Aamra Technologies Limited has recommended a 0.25% cash dividend for general shareholders for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2025, despite reporting a sharp decline in financial performance.

According to a price-sensitive information (PSI) disclosure filed with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) today (13 July), .

The payout for general shareholders will amount to around Tk11.32 lakh, the company said.

Aamra Technologies said the date, time and venue of its Annual General Meeting (AGM), along with the record date, will be announced after receiving approval from the High Court.

The dividend recommendation comes amid worsening financial results. For FY25, the IT services company reported earnings per share (EPS) of negative Tk3.17.

Its net asset value (NAV) per share declined to Tk18.46 from Tk21.73, while net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) dropped to Tk0.70 from Tk4.21, indicating increased financial pressure and weaker operational performance.

The company was earlier downgraded to the 'Z' category from the 'B' category on 12 February after failing to distribute its approved 1% cash dividend for FY24 within the regulatory deadline of 30 days after its AGM.

Although Aamra submitted a dividend compliance report on 7 July, the DSE has not yet upgraded its category.

A senior company official attributed the financial setback to regulatory challenges. In May 2024, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) restricted the company's bandwidth capacity as an internet gateway service provider over unresolved government revenue-sharing dues.

The restriction significantly affected the company's core operations, which were brought close to a standstill, the official said.

The company said it is working to resolve the issue with the BTRC, but the matter remains pending, affecting business continuity.

Aamra Technologies has been listed on the capital market since 2012, with an issue price of Tk24 per share.

Rupali Bank, the country's only listed state-owned commercial bank, has received final approval from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) to issue shares worth nearly Tk680 crore to the government against its existing equity support.

According to a price-sensitive information (PSI) disclosure published on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) today (13 July), BSEC approved the bank's proposal to issue 45.33 crore ordinary shares to the Government of Bangladesh through a letter dated 12 July.

The shares will be issued at Tk15 each, including a Tk10 face value and a Tk5 premium, raising a total of Tk679.99 crore. The shares will be allotted to the Secretary of the Finance Division under the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the government.

The approval follows a decision by Rupali Bank's board on 30 June to issue the shares. The proposal will now be placed before shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) scheduled for 27 August. The bank's Annual General Meeting (AGM) will also be held on the same day.

The government had provided Tk679.99 crore in equity support to Rupali Bank in phases through the Ministry of Finance. The amount was recorded as share money deposits in the bank's accounts.

Under a 2020 directive of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), companies are required to convert such share money deposits into ordinary shares within a specified period. The proposed issuance is aimed at complying with that regulatory requirement.

Following the issuance, Rupali Bank's paid-up capital will increase from Tk487.93 crore to Tk941.26 crore, while the government's ownership in the bank is expected to rise from 90.19% to around 95%.

As the revised paid-up capital will exceed the bank's current authorised capital of Tk700 crore, Rupali Bank will also seek shareholder approval to increase its authorised capital to Tk2,500 crore.

The share issuance will not bring any fresh funds into the bank, as it only converts the government's previous equity support into paid-up capital. The funds have already been injected into the bank and reflected in its financial statements.

The development comes as Rupali Bank continues to face financial challenges. Due to its weak financial position, the bank did not declare any dividend for the 2025 financial year.

For the January-March quarter of 2026, the bank reported an operating loss of Tk84 crore and a net loss of Tk396 crore, resulting in a loss per share (EPS) of Tk8.12. As of 31 March 2026, its net asset value (NAV) per share stood at Tk27.05, while its shares closed at Tk17.10 on the Dhaka Stock Exchange today

The US dollar has climbed to Tk 123 in the inter-bank market as stronger demand for foreign currency coincides with slower inflows of remittances and export earnings.

The weighted average inter-bank exchange rate stood at Tk 123 yesterday, up slightly from Tk 122.97 a day earlier, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank (BB) data.

Since the beginning of this month, the weighted average exchange rate has been hovering around Tk 123 per USD.

Banks are now trading the US dollar between Tk 122.70 and Tk 123.75.

For example, Eastern Bank sold dollars to importers at Tk 123.70 yesterday, while buying them from exporters and other sources at Tk 122.70. Prime Bank sold dollars at Tk 123.75 and bought them at Tk 122.75.

