Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday, March 8, 2026, at the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat. The meeting took place amid a significant political and economic context for Bangladesh.

During the meeting, the BEPZA chairman briefed the Prime Minister on the overall operations of the country’s eight export processing zones, ongoing development projects, and strategies to attract new investments. The discussion was described as important for advancing the government’s economic vision and promoting industrial growth.

The meeting underscored BEPZA’s role in supporting the government’s broader economic goals, particularly in enhancing industrialization and foreign investment opportunities across Bangladesh.

Four people were killed when Indonesia’s largest landfill collapsed on Sunday afternoon, burying a truck and a food stall near Bantar Gebang, about 25 kilometers from Jakarta. At least five others remain missing as rescue teams continue searching the debris using heavy machinery and tracking dogs, according to the national search and rescue agency.

Local media reported that several hours of heavy rain preceded the collapse. The Bantar Gebang landfill, covering more than 110 hectares, holds an estimated 55 million tons of waste from the greater Jakarta area, home to around 42 million people producing roughly 14,000 tons of garbage daily. Environment Minister Hanif Faisal Nurofik blamed local authorities for allowing waste accumulation despite a 2008 ban on open dumping.

President Prabowo Subianto recently stated that most Indonesian landfills are being phased out but warned they will exceed capacity by 2028. The government plans to invest $3.5 billion in 34 waste-to-energy plants within two years to address the growing waste crisis.

Global oil prices have risen sharply as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies. Brent crude reached $108.77 per barrel on March 9, 2026, marking the highest single-day increase since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The price had already climbed 28 percent the previous week.

The surge follows continued warfare between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has severely disrupted shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz. This chokepoint is crucial for the global flow of oil and natural gas. According to JP Morgan’s chief economist Bruce Kasman, the world economy remains heavily dependent on energy supplies passing through this region.

Kasman also indicated that oil prices could soon approach $120 per barrel if the current disruptions persist, underscoring the vulnerability of global markets to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The final day of advance train ticket sales for Eid-ul-Fitr travelers begins today, Monday, March 9, according to Bangladesh Railway. Tickets for March 19 train journeys are being sold, with sales for western intercity trains starting at 8 a.m. and for eastern intercity trains at 2 p.m. The schedule was set during a preparatory meeting at the Railway Bhaban ahead of the Eid travel rush.

The advance ticket sales process, which began on March 3, concludes today after tickets for March 13–18 were sold in phases. Railway authorities stated that decisions regarding ticket sales for March 20, 21, and 22 will be made later, depending on the moon sighting. Each passenger can purchase tickets only once and for up to four seats, with no refund option available.

To accommodate passenger demand, the railway has allowed the collection of 25 percent standing tickets for non-AC coaches from the originating station before departure.

Bangladesh’s stock market has continued to decline sharply even after the formation of a new government, with the Dhaka Stock Exchange’s main index DSEX dropping 223 points, or 4.42 percent, on Sunday to fall back to 5,000 points. The market had initially surged following a peaceful national election, but optimism quickly faded as sustained sell-offs and liquidity shortages returned.

Market participants attribute the downturn to investor panic triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict and a long-standing crisis of confidence. Former BSEC chairman Faruq Ahmad Siddiqi said panic selling has intensified due to war fears, though he noted that the scale of the decline in Bangladesh is abnormal compared to other countries. He also pointed to structural weaknesses, including a shortage of strong companies and low financial literacy among traders.

Investor groups expressed frustration over the lack of change in the securities regulator after the new BNP-led government took office. Current BSEC chairman Khondkar Rashed Maksud defended the commission’s record, citing reforms and efforts to attract quality listings. However, with few new companies entering the market and many existing ones in poor standing, analysts warn recovery will be difficult without fresh investment.

Global energy markets have become increasingly unstable due to the ongoing war involving Iran, with the United Kingdom now facing a sharp decline in its natural gas reserves. According to National Gas data, as of last Saturday, the UK held about 6,999 gigawatt-hours of gas, down from 9,105 gigawatt-hours a year earlier. The country’s storage capacity can normally cover up to 12 days of demand, but current reserves are sufficient for less than two days.

National Gas stated that despite low reserves, the UK continues to receive regular gas supplies from multiple sources, including domestic offshore fields, Norway, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, European interconnectors, and stored gas. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero also said that claims of only two days of gas are not entirely accurate, expressing confidence in the country’s energy security.

The conflict has disrupted global gas shipping routes, with several vessels diverting from Europe to Asia. Following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, gas prices in the UK surged from 78.5 pence to about 137 pence per therm, adding pressure to the domestic energy market.

A mobile court in Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj fined a trader for selling LPG gas cylinders at inflated prices. The court, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Sanjoy Ghosh, imposed a fine of 20,000 taka on trader Kabir Hossain, 42, after finding evidence of overpricing. The operation took place on Sunday afternoon in the Purbo Bazar area of the upazila.

According to the magistrate, the drive was part of ongoing efforts to keep essential commodity prices stable and protect consumer interests. The mobile court action reflects the local administration’s monitoring of market practices to prevent unfair pricing and ensure compliance with government-set rates.

Authorities indicated that similar drives would continue to maintain price discipline in local markets and safeguard consumers from exploitation.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced that a nationwide canal excavation and tree plantation program will begin on March 16. The initiative includes fish farming in the excavated canals and planting forest, fruit, and medicinal trees along the canal banks. He made the announcement on Sunday during a meeting with ministry officials at the Secretariat.

The minister said the program aims to make local areas more visually appealing while helping meet nutritional and protein needs of communities. He urged ministry employees to implement the initiative with sincerity and dedication. The plan is part of the BNP government’s five-year mandate to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals and conduct extensive tree planting across the country.

