The United States announced Tuesday a first tranche of investments by Japan out of a colossal $550 billion promised by Tokyo in its trade deal with President Donald Trump.

The commitments of $36 billion for three infrastructure projects came as Japan comes under pressure to deliver on its pledges made in 2025 in return for lower US trade tariffs.

“Japan is now officially, and financially, moving forward with the FIRST set of Investments under its $550 BILLION Dollar Commitment to invest in the United States of America,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“The scale of these projects are so large, and could not be done without one very special word, TARIFFS,” he wrote.

The announcement came ahead of a scheduled trip by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to the White House next month following Trump’s visit to Japan in October.

Takaichi said Wednesday the projects would “strengthen the Japan-US alliance by enabling Japan and the United States to jointly build resilient supply chains in strategically important areas for economic security -- such as critical minerals, energy, and AI/data centers”.

“We believe these initiatives truly embody the purpose of this Strategic Investment Initiative, namely the promotion of mutual benefit between Japan and the United States, the enhancement of economic security, and the promotion of economic growth,” Takaichi said on X.

“Going forward, we will continue to work closely together between Japan and the United States to further refine the details of each project and ensure that they can be implemented promptly and smoothly,” she added.

The projects are a natural gas facility in Ohio, a deep-water oil export facility in the Gulf of Mexico, and a synthetic diamond manufacturing facility.

US Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick called the announcements the “MASSIVE AMERICA FIRST TRADE WIN”.

The natural gas generation facility will be the “largest in history”, generating 9.2 gigawatts of power, Lutnick said on X.

Takaichi said that it would supply electricity to AI data centers and similar facilities.

At full capacity it would be the equivalent of nine nuclear reactors or the power consumed by about 7.4 million homes, Bloomberg News reported.

The oil project will generate $20–30 billion annually in US crude exports and “reinforce America’s position as the world’s leading energy supplier,” Lutnick said.

The facility making synthetic diamond grit -- where China dominates supplies -- will ensure that the United States is no longer reliant on foreign imports, Lutnick said.

“Japan is providing the capital (for all three projects). The infrastructure is being built in the United States,” the US commerce secretary added.

“The proceeds are structured so Japan earns its return, and America gains strategic assets, expanded industrial capacity, and strengthened energy dominance,” he said.

‘REBUILD AND EXPAND’

In July, Tokyo had agreed to invest $550 billion through 2029 “to rebuild and expand core American industries,” according to the White House.

The pledge was made in exchange for reducing threatened US tariffs of 25 percent to 15 percent on Japanese imports.

Japanese trade minister Ryosei Akazawa has said that only one to two percent of the $550 billion would be actual capital.

The rest will be made up of bonds and loans from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and credits with public guarantees.

The clock has been ticking ahead of Takaichi’s planned White House visit on March 19, and according to media reports, tempers were starting to fray.

In January, Trump told South Korea -- meant to invest $350 billion -- that he would raise tariffs because it was “not living up to its Deal”.

Analysts say that Japanese companies may be wary because of lack of clarity on the administrative and financial procedures and concerns about US labor shortages.

The newly formed government will take steps to defer Bangladesh's graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, said Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat today (18 February), the minister said the government is committed to pursuing a delay in LDC graduation and will take "all required measures" to achieve that goal.

The initiative has already been launched by the Ministry of Commerce in coordination with the Economic Relations Division (ERD), he added.

Referring to long-standing demands from business associations, the minister said the issue is being treated with the highest priority. Although there is no obligation to submit a formal request within the first week of taking office, work on the matter has already begun, he said.

Exports must be diversified

Addressing the recent slowdown in exports, the minister noted that Bangladesh's export structure remains heavily concentrated, with nearly 85% of total exports dependent on a single product category.

"To overcome this vulnerability, we must diversify our export basket, introduce new products and expand into new markets," he said. The government also aims to support private sector entrepreneurs willing to invest and expand operations.

He pointed to global trade uncertainties, particularly sudden shifts in US tariff policy, as contributing factors. As a developing economy with limited margins for error, Bangladesh cannot afford policy missteps, he said, adding that the government will work to reverse the recent sluggish trend in trade and investment.

Ramadan market a 'major test'

On concerns over price stability during Ramadan, the minister said the government has sufficient stocks of essential commodities and adequate pipeline supplies to ensure market stability.

"If supply remains normal, the market will remain stable. There is no reason for panic," he said.

