Continuous heavy rainfall, cyclone-related adverse weather, and frequent power outages have severely disrupted operations in several tea estates of Bahubal upazila in Habiganj. Both production and processing activities have been significantly affected, leading to large-scale financial losses estimated at several million taka across five major tea gardens.

According to local sources, persistent rain has prevented timely plucking of tea leaves, causing over-maturity and reduced quality. Lack of sunlight and excessive humidity have further damaged leaf development, while strong winds and landslides have broken branches and harmed plantation structures. Frequent load-shedding has also hindered tea processing, resulting in spoilage of fresh leaves and deterioration in product quality.

Representatives from the Bangladesh Tea Estate Staff Association and local plantation managers have urged uninterrupted electricity supply and immediate assistance from authorities to restore normal operations and mitigate ongoing losses.

Farmers in Bangladesh’s haor regions have suffered major losses this season due to inadequate disaster preparedness by local authorities, the agriculture department, and the farmers themselves. Sudden flash floods and continuous rainfall have submerged large areas of Boro paddy fields, leaving farmers unable to harvest their crops. Heavy reliance on machinery has worsened the situation as rising water levels rendered harvesters and reapers unusable. Labor shortages have intensified the crisis, with workers demanding higher wages but unable to meet expected productivity.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, around 455,000 hectares of land were cultivated with Boro paddy this season, of which nearly 49,073 hectares were affected to varying degrees. Between 40 and 50 percent of crops in these areas are feared lost, with an additional 10 percent at risk due to unharvested fields. Farmers in Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, and Netrokona reported that many agricultural workers have shifted to other professions such as driving auto-rickshaws, making it difficult to find laborers.

Officials said lists of affected farmers are being prepared and government assistance is under process. Experts emphasized the need for a dedicated disaster preparedness plan for haor regions and direct procurement systems to ensure fair prices for farmers.

Nineteen banks in Bangladesh received a total of Tk 263,210 crore in deferral facilities from Bangladesh Bank to offset provisioning shortfalls amid rising non-performing loans. According to 2025 financial reports, eleven of these banks reported profits, while eight incurred significant losses. Although the profitable banks showed positive net income, none were able to distribute dividends due to regulatory restrictions. The deferral mechanism allowed banks to present improved financial statements despite underlying capital pressures.

Central bank officials explained that the deferral facility is granted annually to banks with provisioning deficits to help them maintain a stable financial appearance. However, most banks have repeatedly failed to adjust their shortfalls, leading to prolonged dependency on such support. Under new dividend policy rules effective from 2025, banks with non-performing loans exceeding 10 percent are barred from declaring dividends, resulting in 34 banks unable to pay shareholders last year.

Officials noted that without the deferral facility, capital shortfalls would have been more severe, raising costs for international trade financing as foreign banks assess capital adequacy before engaging in transactions.

The Ministry of Land has issued a directive requiring all landowners across Bangladesh to pay their land development tax for the current fiscal year by June 30, the date when the national budget will be passed in parliament. The ministry emphasized the use of digital methods to ensure secure and transparent land management. Citizens can now pay their taxes online through the official portal land.gov.bd without visiting local land offices.

According to the ministry, taxpayers must first register on the portal, provide relevant land record details, and then complete payment via mobile banking or card. The government introduced this digital payment system to make land administration more efficient and transparent. Failure to pay within the deadline may result in interest being added to outstanding dues under existing laws.

Officials expect that the digital transformation will enhance transparency in land tax collection, reduce bureaucratic delays, and eliminate the influence of intermediaries, saving both time and money for citizens.

The Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association has called for the introduction of an integrated one-stop service to simplify the process of obtaining and renewing licenses for restaurants. At a press conference held on Sunday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, the association presented an 11-point demand to address persistent challenges in the sector, including harassment and delays caused by the need to secure certificates from 10 to 12 different agencies.

The demands also include keeping VAT and tax rates at a tolerable level in the upcoming budget, restoring gas connections, stopping harassment under the guise of raids, preventing corporate dominance, implementing the declaration of the sector as an industry, and ensuring training for unskilled workers under government management. Association leaders said the sector is still struggling to recover from the pandemic, while rising fuel and commodity prices have worsened the situation.

