Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur has revealed that printing, storing, transporting, and distributing banknotes nationwide costs around Tk 20,000 crore annually. Speaking at a CPD dialogue, he urged reducing reliance on physical cash and expanding cashless transactions.
The central bank is promoting QR code-based payments, making it mandatory for all licensed institutions. Mansur said this would make transactions faster, safer, and more transparent for both businesses and consumers. He also announced efforts to make quality smartphones available for Tk 6,000–7,000, enabling universal smartphone access to support digital payments.

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), announced that the government intends to finalize the recruitment of foreign operators for the country’s major ports by December this year.

Speaking after inaugurating the agent desk at Chattogram port, he said ongoing port reforms are expected to reduce corruption and harassment. The port’s capacity is projected to multiply several times by 2030. Since the Navy-run Dry Dock Limited took over management of the New Moring Container Terminal, container handling has increased by 30%, and ship waiting times have dropped by 13 hours.

At a CPD seminar on Sunday, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Munsur said political stability has yet to be achieved in the country, making it unrealistic to expect a sudden surge in investment. He expressed optimism that inflation will drop below 5% this year and announced that a new directive on digital banks will be issued this month, enabling interested institutions to apply. Speakers at the event stressed that inflation remains high, urging immediate relief measures for low-income families. They noted public expectations of the government, including the long-promised universal health insurance scheme, which has yet to be implemented. Concerns were also raised over the impact of new U.S. tariff policies, with calls to diversify export products.

Facing a steep 50% tariff imposed by the Trump administration on Indian goods, leading Indian apparel manufacturer Pearl Global is relocating its production from India to four other countries, including Bangladesh. The company, which supplies to major U.S. retailers like Gap and Kohl's, has received urgent concerns from buyers about the tariff impact.

CEO Pallab Banerjee stated that to avoid the high tariffs, production will now be shifted to 17 factories across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Guatemala. "Some buyers are still interested in Indian products," Banerjee said, "but they want us to share the burden of the increased tariffs — which we cannot afford."

Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has assured that the upcoming national election will receive all the necessary funding. "There will be no issues with financing the election," he said. On U.S. tariff changes, he noted, "What the U.S. has done is not exactly comforting, but compared to other countries, Bangladesh is not in a dire position."

Dr. Ahmed added that the country's garment and knitwear sectors can adapt quickly to the new regulations, although the textile weaving sector may face some challenges. Regarding further negotiations with the U.S., he confirmed talks are ongoing, including discussions with the Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who reportedly expressed a positive outlook.

"A formal agreement is yet to be signed. We'll need to examine which tariffs to reduce and which imports to allow," he said. "This isn't a multilateral negotiation; it’s sensitive and strategic—so not everything can be disclosed. Countries like Vietnam, China, North Korea, South Korea, India, and Pakistan are also competitors."

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total tariff to 50%. The decision is reportedly in response to India's continued direct and indirect import of Russian oil.

This additional tariff adds to a previously announced 25% duty, doubling the pressure on India. Trump had earlier warned of harsher economic penalties if President Putin failed to take meaningful steps toward ending the war in Ukraine. The new tariffs are expected to strain U.S.-India relations further.

The development comes shortly after reports from Indian government sources indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to visit China later this month—his first visit in nearly seven years.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – British multinational oil and gas company BP has announced the discovery of the largest oil and gas field off the Brazilian coast in the past 25 years. Located 404 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro and 2,372 meters below sea level, this marks BP’s tenth discovery this year.

Following the announcement, BP’s shares rose by over 1% on the London Stock Exchange. The company plans to drill around 40 wells globally over the next three years, including up to 15 in 2025 alone. BP has set an ambitious target of producing between 2.3 and 2.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2030.

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Finance Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has pledged to continue reforming Bangladesh’s financial sector as long as the current administration remains in power. Speaking at the national tree plantation campaign launch at the Krishi Bank Staff College in Mirpur, he said, “The scale of money laundering and banking sector looting in Bangladesh is unparalleled globally.”

Dr. Salehuddin noted that, compared to other banks, the state-run Krishi Bank remains in relatively good shape and has played a major role in the country’s agricultural revolution. He emphasized the need for ongoing reform to restore stability and public trust in the financial system.

Brac Bank has introduced a collateral-free loan facility at a market-lowest 13.75% interest rate for entrepreneurs in the Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (CMSME) sector. The offer is valid from August 1 to September 30 under the “SME Means Brac Bank” campaign. Two new solutions—“Probrton” for online entrepreneurs and “BizPay” for large transactions—have also been launched. With over 2 million SME clients and BDT 2 trillion disbursed, Brac Bank reaffirms its leadership in SME financing in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s demand for dollars has dropped despite improved supply, largely due to a sharp decline in capital machinery imports. LC openings rose by only 0.18% in FY 2024-25, with June hitting a 4.5-year low. Economists link this to reduced investment, economic stagnation, and falling consumption. Remittance and exports have surged, stabilizing the exchange rate. The central bank is now buying dollars to build reserves. Experts say boosting imports and ensuring political stability are essential to revive economic momentum and meet long-term growth needs.

India’s suspension of visas for Bangladeshis since August 2024 has severely impacted Kolkata’s tourism-dependent economy. Areas like New Market and Free School Street—popular among Bangladeshi visitors—have suffered most. Businesses in these zones report over ₹5,000 crore in combined losses. Hotels, restaurants, transport, and currency exchanges face closures and layoffs. Informal workers are also struggling. The visa halt followed the fall of Bangladesh’s previous government and rising diplomatic tensions. Local businesses now hope for renewed bilateral ties and quick resolution.

Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA, has stated that the government is committed to positioning Bangladesh as a regional hub for halal products by fostering an enabling environment for the halal economy. Highlighting the $7 trillion global halal market, he pointed out that most halal products are currently produced by non-Muslim countries, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Bangladesh. The government is working on improving infrastructure and attracting investment in this sector, and Mahmud emphasized the need for strong public-private partnerships to realize the full potential of the halal economy.

Adviser Sakhawat Hossain has acknowledged that Bangladesh's export sector remains narrowly focused and lacks diversification. Speaking at an event, he highlighted the country’s missed opportunities in sectors like shipbuilding, which holds great potential as an export industry.

"We still haven’t made significant progress in this sector. Many industrialists prioritize their own interests over the welfare of workers. Without ensuring workers’ rights and benefits, our dreams of industrial development will remain unfulfilled," he said.

Hossain also criticized past labor ministry leadership, citing conflicts of interest that undermined labor rights. He pointed out increasing international pressure from the European Union and the United States due to labor rights concerns.

He urged trade union leaders to act responsibly and avoid inciting unnecessary unrest that could harm industries. "A balance must be maintained between workers' rights and industrial stability," he concluded.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens to prioritize domestic products and safeguard national economic interests amidst global instability. This comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian exports—reportedly the highest among South Asian nations. Modi appealed especially to traders and retailers, urging them to commit to selling only Indian-made goods. This statement follows growing U.S. pressure, including warnings of increased tariffs if India continues purchasing oil from Russia.

If Bangladesh can withstand increased tariffs, it stands to gain significantly, with potential order shifts from China and Vietnam. The U.S. has imposed nearly equal tariffs on Bangladesh and its competitors except China, preserving Bangladesh’s global competitiveness. Industry leaders thank the U.S. for a fair tariff system and urge local entrepreneurs to enhance skills and educate buyers about cost impacts. Despite possible price rises and order fluctuations, strong negotiation remains key. Success could lead to a long-term boost in garment exports.