The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that global inflation could rise further if oil prices continue to increase due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The warning came from IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on March 9 during a symposium organized by Japan’s Ministry of Finance. She noted that the recent escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran has created instability in the global energy market.

Georgieva cautioned that if crude oil prices rise by 10 percent and remain elevated for most of the year, global inflation could increase by up to 40 basis points. She described the current global situation as uncertain and urged policymakers to remain vigilant and prepare for unexpected developments. The IMF chief emphasized that the Middle East conflict has once again put the resilience of the global economy to a serious test.

The remarks highlight growing concerns that prolonged geopolitical tensions could undermine economic stability and complicate inflation management worldwide.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the special 'Family Card' program for women-led households at an event in Banani’s T&T playground near Karail slum in Dhaka tomorrow. The announcement was made at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare in Dhaka on Monday. The program is being piloted in 15 wards across 13 districts, where data from 67,854 women-led families have been collected and verified through multi-level committees.

Based on a software-driven proxy means test, 37,567 families have been finalized as eligible beneficiaries. Each selected household will receive a contactless Family Card equipped with QR code and NFC technology. The beneficiaries will get a monthly allowance of Tk 2,500 through direct digital transfer to their mobile wallet or bank account. Families with government jobs, pensions, large businesses, or luxury assets are excluded from eligibility.

For the pilot phase, Tk 38.07 crore has been allocated, with Tk 25.15 crore for direct cash support and Tk 12.92 crore for data collection, system setup, and card preparation. The Family Card Implementation Guideline 2026 has been published on the ministry’s website.

Bangladesh Bank has appointed observers to four private sector banks—National Bank, Premier Bank, IFIC Bank, and Al-Arafah Islami Bank. The central bank issued letters to the appointed observers on Monday, March 9, 2026, through its relevant department.

According to the information provided, Munir Ahmed Chowdhury, Director of Bank Supervision Department-12, has been appointed to National Bank; Mohammad Anisur Rahman, Director of Islamic Banking Regulations and Policy Department, to Al-Arafah Islami Bank; A N M Moinul Kabir, Director of Payment Systems Department, to Premier Bank; and A K M Kamruzzaman, Director of Forex Reserve and Treasury Management Department-1, to IFIC Bank. These officials will attend meetings of the banks’ boards of directors, executive committees, and risk management committees.

The appointments indicate Bangladesh Bank’s continued monitoring of private banks’ governance and risk management practices through direct participation in key decision-making forums.

The Cabinet Division has issued a directive instructing all district administrations to conduct mobile court operations to prevent illegal hoarding of fuel oil and ensure uninterrupted supply across the country. The order, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Nahida Akter Tania, was released on Monday, March 9, 2026.

According to the circular, the move aims to maintain discipline in the fuel market and prevent artificial shortages. District commissioners have been asked to take action against illegal storage, sales above fixed prices, open-market trading, and smuggling of fuel oil. The directive emphasizes the need for strict monitoring to keep the fuel supply stable and accessible to consumers.

The instruction comes amid concerns about potential disruptions in fuel distribution, prompting authorities to strengthen enforcement measures at the local level.

Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) Chairman Abdul Hai Sarker has warned that a prolonged conflict between Iran and Israel could negatively affect Bangladesh’s remittance inflows. He made the remark on Monday after a meeting between the BAB and the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, which was attended by other BAB members.

According to Sarker, the meeting was primarily introductory and focused on banking sector development, policy coordination, and future cooperation. Both sides emphasized the need for stronger communication between private banks and the central bank for the country’s benefit. Discussions also covered revitalizing weak banks and strengthening the overall banking system. Sarker noted that the governor’s attitude toward private banks was positive and supportive of sectoral growth.

He added that the impact of the Iran-Israel conflict on remittances would depend on how long the situation lasts, as disruptions in the Middle East could affect Bangladeshi workers’ employment conditions. The meeting also highlighted the banking sector’s role in supporting the government’s goal of creating ten million jobs within 18 months through financing sustainable projects.

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday, March 8, 2026, at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat. The meeting took place amid a significant political and economic context for Bangladesh.

During the meeting, the BEPZA chairman briefed the Prime Minister on the overall operations of the country’s eight export processing zones, ongoing development projects, and strategies to attract new investments. The discussion was described as important for advancing the government’s economic vision and promoting industrial growth.

The meeting underscored BEPZA’s role in supporting the government’s broader economic goals, particularly in enhancing industrialization and foreign investment opportunities across Bangladesh.

Global oil prices have risen sharply as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies. Brent crude reached $108.77 per barrel on March 9, 2026, marking the highest single-day increase since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The price had already climbed 28 percent the previous week.

The surge follows continued warfare between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has severely disrupted shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz. This chokepoint is crucial for the global flow of oil and natural gas. According to JP Morgan’s chief economist Bruce Kasman, the world economy remains heavily dependent on energy supplies passing through this region.

Kasman also indicated that oil prices could soon approach $120 per barrel if the current disruptions persist, underscoring the vulnerability of global markets to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The final day of advance train ticket sales for Eid-ul-Fitr travelers begins today, Monday, March 9, according to Bangladesh Railway. Tickets for March 19 train journeys are being sold, with sales for western intercity trains starting at 8 a.m. and for eastern intercity trains at 2 p.m. The schedule was set during a preparatory meeting at the Railway Bhaban ahead of the Eid travel rush.

The advance ticket sales process, which began on March 3, concludes today after tickets for March 13–18 were sold in phases. Railway authorities stated that decisions regarding ticket sales for March 20, 21, and 22 will be made later, depending on the moon sighting. Each passenger can purchase tickets only once and for up to four seats, with no refund option available.

