Banks to make provisions for potential bad loans from 2028

Banks will have to keep provisions for potential losses before loans turn bad, from January 2028, according to a directive given by Bangladesh Bank (BB), which aims to enable lenders to detect the risk of credit deterioration in advance and enhance transparency in financial reporting.
9 March 2026, 00:00 AM

Emergency cabinet committee needed for macro risks: PRI

The government should form an emergency-level cabinet committee to closely monitor the country’s macroeconomic situation, as pressure is building across several key sectors, said Sadiq Ahmed, vice-chairman of the Policy Research Institute (PRI) of Bangladesh.
9 March 2026, 00:00 AM

Not everyone should get bank loans: PM’s adviser

In order to ensure increased participation of citizens in the private sector and cut dependence on bank loans, conditions may be imposed to compel firms to raise capital from public, said Prof Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the prime minister’s adviser to the ministries of finance and planning.
9 March 2026, 00:00 AM

Inflation hits 10-month high in February, crosses 9%

Supply gaps, Ramadan demand and poll-related spending drove the spike, economists say
9 March 2026, 00:00 AM

Chinese firm to invest $15.34 million in Bepza EZ

Flourish Garments Bangladesh Co Ltd, a China (Hong Kong)-based company, will invest $15.34 million to set up a high-end garment manufacturing factory at the Bepza Economic Zone (Bepza EZ) in Mirsharai, Chattogram.
9 March 2026, 00:00 AM

Dollar holds steady

The US dollar held broadly steady in Asian trade ​on Friday and was poised for its steepest weekly gain in more than a year as the escalating conflict in the Middle East drove demand for safe-haven ‌assets.
9 March 2026, 00:00 AM

Four to five garment factories may struggle to pay Eid bonus

Four to five garment factories may face difficulties paying workers’ salaries and bonuses ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr due to financial constraints, a vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said today.
8 March 2026, 22:11 PM

Trade bodies seek government guidance on energy outlook

Leaders of six trade bodies, mainly representing the textile and garment sectors, today urged the government to inform businesses about the current energy supply situation, as the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region may further aggravate the country’s energy crisis.
8 March 2026, 22:00 PM

US pump prices surge as Iran war upends global energy supply

US retail gasoline and diesel prices are soaring as the U.S.-Israel war with Iran constrains oil and fuel exports, which could be a political test for President Donald Trump's Republican Party ahead ​of midterm elections in November.
8 March 2026, 21:48 PM

From 1776 to 2026: Adam Smith’s lessons for the global economy

Tax the rich. Trash the tariffs. End monopolies. Such are the rallying calls of many of today's most heated economic debates. They could also come straight from the pen of revered economist Adam Smith, hailed by some as the "father of capitalism" and others as an early progressive.
8 March 2026, 21:30 PM

Fast fashion garments pile up in South Asia as Middle East conflict grounds planes

Shipments of garments for Zara owner ​Inditex and other major clothing retailers are stranded at airports in Bangladesh and India, according to three manufacturers, ‌as the conflict in the Middle East forces airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways to cancel flights.
8 March 2026, 20:42 PM

Stocks plunge 4.42%, biggest single-day slide since 2020

Bangladesh’s stock market today recorded its steepest single-day decline in six years amid concerns over energy supply linked to the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran in the Middle East.
8 March 2026, 18:00 PM

Inflation crosses 9% for the first time in nine months

Non-food inflation also rose during the month, reaching 9.01 percent from 8.81 percent in January
8 March 2026, 15:58 PM

Stocks tumble amid investors jittery over Iran war

The DSEX plunged 2.75 percent to 5,096.65 as of 12:30 pm
8 March 2026, 12:38 PM

Bangladesh educates its women, but leaves many without jobs

Bangladesh has made striking gains in educating its women. Universities and colleges now turn out more female graduates than ever before, nearly half of all students.
8 March 2026, 12:00 PM

Blanket accusations against businesses improper: Fahmida Khatun

Businesses involved in wrongdoing must be brought under the law, but genuine entrepreneurs should be allowed to run their operations without obstruction, said Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
8 March 2026, 00:16 AM

Bank deposit growth hits five-year high in 2025

Deposit growth in banks hit a five-year high at the end of December 2025 -- owing to a gradual recovery in confidence among savers.
8 March 2026, 00:00 AM

MFS emerges as fast-growing remittance channel

bKash alone handled Tk 20,000 crore in remittances last year. While the growth was substantial, the amount of remittance sent using MFS was only 5 percent of the total.
8 March 2026, 00:00 AM

How robust is the balance of payments?

There is considerable hype on social media about a big turnaround in the balance of payments (BoP) under the interim government.
8 March 2026, 00:00 AM

Form panel to tackle panic over Middle East crisis: economists

Eight leading economists meet with Bangladesh Bank governor
7 March 2026, 20:19 PM