The Association of Bankers, Bangladesh (ABB) has submitted a proposal to Bangladesh Bank seeking approval to impose new fees on 14 banking services that are currently free of charge. The proposal also includes increases in existing charges for various services such as account maintenance, loan processing, letters of credit, bank guarantees, demand drafts, pay orders, and solvency certificates. If approved, the changes would significantly raise banking costs for depositors, businesses, importers, exporters, and borrowers.

According to the proposal, dormant account reactivation would cost 500 taka, and cash withdrawals beyond certain limits would incur new fees. Loan management, restructuring, and early settlement charges would rise, while fees for letters of credit and bank guarantees would also increase. ABB has argued that rising operational and technology costs, along with inflation, justify a revision of the current fee structure. It has requested that the proposed schedule of charges be approved as the maximum limit for all banks.

ABB also suggested allowing banks to adjust charges annually by up to 10 percent in line with operational and inflationary changes, subject to Bangladesh Bank’s approval.

The government of Bangladesh has approved a policy decision to introduce ration benefits for government employees in grades 12 to 20, aiming to ease financial pressure caused by rising living costs. The Finance Division and the Cabinet Division have already given their consent, and implementation activities are underway. The decision follows prolonged discussions and was initiated after a proposal from the Pirojpur Deputy Commissioner at the May 3 District Commissioners’ Conference.

According to officials, many lower- and mid-level government employees have been struggling with inflation and relying on loans to manage expenses. The ration plan seeks to reduce living costs, ease mental stress, and improve work efficiency. The Cabinet Division instructed ministries to report monthly progress by the 10th of each month and to present an overall review after three months. Public administration experts welcomed the move as timely and positive but urged strict oversight to prevent irregularities and ensure genuine beneficiaries receive the support.

Currently, ration benefits are available to members of the armed forces, police, BGB, Ansar, prison, fire service, NSI, SSF, ACC, and narcotics control departments.

UNESCO has reported that in 2025, 113 developing countries spent more on foreign debt repayments than on education. The agency’s latest report highlights that sub-Saharan African nations, on average, allocated 3.6 times more funds to debt servicing than to education, undermining education systems and threatening long-term economic growth. The report warns that the situation could worsen as low and lower-middle-income countries have already lost 21 percent of international education aid compared to 2023, with projections of a further 30 percent decline by 2027.

Debt Justice, a UK-based campaign group, attributed the growing debt burden to the COVID-19 pandemic, rising energy prices, higher interest rates, and climate-related disasters. In 2024, poor countries’ debt repayments reached a 35-year high, with 56 nations spending about one-fifth of their total government income on debt servicing. UNESCO noted that the funding shortfall has disrupted school operations, delayed teacher salaries, and hindered educational activities.

UNESCO called for reforms in global debt restructuring mechanisms and urged the creation of long-term debt-assistance frameworks to help developing countries maintain investment in education and essential public services while managing debt obligations.

Continuous heavy rainfall has caused severe waterlogging at Benapole, the country’s largest land port, submerging imported goods worth crores of taka. Several sheds and yards near Gate No. 3 were flooded, disrupting storage, transport, and unloading operations. The port authority has deployed power pumps to remove water, but the effort has been hampered by ongoing rain.

Port users and traders have blamed the recurring problem on the absence of an effective drainage system despite multiple infrastructure projects. They alleged that authorities were repeatedly informed but took no lasting action. A committee formed earlier to address drainage issues has shown no visible progress. Many importers, lacking insurance coverage, are now facing significant financial losses.

Business leaders expressed frustration that despite Benapole generating around Tk 10,000 crore in annual revenue for the government, the drainage crisis persists. The port director said water removal is underway and expects improvement once the rain stops.

After being closed for one month and 22 days, stone extraction at the Maddhapara hard rock mine in Dinajpur resumed on Saturday morning. Operations had been suspended 52 days earlier when the supply of ammonium nitrate explosives used for underground rock extraction ran out. The resumption followed the import and delivery of new explosive materials, confirmed Md. Amjad Hossain, Managing Director of Maddhapara Granite Mining Company Limited (MGMCL).

According to MGMCL, 88 metric tons of ammonium nitrate have now reached the mine, sufficient for about two and a half months of extraction work. The company has requested a total of 300 metric tons, with the remaining quantity expected to arrive in phases. The mine has faced similar disruptions in previous years due to shortages of explosives, storage constraints, and mechanical issues.

