The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has instructed banks to keep their branches open on Saturday to facilitate election-related financial transactions ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

The government has reduced customs duty on date imports by 10 percent ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan to keep prices stable.

The government has extended the value-added tax (VAT) exemption on metro rail services until June 30, 2026, aiming to keep fares affordable and encourage wider use of the mass transit system.

The government has approved a revised budget of Tk 7.88 lakh crore for the current fiscal year 2025-26.

Midland Bank PLC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Marco Polo Dhaka Hotel to provide special privileges to its cardholders.

Bangladesh is facing a moderate form of stagflation, said Zahid Hussain, a former lead economist at the World Bank’s Dhaka office, as economic growth remains weak, inflation stays high, and job creation has been limited in recent years.

Despite a modest fall in prices, rice inflation remained elevated in November, continuing to exert significant pressure on overall food inflation.

The ongoing downturn in the country’s housing sector is not permanent, and the industry will recover once market confidence returns, said Md Reazul Islam, chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), amid concerns over falling sales, rising costs, and regulatory hurdles.

The capital market opened 2025 with a tentative sense of hope.

Under the initiative of Bangladesh Bank, IFIC Bank PLC, as the lead bank, organised a series of day-long programmes in Jashore on December 23 to promote the expansion of the Cashless Bangladesh Initiative.

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has urged the government to extend the cash incentive on export receipts for three more years, until December 2028, to support the struggling textile industry.

The election was held at the association's 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Banani Club in Dhaka on Saturday,

The revised budget has a total revenue collection target of Tk 5.88 lakh crore

The reduced rate will remain in force until March 31, 2026

The existing VAT waiver was set to expire on December 31, 2025

The aquaculture sector must tackle major challenges to sustain future growth, focusing on quality improvement, food safety standards and certification, post-harvest handling, processing, and value addition, experts said yesterday.

Citizens Bank PLC opened a branch in Chatkhil of Noakhali on December 22.

Trust Bank PLC and Heguang Electronic Distribution Co Ltd (OPPO Bangladesh) have signed a deed of agreement to facilitate smartphone purchases for the bank’s customers.

Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) organised the second edition of the SKYSPHERE: EBL Digital Excellence Awards 2025, celebrating partner organisations and merchants whose contributions have significantly advanced the bank’s growth and digital transformation journey over the past year.

The government has finally approved the long-pending modernisation and expansion project of Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL), the country’s only fuel oil refinery, opting to implement it with state financing after shelving an earlier joint venture plan with S Alam Group.