Responding to questions about alleged market syndicates that often surface during Ramadan, the minister said he prefers results over rhetoric. "I will not give sound bites; Inshallah, I will demonstrate through action," he remarked.

He attributed price hikes at the beginning of Ramadan to a one-time surge in demand, as consumers often purchase for the entire month at once, temporarily increasing pressure on retail markets.

Investment climate key to growth

On domestic and foreign investment, the minister stressed that uncertainty discourages investors. "The first condition for investment is stability. Investors need assurance of expected returns on their capital and labour," he said.

Bangladesh has a large working-age population, with approximately 2 to 2.2 million people entering the labour market annually. However, stagnant investment over the past two to three years has created mounting pressure on employment and economic growth, he warned.

Responding to a question about whether managing Ramadan immediately after assuming office poses a challenge, the minister described it as a significant test for the government.

"This is not about any individual—it is about the country," he said, urging cooperation from the media and all stakeholders. "If we work together and correct mistakes when they occur, we can move the country forward."

Newly appointed Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury today (18 February) announced a 100-day action plan focused on strengthening labour welfare, improving industrial relations, enhancing workplace safety and ensuring effective implementation of labour laws.

"Our mission is one. People's expectations are high, and we must work accordingly. To deliver results, we have to work as a team," he said while addressing officials and employees of the ministry on his first working day after taking oath as minister.

He stressed that all activities would be guided by the party's election manifesto and existing policy guidelines. "If we work together with sincerity, we will succeed," he added.

The minister said, "The ministry would review activities carried out over the past year to identify gaps and areas needing improvement. This is our country. We must determine what we aim to achieve within the next 100 days."

Addressing officials, he urged them to utilise their experience and strictly follow the Rules of Business in discharging their duties. "We will not go beyond the rules. Inform the appropriate authorities clearly about what is necessary," he said.

Highlighting the upcoming holy month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr, the minister directed officials to remain proactive to prevent labour unrest, particularly in labour-intensive industries and factories.

State Minister for Labour and Employment Nurul Haque Nur, who also joined the meeting, proposed preparing a three-month work plan to demonstrate tangible achievements and ensure stability in the industrial sector ahead of Eid.

Senior officials of the ministry, including Secretary Sarwar Jahan Bhuiyan, were present at the meeting.

MEP Hi-Tech Industrial Park Limited, a concern of MEP Group, will invest Tk 200 crore to set up a modern electrical and electronic products manufacturing facility on nearly 10 acres of land at the National Special Economic Zone in Chattogram.

A land lease agreement was signed between the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) and MEP Hi-Tech Industrial Park Limited at Beza’s office in Dhaka’s Agargaon today, according to a press release.

The factory will produce electrical wires, switches and sockets, fans, LED lights, circuit breakers, and other related products, aiming to reduce the country’s reliance on imports and expand local manufacturing capacity.

Established in 1974, MEP Hi-Tech Industrial Park Limited is a business conglomerate with around 2,000 corporate clients and more than 1,000 distribution networks nationwide.

Construction of the project is scheduled to begin in April 2026 and is expected to be completed by December 2028, with commercial production targeted for January 2029.

Once fully operational, the facility is expected to generate employment for around 2,000 people directly and indirectly.

Saleh Ahmed, executive member for investment development at Beza, said the Tk 200 crore investment by a domestic industrial group would support import substitution, export diversification, and technology-driven industrialisation.

Jahangir Alam Chaklader, managing director of MEP Group, said the project would strengthen local production of electrical goods and contribute to the country’s export prospects in the future.

Currently, around 15 industrial units are in operation at the National Special Economic Zone, while about 20 more are under construction.

Ahead of Ramadan, prices of essential items have surged at Karwan Bazar, one of Dhaka's main wholesale and retail centres. High-demand iftar goods, such as chickpeas, sugar, dates, cucumber, lemon, and lentils, have risen 10% - 30%.

A market survey shows chickpeas selling at Tk100-110 per kg, up slightly from a few days ago. Packaged sugar is Tk100-105, loose sugar over Tk110, and lentils range from Tk120-180 per kg depending on quality.

Lemon prices have risen to Tk80-100 per set of four, with larger sizes costing more. Cucumbers now sell at Tk100-120 per kg and eggplant at Tk 90-120 per kg.

Prices of spices and cooking ingredients have also risen. Green chillies sell at Tk200-240 per kg, while onions remain steady at Tk60-70 per kg.

