The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has requested various chambers and associations to submit their written budget proposals to the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) by March 15. The initiative aims to assist in preparing the national budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year. Additionally, a soft copy of each proposal should be sent via email to nbrbudget2026@gmail.com. Organizations or offices that are not members of any chamber or association may also send their proposals directly through the same email address.

According to an NBR press release issued on Tuesday, the board prepares revenue policies to support the government’s revenue collection goals. To ensure a participatory, people-oriented, and equitable budget, NBR has consistently sought input from taxpayers, business associations, professional bodies, research institutions, and intellectuals. For the upcoming fiscal year, the board intends to make the revenue collection process more analytical and representative through discussions with stakeholders.

NBR expressed hope that with the cooperation of all concerned, a participatory, business-friendly, and revenue-optimizing budget for 2026–27 can be formulated.

The cost of transporting oil from the Middle East to China has reached an all-time high, with supertanker charter rates surpassing 400,000 dollars, according to the London Stock Exchange Group. This rate is nearly double compared to last week, when the United States issued threats of an attack on Iran, BBC Bangla reported.

Iran has reportedly targeted ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway in the south of the country through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply is transported. The largest crude oil carriers, capable of carrying up to two million barrels, are now paying this record freight rate.

The sharp rise in transport costs underscores the growing instability in the Gulf region and its immediate impact on global energy logistics, as tensions around Iran continue to disrupt vital shipping routes.

Bangladesh Railway has started selling advance train tickets ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holiday. The sale began on Tuesday at 8 a.m. with tickets for March 13 for westbound trains, marking the start of the nationwide ticketing process. According to the railway schedule, tickets for March 14 to 19 will be sold sequentially from March 4 to March 9.

All tickets for Eid travel are being sold exclusively online this year. To make ticket purchases more convenient for passengers, Bangladesh Railway has decided that tickets for intercity trains operating in the western region will be available from 8 a.m., while those for the eastern region will go on sale from 2 p.m.

The initiative aims to streamline the ticketing process and manage the high passenger demand during the Eid travel period, ensuring smoother operations across both regions.

Two senior officials heading key financial and insurance regulatory bodies in Bangladesh resigned on the same day. Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, chairman of state-owned Sonali Bank, and Dr. M Aslam Alam, chairman of the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA), submitted their resignations to Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek. Additionally, Mohammad Zainul Bari, chairman of the General Insurance Corporation, also stepped down. Officials confirmed that the resignations were submitted separately and cited personal reasons.

Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury had previously served as Comptroller and Auditor General and as finance secretary before joining Sonali Bank, where he resigned only a few months into his tenure. Mohammad Zainul Bari, a former secretary, had been appointed chairman of the General Insurance Corporation in September 2024 for a three-year term by the interim government, after earlier serving as IDRA chairman. Dr. M Aslam Alam, a former senior secretary, was appointed IDRA chairman in September 2024 following the July uprising.

The simultaneous resignations leave key financial and insurance regulatory positions vacant, raising questions about upcoming leadership appointments.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report shows that default loans in the banking sector dropped sharply in the last quarter of 2025, mainly due to large-scale loan rescheduling and policy support ahead of the national election. Between October and December, default loans fell by Tk 87,298 crore to Tk 557,217 crore, representing 30.60 percent of total loans. Three months earlier, the figure stood at Tk 644,515 crore or 35.73 percent.

Officials said banks typically intensify recovery efforts at the end of the year to improve financial statements, while the central bank’s policy allowed extensive rescheduling. Under this support, Tk 26,114 crore in default loans were regularized. The interim government’s disclosure of the true loan situation after the previous Awami League administration revealed a higher default rate, prompting new measures to reduce it.

Sector-wise, state-owned banks held Tk 146,108 crore in defaults, private banks Tk 389,579 crore, foreign banks Tk 2,984 crore, and specialized banks Tk 18,546 crore. Provision shortfall also declined to Tk 191,441 crore from Tk 344,231 crore over the same period, indicating improved balance sheet conditions.

Bangladesh Railways has decided to continue selling 25 percent standing (non-seat) tickets in addition to regular seat tickets for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr travel period. The decision was made to accommodate increased passenger demand during the holiday season. Authorities have instructed that standing ticket holders will not be allowed to travel in air-conditioned or first-class compartments.

