Bangladesh’s current BNP government is facing bureaucratic complications in fertilizer imports, a system inherited from the previous Awami League administration. Without verifying the actual cultivated land area, officials have advised purchasing 100,000 tons less fertilizer than the target for the 2026–27 fiscal year. Although the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) director said procurement follows high-level policy decisions and no crisis is expected, field-level experts warn that ignoring real demand could cause serious shortages.

Farmers and agricultural economists have expressed concern that reduced allocations of urea and DAP fertilizers could repeat past crises. In Kishoreganj, local authorities reported receiving significantly less fertilizer than requested, prompting formal appeals to increase supply. Similar complaints have emerged from other districts. Experts caution that such shortfalls could lower food production and undermine the government’s positive initiatives for farmers.

To address the situation, the government has formed a 15-member National Fertilizer Coordination and Advisory Committee led by the agriculture minister to review production, import, and distribution. However, the minister and secretary did not respond to media inquiries about the issue.

A government-built luxury guesthouse near the Karnaphuli Tunnel’s Anwara end in Chattogram remains unused despite being constructed at a cost of Tk 450 crore. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority has issued a third tender to lease the facility commercially after two previous international tenders in July and September last year failed to attract suitable bids. Only a few local firms showed interest, but their offers were below the authority’s estimated value.

Officials said the guesthouse is a state asset and the new tender aims to secure maximum revenue. The selected lessee will operate and maintain the property, paying rent in four annual installments. The lessee will have full freedom to set prices for services such as accommodation, dining, travel, conferences, and spa facilities but must seek approval for any structural changes. The guesthouse, built as part of the Karnaphuli Tunnel project, covers about 72 acres and includes a VIP bungalow, 30 additional bungalows, and 48 motel units.

The Bridge Authority expects the lease to help generate revenue for the tunnel project, which has been operating at a loss since its opening in October 2023.

The Bangladesh government has announced a plan to create 10 million new jobs within the next five years to address the country’s severe employment crisis. Each year, around 2 to 2.2 million young people enter the job market, but limited opportunities leave many unemployed or underemployed. The plan, led by the General Economics Division (GED), aims to generate about 8 million jobs domestically and 1.5 million through overseas employment, with the private sector driving most of the growth in services, industry, and agriculture.

Officials said investment-led production expansion will be the main strategy, supported by a 60,000 crore taka fund, tax reforms, and renewable energy initiatives. Prime Minister’s adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir emphasized policy continuity and infrastructure improvements, including railway modernization. However, economists and business leaders warned that fragile financial conditions, high inflation, and energy shortages could hinder investment and job creation. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority acknowledged that resolving the energy crisis could take up to two years.

Experts from universities and research institutions stressed that sustainable employment growth requires stronger financial institutions, macroeconomic stability, and reliable labor data. They also noted that private investment has stagnated at around 23–24 percent of GDP for over a decade, limiting job expansion.

The proposed 2026–27 national budget of Bangladesh has reset the value-added tax (VAT) on locally produced refrigerators, air conditioners, and compressors to 7.5 percent, restoring the previous rate. The decision has brought relief to the domestic electronics industry, which had faced higher production costs and reduced sales after the VAT was raised to 15 percent in the 2025–26 fiscal year. Industry representatives said the adjustment will help stabilize prices, boost demand for local brands, and positively affect investment, production, employment, exports, and government revenue.

According to the Bangladesh Refrigerator Manufacturers Association, VAT rates on these products have fluctuated over recent years, with the latest reduction expected to make fridges and air conditioners more affordable for middle-class consumers. Stakeholders noted that the previous VAT hike had led to job losses for around 10,000 people due to increased costs and reduced production.

Industry leaders, including association officials and executives from Walton Hi-Tech Industries, welcomed the move as timely and supportive of domestic manufacturing. They believe continued policy support will strengthen the sector, reduce import dependence, and expand export opportunities.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to expedite the process of reopening unprofitable and closed state-owned factories through domestic and foreign investments. The directive was issued on Saturday during a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office. The meeting discussed the progress of attracting investors and the steps needed to restart operations at the affected industrial units.

According to information presented at the meeting, several private companies have expressed interest in investing in these factories. The feasibility of the proposed industrial ventures will now be assessed. The Prime Minister emphasized that the entire process must be conducted transparently and instructed authorities to avoid unnecessary delays while completing the procedures.

The meeting was attended by the ministers of commerce, industry, and textiles, along with senior officials from relevant ministries, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, and the Prime Minister’s Office.

