Bangladesh Bank has directed all banks, mobile financial service (MFS) providers, payment service providers (PSP), and payment system operators (PSO) to establish a dedicated 'Cashless Bangladesh Unit' at their head offices by March 31. The directive, issued by the central bank’s Payment Systems Department, aims to strengthen the country’s transition toward a cashless and digital payment infrastructure.

According to the circular, the initiative is part of a broader government and central bank effort to expand digital transactions nationwide. The use of Bangla QR, internet banking, and point-of-sale (POS) machines has been increasing significantly. To ensure better coordination, each institution must have a designated unit. Under the Cashless Bangladesh initiative, inclusion of Bangla QR transactions has been made mandatory for licensing and renewal of retail merchants.

The circular further specifies that a deputy managing director or equivalent officer will oversee the unit in banks, while a senior officer one rank below the managing director will lead it in MFS, PSP, and PSO organizations. Institutions must submit unit details to Bangladesh Bank by March 31 and provide annual reports on cashless activities by the end of each March.

The Sri Lankan government has announced a four-day workweek to save fuel, designating every Wednesday as a public holiday. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the country must be prepared for difficult times while maintaining hope. Under the new directive, schools and universities will operate four days a week, while essential services such as hospitals, police, and immigration will continue as usual. Wednesday was chosen to avoid a continuous three-day office closure.

The government has also made a national fuel pass mandatory for drivers, setting allocations of 15 liters for private cars and 5 liters for motorcycles. Many citizens have criticized these limits as insufficient. A similar measure was implemented during the 2022 economic crisis. Other Asian countries have also taken steps to address fuel shortages, including Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

The global energy crisis has intensified after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in Iran pushed oil prices to nearly 100 dollars per barrel, further straining regional economies.

The government of Bangladesh has declared March 18 as a public holiday by executive order ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, with the regular Eid holidays beginning on March 19. Despite the general closure of banks during this period, the central bank has issued special instructions to keep certain branches open to facilitate salary, bonus, and allowance payments for garment workers and officials, as well as export bill settlements.

According to Bangladesh Bank’s directive issued on March 10 by its Department of Off-site Supervision, branches of scheduled banks located in garment industry areas will remain open on March 18 and 19 in a limited capacity. These include branches in Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Valuka, Narayanganj, and Chattogram. Transactions will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with offices operating until 2 p.m., including a short break for prayers.

Banks have also been instructed to provide allowances to employees working during the holidays in accordance with regulations, while ensuring adequate security at all open branches.

The MV Sugandha launch, operating on the Dhaka-Hatia route, became stranded on a river shoal after being caught in a storm early Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The vessel, carrying more than a hundred passengers, has remained stuck for about 15 hours near Charbhairabi area before reaching Ilisha Ghat. Despite the tide rising, low water levels prevented the launch from floating again.

Passengers reported severe hardship and lack of assistance, saying that even after informing the Coast Guard and Navy, no effective rescue measures had been taken by late afternoon. Some passengers described being trapped with small children without food or means to disembark as evening approached. The launch’s master, Mostafizur Rahman, said the vessel anchored to maintain control during the storm but became stuck when the tide receded.

MV Sugandha had started its inaugural journey from Dhaka’s Sadarghat on Monday evening as one of two newly launched government-allocated vessels intended to improve travel on the Dhaka-Hatia route.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) announced on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, that 98 percent of operational garment factories in Dhaka and Chattogram have paid Eid bonuses to their workers. According to the BGMEA statement, out of 2,127 active factories, 2,080 have completed bonus payments, including 1,753 in Dhaka and 327 in Chattogram.

The association also reported that 2,104 factories, representing 98.92 percent, have paid February salaries, while 870 factories, or 40.90 percent, plan to pay advance wages for March. Among these, 840 are located in Dhaka and 30 in Chattogram. The data reflects the overall wage and bonus payment status across the country’s two main industrial hubs.

The BGMEA’s update provides a snapshot of the sector’s compliance with wage and bonus obligations ahead of Eid, indicating strong adherence among most factories in the ready-made garment industry.

