Listed multinational companies (MNCs) in Bangladesh had another difficult year in 2025, with most failing to claw back profits eroded by inflation and shrinking consumer demand.

Of the 13 MNCs listed in the stock market, 11 follow a December fiscal year-end. Ten have published results so far.

As per the published data, three saw profits rise in 2025 but remain below the previous year’s level, four hit five-year lows, and two incurred the highest losses in their operational history in the country. Only one, Robi Axiata, posted record profits.

“The economic situation was the main factor,” said Shahidul Islam, CEO of VIPB Asset Management Company, who has tracked the companies’ performances for years as a major shareholder with billions of taka invested.

Inflationary pressure raised raw material costs, but companies could not pass them on to consumers whose demand had already shrunk, he said.

Analysis of financial reports shows that the damage was broad. Most companies saw sales growth slow last year. Four -- Grameenphone, Bata Shoe, Heidelberg Cement, and Linde BD -- saw sales fall outright.

Among the companies, British American Tobacco’s (BATBC) profit fell 67 percent to Tk 584 crore in 2025, from Tk 1,788 crore in 2023, the highest level in the last five years. The figure was Tk 1,750.68 crore in 2024.

The tobacco company said, “2025 was marked by a challenging socioeconomic and geopolitical landscape characterised by inflationary pressures, currency devaluation, and constrained consumer purchasing power.”

The global economic slowdown and rising raw material costs added further complexity to the operating environment. The top two segments of the company recorded a volume decline of approximately 10 percent, it added.

RAK Ceramics posted its highest-ever loss of Tk 39 crore last year, a reversal from Tk 90 crore in profit in 2021.

Singer Bangladesh also incurred a huge loss of Tk 224 crore , the largest in its recent history.

Heidelberg Cement’s profit more than halved from its 2021 peak of Tk 47 crore.

The country’s largest telecom operator, Grameenphone’s profit dropped 18.5 percent year-on-year. The company attributed the decline to economic weakness and political uncertainty following the July 2024 uprising.

“The prolonged political uncertainty weakened business and investor confidence, while persistent inflation subdued job creation, and declining household purchasing power collectively constrained overall market demand,” it said.

Unilever Consumer Care and LafargeHolcim remained profitable but 18 percent and 14 percent below their 2023 levels, respectively.

Linde BD’s profit collapsed to Tk 34 crore after an anomalous Tk 642 crore in 2024, which was inflated by a one-off asset sale.

Robi Axiata bucked the trend, with profits rising 33 percent year-on-year to Tk 937 crore in 2025.

Marico and Berger Paints, which follow a March fiscal year-end, were excluded from the analysis.

The outlook for MNCs, Shahidul said, has darkened sharply in recent months.

A few months ago, conditions looked promising, but the US-Israel war on Iran has introduced new uncertainty.

“Now, the outlook depends on the war, thus the oil price. The overall economic situation may worsen if oil prices rise and the war is prolonged. It will impact the performance of the companies,” he added.

Bangladesh’s business climate is being held back by regulatory bottlenecks, inconsistent policies, weak trust, and institutional inefficiencies, which are reducing investment potential and weakening long-term investor confidence, experts said at a dialogue yesterday.

The remarks were made at a discussion titled “Business climate dialogue on improving the investment climate: why it is critical for the new government priorities the upcoming national budget”, organised by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) at its auditorium at Police Plaza in Gulshan.

“The real challenge is not competition but entering the market itself. Firms must be ready for a long-term commitment because operational hurdles -- from licensing delays to compliance burdens -- can discourage even established companies,” said Zinnia Huq, chief financial officer of Unilever Bangladesh.

She said regulatory approvals often take months due to weak coordination among agencies, which leads to conflicting requirements, such as dividend remittance rules clashing with tax approvals.

She added that legal risks remain high as cases move through multiple channels, reducing predictability.

Huq further said that labour regulations are uncertain because interpretations often change and are sometimes applied retrospectively, making business planning difficult.

Tax administration, she added, sometimes raises large initial claims against compliant firms, which are later adjusted after review.

Nuria Lopez of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh said the main issue is not a lack of opportunity but weak investor confidence, adding that an unfriendly business environment and unclear policy direction continue to discourage foreign investment.

She also said that taxation places additional pressure on businesses, as authorities often rely heavily on compliant firms, especially multinationals, creating an uneven playing field.

Sector-specific lobbying limits competition and makes it harder for new firms to enter the market, she added.

Lopez further said that institutional weaknesses, energy shortages, and the lack of a clear investment roadmap are increasing uncertainty, warning that Bangladesh could fall behind regional competitors.

Margub Kabir of Margub Kabir and Associates said trust is central to investment decisions and depends largely on dispute resolution.

He said Bangladesh remains weak in enforcing contracts and has previously ranked among the lowest globally due to a slow and overloaded judicial system.

Kabir also said arbitration, which foreign investors often prefer as it helps avoid court delays, offers limited benefit. This is because enforcing arbitral awards still requires going through the same lengthy court process, which reduces their effectiveness.

He added that the main problem is not a lack of laws but weak implementation, stressing the need to simplify procedures, appoint specialised commercial judges, and introduce faster enforcement systems.

Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said improving the business environment must begin with core infrastructure reforms.

He said a reliable energy supply is the most urgent need, especially for industries moving into higher-value production. He added that man-made fibre manufacturing requires uninterrupted power, as even short outages can stop production completely.

He also pointed to inefficiencies in key logistics routes, including the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and port operations, which are increasing costs and reducing competitiveness.

M Masrur Reaz of Policy Exchange Bangladesh said Bangladesh’s past growth has been driven largely by private sector investment, which helped manufacturing rise from 8 per cent of GDP decades ago to 25 per cent today.

However, he said this momentum is now slowing, with private investment declining and foreign direct investment remaining below 1 per cent of GDP, far behind regional peers.

He said this slowdown comes at a critical time, as the country aims to become a $1 trillion economy and create millions of jobs. These goals depend heavily on higher investment.

He added that the upcoming budget will be an important policy signal.

Reaz also highlighted practical challenges, including weak logistics, low productivity, energy shortages, and limited export diversification, which are worsened by fragmented reforms and poor coordination across sectors.

Farooq Ahmed, secretary general of MCCI, Sumitra Kumar Mutsuddi, head of corporate at BSRM, and Sumaiya T Ahmed, head of sustainability at Pran-RFL Group, also spoke at the event.

Business leaders' hopes for a lighter tax burden in the upcoming national budget were effectively dashed yesterday (29 April) as the government rejected pleas for tax cuts for now. Instead, it assured removal of the systemic obstacles that have long stifled the ease of doing business.

The message from the government came during a pre-budget consultation jointly organised by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

With the national budget set to be unveiled in June, business leaders raised a range of demands at a high-level meeting with government representatives, calling for tax reductions and the removal of various barriers to doing business to support trade and commerce under current conditions, while urging the government to take concrete steps to address these challenges.

Responding to the demands, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said, "We would like to provide relief in tax and VAT in these hard times, but we may not be able to do so in this budget. However, we will remove barriers to business."

