Bangladesh’s Industry Minister Khandaker Abdul Moktadir announced that the government aims to create employment opportunities for 20 million people within the next five years. He made the statement on Saturday evening while speaking to journalists after visiting the BSCIC industrial city in Saidpur, Nilphamari. The minister emphasized that small and cottage industries form the foundation of the national economy and play a vital role in reducing inequality.

He stated that the government will take necessary measures to increase investment in this sector while ensuring industrial expansion without harming agricultural land. Moktadir highlighted the potential for agro-processing and light engineering industries in Saidpur and surrounding areas, promising government support to realize these opportunities. He also mentioned that several programs have been launched to encourage entrepreneurs and that state-owned closed factories will be reopened gradually.

The minister said solving unemployment is the government’s top priority and that extensive plans have been undertaken to achieve this goal. Several senior officials and local representatives were present during his visit to the Saidpur industrial area.

The Planning Commission has given preliminary approval to a Tk 3 trillion Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the 2026–27 fiscal year. The draft development budget prioritizes education, health, transport, power, and local government sectors. The approval came at an extended meeting chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for May 16 to finalize sectoral allocations before submission to the National Economic Council (NEC), which is expected to meet on May 18 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

According to documents prepared by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), Tk 1.9 trillion will come from government funds, representing about 63 percent of the total, while Tk 1.1 trillion will be sourced from foreign loans and grants. Autonomous bodies and state-owned corporations will invest an additional Tk 8,924 crore from their own funds, bringing the total development budget to approximately Tk 3.08 trillion.

Transport and communication will receive the highest allocation, followed by education and health. Officials said the focus on education and health aims to build skilled human resources and strengthen social protection, while major investments in infrastructure and energy seek to ensure long-term growth and energy security.

The Federation of Indian Airlines has warned the government that operations may halt due to soaring fuel prices caused by the Iran war. The conflict has sharply increased global jet fuel costs, forcing Air India Group to revise fuel surcharges on domestic and international routes. Restrictions on Middle Eastern airspace have lengthened flight paths, raising expenses. The war has disrupted energy flows, driving inflation, weakening the rupee, and straining India’s energy security and foreign policy.

India’s pharmaceutical industry, a major global supplier of generic drugs, is also under pressure from rising energy costs and disrupted logistics. Delays in raw material shipments from China and higher transport and insurance costs have doubled production expenses. The country’s heavy dependence on Middle Eastern oil and gas has deepened the crisis, with LPG and LNG supplies severely affected. Domestic protests over living costs have erupted, and remittances from expatriates in the region are at risk as many return home.

A UNDP report warns that over 2.5 million Indians could fall into poverty due to the ongoing crisis. Political opposition has blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy, though recent state elections show the ruling party remains resilient.

Prime Bank PLC and Rancon Cars Limited have signed a strategic partnership agreement offering special discounts to Prime Bank customers on the purchase of Proton brand cars. The signing ceremony took place at Rancon Cars Limited’s office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, where senior officials from both organizations were present.

Under the agreement, Prime Bank customers will enjoy attractive price reductions and exclusive benefits when buying Proton vehicles from Rancon Cars Limited. The event was attended by senior executives including Mamur Ahmed, SEVP and Head of Distribution Network at Prime Bank, and Mohammad Mostafizur Rashid Bhuiyan, Director of Rancon Cars Limited.

Speakers at the event said the collaboration aims to enhance customer experience by providing lifestyle-oriented services and convenient financial solutions. Prime Bank also announced plans to continue introducing innovative services and attractive offers aligned with customer needs and lifestyles in the future.

Railways State Minister Habibur Rashid announced that a survey is underway to implement a dual gauge railway line on the Sylhet-Dhaka-Chattogram route. He made the statement during a visit to Sylhet on Saturday to assess the feasibility of the project announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. After inspecting the Sylhet railway station, the minister confirmed that the government is addressing the shortage of train engines on the Sylhet-Dhaka route.

The minister stated that the government aims to make Bangladesh Railway profitable by improving both passenger and freight services. He acknowledged existing limitations in railway services and emphasized the need for maximum effort and accountability among officials. He reiterated instructions for responsible officers to resolve negligence at the field level.

