Global gold prices surged again this week, nearing record highs as investors turned to the precious metal amid a weakening U.S. dollar and falling Treasury yields. In Dubai, 24-carat gold rose to 524.50 dirhams per gram on Thursday, just below the year’s peak of 525.25 dirhams recorded in October. Prices for other purities also climbed, with 22-carat gold at 485.75 dirhams and 18-carat at 399.25 dirhams.

Analysts attribute the rise to concerns over the U.S. Federal Reserve’s independence and fears of political interference, which have heightened uncertainty in financial markets. Hani Abuagla, senior market analyst at XTB MENA, noted that geopolitical tensions across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are further driving demand for gold as a safe-haven asset.

Experts describe 2025 as a pivotal year for gold, with inflation trends, economic slowdowns, and potential restrictive policies likely to sustain upward pressure on prices. Investors are expected to closely monitor central bank actions and global risk developments in the coming months.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has introduced a new sub-module called 'Truck Movement' under the ASYCUDA World System to digitally monitor the movement of goods-laden trucks entering from India. The system electronically records each truck’s entry, duration of stay, and return of empty vehicles, replacing the previous manual process that was time-consuming and prone to errors. A pilot program began on December 15 at the Benapole Customs House in Jashore.

According to the NBR, the automated system will ensure real-time tracking and reporting of cross-border truck movements, improving efficiency in data management and minimizing revenue leakage. Officials believe the initiative will strengthen transparency and accountability in customs operations while enhancing border security. The NBR emphasized that accurate data will also help improve customs supervision and tax collection.

The revenue authority plans to expand the 'Truck Movement' module to all land ports across the country soon. Experts expect the system to modernize import operations, streamline border trade, and support Bangladesh’s broader digital governance goals.

The SME Foundation of Bangladesh announced that 138 individuals, including 72 men and 66 women, have successfully become entrepreneurs through its Business Incubation Center. The participants received training, mentorship, and business advisory support, along with opportunities to showcase their products at national and international trade fairs in the UK, China, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. A certificate distribution ceremony was held on December 18, 2025, in Dhaka, with senior officials from the SME Foundation and Startup Bangladesh in attendance.

Chairperson Md. Musfiqur Rahman emphasized that the incubation center provides essential business knowledge, workspace, networking, and technical assistance to new entrepreneurs. The initiative aligns with the government’s National Industrial Policy 2022 and the SDG 2030 agenda. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, SMEs contribute about 30% to the national economy and employ over 30 million people.

The program is expected to further strengthen Bangladesh’s SME ecosystem, enhance women’s participation, and support sustainable economic development through innovation and capacity building.

China has introduced a value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives for the first time in three decades, as part of a broader effort to modernize its tax system and address the country’s persistently low birth rate. The new VAT law, passed in 2024, ends a long-standing exemption dating back to 1993. At the same time, Beijing has launched a national childcare subsidy program worth 90 billion yuan ($12.7 billion) and expanded maternity coverage under the national health insurance scheme.

The policy shift comes as China’s birth rate stood at just 6.77 per 1,000 people in 2024, despite incentives such as cash bonuses, IVF discounts, and extended paid leave for new couples. Social media users have mocked the condom tax, calling it a desperate attempt to boost fertility. Experts argue the measure is largely symbolic and unlikely to influence reproductive decisions, though it signals the government’s preference for pro-natalist behavior.

Sociologists warn that restricting access to contraception could disproportionately affect women, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, while raising concerns about intrusive local monitoring of women’s reproductive cycles.

Saudi Arabia has announced the abolition of expatriate worker fees (Iqama) for employees in licensed industrial establishments, a move approved by the Council of Ministers chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The decision, based on recommendations from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA), aims to strengthen national factories, ensure sustainability, and enhance global competitiveness under the Vision 2030 diversification plan.

Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef said the measure will reduce operational costs, facilitate production expansion, and accelerate the adoption of automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Between 2019 and 2024, Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector saw factories rise from 8,822 to over 12,000, investments grow 35% to 1.22 trillion riyals, and employment increase 74% to 847,000 workers.

Officials expect the policy to further energize the sector and attract international investment. The government aims to triple industrial GDP to 895 billion riyals by 2035, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional manufacturing hub.

China is advancing plans to build the world’s largest hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, a $168 billion undertaking that could generate around 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—three times the output of the Three Gorges Dam. President Xi Jinping has called for the project to be pursued with force and efficiency, framing it as a cornerstone of China’s renewable energy ambitions.

Experts describe the project as an unprecedented engineering feat involving tunnels and reservoirs stretching up to 150 kilometers through the Himalayas. However, India and Bangladesh, both downstream nations, fear severe ecological and hydrological impacts, including altered river flows, flooding, and displacement. Indian analysts have dubbed it a potential “water bomb,” citing its proximity to disputed borders.

While Beijing insists the project follows decades of research, limited transparency has fueled speculation about its environmental and geopolitical risks. Analysts warn that the dam could reshape regional water politics, potentially intensifying Sino-Indian tensions and affecting millions dependent on the Brahmaputra basin.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H. Mansur stated that bank owners alone cannot be blamed for institutional collapse, emphasizing that officials also share responsibility. Speaking at an Economic Reporters Forum discussion in Dhaka, he outlined ongoing reforms, including plans to merge five banks to strengthen the sector. Mansur assured depositors that their funds remain safe under deposit insurance coverage and projected foreign reserves to reach $34–35 billion by fiscal year-end without borrowing from international lenders.