The three-day International B-Beauty Tech Expo 2026 will be held in Dhaka from July 16 to 18 at the Bashundhara International Convention City (ICCB). Organized by WEM Bangladesh Limited, the event aims to boost investment, modern technology adoption, and local production capacity in Bangladesh’s beauty, cosmetics, personal care, wellness, and beauty technology sectors. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity office.

According to the organizers, companies and brands from Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates will participate. The expo will feature over 60 exhibitors and 120 local and international brands, with around 8,000 industry visitors and business representatives expected. The event is positioned as a platform for international business networking, investment, and technology transfer.

Organizers highlighted that Bangladesh’s beauty and personal care market is valued between 10 and 12 billion US dollars, with potential annual growth of 6 to 9 percent. They expect the expo to help reduce import dependency, attract foreign investment, and create up to 800,000 new jobs over the next decade through enhanced local production and technology transfer.

Prime Minister’s economic and planning affairs adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has said that the decision to implement Bangladesh’s new pay scale will be made considering the country’s economic reality and the government’s election manifesto commitments. In an interview with the BBC, he stated that the new salary structure will be executed in phases, beginning with an increase in the basic pay of government employees. However, he did not specify when the official gazette would be published or disclose details of salary adjustments across grades.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury had earlier announced in the 2026–27 budget speech that the new pay scale would start taking effect from July 1, 2026, after nearly 11 years under the same structure. The move aims to address rising living costs caused by inflation. According to finance ministry sources, the gazette may be issued by mid or late July.

The last national pay scale was introduced in 2015. The 2025 National Pay Commission, led by former finance secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan, recommended a 100–140 percent salary increase, raising the minimum scale from Tk 8,250 to Tk 20,000 and the maximum from Tk 78,000 to Tk 160,000.

Bangladesh Bank has dismissed recent social media rumors claiming that customers will face extra charges when using Bangla QR for payments. The misinformation suggested that a Tk 10 fee would be deducted from every Tk 1,000 transaction, causing confusion among users. The central bank clarified that customers will not be charged any fee for making purchases through Bangla QR.

According to Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan, the applicable charge will be borne by merchants, not customers. As per policy, a maximum charge of Tk 10 plus 15 percent VAT—totaling Tk 11.50—may apply per Tk 1,000 transaction, which sellers must pay. Experts noted that this structure is similar to how credit card transaction fees are handled by businesses.

The bank advised customers not to believe unverified information about digital payments. It also urged users to report any merchant demanding extra charges to their respective banks, mobile financial service providers, or the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.

Former officials of HSBC Bangladesh have accused the bank of violating labor laws, misleading regulators, and denying fair compensation following the closure of its retail banking operations. The allegations were made at a press conference held at the Economic Reporters Forum auditorium in Dhaka’s Paltan area on Saturday morning. The affected employees demanded that relevant government agencies investigate the matter and take necessary action.

According to a written statement presented by representative Alamgir Kabir, 257 officials lost their jobs on March 31 as part of the retail banking shutdown, but the bank allegedly failed to follow legal retrenchment procedures. The employees claimed that while HSBC informed Bangladesh Bank that they were retrenched, they were actually given termination letters, depriving them of lawful severance benefits. Additional complaints included improper implementation of central bank directives, provident fund deductions, loan adjustment issues, discrimination in reemployment, increased home loan interest rates, and withheld release letters.

The affected officials urged authorities including Bangladesh Bank and the Ministry of Labour to ensure legal accountability, fair severance payments, and refund of deducted funds with interest and penalties.

The opening of the Padma Bridge has revolutionized transportation in Bangladesh’s southwest, connecting 21 districts with Dhaka through faster and more efficient travel. The Padma Bridge Expressway has become a vital national route, carrying thousands of vehicles daily and facilitating the quick transport of agricultural and fishery products. However, despite these improvements, the anticipated industrial and commercial development around Shibchar in Madaripur district, located at the bridge’s southern end, has not yet materialized.

Local residents and business owners report that while travel has become easier, large-scale industries and manufacturing plants have not been established. Small businesses continue to operate on a limited scale, and job creation remains stagnant. Community leaders and analysts stress that sustainable development requires long-term planning, industrial zones, and investment-friendly policies. They urge both government and private investors to develop industrial parks, special economic zones, and accessible financing for entrepreneurs.

Officials note that the Padma Bridge should serve not only as a symbol of connectivity but also as a foundation for industrialization and improved livelihoods in the southern region.

