In a significant boost to the global credibility of Bangladesh's capital market, MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) has announced that it will resume regular index reviews and implement corporate events for the MSCI Bangladesh Indexes starting November 2026.

The recent decision ends a more than three-year hiatus during which the global index provider placed the Bangladeshi market under "special treatment" in 2023 because of a controversial floor price mechanism introduced in 2022.

An MSCI special treatment is a protective mechanism under which MSCI modifies or freezes its standard index review rules for specific countries or individual stocks facing severe market disruptions.

In its August 2026 Equity Index Review report released on Wednesday, MSCI said it would not make any changes for Bangladesh in the current August cycle but would begin moving towards normalisation.

"MSCI will resume the implementation of index review changes as well as corporate events for the MSCI Bangladesh Indexes starting from the November 2026 Index Review," the report confirmed.

The index provider initially made the announcement for the MSCI global standard indexes on 5 August.

Ending the 'special treatment' era

Relations between the country's stock exchanges and global institutional investors soured in 2022 after the market regulator imposed floor prices to prevent a market crash amid economic volatility caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

While the measure was intended as a safety net, it effectively blocked natural price discovery and restricted stock trading, making it nearly impossible for foreign fund managers to enter or exit positions.

In response, MSCI introduced the special measures in February 2023, freezing all updates to Bangladesh's indexes and suspending the inclusion of corporate events such as rights issues, buybacks and mergers.

The move effectively sidelined Bangladesh from the global investment landscape for passive funds that track MSCI benchmarks.

The situation began to shift in June this year, when the newly reconstituted Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), led by Chairman Masud Khan, lifted all remaining floor prices and pledged to keep the market free from artificial interventions.

MSCI has since formally welcomed the removal of the floor prices, paving the way for the resumption of regular index reviews.

A 'green signal' for global investors

Salim Afzal Shawon, head of research at BRAC EPL Stock Brokerage Limited, told The Business Standard that MSCI is the most widely used index provider among major institutional investors and fund managers worldwide.

"MSCI regularly evaluates how easy it is for foreigners to invest and how 'investable' a market is. Bangladesh is currently part of the MSCI Frontier Market Index. Following the installation of the floor price, MSCI took special measures because the normal flow of trading was obstructed," Shawon explained.

"The fact that index review changes and corporate events will be implemented normally from November 2026 is a very strong signal to global investors. It suggests that the Bangladeshi market is finally returning to a market-driven, normal state. This will undoubtedly enhance our appeal to international capital," he added.

Why MSCI matters

For emerging and frontier economies, an MSCI classification is more than just a label. It can determine how easily international funds can access a market and how much capital is directed towards it.

Trillions of dollars in global funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) directly mimic these indexes. When MSCI adds a stock or increases a country's weighting, funds that track the relevant benchmark may need to buy those shares, potentially generating significant capital inflows.

A senior researcher at an asset management company noted that MSCI is far more influential in this region than other providers like FTSE.

"For a frontier market like ours, the MSCI Frontier Markets Index is the primary yardstick. Periodic rebalancing affects the weight of our stocks, which directly impacts liquidity and price stability," he said.

Current standing and constituents

The MSCI Bangladesh Index currently features seven high-cap stocks that meet the criteria for global investability: Square Pharmaceuticals, Grameenphone, British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh, Robi Axiata, Beximco Limited, Renata, and United Power.

These seven companies collectively represent a free-float market capitalisation of approximately $1.96 billion.

Furthermore, the broader MSCI Bangladesh Investable Market Index (IMI), which includes mid and small-cap firms, currently lists 36 Bangladeshi stocks.

India’s merchandise trade deficit widened more than expected to a six-month high of $31.98 billion in July, as the Middle East war drove up the country’s oil import bill and global freight rates.

The data underscores the growing pressure on India’s external balance, as a wider trade gap weighs on the rupee and capital inflows.A Reuters poll of economists expected the merchandise trade deficit in July at $30.20 billion. It stood at $30.43 billion in June.

Imports rose to $76.22 billion against $70.84 billion in June, driven by a rise in crude oil prices and surging imports of electronics goods and gold, data released by the trade ministry showed.Imports of electronics goods, including chips, rose more than 44 percent year-on-year in July to $14.37 billion, and gold imports climbed nearly 5 percent to $4.16 billion.Oil imports stood at $18.31 billion in July against $19.33 billion in June, reflecting higher global crude prices, data showed.

Goods exports hit a record high of $44.24 billion for July, surpassing the previous July peak of $38.34 billion in 2022, while they were $40.41 billion in June.

Exports of petroleum products, electronics and engineering goods have grown strongly so far this fiscal year, while shipments to the Middle East rose 8.6 percent year-on-year to $5.7 billion in July, Rajesh Agrawal, trade secretary, told reporters.

The US remained the top destination for Indian exports, with goods shipments at $33.49 billion in April-July, nearly matching last year’s level, data showed.

About 45 percent of India’s exports to the US remain exempt from the new 10 percent duty introduced by Washington in July, and India was actively engaging with US authorities to resolve outstanding trade issues, aiming for an early conclusion of a bilateral trade agreement, a trade official said.

Services exports remained robust at $35.89 billion in July, while services imports totalled $18.94 billion, resulting in a surplus of $16.95 billion, trade ministry estimates showed.

SHIPPING DISRUPTIONS SQUEEZE EXPORTERS

Freight rates on routes from South Asia to the United States and Europe have risen sharply in recent weeks, while rates to the Middle East remain elevated due to regional disruption, high fuel costs and tight vessel capacity, exporters and shipping-industry data showed.

The United States and Iran remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree to an end to the war, according to a senior Iranian source, who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a time frame to implement it.