The governor acknowledged persistent challenges such as capital shortfalls and a non-performing loan (NPL) rate now estimated at 36%. He pledged transparency in disclosing accurate financial data. Mutual Trust Bank’s CEO Syed Mahbubur Rahman noted that commercial banks had been forced into long-term investments due to a weak capital market, while CPD’s Executive Director Fahmida Khatun warned that political interference and poor governance had eroded the sector’s integrity.

Experts urged continued implementation of the Bank Resolution Act and full autonomy for Bangladesh Bank to restore confidence and ensure sustainable recovery ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is facing renewed pressure as government borrowing from banks has sharply increased midway through the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to the latest Bangladesh Bank data, the government borrowed a net Tk 45,239 crore between July and December 8, marking a 58.46% rise from the same period last year. Earlier in the fiscal year, the government had been repaying loans, but rising development spending, election-related costs, and higher subsidy and interest obligations have reversed that trend.

Sector analysts note that the initial months saw reduced borrowing due to strong revenue growth and foreign loan inflows. However, the recent acceleration in government borrowing has raised concerns about liquidity pressures in the banking system and potential crowding out of private credit. Commercial banks’ total government loan holdings rose to Tk 475,709 crore by December 8, while borrowing from the central bank reached Tk 120,435 crore.

Economists warn that continued reliance on domestic banks to finance budget deficits could limit credit availability to businesses and complicate inflation management. The government’s current borrowing pace, though below the annual target, may strain monetary stability if sustained.

A mild cold wave has persisted for more than a week in Tetulia, Panchagarh, marking the lowest temperatures in Bangladesh this winter. On Thursday, December 18, the Tetulia Weather Observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 9.5°C, with humidity at 72% and wind speeds between 8 and 10 km/h. Similar readings were observed in previous days, with temperatures hovering around 9°C each morning despite sunny conditions.

According to Jitendranath Roy, acting officer at the Tetulia Weather Observatory, the cold wave began on December 11 when the temperature dropped to 8.9°C, the season’s lowest so far. He noted that the mild cold spell is expected to continue for several more days. Local residents have reported increased morning chill and fog, while daytime temperatures have remained near 27°C.

Meteorologists suggest that such prolonged mild cold waves are typical for northern Bangladesh during December, though they can affect agriculture and daily life. Authorities have advised residents to take precautions against cold-related illnesses, especially among children and the elderly.

A newly constructed bridge in Shahjadapur Union of Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila has developed major cracks before its official inauguration, alarming residents who fear a potential collapse. The bridge, built at a cost of about 32.3 million taka under the 2023–24 fiscal year, was expected to transform local connectivity for nearly 20,000 people across several villages.

Locals accuse the contractor and engineering department of using substandard materials and neglecting proper supervision. Witnesses claim that less cement was used and concrete curing was skipped, leading to structural weakness. Contractor Lokman Enterprise denies wrongdoing, citing a temporary halt in work due to soil shortage. The upazila engineer, however, said the cracks are being examined but are unlikely to cause major structural failure.

Residents are demanding an impartial investigation and legal action against those responsible, fearing that decades of anticipation for improved transport infrastructure could end in disappointment. Authorities have yet to announce any formal inquiry or remedial plan.

The Shailkupa Mini Fish Hatchery in Jhenaidah, Bangladesh, has remained closed for ten years due to a persistent shortage of staff and malfunctioning equipment. Once a vital source of fish fry production since its establishment in 1982, the facility has fallen into disrepair, causing a significant shortage of fish fry in the region. Local fish farmers have urged the government to reopen the hatchery to restore supply and reduce costs.

According to the Upazila Fisheries Office, the hatchery could produce around 40 kilograms of fish spawn per season—enough for over four million fry—if operational. Farmers report that the closure has forced them to buy fry from distant districts, increasing expenses and reducing profitability. Shailkupa Fisheries Officer Imran Hossain confirmed that while the facility was renovated in 2024 through a government allocation, it remains inactive due to staffing and budget constraints.

Experts warn that without urgent action, the hatchery’s infrastructure may become permanently unusable, further undermining local aquaculture and rural livelihoods.

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.

The Trump administration has announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), one of the world’s foremost climate research institutions based in Boulder, Colorado. Established in 1960 with federal funding, NCAR has been a cornerstone of atmospheric and climate science for decades. According to the Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vogt, only activities deemed 'essential' will be transferred to other agencies or locations.

Vogt described NCAR as a major source of 'climate alarmism,' while U.S. media reported that the closure process will begin immediately, including the shutdown of its Mesa Laboratory. Prominent climate scientist Kevin Trenberth warned that closing the lab would cause severe damage to global scientific research, noting NCAR’s crucial role in advancing modern climate science.

The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader rollback of clean energy and climate policies enacted under his predecessor Joe Biden. Trump, who has repeatedly questioned climate change, recently called it 'the greatest hoax in Earth’s history' during a United Nations address.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that global coal demand, which reached a record high in 2025 at 8.85 billion tonnes, is projected to decline gradually by 2030. The shift is attributed to the rapid expansion of renewable energy, nuclear power, and natural gas-based electricity generation. Despite a 0.5% increase in 2025, the IEA forecasts a steady reduction in coal consumption toward the end of the decade.

IEA Energy Markets and Security Director Keisuke Sadamori noted that the world’s reliance on coal remains strong but is beginning to weaken as clean energy alternatives gain ground. India saw a rare drop in coal use due to increased hydropower output and reduced electricity demand, while U.S. coal consumption rose following a presidential order to support domestic mining. China, the largest coal consumer, maintained stable demand but is expected to see a moderate decline by 2030.

Analysts warn that faster electricity demand growth or slower renewable integration in China could delay the global coal decline, potentially complicating climate targets.