Bankers said the dollar has strengthened mainly because of mounting payment pressure in recent months.

They said remittance inflows have slowed after the two Eid months, creating a slight shortage of US dollars in the market.

Syed Mahbubur Rahman, managing director and chief executive officer of Mutual Trust Bank, told The Daily Star that the banking sector is facing payment pressure from government imports, especially fuel and fertilisers, which has pushed the dollar exchange rate slightly higher.

He said remittance inflows have also eased after Eid. Together, these factors have increased pressure on the foreign exchange market.

In June, Bangladeshi expatriates sent home $2.81 billion in remittances, down slightly from $2.82 billion in the same month last year, according to BB data.

The June figure was 18.17 percent lower than the previous month.

In May, remittance inflows reached $3.42 billion, up 15.34 percent from a year earlier, as Bangladeshis living abroad sent more money home ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

Preferring anonymity, the treasury head of a private commercial bank told The Daily Star that banks came under pressure at the end of June to settle letters of credit (LCs) for government imports and debt servicing, increasing demand for US dollars.

He, however, argued that the central bank’s intervention in the foreign exchange market was not wise.

The central bank has stopped buying US dollars from the market as demand for the currency has increased. The BB has not purchased dollars since June 8.

Between July 2025 and June 2026, the BB bought $6.4 billion from the market as part of its effort to build reserves.

Lower import payments and the central bank purchases of foreign currency helped boost the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

As of July 9, gross foreign exchange reserves stood at $31.90 billion under the BPM6 calculation method, up from $24.44 billion a year earlier, according to BB data.

The inter-bank exchange rate has reached Tk 123 at a time when an International Monetary Fund (IMF) fact-finding mission is visiting Bangladesh to assess the feasibility of the government’s proposal for a loan package worth nearly $4.5 billion.

Jenson & Nicholson Packaging Ltd, an affiliate of Berger Paints Bangladesh, will invest $13.7 million in the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) under a land lease agreement signed with the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) yesterday.

The company will set up its manufacturing facility on 6.34 acres of land and is expected to create around 600 jobs, according to a press release.

The plant will produce high-quality rigid plastic pails, industrial paint containers, food-grade packaging, metal packaging and other products to strengthen Berger Paints’ backward linkage.

Berger Paints had earlier been allocated 40 acres in the same economic zone, where commercial production is expected to begin within the next two months.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Saleh Ahmed, executive member for investment development at Beza, said the investment reflects growing confidence among local investors in the country’s economic zones.

He said Beza is working to ensure faster and more investor-friendly services to help industries start operations quickly.

Rupali Chowdhury, director of Jenson & Nicholson Packaging and managing director of Berger Paints Bangladesh, said the investment would enhance the company’s production capacity while supporting environmentally friendly manufacturing, employment generation and the development of the paints industry’s backward linkage.

She also urged Beza to address gaps in utility services and policy issues to make the National Special Economic Zone a more attractive manufacturing hub.

Stocks ended higher on Monday, driven by renewed investor optimism following recent capital market-friendly fiscal measures and regulatory reforms.
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The benchmark DSEX index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange gained 17 points, or 0.30 per cent, to close at 5,866.

Market operators said investor confidence has continued to improve following the passage of the Finance Bill 2026, which introduced a series of incentives aimed at revitalising the capital market.

The Finance Bill, recently passed by Parliament, reduced taxes on dividend income, removed the investment ceiling for claiming tax rebates on investments in mutual funds, and eased listing requirements for companies seeking to raise funds through the stock market.

Analysts said these measures are expected to enhance the attractiveness of equity investments, encourage greater participation by both retail and institutional investors, strengthen the mutual fund industry, and facilitate companies' access to long-term capital through the capital market.

The DS30 index, comprising leading blue-chip companies, increased 2.35 points to 2,203, while the DSES index, which tracks Shariah-based stocks, increased 4.32 points to 1,196.80.

Market participation reduced on Monday, with turnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) falling to Tk 14.19 billion from Tk 16.69 billion in the previous session.

Gainers outnumbered Losers on the DSE floor. Of the 394 issues traded, 181 closed higher and 165 ended lower, while 48 remained unchanged.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange also ended higher, with its All Shares Price Index (CASPI) increasing 118.32 points to 15,711, while the Selective Categories Index (CSCX) increased 74.78 points to 9,635.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has launched an ambitious reform drive to modernise the country's capital market by reducing operational barriers, introducing technology-based solutions and strengthening investor protection.

