Speaking at the inauguration of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus stated that Bangladesh possesses groundbreaking ideas capable of transforming the world. “There are immense business opportunities here,” he said. “These ventures are not just beneficial for Bangladesh but can create global impact.” He cited microcredit as an example, which started in a small Bangladeshi village and eventually became a major financial industry in the United States. Dr. Yunus became emotional while recalling the Liberation War. Awards were presented to Walton (domestic investor), bKash (foreign investor), Square Pharmaceuticals, and Square Fabrics for their contributions. Korean Export Processing Zone Chairman Ki-Hak Sung received honorary citizenship under a special category.

Starting Wednesday, the United States is enforcing a 104% tariff on a range of Chinese goods, following an announcement by former President Donald Trump. Earlier, on April 2, a 34% tariff was imposed, adding to a previous 20% duty. In retaliation, China announced a 34% tariff on U.S. goods last Friday. Trump warned of an additional 50% tariff if China does not retract its decision. China’s response measures take effect from Thursday.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the country’s GDP growth rate rose to 4.48% in the October–December quarter, up from 1.81% in the previous quarter (July–September). In compliance with IMF guidelines, Bangladesh now releases quarterly GDP figures. The report notes modest growth in agriculture and services sectors, while industrial growth also saw improvement, albeit at a slower pace.

India’s stock market suffered a significant crash on Monday, sparing almost no major corporation—including the likes of Tata, Adani, and Ambani.

Fearing losses, investors dumped shares en masse, leading to a steep decline across the board. The National Stock Exchange’s Nifty index fell by over 3.25%, while the Sensex dropped nearly 3% the same day.

Analysts link the crash to recent tariff-related announcements by U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. Federal Reserve has since issued a warning to the Trump administration, stating that imposing new tariffs could hinder the country’s economic growth.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus told Chinese investors that Bangladesh is experiencing its most favorable investment climate in history. He encouraged increased foreign investment and the relocation of Chinese and South Korean manufacturing units to Bangladesh. The BIDA Chairman will host monthly breakfast meetings with Korean and Chinese investors, some of which the Chief Adviser himself will attend. A hotline and call center for rapid problem resolution have also been proposed. “Our market is ready. You can also export to landlocked countries like Nepal and Bhutan,” Yunus added.

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin expressed optimism regarding the letter recently sent to the US administration, which aims to include 100 additional Bangladeshi products in the duty-free category to reduce trade deficit. “We haven’t received a response yet, but the intention is clear—we’re working to minimize the trade gap,” he said. Financial Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed that the Chief Adviser sent the letter to the Trump administration just yesterday. “We’re expecting a positive outcome. Both sides are willing to cooperate for a win-win situation,” he added.

Donald Trump has threatened to impose up to 50% tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting a fierce response from Beijing, which warned that it will “fight to the end.” The escalating trade war has caused turmoil in global markets and increased fears of a recession. In retaliation, China announced a 34% tariff on US goods effective Thursday. Trump then raised the stakes further, stating total tariffs on Chinese imports could reach 104% if Beijing does not back down. A Chinese spokesperson criticized the US for its “blackmailing tactics.”

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with Ki-Hak Sung, Chairman of South Korea’s Youngone Corporation, who is leading a delegation of South Korean investors attending a four-day investment summit in Dhaka. Foreign investors have already visited several key economic zones including Anwara, Korean EPZ, and Mirsarai. On Tuesday, 36 investors from countries including China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the US, and India, as well as NRBs, toured the Japanese Economic Zone in Narayanganj to assess facilities, work environments, and discuss logistics and energy concerns.

Former US President Donald Trump has made it clear that he is not considering suspending tariffs, although he indicated openness to negotiations. “Many countries are coming to us for deals, and they will make fair agreements. In some cases, they will pay significant tariffs,” Trump said. After speaking with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, he added, “You have to open up your markets—we don’t sell cars in Japan, but Japan sells millions of cars in our country.” Trump also stated that even Israel, despite receiving $4 billion in US aid annually, won’t be exempt from tariffs.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Mazumder announced that Swedish firm Nilorn has signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a factory in the special economic zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj. The signing took place on the second day of BIDA’s four-day investment summit. Nilorn Bangladesh Ltd. Managing Director Mohammad Abdul Kaiyum and Bangladesh Special Economic Zone Managing Director Taro Kawachi signed the MoU.

As part of the ‘Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025,’ organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), a delegation of 70 foreign investors visited two special industrial zones in Chattogram on the summit’s opening day. They toured factories and received a briefing from Youngone Corporation about its operations in the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ). Investors inquired about product lines, export volumes, employment statistics, and challenges in foreign investment. Despite administrative hurdles, representatives noted that Bangladesh remains a profitable investment destination.

Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin has written to the U.S. Trade Representative seeking the removal of unfair tariffs on Bangladeshi exports. He noted that while Bangladesh imposes an average 6.10% duty on U.S. imports (with raw cotton and iron scrap at 0% and 1% respectively), the U.S. has withdrawn preferential treatment and imposed 15% tariffs on all Bangladeshi goods. Bangladesh is now considering adding 100 more U.S. products to its duty-free list as part of ongoing trade cooperation under the bilateral TIFA agreement.

Following a meeting with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson in Dhaka, Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin said the counter-tariff measures by the Trump administration are unlikely to be suspended. “This gives us insight into how economies like ours are responding. We discussed barriers and aspirations and explored solutions,” he said, stressing that Bangladesh will adopt necessary economic steps to safeguard its interests.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to protect Britain’s trade interests in response to former US President Donald Trump’s proposed “reciprocal tariffs.” While reaffirming the UK’s commitment to pursuing an economic agreement with the US, Starmer criticized the minimum 10% tariffs imposed on British goods, describing them as a significant threat.
Trump has also proposed a 25% tariff on UK steel, aluminum, and automobiles.
In response, the UK government is focusing on strengthening trade alliances and adopting new industrial strategies to shield the country’s trade sector from what Starmer called a “tariff storm.”

The government’s Chief Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that two letters will be sent to U.S. authorities within 48 hours, requesting a delay in implementing the 37% tariff for three months and appealing for a review. One letter will be sent by the Chief Adviser to President Donald Trump, and the other from the Ministry of Commerce to the USTR. This move follows a Sunday meeting at the Ministry of Finance chaired by Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed to discuss the issue.