To accommodate passenger demand, the railway has allowed the collection of 25 percent standing tickets for non-AC coaches from the originating station before departure.

Bangladesh’s stock market has continued to decline sharply even after the formation of a new government, with the Dhaka Stock Exchange’s main index DSEX dropping 223 points, or 4.42 percent, on Sunday to fall back to 5,000 points. The market had initially surged following a peaceful national election, but optimism quickly faded as sustained sell-offs and liquidity shortages returned.

Market participants attribute the downturn to investor panic triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict and a long-standing crisis of confidence. Former BSEC chairman Faruq Ahmad Siddiqi said panic selling has intensified due to war fears, though he noted that the scale of the decline in Bangladesh is abnormal compared to other countries. He also pointed to structural weaknesses, including a shortage of strong companies and low financial literacy among traders.

Investor groups expressed frustration over the lack of change in the securities regulator after the new BNP-led government took office. Current BSEC chairman Khondkar Rashed Maksud defended the commission’s record, citing reforms and efforts to attract quality listings. However, with few new companies entering the market and many existing ones in poor standing, analysts warn recovery will be difficult without fresh investment.

Global energy markets have become increasingly unstable due to the ongoing war involving Iran, with the United Kingdom now facing a sharp decline in its natural gas reserves. According to National Gas data, as of last Saturday, the UK held about 6,999 gigawatt-hours of gas, down from 9,105 gigawatt-hours a year earlier. The country’s storage capacity can normally cover up to 12 days of demand, but current reserves are sufficient for less than two days.

National Gas stated that despite low reserves, the UK continues to receive regular gas supplies from multiple sources, including domestic offshore fields, Norway, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, European interconnectors, and stored gas. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero also said that claims of only two days of gas are not entirely accurate, expressing confidence in the country’s energy security.

The conflict has disrupted global gas shipping routes, with several vessels diverting from Europe to Asia. Following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, gas prices in the UK surged from 78.5 pence to about 137 pence per therm, adding pressure to the domestic energy market.

A mobile court in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj fined a trader for selling LPG gas cylinders at inflated prices. The court, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Sanjoy Ghosh, imposed a fine of 20,000 taka on trader Kabir Hossain, 42, after finding evidence of overpricing. The operation took place on Sunday afternoon in the Purbo Bazar area of the upazila.

According to the magistrate, the drive was part of ongoing efforts to keep essential commodity prices stable and protect consumer interests. The mobile court action reflects the local administration’s monitoring of market practices to prevent unfair pricing and ensure compliance with government-set rates.

Authorities indicated that similar drives would continue to maintain price discipline in local markets and safeguard consumers from exploitation.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking enhanced police security at filling stations across the country. The letter, issued on Sunday by BPC Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman, cited growing public anxiety and increased fuel purchases following negative reports in media and social networks about fuel stock levels. As a result, filling station dealers have been attempting to collect larger quantities of fuel from depots than usual.

According to the letter, some consumers are reportedly buying and storing fuel beyond their needs without authorization. To address the situation, BPC has already issued a press release limiting fuel supply from filling stations to consumers. The corporation also noted that incidents between customers and station employees have been occurring during the current period of fuel supply strain.

BPC requested that police patrols be strengthened to ensure safety and order at filling stations nationwide during this period of heightened demand and tension.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced an increase in jet fuel prices for both domestic and international flights. According to a notice issued on Sunday, the price for domestic routes has been set at Tk 112.41 per liter, up from Tk 95.12 last month, marking a rise of Tk 17.29 per liter. For international flights, the price has been raised from USD 0.6257 to USD 0.7384 per liter. The new rates will take effect from Sunday midnight.

In February, BERC had made a smaller adjustment, increasing the domestic jet fuel price from Tk 94.93 to Tk 95.12 per liter, and for international airlines from USD 0.6246 to USD 0.6257 per liter. The latest revision represents a more significant hike compared to the previous month.

The notice did not specify the reasons behind the price increase or its expected impact on airlines and passengers.

Over the past one and a half years, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has imposed fines totaling around Tk 1,500 crore on various individuals and institutions for irregularities and manipulation in the capital market. However, only Tk 5 crore has been collected so far. BSEC Chairman Khondkar Rashed Maksud stated that despite the low recovery, the full amount will eventually be deposited into the government treasury. He made the remarks on Sunday at a seminar titled “Challenges and Future Path of the Capital Market under the New Government,” held at a hotel in Dhaka.

The event was organized by the Capital Market Journalists Forum (CMJF) and attended by Prime Minister’s Economic Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir as chief guest, along with NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan and other market leaders. Maksud highlighted that numerous laws and regulations have been enacted in a short period, countering claims of stagnation within the commission.

He also announced that a new law is being prepared to identify Public Interest Entities based on sales, market share, assets, workforce, and debt, aiming to bring more quality companies into the stock market despite potential resistance from vested interests.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to deploy mobile courts across the country to prevent illegal hoarding and overpricing of fuel. The decision follows reports of artificial fuel shortages and public unrest, including long queues and incidents of vandalism at petrol pumps. The directive was issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md Enamul Haque. It has already been sent to all district commissioners.

According to the directive, some unscrupulous traders have been stockpiling fuel illegally to create an artificial crisis amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The government has already set limits on fuel sales per vehicle to manage the situation. Reports have also surfaced of fuel being sold above government-fixed prices, hoarded for extra profit, or diverted to the open market and smuggling routes.

The ministry has instructed district administrations to strengthen field-level monitoring through mobile courts to stop illegal storage, overpricing, open-market sales, and potential smuggling of fuel. Copies of the directive were also sent to the Home Ministry, the Cabinet Division, and relevant energy officials.