He urged businesses to identify specific problems, adding, "Inform us about corruption at ports and all the obstacles to doing business. We will remove these within the next three months."

Highlighting the broader economic strain, the minister called on businesses to support the government in navigating the current crisis. "We are going through a difficult time, and everyone must understand that," he said, asking for cooperation at least for this budget cycle.

At the event, NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan also cautioned that tax and VAT decisions may not meet business expectations, though he echoed assurances that efforts would be made to simplify doing business.

Businesses press for tax reforms

Leading business figures from various sectors outlined a range of challenges in their remarks at the meeting, highlighting the obstacles they face across industries.

The FBCCI called for "special priority" to create a business-friendly tax system by eliminating harassment and complexities in tax collection.

The apex business body demanded an increase in the tax-free income threshold for individuals, a reduction in corporate tax rates, and the abolition of the mandatory minimum tax on company turnover – which firms must pay even when incurring losses.

It also proposed a gradual withdrawal of advance income tax (AIT) and advance tax (AT) at the import stage, while suggesting measures to expand the overall tax base. In total, the FBCCI submitted 165 written proposals to the government ahead of the budget, which is expected to be announced in June by the BNP-led administration.

In his written statement, FBCCI Administrator Abdur Rahim Khan said reducing the cost of doing business, attracting and protecting investment, improving port capacity, ensuring balanced currency and tariff policies, lowering logistics costs, and strengthening governance and transparency in infrastructure – including power and energy – were essential.

Small industries under pressure

Business leaders also warned that small industries are under severe strain. Obaidur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Aluminium Manufacturers Association, urged the government to step in.

"Our industries are shutting down. Please save these industries," he said.

Calling for a shift in tax policy, he added, "Increase direct taxes. Send officers to district and upazila levels – significant income tax can be collected from there. But we are pleading to save small industries."

Anwar-Ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries, presented data showing slowed growth across sectors due to global conflicts, energy shortages and other pressures. He argued that instead of raising taxes, the focus should be on widening the tax net.

"Businesses are questioning what benefits they receive in return for paying taxes," he said, adding that many also report harassment during tax collection.

Allegations of harassment

Imran Hossain, secretary general of the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners' Association, alleged that bureaucratic complexities are turning businesses into "systematic thieves".

"Enforcement actions disproportionately target those who pay VAT and taxes, while non-compliant businesses often go unchecked," he said.

He proposed lowering VAT rates and introducing a unified tax system, adding that enforcement drives against VAT-compliant restaurants had intensified immediately after discussions with the NBR.

"Administrative pressure and field-level harassment have made it increasingly difficult to run businesses. On one hand, there is pressure of increased VAT, and on the other, irregular enforcement drives. If this continues, we will have no option but to shut down our businesses," he warned.

Expressing frustration over the lack of a level playing field, he said, "Yes, I admit it – we are forced into dishonesty because the system does not treat everyone equally. How do we get out of this? This bureaucratic structure will never allow it."

He also criticised both bureaucrats and politicians, alleging that officials fail to establish effective systems while in office, only to acknowledge problems after retirement.

Other business leaders echoed concerns, calling for lower VAT and tax rates, reduced harassment by field officials, and stronger governance in the banking and financial sectors. They warned that without reform, it would be difficult to build a stable economic foundation.

The FBCCI also proposed strengthening the central bank as an independent regulator to ensure discipline in the banking sector, and reducing government borrowing from banks to avoid crowding out private sector credit.

However, the finance minister at the event said, "The shortfall in the banking sector is not something this government can resolve easily."

Highlighting the impact on businesses, he acknowledged that "due to problems in the banking sector, businesses are unable to repay their liabilities."

He added that he had informed the International Monetary Fund that businesses are facing a serious capital shortfall. Explaining the reasons, he said, "Because of currency depreciation and inflation, there has been a 50% erosion of capital."

Equal incentives for emerging export sectors

The minister also pledged to extend incentives similar to those enjoyed by the ready-made garment (RMG) sector to other promising export industries.

Currently, the RMG sector benefits from duty-free import of raw materials and back-to-back letters of credit against export orders – measures widely credited with driving its growth. The sector accounts for around 85% of Bangladesh's total exports.

Addressing concerns about misuse, he said, "If 10 out of 100 people misuse facilities, does that mean the remaining 90 should be deprived? We will open up facilities for promising sectors."

He acknowledged allegations that businesses operating under bonded warehouse facilities face harassment from customs officials, adding that cooperation from the private sector would be needed to address the issue.

War costs and budget pressures

The minister said the current government has inherited significant liabilities, including outstanding payments of Tk40,000 crore in the power sector.

He added that the government had spent nearly $4 billion (around Tk48,000 crore) due to the Middle East conflict.

In light of these pressures, Bangladesh has requested a two-year cushion from the IMF to stabilise the economy. "We have told the IMF that we need a two-year cushion. From the third year, the economy will take off," he said.

Case for a larger budget

Responding to criticism from economists over the government's plan to maintain a large budget, the finance minister argued that increased spending is necessary to stimulate growth.

"To generate growth in a low-level economy, improve citizen services, create demand and reduce poverty, we must invest in the economy," he said, adding that development spending would need to increase.

He acknowledged concerns over misuse of funds, noting that large budgets become problematic if money is siphoned abroad. "But if spending is of quality and yields returns, then such investment is justified," he said.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir stressed the need to balance business interests with state revenue. "We must look at both business and the national exchequer," he said. "How will the economy progress if the tax-to-GDP ratio does not increase?"

When the IMF’s Asia-Pacific director signalled to Bangladesh’s delegation in Washington last week that the expected $1.3 billion tranche would not be released in June, the key message was not financial but what Bangladesh can credibly offer in return, and what it cannot.

The Spring Meetings’ macro position was the strongest in three years. Gross reserves are roughly $35 billion, the BPM6 measure is above $30 billion for the first time since mid-2023, and March remittances reached a record $3.75 billion. At this level, the IMF pause signals reform credibility rather than liquidity.

The four unmet conditions remain unchanged: revenue mobilisation, banking governance, removal of electricity and gas subsidies, and a market-determined exchange rate. All were agreed under the $4.7 billion programme approved in January 2023 and expanded to $5.5 billion in June 2025. All have been monitored. None has moved materially in eighteen months. The interim administration stabilised the currency and rebuilt reserves, but did not deliver structural reform.

Pakistan in 2014 is a relevant comparison. It entered a three-year IMF programme in September 2013 with reserves near $6 billion, an 8 percent fiscal deficit, and similar reform conditions. By mid-2014, reviews had stalled on comparable structural issues.

The difference was what Pakistan could offer. I worked on the privatisation of state oil and gas firms during that programme. The value was not only revenue but a pipeline of sellable state assets. When the Oil and Gas Development Company’s follow-on was delayed in November 2014 due to falling oil prices, the IMF accepted it because the broader privatisation programme remained intact. A credible monetisation pipeline strengthens negotiating position.

That lever is absent in Bangladesh. It has never issued a Eurobond. Commercial borrowing is around 11 percent of external debt, with the rest largely concessional. This worked when multilateral flows were predictable, but becomes a vulnerability as LDC graduation on November 24, 2026 (or delayed) shifts financing terms, and IMF support is uncertain.