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced that it has confiscated hundreds of Starlink systems capable of connecting to the internet via satellite networks. According to the ministry, the devices were illegally brought into the country by the United States and Israel. The announcement was reported by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.

The ministry stated that the search for illegal Starlink systems will continue until all satellite internet terminals serving what it called “enemy services” are fully identified. It further declared that possessing or using Starlink systems constitutes a crime that could warrant the “harshest punishment” during wartime, particularly for individuals linked to or working on behalf of hostile entities.

The statement underscores Iran’s ongoing efforts to control access to foreign communication technologies and to prevent what it describes as external interference through satellite-based internet systems.

World Bank Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt concluded a three-day visit to Bangladesh on Tuesday, during which he met with the ministers of finance, planning, and commerce, as well as the prime minister’s economic adviser and the Bangladesh Bank governor. Discussions focused on the government’s development priorities and areas where the World Bank Group could extend support.

Zutt emphasized that the government is prioritizing large-scale job creation alongside skills development and investment, and that the World Bank Group is committed to helping achieve these goals. He noted that 14 million young people entered Bangladesh’s labor market over the past decade, but only 8.7 million jobs were created, leaving nearly half of the youth unemployed, particularly women. He stressed the need for long-pending macroeconomic and financial sector reforms to sustain growth and employment amid global uncertainty.

The World Bank Group supports countries in transforming growth into local employment by investing in physical and human infrastructure, promoting business-friendly environments, and mobilizing private capital. Since Bangladesh’s independence, the World Bank has provided over $46 billion in grants and concessional financing through the International Development Association.

All import and export activities through the Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh will remain suspended for 11 days from Tuesday, March 17, in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr. The announcement was confirmed by Abul Kalam Azad, manager of Banglabandha Land Port Limited. The decision was communicated through a letter signed by Sadequl Islam, general secretary of the Banglabandha C&F Agents Association, following a meeting held on March 10.

According to the association’s letter, the suspension will last from March 17 to March 27, with regular operations scheduled to resume on Saturday, March 28, after the Eid holidays. The closure affects all import and export activities handled by C&F agents at the port’s customs station.

Despite the suspension of trade operations, passenger movement through the port’s immigration facilities will continue as usual during the holiday period, the port manager confirmed.

Roads and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced that the government has decided to ensure adequate fuel supply for public transport to facilitate smooth Eid travel. He said the administration is actively working to maintain fuel distribution in phases amid national and international supply challenges. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday morning at Lebukhali in Galachipa, Patuakhali, during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Rabnabad Bridge on the Lebukhali-Bauphal-Galachipa-Amragachia road.

Sheikh Robiul Alam stated that the current 25-day-old government is functioning with collective effort, prioritizing public expectations and aspirations. He emphasized that the construction of the Rabnabad Bridge will ease public suffering, boost the local economy, and improve transport of goods for working people. The bridge is expected to establish uninterrupted connectivity between upazilas, the district, and the capital, marking a significant step in regional development.

The minister reiterated that the government remains committed to overcoming the ongoing fuel crisis with utmost importance to ensure public convenience during the Eid season.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced that metro rail services will remain closed only on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. The decision was made public through a notice issued on Monday, ahead of the seven-day government holiday that began on Tuesday. According to the notice, metro operations will resume as per the regular schedule from the day after Eid, allowing passengers to plan their travel in advance.

Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival for Muslims in Bangladesh, is expected to be celebrated on March 21, depending on the sighting of the moon. Including the holiday for Shab-e-Qadr on March 17, government employees are enjoying a continuous seven-day break this year. The Ministry of Public Administration has clarified that essential services such as electricity, water, gas, fire service, ports, sanitation, telecommunications, postal services, and healthcare will remain operational during the holiday period.

Hospitals, emergency medical services, and those involved in the transport of medicines and medical supplies will continue their duties to ensure uninterrupted public service.

Aliyabad Canal in Nabinagar municipality of Brahmanbaria has nearly disappeared due to years of unregulated waste dumping and unplanned road construction. Once a flowing waterway connecting the Burir and Bhata rivers, the canal has become clogged with household garbage, blocking water flow and causing severe environmental degradation. The stagnant, blackened water now emits foul odors and poses serious health risks, including waterborne diseases. Agricultural lands nearby are being damaged by polluted water, and the area suffers from mosquito infestations and seasonal flooding.

