Government employees in Bangladesh have formed a united front to demand immediate implementation of a new pay scale. The interim government established a pay commission on July 27 to revise the salary structure, initially promising to enforce it within its tenure. However, recent remarks by Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, suggesting that the next elected government will make the final decision, have sparked anger among employees. Leaders from various organizations, including the Secretariat Officers’ Association and the Bangladesh Government Employees Unity Council, have warned of intensified pressure if the commission’s recommendations are not submitted by November 30. They demand that the new pay scale be gazetted by December 15 and implemented from January 1. Twelve employee groups, including teachers, railway workers, and office staff, are coordinating joint actions. If the government fails to meet their deadline, employees plan to escalate with protests, sit-ins, and possible work stoppages. Union leaders insist that the new pay scale must be announced this year to maintain trust among civil servants.

The interim government of Bangladesh has issued new regulations eliminating the requirement for prior approval from authorities such as RAJUK and NHA for the transfer, sale, donation, or mortgage of residential plots and flats. The Ministry of Housing and Public Works published the gazette notification on November 10, making the rules effective immediately. The reform aims to simplify services, reduce bureaucratic delays, and curb corruption in property ownership transfers. Under the new rules, property owners will no longer need approval from the leasing authority for ownership changes, though permissions will still be required for changes in land use or plot amalgamation. A transfer fee of 2% for developed plots or buildings and 5% for land-only transfers will apply. Owners must submit transfer records to the leasing authority within 90 days, with penalties for delays. The lease term will automatically renew after 99 years. However, existing approval requirements remain for non-residential properties and disputed or government-linked plots.

Japan’s economy faces mounting pressure as China urges its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan. The advisory has led to mass cancellations of Japan-bound flights and a sharp decline in tourism-related bookings. Tokyo-based East Japan International Travel Service, which mainly serves Chinese group tourists, reports losing about 80% of its bookings for the rest of the year. Tourism contributes roughly 7% to Japan’s GDP, with Chinese and Hong Kong visitors accounting for about one-fifth of all foreign tourists. Analysts at Nomura Research Institute estimate potential losses of around 2.2 trillion yen ($14.23 billion) if the boycott continues. More than ten Chinese airlines have refunded tickets through December 31, with around 500,000 cancellations already reported. The diplomatic standoff has also affected cultural exchanges, with Chinese authorities suspending Japanese film releases and Japanese celebrities publicly reaffirming support for the One-China policy to avoid backlash.

A fishing trawler named FB Raisa brought in an exceptional catch of 200 maunds of hilsa from the Bay of Bengal, landing at the BFDC Fish Landing Center in Patharghata, Barguna. The fish, caught about 70 kilometers off Kuakata on November 17, were sold for Tk 52 lakh at Tk 26,000 per maund. The trawler, carrying 17 fishermen, had struggled for days with poor catches before this haul of nearly 18,000 hilsa weighing around 300–400 grams each. The sudden abundance has brought relief and happiness to the fishermen, who had been facing financial hardship. Local fish traders and the Barguna Trawler Owners’ Association expressed satisfaction, attributing the improved catch to government efforts to curb illegal wooden trawling, which they believe has helped restore fish stocks in the Bay.

Around 491,000 air tickets for flights from China to Japan have been cancelled following Beijing’s travel advisory urging citizens to avoid Japan. The cancellations, which surged over the weekend, affected more than 80 percent of scheduled flights on Sunday and over 75 percent on Monday, according to aviation analyst Li Hanming. He noted that cancellations were 27 times higher than new bookings, reflecting widespread safety concerns among Chinese travelers. Airlines have responded by offering full refunds for Japan-bound flights. The sudden drop in demand could cost airlines billions of yuan in lost revenue and may force short-term capacity adjustments if diplomatic tensions persist. Analysts compared the scale of cancellations to the early 2020 period when Covid-19 outbreaks caused a sharp decline in air travel during the Lunar New Year holiday. The situation underscores how geopolitical strains can rapidly disrupt regional travel and aviation markets.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued a new directive prohibiting cash-based dollar transactions in an effort to stabilize the rupee and prevent excessive dollar outflows. Under the new rules, banks and exchange companies must transfer foreign currency directly into customers’ accounts instead of providing cash. Individuals without foreign currency accounts will no longer be able to purchase cash dollars. The SBP stated that the move aims to promote a cashless economy and ensure transparency in foreign exchange dealings. Exchange companies clarified that the decision will not affect travelers or those buying dollars for legitimate purposes, though buyers must provide proof of need. Additionally, transactions between customers and exchange companies are now limited to USD 500 unless verified for higher amounts. The new policy is part of Pakistan’s broader effort to strengthen its financial system amid ongoing currency pressure and foreign exchange challenges.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has made online submission of income tax returns mandatory for all individual taxpayers for the 2025–26 fiscal year, with the deadline set for November 30. Over one million taxpayers have already submitted their e-returns through the NBR’s digital system. Exceptions apply to senior citizens aged 65 or above, physically challenged or special-needs taxpayers, Bangladeshi citizens residing abroad, legal representatives of deceased taxpayers, and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh. Those facing registration issues can apply to submit paper returns with approval from tax authorities. The NBR has extended the application deadline for such cases to November 15. To facilitate the process, the NBR has launched training programs, a call center, and online support for resolving technical issues. Taxpayers can file returns, receive submission slips instantly, and print tax certificates directly from the e-return system, ensuring a faster and paperless filing experience.

