Government Proposes Hike in Old Age and Widow Allowances in Upcoming Budget

Social safety net allocation and beneficiary coverage to expand in FY 2025-26 to improve living standards and reduce inequality The interim government has proposed an increase in both the number of beneficiaries and per capita allocations for various social safety net programs in the upcoming 2025-

In a historic first, the upcoming national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 will be presented live from the studio of Bangladesh Television (BTV). Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed is scheduled to announce the proposed budget, amounting to Tk 7.90 trillion, at 3 PM on Monday, June 2. The move

The presentation of the national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 will now take place at 3 PM on Monday, June 2, instead of the previously scheduled time of 4 PM. The revised timing was confirmed in an official government press release issued on Sunday, June 1. Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahm

Bangladesh is expected to receive approximately $3.5 billion in external financial support by June 2025, including $1.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and around $2 billion from various international development partners. The anticipated disbursement comes as part of the country'

The second trading day of the week closed with a mixed outcome for Bangladesh’s capital markets. While the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) recorded a notable increase in turnover and an upward movement in its main index, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) experienced a decline in trade volume, though

A new platform to strengthen trade ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the Pakistan-Bangladesh Business Forum, was inaugurated at a ceremony held at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka on April 28, 2025. The forum is set to enhance bilateral business relations by fostering greater cooperation betw

Bangladesh Bank has reported that expatriates sent a total of $2.27 billion in remittances during the first 26 days of April. Additionally, in March, coinciding with Ramadan and Eid celebrations, a record $3.29 billion in remittances was received by the country. According to the latest Bangladesh B

India’s decision to discontinue transshipment facilities for goods exported from Bangladesh is unlikely to adversely affect the country’s export sector, Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin said on Thursday. Speaking at the inauguration of the two-day ‘Meet Bangladesh Exposition’ held at the ICC

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin emphasized the immense potential for expanding trade between Bangladesh and China’s Yunnan Province during a meeting with Yunnan Governor Wang Yubo on Sunday afternoon, April 20. The discussion took place at the conference room of the Ministry of Commerce in Dh

Bangladesh's total foreign exchange reserves have edged closer to the $27 billion mark, according to the latest data released by the Bangladesh Bank. As of April 17, 2025, the gross reserves stood at $26.73 billion, reflecting a gradual increase in the country’s reserve position. However, when me

Bangladesh's foreign currency reserves witnessed a notable boost in March, crossing the $25 billion mark, primarily driven by a significant inflow of remittances. According to Bangladesh Bank, remittance inflow for the month of March amounted to $3.29 billion, which is equivalent to Tk 40,138 crore

In February, Bangladesh’s overall inflation rate dropped to 9.32%, the lowest in 22 months. While this might seem like a positive development, the reality for low and middle-income families remains grim. Their real incomes are shrinking, and their purchasing power is eroding, leaving them in a pre

Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has announced that the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 will be realistic and not excessively large. Speaking at a pre-budget discussion with media representatives and journalists at the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, he emphasized that the budget

In the three months from October to December 2024, the number of millionaire account holders in Bangladesh’s banks increased by nearly 5,000. According to the latest report from the Bangladesh Bank, by the end of December, the number of bank accounts holding over one crore taka (10 million taka) r

The prices of essential commodities have significantly decreased over the past five months, according to data collected by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). Compared to last year’s Ramadan, most items, including rice, wheat, lentils, chicken, eggs, fish, soybean oil, palm oil, sugar, sa

In February 2024, Bangladesh received remittances worth 2.52billion,markingasignificantincreaseof252.52billion,markingasignificantincreaseof252.02 billion, making this year’s figure $506 million higher.Arif Hussain Khan, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Bank, shared this information on Sunday.

