Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur has directed that all depositors of five recently merged banks must receive their funds by the end of December 2025. The instruction came during the first board meeting of the newly formed Sammilit Islami Bank, which combines the five institutions under a single resolution framework. Mansur emphasized completing all procedural and technical preparations to ensure timely repayment and avoid disruptions.

The meeting, chaired by Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia, included senior government secretaries and Bangladesh Bank officials. The governor also ordered rapid integration of IT systems and the creation of a unified human resources policy to harmonize ranks, grades, and promotion structures across the merged banks. Customers will be allowed to withdraw funds using previously issued checks.

The Sammilit Islami Bank is scheduled for formal inauguration in January 2026, but depositors are expected to receive their money beforehand. The board pledged to prioritize depositor protection and maintain transparency under Bangladesh Bank’s supervision.

Saudi Arabia has announced the cancellation of work permit (Iqama) fees for expatriate workers employed in licensed industrial establishments. The decision, approved under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, follows recommendations from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA). Officials said the move aims to strengthen the industrial sector and support sustainable economic diversification under Vision 2030.

Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef stated that waiving the fees will reduce operational costs for factories, attract quality investments, and encourage expansion and higher production. He added that the policy will enhance Saudi industries’ global competitiveness and reduce the kingdom’s reliance on oil revenues. The initiative is also expected to accelerate the adoption of automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The decision comes as Saudi Arabia remains a major source of remittances for countries such as Pakistan, which received $753 million in November 2025. Analysts view the policy as a strategic step toward a more diversified, technology-driven industrial economy.

Israel has approved a record-breaking natural gas export agreement with Egypt valued at approximately $34.67 billion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the deal, involving the Leviathan gas field and partners including U.S. energy giant Chevron, as the largest in Israel’s history and a historic milestone. The agreement will see Israel supply gas to Egypt over several years, expanding the countries’ energy cooperation.

The announcement comes as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have been killed or injured, according to the United Nations and human rights groups. Observers note the stark contrast between Israel’s expanding regional economic partnerships and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestinian territories. Critics argue that while Israel promotes regional stability through energy diplomacy, its actions in Gaza undermine that goal.

Egypt’s declining gas production since 2022 has increased its reliance on Israeli imports, reshaping the regional energy landscape. Analysts suggest the deal could strengthen Israel’s role as a key energy supplier in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Bangladesh Bank has reported that the country's foreign exchange reserves increased to $32.48 billion as of December 17, 2025. The figure, however, stands at $27.82 billion when calculated under the International Monetary Fund’s BPM6 (Balance of Payments Manual 6) methodology. The announcement was made by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank.

The reserves had been $32.12 billion a week earlier, or $27.45 billion under the IMF standard. The difference between the two accounting methods reflects the exclusion of certain funds, such as export development and other non-liquid assets, under the BPM6 framework. The rise in reserves follows recent remittance inflows and moderate import payments, helping stabilize the country’s external balance.

Economists note that while the increase is positive, Bangladesh continues to face pressure from global commodity prices and a strong U.S. dollar. The central bank is expected to continue cautious management of reserves to maintain import coverage and meet IMF program conditions in the coming months.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus announced that the interim government has undertaken continuous reforms to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), resolving a long-standing issue at the Korean Export Processing Zone in Chattogram. He expressed optimism that this move would encourage major South Korean companies to expand their investments in Bangladesh.

During a farewell meeting with South Korean Ambassador Park Young-sik at the state guesthouse Jamuna, both sides discussed deepening bilateral relations. Topics included boosting Korean investment, advancing the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and expanding cultural and human resource cooperation. Ambassador Park conveyed condolences over the deaths of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Sudan and wished success for Bangladesh’s democratic transition and upcoming February 12 elections.

Park noted that Samsung plans to expand operations in Bangladesh, including mobile phone production. The next CEPA negotiation round is scheduled for February, which could grant Bangladeshi apparel duty-free access to the Korean market, currently dominated by Vietnam and Indonesia.

Toyota has officially launched direct operations in Bangladesh under the new entity Toyota Bangladesh Limited, marking a significant milestone in the country’s automotive sector. The company inaugurated its first exclusive showroom in Tejgaon, Dhaka, signaling the start of a new distribution and service model aimed at enhancing customer experience and product accessibility.