The reform roadmap includes faster share settlement, digital order placement, artificial intelligence-based market surveillance, revised margin lending rules and greater flexibility for stock exchanges in setting market protection measures.

At the centre of the reform agenda is the plan to reduce the securities settlement cycle from the current T+2 to T+1, with a long-term target of introducing same-day settlement, or T+0.

The BSEC and stock exchanges are working with Bangladesh Bank to implement the transition. Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar told The Business Standard that a Bangladesh Bank team recently visited the bourse to review its clearing and settlement infrastructure.

She said the DSE has requested the central bank to extend the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) window by two hours from 4pm to facilitate faster transactions. Once necessary regulatory changes are approved, the move could significantly increase trading efficiency.

To improve market liquidity, the regulator is also preparing to introduce intraday trading, commonly known as script netting. Initially, the facility will be available for fundamentally strong companies, including those listed under the DSE 30 index.

The system will allow investors to buy and sell the same security within a single trading session, giving active investors more flexibility and potentially increasing market turnover.

The BSEC is also reviewing margin lending regulations. BSEC Chairman Masud Khan said the current rules are overly restrictive, particularly the provision that stops margin facilities when a stock's price-earnings (P/E) ratio crosses 30.

Under the proposed framework, the regulator will set broad guidelines while allowing brokerage firms to develop their own risk management systems and determine lending decisions based on their internal assessments.

A major reform initiative is the introduction of digital share order placement to reduce risks associated with the existing paper-based system. The BSEC chairman said physical signatures on buy and sell orders have created opportunities for fraud and misuse.

Under the proposed digital system, investors will be able to place orders directly through mobile applications and secure online platforms. Each transaction will be followed by instant SMS and email confirmations, while the Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL) will provide daily automated transaction summaries.

The regulator has also directed the DSE to upgrade its surveillance system within six months and transition to a fully artificial intelligence-based monitoring system within one year.

Unlike the existing system, where investigations into suspicious transactions can take months, the AI-powered system will be designed to identify market irregularities instantly and allow quicker regulatory action against manipulation.

The BSEC has also restored the authority of stock exchanges to independently determine trading control measures, including circuit breakers and market protection limits.

Meanwhile, the DSE Brokers Association (DBA) has proposed further reforms, including calculating broker margin requirements on a net basis instead of the current gross basis. Brokers argue that the existing system forces them to maintain excessive margins and borrow additional funds from banks.

The BSEC has indicated that it is considering stakeholder demands as part of its broader effort to remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles and improve market efficiency.

"The stock market is a science, and we are restoring the science of valuation to protect the hard-earned capital of every investor," BSEC Chairman Masud Khan said.

The government's outstanding debt has reached Tk22.06 lakh crore, including Tk9.59 lakh crore in external debt, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told parliament today (12 July).

Responding to a question from MP Golam Rasul during the question-and-answer session, the finance minister said the government is pursuing policies to reduce reliance on borrowing by increasing revenue collection and transitioning from a debt-driven economy to an investment-led one.

He said the government is placing greater emphasis on boosting tax and non-tax revenues to cope with the growing burden of domestic and external debt.

"For the current fiscal year, the revenue-to-GDP ratio has been set at around 10.4%, with the primary objective of increasing revenue collection and reducing dependence on borrowing," he said.

The finance minister also said the government has adopted a Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS) to lower borrowing costs, mitigate risks and strengthen debt management.

He said the strategy would enable more efficient management of the country's overall debt portfolio.

Referring to the policies announced in the budget for the current fiscal year, Amir Khosru said the government has launched initiatives to transform Bangladesh from a debt-dependent economy into an investment-driven one.

He said higher returns from public investment would help increase government revenue and reduce the need for borrowing to finance budget deficits.

The minister added that the government is also diversifying financing instruments to reduce interest costs, including expanding the use of sukuk and asset securitisation, alongside other alternative financing mechanisms.

While Bangladesh will continue to borrow from bilateral and multilateral development partners, the government will prioritise long-term concessional loans carrying lower interest rates and favourable repayment terms, he said.

