At a pre-budget discussion organized by the Center for Advanced Studies and Thoughts at the National Press Club, Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman cautioned the current government against repeating what he described as the 'development fallacy' of the previous Sheikh Hasina administration. He criticized past mega projects such as the Padma Bridge railway line and the Karnaphuli Tunnel as wasteful and urged the government to evaluate the rate of return before any investment.

Rahman emphasized that the government should prioritize quality over the size of the budget, reduce leakages in the Annual Development Programme, and focus on inflation control, employment generation, and agricultural reform. He highlighted that inflation had exceeded nine percent and called for policies ensuring fair prices for farmers and balanced wealth distribution. Other speakers, including economist Abu Ahmed, warned that the economy faced severe challenges, citing rising debt, falling exports, and growing unemployment.

Participants stressed the need for industrialization, diversification of exports beyond garments, and reforms in education to build skilled manpower. They urged the government to ensure equitable resource distribution to improve the livelihoods of low-income groups.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid announced that more than ten million animals have been prepared across Bangladesh for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. He stated that the country faces no shortage of sacrificial animals and that the festival will be fulfilled entirely with locally raised livestock. The minister made these remarks on Thursday during a meeting with officials at the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute auditorium in Savar.

He added that new prices for animal hides have been set following discussions with traders, and the decision was reached through mutual agreement. The minister emphasized that the current government is farmer-friendly and that all necessary livestock, including cows, goats, and sheep, are available in sufficient numbers. He also said that there is no need to import animals from abroad.

To prevent illegal cattle smuggling from India, the government has held several meetings with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and issued strict instructions to law enforcement agencies. Border residents have also been alerted to help stop any unauthorized animal entry.

Commerce Minister Khondaker Abdul Muktadir has said that the government has taken comprehensive preparations to ensure smooth collection, preservation, purchase, sale, and transportation of raw hides from sacrificial animals during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. Speaking at a directive meeting with divisional commissioners, city corporation administrators, and deputy commissioners at the Secretariat on Thursday, he emphasized that not a single hide should be wasted, as directed by the Prime Minister.

The minister described sacrificial hides as a valuable national resource that can strengthen the leather industry, export earnings, and the financial capacity of orphanages, madrasas, and Lillah boarding houses if properly preserved. To prevent annual wastage, the government has allocated over Tk 17 crore for free salt distribution and Tk 2.63 crore for training programs. Awareness campaigns will include posters, leaflets, and media broadcasts.

He instructed divisional commissioners to form monitoring teams and ensure active field supervision after training. City corporation administrators were also asked to coordinate waste management with hide preservation efforts to maximize efficiency.

Bangladesh Bank has eased the single borrower loan limit, allowing banks to lend up to 25 percent of their capital as funded loans to a single client, up from the previous 15 percent. However, the combined funded and non-funded exposure cannot exceed 25 percent. The new directive, issued on Thursday, will remain effective until June 30, 2028. The central bank stated that the decision aims to accelerate business activities and facilitate international trade financing.

Under the revised rules, non-funded loans converted into funded loans will now be calculated at 25 percent instead of 50 percent, effective until June 30, 2027. This rate will gradually increase to 30 percent by December 2027, 40 percent by December 2028, and return to 50 percent from January 2030. The circular also revises large loan exposure limits based on non-performing loan ratios, allowing higher lending flexibility for banks with elevated default rates.

Officials explained that the adjustment was necessary as the sector’s non-performing loan ratio has risen to 30 percent, compared to 9 percent when the earlier circular was issued, restricting new lending under the old limits.

Cuba is facing a severe fuel crisis as its reserves near depletion under ongoing U.S. sanctions. Energy Minister Vicente de la O stated that the country has virtually no fuel or diesel left, describing the national grid as being in a critical condition. The announcement underscores the worsening energy situation across the island.

Despite the blockade, Cuba continues negotiations to import fuel. However, the minister noted that the global rise in oil and transport costs, driven by the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, has made these efforts increasingly difficult. He emphasized that Cuba is ready to purchase fuel from any country willing to sell.

According to official data, Cuba produces about 40,000 barrels of oil per day but consumes between 90,000 and 110,000 barrels, leaving it structurally dependent on imports. The shortage threatens to deepen the country’s economic challenges if new supply deals are not secured soon.

Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC has successfully regained customer confidence and operational stability despite a recent financial sector crisis in Bangladesh. The bank avoided liquidity support from Bangladesh Bank, maintained uninterrupted customer services, and saw no cheque dishonor incidents. Deposits rose to Tk 54,593 crore by December 2025, up from Tk 51,609 crore a year earlier, while the number of deposit accounts increased by more than 229,000. In the first four months of 2026, the bank earned Tk 85 crore in operating profit and added 180,000 new accounts.

Following Bangladesh Bank’s governance reforms in 2025, which included replacing the board and disciplining over 600 staff for irregularities, Al-Arafah Islami Bank underwent major restructuring. System upgrades enhanced digital and core banking operations, while agent banking and rural development programs expanded financial inclusion. The bank now operates 226 branches, 89 sub-branches, and 738 agent outlets across 306 upazilas.

The bank’s management credits transparency, accountability, and technology-driven modernization for restoring trust. Its progress in digital and rural banking is viewed as a model for sustainable recovery in Bangladesh’s financial sector.

Bangladesh Bank’s board has decided to liquidate or close five non-bank financial institutions—FAS Finance, International Leasing, Peoples Leasing, Fareast Finance, and Aviva Finance—starting from July 2026. Each will have a central bank-appointed administrator. The decision, made last Tuesday, has not been formally communicated to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) or the stock exchanges, even though four of the firms are publicly listed.

BSEC spokesperson Md. Abul Kalam confirmed that the regulator had received no official or informal notice from the central bank. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) also stated it had not been informed and that trading in the four listed firms continued on Wednesday. DSE officials said they would decide on trading suspension after receiving formal instructions. Analysts criticized the lack of coordination, noting that investor protection should have been prioritized.

According to Bangladesh Bank sources, the institutions’ default loan ratios range from 93% to nearly 100%, leaving them unable to repay depositors. The government has pledged about Tk 5,000 crore in the upcoming budget to refund individual depositors, enabling the liquidation process to proceed under the Bank Resolution Ordinance 2026.

The Government of India has imposed a ban on sugar exports effective until September 30, 2026. The decision, announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, applies to all categories of sugar including raw, white, and refined. The export policy has been changed from 'restricted' to 'prohibited', marking a significant policy shift. Authorities indicated that the ban could be extended if necessary.

According to the government, the measure aims to ensure adequate domestic supply of sugar. The decision follows earlier policies that allowed limited exports in anticipation of surplus production. Experts cited in the report suggest that the move is intended to control inflation risks arising from uncertainty linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

The export restriction represents a major adjustment in India’s trade policy for sugar and may influence both domestic pricing and international sugar markets if extended beyond the current deadline.

The United States and China have maintained high tariff levels despite a one-year pause in their trade war announced after a summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea last October. The meeting temporarily eased tensions between Washington and Beijing, but most trade barriers built over the past decade remain in place.

According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the average US tariff on Chinese imports now stands at 47.5 percent, up from 3.1 percent before Trump’s first term. Meanwhile, China’s average tariff on US goods has risen to 31.9 percent from 8.4 percent in 2018. These figures highlight the persistent volatility in bilateral trade relations.

Analysts say the recent pause has provided short-term relief for both sides, but long-term trade barriers remain a major concern. The high tariffs continue to affect both economies, and global observers remain uncertain about the future direction of US-China economic relations.

The Indian rupee fell to its lowest level in history on Wednesday, trading at 95.80 rupees against the US dollar after dropping by 12 paisa at the start of foreign exchange trading. The decline occurred amid global political instability and uncertainty in the oil market, marking the steepest fall ever recorded for the Indian currency.

According to the report, the rupee had already been weakening before the recent escalation of conflict in West Asia. Market experts believe that the emerging war situation between the United States and Iran has further accelerated the rupee’s depreciation. The fall reflects heightened market anxiety over geopolitical tensions and energy price volatility.

The continued instability in global markets and regional conflicts may keep the rupee under pressure in the near term, though the report does not specify any official response or policy measures from Indian authorities.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing has been characterized by the White House as primarily business-oriented. While Chinese President Xi Jinping focused on the broader relationship between the two nations, Trump emphasized his personal rapport with Xi. According to related sources, both countries are close to forming a joint trade board that could initially serve as a policy commitment and later evolve into a mechanism for monitoring trade and resolving disputes.

