between the two nations.

The High Commissioner highlighted that bilateral relations have expanded over the decades across trade, investment, education, and tourism. He noted that recent high-level visits, including those by the Malaysian Prime Minister to Dhaka and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser to Kuala Lumpur, have reaffirmed both countries’ dedication to deeper cooperation. Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur International Airport, one of the world’s most connected hubs, further supports this goal by facilitating travel and commerce.

Officials believe the “Visit Malaysia Year 2026” campaign and events like “Festival Malaysia” will showcase the nation’s multicultural heritage and strengthen mutual understanding. The initiative is expected to enhance Malaysia’s position as a key regional tourism and investment center in Southeast Asia.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has agreed to reform the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system following days of protests by mobile phone traders. After receiving assurances from BTRC Chairman Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari, the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) announced the suspension of their blockade until December 9.

According to BTRC sources, a joint meeting will be held to resolve NEIR-related issues, involving the Finance Adviser, NBR Chairman, Commerce Secretary, and representatives from mobile manufacturers and traders. MBCB leaders said the reforms should simplify import procedures and ensure all imported phones are listed without restriction. They also demanded reduced import duties and warned of renewed protests if tax issues remain unresolved.

The NEIR system, set to take effect on December 16, aims to curb the use of unregistered or stolen phones. The temporary suspension of protests signals a possible compromise, though traders have indicated they will resume action if their concerns are not addressed in the upcoming meeting.

The Alliance for Health Reforms Bangladesh (AHRB) has urged the Chief Adviser to prioritize the implementation of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) policy as a matter of national interest. In an open letter signed by Professor Syed Abdul Hamid of Dhaka University and Professor Syed Md. Akram Hossain of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, the group called for immediate administrative action to reduce import dependency and bolster national health security.

The letter highlights that although Bangladesh can produce most types of medicines, it remains heavily reliant on imported APIs, leaving the pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerable to global market disruptions. The AHRB recommended five urgent steps, including a production-linked incentive scheme, sustained R&D funding, stronger academia–industry collaboration, and formation of a permanent task force. Citing the success of the 1982 National Drug Policy, the group emphasized that strong political commitment and leadership are essential.

Experts argue that developing a knowledge-based pharmaceutical sector could raise the tax-to-GDP ratio and expand exports. The AHRB warned that without top-level oversight, the API policy may remain unimplemented, hindering Bangladesh’s competitiveness and health resilience.

Bangladesh’s bottled soybean oil price has been raised by Tk 6 per liter following a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce. The new retail price is set at Tk 195 per liter, up from Tk 189, and will take effect from Monday, December 8. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association announced the revised rates through an official press release.

The association had earlier sought government approval twice—in November—to increase prices by Tk 9 per liter, citing rising import and production costs. However, the ministry did not respond, prompting some refiners to raise prices unilaterally to Tk 198 per liter. This led to consumer backlash and government warnings. Commerce adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin confirmed that show-cause notices were issued to several companies for unauthorized price adjustments.

The latest decision aims to stabilize the edible oil market and align official prices with global cost trends. Authorities are expected to monitor compliance closely to prevent further unauthorized hikes and ensure fair consumer pricing.

Bangladesh’s overall inflation increased slightly in November, reaching 8.29 percent compared to 8.17 percent in October, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). Food inflation rose to 7.36 percent from 7.08 percent, while non-food inflation eased marginally to 9.08 percent. The BBS report highlights that inflation has remained above 8 percent for several months, reflecting persistent price pressures across both rural and urban areas.

The report shows rural inflation at 8.26 percent and urban inflation at 8.39 percent, with food costs rising faster in both segments. Despite government efforts—such as raising interest rates and reducing import duties on essentials like oil, potatoes, onions, and eggs—price stability remains elusive. Wage growth in November stood at 8.04 percent, still below the inflation rate, indicating continued pressure on household purchasing power.

Economists warn that sustained high inflation, now persisting for nearly three years, poses a major challenge for the interim government. Further monetary tightening and improved supply chain management may be required to curb price growth in the coming months.

Hundreds of mobile phone traders under the banner of the Bangladesh Mobile Business Community (BMBC) surrounded the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Dhaka on Sunday, demanding reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. The protest, which began in the morning, blocked one side of the busy Agargaon road, causing severe traffic congestion. Demonstrators set fires at several points near the BTRC building and confined the chairman and senior officials inside for several hours.

Traders argue that the NEIR system, set to take effect on December 16, will harm thousands of small retailers by restricting the use of unregistered or imported phones. They claim the policy benefits a select group while increasing handset prices for consumers due to added taxes and procedural complexity. BMBC leaders said repeated requests for dialogue with authorities were ignored, leaving them with no alternative but to protest.

Police diverted traffic to alternate routes to ease congestion. The standoff highlights growing tension between regulators and traders ahead of the NEIR rollout, with further demonstrations likely if demands remain unmet.

Bangladesh’s Agriculture Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has warned that any agricultural officials found colluding in market manipulation will lose their jobs. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, December 7, he said there is no shortage of onions in the country, yet prices have risen sharply. To stabilize the market, the government has decided to allow onion imports and identify those responsible for the artificial price hike.

Chowdhury stated that the Ministry of Commerce will handle traders’ malpractice while the Agriculture Ministry will ensure internal accountability. He noted that onion prices have increased by about 40 taka due to manipulation and stressed that fair pricing around 70 taka per kilogram benefits both consumers and producers. The adviser also mentioned that 70 percent of Aman paddy has been harvested with good yields, and vegetable prices remain stable.

He further discussed potential subsidies for potato farmers who suffered losses this season and hinted at a new transfer policy for agricultural officers through a lottery system to prevent corruption and favoritism.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has officially exempted Bangladesh Railway from the requirement to submit proof of income tax return filings, known as PSR documents. The exemption was granted under Section 264(4) of the Income Tax Act 2023, recognizing the railway as a non-taxable government entity. The directive, issued on December 7 and signed by Nusrat Farzana, Second Secretary (Tax Law-1), clarifies that no tax return evidence will be sought from the state-run organization.

Officials noted that government departments often face procedural complexities in managing tax-related documentation. The NBR’s decision aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and streamline administrative processes within Bangladesh Railway. The move is expected to ease compliance burdens and improve operational efficiency across the organization.

Experts believe this exemption could serve as a model for simplifying tax compliance for other state-owned bodies that are not subject to income tax, potentially leading to broader administrative reforms in the public sector.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury announced that a new digital application will be launched next year to reduce bureaucratic harassment faced by entrepreneurs during business registration. Speaking at the inauguration of the seven-day National SME Product Fair on December 7, he said the app will allow entrepreneurs to complete registration processes online, minimizing direct contact with government offices.

The event, attended by industry advisers and SME representatives, highlighted persistent challenges in the SME sector, including high interest rates—15% for bank loans and up to 25% for NGO loans—driven by inflation. Speakers also noted that loan disbursement to SMEs has declined amid election-related stagnation, despite banks holding surplus liquidity of about BDT 1.5 trillion.

Stakeholders urged reforms to make bonded warehouse procedures more SME-friendly and emphasized that increased investment in industrial parks could protect agricultural land and stimulate economic recovery once demand improves.