The meeting was also attended by Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan, who delivered remarks during the session.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking enhanced police security at filling stations across the country. The letter, issued on Sunday by BPC Chairman Md. Rezanur Rahman, cited growing public anxiety and increased fuel purchases following negative reports in media and social networks about fuel stock levels. As a result, filling station dealers have been attempting to collect larger quantities of fuel from depots than usual.

According to the letter, some consumers are reportedly buying and storing fuel beyond their needs without authorization. To address the situation, BPC has already issued a press release limiting fuel supply from filling stations to consumers. The corporation also noted that incidents between customers and station employees have been occurring during the current period of fuel supply strain.

BPC requested that police patrols be strengthened to ensure safety and order at filling stations nationwide during this period of heightened demand and tension.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced an increase in jet fuel prices for both domestic and international flights. According to a notice issued on Sunday, the price for domestic routes has been set at Tk 112.41 per liter, up from Tk 95.12 last month, marking a rise of Tk 17.29 per liter. For international flights, the price has been raised from USD 0.6257 to USD 0.7384 per liter. The new rates will take effect from Sunday midnight.

In February, BERC had made a smaller adjustment, increasing the domestic jet fuel price from Tk 94.93 to Tk 95.12 per liter, and for international airlines from USD 0.6246 to USD 0.6257 per liter. The latest revision represents a more significant hike compared to the previous month.

The notice did not specify the reasons behind the price increase or its expected impact on airlines and passengers.

Over the past one and a half years, the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has imposed fines totaling around Tk 1,500 crore on various individuals and institutions for irregularities and manipulation in the capital market. However, only Tk 5 crore has been collected so far. BSEC Chairman Khondkar Rashed Maksud stated that despite the low recovery, the full amount will eventually be deposited into the government treasury. He made the remarks on Sunday at a seminar titled “Challenges and Future Path of the Capital Market under the New Government,” held at a hotel in Dhaka.

The event was organized by the Capital Market Journalists Forum (CMJF) and attended by Prime Minister’s Economic Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir as chief guest, along with NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan and other market leaders. Maksud highlighted that numerous laws and regulations have been enacted in a short period, countering claims of stagnation within the commission.

He also announced that a new law is being prepared to identify Public Interest Entities based on sales, market share, assets, workforce, and debt, aiming to bring more quality companies into the stock market despite potential resistance from vested interests.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to deploy mobile courts across the country to prevent illegal hoarding and overpricing of fuel. The decision follows reports of artificial fuel shortages and public unrest, including long queues and incidents of vandalism at petrol pumps. The directive was issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md Enamul Haque. It has already been sent to all district commissioners.

According to the directive, some unscrupulous traders have been stockpiling fuel illegally to create an artificial crisis amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The government has already set limits on fuel sales per vehicle to manage the situation. Reports have also surfaced of fuel being sold above government-fixed prices, hoarded for extra profit, or diverted to the open market and smuggling routes.

The ministry has instructed district administrations to strengthen field-level monitoring through mobile courts to stop illegal storage, overpricing, open-market sales, and potential smuggling of fuel. Copies of the directive were also sent to the Home Ministry, the Cabinet Division, and relevant energy officials.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has expressed concern that the ongoing war in the Middle East could negatively impact Bangladesh’s remittance inflow. Speaking to journalists on Sunday after a law and order committee meeting at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner’s office, he said some impact is inevitable but the government has taken several initiatives to support expatriate workers, which will soon become visible.

The minister said the government’s first priority is ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East by providing logistical and health support, and considering repatriation if the situation worsens. A joint monitoring cell comprising the foreign, civil aviation, and expatriates’ welfare ministries has been formed to track developments daily. So far, three Bangladeshi deaths have been reported, and efforts are underway to bring their bodies home.

Chowdhury added that efforts to reopen closed overseas labor markets are ongoing but have slowed due to the war and Ramadan. He also instructed local law enforcement in Sylhet to strengthen surveillance against snatching and youth gang activities ahead of Eid.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny announced that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate a nationwide canal excavation program from Dinajpur on March 16. The minister made the statement after inspecting a canal at Balrampur Saha Para in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur. According to him, the initiative marks the beginning of a countrywide effort to excavate rivers, canals, and water bodies.

He said that the program fulfills a key election pledge by Prime Minister Rahman, who had promised to excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies within five years of forming the government. The Dinajpur site was chosen as the first location for the inauguration. The Water Resources Ministry has planned a 12.20-kilometer canal excavation at Balrampur Saha Para, which will be launched simultaneously across the country.

The minister also stated that after the nationwide canal excavation, 250 million trees will be planted. Several local officials, including the Member of Parliament for Dinajpur-1 and senior police and administrative officers, were present during the inspection.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has expressed concern that the ongoing war in the Middle East could impact Bangladesh’s remittance inflow. Speaking to journalists on Sunday, March 8, after a law and order committee meeting at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner’s office, he said the government has taken several initiatives to support remittance earners, which will soon become visible.

The minister emphasized that ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the conflict zone is the government’s top priority. A joint monitoring cell comprising the foreign, civil aviation, and expatriates’ welfare ministries has been formed to observe the situation daily. He confirmed that three Bangladeshi nationals have died in the conflict, and efforts are underway to repatriate their bodies while maintaining contact with their families.

Chowdhury added that efforts to reopen closed overseas labor markets are ongoing, though the Middle East situation has slowed progress. The government is now focusing on East Asian markets, expecting improvement after Ramadan and as the war situation stabilizes.