The increase in freight rates is squeezing margins for exporters of rice, textiles, pharmaceuticals and engineering goods, who are also grappling with delayed shipments, stranded cargo and uncertainty over vessel schedules.

“Container shortages and shipping delays continued to disrupt the flow of materials, affecting production planning and throughput,” Sivaramakrishnan Ganapathy, vice president at Gokaldas Exports, told investors after the company’s quarterly results on Wednesday.

India’s top exporters’ body has urged the government to engage with global shipping lines, saying higher freight costs and a shortage of containers were undermining exporters’ competitiveness.

Fallow and single-crop lands in Sylhet should be brought under cultivation, while drainage and irrigation systems need to be improved and the cultivation of new and non-traditional crops expanded to ensure fuller utilisation of the land, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said yesterday.

The minister said the maximum utilisation of agricultural land, increasing productivity and farmers’ incomes are key priorities for the country’s future agricultural strategy.

He made the remarks at a district-level workshop on preparing the annual action plan for the 2026-27 fiscal year and reviewing the implementation progress of the previous year’s plan.

The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) organised the event under its “Agricultural Development Project in the Sylhet Region through Modern Technology” at Hotel Metro in Sylhet city.

Muktadir said a large portion of land in Sylhet remains either fallow or is cultivated only once a year due to natural and infrastructural constraints.

He noted that waterlogging in haor areas and low-lying regions during certain periods of the year limits agricultural activity.

He emphasised that canal excavation could serve as a sustainable solution for both draining excess water during the monsoon and ensuring irrigation during the dry season.

The price of gold has been increased in the local market, with the best quality or 22-carat gold now costing Tk 2,158 more per bhori (11.664 grams), effective from today (15 August).

According to the new price set by the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus), the price of 22-carat gold now stands at Tk 236,779 per bhori, including VAT, effective from 10 am.

In a notification, Bajus said the decision to raise the price was taken in line with the rising price of tejabi gold (pure gold) in the local market. Notably, the price of the same category of gold was reduced by the same amount, Tk 2,158, just a day earlier, yesterday (14 August).

The latest hike comes within 24 hours of that price cut, effectively reversing it.

As per the new pricing, the price of 22-carat gold, including VAT, has been increased by Tk 2,158 to Tk 236,779 per bhori. The price of 21-carat gold has gone up by Tk 2,100 to Tk 226,165 per bhori.

Similarly, the price of 18-carat gold has increased by Tk 1,808 to Tk 194,206 per bhori, while the traditional (sanatan) quality gold now costs Tk 158,630 per bhori, up by Tk 1,458.

Despite the rise in gold prices, silver prices remain unchanged. The price of 22-carat silver, including VAT, has been set at Tk 5,074 per bhori.

Meanwhile, the price of 21-carat silver stands at Tk 4,841 per bhori, 18-carat silver at Tk 4,199 per bhori, and traditional quality silver at Tk 3,159 per bhori.

Bangladesh is set to buy 117 cargos of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from an American company over 13 years under government-to-government (G-to-G) arrangement, as the much-talked-about bilateral trade agreement works.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) Wednesday approved a proposal on the gas buy under the long-term deal from Gunvor USA LLC, a Texas-based privately owned company.

Headed by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, the purchase body, however, did not make it clear how G-to-G arrangement can be done with a private commercial enterprise.

Officials say the interim government, shortly before leaving office in February, signed with the United States a reciprocal trade agreement (RTA) under which Bangladesh pledged to lower trade deficit by raising imports from America.

The move to import 117 cargos of liquefied gas from a US-based supplier is part of that endeavour to lower trade deficit with the economic superpower.

Sources say the approval from the CCGP came despite the supplier, Gunvor USA LLC, has enhanced price of LNG from its initial proposal.

In its initial proposal, the company had said it wanted to supply LNG during 2026-28 period at JKM plus $0.10 per MMBTU and during the 2029-2038 period at 122 per cent of Henry Hub plus $5.35 per MMBTU.

However, while negotiating with Petrobangla, the exporter pushed the price for 2026-28 to JKM plus $0.875 per MMBTU while for 2029-38 period the price was fixed 121 per cent plus $5.20 per MMBTU.

Due to re-fixation of the price, the CCGP had suspended the initiative for approving the LNG procurement in the first week of this month. However, the proposal was given the go-ahead on Wednesday with the negotiated high price.

Of the 117 cargos of LNG, five cargos will be bought in the current year, six in 2027, and three in 2028 at a price of JKM plus US$0.0875/MMBTU. Moreover, three more cargos in 2029, and 10 cargos each every year during 2029-2038 will be bought in at a price of 121 per cent of Henry Hub plus 5.20 USD/MMBTU.

The meeting, held at the cabinet division in the Bangladesh secretariat with the finance minister in the chair, also approved procurement of six more cargos of LNG to meet the growing demand for gas.

Of the six cargos of LNG, United Kingdom-based Blackcube International Ltd will supply two cargos at $15.50 per MMBTU while Maxewell International SPC, Oman, will supply two cargos at JKM+US$054/MMBTU, and Zhenyu Shipping Co Ltd, Hong Kong, will supply two cargos at $14.95/MMBTU.

Moreover, the meeting also approved the import of 40,000 tonnes of bulk granular urea fertiliser from SABIC Agri-nutrients Company in Saudi Arabia at a total cost of Tk 2.09 billion where each tonne will cost $421.67.

Also, procurement of 40,000 tonnes of DAP fertiliser for Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) got approval. The total procurement from OCP Nutricrops, S.A, will cost Tk 4.41 billion while each tonne of fertiliser will cost $891.67.

