Continuous heavy rainfall has raised the water level of Kaptai Lake, enabling the Karnafuli Hydropower Plant in Rangamati to increase electricity generation. With improved water availability, all five units of the country’s only hydropower facility have been brought back into operation, producing a total of 150 megawatts of electricity as of Tuesday evening, July 7, 2026.

According to plant officials, the water level in Kaptai Lake has been rising steadily over the past several days due to persistent rain in Rangamati and surrounding areas. Previously, only two of the five units were operational because of low water levels. The resumption of all units marks a significant boost in generation capacity.

Officials noted that if rainfall continues and the lake’s water level increases further, there will be potential to expand electricity production beyond the current output. The Karnafuli Hydropower Plant has a maximum generation capacity of 230 megawatts.

Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves declined following the settlement of Asian Clearing Union (ACU) import bills for the May–June period. According to Bangladesh Bank data, the country’s total reserves stood at 36.17 billion dollars on Tuesday, down from 37.84 billion dollars the previous day. Under the IMF’s BPM-6 calculation method, reserves dropped to 31.72 billion dollars from 33.19 billion dollars, while net reserves were recorded at 27.29 billion dollars.

The ACU payment for May–June amounted to about 1.67 billion dollars. Earlier, Bangladesh paid 1.51 billion dollars for March–April, 1.37 billion dollars for January–February, 1.53 billion dollars for November–December, and 1.61 billion dollars for September–October. The ACU is a regional settlement system among nine Asian central banks, including Bangladesh, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, and the Maldives.

The ACU mechanism allows participating countries to settle import and export payments every two months, unlike other international transactions that are settled immediately.

Malaysia has reopened its labor market for Bangladeshi workers, according to Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury. Speaking to journalists at Sylhet Circuit House on Tuesday, he said worker deployment could begin within one to two months under a new system. Bangladesh will now select recruiting agencies to ensure transparency in the hiring process.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s official visit to Malaysia, during which he discussed labor recruitment, regularization of irregular workers, and a free trade agreement with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Malaysia had previously suspended worker recruitment from Bangladesh in March 2024 after irregularities resurfaced, following earlier closures and reopenings since 2018.

The minister also indicated that positive developments may soon follow regarding labor markets in the Middle East, Japan, and Mauritius. Authorities emphasized coordinated efforts between the government and recruiting agencies to prevent syndicates and corruption in the new recruitment framework.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced jet fuel prices for the third consecutive month, providing relief to the country’s aviation sector. According to a notification issued on Tuesday, the new July rates lower domestic jet fuel prices by 19.22 taka per liter, from 150.21 to 130.99 taka. For international routes, the price has been reduced from 0.9808 to 0.8556 US dollars per liter.

This marks a total reduction of 96.09 taka per liter over three months, following sharp price hikes in March and April when domestic rates rose by about 80 percent. The recent cuts follow a decline in global crude oil prices, prompting local adjustments in May and June. Industry stakeholders say the lower fuel costs will reduce operating expenses for both domestic and international flights, though ticket prices are unlikely to drop immediately.

Energy experts note that if global oil markets remain stable, further price adjustments may be possible in the coming months. However, geopolitical instability or supply disruptions could reverse the trend.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new pilot package visa program aimed at simplifying travel procedures for foreign tourists. The initiative, announced on Tuesday, allows visitors to obtain a comprehensive travel package that includes a tourist visa, flight tickets, accommodation, and other essential travel services through approved travel and tourism providers.

According to the country’s state news agency, the program will initially be implemented through authorized agencies with digital platforms, technical capacity, and 24-hour customer service. Travelers will be able to book round-trip flights, licensed hotel stays, and apply for electronic tourist visas in one process, with options to add events and tourism activities. The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to boost the tourism sector, jointly managed by the ministries of tourism, foreign affairs, interior, and the insurance authority.

Officials expect the program to enhance the travel experience, strengthen tourism partnerships, and increase visitor spending and engagement in the country.