Managing Director Premmit Singh stated that Toyota Bangladesh Limited will operate in line with the global vision 'Be the Right One,' focusing on meeting the evolving demands of Bangladeshi car enthusiasts. The company plans to introduce advanced features and modern facilities while maintaining sustainable growth across changing market conditions. Singh emphasized teamwork and long-term commitment to customer satisfaction as key priorities.

Industry observers view Toyota’s direct entry as a strategic move to strengthen brand presence and streamline after-sales service in Bangladesh. The company hinted at further announcements soon, suggesting expanded investments and product offerings in the near future.

A new study by Educo Bangladesh and the Child Labor Elimination Platform (CLAP) reveals that 66.6% of child laborers in Bangladesh are working in industrial factories, followed by 44.4% in services and 38.8% in agriculture. The report, presented at a policy-sharing event in Dhaka, warns that most of these children face severe health risks and calls for stronger social protection measures to prevent child labor.

Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, who presented the policy proposal, noted that around 3.5 million children are engaged in various forms of work, with about 100,000 in hazardous conditions. Despite existing laws and international commitments, informal child labor remains widespread. Government officials reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and pledged to expand social safety nets for out-of-school children.

Experts at the event emphasized the need for universal child benefits, increased education spending, and investment in rural livelihoods to reduce economic dependency on child labor. The recommendations aim to strengthen Bangladesh’s social protection framework and accelerate progress toward eliminating child labor by 2030.

Global oil markets saw renewed volatility after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a blockade on all authorized oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. The move immediately pushed crude prices higher, with Brent futures rising 1.5% to $59.79 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate climbing to $56.12. The announcement came at a time of recovering demand, amplifying concerns about supply disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty.

Traders in Asia described the price rebound as partly emotional, noting that Venezuela contributes a relatively small share to global oil supply. However, the timing of the U.S. action, coinciding with progress in Russia–Ukraine peace talks, added complexity to market sentiment. Analysts said that if sanctions on Moscow ease following a peace deal, global supply could stabilize despite the Venezuelan restrictions.

Market observers warned that while the short-term spike reflects risk sentiment, continued political maneuvering in Washington and Caracas could sustain volatility. Investors are now watching both the U.S. policy trajectory and the outcome of the Russia–Ukraine negotiations for cues on oil’s next direction.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has identified brokers as the main obstacle to the country’s overseas manpower exports. Speaking at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on the occasion of International Migrants Day and National Expatriates Day 2025, he urged authorities to protect migrant workers from exploitation and to free the sector from middlemen. According to Yunus, the entire labor export process is dominated by brokers who deceive workers and hinder progress.

Dr. Yunus emphasized that Bangladesh’s youthful population is a valuable resource in a world facing labor shortages. Citing his recent visit to Japan, he noted that Japan needs workers and that Bangladesh could supply up to 100,000 if language training is ensured. He expressed surprise that Japan recruited 7,000 workers from Nepal but only 2,000 from Bangladesh.

He added that many Japanese cities face severe labor shortages, with idle farmland and halted taxi services. Yunus urged reforms to ensure transparent recruitment, enabling Bangladesh to capitalize on its demographic advantage and expand its global labor footprint.

Bangladesh Bank’s latest report reveals that as of September 2025, nearly 91% of all defaulted loans in the banking sector have become unrecoverable, posing a severe threat to the country’s financial stability. The total volume of defaulted loans reached BDT 6.44 trillion, with BDT 5.85 trillion classified as bad or loss category. This marks a sharp rise from the previous year, when unrecoverable loans accounted for about 82% of total defaults.

Sector insiders attribute the surge to large business groups that borrowed heavily during the previous Awami League government and allegedly siphoned funds abroad. Following political changes, many borrowers fled the country, further reducing recovery prospects. State-owned banks hold the largest share of bad loans, with Janata Bank alone reporting BDT 695.86 billion in unrecoverable debt. Private banks, including Islami Bank Bangladesh and First Security Islami Bank, also face mounting pressure.

Experts warn that the growing volume of bad loans will erode banks’ lending capacity and profitability, as they must maintain full provisioning against such debts. Bangladesh Bank has identified 24 commercial banks failing to meet required provisions, signaling deep structural stress in the sector.

