The Bangladesh Embassy in Nepal organized a display and festival of Bangladeshi mango varieties and mango-based processed products in Kathmandu. The event, titled “Bangladesh Mango Delicacy,” was held Saturday at the Utsav Kunj Banquet Hall beside the embassy. It highlighted Bangladesh’s quality mangoes, agricultural heritage and potential for agricultural-product exports. About 250 guests attended.

SAARC Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, the chief guest, said South Asia has major potential for mango production but exports of mangoes and related products from the region have not reached the expected level. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry Joint Secretary Gahendra Rajbhandari said the event reflected Bangladesh’s warmth and hospitality and would strengthen ties between the peoples of Bangladesh and Nepal. He praised Ambassador Md. Shafiqur Rahman’s “mango diplomacy” initiative.

The exhibition featured fresh Fazli, Amrapali, Bari-4, Katimon, Gourmati and Ashwina mangoes, alongside juice, pickles, fruit bars, dried mango, chutney, jam and jelly. Mango grower Rafiqul Islam presented methods for safe, quality production using Good Agricultural Practices. Organizers said the initiative could increase interest in Bangladeshi mango products in Nepal and create opportunities for bilateral agricultural and food trade.

Hydrogen-powered trains are drawing growing global interest as countries seek cleaner rail transport amid climate change, air pollution and rising fossil-fuel use. The trains use hydrogen fuel cells rather than diesel or coal-based fuel to generate electricity for electric motors. The process produces mainly water and water vapour, with virtually no carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides or black smoke emissions, according to the source.

Hydrogen is stored in specialised high-pressure tanks and reacts with oxygen in fuel cells to generate power. Surplus energy is stored in batteries, while energy produced during braking can also be recovered, reducing waste. Germany tested the world’s first hydrogen passenger train in 2018 and commercially introduced the technology in 2022. France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, China, Japan and South Korea have also begun development and trial operations.

India inaugurated its first domestically built hydrogen-powered train on July 17. The technology can operate on existing non-electrified tracks without overhead electric lines, but green hydrogen costs, dedicated storage and supply infrastructure, safety systems, investment and skilled personnel remain challenges. For Bangladesh, it could become a long-term option on routes where electrification is costly.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said Bangladesh is now open to foreign investment as the China Economic and Industrial Zone formally began operations in Anwara, Chattogram, on Sunday. He described the inauguration as a milestone for the economies of Chattogram and the country.

The finance minister said investment in the zone could exceed $500 million and may reach $1 billion. He said the launch had fulfilled part of the prime minister’s stated $1 trillion investment target. Calling private investment necessary to meet the prime minister’s vision, he said existing laws had already been amended to make them more investment-friendly.

Chowdhury urged environmentally friendly factories and said housing should be provided for workers, alongside efforts to improve their welfare. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed Chowdhury stressed the need for stable law and order to expand investment and trade. BEZA and China Bridge signed an agreement after the event, followed by the formal opening through the unveiling of a plaque. BIDA Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said the prime minister had set a target to see the zone’s first factory operating within 18 months.

Bangladesh laid the foundation stone for the China Economic and Industrial Zone, or CEIZ, on the eastern bank of the Karnaphuli River in Anwara, Chattogram, on July 27, 2026. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government-to-government Bangladesh-China project, developed under Belt and Road Initiative principles, marked a new phase for industrial transformation. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury attended as chief guest.

The project will cover about 776 acres, or 314.39 hectares, and is expected to create more than 36,000 direct jobs in the Chattogram region. Planned industries include ready-made garments and textiles, biopharmaceuticals, food and beverage processing, and leather goods. The finance minister said policy support could help secure about $1 billion in investment for infrastructure and industrial facilities.

Officials said the site is 700 metres from the Karnaphuli Tunnel, six kilometres from Shah Amanat International Airport and 12 kilometres from Chattogram Port, with direct access to the N-1 highway. The government pledged investor security, streamlined approvals and utility services through BEZA's one-stop service. The zone is also planned to include environmentally friendly infrastructure and an international-standard central effluent treatment plant.

The Upazila Fisheries Department seized a large quantity of banned fishing nets valued at about Tk 3 million during an operation at Dhamura Bazar in Uzirpur Upazila, Barishal. The operation was conducted on Monday from 11:40am to 1:50pm. After the seizure, officials burned the nets to destroy them.

According to the fisheries department, the seized items included 253 China duari nets, 65,000 metres of current nets and 67 boda nets. Upazila Fisheries Officer Prosen Majumdar led the operation. Upazila Rural Development Officer Md Moniruzzaman, Uzirpur Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Ripon Shikdar, fisheries staff, a representative of the National Fishermen’s Association and local dignitaries were present.

