The French government is preparing special financial measures to support airlines struggling with rising global jet fuel prices. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot announced on Wednesday that discussions with airline representatives had made progress on several issues, including extending deadlines for social security payments, easing tax payment schedules, and allowing greater flexibility in fuel transport. The initiative comes as energy market volatility and dependence on Middle Eastern supply chains raise fears of a potential aviation crisis across Europe.

The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has disrupted fuel supply systems, putting pressure on European countries to find urgent solutions. Airlines across Europe have warned that if the jet fuel shortage continues, severe supply gaps could emerge within weeks. Experts note that Europe imports about 75 percent of its jet fuel from the Middle East, making the region’s instability a direct threat to the aviation sector.

France’s planned assistance is viewed as a crucial step not only for its domestic airlines but also for maintaining stability in the wider European air transport system.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that Bangladesh will transform idle state-owned industries into centers of investment and employment within the next one to two years. Speaking at an event at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, he said the government is working to simplify business procedures, reduce logistics costs, and improve port efficiency to make the economy more competitive. He emphasized that old problems must be replaced by practical reforms and swift implementation.

The minister noted that entrepreneurs currently face 25 to 26 types of approvals to start a business, and the government plans to introduce a provisional clearance system to speed up operations. He said logistics costs account for about 16 percent of GDP, compared to the global average of 10 percent, and foreign operators are being engaged to improve port management. A Danish company has already begun operating a container terminal.

Muktadir added that around 90 state-owned industrial enterprises under the industries and textiles ministries will be gradually opened to private investment. He said modernization, new industries, and export-oriented production will be prioritized to boost employment and revenue.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced the price of jet fuel by Tk 22 per liter, effective from midnight on Thursday. The new rate for domestic flights has been set at Tk 205.45 per liter, down from Tk 227.08. For international flights, the price has been revised from USD 1.4806 to USD 1.3385 per liter, excluding duties and taxes.

According to the report, this decision follows three consecutive price hikes that had raised the rate by a total of Tk 132 per liter. Earlier in January, the price stood at Tk 94.93 per liter, which increased several times amid rising global fuel prices and the onset of conflict in the Middle East. The last increase in April had pushed the domestic rate to Tk 227.08 per liter.

The latest reduction marks the first downward adjustment in months, reflecting a shift in pricing policy after sustained increases earlier in the year.

Energy company Shell announced a significant profit increase of $1.3 billion in the first quarter of the year, despite global market instability caused by the Iran war. The British energy giant’s financial report showed total earnings of $6.9 billion for the quarter, about one-quarter higher than the same period last year. Refining operations alone contributed nearly $2 billion, driven by high prices of petrol and jet fuel.

The report noted that Shell’s total oil and gas production slightly declined compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to disruptions in Qatar linked to Middle East conflict. Shell CEO Wael Sawan stated that the company achieved strong results despite unprecedented volatility in global energy markets. Analysts said major energy firms’ trading divisions benefited from sharp oil price fluctuations.

Meanwhile, the Energy Poverty Eradication Alliance urged governments to impose a windfall tax on oil companies to offset rising household energy costs caused by the Iran war. The group argued that higher fuel prices have increased pressure on ordinary consumers.

Crude oil transfer from the outer anchorage of Chattogram port to Eastern Refinery began this week, marking the end of a two‑month raw material shortage. The MT Ninemiya, a mother tanker carrying 100,000 tons of crude oil, anchored at Kutubdia Channel on Wednesday. After customs clearance, lighter vessels started unloading the oil for transport to the refinery’s jetty. Eastern Refinery’s managing director confirmed that all units are expected to resume full operation from Friday morning.

According to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the refinery had been running at limited capacity using remaining stock due to supply disruptions caused by the closure of the Hormuz Strait amid conflict in the Middle East. Eastern Refinery, the country’s only state‑owned oil refinery, imports crude oil from Saudi Arabia and produces 18 types of petroleum products including diesel, octane, petrol, jet fuel, kerosene, and LPG. The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation handles crude oil transportation for BPC.