Sheltech Group, one of Bangladesh’s leading industrial conglomerates, has announced a new investment plan worth Tk 1,504 crore across agriculture processing, real estate, textiles, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors. The company stated that the initiative could create around 45,000 new jobs, largely through contract farming. The announcement was made on July 7, 2026.

Founded in 1988, Sheltech Group operates in real estate, construction, tiles, electrical poles, agriculture, garments, textiles, and hospitality. The group said the new investments will support industrialization, export growth, employment, and sustainable economic development. Funding will come from internal resources, joint ventures, bank loans, and foreign financing. Managing Director Tanvir Ahmed said the expansion responds to growing global demand for Bangladeshi products.

The plan includes Tk 400 crore already invested in a Spain-Bangladesh agro joint venture in Parbatipur, Tk 575 crore for a 17-story green shopping complex in Banasree, Tk 85 crore in abrasive paper production in Sylhet, and Tk 179 crore to expand blended yarn capacity. Sheltech also plans to install 10 MW of solar power. The group expects annual turnover to rise from Tk 6,700 crore to Tk 9,200 crore by 2030.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Walmart reduced product prices at his administration’s request. In a social media post, Trump said the retail giant agreed to lower prices, including a 15 percent cut on ground beef, to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. However, Walmart’s official statement made no mention of any government involvement, saying the decision was aimed at giving customers and Sam’s Club members better value during the summer season.

The announcement comes as Trump faces criticism over rising inflation during his tenure, which increased from 3 percent to 4.2 percent over the past year. The president has blamed Democrats for high prices and mocked them as “communists” ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Walmart, which benefited from higher consumer traffic amid inflation, said it would also reduce prices on corn, cherries, ice cream, potato chips, and soft drinks.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation remains elevated, though a temporary truce with Iran has eased oil prices slightly, potentially reducing pressure on consumers.

Petrobangla announced on Tuesday that the supply of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) from the Maheshkhali LNG terminals has dropped by about 300 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD). The company stated in a press release that this reduction has caused low gas pressure across the country, affecting all categories of consumers.

According to the statement, adverse weather conditions have significantly disrupted RLNG supply from the Maheshkhali terminals, leading to the current situation. Petrobangla warned that until the situation improves, residential, commercial, and industrial users nationwide may continue to experience low gas pressure.

Petrobangla expressed sincere regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to consumers and assured that normal supply would resume once conditions improve.

Revenue collection at Benapole Customs House, the country’s largest land port, fell drastically in the 2025–26 fiscal year. Against a government target of Tk 11,290 crore, only Tk 6,559 crore was collected, leaving a shortfall of Tk 4,731 crore. Import and export activities also declined significantly, with total imports dropping by about 197,000 tons compared to the previous year.

Officials and traders attributed the revenue slump to reduced imports, global trade slowdown, foreign currency shortages, changes in tariff structures, and irregularities. Imports of high-duty items such as industrial raw materials, electronics, machinery parts, and chemicals fell sharply, directly cutting customs and VAT income. Business leaders said daily truck movements for both imports and exports have nearly halved compared to the previous year.

Customs authorities stated that investigations into weight-scale manipulation and other irregularities are ongoing, with legal actions already initiated in some cases. Stakeholders emphasized that improved digital monitoring, transparency, and anti-corruption measures could help restore revenue performance.

Bangladesh’s overall inflation rate declined slightly in June 2026, standing at 9.16 percent on a point-to-point basis, according to data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on Monday. This marks a 0.26 percentage point drop from May’s 9.42 percent, though inflation has remained above 9 percent for three consecutive months. In March, the rate was 8.71 percent.

The BBS report shows that both food and non-food inflation decreased in June. Food inflation fell to 8.60 percent from 9.06 percent in May, while non-food inflation eased to 9.61 percent from 9.71 percent. Inflation declined in both rural and urban areas, with rural inflation at 9.23 percent and urban inflation at 9.01 percent. Analysts attribute the persistent high inflation to rising prices of essential goods and fuel, which continue to pressure low- and middle-income households.

BBS data also indicate that the 12-month average inflation from July 2025 to June 2026 was 8.68 percent, down from 10.03 percent in the previous year, suggesting a modest improvement in annual inflation trends.