In response to another question from MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, the finance minister said the government repaid external loans worth $4.65 billion during the recently concluded FY2025-26.

Of the total repayment, $3 billion was principal, while $1.65 billion was paid as interest, he added.

The minister said the government's election manifesto pledged to transform Bangladesh from a debt-driven economy into an investment-led one, and efforts have been underway since the government assumed office to keep external debt at a sustainable level.

He also said all externally financed projects and related loan proposals are being subjected to rigorous scrutiny before approval to ensure that unnecessary projects are not implemented using foreign borrowing.

The government is also giving priority to ensuring that externally financed projects align with its broader objectives of rebuilding and restoring the economy and implementing its election commitments, the finance minister added.

Sonali Aansh Industries PLC has been elevated to the "A" category from the junk "Z" category by the Dhaka Stock Exchange after completing the distribution of a 15% cash dividend to shareholders for the financial year ended 30 June 2025.

According to a DSE notification issued today (12 July), the company successfully disbursed the declared dividend, prompting the bourse to restore its status to the regular trading category with effect from the same day.

The company's share price rose 3.45% to Tk224.7 following the announcement.

Under the DSE's listing regulations, companies are placed in the "A" category if they comply with key regulatory requirements, including holding annual general meetings (AGMs) on time and declaring and distributing the required dividends.

On the other hand, companies are classified under the "Z" category for failing to meet one or more listing requirements, such as not holding AGMs, failing to declare or distribute dividends, remaining non-operational for a prolonged period, or violating other regulatory obligations.

Market analysts said Sonali Aansh's return to the "A" category marks a positive step in terms of regulatory compliance. The company will regain the benefits associated with a regular trading category, and subject to meeting other eligibility criteria, its shares may once again qualify for margin loan facilities. The reclassification is also expected to improve investor confidence and enhance the stock's trading liquidity.

However, analysts cautioned that investment decisions should not be based solely on a company's trading category. Investors should also consider its earnings, cash flows, financial strength and long-term business prospects.

According to the company's latest unaudited financial statements, earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk1.97 for the January-March quarter of 2026, compared with Tk1.81 in the same period a year earlier.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2025-26, EPS rose to Tk5.62 from Tk5.23 in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Meanwhile, net asset value per share jumped to Tk234.34 as of 31 March 2026 from Tk32.81 as of 30 June 2025. The company attributed the sharp increase to the revaluation of its assets carried out up to 31 December 2025.

A company's trading category is considered an important indicator for investors as it reflects its level of compliance with regulatory requirements, corporate governance standards and shareholder obligations. The DSE regularly reviews the compliance status of listed companies and revises their trading categories accordingly.

Analysts said regulators have recently tightened oversight of listed companies, particularly regarding dividend distribution, corporate disclosures and investor protection. As a result, companies that fulfil their regulatory obligations on time are increasingly being restored to higher trading categories.

Bangladesh Bank has increased the cash incentive for exports of domestically sourced textile products to 5% from 1.5% for FY2026-27, aiming to boost local value addition and strengthen export competitiveness, according to a circular issued today (12 July).

The enhanced support will apply to export-oriented domestic textile products receiving alternative cash assistance instead of bonded warehouse and duty drawback facilities.

The move is expected to particularly benefit the country's readymade garment sector by encouraging greater use of locally produced yarn and fabrics.

To qualify for the incentive, exporters must meet specific conditions. Members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and other relevant trade bodies will be required to submit documentary proof that their raw materials, including yarn and fabrics, were sourced from domestic suppliers.

Industry stakeholders said the higher incentive would encourage the use of local inputs, increase domestic value addition and enhance the competitiveness of Bangladesh's export sector in global markets.

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) on Sunday issued a clarification, rejecting media reports that claimed the regulator had decided to immediately delist companies that have remained closed or inactive.

In a press release, the Commission described the reports as completely misleading and baseless, saying they did not accurately reflect the remarks made by BSEC Chairman Masud Khan during an exchange of views with the Capital Market Journalists' Forum (CMJF) on July 9.

The BSEC said the Chairman had referred to international practices, where companies that remain closed or inactive for prolonged periods are generally not allowed to stay listed on stock exchanges.

He also noted that Bangladesh is an exception, with several inactive companies continuing to remain listed, exposing particularly small investors to financial risks, reports BSS.

