The United Arab Emirates has significantly reduced the approval time for tourist visas to make travel easier for visitors. According to the report, 30- and 60-day single-entry tourist visas are now being issued within a maximum of 48 hours after submission of required documents. Alongside the faster visa process, the UAE has announced special summer discounts at hotels, entertainment venues, and popular attractions across Dubai.

Travel industry representatives noted that the combination of quick visa approvals and seasonal discounts is expected to attract more tourists this summer. Many hotels are offering rooms starting from 139 dirhams, roughly 4,645 Bangladeshi taka, with well-known brands such as Rove Hotels providing limited-time offers. Popular activities like desert safaris, jet skiing, and buggy rides are also being offered at reduced prices, with some operators giving up to 50 percent discounts for advance bookings.

Applicants can apply for visas online through Emirates’ website by submitting a valid passport, recent photo, hotel booking proof, and confirmed flight ticket. Most applications are processed within 48 hours, though some may be approved even faster in special cases.

The Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh has expressed deep concern over the government's decision to retain the existing 10 percent income tax on private universities in the national budget. In a statement signed by the association’s director Belal Ahmed, the organization called on the government to reconsider the tax policy in the interest of students and the higher education sector.

According to the statement, the association had earlier presented the rationale for withdrawing the tax to the Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission, the National Board of Revenue, and other policymakers, but no positive response was received. It noted that private universities already pay significant amounts in VAT and other taxes for infrastructure, technology, laboratories, and educational services. The additional 10 percent income tax, the association warned, would hinder institutional development and indirectly increase the cost of higher education for students.

The association emphasized that private universities operate as non-profit entities under existing law, and imposing income tax raises a policy question internationally. It urged authorities to view investment in education as a long-term investment in human resource development rather than an expense.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has drawn renewed international attention as talks on easing economic sanctions between the United States and Iran gain momentum. Reports indicate that despite years of Western restrictions, the IRGC has maintained a strong presence across key sectors of Iran’s economy, including energy, construction, ports, shipping, telecommunications, and infrastructure development.

According to a report by The Times of Israel, any potential agreement between Washington and Tehran could boost foreign investment and oil exports in Iran. However, much of this economic activity is expected to flow through existing domestic networks where the IRGC holds significant influence. Analysts suggest that IRGC-linked companies could become essential partners for foreign investors due to Iran’s joint-venture business structure.

Experts warn that while sanctions relief could expand IRGC-affiliated business networks, Western companies may face legal and diplomatic risks because several countries classify the IRGC as a banned or terrorist organization. The potential deal could therefore reshape both Iran’s political relations and its internal economic power balance.

Road Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that direct train operations on the Pabna-Dhaka route will begin in August. He made the statement on Saturday evening at a meeting with government officials and local dignitaries at the Pabna Circuit House. The minister said locomotives for the route are ready, and new coaches are expected to arrive in July. Once the coaches are received, the direct service will start on a priority basis.

He added that two new train routes are planned to launch in August, starting with the Dhaka-Pabna service followed by the Dhaka-Khulna route. The minister also emphasized restoring discipline in the transport sector through coordinated efforts involving owners, workers, and all stakeholders, prioritizing public interest over any specific group.

Regarding the relocation of the Kazirhat ferry terminal, Robiul Alam stated that preliminary work has begun, including completion of the feasibility study and development project proposal. The government is committed to implementing the project promptly, considering its public importance and long-standing local demand.

At a roundtable organized by the Agriculturists Forum of Bangladesh (AFB) at the National Press Club, experts and civil society representatives said the proposed 2026–27 national budget includes some positive steps for agriculture but lacks bold measures to address long-term challenges in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors. They presented 13 recommendations aimed at sustainable agricultural development, food security, and farmers’ income growth.

Speakers noted that while the budget offers tax and duty exemptions on fertilizers, pesticides, veterinary inputs, and poultry equipment, as well as plans to expand grain storage and cold storage facilities, the overall allocation increase for the broader agriculture sector is only 2.25 percent—far below the national budget growth rate. They also highlighted that allocations for fisheries and livestock have declined by 18.45 percent from the previous year. Barrister A.S.M. Shahriar Kabir described the budget as deceptive and fiscally unrealistic.

AFB participants urged the government to allocate at least 10 percent of the total budget to agriculture, expand research funding, establish crop insurance and coastal agriculture authorities, and strengthen policies for processing and export of agricultural products.

