Bangladesh’s Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud told Parliament on Sunday that temporary power interruptions during summer and irrigation seasons should not be termed load-shedding. He explained that such outages occur due to fuel shortages, maintenance work, storms, and infrastructure limitations, which occasionally disrupt electricity supply when demand peaks at around 18,000 megawatts. Responding to lawmakers’ questions, he said there is currently no power shortage in the country.

The minister stated that Bangladesh’s grid-based generation capacity stands at 28,919 megawatts, with 32 new power plants under construction adding 7,928 megawatts of capacity. Additionally, tenders are ongoing for 15 renewable energy-based plants with a combined capacity of 665 megawatts, expected to be operational by 2030. He emphasized that 100 percent of the population now has access to electricity and that the government aims to ensure uninterrupted, quality power for all by 2030.

Mahmud added that the government has taken coordinated measures to meet projected demand for 2026, ensuring adequate fuel supply and maintenance of gas, coal, and liquid fuel-based plants to avoid load-shedding.

The 86th meeting of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) Board of Directors was held at the agency’s Rajshahi office on Sunday at 11 a.m. The meeting was chaired by BMDA Chairman Agriculturist Hasan Zafir Tuhin and attended by senior officials from the Cabinet Division, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, district administrators, police officials, and BMDA engineers and executives.

Discussions focused on ongoing and proposed development projects, modernization of irrigation systems, increasing agricultural production, and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of farmers in northern Bangladesh. The board also made several decisions on development-related matters.

Members expressed confidence in the current leadership of BMDA and voiced optimism that under capable and visionary guidance, the authority would continue to play an important role in advancing agriculture, water resource management, and the living standards of farmers in the region.

As Bangladesh’s BNP government prepares to present its first national budget, the country’s aviation and tourism industries are urging the inclusion of a coherent policy framework beyond nominal allocations. Industry representatives argue that such a framework is essential to transform these strategically important sectors into drivers of economic growth.

Aviation leaders are calling for tax exemptions on jet fuel, aircraft leasing, and operations to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness, while tourism entrepreneurs demand implementation of the long-awaited National Tourism Master Plan, stronger institutional backing, and investment incentives. The upcoming 2026–27 budget is viewed as a test of the BNP’s election pledge to make Bangladesh a regional aviation hub and a globally competitive tourism destination by 2034.

Stakeholders emphasize that the budget’s significance lies not in allocation size but in whether it signals long-term policy commitment. Both sectors seek reforms, investment, and coordination to unlock their potential, with the aviation industry focusing on cost reduction and infrastructure readiness, and the tourism sector pressing for incentives, funding, and policy continuity.

Bangladesh’s Industry Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir informed the National Parliament that fertilizer factories cannot operate because of a gas shortage. He made the statement on Sunday while responding to a question from Jamalpur-4 lawmaker Faridul Kabir Talukdar regarding the full-capacity operation of the Jamuna Fertilizer Factory. The minister said the factory is production-ready but cannot run without sufficient gas supply.

Muktadir added that the government is considering creating a separate gas network for fertilizer factories to address the issue. In response to another question from Jamalpur-3 lawmaker Mostafizur Rahman Babul, the minister reported that 12 state-owned industrial units are currently closed, and operations at six state-owned sugar mills have been suspended. He also stated that 43 industrial factories in five BSCIC industrial estates in Chattogram have shut down over the past 17 years.

The minister’s remarks highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate gas supply for industrial production, which continues to affect fertilizer and other state-owned manufacturing sectors.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced jet fuel prices again in line with international market trends. For June, the price of jet fuel for domestic flights has been set at 150.21 taka per liter, down from 165.88 taka, marking a decrease of 15.67 taka per liter. The new rates were announced on Sunday, June 7.

For international flights, the price has also been lowered from 1.0823 US dollars to 0.9808 US dollars per liter. BERC stated that the adjustment was made considering global market prices, exchange rates, and transportation costs. The commission had previously reduced the price on May 23, from 205.45 taka to 165.88 taka per liter.

According to BERC, jet fuel prices are reviewed and adjusted monthly based on international market conditions and related expenses.

Bangladesh’s overall inflation increased again in May 2026, reaching 9.42 percent on a point-to-point basis, up from 9.04 percent in April, according to data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on Friday. The latest figure marks a return to an upward trend after a brief slowdown in March, when inflation had fallen below 9 percent.