The last crude shipment arrived on February 17, forcing two of the refinery’s three main units to shut down on April 14. After 22 days of partial closure, full production is set to restart on Friday.

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission has issued a recruitment notice for 130 positions across seven categories. The online application process begins on May 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. and will continue until May 27, 2026, at 5 p.m. Both male and female candidates aged between 18 and 32 years as of May 7, 2026, are eligible to apply. Applicants must submit scanned copies of a 300x300 pixel photograph and a 300x80 pixel signature, and incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

The positions are temporary and based in Dhaka. Candidates with educational qualifications as low as completion of the eighth grade or SSC pass are eligible to apply. Application fees must be paid through Teletalk pre-paid SIM within 72 hours: BDT 223 for posts 1–3, BDT 112 for post 4, and BDT 56 for posts 5–7. The commission has stated that affidavits will not be accepted as proof of age.

The recruitment notice provides an opportunity for lower-qualified job seekers to apply for government positions within the commission’s administrative framework.

Bangladesh’s Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir met with French Ambassador Jean-Marc Serre-Charlet at the minister’s office in the Secretariat on Thursday. The meeting focused on enhancing a business-friendly environment, expanding investment, improving infrastructure, facilitating trade, and strengthening long-term bilateral partnerships between Bangladesh and France.

During the discussion, Minister Muktadir highlighted that the government is implementing continuous reforms to build a competitive and investment-friendly economic environment. He said initiatives are underway to simplify administrative procedures, digitalize approval processes, and make services faster and more efficient. The minister also emphasized the government’s priority on improving facilities for foreign investors, including easier business registration and service delivery.

Ambassador Serre-Charlet described Bangladesh as an economically promising country in South Asia and expressed interest in expanding French investment. He welcomed the government’s efforts to make the business environment more efficient. The meeting was also attended by Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, acting secretary of the Ministry of Commerce.

The Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Afroza Khanom Rita, announced that Bogura will be developed into one of Bangladesh’s major aviation hubs by utilizing the potential of the northern region. On Thursday, a delegation visited the site to assess the establishment of an international-standard airport, modern airbase, pilot training center, and cargo facilities. The minister said the initiative follows the Prime Minister’s directive and marks the beginning of a large-scale aviation development plan starting from Bogura.

State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat MP stated that the plan includes constructing a 10,500-foot runway to accommodate both domestic and international aircraft. A cargo facility will also be established to support the export of agricultural and industrial products from the northern region. The government aims to expand Bogura Airport to open new opportunities in communication, trade, and aviation.

The inspection team included Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, Secretary Fahmida Akhter, and senior officials from the ministry and the airport, reflecting high-level coordination in the project’s initial phase.

Import and export activities at the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh resumed in full swing from 10 a.m. on Thursday. The operations had been suspended for two days due to the announcement of results from the Indian state assembly elections. According to Md. Jahangir Alam, general secretary of the Banglabandha Land Port Importers and Exporters C&F Association, several previously halted goods-laden trucks have now entered the port after receiving clearance from India’s Fulbari customs station.

Alam added that the formation of a new committee at the Fulbari customs station in India may take about a week, which could delay the full restoration of regular trade activities. The resumption marks a return to cross-border trade flow between Bangladesh and India through this key northern land port.

The gradual normalization of operations is expected to ease the backlog of goods and support regional trade once the administrative processes at the Indian customs station are fully completed.

In Kishoreganj’s Austagram upazila, relentless rainfall, upstream floods, and adverse weather have destroyed vast stretches of boro paddy fields, leaving local farmers in despair. Many, including smallholder farmers from Habelipara and Daspara, have seen their crops submerged or spoiled, turning their hopes of a good harvest into financial ruin. Farmer Md. Malek, who cultivated 20 acres on high-interest loans, managed to harvest only a fraction of his crop, with the rest lost under water. The poor quality of the salvaged paddy has further reduced its market value.