Broiler chicken costs Tk190-200 per kg and eggs costs Tk130-160 per dozen. Egg seller Nazmul Hossain said, "We bought eggs at higher prices for Ramadan, but don't expect to make excessive profit."

Merchants said the market for iftar items usually heats up before Ramadan, with wholesale price adjustments, transport costs, and stockpiling driving prices up.

Shajahan Khan of Selim Store told Business Standard, "We are buying everything at higher prices, and transport costs are unavoidable. There isn't much room for extra profit."

Lemon prices have risen to Tk80-120 per four pieces from Tk60-100 last week. Green chillies now sell at Tk180-240 per kg, up from Tk140-180 previously.

Regular Karwan Bazar customer Shahin Ali said, "Prices always rise during Ramadan. This pressure is very hard for us. The government should strengthen market monitoring."

Exports from the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest US gateway for ocean trade, fell 8 percent in January to the lowest monthly output in nearly three years, Executive Director Gene Seroka said on Tuesday.

"Exports to China look dismal," Seroka said after the Port of Los Angeles handled 104,297 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of loaded export containers in January.

President Trump's aggressive use of tariffs has upended global trade and retaliatory trade duties from China and other nations have hit US exporters like farmers particularly hard.

Soybean shipments from the Port of Los Angeles to China dropped 80 percent last year, Seroka said, adding that the trade did not improve in November or December, following discussions between representatives of the two nations on the sidelines at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.

"There's not much that the United States is exporting to China these days," said trade expert Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute of Economics, who added that outgoing US shipments of everything from beef and corn to crude oil and coal also fell in 2025.

Closely watched imports to the Port of Los Angeles came in at 421,594 TEUs in January, down 13 percent from the unusually strong result the year earlier, Seroka said.

So far, imports in February appear relatively flat compared with a year earlier. Imports will slow in March due to China factory closures for the Lunar New Year holiday, he said.

Still, Seroka expects total first-quarter volume at the port to fall less than 10 percent versus the year-earlier quarter, when US importers were rushing in goods before President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs on countries like China took effect.

"I don't see the economy or cargo volume dropping off a cliff after that, and even though holiday sales were softer than we would have liked, I don't see a dire situation," Seroka said, referring to lackluster US December retail sales that signaled potential weakness in consumer spending that drives about 70 percent of the nation's total economic activity.

As growth in traditional markets such as the United States and European Union slows, Bangladesh is accelerating efforts to deepen economic engagement with Africa, with total trade nearing $4 billion.

According to data from the Export Promotion Bureau, the Bangladesh Bank and the National Board of Revenue, African exports to Bangladesh stood at $3.76 billion in the fiscal 2022-23, $2.84 billion in FY24 and $2.90 billion in FY25.

During July-January of FY26, imports reached $2.01 billion.

Bangladesh's exports to Africa also show steady growth – $367 million in FY23, $386.5 million in FY24 and $417.7 million in FY25.

Exports during July-January FY26 totalled $271 million.

Major African import sources include Morocco, South Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Mali and Algeria.

Business leaders say Africa offers stronger growth prospects compared to saturated markets in North America and Europe, particularly in IT-enabled services, pharmaceuticals and garments.

South Africa gains strategic importance

South Africa, a member of BRICS, has emerged as a key partner. Bangladesh's High Commissioner to South Africa, Shah Ahmed Shafi, said Pretoria is increasingly important to Dhaka's diversification strategy.

South Africa, with a population of about 63 million and GDP exceeding $400 billion, is Africa's most industrialised economy. KwaZulu-Natal, its second-largest contributor to GDP after Gauteng, has shown interest in Bangladeshi pharmaceutical investment.

Bangladesh's exports to South Africa rose from $119 million in FY23 to $124.2 million in FY25. South African exports to Bangladesh stood at $176 million in FY25.

Total official economic engagement between the two countries surpassed $800 million in FY25, including trade and remittance flows.

Remittances hit record levels

Remittances from expatriate Bangladeshis in South Africa have surged. In FY25, they sent home over $402.9 million. During July-January FY26 alone, remittances reached nearly $395.4 million, setting a new record.

Officials estimate that up to 30% of remittances flow through informal channels. Roughly 4,00,000–5,00,000 Bangladeshis are believed to reside in South Africa, largely engaged in small and medium businesses.

Bankers suggest that with policy support and incentives, Bangladesh's economic engagement with South Africa could reach $1 billion in 2026.

Expanding multilateral engagement

Commonwealth Observer Group Chair and former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo recently invited Bangladesh to invest in Africa's jute sector.