There is also no asset pipeline. The BSEC has identified fifteen profitable state-owned enterprises and multinational subsidiaries for listing over three years, but none have progressed. Banks are under restructuring, with the ADB’s $500 million banking-sector support focused on stabilisation, not privatisation. The Sammilito Islami Bank merger, formalised in December, remains far from saleable.

The core constraint is fiscal, not external. Tax-to-GDP fell to 6.56 percent in FY25, below the programme assumption of 7.9 percent for FY24, with projections reaching 10.5 percent only by FY35. The Centre for Policy Dialogue has repeatedly highlighted this, and Fahmida Khatun has stressed rising debt-service pressure as LDC graduation approaches. Without revenue mobilisation, remittance-led stabilisation will fade, and monetary policy will carry an unsustainable burden.

A programme lapse would not cause immediate stress, given strong reserves, but the structural cost would be significant. ADB and World Bank operations are cross-conditioned on IMF continuity and would be reoriented if it fails. The policy anchor would weaken just as graduation removes concessional financing advantages.

Between now and the October Annual Meetings, a credible alternative is needed. A B2/negative Eurobond would be costly. More viable options include a remittance-backed Sukuk, a diaspora instrument, or partial listing of a profitable state entity. The Finance Ministry could task the central bank and Privatisation Commission with a monetisation pipeline before the June ECOSOC meetings.

Stabilisation without reform is a rolling arrangement. The challenge is what can credibly be placed on the table in return.

Indian consumer goods maker AWL Agri Business is grappling with a roughly 20% surge in some crude-linked input costs as the Middle East conflict drives up prices for fuel, chemicals and packaging materials, its CEO said.

The pressures reflect a broader industry trend, with peers such as bottled water maker Bisleri and Dove soapmaker Hindustan Unilever raising prices to counter higher conflict-linked input costs.

"Costs have gone up for us in terms of chemicals, packing material and coal, so that is something which remains a cause of concern even today," Shrikant Kanhere, AWL's managing director and CEO, told Reuters in an interview.

AWL, home of brands including Fortune cooking oil and Kohinoor rice, is adjusting prices in line with market movements, absorbing part of the increase while passing the rest on to consumers, Kanhere said, without giving details.

Input costs for some crude-linked materials have risen by about 20% since the conflict began, translating into a cost impact of roughly 25 to 50 basis points, he added.

Global oil prices have surged amid fears of supply disruptions. Brent crude has climbed from the low $70s a barrel before the Middle East conflict to above $110, market data show.

The company, which is cutting packaging and fuel use at its plants to limit the hit to profits, expects per-tonne margins to be broadly stable in fiscal 2027.

AWL is also expanding distribution and investing heavily in online channels and large-format grocers, which together posted nearly 50% growth last year, in a push to scale up volumes.

Kanhere forecast sales volume growth of 8% to 9% in fiscal 2027, nearly double last year's pace, with edible oils growing at a mid-single-digit rate and foods posting double-digit growth.

Lending growth to euro zone ​businesses picked up in ‌March, European Central Bank data showed on Wednesday, ​even as the ​Iran war depressed economic ⁠sentiment and pushed ​up energy costs.

Bank credit ​to businesses rose by 3.2% last month, a slight ​acceleration from the ​3.0% in February, while loan growth ‌to ⁠households was steady at 3.0%.

The M3 measure of money circulating ​in the ​euro ⁠zone, often an indicator of ​future activity, accelerated ​to ⁠3.2% from 3.0%, above expectations for 3.1% ⁠growth ​in a Reuters ​poll of analysts.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir yesterday (29 April) called for bringing the gold trade under the formal economy, asserting that the jewellery sector holds untapped export potential worth billions of dollars for Bangladesh.

"People think the gold business is part of a black economy. I will not get into the black-and-white debate; what we want is the entire sector to become part of the visible economy," he said while speaking at a consultative committee meeting of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) held at a city hotel.

Pointing to India's $52 billion annual earnings from gold jewellery exports, Muktadir said Bangladesh possesses craftsmen of comparable skills, yet the country has little to show for it. "Bangladesh should be earning at least $12-14 billion from this sector, but that is simply not happening."

To unlock the sector's potential and generate export revenue, he stressed the need to upgrade laboratory facilities, modernise jewellery designs, and overhaul government policies to align with contemporary market demands.

The minister also identified the energy crisis and high interest rates on bank loans as major impediments to doing business, cautioning that failure to improve the tax-to-GDP ratio will significantly constrain the country's economic momentum.

He called on the business community to shift their mindset towards tax compliance and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Earlier in the meeting, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry proposed raising the tax-free income ceiling to Tk5 lakh for general taxpayers and Tk5.5 lakh for women in the upcoming budget, while also recommending capping the highest tax rate at 25 percent.

The apex trade body further demanded an increase in the Export Development Fund beyond its current $7 billion limit and sought budgetary support for the implementation of the 'One District, One Product (ODOP)' programme.

Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) have expressed a renewed commitment to deepening their long-standing partnership.

The fifth round of Bangladesh-EU Diplomatic Consultations was held today (29 April) after a gap of nearly five years, according to a press statement.

The consultations were co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Erik Kurzweil, managing director for Asia Pacific at the European External Action Service.

The meeting reviewed Bangladesh-EU relations and explored cooperation in priority sectors, with Dhaka emphasising a forward-looking partnership in line with evolving strategic and economic realities, according to the statement.

The discussions followed the recent initialling of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which both sides expect will provide a structured framework for future cooperation once internal processes are finalised.

The EU acknowledged Bangladesh's February 2026 parliamentary elections, referring to the final report of its Election Observation Mission. The two sides also exchanged views on democratic governance, human rights and the rule of law.

According to the statement, the new government, formed with a public mandate, seeks to bring fresh momentum to bilateral ties and realise untapped potential.

Bangladesh highlighted the importance of preferential market access to sustain trade ties and outlined interest in future arrangements, including a possible Free Trade Agreement and an Investment Protection Agreement.

Discussions also covered cooperation in research and innovation, with Bangladesh expressing interest in broader participation in Horizon Europe and joint initiatives on knowledge exchange, technology transfer and capacity building.

Photo: Courtesy
Photo: Courtesy

On migration, Bangladesh highlighted progress in labour sector reforms and stressed the importance of expanding safe and regular migration pathways. Both sides also emphasised cooperation to combat human trafficking and irregular migration.

On climate change, Bangladesh reiterated its vulnerabilities and stressed the need for enhanced access to climate finance, technology transfer and support for adaptation and resilience, including under initiatives such as the EU's Global Gateway.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the Middle East crisis, and reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order. Bangladesh reiterated the need for sustained international support to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

Both sides underscored the importance of holding regular consultations to fully harness the potential of Bangladesh-EU relations, the statement added.

Soybean oil prices have been raised by Tk4 per litre, setting the new rate at Tk199 per litre.