BBS data show that food inflation rose to 9.06 percent in May from 8.39 percent in April, driven by higher prices of edible oil, vegetables, eggs, and poultry. Non-food inflation also edged up to 9.71 percent from 9.57 percent, influenced by increased costs of fuel, gas, electricity, and transportation. Both rural and urban areas experienced higher inflation, with rural inflation at 9.48 percent and urban inflation at 9.25 percent.

The continued rise in both food and non-food prices indicates sustained pressure on low- and middle-income households, as essential commodities and utility costs remain elevated across the country.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon announced that reforms in Bangladesh’s banking sector will be brought under a commission framework. He made the statement on Sunday at a seminar titled “Good Governance in the Banking Sector and the Role of the Media,” held at the Economic Reporters Forum office in Dhaka. Swapon emphasized that banking sector governance is linked to the broader political and administrative governance of the state, and without systemic reform, discipline cannot be ensured.

During the event, speakers highlighted that the banking sector remains central to the country’s financing system, as the capital market and bond market have failed to meet demand. United Commercial Bank Managing Director Mamdudur Rashid noted that the sector has faced continuous pressure since 2020 due to the pandemic, foreign exchange volatility, and political changes. He identified lack of governance, transparency, and ethics as key causes of the current crisis, with non-performing loans rising from 11 percent in 2023 to 35 percent in 2025.

The seminar underscored that at least 14 banks and 20 financial institutions are struggling to return deposits on time, warning that further deterioration could trigger economic instability.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports have continued to decline in the current fiscal year, with earnings from July to May totaling 35.31 billion dollars, down 3.41 percent from the same period last year. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) reported that exports to the European Union, the country’s largest market, fell by 4.88 percent to 17.36 billion dollars. In May alone, total exports dropped 7.07 percent year-on-year, while apparel exports fell 8.29 percent.

Industry representatives said the sector’s earlier signs of recovery in April could not be sustained due to reduced orders from key markets, particularly in Europe. Mohammad Hatem of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association noted that export orders have fallen by about 30 percent, citing aggressive competition from China and India in the EU market. Former BGMEA director Mohiuddin Rubel added that overall demand for apparel in the EU has weakened, increasing price competition among suppliers.

Analysts warned that if the downturn in the EU market persists, it could have broader negative effects on Bangladesh’s export-driven economy, which relies heavily on apparel shipments to Europe.

Elon Musk is on the verge of becoming the world’s first trillionaire, with his total wealth potentially surpassing one trillion dollars. As of now, the Tesla CEO holds shares and options worth 273 billion dollars. If SpaceX, his rocket and artificial intelligence company, completes its planned initial public offering next week, his fortune could rise by another 841 billion dollars. The IPO values SpaceX at 1.77 trillion dollars, nearly half of which belongs to Musk. Combined, his holdings in Tesla and SpaceX could bring his total wealth to 1.11 trillion dollars.

The report notes that Musk’s wealth is largely paper-based, tied to stock valuations rather than cash reserves. Its sustainability depends on how investors continue to value his companies. To illustrate the scale, the article compares Musk’s potential wealth to national economies and major assets worldwide. Only about 20 countries have economies larger than 1.1 trillion dollars, while the combined value of the world’s top 50 sports teams is roughly one-third of Musk’s projected fortune.

The analysis underscores how Musk’s financial standing could surpass most global benchmarks if SpaceX’s IPO proceeds as planned.

Default loans in Bangladesh’s banking sector rose sharply during January–March 2026, with 44 of 61 banks reporting increases totaling Tk 31,487 crore. According to Bangladesh Bank data, total non-performing loans reached Tk 588,704 crore by the end of March, representing 32.26% of total loans, up from 30.60% in December. Officials said the rise followed post-inspection adjustments and sluggish business conditions that hindered loan recovery.

Among six state-owned banks, four saw defaults increase, led by Janata Bank, where bad loans rose by Tk 2,458 crore to Tk 74,996 crore. Private banks were hit harder, with 34 of 43 institutions reporting higher defaults. IFIC Bank recorded the largest jump of Tk 4,683 crore, followed by Islami Bank and EXIM Bank. Specialized and foreign banks, including Bangladesh Krishi Bank and HSBC, also reported increases.

City Bank’s managing director attributed the trend to slower overall economic growth. The data indicate widespread stress in both public and private banking segments, despite regulatory efforts to curb defaults.