Maddhapara Granite Mining Company Limited, the country’s only underground hard rock mine, began commercial production in May 2007. Around 750 workers currently operate in three shifts, and under a renewed six-year contract with contractor GTC, the mine produces an average of 5,500 metric tons of stone daily.

The Ghorashal-Palash Urea Fertilizer Factory in Narsingdi failed to meet its production target for the 2025–26 fiscal year due to a 40-day suspension of operations caused by a gas shortage. The plant produced 764,535 tons of urea, about 85,000 tons short of its target. The facility, one of Southeast Asia’s largest, had achieved its production goal in 2024–25, the first year after its inauguration.

Built under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation at a cost of about Tk 15,500 crore, the plant began commercial production in March 2024 with an annual capacity of 924,000 tons. In its first year, it earned Tk 2,632 crore in revenue and Tk 232.69 crore in net profit, making it the only profitable state-owned urea factory that year. Officials attributed the shortfall in 2025–26 to the gas supply disruption linked to conflict in the Middle East.

The management has set a new production target of 940,000 tons for the current fiscal year, expressing optimism that stable gas supply and proper maintenance will enable the plant to exceed its goal.

Bangladesh observed World Population Day on Saturday with the theme “Fulfilling youth aspirations for a better tomorrow,” highlighting the need to transform its large working-age population into skilled human resources. The main event was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, attended by President Md. Shahabuddin and Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain. Both the President and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages, while national broadcasters aired special programs.

Experts noted that despite population growth, the country has not seen a proportional rise in skilled manpower. They warned that without adequate investment in education, technical training, and employment, the demographic dividend could turn into a burden. Rapid urbanization, internal migration due to climate change, and pressure on housing, transport, and healthcare were cited as growing challenges.

Speakers emphasized that planned population management, women’s empowerment, and youth skill development in technology, artificial intelligence, and modern agriculture are essential for sustainable growth. Officials from the Directorate of Family Planning added that long-term investment in maternal and child health can transform the population into productive human capital.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new 'package visa' program aimed at simplifying travel procedures for tourists from seven countries, including Bangladesh. According to a Gulf News report published on Friday, the first phase of the initiative covers Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Mexico. The program allows eligible travelers to obtain tickets, accommodation, and other travel services under a single booking.

Under the new system, travelers can complete their visa and travel arrangements together without visiting a Saudi embassy. The package includes a return flight ticket, accommodation in licensed hotels, and an electronic tourist visa. The visa will be issued electronically within 48 hours of completing the booking through approved travel providers, currently identified as 'Rizerval' and 'Almosafer'.

The visa will be valid for three months and allow a single entry for stays between two and eighty-eight days. The minimum package cost is set at 4,000 Saudi riyals for the first two days, with an additional 1,000 riyals per extra day. The total visa fee, including travel insurance, is 402.21 riyals.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Road Transport, Bridges, Railways, and Shipping, Sheikh Robiul Alam, held a bilateral meeting in London with UK Transport Minister The Right Honourable Heidi Alexander. During the meeting, he requested the United Kingdom’s assistance in simplifying and expediting OKTB, transit, and seafarer-related visas for Bangladeshi sailors working on international vessels. The discussion took place on Thursday, with details released by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Shipping on Friday.

The minister called for greater British investment, joint ventures, technology transfer, and public-private partnerships in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding, marine engineering, port development, and maritime industries. He highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to implementing the Hong Kong International Convention to ensure global standards in ship recycling, noting that 27 of the country’s 42 recycling yards already meet international criteria. He also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable maritime transport.

Both sides expressed determination to strengthen cooperation in transport, shipping, railways, port development, trade, and investment. Sheikh Robiul Alam invited the UK minister to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly suspended or delayed money transfers to the United Arab Emirates, according to a Financial Times report published on Tuesday. The move, in effect since May, has prevented funds from Saudi banks from reaching Emirati accounts, signaling growing friction between the two Gulf nations. The Saudi central bank denied imposing any formal restrictions when contacted by the newspaper.

The Financial Times report noted that disputes between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have become increasingly visible since early this year. Once close allies, the two countries have diverged over issues such as relations with Israel, policies in Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, and competition for regional economic influence. The UAE’s decision to leave OPEC earlier this year and its support for separatist groups in Yemen have further strained ties.

Analysts cited in the report said economic rivalry between the two major Arab economies is longstanding. The current financial disruption could deepen mistrust and complicate cooperation in trade, energy, and regional security.