Habibur Rashid added that the government has directed the recovery of encroached railway land and will take strict measures against illegal occupation. He noted that additional engines and coaches are required to improve service quality and prevent schedule disruptions caused by accidents on single-line tracks.

Commerce, Industry and Textile Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that every industrial plant is deeply connected to the emotions and livelihoods of local people. He made the remarks on Saturday after visiting Panchagarh Sugar Mills Limited and holding discussions with sugarcane farmers.

The minister stated that when a mill operates, it generates employment, increases government revenue, and keeps the local economy active while enabling repayment of existing debts. He emphasized that the government aims to reopen all closed industrial plants across the country. Out of 15 sugar mills, six are currently closed, and initiatives have been taken to revive several state-owned enterprises.

Muktadir added that Panchagarh Sugar Mill requires extensive renovation of its infrastructure and machinery due to long-term closure. Experts are reviewing all possible aspects before decisions are made. Local officials, including the area’s Member of Parliament, the Industry Secretary, and representatives of workers and farmers, were present during the visit.

The Boro paddy harvest has begun in Dhunat upazila of Bogura, where farmers are expressing frustration over low market prices. Despite good yields this season, they report that the price of one maund of paddy, selling for only 850 to 950 taka, is not enough to hire even one laborer, whose daily wage now ranges from 1,000 to 1,100 taka. Many farmers say their hard-earned crops are bringing little return as costs continue to rise.

Local sources note that while fields are full of ripe paddy, concerns are growing over possible storm and rain damage, especially in low-lying areas. The sudden surge in demand for harvest laborers has nearly doubled wages. Farmers report that production costs, including plowing, irrigation, and pesticides, have increased sharply in recent years, but market prices have not kept pace, leaving them worried about repaying debts.

According to the Dhunat Upazila Agriculture Officer, about 16,485 hectares of land have been cultivated with high-yield and local paddy varieties. He advised farmers to harvest when 80 percent of the crop is ripe to avoid losses from hail or early flooding.

China’s aluminum exports increased by 15 percent in April compared with the same month last year, according to customs data released on Saturday and reported by Reuters. The country exported 598,000 tons of unprocessed aluminum and aluminum products in April, bringing total exports for the first four months of the year to 2.05 million tons.

The rise comes as global supply chains face severe disruption due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which has effectively halted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts noted that the war has sharply constrained aluminum supply worldwide, placing China in a key position to meet global demand.

As the conflict continues, many international buyers have begun stockpiling aluminum and related components in anticipation of higher production costs and raw material prices. To meet the surge in foreign orders, Chinese factories have accelerated production and delivery, further boosting the country’s export momentum.

Across Rajshahi’s Barind region, farmers are busy harvesting Boro paddy under intense heat, with cutting and threshing now in full swing. The Department of Agricultural Extension reports that 68,300 hectares have been cultivated this season, targeting 327,544 tons of rice. Early data show an average yield of 4.70 tons per hectare, and about 10 percent of the crop has been harvested so far.

Despite favorable weather and good yields, farmers are struggling with low market prices and rising labor costs. Fine-grain paddy, once a Rajshahi specialty, is selling for Tk 1,100–1,150 per maund, which barely covers wages. Farmers allege that millers and wholesalers are manipulating prices by stockpiling paddy during the peak season. Labor shortages and higher input costs have worsened the situation, leaving many unable to recover their investments.

Officials say the harvest will continue through May and could strengthen local food security if completed successfully. However, farmers urge direct government procurement from local markets to reduce losses and prevent middlemen from exploiting them.

Authorities in Cumilla have intensified border surveillance to prevent the entry of Indian cattle, bringing relief to local farmers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. According to the district livestock office, around 260,000 animals have been prepared across 17 upazilas, exceeding local demand of about 247,000. Farmers expect fair prices if the strict monitoring continues through the festival period.

Local farmers and farm owners are busy preparing cattle, goats, sheep, and buffaloes using natural fattening methods. Many have started selling animals online, planning to supply surplus livestock to other districts. However, they expressed concern over rising feed costs not matched by meat prices, warning that prolonged imbalance could drive some out of business.

District officials confirmed coordination among the Border Guard Bangladesh, police, and administration to block illegal cattle entry. Over 300 temporary markets will be set up, with enhanced patrols and two daily task forces monitoring markets. Authorities expect that strong vigilance will ensure stable prices and a secure Eid market environment.