Meanwhile, South African High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anil Sooklal stressed the need to enhance trade visibility and people-to-people ties. He highlighted pharmaceuticals, education, culture, sports and private sector collaboration as priority areas.

Honorary Consul Md Solaiman Alam Seth said Bangladesh's steady growth, women's empowerment in garments and resilience in disaster management position it well to expand engagement with Africa's rising economies.

The Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has urged the government to prioritise foreign direct investment (FDI)-friendly policies, backed by structural and regulatory reforms to strengthen investor confidence and ensure sustainable economic growth.

In a press release, the chamber said it stands ready to work closely with the government to improve the investment climate, attract quality foreign investment, support economic reforms, generate employment and reinforce the country’s economic foundations.

The chamber also congratulated the newly formed government following the swearing-in of the cabinet, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and other members of the parliament.

FICCI expressed hope that the new leadership’s vision for national progress would translate into timely and effective actions to accelerate economic growth and foster a favourable investment environment.

FICCI President Rupali Chowdhury said the new leadership had assumed office at a defining moment in the country’s history. “We wish the government every success in steering the country forward,” she said.

She emphasised the need to restore investor confidence, improve the ease of doing business, reduce operational costs, ensure policy predictability and pursue business-friendly reforms.

Highlighting the role of foreign direct investment, she said FDI remains critical for driving sustainable growth, creating jobs and enhancing Bangladesh’s global competitiveness.

Shares of S Alam Cold Rolled Steels Limited surged 9.59% today (18 February) to close at Tk16 on the Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC (DSE), capping a sharp rally that has seen the stock gain 50% so far in February.

Since 1 February, the company's share price climbed from Tk10.7 to Tk16 as of today, despite ongoing operational and financial challenges. Yesterday (17 February) saw some 14.31 lakh shares traded, with a turnover of Tk2.23 crore.

The rally comes even after the DSE downgraded the company from "B" to "Z" category on 4 January 2026 under a directive of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). The downgrade followed the company's failure to hold its annual general meeting within the stipulated timeframe.

In line with another BSEC directive, stockbrokers and merchant bankers have been instructed to refrain from providing margin loan facilities to purchase the company's shares from the same date.

Company officials have attributed the non-holding annual general meeting due to the absence of its directors. They also reported operational disruptions due to raw material shortages, caused by difficulties in opening letters of credit as banks were uncooperative.

The firm, the only listed entity under the controversial S Alam Group, recently disclosed that its bank accounts have been frozen and that restrictions on opening LCs have severely hampered production.

Several banks, including Janata Bank and Islami Bank, have initiated processes to auction the company's assets to recover mounting defaulted loans.

Financial disclosures paint a challenging picture. For the first nine months of FY24, the company reported revenue of Tk388.82 crore, down 18% year-on-year, while profit plunged 56% to Tk2.50 crore.

In FY23, it posted a net profit of Tk4.78 crore and declared a 5% cash dividend.

However, the company has yet to publish its annual accounts for FY24 and FY25 and has also missed the deadline for releasing its first-quarter FY25 financial statements.

Stocks continued their losing streak for a third consecutive session today (18 February), as cautious investors trimmed positions despite the formation of a new government following the 13th parliamentary election.

The benchmark DSEX of the Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC fell 51 points, or 0.92%, to close at 5,519, marking a three-day decline of 81 points.

Market capitalisation dropped by around Tk7,500 crore, reflecting broad-based selling pressure. The DS30 index of blue-chip stocks also fell 16 points, or 0.76%, to settle at 2,110.

Market breadth remained heavily negative, with 286 issues declining, 82 advancing, and 25 unchanged. Turnover tumbled 23% to Tk935 crore, indicating reduced investor participation amid mounting uncertainty.

The market slide comes after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured victory in the 13th parliamentary election and took oath yesterday (17 February).

While the DSEX had surged 200 points on 15 February, the first trading day after the election, initial optimism quickly faded.

Market insiders said investors are cautious, awaiting clarity on leadership at the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). Uncertainty persists over whether the current chairman and commissioners will remain in their roles or be replaced under the new administration.

EBL Securities said the election-driven rally has retreated for a third straight session, weighed down by persistent profit-booking.

"Market participants are watchful, assessing potential policy directions and the regulatory environment under the newly elected government," the firm added.

Day-long volatility dominated trading as profit-taking continued amid weak buying support. Major blue-chip stocks faced sustained selling pressure, pushing indices further into the red.