Bangladesh Bank has increased interest rates to control inflation, leading to a slowdown in private investment as businesses avoid borrowing at higher costs. Following the removal of the interest rate cap, deposits have surged in financially strong banks, while weaker banks struggle with liquidity shortages. As of March, excess liquidity in the banking sector reached Tk 3.78 trillion, up 58.31 percent from a year earlier.

Bank officials said the fall of the Awami League government exposed the financial health of banks, prompting depositors to move funds to stronger institutions. This shift has created a liquidity imbalance, with some banks holding idle funds while others face shortages. The overall liquidity stood at Tk 7.02 trillion in March, exceeding the required Tk 3.16 trillion.

To utilize idle funds, Bangladesh Bank announced a Tk 610 billion stimulus package, including Tk 410 billion from banks’ own funds and Tk 190 billion from refinancing. The package targets industrial, SME, agricultural, and export diversification sectors, aiming to create over 1.6 million jobs with loans offered at 7 percent interest, significantly below prevailing market rates.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman’s adviser on information and broadcasting affairs, Zahed Ur Rahman, stated that the recent electricity price increase will not significantly affect market prices. He made the comment during a press briefing at the Secretariat’s Press Information Department on Saturday, responding to questions about the timing of the price adjustment ahead of the national budget.

Rahman explained that while subsidies have become costly, the government must balance spending on development, health, education, and social safety programs. He emphasized that vulnerable groups are being protected, as electricity and fuel prices were not raised for them, and many will receive allowances or family cards under the upcoming budget. Existing safety net programs, including those run by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), will continue.

He added that the Commerce Ministry will remain vigilant against any unjustified price increases in the market and that the government will act if irregularities occur.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has released its shadow budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year under the theme “Bangladesh 2.0: Sustainable Growth through Reform, Employment and Investment.” The proposals were presented on June 5 at the Rupayan Tower in Dhaka by party leaders including MP Hasnat Abdullah and Dr. Atik Mujahid. The shadow budget outlines 71 actionable policy recommendations across 12 major sectors, ranging from macroeconomy and taxation to education, health, agriculture, and clean energy.

Key proposals include limiting the budget deficit to 3.09% of GDP, setting total expenditure at Tk 8.52 trillion, and targeting 13% nominal GDP growth. The NCP also proposed reducing inflation to 8% in 2026–27 and to 6% by 2027–28, raising foreign reserves to USD 32 billion, and expanding the tax base through digital registration and mandatory tax filings. Other measures cover education funding, national health insurance, renewable energy incentives, and social inclusion programs.

The party’s shadow budget emphasizes fiscal discipline, transparency, and inclusive growth, aiming to balance social spending with macroeconomic stability if implemented.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman said there is significant potential to rapidly expand trade with Turkey. The statement came after a bilateral meeting in Dhaka with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday, where both sides discussed strengthening economic ties and exploring new trade frameworks.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed the possibility of signing a free trade agreement and a preferential trade deal to enhance bilateral commerce. Dr. Rahman emphasized that the visit marked an important moment in Bangladesh-Turkey relations, reflecting both nations’ shared commitment to deepen cooperation and elevate their partnership to new levels.

He also highlighted Bangladesh’s political stability, business-friendly environment, and growing domestic market as opportunities for Turkish investment. The minister requested expanded collaboration with Turkish investment promotion agencies and urged Turkey to offer more scholarships for Bangladeshi students while inviting broader cooperation in culture, tourism, education, trade, and business connectivity.

All varieties of lychees, including the traditional Bedana type, have flooded markets across Dinajpur district, with daily transactions exceeding three crore taka. The district’s agriculture department expects total sales to reach around one thousand crore taka this season. Wholesale and retail markets in Kalitla and Masimpur are witnessing heavy trading of Madrazi, Bedana, Bombay, and China-Three varieties. Farmers are harvesting early due to weather concerns, and hundreds of vehicles are transporting lychees daily to Dhaka and other districts.

Dinajpur’s Bedana lychee has received Geographical Indication (GI) recognition and has been exported to countries such as France, Canada, and Australia. The agriculture department reported that more lychees will be exported this year than last year, with several foreign buyers already contacting the department. Local traders noted higher prices compared to last year, with Bedana lychees selling between 500 and 700 taka per hundred pieces in local markets.

Officials said lychee cultivation covers 4,484 hectares this year, targeting production of about 32,000 tons. Stakeholders believe that with government support, this promising fruit market could play a significant role in strengthening the national agricultural economy.