On February 22, 2025, Bangladesh witnessed a substantial increase in remittance inflows, with expatriates legally sending 192.99 million USD to the country through banking channels. The total amount, based on the exchange rate of 122 BDT per USD, was approximately 23,546 crore BDT. This resulted in

Despite fluctuations in the indices, overall transactions showed an upward trend, reflecting growing investor participation.According to the weekly market update, the market capitalization at the beginning of the week was BDT 6,89,739.90 crore. By the end of the week, it had risen to BDT 6,95,191.58

Bangladesh’s exports to India have surpassed $1.11 billion in the first seven months (July-January) of the current 2024-25 fiscal year, marking a 14.66% increase compared to the same period last fiscal year. Despite political transitions and diplomatic tensions following the fall of the Sheikh Has

Today, Sunday, February 16, marks the final day for individual taxpayers to submit their annual income tax returns. After today, taxpayers will no longer be able to file their returns without incurring penalties.Previously, the deadline for tax return submission was extended three times. The Nationa

The pharmaceutical and chemical sector of the country’s stock market comprises 34 listed companies. Among them, 28 have published their financial reports for the October-December 2024 quarter. According to the disclosed data, 13 companies recorded an increase in earnings per share (EPS), while 8 c

Bangladesh received $2.19 billion in remittances in January 2024, marking the sixth consecutive month of inflows exceeding $2 billion. According to the latest report from Bangladesh Bank, this amount, based on an exchange rate of 122 BDT per USD, translates to approximately 26,718 crore BDT.The cent

Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin has stated that there is no difference between bottled and loose oil except for the price. Speaking as the chief guest at a policy conclave on "Rational Pricing of Food Products: Exploring Market Oversight Strategies" held at a local hotel in Dhaka on Sunday, he e

The government has approved separate proposals to procure rice, lentils, and sugar to meet national demand and stabilize the market. The decision was made during the 5th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Government Procurement (ACGP), held on Tuesday at the Cabinet Division conference room in the

Bangladesh has received $1.68 billion in remittances during the first 25 days of January 2025, according to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank (BB). This amount reflects an average of $67 million in remittances sent by expatriates every day.If the current pace continues, remittances for the entire

In the first half of the current 2024-25 fiscal year, spanning July to December, the government’s revenue collection fell significantly short of its target. Against a projected revenue target of Tk 2,14,000 crore for this period, actual revenue collection stood at Tk 1,56,276 crore, leaving a defi

The government has announced plans to import rice from Vietnam to stabilize domestic supply and market prices. A bilateral meeting under the Government-to-Government (G2G) framework will take place on Wednesday, January 22, to discuss and finalize the procurement process. This information was disclo

Dhaka: The recent hike in Value Added Tax (VAT) has sparked public debate, but Economic Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed has assured that the rationale behind the decision will be disclosed in due time. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after a meeting of the Government Procurement Advisory Council at the Se

ঢাকা জেলা প্রশাসন রাজধানীর ছয়টি স্থানে ‘জনতার বাজার’ চালুর উদ্যোগ নিয়েছে, যা নিত্যপ্রয়োজনীয় খাদ্যপণ্যের দাম �

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has identified inflation as the most significant risk for Bangladesh in 2025, according to its Global Risk Report released on January 16. The report highlights natural disasters, including floods and heatwaves, alongside pollution, as major threats to South Asia’s ec

The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been increased again following the recent hike in value-added tax (VAT) on a range of goods and services. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced on Tuesday (January 14) that the price for a 12kg LPG cylinder has been adjusted to Tk

The state-owned banks in Bangladesh have witnessed an unprecedented surge in officer promotions, with nearly 10,000 officers being elevated in positions, despite the absence of official vacancies. This mass promotion was carried out in four major state-owned banks following the interim government's

Bangladesh currently has sufficient foreign exchange reserves to sustain imports for the next four months, Central Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated during an event in Dhaka on Saturday. Speaking at the "Branding Bangladesh" program held at a local hotel, he assured that the economy remains s

Chattogram Port Authority has embarked on a mission to encourage shipping agents to transport goods using larger vessels, significantly reducing time, cost, and operational risks for importers and exporters. The strategic use of port channels, jetties, berths, equipment, and yards is contributing to

Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin has highlighted the potential for exponential growth in trade between Bangladesh and Türkiye. He stated that Türkiye has expressed keen interest in investing in sectors such as renewable energy, machinery, infrastructure, and construction.Speaking to journalists a

The Bangladesh government has decided to import an additional 50,000 tons of non-basmati boiled rice from India to maintain national food security. The rice will be procured through an international open tender, with the purchase price set at 55.06 Bangladeshi Taka per kilogram. The total cost for i

