Following a series of earthquakes in November that rattled Bangladesh, experts are calling for the country to learn from Japan’s extensive experience in earthquake preparedness and resilience. Japan, located on the seismically active Ring of Fire, experiences around 1,500 earthquakes annually but minimizes casualties through strict building codes, public awareness, and regular drills. Japanese citizens are trained from childhood to respond calmly and effectively during tremors, while cities maintain clear evacuation routes and safe zones. Structural innovations such as seismic isolation, motion dampers, and flexible mesh frameworks help Japanese skyscrapers withstand strong quakes. In contrast, many smaller private buildings in Bangladesh fail to follow seismic codes, leaving them vulnerable. Experts emphasize that Bangladesh should prioritize awareness programs, regular earthquake drills in schools and workplaces, and enforcement of construction regulations. They also stress the need for political will to ensure urban safety and disaster resilience.

The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival is set to begin on December 4 in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, Saudi Arabia. The festival will open with Rowan Athale’s film 'Giant', inspired by the life of British-Yemeni boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, starring Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan. This year’s event features 111 films, including 16 in the main competition—half from the Middle East and half international. Oscar-winning director Sean Baker will chair the jury. The lineup includes Saudi Arabia’s Oscar entry 'Hijra', Cherien Dabis’s 'All That’s Left of You', and other acclaimed titles from Tunisia, Spain, and Switzerland. Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai is among the confirmed celebrity attendees. The Red Sea Film Foundation, now led by CEO Faisal Baltyuor, aims to attract 40,000 visitors this year, up from 30,000 in 2024. The festival will also feature outdoor screenings, family programs, and a youth filmmaking initiative called 'Voices of Tomorrow'.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new initiative aimed at increasing remittance inflows and controlling the overall cost of sending remittances from abroad. Under this directive, all commercial banks are required to submit detailed daily data on remittance transactions, including fees, exchange rates, taxes, and other related costs, to the central bank by noon of the following day. The central bank has provided two specific reporting templates for this purpose, effective from January 1. The move follows global trends observed by the World Bank, which has reported rising remittance transfer costs in several countries, including Bangladesh. By collecting and analyzing this data, Bangladesh Bank intends to identify ways to reduce these costs and ensure fair exchange rate practices among foreign exchange houses. Currently, domestic banks are prohibited from charging fees for crediting remittance funds to recipients’ accounts, a measure that has already helped lower costs slightly. The new system aims to further enhance transparency and affordability in remittance transfers.

Government employees in Bangladesh have announced a mass rally demanding the immediate publication of the Ninth Pay Commission gazette before the upcoming national election. The Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council submitted a memorandum to the Finance Adviser, warning of strict action from January 10 if the gazette is not issued by December. Leaders of the Ministerial Service Association expressed solidarity, noting that employees have worked under the same pay scale for nearly a decade despite rising living costs. They criticized the delay in implementing the new pay structure, which is supposed to be revised every five years. The organizations also proposed restructuring the existing 20-grade system into 10 steps with a 1:4 pay ratio to reduce disparities. Additional demands include the introduction of Secretariat allowance and ration benefits. The delay in finalizing the pay commission’s recommendations has reportedly caused frustration and resentment among lower-income government staff.

A faction of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Coordinated Council has warned of launching a tough program from January 10 if the government fails to issue a gazette notification on the ninth national pay scale by December. In a memorandum sent to the Finance Advisor on December 3, the group expressed frustration over delays in finalizing the recommendations of the National Pay Commission 2025, formed by the interim government. The organization demanded restructuring the existing 20 pay grades into 10 steps with a 1:4 ratio to eliminate long-standing salary disparities. It also called for the introduction of a Secretariat allowance and ration allowance. The memorandum highlighted that rising commodity prices and living costs have severely affected lower-grade employees, leading to growing resentment. The group urged the Finance Ministry to intervene directly to resolve the issue and meet their legitimate expectations promptly.

The president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), AHM Shafiquzzaman, has called on the government to take strict measures against traders who increased edible oil prices without approval from the Ministry of Commerce. Following a meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, he stated that under the Essential Commodities Act, the ministry determines prices for certain goods based on a specific formula. Shafiquzzaman emphasized that any price hike without ministry consent violates consumer rights and is unjustified. He expressed hope that the government would enforce the tough actions promised by the commerce adviser. He further noted that under the Competition Act and the Consumer Rights Protection Act, hoarding or price manipulation is punishable, urging the government to strengthen market oversight to ensure fair pricing of daily essentials.

Pakistan has announced plans to privatize its state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) amid mounting debt and IMF loan conditions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that an auction for the airline’s sale will be held on December 23 and broadcast live across national media. The government intends to sell between 51% and 100% of PIA’s shares to reform loss-making state enterprises and meet the terms of a $7 billion IMF bailout. Four consortiums—Lucky Cement, Arif Habib Corporation, Fauji Fertilizer, and Air Blue—have been shortlisted to participate in the bidding. Sharif emphasized transparency and merit in the privatization process, expressing hope that PIA will regain its former prestige and operational efficiency. The move marks Pakistan’s largest privatization effort in nearly two decades. A previous sale attempt failed after a $36 million offer fell far below the $305 million reserve price. The government aims to complete the process swiftly to stabilize the aviation sector and reduce fiscal pressure.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has cautioned that the country’s export sector could face serious setbacks if industries fail to adopt environmentally sustainable practices. Speaking at a two-day conference organized by the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in Dhaka, he emphasized that proper waste management, solar energy use, and efficient water management are essential for obtaining green certification, which is increasingly required in global trade. Dr. Mansur also highlighted structural issues in the current VAT system that disadvantage small entrepreneurs, as well as inefficiencies in loan distribution that could waste allocated funds. He stressed the need for an online marketplace with real-time data and individual entrepreneur profiles to boost market demand. Additionally, he urged the use of international digital payment platforms like PayPal to expand access to global markets, noting that Bangladesh’s small industries have immense potential if supported by sound policies.