The government of Bangladesh approved the Padma Barrage Project at an ECNEC meeting on May 13, 2026. The project, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board under the Ministry of Water Resources, will begin in July 2026 and is targeted for completion by June 2033. The barrage will be built at Pangsha in Rajbari district, spanning 2.1 kilometers with 78 spillway gates and 18 under-sluice gates. Covering 26 districts across four divisions, it is expected to directly benefit about 70 million people and indirectly the entire country.

The project aims to mitigate the long-standing water scarcity caused by India’s Farakka Barrage, which restricts dry-season water flow into Bangladesh. By storing 2.9 billion cubic meters of water, the Padma Barrage will revive several rivers, expand irrigation to 2.9 million hectares, and increase annual rice and fish production. It will also include a 113-megawatt hydropower plant and improve navigation, agriculture, and environmental conditions.

The estimated total cost is Tk 504.43 billion, with Tk 344.97 billion allocated for the first phase, fully funded by the government.

Nesarabad upazila in Pirojpur has become a growing hub for shipbuilding, with 21 dockyards established along the banks of the Sandhya River and its tributaries. These facilities produce world-class vessels including cargo ships, oil carriers, and steel-bodied launches. Around 25,000 workers are directly or indirectly employed in this sector, contributing to both local livelihoods and national industrial growth.

Shipbuilders and local stakeholders say that with government support, training, and access to affordable loans, the industry could expand significantly. Skilled craftsmen are already producing ships that meet domestic and international standards, and some vessels built here are operating on international routes. The area’s low production costs and efficient construction processes attract business owners from across the country.

Officials note that some dockyards lack complete documentation required for government assistance, but efforts are underway to address this. Observers believe that with proper policy support and modern training, Nesarabad’s shipbuilding industry could become a major source of foreign exchange and national revenue.

In Jamalpur town, a small mobile clothing shop run by 21-year-old Akijul Islam Saurav has drawn attention for its colorful display of T-shirts, shirts, and jerseys. Saurav, a second-year HSC student at Government Ashek Mahmud College, manages the business alongside his studies. With an initial investment of 70,000 taka from his father, he built a mobile sales cart and stocked it with clothes. Each day, after classes, he travels around the city selling garments and stores his cart at a relative’s home at night.

Saurav, from Sharifpur Union’s Byapari Para village, was inspired by his businessman father and motivated by the struggles of educated youths seeking jobs. He aims to become an entrepreneur who can create employment for others. His mobile shop allows him to reach customers directly in busy areas, and the earnings cover his educational expenses while enabling him to save money.

Development worker Jahangir Selim noted that such self-employment initiatives could positively influence the local economy and inspire other young people to pursue entrepreneurship.

The Rangpur District Postal Employees Union has warned of an indefinite strike to press for two key demands. The announcement came during a meeting held on Friday afternoon at the Rangpur District Collectorate ground, attended by members of the Bangladesh Postal Employees Union, Bangladesh Branch Post Office Employees Association, and Bangladesh Branch Post Office Employees Unity Council. Earlier, the workers had observed a hunger strike in front of the Directorate of Posts and later announced a three-day work stoppage. They stated that if their demands remain unmet, a full strike would be held on the 6th and 7th of the month.

The extra-departmental (ED) employees said they have long been working for a daily wage of only 150 taka. They are demanding a threefold increase in pay and official recognition as departmental employees. Speakers at the meeting, including union leaders and representatives from various upazilas, emphasized that the movement would continue until the demands of about 23,000 workers nationwide are fulfilled.

Union leaders urged the government to consider their demands, stressing that postal workers deliver letters to people’s doorsteps but do not receive fair compensation for their service.

Consumers across Bangladesh are facing severe electricity shortages despite a record price hike announced on June 4, 2026. Residents in areas such as Dhamrai, Nasirnagar, and Faridpur report power cuts lasting 8 to 18 hours daily, disrupting households, hospitals, and industries. Farmers say crops like onions and potatoes are rotting due to lack of power for storage, while students struggle to prepare for exams amid heat and darkness. Many consumers complain of receiving electricity bills double the previous amounts despite worsening supply.

Officials from the Power Division admit that 66 percent of the country’s power plants remain idle due to fuel shortages, leaving only 13,000–14,000 megawatts available against higher demand. Experts and government sources blame mismanagement, corruption, and past policy failures for the crisis. The current administration acknowledges inherited debts and fuel dependency from the previous government and says it will take time to stabilize the sector.

Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud stated that new gas exploration tenders have been issued to reduce import dependence, but full recovery may take three to four years.