The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Bangladesh’s inflation will remain elevated in the current fiscal year, reaching an average of 8.8% in 2025–26 before easing to 5.5% in 2026–27. Following a 13-day review mission in Dhaka, IMF mission chief Chris Papageorgiou praised Bangladesh’s progress in maintaining macroeconomic stability but warned that weak tax revenue, financial sector vulnerabilities, and persistent inflation continue to pose challenges. The IMF recommended maintaining tight monetary policy until inflation falls to the 5–6% target range, strengthening tax administration, rationalizing subsidies, and expanding social safety nets. It also called for credible strategies to address banking sector weaknesses and accelerate climate financing efforts. The IMF noted that if reforms continue, GDP growth could reach about 5% by 2026–27, but delays could slow recovery and heighten inflation risks.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concern over Bangladesh’s worsening banking sector, burdened by soaring non-performing loans (NPLs). During a meeting with Bangladesh Bank officials, the IMF recommended merging or liquidating banks whose default loan ratios exceed 30%. Currently, 16 banks fall into this category, five of which are already in the process of merger. Following the IMF’s advice, Bangladesh Bank held a meeting with managing directors of 47 banks, instructing them to take urgent measures to reduce NPLs by December through rescheduling, legal action, or other means. The IMF also questioned delays in publishing accurate NPL data and sought explanations for the rising defaults. The crisis stems from years of mismanagement and corruption, prompting the central bank to initiate reforms, including relaxed rescheduling and write-off policies to stabilize the sector.

The long-neglected Kurigram-Chilmari road in northern Bangladesh remains in disrepair despite a major renovation project launched by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in early 2024. The 12-kilometer road, vital for connecting several upazilas to Rangpur, was allocated about Tk 14.5 crore for widening and reconstruction. However, with only six weeks left before the project deadline, nearly 90% of the work remains incomplete. Locals allege that the contractor, Khairul Kabir Rana, abandoned the site after digging trenches along the road, leaving it unsafe and unusable. The neglected condition has caused frequent accidents, especially at night, and led residents to stage protests demanding action. LGED officials say repeated notices have been issued to the contractor and warned of punitive measures if the work is not completed on time.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast that Bangladesh’s inflation will remain elevated through the current fiscal year, reaching an average of 8.8% in 2025–26, up from 8.2% previously projected. The IMF expects inflation to gradually decline to 5.5% by 2026–27 if monetary tightening continues. Following a 13-day mission in Dhaka, IMF mission chief Chris Papageorgiou praised Bangladesh’s progress in maintaining macroeconomic stability but warned of challenges from weak tax revenue, financial sector vulnerabilities, and persistent inflation. The IMF recommended maintaining a tight monetary policy until inflation falls to 5–6%, strengthening tax administration, reforming subsidies, and expanding social safety nets. It also urged faster action on climate financing and credible strategies to resolve banking sector weaknesses. The next loan review for Bangladesh’s $5.5 billion program is expected by May next year after the new government takes office.

Verizon Communications plans to eliminate about 15,000 jobs, or roughly 15% of its workforce, as part of a sweeping restructuring effort, according to a source familiar with the matter. The layoffs, the largest in the company’s history, will primarily target non-union management positions, affecting more than 20% of that group. The move follows the appointment of former PayPal CEO Dan Schulman as Verizon’s new chief executive in October. Schulman has emphasized the need for aggressive cost transformation and a leaner business model amid slowing subscriber growth and rising competition from AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon also intends to convert around 180 corporate-owned retail stores into franchised operations. The company’s shares rose 1.7% following the news, reflecting investor optimism about the restructuring’s potential to improve efficiency and profitability.

The Bangladesh government has issued a new directive prohibiting real estate developers from charging any fees during the transfer, resale, or registration of land and flats already sold under registered deeds. The Ministry of Housing and Public Works announced the decision on November 12 to reduce harassment and financial exploitation of buyers and sellers. The circular clarifies that any demand for money by developers during name transfers or approvals is illegal. Violators will face action under the Real Estate Development and Management Act, its regulations, and other applicable laws. The move aims to ensure transparency and protect property owners from undue charges often imposed by developers during subsequent ownership transfers.

Bangladesh’s Home and Agriculture Adviser, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, stated that the country’s law and order situation remains normal, with no major disturbances reported. Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Thursday, he said minor incidents were promptly addressed and there is no cause for concern regarding banned political groups. On the agricultural front, he expressed optimism about a bumper Aman rice harvest this season, noting that prices have been fixed at Tk 34 per kg for paddy, Tk 49 for atap rice, and Tk 50 for parboiled rice. He added that vegetable production is strong and prices remain stable, though potato farmers have suffered losses and will receive incentives. He also confirmed that onion imports are unnecessary due to sufficient domestic supply.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will release the sixth installment of its loan to Bangladesh after discussions with the country's newly elected government, according to Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. Speaking after a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, he said an IMF mission will visit Bangladesh in February to assess the situation before making a decision. The government has agreed to the IMF’s proposal to delay the disbursement until after the review. The IMF has advised Bangladesh to increase revenue collection, strengthen social safety nets, and continue banking sector reforms. Dr. Ahmed added that the current administration will prepare a comprehensive package for the next government covering IMF loan terms, reform conditions, and pay commission issues.