Moreover, the BADC has been given the all-clear to procure 30,000 tonnes of TSP fertiliser from OCP Nutricrops, S.A, at a total price of Tk 2.51 billion where each tonne will cost $677.33.

A proposal to import 0.1 million tonnes of non-aromatic parboiled rice for the Directorate of Food also got approval at the meeting. Vietnam Southern Food Corporation will supply the rice at a total cost of Tk 5.15 billion, with each tonne costing $416.

The meeting also approved the import of 25,000 tonnes of sugar from Indonesia at a total cost of Tk 1.57 billion where each tonne costs $514.

A proposal to import 20,000 tonnes of refined soybean oil from PT Trinity Cahya Energy, Indonesia, also got approval at the cabinet meeting. The total procurement will cost Tk 2.82 billion while each litre will cost $1.150.

Moreover, procurement of 10,000 tonnes of lentils from Rajshahi-based Nabil Naba Foods Ltd at a total price of Tk 789 million got approval at the meeting, where each kg of the item will cost Tk 78.96.

Earlier in the day, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in a meeting, also chaired by the finance minister, approved in principle, procurement of two cargos of LNG each from Hong Kong-based Zhenyu Shipping Co Ltd, Petronas LNG Ltd, Malaysia, China Runze Holdings Groups Ltd, and DARAB Inc, USA.

Reducing dependence on traditional export products, Bangladesh can tap the growing global halal economy as a new major area for export diversification, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said today (12 August).

Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar in Dhaka, he called for building a strong and internationally standardised halal ecosystem in Bangladesh, leveraging the experience of the Asean region.

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the seminar on the halal ecosystem in the Asean region and Bangladesh's prospects.

The minister said the halal economy is no longer limited to food and beverages, but now encompasses pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, modest fashion, tourism, logistics, technology, financing, and international certification.

"First, we need to increase our domestic production capacity to boost exports. For this, domestic and foreign investment is necessary, and we must ensure a safe and attractive environment for investors," he said.

He also stressed the need to secure preferential market access through free trade agreements (FTAs), preferential trade agreements (PTAs), and economic partnership agreements (EPAs), particularly after Bangladesh graduates from the least developed country (LDC) category.

The commerce minister also said that Bangladesh needs an independent, reliable and internationally recognised halal certification system to build global confidence in Bangladeshi products and open up new markets.

Speakers at the seminar said Bangladesh's heavy dependence on the readymade garment sector makes export diversification essential. The halal economy could become one of the country's major new areas of opportunity as demand for halal food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, tourism, and lifestyle products continues to grow.

However, entering this market requires an integrated production, quality control, and certification system, they said.

Highlighting Malaysia's halal ecosystem as an important model for Bangladesh, speakers said Malaysia has transformed halal from merely a product category into a complete economic system covering production, research, certification, marketing, and export.

They noted that Bangladesh's large domestic market and existing strengths in agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, leather, and apparel could help the country become an important part of the global halal supply chain.

Speakers identified five strategic priorities -- establishing an internationally recognised national halal assurance framework; developing specialised halal industrial clusters with modern laboratories and logistics; upgrading existing industries to international standards; involving SMEs, researchers, and young entrepreneurs; and promoting a "Bangladesh Halal Brand" through economic diplomacy.

BIISS Director General Maj Gen ASM Ridwanur Rahman delivered the welcome address at the seminar, while BIISS Research Director Dr Mahfuz Kabir presented the keynote paper.

Akhtar Hossain, deputy director of the Islamic Foundation's Halal Certification (Livestock) Division, and SM Abu Sayeed, deputy director (halal certification) of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), participated in the panel discussion.

Speakers said halal products could become a new pillar of Bangladesh's exports if quality, safety, transparency, and international credibility are ensured alongside religious compliance.

Taiwan's Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker, reported on Wednesday a 35 percent rise in second-quarter profit, beating analyst forecasts, on continued strong demand for AI, which it predicted would drive growth this year.

Net profit for the April to June period for Nvidia's biggest server maker and Apple's top iPhone assembler was T$59.97 billion ($1.86 billion), versus an LSEG consensus estimate of T$58.8 billion and compared with T$44.4 billion a year earlier.

In an earnings release, it stuck to its previous forecast of "strong" growth for revenue this year and said it also saw strong AI demand driving growth throughout the year. The company does not give numeric forecasts.

The company, formally called Hon Hai Precision Industry, said its cloud and networking products segment, which includes AI servers, accounted for 51 percent of second-quarter revenue, exceeding 50 percent for the first time, while its smart consumer electronics products segment, which includes iPhones, accounted for 29 percent.

"AI-related business performance will continue to grow in the third quarter. Combined with ICT products entering their peak season in the second half of the year, we expect significant quarter-on-quarter growth and strong year-on-year growth," said rotating CEO Michael Chiang.

When asked about updates on Nvidia's latest Vera Rubin server products that Foxconn manufactures, Chiang said the AI server racks would enter mass-production preparation in the third quarter, with shipments expected to begin in the fourth quarter.

"We expect production volumes to increase gradually over the next several quarters, and it (Vera Rubin) will become our major product next year," he said.

While customer demand remains very strong, Chiang cautioned that the key determinant for the overall AI server rack market next year will be how much CoWoS capacity chip companies are able to secure.

Foxconn's customers, including Nvidia, rely heavily on manufacturing by Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker.

CoWoS, or Chip on Wafer on Substrate, is a key advanced packaging technology developed by TSMC used in AI chip production that has been constrained by tight capacity amid booming AI demand.

"The market currently expects CoWoS capacity to grow by more than 50 percent next year, but how much of that can ultimately be translated into shipments of next-generation AI server racks will depend on chip supply," Chiang said.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

Foxconn expects its capital expenditure to continue growing and forecasts a 30 percent increase in 2026 from a year earlier.