Entrepreneurs associated with Agrani Bank’s agent banking services have demanded the immediate reopening of the bank’s agent server and settlement of all outstanding dues and compensations. At a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, spokesperson Md. Abu Sayed stated that Agrani Bank’s agent banking network had been one of the most successful in Bangladesh for the past decade. However, on June 19, the bank abruptly shut down all agent outlets nationwide, citing temporary reasons. Despite assurances from senior management, including the bank’s general manager, the services have remained suspended for nearly six months. The entrepreneurs allege that the bank’s leadership is neglecting their commitments and that the closure has caused severe financial hardship to thousands of agents. They also called for the resignation of the bank’s chairman, accountability for responsible officials, and the swift implementation of a High Court order to resume services and resolve pending arbitration cases.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur announced that global digital payment platform PayPal is preparing to begin operations in Bangladesh soon. Speaking at the ‘Agro Award 2025’ event in Dhaka, he said the move will significantly benefit freelancers and small entrepreneurs by enabling smoother international transactions and faster payment transfers. Mansur noted that the lack of international payment gateways currently hampers outsourcing and freelance earnings, often causing delays or non-payment. PayPal’s entry is expected to solve these issues and facilitate cross-border trade. He also emphasized reducing cash transactions to curb corruption, revealing that cash management costs the country around Tk 20,000 crore annually. Additionally, he urged banks to increase agricultural lending from 2% to 10% of total loans and improve SME loan distribution. Highlighting Bangladesh’s agricultural progress, he said food grain production has tripled since independence, reaching nearly 40 million tons.

The Bangladesh government has introduced a new policy to curb illegal mobile phone imports and smuggling. Expatriates registered with the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) can now bring up to three mobile phones tax-free when returning home, including their personal device and two new handsets. Those without BMET cards may bring one additional phone by paying applicable taxes. The policy also mandates registration of used phones in the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEIR) for expatriates staying over 60 days. The government plans to reduce high import duties—currently around 61%—to encourage legal imports and lower market prices. Additionally, VAT and taxes on locally manufactured phones will be rationalized to support domestic production and foreign investment. Authorities are tightening surveillance at airports and land ports to prevent refurbished or cloned phones from entering the country. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology confirmed that no active handset will be deactivated before December 16 as NEIR becomes operational.

The Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council has submitted a memorandum to the Finance Adviser, urging immediate implementation of the Ninth National Pay Commission report. The memorandum, delivered on December 3, outlines three key demands: implementation of the 9th pay scale, introduction of a Secretariat allowance, and provision of a ration allowance. The council warned that if the government fails to issue a circular in December and publish a gazette by January 1, 2026, they will announce strict protest programs on January 10. The organization expressed concern over delays in finalizing the pay commission’s recommendations, citing rising living costs and growing frustration among lower-grade public employees. They emphasized that the current 20-grade pay structure should be revised to a 10-grade system with a 1:4 salary ratio to reduce disparities. The memorandum reflects mounting pressure on the interim government to address public servants’ long-standing demands amid economic challenges.

Pakistan’s Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, has announced that the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train service will resume operations on December 31, 2025. Speaking at a meeting with the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abbasi emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity with Iran and Turkey. The initiative aims to strengthen trade links among the three countries and improve logistical efficiency across the region. The minister stated that Pakistan Railways plans to expand its freight transport capacity by the end of this year to support the project. He urged the business community to take advantage of the renewed trade corridor, which is expected to play a key role in boosting Pakistan’s regional commerce and economic integration with neighboring countries.

The Indian rupee has fallen to a historic low, crossing the 90 mark against the US dollar for the first time, reflecting mounting pressure on the country's currency amid global economic uncertainty. Analysts attribute the depreciation to a combination of factors including persistent foreign fund outflows, a strengthening US dollar, elevated crude oil prices, and concerns over India's widening trade deficit. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is closely monitoring the situation, though it has refrained from heavy intervention so far. A weaker rupee could make imports, especially energy and electronics, more expensive, potentially fueling inflationary pressures. However, exporters may benefit from improved competitiveness in global markets. Economists suggest that the rupee’s trajectory will depend on upcoming US Federal Reserve decisions, domestic inflation data, and capital flow trends. The government and RBI are expected to focus on maintaining macroeconomic stability while ensuring that currency volatility remains contained.

The Bangladesh government has decided to ban the import of cloned, stolen, and refurbished mobile phones to curb illegal trade and protect the domestic device industry. The decision was made during a meeting involving the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Ministry of Commerce, the Posts and Telecommunications Division, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Migrant workers registered with the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) will be allowed to bring up to three phones tax-free, while others can bring two. The government also plans to significantly reduce import duties on legally imported smartphones, currently around 61%, to make them more affordable. Additionally, measures will be taken to align taxes on locally manufactured phones to prevent harm to foreign investments. The new National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system will take effect on December 16, ensuring only phones with valid IMEI numbers remain active. Authorities also warned citizens to use SIM cards registered in their own names to avoid cybercrime risks.