They urged the government to take prompt action to implement these demands, warning that continued tax pressure and unregulated competition from unregistered restaurants pose risks to both public health and the sustainability of the industry.

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will begin its special truck sale program from Monday ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, continuing until May 21. The initiative was confirmed in a press release issued on Sunday. Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir will officially inaugurate the program beside the PSC building in Agargaon. The operation will distribute subsidized essential goods including edible oil, sugar, and lentils to low-income families holding TCB cards.

According to the announcement, 720 mobile trucks will operate across the country, including 50 in Dhaka, 20 in Chattogram, 15 in each of six divisional cities, and 10 in each of 56 other districts. Each truck will serve around 400 people daily, excluding Fridays. Consumers can purchase up to two liters of edible oil at Tk 130 per liter, one kilogram of sugar at Tk 80, and two kilograms of lentils at Tk 70 per kilogram.

The TCB expects to sell about 13,939 metric tons of goods through the trucks and 34,848 metric tons to 7.2 million cardholder families in May under its regular subsidized program.

Saudi Aramco’s Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser stated that the global market has been deprived of nearly one billion barrels of oil over the past two months because of the ongoing war. In a statement to Reuters, he said that although energy supply is gradually returning to normal, it will take time for the entire system to fully recover. Nasser emphasized that the company’s goal remains to maintain energy supply despite existing pressures on the system.

Earlier, Saudi Aramco reported that its net profit for the first quarter of 2026 reached 120.13 billion Saudi riyals, equivalent to about 32.5 billion US dollars. This represents a 25.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, which the company attributed to higher oil sales.

The company’s statement highlights both the short-term supply challenges caused by the war and the resilience of its financial performance amid global market disruptions.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury emphasized the government's commitment to democratizing the economy by including people outside the mainstream economic system. Speaking on Sunday morning at the launch of the second phase of the PKSF and World Bank’s joint project ‘RAISE’ in Agargaon, Dhaka, he said that democracy must be reflected not only in politics but also in the economic structure. The minister noted that in the past, a small wealthy group enjoyed most of the benefits of the economy, while ordinary people had limited participation.

He stated that the government follows strict standards in implementing development projects and will not approve any that fail to meet them. Chowdhury expressed concern over high healthcare costs in Bangladesh and announced plans to increase allocations for health and education in the upcoming budget. He also highlighted the need to utilize the country’s youth potential, improve planning for handicrafts, and promote cultural and creative industries globally. Additionally, he underscored the economic potential of sports and the importance of empowering women and farmers through family and farmer cards.

The minister said these initiatives aim to strengthen rural economies, increase financial inclusion, and ensure broader participation in national development.

Farmers in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur are discarding large quantities of potatoes after a sharp decline in market prices left them unable to recover production costs. Many growers, facing losses of up to Tk 15 per kilogram, have been forced to dump their produce as storage facilities reach capacity and potatoes begin to rot in the humid weather.

In Salapak area, farmer Tahizar Rahman reported producing about 400 sacks of potatoes this season but could not sell them profitably. Other farmers, including Shefali Begum and Abdul Kader, said they are struggling with debt and lack of cold storage space. The only cold storage in the upazila, with a capacity of 150,000 sacks, is already full, forcing farmers to keep potatoes at home where they quickly spoil.

According to the upazila agriculture office, 5,310 hectares were cultivated this season, yielding 154,207 tons—far exceeding local demand. Officials cited poor market management, limited storage, and adverse weather as key causes. Farmers are demanding fair prices, more storage facilities, and government incentives to prevent future losses.

Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil producer of Saudi Arabia, reported a net profit of 12.13 trillion riyals ($32.5 billion) for the first three months of 2026. The figure marks a 25.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when the company earned 9.57 trillion riyals ($25.4 billion). Aramco’s sales rose from $107.6 billion to $114.9 billion, while its cash flow reached $30.7 billion.

The company attributed this strong performance to higher sales and the full operational capacity of its East-West Crude Oil Pipeline, which runs to the Red Sea and bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser said the pipeline now transports up to seven million barrels of oil per day and has become a vital supply artery, helping ease disruptions caused by shipping limitations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Nasser added that recent developments have underscored the critical role of oil and gas in global energy security and economic stability, emphasizing the importance of reliable energy supply.