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Maulana Zahirul Islam, elected from Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali), emphasized the importance of using modern technology in agriculture to make farmers more aware and skilled. He made the remarks on Saturday morning while addressing the 'Partner Field School Congress' as the chief guest at the Upazila Parishad auditorium in Banshkhali.

The congress was organized by the Department of Agricultural Extension under the 'Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh (PARTNER)' project for the fiscal year 2025–26. The event featured presentations on the project's activities, achievements, and future plans by Upazila Agriculture Officer Shyamal Chandra Sarkar. Special guest Aminur Rahman Chowdhury, a member of Chattogram South District BNP and former chairman, also spoke at the event.

Presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ruhul Amin, the congress was attended by agricultural officials, farmers, field school members, and local dignitaries. Speakers highlighted the need to expand technology use in farming to boost productivity and ensure sustainable agriculture.

The government has initiated a Tk 1,800 crore mega project under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to modernize rural and municipal infrastructure in Pabna district. The proposed 'Pabna District Rural Infrastructure Development Project' is currently under process at the Ministry of Local Government. It includes construction and repair of rural roads, bridges, culverts, modern markets, ghats, rail crossings, and tree plantation programs for environmental balance.

A separate project is also being prepared to address waterlogging and improve road connectivity in Pabna municipality. Local leaders and officials said the initiative, driven by the efforts of Pabna-5 MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, is nearing final approval. Stakeholders including the district citizen committee and press club leaders expressed optimism that the project will boost local trade, ease transportation of agricultural goods, and improve civic amenities.

According to LGED officials, field-level feasibility studies have been completed, and the development project proposal for drainage and road modernization is progressing rapidly. Implementation will begin once ministerial approval is granted.

The Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) has called for the withdrawal of additional tax imposed on mid-range fossil fuel-powered reconditioned cars in the proposed 2026–27 national budget. The demand was made at a press conference held at Dhaka Club, where BARVIDA President Abdul Haque warned that the increased tax would raise car prices beyond middle-class affordability and put business investments at risk.

BARVIDA stated that the new budget introduces revised engine capacity slabs, raising the overall tax burden on popular fuel-efficient cars from 132.36% to 159.80%. This could increase the price of a reconditioned Toyota Premio by about Tk 300,000 and a Toyota Axio by Tk 250,000. The association also noted that while the government promotes electric vehicles with duty benefits, the lack of charging infrastructure limits their accessibility. BARVIDA urged equal duty benefits for both new and reconditioned plug-in hybrid cars and policy support for fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles.

The association highlighted that the reconditioned vehicle sector represents around Tk 20,000 crore in local investment, generates Tk 6,000 crore in annual revenue, and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across related industries.

Foreign investors are increasingly showing interest in operating existing container terminals at Chittagong Port, such as NCT, CCT, and JCB, instead of investing in new greenfield projects like Matarbari, Bay Terminal, and Laldia. Global operators including DP World and A.P. Moller-Maersk have submitted proposals to manage these ready terminals, creating a complex situation for the port authority and the ministry.

The shift in investor focus has slowed progress on major new port projects, delaying around six billion dollars in potential foreign investment. The Bay Terminal project, initiated in 2017, has seen little progress beyond design work, while Matarbari Deep Sea Port and other projects are advancing slowly despite secured funding. Meanwhile, Saudi firm Red Sea Gateway, which operates the Patenga Container Terminal, has also proposed to manage NCT despite underperforming at its current terminal.

Experts note that investors prefer ready terminals for quicker returns, while port officials maintain that each project will proceed on separate timelines. The Chittagong Port Authority has pledged to protect national interests in any future agreements.

Iran and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding that reopened the Hormuz Strait after months of closure. Despite this development, analysts warn that the global oil crisis is far from over. Data from analytics firm Kpler show that about 1.15 billion barrels of oil have been lost from global supply during the conflict, leaving the market fragile and near collapse.

The International Energy Agency reports that global oil reserves are now at their lowest since 1990, while U.S. emergency reserves have hit a 43-year low. At the G7 summit in Versailles, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that American reserves could run out within four weeks if the strait had remained closed. Although oil prices have dropped below 80 dollars per barrel from a wartime high of 126.41 dollars, experts caution that prices may rise again as supply recovery will be slow.

According to the IEA, even with an additional daily output of five million barrels, it could take nearly a year to restore lost supply. Some analysts, however, believe OPEC Plus members are eager to boost production, suggesting the crisis may ease within weeks.