After nearly eight months of inactivity, the dry fish hubs of Asharchar and Nidrarchar in Barguna’s Taltali upazila have regained vitality as thousands of fishermen, traders, and workers return for the new season. Using natural, chemical-free drying methods, the communities are producing and supplying dried fish across Bangladesh, with some exports abroad. However, poor roads, inadequate sanitation, and lack of permanent facilities continue to hinder progress.

Local traders and union leaders warn that without government intervention, the once-thriving industry could decline further. They cite pollution from the nearby Payra thermal power plant as a major threat to marine life and fish yields. Despite these challenges, officials from the Department of Fisheries and local administration have promised to take steps to improve infrastructure and ensure sustainable livelihoods.

The dry fish sector, employing thousands and supporting coastal economies, remains a vital yet vulnerable part of Bangladesh’s fisheries industry. Stakeholders urge coordinated planning and investment to preserve this traditional trade and protect the environment.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all scheduled banks to maintain uninterrupted services for replacing torn, damaged, or soiled banknotes. The central bank issued a circular through its Department of Currency Management, warning that any negligence in complying with the directive will lead to action against the concerned banks. The move aims to ensure that citizens can easily exchange unfit notes without disruption across all bank branches.

According to the circular, if more than 90% of a note remains intact and its security features are identifiable, banks must provide full value even if the note is unfit for circulation. Notes torn into two pieces must be attached to thin white paper for identification before submission. Notes deemed claimable will be sent to the nearest Bangladesh Bank office for verification, with payment decisions made within eight weeks. Customers must bear postal or courier costs, while burnt notes must be submitted directly to the central bank’s claim desk.

The circular also requires branches to display visible notices about this service and to report monthly data on note exchanges to Bangladesh Bank to enhance transparency and accountability in cash transactions.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) has been unable to launch Bangladesh’s first commodity exchange as the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has not yet approved the proposed products and broker registrations, despite more than four months passing since applications were filed. CSE had applied for approval of gold, silver, and crude palm oil trading, along with registration for five brokers, but both remain pending.

BSEC officials say the commission is positive about the initiative but is still reviewing legal and operational aspects before granting final approval. CSE claims it has completed all technical preparations, including automated trading tests, and is conducting five days of mock trading from December 19 to 23. Officials express frustration over the delay, noting that nearly Tk 100 crore has already been invested in the project.

The delay reflects regulatory indecision and limited experience with commodity markets in Bangladesh. Analysts suggest that faster approval could help diversify the country’s capital market, while further delays risk eroding investor confidence and slowing financial innovation.

The Indian rupee fell to a record low of 90.74 against the U.S. dollar on Monday, surpassing its previous all-time low of 90.55 recorded on December 12. The decline came amid prolonged deadlock in U.S.-India trade talks and continued foreign investor withdrawals from India’s bond and equity markets. The rupee weakened by 0.3 percent as investor confidence waned following new U.S. tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods.

Foreign investors have sold over $18 billion worth of Indian equities so far in 2025, making India one of the hardest-hit emerging markets for portfolio outflows. More than $500 million in bonds were also offloaded in December. Analysts expect India’s trade deficit to narrow to $32 billion from October’s record $41 billion, though concerns over external financing remain.

Finrex Treasury Advisors’ Anil Bansali warned that the rupee may test support levels at 90.80, with risks extending toward 91–92. The Reserve Bank of India is reportedly allowing market forces to dictate pricing, intervening only to curb excessive volatility.

Farmers in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, are celebrating a bumper yield of off-season Katimon mangoes, which have already reached markets across Bangladesh. Favorable weather conditions contributed to strong production, while high demand from Dhaka traders has driven prices upward. Wholesale buyers are crowding the Kansat mango market, purchasing the premium fruit at record prices.

According to local traders, top-grade Katimon mangoes are selling for Tk 15,000–16,000 per maund, up from Tk 13,000–14,000 just a week earlier. Agricultural officials report that around 2,150 hectares in the upazila are now dedicated to Katimon cultivation, reflecting its growing popularity. Farmers say advance bookings from urban buyers have further boosted local prices.

While growers and wholesalers benefit from the strong market, retail consumers complain that the fruit has become unaffordable. The Department of Agricultural Extension expects production to expand next year with proper management, as more farmers shift toward cultivating this profitable off-season variety.