The decision came from a preparatory meeting held on Monday at the Rail Bhaban on Abdul Gani Road in Dhaka. The meeting addressed issues such as maintaining law and order, preventing sabotage, and curbing ticket black marketing during Eid travel. It was also announced that mobile courts will be deployed to detect ticketless passengers, stop black market activities, and prevent rooftop travel.

Additional instructions were issued to ensure that ticketless passengers cannot enter major stations like Kamalapur and Dhaka Airport. If any train is delayed, the number of designated seats on platforms will be increased to allow waiting passengers to sit safely.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee announced that the government aims to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh within the next five years, fulfilling an electoral commitment. He stated that visible progress has already been achieved within days of forming the government and expressed confidence that the target could be met within the current term. The minister made these remarks on Monday in Sripur, Gazipur, after inspecting the historic Chowkka canal and addressing a gathering organized jointly by the upazila and municipal BNP units.

Anee described the canal excavation initiative as a revolutionary movement inspired by former President Ziaur Rahman’s efforts to support farmers. He lamented that many canals had deteriorated due to neglect and encroachment. The minister also noted that agricultural loans of up to 10,000 taka had been waived nationwide, totaling about 1,500 crore taka, to encourage farmers. He emphasized that agriculture remains central to Bangladesh’s economy and that the government intends to create employment opportunities and boost crop production.

Senior officials from the Water Resources Ministry, local BNP leaders, and members of the Water Development Board attended the event.

Bangladesh is confronting simultaneous challenges to its energy security, foreign reserves, and interest rate policy as the Middle East conflict disrupts global energy flows. The ongoing war, uncertainty over Qatari LNG supplies, and drone attacks on Saudi energy facilities have placed the country’s import-dependent energy system under renewed strain. The article identifies three critical policy questions: whether to raise fuel prices, how to manage reserves, and if lowering interest rates is justified during wartime instability.

The analysis warns that direct energy price hikes could trigger a double inflation trap, urging instead a targeted pricing reform to reduce consumption and support efficient production. It highlights the need for strategic reserve management through prioritizing essential energy imports, curbing luxury imports, allowing managed currency depreciation, and securing long-term energy payment plans. The author argues that lowering interest rates during uncertainty may not boost investment but could encourage capital flight and misuse of cheap credit.

The piece concludes that Bangladesh’s stability depends on coordinated energy, monetary, and fiscal policies. It recommends forming a national crisis team of experts to guide sustainable decisions beyond political popularity.

Global energy markets saw sharp price increases after Iran launched attacks on U.S. and Israeli-linked facilities across the Middle East on Monday. The strikes targeted Saudi Aramco’s oil refinery and Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, forcing both to halt production. Additional attacks on fuel tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about 20% of global oil and gas shipments, further disrupted supply and drove prices higher.

Brent crude rose by 10% to over $82 per barrel before easing to $79, while U.S. crude climbed 7.6% to $72.20. Qatar Energy suspended LNG operations after the attack, pushing European gas prices up by about 45%. Stock markets worldwide fell amid uncertainty, with London’s FTSE 100 down nearly 1%, France’s CAC 40 down 1.6%, and Germany’s DAX down 1.7%. Airline shares also dropped as Middle Eastern airspace closures disrupted routes.

Analysts warned that prolonged conflict could further raise oil prices beyond $100 per barrel, potentially affecting inflation and interest rates. Gold prices rose 2.3% as investors sought safe assets.

Complaints have emerged in Rajshahi city over irregularities in the distribution of low-cost products by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) during the holy month of Ramadan. Hundreds of buyers have been forced to stand in long queues under the sun, with many returning empty-handed while some individuals reportedly received products multiple times. TCB trucks, scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m., often reached between 11:30 a.m. and noon, worsening the situation.

Field visits to several city points revealed that demand far exceeded supply, with both lower- and middle-income families seeking affordable essentials. Each TCB truck sells a package of five items for Tk 590, including edible oil, lentils, sugar, chickpeas, and dates, for 400 customers per truck—double last year’s allocation. However, allegations persist that certain groups collect products repeatedly to resell at higher prices, and that dealers favor acquaintances.

TCB’s regional deputy director Atiqur Rahman acknowledged attempts by some groups to exploit the system and create disorder. He said letters have been sent to law enforcement and city authorities seeking assistance to restore order and ensure genuine consumers receive the benefits.