Following the adjustment, a 5-litre bottle will cost Tk975, up from the previous price of Tk955.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced the revised prices today (29 April) after a meeting to review edible oil rates, saying the adjustment was made in line with market conditions.

Meanwhile, loose soybean oil has been priced at Tk180 per litre, up from Tk176. The price of palm oil remained unchanged at Tk166 per litre.

Justifying the upward revision, the minister said traders had been purchasing oil at elevated prices since Ramadan and selling at a loss, prompting persistent appeals from importers and refiners for a price correction, reports UNB.

"The prices of import-dependent commodities have risen due to adverse global conditions, placing significant strain on businesses," Muktadir said. "Traders had sought a steeper increase, but the government has kept prices within consumers' reach."

The minister assured consumers that prices would be reviewed and readjusted once the international soybean oil market stabilises.

Traders pledged to sell at the newly fixed rates and committed to making no further revision requests ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, he added.

The price adjustment comes amid a prolonged supply crunch lasting over a month, particularly for five-litre bottled soybean oil.

Market surveys indicate the product has already been changing hands at Tk980 to over Tk1,020, well above the official ceiling of Tk955, underscoring the gap between regulated and street-level prices that the revised rates now seek to narrow.

Earlier on 7 December last year, the price of bottled soybean oil was set at Tk195 per litre, and loose soybean was priced at Tk176 per litre. Palm oil prices saw a sharper rise, with the rate increasing by Tk16 per litre to Tk166, from the earlier price of Tk150.

Visa shares jumped 5% in premarket trading on Wednesday after the payments-processing company beat estimates for second-quarter profit and lifted expectations for full-year earnings, as consumer spending remained strong.

Payments volume showed continued growth as consumers remained resilient in the quarter, even as escalations in the Middle East worsened economic uncertainty.

CEO Ryan McInerney said in a post-earnings call that Visa was closely monitoring the situation in the region. The company said several factors would offset weakness in cross-border travel, such as stronger US-bound demand linked to the FIFA World Cup and higher commercial travel volumes.

Cross-border payments, viewed as a real-time gauge of global trade and travel because of Visa's scale, are closely monitored by analysts and economists. The company's cross-border volume in the second quarter rose 12% on a constant-dollar basis, compared with 13% a year earlier.

"There's a lot to be impressed by in Visa's print, particularly in the context of investor concerns going in that cross-border growth would dramatically slow in April," J.P. Morgan analysts said in a note.

Shares of the company have lost about 12% so far in 2026, lagging behind the broader S&P 500 index, but still outperforming American Express.

"Visa posted its strongest growth profile in years supported by multiple self-reinforcing levers while doing well to articulate upside potential from agentic commerce and stablecoins," TD Cowen analysts said in a note.

The company's board also authorised a new $20 billion multi-year share repurchase programme.

Visa is investing in organic growth and acquisitions, and the share repurchase shows the company's "ability to have a balanced capital allocation strategy where we return excess free cash flow to clients," finance chief Chris Suh said in an interview with Reuters.

On 6 April, India's indigenously developed 500 MWe nuclear Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at a power plant in Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu successfully attained first criticality.

What it means in simple terms is that the nuclear reaction in the reactor has become safely self-sustaining and is on its way to generating electricity.

There are two key takeaways from the feat: one, it puts India in the second stage of its three-stage nuclear power programme conceived in the 1950s by Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the father of the country's nuclear programme.

Second, once fully operational, India will become only the second country after Russia to operate a commercial fast breeder reactor.

The Kalpakkam power project was formally approved in 2003 and it took 23 years to reach the second stage.

While several countries have developed or operated experimental fast reactors, specifically the USA, the UK, France, Japan, Germany and China, most of these programmes are currently shut down.

Fast breeder technology forms the vital link between India's current fleet of pressurised heavy water reactors, heavily dependent on imported enriched uranium, and the future deployment of thorium-based reactors, leveraging the country's abundant thorium resources for long-term clean energy generation. Nuclear power contributes about % of India's electricity from 8.78 gigawatts of installed capacity.

It will take some months before the PFBR at Kalpakkam produces electricity and reaches full capacity for commercial use. A number of experiments need to be conducted at low power, which have to be evaluated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for its go-ahead for commercial power operation.

India's three-stage atomic power programme envisages becoming independent of imports and achieving energy security through the use of thorium, of which the country has vast reserves. This is where the PFBR technology plays the role of a bridge between the current fleet of pressurised heavy water reactors using enriched uranium and the future deployment of thorium-based reactors for long-term clean energy generation targets.

India has a fleet of 18–20 pressurised heavy water reactors that use natural uranium as fuel and produce plutonium-239 (Pu-239) as a by-product in spent fuel, which has civilian as well as defence applications.

India's present installed nuclear power capacity is 8780 MW and the nuclear electricity generated during 2024–25 is 56681 million units, according to data from the Atomic Energy Department. In 2024–25, the share of nuclear power was about 3.1% in India's total electricity generation.

Two listed companies of Alif Group—Alif Industries Limited and Alif Manufacturing Limited—have taken a preliminary decision to transfer their business management operations to US-based JIT International Inc.

According to disclosures made on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Tuesday (28 April), the decisions were made at board meetings held at the companies' registered offices.

The move remains subject to compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and approvals from relevant authorities.

Following the announcement, trading of both companies' shares was halted on the Dhaka Stock Exchange today (29 April).

The companies stated that JIT International Inc., located at 45 Lockatong Road, Stockton, Stockton, New Jersey, USA, has expressed its interest in acquiring strategic control and management of the two Alif Group firms.

To facilitate the process, the boards have authorised Managing Director Md Azimul Islam to initiate and complete the necessary formalities for the proposed transaction.

At the same meetings, both companies appointed Mir Hasan Ali and Ziaul Abedin as independent directors. Mir Hasan Ali was elected chairman of the board while Ziaul Abedin was appointed vice chairman.

Md Tuhin Reza has also been appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of both companies with immediate effect. Additionally, Md Kamal Hossain has been appointed Company Secretary of Alif Industries Limited.

Alif Manufacturing Limited also approved similar decisions regarding the transfer of strategic control to JIT International Inc., with Md Azimul Islam assigned to lead and coordinate the process and complete all required formalities.

The Board further directed that the CEO coordinate with all relevant stakeholders—including regulatory authorities, banks, financial institutions, and others—to implement the proposed transaction.

The company has not yet disclosed details regarding management fees or whether JIT International Inc will subsequently acquire shares or ownership in the companies. The timeline for completing the process has also not been specified.

Managing Director Md Azimul could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts via phone. He also did not respond to text messages.

A company official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision is still at a preliminary stage and that further details will be disclosed in due course.

The official added that the move comes as the current management has faced challenges in efficiently operating the businesses.

Limited information is available about JIT International Inc. However, unofficial sources suggest that it is a US-based company associated with buying-house operations, which may potentially source garments from Alif Group.

Bangladesh's investment climate is being vitiated by a mix of bureaucratic delays, policy uncertainty and rising business costs, making it harder for both local and foreign investors to expand operations and create jobs.

Experts say unless these longstanding barriers are addressed quickly, the country risks losing competitiveness and missing major investment opportunities.