Potential agreements under discussion include China’s commitment to purchase U.S. agricultural products such as beef and soybeans, while China seeks access to buy Nvidia chips and Boeing aircraft. A key U.S. objective is to secure greater market access for American companies in China. To advance these goals, Trump brought influential business figures including Elon Musk of Tesla and Tim Cook of Apple as part of his delegation.

Analysts view the visit as a major platform for advancing economic interests, though issues like Taiwan and other geopolitical complexities also remain part of the agenda.

Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, livestock farms in Cumilla are experiencing a busy season with 259,752 animals prepared for sacrifice, exceeding the district’s demand of 247,586 by about 12,300. Farmers expect fair prices this year as authorities have intensified monitoring to prevent the entry of Indian cattle. The Department of Livestock confirmed that local animals will meet demand in Cumilla and nearby districts, with surplus stock available for supply to other regions.

Farmers are using natural fattening methods and offering local as well as Brahma, Friesian, and Sahiwal breeds. Some have invested from one to over two million taka. However, traders have reported robbery and extortion risks on highways, prompting calls for stronger security. District officials said 430 permanent and temporary cattle markets will operate, with special measures to prevent counterfeit money and ensure safety.

Border Guard Bangladesh, police, and district administration have strengthened surveillance along the 106-kilometer border to block illegal cattle entry. Additional highway patrols have been deployed, especially at night, to protect livestock transport and maintain market stability.

Analysts believe that the ongoing discussions between the United States and China are unlikely to produce any major breakthroughs. However, limited, pragmatic, and transaction-based agreements may emerge from the talks. According to Professor Nick Bisley of La Trobe University, China’s main interest lies in reducing tariffs on its exports to the U.S., though it remains uncertain whether such concessions will be achieved.

Bisley told Al Jazeera that purchase-related agreements could receive the most attention. China may announce large-scale soybean purchases from the U.S., offering relief to American farmers affected by the Iran war’s economic impact. Additionally, Beijing might place new aircraft orders with Boeing. The formation of a joint trade board between the two nations is also reportedly under discussion.

Despite these possibilities, Bisley cautioned that expectations for major success are low. He described the meeting as a face-saving effort, allowing both sides to present the outcome domestically as a diplomatic achievement, while significant tariff reductions remain unlikely.

Advance ticket sales for intercity trains ahead of Eid-ul-Azha began on Wednesday morning, drawing massive demand within minutes. According to railway sources, nearly 6 million online hits were recorded within the first 30 minutes of sales, and most tickets for the western region—including Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Khulna divisions—were sold out within an hour. The railway reported a total of 31,240 seats across 43 trains, with 15,266 in the western region and 15,974 in the eastern region. Ticket sales for eastern routes started later in the day.

The railway authority announced that tickets for May 24 to 27 journeys would be sold from Thursday to Sunday, with each passenger allowed to purchase up to four tickets once. Tickets are non-refundable, and 10 special trains will operate for Eid. Additionally, 25 percent of seats will be sold as standing tickets at counters on the day of travel. Return tickets will be available from May 21 to 25.

Officials advised passengers to use the official “Rail Sheba” app to avoid fraud, warning that some individuals were offering fake ticket services through social media.

Dr. Atiq Mujahid, joint convener of the NCP and Member of Parliament for Kurigram-2, stated that the entire government rice procurement system is controlled by syndicates. Speaking at a seminar titled “Farmers’ Outcry During Rice Procurement Season: Crisis and Way Forward” held at the NCP’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, he said middlemen benefit while farmers suffer under current policies. He warned that the issue has become one of sovereignty rather than just food security.

Other speakers at the event, including NCP joint convener Sarowar Tushar, criticized the government for failing to support farmers affected by untimely rains and poor procurement policies. They urged the introduction of agricultural insurance, direct rice purchases from millers, and early price announcements to help farmers negotiate better. National Labour Force convener Mazharul Islam Fakir blamed government officials for delays in seed distribution, while National Health Alliance convener Dr. Shadrul Alam emphasized ensuring transparent and accessible agricultural loans.

Speakers collectively accused the government of negligence and called for accountability and policy reform to protect farmers’ livelihoods.