Among turnover leaders were Square Pharma, Asiatic Laboratories, Dhaka Bank, City Bank, and Pragati Life Insurance, showing that major stocks continued to dominate trading activity despite the overall decline.

On the gainers' list, Nahee Aluminum rose 9.79%, followed by S Alam Cold Rolled Steels, National Bank, Bangladesh Building System, and Pragati Life Insurance.

However, losers far outnumbered gainers, with Union Capital down 8.33%, Premier Bank 8.19%, Jute Spinners 7.62%, IFIC Bank 7.46%, and Generation Next 7.14%.

Meanwhile, the Chittagong Stock Exchange PLC also closed lower. The CSCX index fell 62 points to 9,463, while the CASPI dropped 84 points to 15,429. Turnover at the port city bourse stood at Tk22 crore.

The government has begun the process to seek a deferral of the country’s scheduled graduation from the least developed country (LDC) club at the end of this year, newly appointed Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said yesterday.

“The process has been initiated by the Ministry of Commerce, and in coordination with the Economic Relations Division (ERD), necessary communications and procedures will be expedited,” a commerce ministry statement said.

Business leaders had been urging the authorities to delay the graduation, prompting the new government to act swiftly.

“Although there was no obligation to send a letter in this regard within the first week, the government has started working on the issue from today [Wednesday],” the minister told journalists after assuming office at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

He said about 85 percent of the country’s export earnings still come from apparel. This overreliance has slowed export growth.

Stressing the need to broaden the export base, Muktadir said the government would support private sector investment to help open up new markets.

Asked about market conditions during Ramadan, Muktadir sought to reassure consumers. If supplies remain steady, he said, prices should stay stable.

“The government has sufficient stock of essential commodities for the month of Ramadan and the period afterwards, and there is more in the pipeline. Therefore, there is no reason to panic,” he added.

The minister acknowledged that prices of some goods tend to rise at the beginning of the month of fasting for Muslims, often because of a sudden spike in demand. However, he said such pressures usually do not last very long.

Responding to a question on whether the proximity of Ramadan to the new administration taking office posed a challenge, he said the month would be a major test. The government must meet public expectations and deliver.

On investment, the minister said uncertainty deters both foreign and domestic investors. A stable environment is essential. Investors commit capital only when they are confident of reasonable returns on their investment and labour.

Muktadir also pointed to demographic pressures. Around 20 to 22 lakh people enter the labour market each year. Weak investment over the past two to three years has added strain to the economy. Unless reversed quickly, he said, it could threaten jobs and growth.

State Minister for Commerce Md Shariful Alam and Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman were also present.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) expects inflation, which has remained high in recent years, to ease in the coming months due to strong rice and winter vegetable harvests and declining global commodity prices.

In its quarterly report for July-September 2025, published yesterday, the central bank said it, along with other government agencies, has worked hard to control inflation and support lower-income groups.

Measures such as removing Letter of Credit (LC) margin requirements for rice, onions, dates, sugar, pulses, and edible oil imports, along with Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) truck sales, are expected to reduce prices of essential goods.

Favourable Aman rice and winter vegetable production, stable exchange rates, rising foreign reserves, and easing global commodity prices are also likely to help keep inflation in check.

The central bank is expected to gradually ease its tight monetary policy once inflation consistently falls.

The report said that inflationary pressures eased in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, mainly due to ongoing monetary tightening. However, the decline has been slow, and inflation remains above the target, meaning tight policies are likely to continue in the near term.

The 12-month average headline inflation rate fell from 10.03% in June 2025 to 9.45% in September 2025.

Regarding the banking sector, the report said the country’s banks remain under strain, as a sharp deterioration in asset quality -- not seen in decades -- hit profitability and weakened capital.

However, a rebound in deposit growth improved overall liquidity, and BB’s continued support for responsible borrowers, along with banks’ stronger recovery efforts, should help curb the rise of non-performing loans (NPLs).

On the external sector, Bangladesh faced pressure in the first quarter as the current account shifted from surplus to deficit. This was driven by a larger trade deficit and higher external payment obligations, including import costs and interest on external debt.

Strong remittance inflows partly offset the pressure. On the financial account, large net inflows came from foreign direct investment and medium- and long-term borrowing, while portfolio investment remained low.

Even though the overall balance of payments was positive for the quarter, gross official reserves fell slightly, mainly due to valuation effects and lower foreign liabilities of the central bank. Nevertheless, reserve levels remained comfortable, supporting exchange rate stability under the market-based system.