In July, Foxconn reported a 40 percent year-on-year jump in second-quarter revenue.

Most of the iPhones Foxconn makes for Apple are assembled in China, but it now produces the bulk of those sold in the United States in India.

The company is also building factories in Mexico and Texas to make AI servers for Nvidia.

Foxconn has also been looking to expand its footprint in electric vehicles.

The company's shares have risen 17 percent so far this year, underperforming the broader Taiwan index's 57 percent gain.

Foxconn shares closed 2.7 percent higher on Wednesday ahead of the earnings release.

Bangladesh is seeing rapid growth in card-based transactions, but the transition to a cashless payment system continues to face structural challenges, including inadequate digital infrastructure, low financial literacy, cybersecurity concerns, high transaction costs and a deep-rooted cash-based culture, according to Bangladesh Bank.

The central bank, in its June 2026 report titled “An Overview of Card Usage Patterns Within and Outside Bangladesh”, said limited digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, remains a major obstacle to wider cashless adoption.

Low financial literacy, concerns over cybersecurity and a lack of trust in digital platforms also discourage many consumers from using electronic payment methods. High transaction costs, limited smartphone access and the country’s large informal economy further complicate the shift away from cash.

The challenges persist despite a significant expansion in card usage. The number of debit, credit and prepaid cards issued in Bangladesh increased by 97 percent over the past five years, while transaction volume through the three types of cards rose 91 percent to Tk 44,813 crore in June 2026 from Tk 23,497 crore in July 2021, the report said.

Domestic credit card transactions also increased 43.24 percent year-on-year in June 2026, reaching Tk 4,461 crore, up 4.04 percent from the previous month.

Despite the growth in digital payments, cash remains a vital part of the ecosystem. In June, purchases accounted for 91.11 percent of domestic credit card transactions, while cash withdrawals made up 7.11 percent (Tk 317 crore). Fund transfers comprised the remaining 1.78 percent.

The report said many eligible consumers remain reluctant to use cards because of fear and a lack of knowledge about card-based transactions.

Bangladesh Bank began promoting card-based “plastic money” in 2012 as part of its efforts to establish a technology-driven cashless banking system.

The central bank said rising digital transactions make it essential to strengthen cybersecurity and protect customers from fraud, alongside greater consumer awareness and training.

Meanwhile, the government and Bangladesh Bank have intensified efforts to promote cashless payments. The central bank recently decided to waive merchant fees for small shopkeepers, street vendors and small businesses accepting payments through Bangla QR, while offering incentives to banks and payment service providers to boost its use. The measures will take effect on October 1.

Bangladeshis are also increasingly using cards for international transactions. In June, combined outflows through credit, debit and prepaid cards stood at Tk 1,037 crore, up from Tk 813 crore in May, while card inflows from abroad amounted to Tk 242 crore.

Industry insiders said that the expanding card usage is a positive step towards greater financial inclusion. But achieving a genuinely cashless economy will require wider digital infrastructure, particularly outside major cities, greater financial literacy, lower transaction costs, wider smartphone access and stronger consumer confidence in digital payment platforms.

VISA credit cards were the most popular choice for both domestic and international transactions. Notably, Bangladeshi nationals predominantly used their cards in the United States.

Among foreign nationals, US cardholders spent the most within Bangladesh, according to the report.

Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Namazu Hiroyuki on Wednesday reaffirmed Japan's continued cooperation with Bangladesh under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the BIG-B Initiative and the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework and welcomed the recent handover of five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy.

The two countries at the 7th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) had comprehensive, constructive and forward-looking exchanges on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including high-level exchanges and cooperation in trade and investment, energy security and green energy, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the BIG-B Initiative and defense cooperation.

The two sides also exchanged views on enhancing people-to-people contacts, repatriation of the Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh, regional and global issues, and cooperation in multilateral fora, including the United Nations.

The Japanese minister conveyed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Japan at a mutually convenient time, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He also invited Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman to visit Japan as the President of the 81st UNGA. Bangladesh also invited Prime Minister Takaichi to pay an official visit to Dhaka at a suitable time.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Namazu Hiroyuki led respective delegations at the FOC held in Dhaka.

The consultations provided an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm their shared commitment to further consolidating and deepening the Bangladesh-Japan Strategic Partnership and to advancing mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of areas.

Senior Deputy Minister Namazu Hiroyuki recognised the foundation of the enduring friendship between Bangladesh and Japan, laid by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

He briefed the Bangladesh delegation on Japan's vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).

The Foreign Secretary noted the progress achieved in Bangladesh-Japan relations over the years and hoped for further deepening and broadening the Bangladesh-Japan Strategic Partnership.

He hoped that the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) will enhance Japanese investment in Bangladesh.

The Foreign Secretary acknowledged Japanese support for Bangladesh's development under the BIG-B Initiative including Matarbari Deep Sea Port and Power Project, the Dhaka Metro Rail and the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

He sought Japan's continued support and cooperation in expanding bilateral trade and investment, as well as in promoting renewable energy and sustainable development.

The two sides emphasised on the importance to further strengthening people-to-people ties, including by expanding opportunities for Bangladeshi Specified Skilled Workers in Japan and enhancing educational, cultural and civil society exchanges.

Underscoring the importance of such exchanges in fostering greater mutual understanding and strengthening the bonds between the peoples, the Foreign Secretary requested to take more such exchange programs.

The Foreign Secretary also highlighted the significant humanitarian and socio-economic burden borne by Bangladesh in hosting over 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals.

He reiterated Bangladesh's principled position that their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar remains the only viable and lasting solution to the crisis. He thanked Japan for continued humanitarian support for the Rohingyas.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter and to strengthening cooperation in multilateral fora.