Policy Exchange Bangladesh has identified eight major obstacles, with bureaucratic complexity and a restrictive regulatory framework topping the list.

Energy shortages, infrastructure bottlenecks, high tax pressure, weak institutional coordination and the absence of a clear investment strategy were also cited as major concerns at a policy dialogue in the capital on Wednesday.

The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Policy Exchange Bangladesh jointly organised the meeting.

Policy Exchange Bangladesh Chairman and CEO Dr M Masrur Reaz presented the keynote paper titled "Improving the Investment Climate: Why It's Critical for New Government Priorities and the Upcoming National Budget."

In his presentation, Masrur Reaz said the country also faces the absence of a coordinated domestic and foreign investment strategy, which continues to weaken investor confidence. Newspapersubscriptions

He identified additional barriers including the lack of structured investment promotion, a gap between political commitments and implementation, and weak coordination between the public and private sectors.

He also pointed to limited coordination between the Prime Minister's Office and various ministries, the absence of diversified competitive sectors, leaving the economy heavily dependent on only five key sectors, and inadequate post-investment support or aftercare services.

Against this backdrop, Policy Exchange proposed a set of immediate reforms to strengthen investor confidence.

Masrur Reaz said the government can pursue seven priority reforms. Countrypolitics overview

These include formulating a comprehensive national investment policy, simplifying business registration procedures, addressing infrastructure and energy constraints, ensuring efficient use of economic zones, developing skilled human resources, promoting green investment, and establishing a modern legal framework for contract enforcement and dispute resolution.

BGMEA President Md Mahmud Hasan Khan attended the event as special guest, while EuroCham Chairperson Nuria López, corporate lawyer Barrister Margub Kabir, and Zinnia Huq, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Unilever Bangladesh, participated as panel speakers.

EuroCham Chairperson Nuria López said the absence of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union, Bangladesh's largest export destination, is already affecting investor confidence.

"Do we have a free trade agreement with our major customer at this moment-the European Union? No," she said, noting that countries such as Vietnam and India have already secured similar agreements.

She warned that without preferential access to the EU market, Bangladesh risks losing competitiveness to regional peers offering more predictable trade frameworks.

"We need to have, we must have, we must start right now an FTA," López said. "If we don't have free trade access to our largest market, we don't have a horizon to invest." Economicanalysis reports

She also said uncertainty over future market access is influencing investment decisions.

"I have recently started a new business in the agro-processing sector, but I am uncertain about the future. I do not know whether I will be able to export to Europe on equal terms with competitors from countries that already enjoy free market access," she said.

López stressed that predictability is essential for attracting long-term investment, adding that Bangladesh currently lacks it.

"We don't have predictability. We don't know what's going to happen in the future," she said, questioning whether there is a clear and investor-friendly policy direction.

She linked the urgency of an EU FTA to Bangladesh's broader challenge in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), saying policy uncertainty continues to undermine investor trust.

Addressing the event as special guest, BGMEA President Md Mahmud Hasan Khan said Bangladesh should expand export markets through bilateral agreements with countries such as South Africa, Brazil and Turkey.

He noted that around US$8 billion in new opportunities have emerged in the ready-made garment sector, with further potential for expansion. Bangladeshmarket analysis

However, he stressed that high tariffs in these markets make such agreements necessary.

"We are discussing this matter with the government," he said.

He also identified energy shortages as the most critical challenge for businesses.

"For entrepreneurs, energy is a greater concern than financial constraints," he said, adding that without resolving energy and infrastructure bottlenecks, financial support would have limited impact.

Unilever Bangladesh CFO Zinnia Huq said business registration and documentation processes in Bangladesh are extremely slow and time-consuming.

She pointed to weak coordination among government agencies, which reduces efficiency and delays business operations.

Despite a double taxation avoidance treaty, she said prior approval from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is still required for dividend remittance, making the process unnecessarily complex. She also highlighted a lack of transparency in audit procedures.

Barrister Margub Kabir said dispute resolution is central to investor confidence, but Bangladesh continues to struggle with a slow judicial system.

He cited the example of a Japanese company operating in Bangladesh for 25 years, while a contractual dispute dating back to 2018 remains unresolved.

"There is no lack of laws in Bangladesh; the issue is making them simpler and the process faster," he said.

Kabir added that foreign investors generally prefer arbitration to avoid lengthy court proceedings. However, even after arbitration awards, enforcement through courts faces similar delays.

He called for specialised commercial courts, faster enforcement mechanisms, and judges with commercial expertise to ensure timely resolution of disputes.

MCCI Secretary General Farooq Ahmed delivered the welcome address.

Bangladesh’s business climate is constrained by regulatory bottlenecks, policy inconsistency, weak trust, and institutional inefficiencies, undermining both investment potential and long-term investor confidence, analysts and top business leaders said today.

They made the remark at a dialogue on the investment climate and the upcoming national budget, organised by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dhaka (MCCI), at its auditorium at Police Plaza in the capital.

At the event, M Masrur Reaz, chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, said private investment has fallen, while foreign direct investment remains below 1 percent of GDP, far behind regional competitors.

“This slowdown comes at a critical juncture. With ambitions of reaching a $1 trillion economy and creating millions of jobs, the government’s targets hinge almost entirely on increased investment,” he said.

“The real challenge is not competition but market entry itself, as firms must be prepared for a decades-long commitment given operational hurdles—from licensing delays to compliance burdens—that can deter even established players,” said Zinnia Huq, chief financial officer of Unilever Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s struggle to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) stems largely from a lack of trust and policy predictability, said Nuria Lopez, chairperson of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh.

She noted that despite the country’s strong potential, foreign investors remain hesitant due to an unfavourable business environment and the absence of a clear, consistent government vision.

“The root problem is that Bangladesh does not have the trust of investors,” she said, adding that policy inconsistency and regulatory uncertainty continue to undermine confidence.

Lopez pointed to growing concerns over Bangladesh’s future market access, particularly in the European Union, as the country approaches graduation from least developed country (LDC) status.

Unlike regional competitors such as Vietnam and India, Bangladesh has yet to secure effective free trade agreements, leaving investors unsure about long-term export prospects, she said.

Taxation is another major concern, she said, noting that compliant firms—especially multinationals—often bear a disproportionate burden, while others remain outside the tax net.

“This creates an uneven playing field and discourages new investment,” she added.

Barrister Margub Kabir of Margub Kabir and Associates emphasised that trust—central to any investment decision—rests heavily on how disputes are resolved.

“Bangladesh’s persistent weakness in contract enforcement, once ranked among the lowest globally, reflects a slow and overburdened judicial system,” he said.

Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said efforts to improve the business environment must begin with fixing core infrastructure.

Farooq Ahmed, secretary general of the MCCI; Sumitra Kumar Mutsuddi, head of corporate at BSRM; and Sumaiya T Ahmed, head of sustainability at Pran-RFL Group, also addressed the event, among others.

The government will provide all promising export sectors with the same facilities currently available to the readymade garment (RMG) industry, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said yesterday at a meeting with business leaders.