Another farmer, Md. Rezaul Islam Rezu, reported similar losses, while on May 2, 2026, farmer Md. Akhtar Hossain of Alinagar village reportedly died of cardiac arrest amid mounting debt and crop failure. Thousands of farmers across Austagram now face the dual burden of natural calamity and loan repayment pressure from moneylenders and NGOs.

The report warns that without urgent government or private assistance, recovering from these losses will be nearly impossible for affected farmers.

The government of Bangladesh has announced a plan to upgrade Bogura Airfield into an international-standard airport to strengthen air connectivity between the northern and northwestern regions and the capital. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam revealed the plan during a visit to the airfield and surrounding areas on Thursday, accompanied by State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Minister for LGRD Mir Shahe Alam, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan.

Minister Khanam said the northern region holds significant potential in agriculture, industry, and tourism, and that modern infrastructure is essential for sustainable development. She noted that establishing an international airport would accelerate economic activity, attract investment, expand tourism, and create new employment opportunities.

Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan expressed optimism that the project would enhance both national economic growth and the region’s military and strategic capacity. He added that the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh will take necessary steps to begin commercial flights soon, with full cooperation from the Air Force.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, announced that the government will provide policy support to accelerate the country’s solar energy sector. Speaking at the inauguration of the Power, Energy and Infrastructure Expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center on Thursday, he said Bangladesh remains behind regional peers like India and Pakistan in renewable energy use. Under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, a committee has been formed to finalize a policy framework aimed at driving rapid growth in solar and wind power.

The minister explained that the policy will simplify imports of solar equipment such as inverters, frames, and photovoltaic panels, while emphasizing battery storage systems to meet evening peak demand. He added that the government plans to reduce tax burdens on entrepreneurs and finalize the policy within the month, with cabinet approval expected by June. Bangladesh aims to generate 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy within five years.

Tuku also outlined plans to use rooftops in Dhaka and other cities for solar power generation through private investment, using net metering to benefit both entrepreneurs and building owners.

Electricity and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku stated that no final decision has been made regarding an increase in electricity prices. He announced that solar power will be made more accessible to create alternative energy sources. The minister made these remarks on Thursday while inaugurating the 'Power, Energy and Infrastructure Expo' at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center.

Mahmud noted that Bangladesh remains far behind in renewable energy compared to neighboring countries such as India and Pakistan, which have expanded solar and wind power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the government to prioritize solar and wind energy development.

Meanwhile, the government is considering raising electricity prices following a recent fuel price hike. The Power Division has given policy approval to the proposal, and the Power Development Board has suggested a 17 to 21 percent increase at the wholesale level. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission has formed a technical committee to review the proposal.

Bangladesh is expecting record mango production and exports in the 2025–26 season, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). The country currently exports mangoes to 38 destinations, with Malaysia showing new interest after China joined last year. Officials said no harmful chemicals are used in export-quality mangoes, and no shipments have been rejected abroad. The DAE has set a production target of 2.795 million tons from 207,247 hectares and an export goal of 279,000 tons.

Officials noted that commercial mango farming remains profitable due to low pest risks and stable transport conditions. Fourteen districts are engaged in large-scale cultivation of varieties such as Gopalbhog, Himsagar, Langra, and Amrapali. The export season will run from May 12 to August 14, slightly extended due to weather. However, growers face challenges including a shortage of fruit-protective bags and rising air freight costs, which may affect small and medium exporters.

If export volumes decline, local supply could increase, potentially influencing prices. Farmers remain cautiously optimistic that a stable domestic market will offset export-related risks.

South Korea has extended its temporary ban on stockpiling petroleum products for another two months, the country’s Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol announced. The decision comes as global energy supply concerns persist due to instability in the Middle East. The measure, initially imposed in March to prevent unfair trading, was set to expire next week but will now remain in effect for two additional months.

According to the state news agency Yonhap, the government introduced the restriction earlier this year to curb speculative hoarding of fuel products. The extension aims to stabilize the domestic energy market and ensure fair distribution amid fears of supply disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Officials described the move as a precautionary step to mitigate potential risks to South Korea’s energy security while monitoring global developments closely.