They expressed their readiness to maintain close coordination and mutual support on global issues of common interest.

The next round of Bangladesh-Japan Foreign Office Consultations is expected to be held in Tokyo in 2027.

বর্তমান ব্যবসায়িক চ্যালেঞ্জ মোকাবিলা ও চলতি মূলধনের প্রয়োজন মেটাতে পুঁজিবাজার থেকে সর্বোচ্চ ১ হাজার ৫০০ কোটি টাকা সংগ্রহের উদ্যোগ নিয়েছে দেশের অন্যতম বৃহৎ শিল্পগোষ্ঠী সিটি গ্রুপ। এ লক্ষ্যে লঙ্কাবাংলা ইনভেস্টমেন্ট ও ওয়ান ব্যাংকের সঙ্গে চুক্তি করেছে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি।

আজ (বুধবার, ১২ আগস্ট) গুলশানে সিটি গ্রুপের করপোরেট কার্যালয়ে এ-সংক্রান্ত চুক্তি স্বাক্ষর হয়। অনুষ্ঠানে সংশ্লিষ্ট প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোর ঊর্ধ্বতন কর্মকর্তারা উপস্থিত ছিলেন।

অর্থ সংগ্রহের ক্ষেত্রে আইপিওর পাশাপাশি প্রাইভেট ইক্যুইটি, প্রেফারেন্স শেয়ার, করপোরেট বন্ড ও সুকুকসহ অনুমোদিত বিভিন্ন পদ্ধতি বিবেচনা করছে সিটি গ্রুপ।

এ প্রক্রিয়ায় লঙ্কাবাংলা ইনভেস্টমেন্ট পিএলসিকে ইস্যু ম্যানেজার হিসেবে নিয়োগ দেয়া হয়েছে। আর প্রস্তাবিত লেনদেনে প্রয়োজনীয় ব্যাংকিং সেবা দিতে ওয়ান ব্যাংক পিএলসি ব্যাংকিং পার্টনার ও ব্যাংকার টু দ্য ইস্যু হিসেবে কাজ করবে।

প্রয়োজনীয় নিয়ন্ত্রক সংস্থার অনুমোদন এবং বাজার পরিস্থিতি অনুকূলে থাকলে আগামী ১২ থেকে ১৮ মাসের মধ্যে অর্থ সংগ্রহের পরিকল্পনা রয়েছে বলে জানিয়েছে সিটি গ্রুপ।

চুক্তি স্বাক্ষর আয়োজনে চলমান সংকটে পুঁজিবাজার সিটি গ্রুপের জন্য সহায়ক হতে পারে বলে আশা প্রকাশ করেন সিটি গ্রুপের ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক মোহাম্মদ হাসান।

ওয়ান ব্যাংক পিএলসির ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক মুহিত রহমান বলেন, ‘সিটি গ্রুপের অনেকগুলা প্রতিষ্ঠান আছে; যেখানে আইপিও, বন্ড এবং বিভিন্ন ধরনের ইন্সট্রুমেন্টের ওপরে আমরা কাজ করবো। প্রাইভেট ইকুইটি, বাইরের স্ট্র্যাটেজিক পার্টনার— কী ধরনের কী কী সলিউশন করা যায়, যেখানে আমরা ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেটকে ভাইব্রেন্ট করতে পারি।’

লঙ্কাবাংলা ইনভেস্টমেন্ট পিএলসির পরিচালক মো. নাসির উদ্দিন চৌধুরী বলেন, ‘সিটি গ্রুপের ভবিষ্যৎ ফাইন্যান্সিয়াল স্ট্রাকচার যে আমরা করবো, সেখানে ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেটের সম্পৃক্ততাকে আমরা খুবই গুরুত্ব দিচ্ছি। কারণ আমরা ইকুইটির মাধ্যমে জনগণের সম্পৃক্ততা যদি আসে, এই গ্রুপের প্রতি পাবলিকের আস্থা বাড়বে।’

সিটি গ্রুপের ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক মোহাম্মদ হাসান বলেন, ‘আমরা যদি বাংলাদেশের ফাইন্যান্সিয়াল মার্কেটটা দেখি, তাহলে দেখতে পাব, আমাদের দেশে আসলে উদ্যোক্তারা বেশিরভাগই কমার্শিয়াল ব্যাংকগুলোর ওপর ডিপেন্ডেন্ট। আমি মনে করি, এর প্রধান একটা কারণ হচ্ছে যে ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেটে একটা আস্থার অভাব ছিল। আমরাও এর ব্যতিক্রম ছিলাম না। প্রধানমন্ত্রী ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেটকে আরও চাঙা করার জন্য অনেক পদক্ষেপ নিয়েছেন। আশা করি যে, ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেট আরও চাঙা হবে। আমাদের চলমান যে সংকটটা আছে, আমরা মনে করি যে ক্যাপিটাল মার্কেট আমাদের জন্য একটা সলিউশন হতে পারে।’

Oil prices rose on Wednesday after attacks on two ships reinforced worries about disruptions to Middle East supplies, while industry data showing swelling inventories of US crude might keep bulls in check.

Brent futures were up 90 cents, or 1 percent, at $89.81 a barrel by 0757 GMT, set for their sixth day of gains.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 88 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $84.08, up for a fifth day. Both contracts earlier rose more than $1.

The United States and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis reported separate attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday, two crucial export valves for Middle Eastern oil and gas in addition to the Suez canal.

Iran’s top security official said Hormuz would stay closed unless the US accepted Iran’s conditions to end the war, including release of its frozen assets.

