Bangladesh Bank has reported a rise in the country’s total foreign exchange reserves, which reached 35.31 billion US dollars as of February 25, 2026. The information was confirmed by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of the central bank, on Wednesday. According to the latest data, the gross reserve stood at 35.31 billion dollars, while under the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, the reserve amounted to 30.28 billion dollars.

Just two days earlier, on February 23, the gross reserve was recorded at 34.86 billion dollars, and the BPM6-based reserve stood at 30.10 billion dollars. The net reserve is calculated following the IMF’s BPM6 standard, which deducts short-term liabilities from the total reserve to determine the actual amount.

The increase in reserves indicates a positive shift in the country’s foreign currency position, as reflected in the central bank’s latest update.

Following the cancellation of Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur’s appointment, five senior officials of the central bank were reassigned. The internal order, issued on Wednesday, transferred four directors and one additional director to new departments or offices. The reshuffle included changes between the Human Resources, Financial Institutions Inspection, and Banking Regulations and Policy departments, as well as postings to the Motijheel and Sadarghat offices. The order stated that the transfers would take immediate effect, and officials were instructed to hand over their current duties before joining their new posts.

In a separate order, the bank canceled earlier transfer orders for three officials who had been reassigned after being served show-cause notices. These included the director of the SME and Special Programs Department, an additional director from the Foreign Exchange Policy Department, and a joint director from the Banking Regulations and Policy Department.

The administrative changes come amid broader internal adjustments at Bangladesh Bank following the leadership transition.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur left office on Wednesday amid protests and ultimatums from officials. Shortly after his departure, the government canceled his appointment and named businessman Mostakur Rahman as the new governor. Mansur held an emergency press conference at 2 p.m., describing the protests as a conspiracy by vested interests. He said issues such as bank mergers, state policy, and political economy were not matters for employee organizations to debate.

Mansur explained that the merger process aimed to protect the interests of 7.6 million depositors who had been unable to withdraw their funds for two years. He alleged that a group was spreading misinformation to derail the recovery of merged banks and return them to former owners. Responding to questions about resignation demands, he said he came to serve, not for a job, and would act according to administrative procedures.

After the press conference, media outlets reported the government’s appointment of a new governor. Mansur told journalists he had not resigned but left the office after seeing the news of the new appointment on television.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur left office on Wednesday amid protests and internal unrest among bank officials. Following his departure, the government canceled his appointment and named businessman Mostakur Rahman as the new governor. The situation inside the central bank turned chaotic as officials expelled the governor’s adviser Ahsan Ullah and security director Faruk Howlader, prompting additional police deployment.

Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Bank Officers’ Welfare Council held a protest demanding withdrawal of show-cause notices and transfers of three officials. They accused the governor of autocratic behavior and ignoring legitimate demands. Several senior officials criticized Mansur for excessive contractual appointments and questioned his leadership decisions. In response, Mansur held a press conference describing the protests as a conspiracy by vested interests and defended his policies on bank mergers and depositor protection.

Shortly after his press conference, news broke that the government had appointed a new governor. Mansur said he had not resigned but left after learning of the appointment through media reports.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that Bangladesh is reviewing trade and tariff issues with the United States, describing the situation as still evolving. He made the remarks on Wednesday, February 25, after a meeting with business representatives at the Ministry of Commerce to determine the next steps regarding the trade agreement with the U.S. State Minister for Commerce Md. Shariful Alam, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, senior officials, and business leaders were present.

The minister explained that the U.S. Supreme Court had declared previous tariff rates untenable, leading to new tariffs of 10 percent and later 15 percent for all countries. However, Bangladesh has not yet received any official written communication from the U.S. government. He added that under U.S. law, the new tariff interpretation must be approved by Congress within 150 days. The minister also noted that the previous interim government had signed a trade deal with the U.S., but its implications are still under review.