Local residents recall that until 2005, the canal supported boat traffic and provided water for irrigation and household use. They blame the closure of the canal’s mouth under a municipal road for halting water movement. Residents and community leaders have demanded immediate cleaning and restoration to reconnect the canal with the main river system. Nabinagar’s administrative head, Mahmudul Hasan, stated that dredging work is planned and expected to begin after Eid-ul-Fitr.

If completed, the restoration could revive water flow and transform the canal into a scenic feature of the municipality.

The business and trade sector now holds the highest share of defaulted loans in Bangladesh’s banking system, with 42.5 percent of loans in the sector classified as non-performing, according to the December-based “Banking Sector Update” report. The industrial sector follows with a 30.8 percent default rate, while the overall banking sector average stands at 31.2 percent. As of December, total outstanding loans amounted to Tk 18.21 trillion, of which Tk 5.57 trillion were defaults.

Sector insiders attribute the rise in defaults to economic pressures and a deteriorating business environment. Increased living costs have reduced consumer purchasing power, leading to lower demand and sales. Rising costs of raw materials, fuel, transport, and imports, along with dollar shortages and import restrictions, have further strained businesses. Higher interest rates have also increased debt burdens, particularly for small and medium enterprises with limited capital.

The report shows that large loans remain the most default-prone, though rescheduling policies have slightly reduced the rate since September. Agriculture, construction, and transport sectors also show high default ratios, while consumer loans remain relatively stable at 3 percent.

Oil exports from the Middle East have fallen by at least 60 percent due to disruptions and heightened tensions stemming from the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The near-closure of the Hormuz Strait has forced many exporting nations to cancel shipping plans and suspend production at several oil fields, creating one of the largest supply disruptions in history. Crude oil prices have surged to their highest level in four years.

According to data from analytics firm Kpler, as of March 15, average daily exports of crude oil, condensate, and refined products from eight Middle Eastern countries — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates — dropped to 9.71 million barrels, down from 25.13 million barrels in February. Kpler analyst Johannes Raubal reported that floating crude inventories in the region exceeded 50 million barrels this week, compared to about 10 million barrels before the conflict began.

Analysts warn that if the Hormuz Strait disruption persists, global energy markets could face further instability and oil-importing nations may experience additional price increases.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M Iqbal Hossain emphasized that canal excavation is essential for increasing agricultural production. Speaking on Monday in Gauripur, Mymensingh, he inaugurated the re-excavation of the 'Bolar Beel' canal and said that dredging rivers, canals, and wetlands would help remove waterlogging, improve irrigation facilities, and protect the environment and biodiversity.

He noted that re-excavating the approximately five-kilometer-long Bolar Beel canal would enhance water drainage during the monsoon season and have a positive impact on farming activities. The event was attended by Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner Md Saifur Rahman, Gauripur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Papia Amin Pappa, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sunanda Sarkar Proma, Additional Superintendent of Police (Gauripur Circle) Deba Shish Karmakar, and several local political leaders.

The initiative highlights the government’s focus on improving agricultural infrastructure and addressing water management challenges in rural areas through canal re-excavation projects.

The Ministry of Shipping, along with the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and the Railway Ministry, inaugurated three new ships to ease Eid travel on March 16, 2026. The inauguration ceremony took place at Dhaka’s Sadarghat Launch Terminal, led by Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam. The newly launched BIWTC vessels—Rupsha and Sugandha—will operate on the Dhaka-Hatia route, while Madhumati will serve the Dhaka-Betua route.

During the event, the minister also introduced free wheelchair and trolley services for passengers, warning that any financial transactions under the guise of these services would face legal action. He announced a seven-day waiver of lease charges during the Eid travel period, with the ministry covering the associated costs. Sheikh Robiul Alam emphasized that complaints of harassment over goods transport would be addressed promptly.

The minister further assured that there would be no fuel shortages in the transport sector during the Eid season, aiming to ensure smooth and comfortable travel for passengers across the waterways.