The Commission clarified that no decision has been taken to delist such companies.

According to the BSEC, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), as the frontline regulator, is currently reviewing the status of inactive listed firms to develop a logical and transparent process for addressing the issue.

As part of the review, a proposal has been discussed to allow inactive companies a grace period, possibly one year, to resume operations.

If they fail to do so within the stipulated period, any further action will be taken in accordance with the existing laws, rules and listing regulations, it said.

The regulator also urged investors to exercise caution while making investment decisions, particularly regarding companies that have remained inactive for a prolonged period, face going concern risks, fail to hold mandatory annual general meetings (AGMs), or do not pay dividends to shareholders.

The clarification was issued through an official press release signed by the BSEC spokesperson.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) will launch a series of roadshows in major trading hubs, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai, to attract global apparel buyers that currently do little or no business with Bangladesh.

The initiative will begin with a roadshow in Hong Kong, while HSBC will support the programme by helping identify and engage potential buyers and encouraging them to participate in the events. The announcement was made at a programme held at the BGMEA headquarters in Dhaka yesterday (12 July).

To formalise the collaboration, BGMEA and HSBC signed a MoU. The agreement was signed by Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, president of BGMEA, and Md Mahbub ur Rahman, CEO of HSBC Bangladesh, on behalf of their respective organisations.
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Speaking at the event, Shah Rayeed Chowdhury, a BGMEA director, said the initiative would begin in Hong Kong before expanding to other global trading centres. "We will start with Hong Kong, but later we will also go to places such as Singapore and Dubai," he said.

After the event, he told TBS that BGMEA's current focus was largely on major existing buyers, but the organisation now wanted to showcase Bangladesh's capabilities to brands that either do not source from the country or have only a limited presence.

"We want to let those buyers know how Bangladesh's capabilities have evolved. Our main objective is to strengthen Bangladesh's brand image," he said.

Explaining why Hong Kong had been chosen as the first destination, Chowdhury said it was an important global trading hub where many international brands have a presence.

"We will target those brands there. Singapore and Dubai are also global trading hubs, so we will organise similar programmes there in the future and engage with buyers. There will also be matchmaking sessions," he said.

He added that the events would be jointly organised by BGMEA and HSBC.

Explaining HSBC's role, Chowdhury said many global brands already work with the bank because of its international reputation.

"Global brands work with trusted and reliable institutions like HSBC. Partnering with them will also strengthen our credibility," he said.

Speaking at the event, HSBC CEO Mahbub said understanding buyers' changing priorities would be key to the initiative.

"We need to research what customers want and where they are heading. We want to identify three to five priorities over the next five years. We will set our priorities based on customers' needs," he said.

BGMEA President Babu called on HSBC to help attract brands that have yet to source products from Bangladesh. He said one international brand that previously did not purchase from Bangladesh had now decided to start sourcing from the country.

He also said BGMEA planned to expand business with Japan and would establish a dedicated help desk at the association to support that effort.

Agreeing with the HSBC chief executive, Babu said Bangladesh had many world-class garment factories, but negative images often affected buyers' perceptions.

"There are many excellent factories in Bangladesh. But when images of the polluted waters of the Turag River are shown abroad, many premium brands become reluctant to place orders in Bangladesh," he said.

Oil prices settled lower on Friday after the latest round of US-Iran fighting as traders grew hopeful that shipping would eventually resume in the Strait of Hormuz, but prices finished with sharp weekly gains.

Brent futures settled at $76.01 a barrel, down 29 cents, or 0.38 percent. US West Texas Intermediate crude finished at $71.41 a barrel down 67 cents or 0.93 percent.For the week, Brent gained about 5.50 percent and WTI nearly 4 percent.“This market is ready, willing and able to jump on good news or at least no bad news,” said John Kilduff, partner with Again Capital. “And it looks like the escalation won’t get any worse.”

With the end of tit-for-tat air strikes and the promise of renewed talks between the US and Iran next week, traders looked forward to the Strait of Hormuz reopening.Brent futures settled at $76.01 a barrel, down 29 cents, or 0.38 percent“Amazingly though, oil prices are coming down after a spike near $76 a barrel, even as the Strait of Hormuz was effectively shut down once again,” said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with Price Futures Group.

