Bangladesh Bank has announced that the country’s total foreign exchange reserves have increased to 33.24 billion US dollars as of February 2, 2026. The information was confirmed by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of the central bank, on Monday. According to the latest data, the gross reserve stood at 33.24 billion dollars, while under the International Monetary Fund’s BPM-6 calculation method, the reserve amounted to 28.74 billion dollars.

Earlier, as of January 15, the country’s gross reserve was 32.62 billion dollars, and the BPM-6 based reserve was 28.02 billion dollars. The BPM-6 method, used by the IMF, calculates net reserves by deducting short-term liabilities from total reserves to determine the actual reserve position.

The increase in reserves reflects a modest improvement in Bangladesh’s external financial position compared to mid-January, according to the central bank’s latest update.

Private sector credit growth in Bangladesh fell to 6.10 percent at the end of December 2025, marking the lowest level in recent years, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank report. The growth rate stood at 7.28 percent during the same period in 2024. The central bank’s data show that private sector credit totaled Tk 17.88 trillion in December 2025, up from Tk 16.85 trillion a year earlier.

Industry insiders said the slowdown reflects weak demand for loans as businesses remain reluctant to invest or expand amid political uncertainty. Many are waiting for a peaceful political transition, and stakeholders believe that only a free and fair election could revive investment appetite. The subdued demand for credit has led to increased liquidity in the banking sector.

Bangladesh Bank had set a target of 7.2 percent private sector credit growth for the July–December period of the current fiscal year, but the actual growth fell short of that goal.

Bangladesh Bank has purchased an additional $218.5 million from 16 commercial banks, bringing its total dollar purchases to $4.15 billion since the start of the current fiscal year, according to Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The central bank’s move aims to maintain stability in the foreign exchange market, where dollar supply currently exceeds demand.

The report notes that Bangladesh’s dollar market became unstable in 2022, with the exchange rate rising from 85 to 122 taka per dollar. Over the past three fiscal years, the central bank sold about $34 billion to support the market but bought only around $1 billion during that period. Following the fall of the previous Awami League government, the current administration tightened measures against money laundering, boosting both exports and remittances and increasing dollar inflows.

As a result of higher remittances and central bank purchases, Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $33.18 billion as of January 29, or $28.68 billion under the BPM-6 calculation, up from $20.48 billion at the time of the previous government’s departure.

Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said the interim government tried to advance and stabilize Bangladesh’s economy but could not achieve everything. He warned that the coming economic challenges would be large and difficult, requiring strong measures to overcome. He made the remarks on Monday at Sonali Bank’s annual conference held at the International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Finance Division Secretary Dr. Khairuzzaman Mozumdar, and Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek attended as special guests, while Sonali Bank Chairman Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury presided over the event. Ahmed noted that Sonali Bank currently has no capital shortfall and a satisfactory advance-deposit ratio. He emphasized prioritizing loans for small and medium enterprises over large businesses, citing their role in job creation and lower risk.

Governor Mansur said state-owned banks often struggle to recover loans, forcing a contraction in lending. He urged Sonali Bank to move toward a fully commercial model and expand lending with greater confidence to strengthen its profitability and contribution to the broader economy.

Public transport across Germany was largely paralyzed on Monday as thousands of bus and tram workers went on strike amid freezing temperatures. The strike, called by the major trade union Verdi, affected nearly all of Germany’s 16 federal states except one, leaving passengers stranded at empty stops. About 150 municipal transport companies suspended operations in cities including Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen, causing widespread travel disruption.

Verdi said it decided to strike after talks with municipal and state employers over working conditions broke down last week. Representing around 100,000 transport workers, the union is demanding shorter shifts, longer rest breaks, and higher pay for night and weekend work. Verdi’s chief negotiator, Serhat Kanyurt, stated that the strike began as planned and urged transport authorities to return to negotiations.

Union officials said services in Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, and Freiburg would remain halted all day. Deutsche Bahn, the national rail operator, confirmed its S-Bahn and long-distance trains were running normally as its employees are not part of Verdi. Union leaders warned that if no progress is made in talks scheduled for February 9, more severe actions could follow.