Majumdar said the use of banned nets is severely harmful to fish breeding and biodiversity in natural water bodies. He said regular operations are being conducted to stop the use of illegal nets, alongside awareness campaigns aimed at fishers. He added that such operations will continue to protect fisheries resources.

Electronic toll collection at Padma Bridge has generated more than Tk100 million, while the number of vehicles registered for the system has exceeded 1,000, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority said on July 27. A press release sent by Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer Md Masud Rana Shikder said collections through ETC reached Tk100.8246 million by July 26. The number of registered vehicles stood at 1,008.

Since the service was launched, 56,406 vehicles have crossed Padma Bridge after paying tolls through the cashless system, according to the release. Bridges Division Secretary and Bangladesh Bridge Authority Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf said the authority was working to implement the ETC initiative to bring discipline to road transport and provide convenience and comfort to the public.

Tolls can currently be paid through Tap, bKash, Nagad and Upay, as well as apps operated by Trust Bank, Midland Bank, NCC Bank, Prime Bank and Mutual Trust Bank. Users must register their vehicles through the D-Toll option, recharge funds and have a BRTA-approved RFID tag verified at the Mawa toll plaza registration booth or toll booth on their first use. Once registered, vehicles can use ETC lanes without a separate RFID tag.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced a vision to transform Bangladesh into a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034. Speaking as chief guest at an investment conference organized by the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital on July 23, he said the plan aims to make Bangladesh a manufacturing hub and create 10 million new jobs by 2030. The conference was attended by 600 representatives.

After taking office on February 17, the government adopted a special 180-day programme at its first cabinet meeting to implement its election manifesto. The 2026-27 budget of Tk 938,000 crore prioritizes renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, electronics, digital services, agro-processing, advanced textiles, healthcare and logistics.

The roadmap identifies export diversification, youth empowerment and governance and institutional reform as key drivers. Rahman said the government is modernizing legal and regulatory systems, strengthening investor protection, simplifying tax and VAT administration, digitizing public services, and improving ports, logistics and energy security. The article says meeting the target would require average annual GDP growth of 8% to 9%, alongside energy security, control of non-performing loans, higher revenue collection and inflation management.

Global crude oil prices fell sharply on Monday after a two-week conflict between the United States and Iran was temporarily halted, raising hopes for a diplomatic solution and more normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude dropped $4.89, or 5.05%, to $91.89 a barrel, briefly falling below $90 early in trading. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate declined $4.67, or 5.23%, to $84.64 a barrel.

Both benchmarks reached their lowest levels in about a week after rising for three consecutive weeks. Earlier, the spread of conflict in the Middle East and disruption to oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz had pushed Brent to $100 a barrel. The conflict also affected the Red Sea, disrupting supplies from Saudi Arabia to Asia through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump had decided to pause attacks to allow diplomatic efforts a chance. Shipping has not fully normalized: Kpler data showed fewer than 10 cargo vessels a day transited Hormuz over the weekend. Analyst Saul Kavonic said any recovery in shipping would be gradual and partial because many companies remain cautious about security risks.

Numerous Baiera Life Insurance customers in Bangladesh say they have not received their savings or principal years after their policies matured, according to a report published on July 27, 2026. Policyholders including Cumilla resident Nurjahan Begum, Noakhali resident Nurunnabi and Alamgir described repeated visits to the insurer’s office without payment. Company officials acknowledged that Baiera Life currently lacks the financial capacity to settle maturity payments in full at once.

Officials said policy maturities began in 2010 and payments effectively stopped from that period. Following customer complaints to government offices in 2019, the company’s operations were dissolved under a government decision. General Manager Mobarak Hossain said Baiera Life has no new business or premium collection, while interest of Tk15 lakh to Tk22 lakh monthly on paid-up capital deposited with Bangladesh Bank is used to cover office costs. He said about 100 customers visit daily seeking dividend payments.

IDRA has red-listed Baiera Life and six other insurers, with about 6.5 million policies pending and total claims of roughly Tk4,600 crore. It said about Tk54 crore from acquisition of Baiera Life land in Malibagh for the metro rail project would be kept in a special account for customer claims. The insurer’s total dues are estimated at Tk58 crore to Tk60 crore, leaving a Tk8 crore to Tk10 crore shortfall.

The future of the 800MW Rupsa combined-cycle power plant in Khulna is uncertain because it has no assured fuel supply, according to a July 27, 2026 report by Amar Desh. The project has cost about Tk8,500 crore from foreign loans and government funds, but it has not supplied electricity to the national grid. It had been expected to begin supplying power in 2022, but a lack of gas prevented that outcome.

The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council in 2018. Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank loans of $500 million, alongside government financing, supported construction. Although Petrobangla had provided a gas-supply assurance before the loan agreement, gas has not been delivered as required. Plans involving India’s H Energy and a floating LNG terminal at Payra also did not materialize.