The Teknaf land port, a key import-export hub in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, has remained inactive for ten months due to internal unrest in neighboring Myanmar. Cross-border trade through the Naf River has been suspended, leaving local traders and importers in severe financial distress. Thousands of port workers have lost their jobs and are struggling to survive without income. Stakeholders are waiting for effective government action to restore operations at the port.

According to port business associations, millions of taka remain stuck with Myanmar traders, and large quantities of goods stored in warehouses are rotting. The general secretary of the Teknaf C&F Agents Association said the prolonged closure has caused extreme financial strain, making it difficult to pay bank installments, office rent, and staff salaries. Workers dependent on port activities have fallen into debt and are unable to support their families.

The government is also losing significant revenue, as imports of timber, dried fish, ginger, and onions have stopped. The disruption began after Myanmar’s Rakhine State came under control of the Arakan Army, halting vessel movement on the Naf River. No timeline has been announced for resuming trade, though business groups believe diplomatic efforts could help reopen the port.

A bumper harvest of sweet potatoes has been reported in Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur this season. Favorable weather, low production costs, and strong market prices have led to increased farmer profits and enthusiasm. Compared to paddy, sweet potatoes have yielded three times more profit, prompting many farmers to shift to this crop.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Extension Department, sweet potatoes were cultivated on 365 hectares of land this season, nearly double last year’s 190 hectares. The main varieties grown include BARI Sweet Potato-8, BARI Sweet Potato-4, and improved local types. Twelve farmers received demonstration plots of the BARI-8 variety to encourage wider adoption. Farmers across several unions are now busy harvesting their crops.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Habibur Rahman said favorable weather and regular technical support contributed to the strong yields. With an estimated 9,200 tons produced this season, sweet potatoes have become a promising cash crop in the region due to their nutritional value and growing market demand.

Bangladesh Bank is considering a reduction in its policy interest rate following the appointment of new governor Mostakur Rahman. The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to meet at noon on Wednesday to decide on a possible 50 basis point cut from the current 10 percent rate. Officials said the move could lower lending rates across banks and support the governor’s plan to create one crore new jobs.

An unnamed central bank official explained that the policy rate had been kept high for a long time to control inflation, which has eased but remains above target due to supply-side issues. The previous governor, Ahsan H. Mansur, had maintained the policy rate at 10 percent in the last monetary policy announcement. Inflation peaked at 11.38 percent in November and declined to 8.58 percent in January.

Economists and bankers cautioned that inflation remains elevated and that any rate cut should be limited and carefully implemented to avoid undermining recent progress.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report shows that default loans in the banking sector dropped by Tk 872.98 billion during October–December 2025, bringing the total to Tk 5.57 trillion, or 30.60 percent of total loans. At the end of September, defaults stood at Tk 6.44 trillion, or 35.73 percent. The decline followed large-scale loan rescheduling and policy support introduced ahead of the national election.

Officials said banks typically reduce defaults in the final quarter of the year through intensified recovery efforts and by taking advantage of central bank rescheduling facilities. Under these measures, Tk 26,114 crore in defaulted loans were regularized. The interim government, after taking office, revealed the true scale of defaults previously understated under the former Awami League administration and later introduced initiatives to reduce them.

Sector-wise, state-owned banks held Tk 1.46 trillion in defaults, private banks Tk 3.89 trillion, foreign banks Tk 29.84 billion, and specialized banks Tk 185.46 billion. Provision shortfalls also fell sharply to Tk 1.91 trillion in December from Tk 3.44 trillion three months earlier, indicating improved balance sheet conditions across the sector.

Bangladesh’s export earnings declined by 3.15 percent in the first eight months of the 2025–26 fiscal year, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). From July to February, total export income stood at 31.91 billion dollars, down from 32.94 billion dollars in the same period of the previous year. The sharpest fall occurred in February, when export earnings dropped to 3.50 billion dollars, a 20.81 percent decrease from January and 12.03 percent lower than a year earlier.

The EPB data show that the apparel sector, which contributes 80.85 percent of total export earnings, experienced the most significant contraction. Exports of agricultural products, leather goods, and home textiles also fell, while pharmaceuticals and jute products saw modest growth. Economists and exporters attributed the downturn to additional tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and weakening global demand following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks in Iran.

Experts warned that the ongoing geopolitical tensions could further depress export performance in the coming months, potentially deepening economic challenges for Bangladesh.