Flynn added this was mainly on confidence that the United States’ military strength will not allow the Strait of Hormuz to be shut down for an extended period of time.

On Thursday, Iranian armed forces launched attacks on US military infrastructure in Gulf states after US strikes on Iran’s southern coastal and eastern provinces.

Prices pared gains after a Reuters report said Qatari negotiators were in Iran to meet Iranian officials in an effort to de-escalate tensions and create conditions for broader negotiations to continue.

Separately, Iranian media reported multiple explosions across southern Iran. The area included Bushehr, where one of the country’s nuclear plants is located.

The recent escalation in hostilities between the US and Iran could upend the International Energy Agency’s forecast of a significant oil market surplus next year, the agency said.

The developments have delayed a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which carried about 20 percent of daily global oil and gas supplies before the start of the war on February 28.

The lack of any new US strikes on Iran overnight is probably weighing on oil prices, though a drop in flows through the Strait of Hormuz is limiting the downside, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Liquefied natural gas tankers have passed through the strait in recent days, ship-tracking data showed, but overall daily traffic has slowed.

US President Donald Trump said this week that he did not think the war would restart and that “anything that happens is going to be over very quickly”.

“Despite the US ramping up attacks on military sites in Iran, the market drew some reassurance from the Trump administration’s decision to avoid targeting Iranian energy infrastructure,” said ANZ commodity strategist Daniel Hynes.

Elsewhere, the IEA downgraded its projections on Russian oil production because of Ukrainian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure, the agency said on Friday.

Russian gasoline output fell to a level equivalent to only around 65 percent of the seasonal average consumption after Ukrainian drone attacks led to stoppages at large oil refineries, according to two industry sources.

For the local bike market, the recently concluded fiscal year was dull, as retail sales were almost unchanged from the previous year, due mainly to weak economic conditions, sluggish farming activity and fuel price shocks.

Even in the subdued market, Japanese brands posted double-digit sales growth, while their Indian rivals struggled.

Sellers said the demand for Japanese motorcycles in the entry and mid-segment was strong, driven by fuel efficiency, low running costs, competitive pricing and practical features.

In contrast, Indian brands said the absence of new product launches in FY26 eventually hurt their sales.

Industry data showed that 422,655 motorcycles were sold in FY26, almost unchanged from 422,593 units in the previous fiscal year. Companies blamed weak demand for the stagnant market.

“The industry should have reached annual sales of 700,000 to 800,000 motorcycles by now, but remained below 500,000 units, discouraging deeper localisation and investment in domestic component manufacturing,” said Subrata Ranjan Das, deputy managing director of ACI Motors.

ACI Motors is the sole distributor of Japanese brand Yamaha in Bangladesh.

He said the market had failed to realise its potential because weak economic conditions, sluggish agricultural activity in the northern region and policy uncertainty curbed demand.

Yamaha retained its position as the country’s best-selling motorcycle brand after retail sales rose 19 percent year-on-year to 95,531 units, giving it a 23 percent market share.

Another Japanese brand Suzuki ranked second with sales of 90,657 units, up 10 percent, while Honda recorded the fastest growth among these three Japanese brands. Its sales jumped 18 percent to 83,122 units, lifting its market share to 20 percent.

Together, the three brands accounted for nearly two-thirds of all motorcycles sold in Bangladesh during the last fiscal year.

Several competitors, particularly Indian manufacturers, struggled to maintain their position.

Hero’s sales fell 6 percent to 73,762 units, although it remained the fourth-largest player with a 17 percent market share. Bajaj posted a steeper decline of 22 percent to 63,256 units, while Royal Enfield’s sales slipped 9 percent to 7,568 units.

TVS recorded the sharpest decline among the major manufacturers, with sales plunging 67 percent to 6,370 units from 19,167 a year earlier.

Sales by smaller brands grouped under the “Others” category edged up 3 percent to 2,389 units.

Industry executives said weak economic conditions, policy uncertainty and subdued consumer spending continued to weigh on the market despite strong performances by a handful of brands.

“At the current volume, it is difficult to justify deep manufacturing or build a competitive vendor base. We need a market of at least 10 lakh units,” Subrata Ranjan Das of ACI said.

He noted that Pakistan’s motorcycle market stands at around 25 lakh units despite having a population only slightly larger than Bangladesh’s.