Leading retail company Shwapno has extended long-term financial assistance to 12-year-old Samia Akter from Pohnkucha Paschim Para in Bagmara Dakshin Union of Lalmai upazila, Cumilla. The company recently handed her a cheque of 5,000 taka at a local event. Under the arrangement, Samia will receive 5,000 taka monthly under the supervision of the local chairman to support her education and daily needs. Shwapno authorities announced a total donation of 480,000 taka for her future.

A senior Shwapno official said the initiative reflects the company’s belief that small efforts can bring major changes in someone’s life. Local residents described the support as a significant relief for a struggling family and expressed hope that the regular assistance would help shape Samia’s future.

Shwapno has long been involved in social and humanitarian activities. Company representatives stated that similar support programs for underprivileged and vulnerable individuals will continue in the future.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the government will avoid loan-dependent mega projects and instead focus on eliminating unnecessary initiatives to ensure balanced national development. He made the remarks on Sunday, May 10, at the inauguration of the second phase of the PKSF and World Bank joint project ‘RAISE’ in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The minister emphasized that the government is working to ensure economic democratization by bringing marginalized groups under financial support. He stated that those excluded from the mainstream economy must be integrated, as participation in economic activities is a citizen’s right. He added that democracy should not be limited to politics but must also extend to the economy, underscoring the government’s commitment to democratizing economic opportunities.

The announcement signals a shift toward inclusive growth policies, prioritizing financial empowerment and sustainable development over debt-driven infrastructure expansion.

Bangladesh has fallen behind India and Vietnam in global export capacity rankings due to high trade costs, slow port operations, and weak logistics infrastructure. The issue was highlighted at a roundtable titled “Integrated Port and Logistics Sector Development for Trade-Driven Bangladesh,” organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in Dhaka. Experts said customs complexities, transport delays, and lack of modern supply systems are eroding Bangladesh’s competitiveness in international markets.

According to the discussion, Bangladesh ranks 88th in the global logistics capability index, compared to India’s 38th and Vietnam’s 43rd. In customs efficiency, Bangladesh stands 101st, while India and Vietnam are 47th and 43rd respectively. The country’s infrastructure ranking is 108th, and its position in international shipment is 91st. Experts, including Dr. M Masrur Reaz of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, noted that inefficient logistics and high business costs are limiting the nation’s trade potential.

Speakers urged rapid implementation of a national logistics policy, modernization of port management, and greater private sector involvement. They emphasized adopting AI, blockchain, and digital customs systems to reduce clearance times and improve export competitiveness.

Bangladesh’s tea industry is showing renewed optimism as early rainfall at the start of the 2026 season has improved growing conditions across major tea-producing regions including Chattogram, Sylhet, Panchagarh, and Moulvibazar. The first two months of the year saw an increase of 258,000 kilograms of tea compared to the same period last year. The first auction of the season was held on April 27, where about 95 percent of the tea offered was sold. The Bangladesh Tea Board has set a production target of 104 million kilograms for this season, slightly higher than last year’s 103 million, which fell short by over 8 million kilograms.

Officials and industry leaders attribute the positive outlook to favorable weather and expanding cultivation in northern plains. However, they also warn of challenges including rising production costs, illegal tea trading, and market management issues. The government has fixed maximum auction prices at Tk 245 per kilogram for Sylhet and Chattogram teas and Tk 170 for Panchagarh.

The Tea Board is emphasizing organic fertilizers and integrated pest management to improve quality and sustainability. If favorable weather continues, stakeholders believe Bangladesh could exceed its production target and reduce dependence on imports.

The Bangladesh government has intensified surveillance along its borders to prevent illegal cattle smuggling from India ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Authorities have decided to close cattle markets in border areas and maintain a policy of not importing sacrificial animals. Official data show the country has a surplus of about 2.2 million animals for sacrifice, though shortages persist in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.

According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh has 12.33 million animals ready for sacrifice against an estimated demand of 10.1 million. The government aims to protect local farmers who suffered losses in previous years when Indian cattle inflows depressed prices. Some farmers in flood-affected haor regions reported selling cattle cheaply due to feed shortages, though ministry officials denied any widespread crisis.

Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid said border cattle markets were banned to safeguard domestic producers. The government has also promoted online cattle sales without fees and arranged training for butchers to ensure proper handling of hides during Eid.