The number of household deposit accounts containing between Tk 1 crore and Tk 25 crore rose by nearly 8 percent year-on-year in June 2025, reflecting the key role played by households in sustaining the financial system.

According to a Bangladesh Bank (BB) report, these accounts increased to 36,932 as of June 2025, up from 34,258 in June 2024.

The total amount held in these specific deposit tiers rose from Tk 80,200 crore in June 2024 to Tk 82,000 crore in June 2025.

“The deposit base of Bangladesh’s banking sector remained predominantly concentrated in the private sector, reflecting the central role of households and private institutions in sustaining financial intermediation,” BB said in its June 2025 Banking Sector Update report.

The overall number of household deposit accounts grew significantly from 14.2 crore in June 2024 to 15.9 crore in June 2025, an 11.4 percent increase.

Total household deposit volume also expanded significantly, reaching Tk 11.08 lakh crore in June 2025, compared to Tk 9.93 lakh crore in June 2024.

Private sector deposits accounted for 83 percent of the total, of which household deposits alone constituted 55 percent, underscoring the dominance of individual savings.

Other private entities, including corporations and financial auxiliaries, contributed 28 percent, while the public sector held the remaining 17 percent.

Deposits between Tk 2 lakh and Tk 25 lakh increased to Tk 6.04 lakh crore from Tk 5.22 lakh crore. Meanwhile, small-value accounts of up to Tk 2 lakh rose from Tk 13.3 lakh crore to Tk 14.8 lakh crore.

The central bank noted that this expansion demonstrates both quantitative and qualitative growth, driven by retail and middle-tier savers.

“The data also reveal that deposits are heavily concentrated in small-value accounts, signifying broad-based financial inclusion,” BB said.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has clarified that no final decision has been taken regarding the issuance of digital bank licences, amid reports published in several national dailies.

As part of the government's initiative to expand technology-driven inclusive financial services and build a "Cashless Bangladesh," Bangladesh Bank issued a public notice on August 26, 2025, inviting applications for establishment of digital banks. Applications received within the stipulated timeframe are currently being evaluated in accordance with relevant policies and prescribed procedures.

The evaluation process is being conducted in phases by three separate committees: the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC), the Business Evaluation Committee (BEC) and the Financial Evaluation Committee (FEC).

At the 447th meeting of the Board of Directors held on February 16, 2026, progress reports on the ongoing evaluation process were presented to the Board alongside other agenda items, it said.

According to the central bank, discussions at the meeting were limited strictly to procedural aspects, including the evaluation process and criteria. No decision regarding the granting of digital bank licenses was taken at the meeting.

However, on the same day, a small group of bank officials reportedly organized a press conference on the digital bank licensing issue without prior authorisation from the appropriate authority. Despite the absence of any decision-making agenda on the matter, several national newspapers published reports without adequately verifying the information, leading to what the central bank described as misleading coverage.

Bangladesh Bank expressed concern that such reports could create confusion and misperceptions among the public. The central bank urged media outlets to verify information with the appropriate authorities before publication and to avoid one-sided reporting on controversial matters. It also called on the media to uphold responsible journalism by presenting the views of all relevant parties in the public interest.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has decided to extend the lock-in period for shares held by sponsors, directors, and placement shareholders of Asiatic Laboratories Limited due to unauthorized business diversions and failure to utilize IPO funds according to the original plan.

The decision was made during the 999th Commission meeting held today, presided over by BSEC Chairman Khondoker Rashed Maqsood.

According to a BSEC press release, Asiatic Laboratories was previously permitted to raise TK 95 crore through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on August 31, 2022, for business expansion, factory construction, and loan repayment.

However, the company has failed to utilize the IPO funds as per the prospectus.

An inspection by the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) revealed that on September 28, 2025, the company announced Price Sensitive Information (PSI) regarding the construction of a 32-story luxury building without conducting any project evaluation, feasibility tests, or obtaining necessary regulatory approvals from RAJUK and environmental authorities.

Furthermore, entering the real estate or hotel business is inconsistent with the company’s Memorandum of Association (MoA).

In the interest of general investors and the capital market, the Commission has decided to extend the lock-in period for shares held by 183 sponsors, directors, and placement shareholders mentioned in the prospectus.

The lock-in will remain in effect for an additional three years or until the completion of the proposed building and the acquisition of a RAJUK occupancy certificate, whichever is later.