Das also said Bangladesh remains one of the least-penetrated motorcycle markets in South Asia, with roughly one motorcycle for every 80 people, compared with about one for every two people in India.

He attributed Yamaha’s continued market leadership to the company’s customer-centric approach, strong after-sales service, reliable braking performance, fuel efficiency and high resale value.

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He also credited regular customer engagement and follow-up services with helping build long-term trust and customer loyalty.

TVS Auto Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Biplob Kumar Roy said the absence of new product launches, coupled with weak economic conditions, had hurt the company’s performance.

“We could not introduce any new products, so our business did not perform as expected,” he said.

He added that the broader economic slowdown and prolonged uncertainty had further dampened consumer demand.

“The industry could not grow the way it was expected to,” Biplob said, adding that the sector still has significant growth potential, but subdued consumer sentiment has prevented it from reaching that trajectory.

Honda, however, bucked the broader market trend.

Shah Muhammad Ashequr Rahman, chief marketing officer at Bangladesh Honda Private Limited (BHL), attributed the company’s sales growth to strong demand for its entry and mid-segment motorcycles, particularly the 110cc and 125cc models.

Popular commuter models such as the Dream 110, Shine 100, Shine 100 DX and SP 125 have continued to attract buyers because of their fuel efficiency, low running costs, competitive pricing and practical features, said Ashequr.

“We are resolving customer issues much faster than before. Our motorcycles offer advanced technology at competitive prices with low running costs,” he said.

He added that Honda’s strengthened brand image had also contributed to the company’s improved sales performance.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today (Sunday) said that any future partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be pursued only if it safeguards public interest and protects the country's economic security.

"The government would not join any IMF programme that goes against the interests of the people," he said while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, BSS reports citing a press release.

Referring to the previous IMF programme undertaken by the former government, the minister said that it included a number of conditions that the present elected government considered inconsistent with its policy priorities and, therefore, decided to withdraw from that arrangement.

He said the government's objective is not merely to secure external financing but to ensure economic stability while protecting the interests of the people.

Any future engagement with the IMF, he added, would be based on terms that fully safeguard Bangladesh's national interests.

The minister also said the government is working to modernise the country's visa policy as part of its broader vision of building a modern Bangladesh.

He said the existing visa regime would be simplified to facilitate greater tourist arrivals, attract foreign investment and strengthen international confidence in Bangladesh's economy.

During the briefing, Amir Khosru also expressed deep sorrow at the death of Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, former Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad and former Acting President of Bangladesh.

He described Jamiruddin Sircar as a capable and principled statesman, saying his contributions to the country's politics would be remembered with respect and that his death is an irreparable loss to the nation.

The government has intensified discussions with the BRICS-led New Development Bank (NDB), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other multilateral development partners to secure budget support and concessional financing, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told parliament yesterday (12 July).

Responding to a question from MP Md Fazle Huda of Naogaon-3 during the question-and-answer session, the finance minister said the initiative is aimed at easing pressure on the country's foreign exchange reserves while ensuring adequate financing for priority development projects.

He said the government is exploring alternative sources of funding to maintain the continuity of development activities without placing additional strain on foreign exchange reserves.
"To this end, discussions are underway with the BRICS-led New Development Bank and other multilateral lending institutions on the possibility of obtaining budget support and loans on more flexible terms," the minister said.Khosru added that successful negotiations with development partners would strengthen the government's financial capacity and make it easier to secure funding for the implementation of priority development projects.

Bangladesh’s inward remittance recorded a robust double-digit growth at the start of the new fiscal year 2026–27, with US$1.15 billion in the first 11 days of July, according to the latest data released by Bangladesh Bank.

This marks a significant 11.6 percent monthly growth compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, when the country received $1.03 billion between July 1 and July 11, 2025.

The central bank’s detailed breakdown indicates that the flow of foreign currency picked up pace significantly toward the end of the first week of July. In just a three-day window between July 9 and July 11, 2026, Bangladeshi expatriates sent$191 million through banking channels.

Financial analysts and central bank officials attribute this strong upward trajectory to the recent stabilization of the interbank foreign exchange market and competitive exchange rates offered by commercial banks. The steady use of banking channels instead of informal networks (like Hundi) has significantly buoyed the state’s incoming foreign currency receipts.