A recent intelligence report sent to Bangladesh’s Home, Labour, and Commerce ministries warns that political groups may attempt to exploit growing worker unrest caused by rising production costs and energy shortages. The report states that fuel supply disruptions, worsened by the Iran–US conflict and the shutdown of Eastern Refinery Limited on April 13, have severely affected industrial operations. Production in the garment sector has dropped by about 30 percent, with many small and medium factories facing losses, layoffs, and delayed wage payments.

The report highlights that Bangladesh’s annual fuel demand stands at 8–8.5 million tons, with diesel making up nearly three-quarters of daily consumption. Disruptions in crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have intensified the crisis. Additionally, international price hikes for cotton and yarn have raised local production costs, further straining the textile industry.

To mitigate the crisis, the report recommends limited work-from-home policies, reduced energy use after 8 p.m., alternate-day school operations, vehicle rationing, and prioritizing fuel supply for essential industries and transport. It also suggests financial support for small and medium enterprises.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has been unable to expand its international destinations due to a shortage of aircraft and pilots. The state-owned carrier currently operates 19 aircraft across 20 international and seven domestic routes, despite having air service agreements with 70 countries. The airline’s regular operations have also been affected during Hajj seasons, forcing temporary route suspensions.

To address growing passenger demand, Biman signed a deal with Boeing on April 30 to purchase 14 new-generation aircraft worth about Tk 40,000 crore. The order includes eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9 Dreamliners, and four 737-8 Max jets, aimed at expanding long-haul and high-demand routes. The government plans to make Bangladesh an aviation hub, with new routes to Sydney and New York under consideration.

Biman targets launching flights to Malé, Yangon, and New York by the 2026–27 fiscal year, followed by Kunming and Bahrain in 2028, and Sydney, Jakarta, and Seoul in 2029. Route selection is based on passenger demand, with specific focus on business, labor, and tourism markets.

Bangladesh’s only state-owned oil refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited, has resumed full-scale operations after a 24-day closure due to a shortage of crude oil. The main plant restarted production on Friday morning following the arrival of a crude oil shipment from Saudi Arabia. Initially, the refinery will process 4,000 tons of fuel oil daily, with plans to increase capacity to 4,500 tons by Saturday afternoon. The shutdown began on April 14 when crude supplies were disrupted by restrictions on ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict in the Middle East.

During the closure, a small unit continued limited production using remaining stock, supplying 120 tons of diesel and 100 tons of petrol daily. The government arranged alternative shipping routes to import crude oil via Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port, leading to the arrival of the MT Ninemiya tanker carrying 100,000 tons of crude. Maintenance was performed on machinery during the downtime, allowing for a smoother restart.

Energy experts have urged the government to diversify crude sources and expand storage capacity from the current 600,000 tons to 1.6 million tons to strengthen energy security.

Global oil prices rose by up to 3 percent on Friday following renewed tensions between the United States and Iran in the Hormuz Strait. Brent crude futures increased by 3 percent during trading but settled 1.23 percent higher at $101.29 per barrel by the end of the day. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose by 0.64 percent to $95.42 per barrel.

Market analysts cited by Reuters said that despite ongoing uncertainty, there was strong belief in the possibility of an agreement between Washington and Tehran to prevent further conflict. John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital, noted that the market was at a crossroads, either approaching a major diplomatic breakthrough or renewed confrontation.

According to the report, market sentiment suggests that a preliminary understanding could soon be reached, with a 30-day window expected for the two nations to finalize a comprehensive accord.

Global food prices have reached their highest level in three years, driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and rising crude oil prices, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The FAO reported that its food price index in April increased by 2 percent compared to the same month last year, marking the steepest rise since 2023.

The organization attributed the surge to higher crude oil prices, which have boosted demand for seed oils in the biofuel industry. At the same time, concerns over reduced seed oil production in Southeast Asia have further pushed prices upward. The FAO also noted that the cost of wheat rose by 0.8 percent due to increased fertilizer prices linked to the war.

The FAO warned that persistently high fertilizer costs could lead farmers to shift toward crops requiring less fertilizer, potentially reducing wheat supply and driving prices even higher in the future.