For the first time in two years, Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have surpassed $30 billion, thanks to financial support from international lenders such as the IMF, ADB, and JICA.

According to Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Arif Hossain Khan, this includes two IMF tranches totaling $1.34 billion, $900 million from ADB, and significant funds from JICA. The last time reserves crossed this mark was in June 2023.

On Thursday, President Trump announced that the United States has signed a trade agreement with China, potentially bringing an end to the protracted trade war. During his second term, Trump had imposed steep tariffs on Chinese imports, escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing. “Yesterday, we signed a deal with China. We are starting to open China up—something that never really could have happened,” Trump said. The details of the agreement were not disclosed. US and Chinese officials had been working for weeks to finalize the deal, including a meeting in London earlier this month to address tariff disputes.

The global economy faces heightened risks as the Middle East conflict and a looming U.S.-led tariff war unfold simultaneously. President Trump’s proposed tariffs, especially targeting China, could severely disrupt trade, while rising tensions between Israel and Iran may drive energy prices up. With global growth already slowing, these twin shocks amplify recession fears. Experts warn that even minor disruptions could now trigger a downturn, echoing past crises like the 1990 Gulf War. The IMF forecasts global growth at a sluggish 2.8% in 2025.

British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company (BATBC) will invest Tk 297 crore to expand production capacity at its Savar factory, following the closure of its Dhaka facility. Operations will shift to a new location in Ashulia from July 1. The investment will be financed through bank loans supported by internal funds. In Q1 FY2025, BATBC reported lower net profit and EPS compared to last year. The company paid a 300% cash dividend in FY2024 and maintains strong reserves and shareholder equity.

Bangladesh’s interbank transactions have plunged by over Tk 1 trillion in just one month, as the country continues to grapple with an economic downturn, declining credit flow in the private sector, and a liquidity crisis.

According to a report by Bangladesh Bank, interbank transactions in February 2025 dropped by Tk 1.13 trillion compared to January. However, the February 2025 figures are still higher by Tk 444.02 billion compared to the same month last year.

Sources say 11 banks, currently under scrutiny for financial mismanagement, are struggling to meet transaction demands. Several weaker banks are unable to repay borrowed funds from the interbank market, contributing to the overall decline in transactions.

Tapan Chowdhury, Chairman of CDBL and Managing Director of Square Pharmaceuticals, highlighted the risks faced by investors in Bangladesh’s volatile stock market, where many have lost their life savings. Speaking at a DBA event, he emphasized the need for investor education and market stability. Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury stressed that reforms require time and commitment to succeed. Officials from BSEC, DSE, and other organizations confirmed ongoing efforts to implement crucial market reforms and strengthen the capital market.

Despite evidence proving the imported fish was substandard and unfit for consumption, and prior to a resolution, National Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank released Tk 3.7 million under a Letter of Credit (LC) to a Uruguayan company. The foreign supplier had agreed to compensation, and Bangladesh Bank had advised discussing the issue with the importer. A writ petition was also filed in the High Court. Now, the importing company—Ma Amena International—has served legal notices to five officials of the importing firm PLC, accusing them of bypassing legal procedures for personal gain.

Lemon prices in Bangladesh have hit a historic low due to a bumper harvest and increased cultivation. Sellers report a wide variety of lemons now flooding markets, with prices as low as Tk 10 for 20 small lemons. Wholesale prices range from Tk 40 to Tk 400 per hundred, depending on size and quality. Production has risen 25% in five years, with cultivation up 40%. Experts warn oversupply may harm farmers, urging region-specific planning to balance demand and supply.

Payra Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Masud Iqbal announced the port will be fully operational by July 2026 through 19 development components. Speaking at a discussion on June 25, he said the port’s channel depth supports large vessels and may soon reach 10.5 meters with new dredgers. Its proximity to Dhaka, 24-hour river transport, and future six-lane highway will reduce logistics costs. The port has already handled over 500 foreign ships, earning over BDT 2,000 crore in revenue for the government.

Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has revealed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) inquired about Bangladesh's national election timeline before approving the fourth and fifth tranches of its loan package.

“Once a probable election timeframe was made public, international financial institutions began releasing budget support. Recently, the World Bank, ADB, AFD, and AIIB have approved loans as well,” he said, noting satisfaction with Bangladesh's reform progress.

On Monday, the IMF Executive Board approved the disbursement of $1.337 billion as part of the fourth and fifth installments of its loan to Bangladesh.

Google's digital payment platform, Google Pay, is officially launching in Bangladesh on Tuesday, signaling a new chapter in the country’s financial sector. The service is being introduced in collaboration with City Bank, with the inauguration to be officiated by Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur. Adviser Asif Mahmud remarked, “A new era of smart and seamless financial transactions begins with Google Pay’s entry. We welcome this innovation to Bangladesh.”

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has disbursed $1.3 billion in loan funds to Bangladesh, bringing the country’s foreign currency reserves to $27.31 billion. Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed the development. The loan includes the fourth and fifth tranches of a $4.7 billion package approved in an IMF board meeting on Monday. As of June 23, gross reserves stood at $26.82 billion, while BPM6-compliant reserves were $21.75 billion.

At a Dhaka workshop jointly hosted by the SME Foundation and IFC, SME entrepreneurs demanded the effective implementation of the Secure Transactions (Movable Assets) Act 2023. They emphasized that most small businesses lack immovable property, making it difficult to access bank loans. Although the law allows movable assets like machinery and produce as collateral, proper enforcement and banker training are still lacking. The SME sector contributes 32% to GDP and employs over 25 million people, highlighting the urgent need for accessible financing options.

The United States saw the creation of more than 1,000 new millionaires daily in 2024, totaling 379,000 for the year—a 1.5% increase from 2023, according to UBS. China ranks second with 6.3 million millionaires, while Turkey experienced the highest percentage growth at 8.4%. Despite market volatility in early 2025, US wealth remains stable, driven by Wall Street and a strong dollar. Globally, nearly 60 million millionaires hold $226 trillion in assets, with wealth concentrated in tech and real estate.

Google Pay has officially launched in Bangladesh for the first time, in partnership with City Bank, Google, Mastercard, and Visa. The service enables City Bank customers to make secure, contactless payments using NFC-supported Android devices via Google Wallet. The launch event was held in Dhaka, with notable guests including the Bangladesh Bank Governor and U.S. Embassy representatives. This innovation marks a major step in advancing the country's digital payment ecosystem, allowing users to pay for travel, shopping, and more directly from their smartphones.