“If any promising export sector comes to us with a proposal, we will extend to that sector the same facilities that are available to the garment industry,” he said at the pre-budget meeting organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the revenue board at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon.

Bonded warehouse facilities, back-to-back arrangements, and all other relevant support will be provided, he added, citing the gold and diamond sectors as examples of industries held back by the absence of such support.

Goldsmiths, he noted, were leaving the country for a lack of opportunities.

Bonded warehouse facilities allow export-oriented industries to import raw materials duty-free, on the condition that finished goods are not sold domestically. Currently, only the RMG sector enjoys the facility in full; the leather goods sector receives it partially.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) had long resisted broader extension, citing fears of duty-free materials being diverted to the local market, despite calls from economists to extend the facilities across the board.

The minister acknowledged those concerns but said they could not justify inaction. “It cannot be the case that we do nothing out of fear of theft,” he said, adding that preventing misuse is a separate issue, and solutions will be addressed accordingly.

On taxation, he said the government could not offer broad incentives at present but would work to lower the cost of doing business.

“Wherever you are facing obstacles, let us know, and we will remove them. Tell us where your costs are increasing, and we will directly address those issues within the next three months,” he told businessmen at the meeting.

This is already part of the ruling BNP’s manifesto, but businesses’ input will make it more effective, he noted, adding that while removing all obstacles might not be possible, the government will eliminate most of them. “Give us some time. If we fail, we will take responsibility.”

Stating that many have spoken about expanding the tax net, the minister requested business associations to assist in bringing those who are still outside the tax net into the system.

Painting a difficult economic picture, Khosru said the new government has inherited a damaged banking sector, weakened stock market and over Tk 40,000 crore in unpaid energy bills.

In addition, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the government is facing an additional energy cost of around $4 billion, he added.

“We are navigating through these challenges across all sectors, but the government does not have unlimited resources… It will take some time for the situation to improve,” the minister said, adding that the government and businesses need to work together to overcome this.

Noting that businesses are also experiencing a serious capital shortage, he said due to currency depreciation, many have seen about 40 percent of their capital wiped out. On top of this, a 13–14 percent inflation rate has further eroded value. “Altogether, nearly 50 percent of capital has been eroded.”

Describing the economy currently in a “low-level equilibrium”, Khosru said generating growth is necessary to move it upward and attract investment. “If poverty, which has risen significantly, is not reduced through higher expenditure, demand will not be generated.”

On the high borrowing costs, he said in the past, monetary supply was tightened to control inflation, but its effectiveness is uncertain.

With interest rates at 15 percent, he said the government would increase the development budget to stimulate growth, but cautioned that investment quality, not volume, was the priority. “If funds are misused or siphoned abroad in the name of mega projects, then a large budget serves no purpose.”

He projected a two-year adjustment period before the economy stabilises. “By the third year, the economy will turn around.”

Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, minister of commerce, industries, textiles and jute, said energy shortages and high borrowing costs had left many industrial sectors fragile, and that resolving those two issues was a prerequisite to new investment.

On reducing the cost of doing business, he said alongside providing targeted relief to the private sector, proposals will be made considering how to strengthen the national exchequer.

He also called for the jewellery sector to be brought fully into the formal economy, arguing that Bangladesh had a skilled workforce but lacked laboratories, design infrastructure, and supportive policy.

“If neighbouring countries can export several billion dollars’ worth of gold annually, why can’t we? We have the technical knowledge and skills. What we need are better laboratories, design facilities, and a supportive government policy,” he added.

Kamran T Rahman, president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the effective tax rate for many businesses reached 40-50 percent when advance and source taxes were factored in.

He called for unconditional corporate tax reductions, relaxed cash transaction rules, an integrated taxpayer profile system, and online appeal hearings for income tax, VAT, and customs disputes.

The Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB), which is mandated to invest in the capital market, is struggling itself to stay afloat amid an unprecedented financial crisis.

According to its audited financial statements for FY25, the state-owned non-bank financial institution incurred a record loss of Tk588 crore in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. This marks a 111% year-on-year surge in losses, driven largely by prolonged volatility in the capital market.

The report also shows that ICB's bank borrowing costs rose by more than 31%, with interest payments increasing significantly during the period, disclosed in the audited financial statements for FY25.

Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB), the country's largest stock market investor, primarily earns through trading shares—generating capital gains from buying and selling equities, as well as dividend income from listed companies.

In addition, the corporation generates revenue through fees, commissions, and service charges by offering various financial services via its subsidiaries.

As of June 2025, ICB's consolidated investment in stocks stood at Tk13,508 crore at cost value. However, the market value of this portfolio declined to Tk8,256 crore, resulting in a deficit of Tk5,252 crore. This represents a loss of approximately 38.88% relative to the cost price, according to its data.

Officials attribute the decline in earnings to the prolonged volatility in the capital market over the past years. This instability was driven by political uncertainties surrounding the general election, adverse macroeconomic conditions, and continued bearish sentiment influenced by global factors, including tensions related to the US-Iran war situation.
ICB Chairman Professor Abu Ahmed told The Business Standard that the company's core operations are closely tied to the performance of the capital market, further noting that during the reporting period, the market did not perform well due to various factors, which hit the institution badly.

Capital gains—once generated from buying and selling shares—fell sharply as the institution was unable to offload stocks amid a bearish market trend. At the same time, ICB faced increased financial pressure due to higher interest payments on deposits and borrowings from banks and other institutions, which drove up overall borrowing costs, he said.

Previously, the interest rate on funds borrowed for market investments was around 7 percent, but it has now risen to 10 percent or more, significantly increasing expenses. As a result, the institution incurred substantial losses.

When asked about the way forward, the ICB chairman said a major portfolio overhaul is essential, as considerable value has already been eroded. Many shares were acquired at high prices, while their current market value has dropped sharply. In addition, high-cost borrowings must be repaid, potentially with government support.

"We are considering raising capital through the issuance of rights shares to repay borrowings. Once implemented, this plan will reduce liabilities and lower interest expenses, providing ICB with much-needed breathing space," he said.

"We are considering raising capital through a rights issue to repay borrowings. Once implemented, this plan will reduce liabilities and lower interest payments, providing ICB with some financial breathing room," he said.

Capital gains fell by 67%:

According to its quarterly financial statements, during the July–March period, ICB's capital gains fell by 67% as it was unable to sell shares due to a volatile capital market. Its capital gains stood at Tk67 crore at the end of March, significantly down from Tk201 crore.

Its dividend income, generated from payouts by listed companies, declined by 19% to Tk236 crore, compared to Tk294.84 crore during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Income from fees, commissions, and service charges also declined significantly over the same period.

As its core income decreased while interest payments on deposits and borrowings increased, the company incurred an operational loss of Tk406.12 crore.

Interest payments surge by 31%:

Financial statements of the Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB) show that it incurred Tk914.86 crore in interest expenses on deposits and borrowings during the first nine months of the current fiscal year.

In the same period of the previous fiscal year, the amount stood at Tk699 crore—marking a sharp increase of over 31%.