International oil prices dropped by nearly 2 percent on Thursday as renewed US-Iran hostilities delayed the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has kept global fuel supply tight, but concerns over rising inflation and slowing economic activity have weakened demand expectations. Brent crude fell by $1.72, or 2.2 percent, to $76.30 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined by $1.44, or 2 percent, to $72.08 per barrel.

Before the conflict, about 20 percent of global oil supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The latest escalation followed US strikes on Iran’s southern and eastern provinces, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iranian forces on US military infrastructure in Gulf countries. The three-week ceasefire agreement between the two sides is now under renewed strain.

Analysts from Macquarie Group and Goldman Sachs noted that while tensions remain high, both nations face economic and political constraints. Qatar, Turkey, and Oman urged restraint and a return to diplomacy, as tanker traffic through the strait has fallen below 70 percent of normal levels due to renewed attacks.

The United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen to its lowest level since 1983, according to data from the Department of Energy. The decline comes as tensions between the US and Iran intensify, raising global concerns about oil supply stability and price volatility. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump acknowledged that oil prices rise whenever the US strikes Iran. That same day, Brent crude prices climbed 5.2 percent to reach 78.02 dollars per barrel, the highest since June 19.

The Energy Department reported that for the week ending July 3, the reserve dropped by 6.2 million barrels to 319.5 million barrels, far below its total capacity of 713.5 million barrels. The drawdown was part of Washington’s effort to stabilize global oil markets during the ongoing conflict with Iran and to prevent a severe crude shortage.

Analysts warn that maintaining adequate reserves is crucial for signaling market confidence. The current depletion could limit President Trump’s strategic options in managing the conflict and global oil policy.

Severe weather has disrupted Bangladesh’s import-export trade, leaving more than fifty cargo ships stranded off Chattogram Port for four consecutive days. Continuous heavy rainfall and rough seas have prevented lighter vessels from approaching mother vessels anchored offshore, halting unloading operations. Port officials reported that only three of fifty-five vessels are unloading on a limited scale during brief breaks in the rain. Several off-docks have also been flooded, damaging containerized goods, while traders estimate financial losses exceeding hundreds of crores of taka.

According to the port authority, the stormy conditions in the Bay of Bengal have made unloading unsafe, prompting restrictions to prevent accidents. Perishable goods are being prioritized for limited unloading. Although container handling at the main jetty remains normal, delivery volumes have dropped sharply due to flooding across the city. Daily container deliveries have fallen from 3,500–4,000 to about 2,500–2,600 units.

Business leaders said the disruption is affecting factory production and market supply, while importers face daily waiting charges of $15,000–$25,000 per vessel. The port expects congestion to ease once weather conditions improve.

Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury announced that the government plans to send 10 million skilled workers abroad over the next five years. He made the statement in parliament while responding to questions from lawmakers during the national budget session. The minister said that 110 training institutions, including 104 technical training centers and six institutes of marine technology, are currently providing skill development training in 55 trades and courses to prepare workers for overseas employment.

Chowdhury added that the government is working to ensure safe, regular, and orderly migration while controlling migration costs and curbing fraud by middlemen. A new digital platform, the Overseas Employment Platform (OEP), has been launched to make the migration process more transparent and accountable. The government has also introduced the 2025 regulations for licensing recruiting agents and registering sub-agents to bring them under legal oversight.

He further stated that district and upazila-level migration coordination committees have been formed to implement local migration activities, and that the government continues to assist expatriate workers, including repatriating deceased workers’ bodies at state expense.

The Washington-based research organization The Bengal Council has released a new policy paper analyzing the recently signed United States–Bangladesh trade agreement. Titled “The Cotton Corridor: Bangladesh’s Reciprocal Trade Agreement with the United States and the Path Forward,” the six-page paper examines the strategic importance, potential, and implementation aspects of the deal signed earlier this year. It emphasizes that the agreement should be seen not merely as a tariff reduction initiative or political issue but as the institutional basis for a long-term economic partnership between the two nations.

The paper discusses five key areas: Bangladesh’s export economy, the agreement’s core commitments, the global geopolitical and trade context, prospects for bilateral cooperation, and institutional challenges in implementation. It highlights that effective execution of the zero-tariff benefit for garments made with US cotton could significantly enhance Bangladesh’s apparel competitiveness. The report also notes that the deal could influence Bangladesh’s relations with other partners such as the EU, India, and China, while opening opportunities in investment, technology, supply chain stability, cybersecurity, and development finance.

Eight recommendations are proposed, including launching the zero-tariff corridor swiftly, strengthening parliamentary oversight, managing third-country relations strategically, and using the agreement to drive domestic reforms.