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), inflation in the country decreased slightly in December but remains above 10%. In November, inflation stood at 11.38%, which has decreased in December. Last month, food inflation dropped to 12.92%, compared to 13.80% in the previous month. At t

Bangladesh's garment industry has shown resilience, maintaining steady export growth despite significant challenges stemming from political upheaval and labor unrest. Between July and December 2024, the country exported apparel worth $19.88 billion, a 13.28% increase compared to $17.56 billion durin

Bangladesh’s export earnings saw a remarkable rise of 17.72% in December 2024, compared to the same month in the previous year. The export revenue for December 2024 was recorded at $393.09 million, up from $334.67 million in December 2023.The significant increase was driven by the country’s read

As 2025 begins, the economy faces significant challenges requiring careful attention to key macroeconomic indicators. Persistent inflation, energy supply disruptions, banking sector instability, sluggish investments, inadequate employment opportunities, foreign debt management, revenue generation, a

In December, Bangladesh achieved a historic milestone in remittance inflows, with expatriates sending $2.63 billion, the highest monthly figure in the country’s history. The previous record was set in July 2020, when remittances reached $2.59 billion. This data was revealed in the latest report fr

The global commodity market is predicted to face significant instability in 2025, according to a forecast by Reuters. The report suggests that the implementation of economic policies announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump could disrupt global trade flows and impact market dynamics. During h

To streamline the tax return submission and payment process for the 2024-25 fiscal year, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) launched an online tax return system on September 9. Through the NBR website, individual taxpayers can efficiently prepare and submit their returns online. The NBR has urged a

Bangladesh Bank has taken measures to address the instability in the foreign exchange market caused by the growing demand for the US dollar, according to bank officials. These initiatives aim to stabilize the exchange rate and ensure transparency in the market.One of the key steps implemented is the

In the first 28 days of December, Bangladesh has received $242 million in remittances through legal channels, translating to approximately 29,040 crore Bangladeshi Taka (at the rate of 1 USD = 120 BDT). On average, this means the country has been receiving $8.64 million in remittances daily during t

The government has extended the deadline for submitting annual income tax returns by one month for individual and corporate taxpayers. The announcement was made on Sunday evening, December 24, through a notification issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR).According to the notification, the pre

In the first 21 days of December, remittances worth $2.073 billion entered Bangladesh through legal channels, equivalent to over BDT 24,000 crore (calculated at BDT 120 per USD). On average, daily remittances stood at $95.5 million, or BDT 1,145 crore.The latest report released by the Bangladesh Ban

The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have approved a combined budget support of $1.1 billion to expedite reform and development activities of the interim government. The approval includes two budget support loans of $500 million and $600 million, which are expected to be received by t

Economic Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed has assured that the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 will aim to shield poor citizens from excessive tax burdens. Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Thursday, he emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring economic equity while ad

Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserves have increased to $19.20 billion, equivalent to $1,920.44 million, as per the latest data released by Bangladesh Bank on Thursday. The reserve calculation follows the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) methodology set by t

The Integrated Power and Energy Master Plan (IEPMP) developed for Bangladesh with Japan’s assistance has come under criticism for being economically unviable and incompatible with global climate commitments. Yuki Tanabe, Project Director of the Japan Center for Sustainable Environment and Society

Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have shown an upward trend, marking a notable recovery. After months of decline, the reserves, calculated under the BPM-6 accounting standard, have reached $19.2 billion. However, the net international reserves (NIR), which represent the expendable reserves, re

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has projected that it will take at least one year to bring inflation to a sustainable level. Speaking at a seminar organized by BRAC EPL in the capital on Thursday night, he outlined the ongoing economic challenges and the measures being taken to address

The number of bank accounts holding deposits exceeding one crore taka decreased significantly by 1,657 in the September quarter, with a corresponding drop in deposits amounting to 26,187 crore taka, according to a report by the central bank. This decline follows the political transition in August, w

The Bangladesh government has approved multiple proposals for the procurement of fuel worth approximately Tk 22,000 crore from Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia. The approval was granted on Wednesday during the 16th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (C