According to its financial disclosures, ICB's total deposits and borrowings reached Tk7,195 crore as of June 2025. Of this, Tk4,058 crore came from banks, Tk3,125 crore from other institutions, and the remainder from deposits collected from the general public.

Including deposits, borrowings, government loans, bonds, and other liabilities, ICB's total liabilities stood at Tk18,063 crore at the end of March.

Once a highly profitable state-owned investment bank, ICB reported a historic loss exceeding Tk1,000 crore for the first time in its history in FY25. The loss of Tk1,213.86 crore in fiscal year 2024–25 was driven by higher provisioning linked to poor investment decisions in several weak non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), erosion of its investment portfolio amid a volatile capital market, and reliance on high-cost bank borrowings to finance market activities.

Although ICB had previously faced quarterly losses due to market volatility, such a significant annual loss is unprecedented, according to internal sources.

As a result of the substantial losses, the company did not declare any dividend for shareholders for FY2025.

Olympic Industries, the country's leading branded biscuit manufacturer, is set to invest Tk26.22 crore to purchase 489.89 decimals of land adjacent to its existing factory for future expansion.

The decision was approved at a board meeting held on Tuesday via Zoom, according to a disclosure published on Wednesday (29 April) through the stock exchanges.

Over the years, the company has invested hundreds of crores to acquire lands adjacent to its factory in preparation for scaling up operations.

At the meeting, the board also approved the company's financial statements for the first nine months ending in March. Its statements showed that revenue in the third quarter (Jan-Mar) rose by 8.61%, while nine-month revenue grew by 5.30%.

However, net profit declined by 33.75% in the third quarter and by 6.97% over the nine-month period, which the company attributed to a higher tax burden.

During the July to March period, revenue stood at Tk2,256 crore, while net profit fell to Tk148.18 crore, according to the report.

Olympic Industries said its board has approved the purchase of 322 decimals of land adjacent to its Lolati factory at a total price of Tk17.71 crore to support future expansion.

At the same mouza in Madanpur of Narayanganj, the company also decided to acquire 84.90 decimals of land for Tk4.67 crore for expansion purposes.

In addition, it approved the purchase of two more plots – 64.99 decimals and 18 decimals – near the Lolati factory at agreed prices of Tk3.25 crore and Tk59.40 lakh, respectively, to facilitate further construction and expansion.

In the disclosure, the company said the purchaser, Olympic Industries, will bear all registration costs, including VAT, tax, and other charges.

National flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to sign a landmark aircraft purchase agreement with Boeing today, in what is expected to be the biggest fleet expansion move in the airline’s history.

The formal agreement signing ceremony will be held at 7:30 pm at a Dhaka hotel, Biman General Manager (Public Relations) Boshra Islam told The Daily Star.

Senior government officials, diplomats and aviation executives are expected to attend the programme.

Biman Managing Director and CEO Kaizer Sohel Ahmed will sign the agreement on behalf of the airline, while a Boeing representative will sign for the manufacturer.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and US Ambassador Brent T. Christensen, among others, will attend the ceremony, Boshra said.

Under the proposed agreement, Biman will purchase 14 new aircraft, including eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and four Boeing 737-8 MAX jets, with an estimated list value of around $3.7 billion (Tk 37,000 crore).

Officials said the order is designed to modernise Biman’s fleet, expand long-haul capacity and strengthen regional operations at a time when Bangladesh’s passenger demand continues to rise.

The wide-body Dreamliners are expected to reinforce services to Europe, the Middle East and Asia, while the 737 MAX aircraft would support regional and short-haul routes.

The expected signing comes as Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal nears launch, a development widely seen as central to Bangladesh’s ambition of becoming a stronger regional aviation hub.

The deal is also expected to conclude more than three years of intense competition between Boeing and its European rival Airbus for Biman’s next major fleet order.

Under the previous Awami League government, a policy decision was announced to buy 10 Airbus aircraft. After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in the 2024 mass uprising and amid pressure related to US reciprocal tariffs, the interim government shifted in favour of Boeing.

Airbus officials earlier told The Daily Star that introducing Airbus aircraft would diversify Biman’s all-Boeing fleet and deepen economic ties with the European Union.

Boeing, however, mounted an intensive push to retain its long-standing dominance, offering Dreamliners, freighter options and narrow-body aircraft while maintaining sustained engagement with policymakers in Dhaka.

“The aircraft buying proposal that we are making may be valued between Tk 30,000 crore and Tk 35,000 crore. We will have to pay this amount over 10 years. In fact, it may take even longer than that, because the payment schedule is long-term. It may take as long as 20 years to complete the payment. So, if you consider this, we may have to pay around Tk 1,500 crore to Tk 2,000 crore per year,” a top Biman official said.

State Minister Rashiduzzaman Millat said last week that the government was working to sign a deal with Boeing by April 30 to purchase 14 aircraft and lease several others as part of efforts to turn Biman Bangladesh Airlines into a profitable entity.

The national flag carrier is currently operating international routes with around 19 aircraft -- well below the estimated requirement of 30 to 35 aircraft needed to meet growing passenger demand and support planned network expansion, according to sources.

Biman’s fleet is currently dominated by Boeing aircraft, and the airline plans to expand its fleet to 47 by 2041.

The first aircraft from Boeing is scheduled for delivery in October 2031, according to Biman sources, while the remaining aircraft are expected to be delivered by November 2035.

The government will provide a sovereign guarantee to Biman Bangladesh Airlines to buy 14 aircraft from Boeing.

A sovereign guarantee is a commitment by the state to cover the debt or financial obligations of another entity if it defaults, reducing risk for lenders and improving access to financing for large or strategic investments.

The interim government earlier pledged to buy 25 aircraft from Boeing as part of efforts to reduce the trade deficit with the United States. Following further evaluation, Biman finalised its decision.

Oil prices rose Wednesday as talks to end the Iran war appeared to be at a standstill and the crucial Strait of Hormuz no nearer being reopened.

While the White House has said Donald Trump and his team were considering Tehran’s latest proposal to restore traffic through the waterway, CNN and the Wall Street Journal said the president was sceptical.

The Islamic republic this week submitted a plan that would reportedly see it ease the chokehold and Washington lift its retaliatory blockade on the country’s ports as talks continued, including over its nuclear programme.

While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran’s proposal was “better than what we thought they were going to submit”, he insisted any eventual deal had to be “one that definitively prevents them from sprinting towards a nuclear weapon”.

Iranian defence ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik said Washington “must abandon its illegal and irrational demands”, adding the United States was “no longer in a position to dictate its policy to independent nations”.

Qatar warned of the possibility of a “frozen conflict” if a definitive resolution is not found.

Concerns about the stalled peace push have pushed crude prices higher for more than a week, with Trump’s decision to cancel his envoys’ trip for peace talks in Pakistan last weekend adding to the downbeat mood.

Brent is above the level it hit before the two sides announced a ceasefire at the start of April, while West Texas Intermediate broke $100 Tuesday for the first time in two weeks.

Both contracts continued to rise Wednesday, with Brent holding above $113 and WTI above $101.

“Iran wants the blockade lifted and access to its flows restored,” wrote Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management.