Shipping data showed the number of vessels transiting Hormuz fell to a one-week low of eight on Tuesday. Before the war, 125 to 140 vessels passed through the crucial waterway each day.

In Libya, the country’s National Oil Corporation said all fires at fuel storage tanks in the Zawiya oil complex were under control. On the supply front, a Reuters poll showed that US crude oil and fuel inventories were expected to have fallen last week.

However, market sources citing American Petroleum Institute data said US crude inventories rose sharply, while gasoline and distillate stocks fell.

Crude stocks rose by about 9.1 million barrels, while gasoline and distillate inventories fell by 1.5 million barrels and 596,000 barrels, respectively, from the previous week, the sources said.

The crude build far exceeded expectations and, if confirmed by the Energy Information Administration report later on Wednesday, could ease market concerns about supply tightness, Haitong Futures said in a note.

Official numbers from the EIA, the statistical arm of the US Department of Energy, are due at 10:30 a.m. ET (1430 GMT).

For longer-term supply, the EIA expected significant disruptions to Middle East crude supplies to persist through the end of 2027.

The EIA said it expects 2026 Brent crude oil prices to average $86.81 a barrel, and WTI to average $80.88.

Bangladesh has clear legal and regulatory procedures for awarding natural resource extraction contracts and licences, but provides only limited information on public procurement contracts, according to a US government report.

The interim government introduced an electronic public procurement system, but access to the system could be improved, said the 2026 Fiscal Transparency Report: Bangladesh, published recently by the US Department of State.

The report recommended that Bangladesh publish basic information on natural resource extraction awards and public procurement contracts to improve fiscal transparency.

It said the interim government made progress by publishing its end-of-year report within a reasonable time and making its proposed and enacted budgets available online.

Budget information was generally reliable, and the government publicly disclosed its debt obligations. The budget also provided a fairly complete picture of planned revenues and expenditures, including income from natural resources.

However, the report said Bangladesh’s budget documents were not prepared in line with internationally accepted standards. They did not provide details of spending by executive offices or a complete picture of government revenues and expenditures.

The report also raised concerns about Bangladesh’s supreme audit institution, the Comptroller and Auditor General. It said the institution did not review government accounts and did not meet international standards for independence.

To improve transparency, the US recommended that Bangladesh align its budget documents with international standards, ensure actual revenues and expenditures broadly match the approved budget, and strengthen the independence and resources of the supreme audit institution.

It also recommended publishing audit reports on time, with detailed findings and recommendations.

The government is pursuing deregulation and business-friendly measures to make it easier to do business and attract investment, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said.

He made the remarks during a meeting with the visiting US business delegation at the Secretariat today (12 August), according to sources familiar with the meeting.

The delegation was led by Oliver Simpson, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer of Excelerate Energy.

The US business representatives expressed interest in investing in various sectors of Bangladesh at the meeting, the sources said.

The finance minister said the government had decided to pursue deregulation to facilitate business and trade and reduce bureaucratic complications in government institutions.

He also said deregulation was being pursued to reduce corruption.

The government had already restored customers' confidence in the banking sector and was working to ensure accountability in other public and private institutions, he added.

"We are simplifying all kinds of policy support and formulating business- and trade-friendly laws and regulations," he added.

Ravi Aurora, senior vice-president for Multilateral Institutions, International Affairs, Government Affairs and Policy at Mastercard, delivered the delegation's opening remarks.

"Our expectation from a democratic government is to ensure a favourable environment for business and investment," Aurora said.

"We have come to see the business and investment environment in this country. There are tremendous investment opportunities and huge potential," he added.

He further said US businesses were also ready to increase investment if the government provided the necessary policy support.

Bangladesh Bank has cancelled the remaining tenure of its chief economist, Mohammad Akhtar Hossain.

The Human Resources Department-1 of Bangladesh Bank said in a notification yesterday that the remaining period of Akhtar’s contractual appointment as chief economist has been cancelled with effect from September 10, 2026.

Akhtar was appointed chief economist of Bangladesh Bank on a two-year contractual basis on July 1 last year. His tenure was therefore scheduled to run until June 30, 2027, leaving around 10 months of his contract remaining.

As chief economist, Akhtar provided policy advice to the central bank’s governor and board of directors on macroeconomic issues, monetary policy, and the stability of the banking sector.

The chief economist’s position is considered important in Bangladesh Bank’s economic policymaking, particularly in analysing macroeconomic developments and formulating monetary and financial-sector policies.

The central bank’s notification did not specify any reason for cancelling his contract before its scheduled expiry.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) PLC has awarded FIX certification to five more brokerage houses, paving the way for them to launch their own Order Management Systems (OMS) through API connectivity.

The newly certified firms are Emperor Securities & Wealth Management Ltd, Global Securities Ltd, Md Fakhrul Islam Securities Ltd, SIBL Securities Limited, and Stock & Bond Limited.

DSE Chief Technology Officer Asifur Rahman handed over the certificates to the brokerage houses at a ceremony held at the DSE boardroom on Wednesday.

With the latest additions, the total number of brokerage houses that were awarded FIX certification has risen to 66. Of them, 56 houses have already gone live with their own OMS through API connectivity after receiving the certification.

The DSE took the initiative to launch the API-based Broker House Order Management System (BHOMS) in 2020, after which 93 brokerage houses applied for API connectivity with the Nasdaq matching engine to trade through their own order management systems.

The FIX (Financial Information eXchange) certification allows brokerage houses to connect their proprietary trading platforms directly to the exchange's matching engine, enabling faster and more efficient order execution for investors.

The US dollar ticked higher on Wednesday, underpinned by renewed Gulf tensions, with markets focused on upcoming US economic data for signals on the Fed’s policy trajectory.