The United States has decided to stop producing the one-cent coin, known as the penny, ending a tradition that began in 1793. The final batch will be minted at the Philadelphia Mint, marking the end of over 230 years of continuous production. Although pennies will remain legal tender, their circulation is expected to decline as businesses adjust prices to round figures. The Treasury Department estimates the move will save about $56 million annually, as each penny currently costs around four cents to produce. The decision follows the growing dominance of digital transactions and the declining practical use of small coins. However, analysts warn that consumers may face an additional $6 million in annual costs due to price rounding. Attention is now turning to the nickel, which costs nearly three times its face value to manufacture.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has imposed a strict ban on the import of medicines from Pakistan, citing poor quality and frequent trade disruptions. The decision, announced by state media Alemarah News, directs Afghan traders to terminate existing contracts with Pakistani suppliers within three months and to seek alternative sources from other countries. Officials said the move aims to protect Afghanistan’s economic interests and safeguard the rights of local businesses. Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar urged business leaders in Kabul to reduce dependence on Pakistan and explore new trade routes. The ban comes amid deteriorating relations between the two neighbors. Afghanistan currently imports pharmaceuticals from Pakistan, India, Turkey, and Bangladesh, with an estimated annual import value of around one billion dollars before the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

The Bangladeshi government has decided to permit limited onion imports to stabilize prices after a sharp rise of about Tk 30 per kilogram within a month. The supply shortage emerged as the production and storage season neared its end, pushing wholesale prices in Chattogram’s Khatunganj market to Tk 100–112 per kg. Authorities say the move aims to balance market stability while protecting local farmers’ interests. The imported onions are expected to arrive within a week, though sea shipments may take up to two weeks. Bangladesh had significantly reduced onion imports in recent years, relying mostly on domestic production. However, traders warn that without immediate imports, prices could rise further before the next harvest season begins in December.

The Bangladesh government has approved the import of sugar, soybean oil, rice, and fertilizers from five countries at a total cost of Tk 998 crore. The decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. Under the plan, 12,500 tons of refined sugar will be bought from Turkey, 12 million liters of soybean oil from the UAE, and 50,000 tons of parboiled rice from Singapore. Additionally, 40,000 tons of DAP fertilizer will be imported from Morocco and 40,000 tons of granular urea from Saudi Arabia. The committee also approved several other proposals, including an e-waste management plant at Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park, short-term LNG supply from Aramco Trading Singapore, and a PPP-based container terminal project at Chittagong Port with Denmark’s APM Terminals.

A Japanese consortium led by Sumitomo has expressed interest in operating and maintaining the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Japan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Iwama Kiminori, conveyed this interest during a meeting with Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin at the Secretariat. The envoy said the consortium is eager to begin discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) as soon as possible. The commerce adviser noted that Japan’s involvement in Bangladesh’s airport infrastructure, along with progress on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), would strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties. The EPA is expected to provide duty- and quota-free access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market. Senior officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Japanese Embassy, and Sumitomo Corporation also attended the meeting.

Bangladesh’s capital market witnessed a significant downturn on the fourth trading day of the week, with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) seeing its benchmark index DSEX fall by nearly 1 percent to 4,825 points. Daily turnover dropped below Tk 300 crore, totaling Tk 290.14 crore, compared to Tk 339.75 crore in the previous session. Around 77.58 percent of traded securities declined in value, with major losses led by LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, British American Tobacco, Summit Power, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, and Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries. All sectors recorded negative returns, with the jute sector suffering the steepest decline of 4.2 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw declines, with its CSCX index down 67.83 points to 8,447 and turnover dropping to Tk 9.81 crore from Tk 26.34 crore previously.

The Chittagong Port Authority is set to sign a 30-year concession agreement with Denmark-based APM Terminals BV, a Maersk Group subsidiary, to design, finance, build, and operate the modern Laldia Container Terminal under a public-private partnership model. Ownership will remain with the port authority, reducing government capital expenditure. The project, approved in principle by the Economic Affairs Advisory Council, involves an investment exceeding USD 800 million, marking Bangladesh’s largest European equity investment. The terminal, expected to be operational by 2030, will double vessel capacity, enhance global shipping connectivity, and cut export-import costs. It will also create 500–700 direct jobs and thousands of indirect ones while implementing global HSSE standards and digital management systems. The facility will be Bangladesh’s first green and smart port, supporting climate goals and boosting logistics, trade efficiency, and economic growth.