The Bangladesh Retired Police Officers Welfare Association has strongly condemned alleged Indian aggression and anti-Bangladesh activities. In a statement submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, the association outlined six key demands and pledged their readiness to protect the na

The ongoing mid-term review meeting between Bangladesh Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Dhaka is focusing on introducing more dynamic methods for managing the dollar exchange rate system.Hosne Ara Shikha, the spokesperson and executive director of Bangladesh Bank, revealed that disc

In response to a market supply shortage, soybean oil refiners have announced an increase of Tk 8 per liter in prices after consultations with the government. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (BVORBMA) disclosed the new pricing at a meeting held at the Min

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million loan to support the development of infrastructure in Bangladesh’s private sector. This funding aims to enhance the capacity of local financial units to invest in critical infrastructure projects.In a statement released on Monday, Decembe

The stock market experienced its lowest trading volume in four months, with turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) plummeting to just over 200 crore BDT on Sunday. This marks the lowest single-day transaction since the interim government assumed office amid the country’s political transition.O

Despite notable growth in exports and remittance inflows, Bangladesh's foreign currency reserves have continued to deplete over the past four months, from August to November. During this period, exports grew by over 8%, and remittance inflows increased by nearly 35%. Yet, the central bank's reserves

The Bangladesh Bank has lifted restrictions on the opening of letters of credit (LCs) for six banks previously facing significant financial and governance challenges. These banks—Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and Bangladesh Commerce Ba

In the wake of an economic crisis that led to the downfall of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's government two years ago, Sri Lanka has seen a remarkable shift in its economic situation. Facing severe economic collapse, with inflation soaring to nearly 70% at the time and a complete lack of foreign cur

Sheikh Bashiruddin, the Trade Adviser, shared a bitter experience from the past when he struggled to secure a gas connection during the previous Awami League government's tenure. Speaking at a seminar on Saturday, November 23, in a hotel in Gulshan, he recalled waiting in the rain in front of a form

The country’s stock market continues its downward trajectory, with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) experiencing a sharp decline in both share prices and trading volumes. On Thursday, the DSE's benchmark index, DSEX, fell by 47 points to close at 5,197. Trading volume for the day reached a mere Tk 3

The government has reduced the Value Added Tax (VAT) on edible oil imports from 10% to 5% in an effort to stabilize the supply in the market. This decision was announced on Tuesday, November 19, through a notification issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR).According to the NBR, the reduction

Dhaka, November 18 – The Bangladesh Bank has instructed all scheduled bank branches in the country to maintain a minimum stock of 1, 2, and 5 Taka coins to meet public demand. This directive aims to ensure the smooth availability of these coins for daily transactions.According to a circular issued

Despite a rise in market indices, trading activity in Bangladesh’s capital market saw a notable dip last week. According to the Dhaka Stock Exchange’s (DSE) weekly report, the benchmark index, DSEX, grew by 0.73%, while the average daily turnover dropped by 8.55%.A detailed review shows that the

In a recent seminar, experts warned that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) could result in job losses for nearly 5.4 million workers in Bangladesh. They expressed concerns over the potential impacts on the national economy, while also pointing to new opportunities that could emerge if the chall

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur stated that while inflation control measures have been implemented, it will take around eight more months to see a significant reduction. Speaking at the third Bangladesh Economic Summit on Monday, November 11, he emphasized that no country sees immediate

With lower-than-expected earnings, major projects like the Cox’s Bazar Railway, Dhaka Metro Rail, Karnaphuli Tunnel, and Padma Bridge Railway Connection are creating financial pressures on Bangladesh's national budget, requiring government subsidies to meet loan repayments.In the last two years, B

Over 7,860 Crore Taka in Remittances Inflow, with Daily Average Exceeding 873 Crore TakaIn the first nine days of November 2024, Bangladesh received $650.5 million in remittances. This amounts to approximately 7,860 crore Taka, assuming an exchange rate of 120 Taka per dollar. The average daily remi

Rice prices in Bangladesh are experiencing severe instability, with prices increasing daily despite an adequate supply of rice in the market. In the last few weeks, the price per 50 kg bag has surged by 200-250 BDT. In the past month alone, rice prices have risen by an average of up to 8%. Market in