Oil prices edged up after the United States and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis reported separate attacks on shipping on Tuesday, with Tehran saying the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless Washington accepts its conditions.

Investors buy the safe-haven dollar when concerns about the economic impact of the energy shock from the Iran war intensify.

Analysts said Friday’s soft US jobs data did not weigh heavily on the greenback as markets expect inflation to drive the next Federal Reserve interest rate move.

Fed Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee supported this view on Tuesday by saying he was more concerned about too-high inflation than labor market weakness.

Economists expect data due later in the session to show inflation picked up last month after easing in June, when oil prices fell on hopes of an Iran peace deal.

“Consensus is looking for a reasonably subdued set of numbers,” Chris Turner, global head of markets at ING, said.

“A soft number should drag market pricing of a September Fed rate hike away from a 50 percent probability in favour of no change,” he added.

The main focus for markets this week is US inflation data due later on Wednesday for clues to the direction of Fed interest rates, as last week’s softer-than-expected jobs report and a press conference by Fed Chair Kevin Warsh last month did little to dispel doubts.

Fed funds futures imply a 50 percent chance the central bank will leave rates unchanged at its two-day meeting ending September 16, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

The US dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, was up 0.05 percent at 99.85.

Bangladesh is turning to alternative sources of financing to help address a $421 billion funding gap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said today (12 August).

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an SDG conference at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka, Khosru said the government could not rely solely on traditional public financing to meet the country's development needs.

"There is a limitation in traditional public financing. We are now talking about alternative financing because the global public finance architecture is changing," he said.

He said Bangladesh is seeking to take advantage of the changing global financing landscape, including by developing the capital market and attracting foreign fund managers.

There is a limitation in traditional public financing. We are now talking about alternative financing because the global public finance architecture is changing.

Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Finance and Planning Minister
"We are already moving forward with the capital market. Our foreign fund managers are coming. There are now many products through which we can partly fill the gap through alternative financing," Khosru said.

He also said the government is working to increase revenue by raising the tax-to-GDP ratio, expressing hope that the effort would ultimately succeed.

Govt seeks stakeholder input

Asked whether recommendations made by different stakeholders at the conference would be incorporated into government programmes, Khosru said the government would consider issues that are not already covered by its existing programmes.

"We note these through various channels. If there is anything that is not already covered by our programmes, we incorporate it," he said.

He said consultation with stakeholders is an important part of the government's work and that the process would continue. "We discuss and work with everyone."

Earlier, State Minister for Planning Zonayed Saki said SDG implementation should not be treated merely as an international obligation or an exercise in preparing reports. The government's main objective, he said, was to bring tangible improvements to people's lives.

Exclusion from public services raised

The conference also highlighted the difficulties faced by marginalised groups in obtaining national identity cards, which participants said prevented some people from accessing various government services.

Mohammad Wasim, a van driver from the Mazar Road area of Mirpur, said many homeless people in the area did not have national identity cards.

Ramisa Chowdhury, representing the transgender community, said many members of the community faced difficulties in obtaining national identity cards.

Sohanur Rahman, representing young people, said many members of the Manta community in Barishal also did not have national identity cards.

No one in Bangladesh should be denied the opportunity to have their voice heard, regardless of their identity or social position.

Debapriya Bhattacharya, Convener, Citizen's Platform for SDGs
The three-day SDG conference was jointly organised by the General Economics Division of the Bangladesh Planning Commission and the Governance Innovation Unit of the Prime Minister's Office, with the Citizen's Platform also involved in the initiative.

The first session on the final day focused on "Inclusive Development, Reform and the Five-Year Strategic Framework for Development and the SDGs". Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain attended the session as the chief guest, while Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue and convener of the Citizen's Platform for SDGs, chaired it.

Civil society vows to monitor reforms

In his concluding remarks, Debapriya said no one in Bangladesh should be denied the opportunity to have their voice heard, regardless of their identity or social position.

He said civil society organisations had a responsibility to continuously convey people's concerns and demands to policymakers.

"We will see how much of the challenges presented by the minister are implemented over four years. We will also monitor how the five-year work progresses. We will keep watching every day what is being done and what is not being done," he said.

Debapriya said the Citizen's Platform would monitor the government's commitments and reform initiatives through its Reform Tracker and Manifesto Watch.

He said people are placing considerable expectations and trust in policymakers and urged the government to ensure that those expectations did not turn into disappointment.

A 45-member business delegation from the United States, representing 25 companies under the US-Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC), arrived in Dhaka on August 11 to explore investment opportunities.

The USBBC, a wing of the US Chamber of Commerce, is the advocacy body representing American business interests in bilateral trade with Bangladesh.

The delegation includes officials from major American companies such as Chevron, Excelerate Energy, Visa and Mastercard, according to a US Embassy official in Dhaka.

They are targeting technology, AI and digital innovation, cloud and cybersecurity, healthcare and life sciences, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and the financial sector, the official added.

The delegation has held a series of meetings with trade bodies and ministry officials to gauge investment potential across sectors, the embassy official said.

MEETING WITH AMCHAM

Following their arrival, the delegation held an informal meeting at a Dhaka hotel yesterday with leaders of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Bangladesh, a trade body representing US-affiliated companies operating in the country.

They sought details on trade barriers and priority investment sectors, according to AmCham members.

“We want to bring $5 billion investment from the US entrepreneurs in Bangladesh over the next five years,” a senior AmCham member said after the meeting.

MEETING WITH INDUSTRIES MINISTER

The delegation also met Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir at the ministry on the same day.

After the meeting, Muktadir said the government is working to boost export capacity in the jute, leather, shipbuilding and ship-recycling sectors, according to a statement from the industries ministry.