The Justice Moinul Commission described the plant as unnecessary and a waste of state money, recommending legal action against those responsible. Officials say much of the equipment’s lifetime and its warranty period have already elapsed. NWPGCL says it could prepare for commissioning next year if Petrobangla confirms fuel supplies, while commercial generation would depend on gas availability.

At a parliamentary committee meeting on 27 July 2026 at the Parliament Building, NCP lawmaker and committee member Hasnat Abdullah proposed announcing monetary policy every three months instead of the current six-month interval. The parliamentary committee on the Finance Ministry discussed the proposal under chair Mushfiqur Rahman. Bangladesh Bank described the suggestion positively and said it could be adopted.

The meeting reviewed Bangladesh Bank’s monetary policy framework and discussed a gradual move from the current interest rate-based policy toward inflation-targeting monetary policy to achieve long-term economic goals. The central bank presented its existing framework, implementation and future priorities, after which committee members exchanged views on monetary policy and the future of the financial sector.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman called the quarterly policy proposal good advice and said he believed it should be taken. Jamaat lawmaker Saiful Alam also raised problems at Islami Bank and urged Bangladesh Bank to demonstrate a zero-tolerance policy. He said Tk 2,400 crore had been withdrawn from the bank in one month. The governor said Islamic banking was being expanded and that work was under way to strengthen Shariah boards.

Trade through the Petrapole-Benapole border, the main land-port link between India and Bangladesh, has declined, with freight truck movements falling in both directions. The report, published on July 27, 2026, said Indian cargo trucks entering Bangladesh via Petrapole have nearly halved, while Bangladeshi trucks heading to India have also dropped markedly. In normal times, 450 to 500 Indian trucks entered Bangladesh daily; the current figure is 200 to 300. Bangladesh’s daily export truck movements to India have fallen from 250 to 300 to below 100.

During 13 working days from July 1 to 15 this year, 3,038 Indian trucks carrying various goods entered Bangladesh. During the same period, only 753 trucks carrying goods went from Bangladesh to India. Traders attributed the trade crisis mainly to reciprocal restrictions imposed by the two countries after the fall of the Hasina government in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024.

Bangladesh ended facilities for importing Indian yarn through Benapole, Bhomra, Sonamasjid, Banglabandha and Burimari land ports on April 15, 2025. Jashore Chamber president Mizanur Rahman Khan urged government action to restore land-route imports of goods restricted by India. Petrapole representative Kartik Chakraborty said resumed tourist visas and India’s ambassador assuming duties in Dhaka offered hope for normalized relations and stronger trade.

Bangladesh Bank has instructed banks to resolve disciplinary cases against officers and employees within a maximum of two months. The central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department, or BRPD, issued a circular on Sunday, according to a report published on July 26, 2026. Under the new instruction, any pending disciplinary case against a bank officer or employee must be concluded within two months in line with service rules.

The circular refers to a policy governing the recruitment of officers and employees from one bank to another, established under BRPD Circular Letter No. 6 issued on May 4, 2005. Bangladesh Bank said a provision of that earlier circular had been amended because disciplinary allegations at different banks were taking a long time to resolve.

The amendment was made to ensure consistency with the Bangladesh Labour Rules, 2015, the circular said. All other provisions of the 2005 instruction will remain unchanged, according to Bangladesh Bank.

Bangladesh will need about $421 billion in additional financing from fiscal 2026-27 through 2029-30 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, according to a review of the government’s updated SDG financing strategy. The estimate was presented on Sunday at a national validation workshop on Development Finance Assessment and SDG financing in the capital.

The Economic Relations Division organized the workshop with support from UNDP and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh. Participants reviewed findings of the Development Finance Assessment report and the updated financing strategy. ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky said the remaining period for SDG implementation was highly challenging because of a large financing gap, limited time and an uncertain global situation.

Dhaka University economics professor Dr Selim Raihan said most of the required funding would need to come from domestic public and private financing, climate finance and international partnerships. UN Resident Coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak highlighted opportunities to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio and encourage SDG-aligned private investment. The assessment and financing strategy will be finalized using feedback received at the workshop.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said Japan is an old and trusted friend of Bangladesh that has stood beside the country during difficult times. She made the remarks as chief guest at the Japan-Bangladesh Business Women Conference at Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka, at 6pm on July 26. She said the two countries were working toward mutual prosperity.

Khanam said Japan has made important contributions to Bangladesh’s infrastructure development and technological progress. She also cited former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s role in women’s empowerment, describing the provision of free secondary education for women as a landmark example that expanded female education and empowerment.

The minister said current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, following Khaleda Zia, had made education free for women through degree level. The conference discussed trade, investment, women entrepreneur development and expanded mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan. Japan’s ambassador to Bangladesh, the chief representative of JETRO, leaders of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries, businesspeople and women entrepreneurs attended.