He emphasized that the agreement remains sensitive and that premature comments could be inappropriate. Business representatives discussed sectoral challenges and market issues during the meeting.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the replacement of the Bangladesh Bank governor is part of a broader set of changes under the new government. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on February 25, 2026, he explained that the government is making adjustments in various institutions to implement its priorities and programs. He described the process as normal and said further changes would occur as needed.

The government recently removed Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur from the post of Bangladesh Bank governor and appointed Md. Mostakur Rahman, F.C.M.A., in his place. According to a notification from the Financial Institutions Division, Rahman will serve a four-year term under the Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972, effective immediately. He must sever ties with other organizations before assuming office and will receive salary and benefits from the central bank as per contract terms.

Dr. Mansur had been appointed in August 2024 for a four-year term but was removed after about one and a half years in the position.

Nagad has announced a special campaign for users of its Islamic Wallet during the holy month of Ramadan, offering participants the opportunity to perform Umrah. According to the company, users must complete transactions totaling at least 3,000 taka, excluding person-to-person (P2P) transfers, to qualify for the campaign. The initiative will run from the first to the last day of Ramadan, with winners selected through a lottery among eligible participants. Selected winners will be contacted directly by Nagad Islamic’s customer service center.

Professor Dr. H. M. Shahidul Islam Barakati, chairman of the Nagad Islamic Shariah Board, stated that the campaign aims to encourage devout Muslims to use Nagad Islamic for their Ramadan purchases and transactions, offering them a chance to visit the holy Kaaba. Nagad clarified that all campaign-related decisions rest with the company and that participants must have active, fully verified Islamic Wallet accounts.

The company also warned that any attempt to misuse the campaign or engage in suspicious transactions would result in immediate disqualification from the program.

Japanese trading and investment giant Mitsui & Co. has entered into a strategic partnership with ACI Logistics Limited, the operator of Bangladesh’s largest retail chain, Shwapno. The agreement was signed on February 25, 2026, at the ACI Centre in Dhaka, attended by senior executives from both organizations. Under the deal, Mitsui, through its subsidiary, will provide a structured convertible loan facility in foreign currency to ACI Logistics, subject to legal approvals.

Mitsui & Co., a multinational enterprise with operations in over 60 countries, is recognized for its technical expertise, global sourcing capabilities, and extensive industrial experience. The partnership aims to support ACI Logistics in achieving its strategic goals, with Mitsui expressing strong confidence in Shwapno’s leadership, operational efficiency, and ability to deliver quality products and superior shopping experiences to Bangladeshi consumers.

Looking ahead, Mitsui plans to work closely with Shwapno to enhance operational excellence, governance, supply chain optimization, and sustainability within Bangladesh’s modern retail sector.

China has announced plans to increase its investment in Bangladesh, citing the country’s current political stability. The decision was conveyed by Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon. The minister urged Chinese investors to expand their ventures in Bangladesh, emphasizing the long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.

During the meeting, both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in security, law enforcement, cybercrime prevention, police training, and trade. The ambassador noted that around 10,000 Chinese nationals are working in various sectors in Bangladesh and stressed the importance of maintaining law and order to support investment growth. He also invited Bangladesh to join China’s proposed International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud.

The Home Minister directed officials to review the expired memorandum on law enforcement training cooperation and informed the ambassador of his intention to visit China at a convenient time. Senior officials from the ministry and the Chinese embassy attended the meeting.

Mostakur Rahman has been appointed as the new governor of Bangladesh Bank, replacing Ahsan H. Mansur. The appointment was confirmed through an official notification issued on Wednesday. Rahman is a Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) with over 33 years of post-qualification experience and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Dhaka.

He has been associated with several professional and industry organizations, including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). Rahman has served on various key committees within these bodies and has worked closely with regulatory institutions such as Bangladesh Bank and the Chittagong Stock Exchange Limited.

As an entrepreneur and senior financial governance expert, Rahman brings more than three decades of leadership experience in corporate finance, export economy, and financial management. His background includes oversight in manufacturing, real estate, and agribusiness sectors, emphasizing financial planning, investment supervision, and governance frameworks.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur said on Wednesday that recent protests and unrest among some central bank officials were being fueled by a vested group seeking to undermine government policy decisions. Speaking at an emergency press conference at the bank’s headquarters, he stated that the recent administrative actions, including staff transfers and show-cause notices, were aimed at preserving institutional and financial stability, not serving personal interests.