The Bangladesh government has decided to sell beef and other essential protein items at fair prices during the holy month of Ramadan to ease consumer expenses. The decision was made on Sunday, February 1, at a meeting held at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. Under the plan, beef will be sold at 650 taka per kilogram, processed chicken at 250 taka per kilogram, milk at 80 taka per liter, and eggs at 8 taka each.

Farida Akhter, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, said the scope of fair-price sales will be expanded this year compared to last year. A total of 48 sales centers will be set up across Dhaka and other regions under her supervision. Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, Dr. Md. Abu Sufian, stated that the government has coordinated with suppliers and stakeholders to ensure smooth distribution.

Officials added that this year’s initiative will cover more locations than before, aiming to reduce hardship for fasting citizens during Ramadan.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a reduction in tariffs on Indian goods following a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the new agreement, the U.S. will lower tariffs on Indian products from 25 percent to 18 percent, while India has pledged to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers on American goods. Modi expressed gratitude to Trump for the decision, calling it beneficial for both nations.

Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that the discussion also covered the Russia–Ukraine war. He claimed Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil and instead buy from the U.S. and Venezuela, leading to the removal of an additional 25 percent penalty previously imposed on India. As part of the deal, India will purchase over $500 billion worth of U.S. goods, including energy, technology, agricultural products, and coal.

The agreement follows months of trade tension after the U.S. imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods last August, sharply reducing Indian exports. The new deal is viewed as a major step toward easing that strain. (Sources: BBC, Reuters)

Samomilito Islami Bank PLC held its fourth board meeting on Monday at the City Center in Motijheel, Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by the bank’s chairman, Mohammad Ayub Mia, PhD, and attended by members of the board of directors. The executive director in charge of the Bank Resolution Department of Bangladesh Bank also participated in the session.

Administrators from five banks currently undergoing merger processes with Samomilito Islami Bank were present at the meeting upon the board’s invitation. The gathering marked a continuation of the bank’s ongoing coordination with regulatory authorities and merging institutions.

The meeting reflected the bank’s efforts to advance its merger process and strengthen institutional collaboration under the supervision of Bangladesh Bank.

The Chattogram Port Protection Struggle Council has declared a 24-hour work stoppage starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday to protest the government’s decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company. The announcement was made Monday afternoon at the port building premises by the council’s coordinator and nationalist labor leader Md. Humayun Kabir.

According to Kabir, port workers and employees have been demonstrating for the past three days against what they describe as a conspiracy to hand over the port to foreign control. He said participation in the protests has been growing, disrupting import deliveries, container handling, and the movement of cargo vehicles inside the port. Kabir accused the government of ignoring the port’s interests and instead transferring leaders involved in the movement, which has further angered workers.

The council demanded an immediate halt to the process of appointing a foreign operator at NCT and the cancellation of transfer orders for protesting workers. Kabir warned that if these demands are not met, more severe programs will follow.

Industry leaders and policymakers have called for coordinated efforts to strengthen Bangladesh’s light engineering sector to make it more export-oriented and globally competitive. The call came at the opening of the three-day Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2026, organized by the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BAISHIMAS) in Dhaka on February 2. Speakers emphasized the need for capacity building, technological advancement, and policy support as the country prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November 2026, which will gradually reduce duty-free export benefits.

EC4J Project Director Md. Abdur Rahim Khan said Bangladesh has yet to fully capitalize on global opportunities in light engineering despite its growing importance in export structures. He stressed enhancing government implementation capacity and private sector innovation. World Bank specialist Hosna Ferdous Sumi highlighted quality compliance, production efficiency, and cost reduction as key challenges, while BAISHIMAS President Abdur Razzak noted the sector’s 3% GDP contribution and potential to reach USD 12.56 billion in exports by 2030 with proper policy and investment.

Speakers also underscored the need for technology transfer, research support, and easier financing to accelerate industrial diversification and domestic market growth.

Bangladesh Bank announced that a newly designed Tk10 banknote will enter circulation on Tuesday. The note will first be issued from the central bank’s Motijheel office and later distributed through other branches. The announcement was made in a press release on Monday. The new note, signed by Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, measures 123 mm by 60 mm and features a watermark of a Royal Bengal Tiger’s face with a predominantly pink color scheme.