In the same meeting, the BSEC also approved the draft “Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (Capital Market Information Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection) Rules, 2026”. The draft will be published in national dailies and on the Commission’s official website to solicit public opinion.

Shares dipped and oil prices dropped back Tuesday as Tehran gave an encouraging response during talks with US officials in Geneva on Iran’s nuclear programme, after days of escalating rhetoric from President Donald Trump.

Oil prices had earlier risen after Trump ramped up threats towards Iran, a large crude producer, but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “a new window of opportunity has opened”.

“We are hopeful that negotiation will lead to a sustainable and negotiated solution,” he said, though he said “Iran remains fully prepared to defend itself against any threat or act of aggression”.

West Texas Intermediate was down 0.2 percent at $62.75 per barrel after earlier jumping 1.5 percent, while international benchmark Brent North Sea Crude slipped 1.4 percent to $67.64. “There’s speculation that Iran could agree to dilute its most highly enriched uranium in exchange for the full lifting of financial sanctions, but it’s not clear if that will be enough to seal a deal between the two parties,” said Aarin Chiekrie, analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

Wall Street was off in early trading with the tech-heavy Nasdaq giving up one percent and the Dow sliding around 0.3 percent and the broader-based S&P 500 was off 0.2 percent.

“Insurance brokers, wealth advisors, real estate services, and logistics were all in the firing line last week, and investors are cautiously watching for what slice of the market could be next on the AI hit list,” Chiekrie added.

European stocks steadied in early afternoon deals after Tokyo closed lower, with Chinese markets again shut for the Lunar New Year.

In foreign exchange, the dollar rose against the British pound as official data showed UK unemployment rising to a five-year high.

Analysts said the reading of 5.2 percent for the final quarter of last year increased the likelihood of the Bank of England cutting its benchmark interest rate next month.

The greenback was also higher versus the euro but fell against the yen.

Europe’s biggest economy Germany is unlikely to rebound in 2026 as geopolitical uncertainty, high costs and weak domestic demand weigh on growth, the country’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce said Tuesday.

Germany returned to weak growth in 2025 after two years of recession.

The dollar held gains on Tuesday as markets awaited signals, expected later this week, about the potential timing of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

The yen trimmed losses from a day earlier when worse-than-expected Japanese economic data stirred expectations that the government would ramp up stimulus. The Aussie dollar edged lower after minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia showed policymakers were in no rush to raise rates.

Trading was thin with many markets in Asia closed for the Lunar New Year holiday and following the President’s Day holiday in the US Key economic events lie later in the week, with minutes from the Fed’s last meeting and advance figures on US gross domestic product.

“We’re quite positive on the US economy,” said Kristina Clifton, senior currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney. “The market is currently pricing a high chance of a June interest rate cut, which is also our view. However, we differ from the market in that we expect a follow-up cut in July.”

“We judge that the most important driver of the dollar through 2026 will be the narrative of US exceptionalism,” she added.

The dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, inched up to 97.12 after a 0.2 percent gain in the previous session. The euro slid 0.1 percent to $1.184.

The yen strengthened 0.3 percent to 153.04 per dollar. Sterling weakened 0.11 percent to $1.3607.

Data on Friday showed US consumer prices increased less than expected in January, giving the Fed additional leeway for policy easing this year. Money market traders are pricing about 59 basis points of easing for the rest of this year.

The Fed’s Open Market Committee issues minutes from its January meeting on Wednesday. Other key data points this week include inflation readings for Britain, Canada and Japan, as well as preliminary readings of global business activity on Friday.

A recent rally in the yen stalled on Monday when official figures showed Japan’s economy barely grew last quarter. Japan’s currency remains about 4 percent weaker against the dollar since fiscal dove Sanae Takaichi became prime minister last year.

Money flowing into Japan’s ebullient stock market along with expected rate hikes by the Bank of Japan are starting to turn the tide on yen weakness, said Bart Wakabayashi, the Tokyo branch manager at State Street.

“Investments continue to come into Japan and it’s looking good,” he said. “Real money investors have been reducing their overweight in dollar-yen, so buying the yen and selling the dollar.”

Exports from the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest US gateway for ocean trade, fell 8% in January to the lowest monthly output in nearly three years, Executive Director Gene Seroka said on Tuesday.

"Exports to China look dismal," Seroka said after the Port of Los Angeles handled 104,297 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of loaded export containers in January.

President Trump's aggressive use of tariffs has upended global trade and retaliatory trade duties from China and other nations have hit US exporters like farmers particularly hard.