Mansur explained that the government and the central bank jointly provided Tk 32,000 crore in support to stabilize seven banks, protecting around 7.6 million depositors. He said the measures, including equity support and special funds for exporters, were restoring stability in the sector. The governor defended the temporary transfers of some officials following social media misinformation and said further actions would depend on their responses.

He dismissed calls to cancel contractual appointments, noting such practices existed before. Mansur added that the bank’s CSR fund of Tk 450–500 crore was being distributed to educational and medical institutions and that the central bank earned Tk 24,000 crore in profit last fiscal year.

Mostakur Rahman, a professor in the Accounting Department at the University of Chittagong, is set to become the new governor of Bangladesh Bank. The appointment, reported by the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday afternoon, will replace Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, who currently holds the position.

Dr. Mansur had been appointed as governor by the interim government following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina administration. He had succeeded former governor Abdur Rouf Talukder at that time. The latest change marks another transition in the leadership of the central bank amid ongoing adjustments in the country’s financial administration.

The report did not specify when Mostakur Rahman will formally assume office or the reasons behind the leadership change at Bangladesh Bank.

Officials and employees of Bangladesh Bank have warned they will begin a symbolic pen-down strike from Thursday if their demands, including withdrawal of show-cause notices and transfers of three officials, are not met. The announcement came Wednesday during a protest meeting held under the banner of the Bangladesh Bank Officers’ Welfare Council at the central bank’s 30-storey building. Council president A.K.M. Masum Billah declared that if the demands remain unfulfilled, they will escalate their movement to demand the resignation of Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur.

Speakers at the protest accused the governor of authoritarian behavior and ignoring repeated appeals from staff. They alleged that contractual appointments have increased while effective economic policies remain absent, and that the governor’s remarks have negatively affected the banking sector. Director and assistant spokesperson Shahriar Siddiqui and executive director Mofizur Rahman Khan Chowdhury both urged the governor to accept the employees’ legitimate demands.

If the issues are not resolved by Thursday, officials plan to hold further discussions on Sunday to decide their next course of action.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has requested a Tk 14,000 crore soft loan from Bangladesh Bank to address a severe cash shortage ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The appeal was made during a meeting with Governor Ahsan H. Mansur, attended by deputy governors and BGMEA leaders. BGMEA Vice President Shihab Udduja Chowdhury said the funds are needed to cover two months of wages and bonuses for workers, and the governor responded positively to the proposal.

BGMEA cited multiple challenges, including political instability, labor unrest, the 2024 movement, election-related uncertainty, and tariff issues, which have led to seven consecutive months of negative export growth. The association also urged the release of pending export incentives worth about Tk 5,700 crore to improve cash flow. Bangladesh Bank data show that Tk 2,500 crore in incentives has been disbursed so far in fiscal year 2025–26.

BGMEA proposed that the loan be repayable over 12 months with a three-month grace period, a 7% interest rate, and expansion of the pre-shipment credit refinancing scheme to Tk 10,000 crore until 2030. The group warned that delays in payments could trigger unrest and urged swift government action to protect workers and sustain the industry.

The government will launch the Family Card program on March 10 as part of the BNP’s election pledge, initially covering one union in each of 14 upazilas. The decision was made at a committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division, according to Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the program in Bogura, and the initiative will gradually expand nationwide.

After the meeting, Social Welfare Minister Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain said the program aims to empower women by providing Tk 2,500 per card. He emphasized that the distribution will be free from political or religious bias. The rollout will begin on a limited scale, expanding from one ward to full unions and eventually to all upazilas across the country.

The meeting was attended by several senior ministers and advisers, including the finance and planning minister, local government state minister, and cabinet secretary, reflecting the government’s coordinated approach to implementing the Family Card initiative.