Farmers in Saltha upazila of Faridpur district have achieved remarkable success in their first attempt at cultivating jute seeds, marking a significant step toward self-sufficiency in seed production. On 10 acres of land, 93 farmers cultivated local jute seed varieties such as JRO-524 and Sabujsona under the guidance of the Department of Jute. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on imported seeds, most of which currently come from India. Farmers reported earning nearly five times their production costs, with some, like Moktar Molya, earning over 20,000 taka from selling jute leaves alone. Officials noted that favorable weather conditions could further boost yields. Farmers expressed optimism that with additional government incentives for fertilizers and pesticides, they could meet local demand and even export surplus seeds. Faridpur, already the top jute-producing district in Bangladesh, may now emerge as a key source of quality jute seeds if the program expands successfully.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced plans to increase Saudi Arabia’s investment in the United States from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion. The announcement came during a joint appearance with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington. The Crown Prince said the expanded investment would cover multiple sectors, including technology and artificial intelligence, and would create significant new business opportunities between the two nations. President Trump expressed surprise and appreciation for the scale of the investment, calling it a sign of strong Saudi-U.S. relations. Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, described the meeting as a landmark moment for bilateral relations, noting that several major agreements had been signed, though details were not disclosed.

The Port Protection Council in Chittagong has staged a torch procession and road blockade demanding that no part of the Chittagong port, including the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), be handed over to foreign entities. The protest took place on Tuesday evening at the Port Connecting Road in the city’s Bara Pol area. Speakers at the rally, including Hasan Maruf Rumi of the Ganosamhati Andolon, alleged that the government was conspiring to lease out profitable port facilities to foreign companies under the guise of development. They claimed the port’s revenue had already increased by 21 percent, proving its efficiency. The council gave the authorities 40 hours to withdraw any such decision, warning that otherwise, they would announce tougher programs at a press conference on November 20. Protesters emphasized that while they support foreign investment in new projects like the Bay Terminal, they strongly oppose foreign control over existing profitable terminals like NCT and CCT.

In Nilphamari’s Saidpur, Bangladesh, potato farmers and traders are facing severe financial losses as market prices have plummeted far below production costs. Despite storing around 90,000 tons of potatoes in 11 cold storages with hopes of earning fair prices, demand has sharply declined, forcing many to sell at Tk 10–12 per kilogram, while production and storage costs reach Tk 20–25. Some farmers, unable to recover expenses, are feeding potatoes to cattle. Compared to last year, prices have dropped by more than half, leaving both farmers and cold storage owners struggling. Many traders have yet to release their stock due to the low market rate. Farmers are urging the government to increase market monitoring, offer incentives, and explore export options to stabilize prices. Agricultural officials report that 9,300 hectares have been planted with potatoes this season, and new crops are expected soon, which may provide some relief if prices improve.

After a 22-day suspension, the Barapukuria coal-based thermal power plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, resumed electricity production on Tuesday afternoon by restarting its first unit. The plant, which has a total capacity of 525 megawatts across three units, is currently generating only 50 megawatts per day. Operations had been halted due to mechanical failures that rendered all three units inactive, cutting off power supply to the national grid. The second unit, with a capacity of 125 megawatts, has been permanently out of service since 2020, while the third 275-megawatt unit remains offline. Authorities expect that full restoration of operations may take until January, as discussions with Chinese technical experts continue to resolve the mechanical issues. The partial resumption offers some relief amid ongoing power shortages in the region.

The Government of Bangladesh has approved the purchase of 220,000 metric tons of fertilizer from China, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Kafco at a total cost of approximately Tk 1,579 crore. The procurement includes 70,000 tons of urea, 120,000 tons of DAP, and 30,000 tons of TSP fertilizer. Additionally, the government will construct 34 buffer warehouses across the country at a cost of Tk 55.25 crore to improve fertilizer storage and distribution. The decisions were approved at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salahuddin Ahmed. The imports will be made for the 2025–26 fiscal year, with specific agreements including 40,000 tons of urea from Saudi Arabia’s SABIC Agro Nutrients Company and 30,000 tons from Bangladesh-based Kafco. The move aims to ensure adequate fertilizer supply for the upcoming agricultural seasons.

A World Bank delegation led by Jean Denis Pesme, Director of the bank’s Dhaka Regional Office, held a meeting with Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, on Tuesday, November 18. The meeting took place at the Jamaat chief’s office and included World Bank officials Mehrin A. Mahbub, Economic Adviser, and Gaelle Martin, Operations Manager. On the Jamaat side, economist Dr. Mizanur Rahman, former senior secretary Muhammad Safiullah, and foreign affairs adviser Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan were present. Discussions focused on Bangladesh’s financial sector reforms, sustainable economic growth, taxation systems, and social sector development. The meeting reflected an exchange of views on the country’s ongoing economic challenges and potential areas for structural improvement, though no specific agreements or commitments were publicly disclosed.

The Bangladesh government has approved the purchase of one cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Singapore at a cost of approximately Tk 490 crore. The decision was made during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salahuddin Ahmed. Petrobangla invited bids from 24 companies with existing Master Sale and Purchase Agreements (MSPA), and four firms submitted offers. BP Singapore Private Limited emerged as the lowest bidder, offering LNG at a rate of USD 11.64 per MMBtu. The cargo, totaling about 3.36 million MMBtu, will be imported through the international spot market. Officials said the procurement aims to ensure adequate energy supply amid rising domestic demand and global fuel price fluctuations. The approval reflects Bangladesh’s continued reliance on imported LNG to meet its growing energy needs.