Measures aimed at turning these sectors into multi-billion-dollar export industries will be announced publicly next month, he informed.

A proposed free trade agreement with the European Union was also discussed with the US delegation, the minister also said, adding that formal talks with the EU are expected to begin soon.

Muktadir added that the government is simplifying business processes and improving access to energy, and is introducing liberalisation in the banking sector that would give IT companies and freelancers easier access to digital payment gateways.

The two sides also discussed trade and export policy, the digital economy, e-commerce, and sectors Bangladesh should prioritise to reach a trillion-dollar economy.

MEETING WITH PM’S ADVISER

Separately, USBBC President Atul Keshap met Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir at the Prime Minister’s Office, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.

Keshap said expanding private-sector cooperation between Bangladesh and the US was a priority, and expressed interest in taking bilateral business relations to a new level.

The meeting also discussed opportunities for US investment in infrastructure, energy, technology, the digital economy and healthcare.

Kabir said the government remains committed to maintaining a business- and investment-friendly environment for US investors.

Trade deals that secure preferential market access will become increasingly important for Bangladesh as it prepares to graduate from least developed country (LDC) status amid a tougher global trade environment, said a senior HSBC official.

The comments came at an event titled, “Navigating Global Trade: Future-Proofing Bangladesh”, organised by HSBC in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Shanella L Rajanayagam, senior trade economist at HSBC Global Research UK, outlined the immediate disruptions facing global trade and their implications for Bangladesh in a presentation at the event.

She noted that while global trade ended 2025 on a strong footing, risks ranging from shipping disruptions to uncertainty over US trade policy require close monitoring in the year ahead.

She also pointed to the longer-term challenges posed by Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC status.

“Global trade is facing disruption on multiple fronts, from shipping shocks to shifting US tariff policy and rising protectionism. With Bangladesh preparing to graduate from least developed country status against this tougher global backdrop, securing preferential market access through trade deals matters more than ever,” she said.

Md Mahbub ur Rahman, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh, said new opportunities are emerging for Bangladesh as global trade patterns change.

“Powered by strong domestic demand, a dynamic young workforce, and rising trade volumes, Bangladeshi businesses are exceptionally positioned to navigate this transformation, move up the global value chain, and thrive on the world stage,” he said.

Aditya Gahlaut, managing director and regional head of Global Trade Solutions for Asia at HSBC, said a series of unsettling events in recent years has changed how companies view resilience.

"It is not just an operational ambition – it is a balance sheet decision, often requiring difficult trade-offs on capital and liquidity. Each one of these choices requires capital -- to commit, to hedge, to fund the transition, and to make the new operating model real," he said, adding that HSBC can support them all.

Ahmad Rabiul Hasan, country head of Global Trade Solutions at HSBC Bangladesh, said the bank would continue to support businesses as they adapt to the changing global trade landscape.

Government Pension Fund Global, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, has significantly scaled back its exposure to the Bangladeshi capital market.

During the first half of 2026, the fund's investment in the country dropped by 18%, equivalent to a reduction of $21.25 million.

According to the half-yearly report released today (12 August) by Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), which manages the fund, the total value of its Bangladeshi portfolio stood at $95.87 million as of June 2026.

This decline marks a continued retreat from a peak valuation of $248.35 million recorded in 2020. Over the last six years, the fund – popularly known as the "Oil Fund" due to its origins in managing Norway's petroleum revenues – has steadily reduced its footprint in the Dhaka bourse. From $211.89 million in 2021, the investment fell to $155.04 million in 2022 and further down to $117.12 million by the end of 2025, before hitting its current six-year low.

The reduction in exposure was broad-based, affecting almost all of the fund's major holdings in Bangladesh's blue-chip companies.

In BRAC Bank, its largest local holding, NBIM reduced its stake from 4.42% in 2025 to 3.66% by June 2026.

Similar trends were observed in other market leaders: its ownership in Square Pharmaceuticals dropped from 1.93% to 1.21%, while in City Bank, it fell from 3.55% to 2.95%.

Even telecommunications giant Grameenphone and multinational Marico Bangladesh saw their shares held by the Norwegian fund dwindle significantly, with Grameenphone's holding plunging to a mere 0.25%.

Market analysts suggest that this divestment is not necessarily a reflection of the fundamental performance of the individual companies, many of which remain highly profitable. Instead, the retreat is attributed to systemic and structural challenges within the Bangladeshi economy.

A senior analyst at Brummer & Partners Bangladesh, the firm that manages the fund's local portfolio, explained that the slowdown since 2020 is tied to a "perfect storm" of adverse factors. These include the long-term aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic, the controversial floor price mechanism that froze the market for extended periods, foreign exchange volatility, and a general climate of economic and geopolitical uncertainty caused by the Middle-east and Russia- Ukraine war.

The analyst noted that while the fund is a long-term equity investor, its risk assessment protocols mandate a reduction in exposure when macroeconomic indicators are unfavorable. Despite the sell-off, the fact that Norway's sovereign wealth fund continues to maintain nearly $96 million in Bangladesh suggests a lingering preference for the country's fundamentally strong and well-governed market leaders.

Analysts believe that if the government can stabilise the exchange rate and ensure a more transparent, market-driven environment, global giants like NBIM may eventually return with fresh capital.

The cautious stance in Bangladesh stands in stark contrast to the fund's overall global performance. Globally, the Government Pension Fund Global – which manages a staggering $2.3 trillion and holds stakes in over 10,000 companies across 67 countries – returned 9.4% in the first half of 2026. This performance outperformed its own benchmark index by 0.22 percentage points. The fund's total value grew by 1,416 billion kroner during the period, largely driven by its massive 72.1% allocation in global equities.