Bangladesh’s trade deficit widened nearly 24% to $23.98 billion during the first 11 months of fiscal 2025-26 as exports declined and imports of capital machinery and industrial materials weakened.
Prime minister Tarique Rahman urged global investors to become long-term partners in Bangladesh’s economic transformation, pledging reforms aimed at building a $1 trillion economy by 2034.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin may resign soon as discussions surrounding his departure intensify, according to media reports citing government and political sources.
Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue plans to collect an additional 1.25 lakh crore taka, approximately $10.1 billion, as the government negotiates a new $4.5 billion to $5 billion loan with the International Monetary Fund.
Bangladesh has ranked 97th in the Henley Passport Index 2026, sharing the position with North Korea and remaining among the world’s weakest passports.
Bangladesh plans to privatize state-owned electricity distribution companies as energy shortages disrupt industrial production and increase the risk of businesses defaulting on loans, a government minister said.
Bangladesh is battling simultaneous dengue and measles outbreaks that have strained hospitals and intensified calls for mosquito control and emergency vaccination.
Bangladesh’s worsening gas shortage has stalled industrial projects, disrupted factories and placed billions of dollars in investments and bank loans at risk, business and energy leaders warned Wednesday.
Sylhet district authorities have begun raids against 14 private hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers operating without renewed licenses after receiving a request for legal action from the divisional health directorate.
Bangladesh’s economic growth slowed sharply in the January-March quarter as industrial production contracted and agriculture and services lost momentum.