The government of Bangladesh has announced plans to expand Sylhet Airport to attract more foreign tourists, according to Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita. She made the statement on Friday, June 19, during the inauguration of a festival at the Phulchhara Tea Garden field in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar. The minister said the initiative aligns with efforts under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership to advance the country’s tourism sector.

Rita added that the government is formulating plans to create employment opportunities and promote ethnic tourism. She also pledged to work on establishing an Ethnic Cultural Academy in response to local demands. The expansion of Sylhet Airport is part of a broader strategy to present Sylhet as a global tourism destination.

State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, speaking as a special guest, noted that the government’s election manifesto emphasizes balanced regional development and the growth of community, ethnic, and water tourism. The Bangladesh Tourism Board organized the Harmony Festival to revive and sustain the diverse cultures of small ethnic groups.

Leaders of the National Labor Power, the labor wing of the National Citizens Party (NCP), have criticized the proposed 2026–2027 national budget as failing to meet the expectations of working people and being contrary to public interest. Speaking at a national seminar titled “Workers’ Expectations and Achievements in the 2026–2027 National Budget” held at the National Press Club on Friday, they said the allocation for the labor and employment sector has been reduced compared to the previous fiscal year, which they described as inconsistent with the development and welfare needs of the country’s large labor force.

Speakers noted that key issues such as workers’ healthcare, safe housing, education, pension systems, and unemployment support have long been neglected, and the budget lacks a clear plan to revive closed industries or restore employment. They urged the government to consult labor organizations before finalizing future budgets to ensure inclusion of worker-focused measures.

The seminar also presented specific demands, including establishing a national fund for skill and technological development, introducing a rationing system for low-income workers, building specialized hospitals and affordable housing in industrial areas, expanding social security and pension schemes, and ensuring fair minimum wage adjustments aligned with inflation.

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anny said the government is working to approve the Teesta Master Plan as soon as possible. He stated that the project is in its final stage of evaluation to ensure maximum benefits for people in the Teesta basin. The minister made the remarks on Friday while visiting the Teesta River in Lalmonirhat and exchanging views with local residents. Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu and State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad were also present.

Anny emphasized that the government is committed to public welfare and is proceeding with the project to ensure long-term national and local benefits. He noted that the government has already approved the Padma Barrage Project and revived the canal excavation program initiated by late President Ziaur Rahman. Plans are underway to excavate and re-excavate about 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and reservoirs over the next five years.

State Minister Farhad Hossain Azad said local and foreign experts are reviewing the Teesta project, which will be submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval once evaluations are complete.

The government of Bangladesh has approved a grant of Tk 140 crore 11 lakh 8 thousand for private orphanages across the country as the second installment of the 2025–26 fiscal year. The Ministry of Social Welfare sanctioned the funds for 4,209 registered private orphanages in 64 districts, benefiting 116,759 orphaned children. The Directorate of Social Services issued an official order confirming the allocation, which will be distributed through local social services offices under the 2014 grant allocation and distribution policy.

According to the Directorate, the total allocation for private orphanages in the current fiscal year amounts to Tk 280 crore, with the first installment of Tk 139 crore 88 lakh 76 thousand already released. Each child will receive Tk 12,000 for six months, covering January to June 2026, primarily for food and basic needs. The ministry emphasized strict monitoring to ensure proper use of the funds.

Officials noted that the grant plays a vital role in improving living conditions for disadvantaged children and supporting the operational costs of financially constrained orphanages nationwide.

The Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association has proposed that all types of restaurants, including street food vendors, be brought under VAT registration and that a uniform 5 percent VAT rate be applied to both restaurant and catering services. The proposal was presented at a press conference held at the association’s headquarters in Bijoynagar, Dhaka, following the announcement of the proposed 2026–27 national budget. The association argued that the current system, which imposes 5 percent VAT on restaurants and 15 percent on catering services, creates inequality in business competition and complicates tax administration.

In a written statement, the association’s secretary general Imran Hasan said that rising LPG and electricity prices and high inflation have significantly increased operating costs in the restaurant sector, which has not received adequate attention in the proposed budget. The association also called for a business-friendly tax environment, one-stop service for restaurant operations, a specific industrial policy for the sector, and mandatory certification from the association.

The group welcomed the government’s proposal to offer depreciation benefits for new restaurant investments outside Dhaka but urged authorities to ensure low-interest loans, reduce operational costs, and maintain policy stability to encourage investment and job creation.