According to the central bank, the front side of the note displays an image of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and a background design of the national flower, the water lily. The reverse side features an image titled “Graffiti–2024.” Security features include a 2 mm-wide security thread inscribed with “10 Taka,” which changes color from red to green when tilted, and a see-through image showing the number “10” when held against light. Microprinted text “BANGLADESH BANK” appears on both sides.

Existing paper notes and coins will remain legal tender. Additionally, non-exchangeable specimen notes will be available for collectors at the Taka Museum for a fixed price.

For the second consecutive day, workers and employees at Chattogram Port have enforced a blockade protesting the government’s decision to appoint a foreign operator at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). The program, organized under the banners of the Nationalist Workers Party and the Workers-Employees Unity Council, has brought the country’s main import-export hub to a standstill. Although limited container handling continues at the jetty, no new goods are entering or leaving the port, raising fears of congestion in yards and off-docks.

The protest follows a High Court ruling favoring the government’s plan to hand over NCT operations to global terminal operator DP World. In response, the port authority has taken a hardline stance, transferring 11 workers so far and preparing a list of 180 for further action. Additional police have been deployed, and gatherings have been banned in the port area. A committee has been formed to assess financial losses, which stakeholders estimate to exceed hundreds of crores of taka.

Business leaders warn that prolonged disruption could harm the national economy, particularly the garment sector, and cause market instability if the deadlock continues.

Cash holdings outside banks in Bangladesh surged by about Tk 410 billion over December and January, according to Bangladesh Bank data confirmed by its spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan. The increase coincides with intensified campaign activities for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12. The central bank attributes the rise to withdrawals by candidates covering election-related expenses, while the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) is monitoring large or suspicious transactions.

Bangladesh Bank data show that cash outside banks rose from Tk 2.69 trillion in November to Tk 3.10 trillion in January. This reverses a previous downward trend observed from July to November. Former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain noted that such increases before elections are not unusual, as campaign spending often involves cash transactions. The BFIU has tightened oversight since January 11, requiring weekly reports on cash transactions of Tk 1 million or more.

Additionally, mobile financial services will be restricted from February 8 to 13 to prevent misuse of funds for voter influence. Daily transaction limits will be capped at Tk 10,000, with a maximum of Tk 1,000 per transaction, as directed by the BFIU at the Election Commission’s request.

Bangladesh and the United States are expected to sign a bilateral trade agreement in Washington on February 9, aimed at reducing U.S. counter-tariffs on Bangladeshi goods and expanding trade benefits. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the draft agreement has been prepared and submitted for approval. He confirmed that the signing date has been set and that final tariff rates will be determined by that day.

The U.S. initially imposed counter-tariffs of 37 percent and later 35 percent on Bangladeshi products under the Trump administration, but after several rounds of talks, the rate was reduced to 20 percent on July 31 last year. Although no formal agreement was signed then, discussions continued to secure further tariff cuts and duty-free access for garments made with U.S. cotton. To gain these benefits, Bangladesh has pledged to reduce its trade deficit with the U.S. by increasing imports of Boeing aircraft, fuel, LNG, wheat, and cotton.

The Commerce Secretary also noted that Bangladesh is pursuing free trade agreements with other countries, including Japan and South Korea, to address post-LDC graduation challenges and enhance export growth.

The three-day Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2026 began on Monday, February 2, at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka’s Minto Road. The event was inaugurated by Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Project Director of the Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) project. The expo, running until February 4, showcases the latest technologies, machinery, and innovative products from the country’s light engineering sector.

Speakers emphasized coordinated efforts to make the sector export-oriented and competitive as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from LDC status in November. They highlighted the need for capacity building, technology advancement, and policy support to offset the loss of duty-free trade benefits. The World Bank’s Hosna Ferdous Sumi noted that both export and domestic markets, worth around USD 8 billion, offer major opportunities but stressed quality compliance and production efficiency as key challenges.

BSCIC President Abdur Razzak said the sector contributes about 3% to GDP, employs 300,000 skilled workers, and meets half of the USD 8.2 billion domestic demand. With proper policy and investment, exports could reach USD 12.56 billion by 2030, he added.