Soybean shipments from the Port of Los Angeles to China dropped 80% last year, Seroka said, adding that the trade did not improve in November or December, following discussions between representatives of the two nations on the sidelines at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.

"There's not much that the United States is exporting to China these days," said trade expert Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute of Economics, who added that outgoing US shipments of everything from beef and corn to crude oil and coal also fell in 2025.

Closely watched imports to the Port of Los Angeles came in at 421,594 TEUs in January, down 13% from the unusually strong result the year earlier, Seroka said.

So far, imports in February appear relatively flat compared with a year earlier. Imports will slow in March due to China factory closures for the Lunar New Year holiday, he said.

Still, Seroka expects total first-quarter volume at the port to fall less than 10% versus the year-earlier quarter, when US importers were rushing in goods before President Donald Trump's threatened tariffs on countries like China took effect.

"I don't see the economy or cargo volume dropping off a cliff after that, and even though holiday sales were softer than we would have liked, I don't see a dire situation," Seroka said, referring to lackluster US December retail sales that signaled potential weakness in consumer spending that drives about 70% of the nation's total economic activity.

Senior executives from major British banks are set to hold their first meeting on Thursday to advance plans for a national alternative to US-owned payment networks Visa and Mastercard, amid concerns about the United Kingdom's reliance on foreign systems.

The meeting will be chaired by Vim Maru, chief executive of Barclays' UK operations, and will bring together a group of City institutions tasked with financing a new payments company, currently known as DeliveryCo. The initiative aims to ensure the UK economy can continue functioning in the event of disruption to existing card networks, says the Guardian.

Visa and Mastercard currently facilitate around 95% of UK card transactions. One executive involved in the discussions said that if the services were disabled, the UK would be "sent back to the 1950s" when businesses relied entirely on cash.

The project has been under discussion for several years and is backed by the government, although it is being funded by private-sector institutions. Participants in the funding group include Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Santander UK, Nationwide and the ATM network Link. Visa and Mastercard are also part of the group.

The initiative has gained urgency against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions. Some executives have expressed concern that US-owned networks could be disrupted during periods of political strain. European officials have voiced similar worries in recent years, with some calling for a "European Airbus for payment systems" to reduce dependence on foreign providers.

The potential vulnerability of national payment systems has been highlighted in the past. In Russia, US sanctions led Visa and Mastercard to suspend certain services, limiting access to funds for some users.

UK officials have framed the proposed system as a resilience measure rather than a replacement for existing providers. They describe it as providing "extra resilience" and serving as an "additional payment rail" within the financial landscape.

The Bank of England is developing infrastructure blueprints for the proposed system, which are expected to be handed to the funders next year. The new payments system is projected to be operational by 2030.

Visa and Mastercard have said they remain committed to the UK market and welcome competition that fosters innovation and choice.

Gold dropped more than 2 percent on Tuesday, as holidays in major markets hit liquidity, while a stronger dollar and easing geopolitical tensions added to the pressure.

Spot gold dropped 1.5 percent to $4,917.90 per ounce by 0800 GMT after hitting $4,862 per ounce, its lowest level in more than a week. US gold futures for April delivery lost 2.2 percent to $4,936.60 per ounce.

“Thin liquidity with the holidays in the last 24 hours, especially in China and Asia, but also obviously in the United States too, means we just lacked a bid in the market,” said Kyle Rodda, senior market analyst at Capital.com.

Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea markets are closed for the Lunar New Year holidays. US markets were shut on Monday for Presidents’ Day.

The US dollar index rose 0.3 percent against a basket of currencies, making greenback-priced bullion more expensive for holders of other currencies.

The minutes of the Federal Reserve’s January meeting, due Wednesday, could give investors further clues about the central bank’s future monetary policy path. The market currently expects the first of three interest rate cuts for the year to be in June, according to CME’s FedWatch Tool.

“Now it’s going to be interesting to see what these FOMC minutes say in the sense that the markets want many more rate cuts now than what the Fed said that it would do,” said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastylive.

Non-yielding bullion tends to do well in low-interest-rate environments.

On the geopolitical front, US President Donald Trump said Monday he would be “indirectly” involved in US–Iran nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday, while Ukrainian and Russian representatives will also meet there this week for US-mediated peace discussions.

“The immediate range top (for gold) is somewhere around $5,120, but the next real kind of objective here is back to the highs at $5,600 or so, and then of course, we march to record highs,” Spivak said.