Economy / Bangladesh

ECNEC okays 12 development projects worth Tk 71.5b

ECNEC okays 12 development projects worth Tk 71.5b

The government on Monday gave the nod to 12 development projects, including four revised schemes, involving a total of Tk 71.50 billion. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the eight fresh projects, two revised ones and extended execution time for two others a


Bangladesh Bank expands trade finance scope for OBUs

Bangladesh Bank expands trade finance scope for OBUs

The central bank has amended key provisions of its directive on Offshore Banking Units (OBUs) of scheduled banks, aiming to facilitate the country’s foreign trade, officials said. The Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Monday issued a notification amending the OBU guidelines, originally released on Jan

Internet banking transactions surge 47.5pc in Aug

Internet banking transactions surge 47.5pc in Aug

Internet banking transactions in Bangladesh posted a robust growth of about 47.5 per cent year-on-year in August 2025, reaching Tk 1.12 trillion from Tk 759.39 billion in the same month of 2024, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank (BB). Although the August figure was slightly l

AI holds huge promise, but BD must act fast

AI holds huge promise, but BD must act fast

Amid growing fears of job losses and disruption, experts believe artificial intelligence (AI) could unlock vast new economic opportunities for Bangladesh if managed wisely. While concerns persist over automation and its impact on employment, they argue that the country's focus should now shift tow

Project preparation delays cost country a huge sum

Project preparation delays cost country a huge sum

World Bank's loan confirmation without project preparation creates a hiatus making Bangladesh pay interest and other fees before fund utilisation begins, officials say about the financial waste. The mismatch has caused a financial gap of about US$1.5 billion between the active loans and the WB's

BB issues draft regulation for payment system operators

BB issues draft regulation for payment system operators

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has published the draft 'Payment System Operator (PSO) Regulation 2025'. This move is set to integrate the regulation with the existing Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2024. The central bank recently published the draft regulation seeking public feedback. After consultati

Shareholders of 5 troubled banks to get compensations: BB

Shareholders of 5 troubled banks to get compensations: BB

Bangladesh Bank (BB) today (Thursday) said that shareholders of five troubled banks will get compensation under the Bank Resolution Ordinance, 2025 (BRO 2025). “According to Section 40 of the BRO, 2025, if a scheduled bank under resolution is ultimately liquidated, and shareholders suffe

NBR rules out mid-yr tax hike before polls

NBR rules out mid-yr tax hike before polls

The government has firmly told the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it will not impose any new tax or raise the rate of existing ones before the next national budget that will be prepared under a new government. Officials said the stance reflects both legal and political considerations as th

October inflation edges down to 8.17pc

October inflation edges down to 8.17pc

Inflation in Bangladesh edged down with October recording 8.17 per cent, official data showed Wednesday, as food prices yielded some respite although nonfood necessities remained obdurate. Analysts say the inflation rate in the past month could have fallen further from previous month's count hadn'

Administrators appointed to 5 banks ahead of major merger

Administrators appointed to 5 banks ahead of major merger

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has appointed temporary administrators to each of the five struggling Shariah-based banks as part of its plan to merge them into a single entity under the Bank Resolution Ordinance.  Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Ahsan H Mansur today (Wednesday) confirmed it at a press co