The initiative to introduce a single-point enlistment system for auditors and audit firms in Bangladesh has stalled, despite a target to implement it by January 15, 2026. According to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the delay stems from the absence of recommendations from the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA) and the NGO Affairs Bureau regarding special qualification requirements. FRC Chairman Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan said the council has renewed its request to these agencies and will issue an order once their inputs are received.

The single-point enlistment plan was approved during the interim government period to streamline the registration process under the FRC, eliminating the need for auditors to register separately with multiple regulatory bodies. Representatives from the FRC, Bangladesh Bank, BSEC, IDRA, NBR, MRA, NGO Bureau, ICAB, and ICMAB participated in the initial meeting that set the January 2026 deadline. While some agencies, including BSEC and Bangladesh Bank, have submitted their conditions, IDRA and the NGO Bureau have yet to respond.

The FRC argues that the unified enlistment would reduce duplication, lower administrative costs, and save time for auditors and firms currently required to meet 33 conditions and submit 48 documents across different regulators.

The US Department of Energy reported that the country’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve has dropped by 6.2 million barrels to 319.5 million barrels, marking its lowest level since April 1983. The decline is part of an agreement involving the withdrawal of a total of 172 million barrels from the reserve.

According to Al Jazeera, the global energy market continues to feel the effects of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during wartime. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through this crucial maritime route, making its disruption highly significant for global energy stability.

Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, indirect talks have begun in Qatar. As a result, the Strait of Hormuz is gradually reopening to shipping, with discussions emphasizing the importance of maintaining normal maritime operations.

The government has cancelled the remaining term of the contractual appointment of Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank. The Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance issued a notification on Monday announcing the decision.

Following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, central bank officials compelled all contractual officers, including deputy governors, to resign. After the formation of the interim government, Deputy Governors Kazi Sayedur Rahman and Md. Khurshid Alam submitted their resignations upon government advice. Zakir Hossain Chowdhury and Kabir Ahmed were appointed to the vacant positions on September 8, 2024. The government has now revoked Chowdhury’s appointment.

The decision marks another change in the central bank’s leadership structure under the interim administration, though no further details were provided in the official notification.

The government of Bangladesh announced tax reductions on 63 essential goods in the current fiscal year’s national budget to ease consumer costs. Despite the policy’s aim to reduce import and marketing expenses, retail prices of key items such as rice and edible oil have not fallen. Instead, market instability has increased, with some products becoming more expensive.

According to the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), the benefits of the tax relief are being absorbed by traders rather than reaching consumers. CAB Vice President S.M. Nazer Hossain stated that the government’s intention to reduce public hardship through lower taxes has not materialized in practice. CAB attributes the situation to weak market monitoring and the influence of dishonest traders. The organization noted that import taxes on items like rice, wheat, livestock, onions, garlic, and edible oils were reduced to as low as 0.5 percent, yet retail prices remain unchanged.

Market analysts warn that if the government’s revenue sacrifices do not translate into consumer benefits, the policy’s purpose will be undermined. CAB has urged stronger regulatory action to curb unethical business practices and restore market stability.

An event marking National Rural Development Day 2026 was held in Nazirpur upazila of Pirojpur, organized by the upazila administration and the local rural development office. The discussion, themed “Developed Villages, Prosperous Nation, Bangladesh First,” took place on Monday morning at the Upazila Agriculture Training Auditorium, with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sajia Shahnaz Toma presiding.

In her address, the UNO emphasized that rural development should not be limited to infrastructure but must also prioritize education, health, women’s empowerment, and employment generation. She called for coordinated efforts among government and non-government institutions to achieve sustainable progress and highlighted the importance of delivering services to grassroots communities. She also mentioned ongoing initiatives to promote women’s entrepreneurship through proper use of cooperatives and microcredit.

At the end of the event, loan checks were distributed among beneficiaries and students to support rural economic activities. Local officials, freedom fighters, journalists, and representatives from various cooperatives attended the program, expressing optimism that continued rural progress would accelerate national economic growth.