“Washington holds that lever and is in no hurry to give it away without extracting value.

“Meanwhile, the longer this drags on, the more second-order effects start to bite. Storage pressure builds, production risks emerge, and the system begins to strain in ways that futures prices cannot ignore.”

There was little major reaction to news that key producer United Arab Emirates had decided to withdraw from the OPEC and OPEC+ oil cartels on Friday, calling it a strategic decision.

Still, CNN also cited sources familiar with the mediation as saying the two sides were not as far apart as they seemed.

It added that intense diplomacy continued and talks were focused on a staged process with the first part of a potential deal aimed at returning to the pre-war status and reopening the Strait.

Iran’s nuclear programme would be dealt with down the line, it said.

Despite the uncertainty, Asian equity markets mostly rose with Hong Kong up more than one percent, while Shanghai, Seoul, Wellington, Manila, Bangkok, Mumbai and Jakarta also advanced.

Sydney, Singapore and Taipei fell along with London, Paris and Frankfurt.

Tokyo was closed for a holiday.

Traders were given a weak lead from Wall Street, where the Nasdaq led losses owing to a tech selloff that came on the back of a report in the Wall Street Journal that ChatGPT-maker OpenAI had missed targets on the number of users and revenue.

The news came as markets gear up for the release of earnings from Wall Street titans Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft this week.

The Federal Reserve will also conclude a two-day meeting later in the day, with investors keeping tabs on its outlook for inflation and interest rates as energy costs soar.

The country's insured population has fallen sharply despite a costly reform initiative, with the number of policyholders dropping by around 40% during the implementation of a Tk925-crore development project.

When the Bangladesh Insurance Sector Development Project was launched in 2018, the total number of insured individuals – both life and non-life – stood at about 1.36 crore. The project aimed to raise this to 2 crore within four years. Instead, the number declined to 82.2 lakh by the end of 2024, according to data from the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority.

Of the country's 79 insurers, only two are state-owned – one each in the life and non-life sectors. But the World Bank-aided project focused only on the two state insurers and the regulatory body, the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (Idra).

The project aimed at raising insurance coverage, improving services, introducing automation and restoring public trust in the insurance sector by strengthening the two state insurers and the regulator.

Inclusion of only two state-owned insurers – Jiban BimaCorporation and Sadharan Bima Corporation – raised questions about the limited scope of the intervention.

Project Director Md Abdur Rab told The Business Standard, "The time to increase penetration has not yet arrived. The project is currently nearing completion; I hope its operations will play a significant role in increasing penetration in the future."

Abu Abed Muhammad Shoaib, deputy general manager of the ICT Division at Jiban Bima Corporation, said, "There has been some progress as a result of this project. Certain tasks that were previously handled manually are now being digitised. However, the use of all modules and sub-modules of the project's software has not yet commenced."

Automation goals fall short

A key objective of the project was to automate operations at Idra, Jiban Bima Corporation, Sadharan Bima Corporation, and the Bangladesh Insurance Academy. However, officials say progress has been limited.

Mohammad Jainul Bari, who served as chairman of Idra from June 2022 to September 2024 and later as chairman of SadharanBima Corporation, noted that automation efforts fell short, particularly due to poor performance by software vendors.

"Critical goals such as real-time monitoring and improved supervision could not be achieved," he said.

Md Abdur Rab said a software system comprising 121 modules has been developed through this project. He noted that while some of these modules are already in use, others are currently in the process of being implemented. These modules are intended to establish a new system within the insurance sector, ensuring the protection of policyholders' interests.

He further added that other insurance companies will be brought under the umbrella of this software shortly.

Brigadier General (retd) Shafique Shamim, general secretary of the Bangladesh Insurance Forum and managing director of SenaInsurance, said the project had contributed to partial improvements across the sector, particularly in automation efforts involving the regulator and state-owned entities. However, he noted that not all insurers have been able to adopt the systems fully, citing higher management costs and regulatory constraints as key barriers.

Economy expands, insurance lags

The fall in coverage coincided with a decline in insurance penetration, measured as a share of gross domestic product, from 0.55% in 2018 to 0.36% in 2024. Life insurance led the downturn. The performance remains significantly below regional peers such as Sri Lanka at 1.15%, India at 3.46% and Malaysia at 4.51%.

This decline has occurred despite rapid economic growth. Bangladesh's GDP expanded from around Tk22.5 lakh crore in 2018 to Tk50.48 lakh crore in 2024. However, insurance premium income failed to keep pace with the broader economy.

Premium growth collapses

The sector has also seen a sharp slowdown in premium income growth.

Life insurance premium growth, which stood at 9.64% in 2018, turned negative by 2024. Overall premium growth – combining life and non-life insurance – fell from 10.76% to just 0.49% over the same period.

Costs rise, deadlines extended

The five-year project initially had a budget of Tk632 crore but was revised three times to Tk925 crore due to slow implementation. Its tenure was extended five times and is now set to conclude in mid-2026, after an additional six-month extension beyond the latest December 2025 deadline.

In its final phase, the project is seeing a surge in spending. Around Tk175 crore is being disbursed in a single fiscal year, largely to clear accumulated bills. As of June 2025, about 81% of the total allocation had been utilised, with only Tk3.82 crore remaining.

Md Abdur Rab noted that expenditure in the final year will be higher than in previous years, as outstanding bills for various completed works are now being settled. "Consequently, a significant amount of funding will be required at once."

He remarked that managing this level of expenditure remains a challenging task.

Capacity gaps and leadership issues

Sector insiders point to a lack of technical expertise as a major constraint.

Several project directors were career bureaucrats with limited experience in the insurance sector, leading to gaps in implementation and continuity.

"The majority of those involved in implementing the project were from outside the insurance sector," former Idra member Sultan-ul-Abedin Molla said.

He added, "The project directors were all joint secretaries, who lacked specific experience in insurance. Furthermore, several project directors were reluctant to carry out their duties. Consequently, the project suffered from a lack of skilled personnel during its implementation."

Erosion of public trust

Idra's annual report attributes the sector's stagnation largely to declining public confidence, particularly due to delays in claim settlements. This has slowed both new customer acquisition and premium growth.

Sultan-ul-Abedin Molla said the sector's underperformance reflects deeper structural issues.

"While other sectors of the economy have grown, insurance has lagged. Lack of transparency and trust has driven down penetration relative to GDP," he said.

Brigadier General (retd) Shafique Shamim said that although regulatory reforms under the 2010 law have brought some discipline, delays in claim settlements and low public awareness remain major challenges, even as economic growth, a rising middle class and expanding digital services offer strong potential for the sector.

Project goals largely achieved: WB

The World Bank, however, said it is satisfied with the project outcomes, which were largely fraught with delays, highlighting broader issues of political inertia and the complexities of governance that can impede regulatory progress.

In its project implementation status report in April 2025, the global lender said the project has enabled Idra to increase its technical capacity to develop new insurance products, such as the introduction of new regulations for bancassurance in 2023, a focus on microinsurance and Islamic insurance takaful, draft of a new National Insurance Policy for 2024-2029, draft amendments to the Idra Act and Insurance Act.