The sustained surge in remittance inflows brings a much-needed sigh of relief for macroeconomic policymakers.

This steady influx is expected to provide a crucial buffer to Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves and help ease the ongoing balance of payment pressures during the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

The Bangladesh Bank will issue non-performing loan (NPL) resolution guidelines by December as part of its banking sector reform commitments under the proposed new loan programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to central bank officials.

The commitment was conveyed to an IMF delegation during a meeting at Bangladesh Bank yesterday (12 July), senior officials familiar with the discussions told The Business Standard. The meeting was attended by the central bank governor and deputy governors.

A senior official who attended the meeting said the central bank is preparing the guidelines primarily for banks with non-performing loan ratios above 10%. "If the guidelines are issued by December this year, they are expected to come into effect from 2027.

The official said the guidelines form part of Bangladesh's commitments under negotiations for a new IMF loan programme and are aimed at reducing bad loans in the banking sector. As of March this year, the country's overall NPL ratio stood at more than 32%.

The IMF delegation, led by Bangladesh Mission Chief Ivo Krznar, arrived in Dhaka yesterday for a five-day visit to assess the feasibility of the proposed $4.5 billion loan programme.

What were discussed at meeting

During yesterday's meeting, IMF officials also sought an update on the repeal of the controversial Section 18(ka) of the Bank Resolution Act. Bangladesh Bank informed the delegation that the government would remove the provision soon, according to officials.

The provision has drawn criticism because it could allow former owners of resolved or merged banks to regain ownership or control. Concerns have been particularly acute over banks previously controlled by the S Alam Group, especially several Islamic banks.

The IMF delegation also sought updates on Bangladesh's overall macroeconomic situation, including inflation, the exchange rate and the central bank's monetary policy stance.

According to officials, the IMF questioned why Bangladesh Bank's US dollar purchases through auctions were consistently clustered within a narrow price range.

The central bank explained that the interbank exchange rate serves as the benchmark, with recent dollar purchases made between Tk122.60 and Tk122.75, while the prevailing interbank rate currently stands at Tk122.85.

The official said the IMF sought an explanation for the central bank's recent decision to lower the interest rate on trade finance. The IMF also asked whether banks would be able to access trade finance at SOFR plus 3% under the revised pricing framework.

Bangladesh Bank officials replied that the decision had been taken after consultations with commercial banks and was intended to stimulate private sector credit growth.

Bangladesh Bank recently issued a circular reducing the interest rate ceiling on trade finance to SOFR plus 3%. Following the announcement, the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh urged the central bank to reconsider the decision in a letter.

The IMF delegation also raised concerns over restrictions on the foreign exchange forward market. Officials noted that during the Iran conflict, importers sought to hedge exchange rate risks by entering into forward contracts while opening letters of credit (LCs).

At the time, Bangladesh Bank verbally instructed banks not to facilitate forward bookings, fearing they could fuel demand for dollars and push up the exchange rate.

The IMF, however, stressed that Bangladesh should develop a more active forward foreign exchange market, arguing that forward contracts are an essential risk management tool that allows businesses to hedge against future currency volatility.

The delegation advised the central bank to facilitate, rather than discourage, the use of forward bookings in the dollar market.

Bangladesh Bank officials said the IMF would review the country's current economic conditions before formally considering the request for a new lending programme.

Bangladesh first secured a $4.7 billion IMF programme in 2023 to help address a foreign exchange reserve crisis. The programme later expanded to $5.5 billion after additional financing was approved under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

After disbursing $3.59 billion in five instalments, the IMF suspended further disbursements last December after Bangladesh failed to meet several programme conditions.

Following the change in government, the BNP administration cancelled the previous programme and applied for a new IMF loan package under revised reform commitments.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said Bangladesh will pursue the new IMF loan that safeguards public interest and the country's economic security.

The government will not participate in any loan programme that undermines the interests of the people, he said while speaking to journalists at the Secretariat yesterday.

Spot gold eased on Friday and was on course for a weekly decline, as higher oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict fuelled inflation concerns and bolstered expectations of tighter US monetary policy.

Spot gold slid 0.4 percent to $4,103.23 per ounce by 2:10 p.m. EDT (1810 GMT), and was down 1.7 percent for the week so far.

US gold futures for August settled around 0.7 percent lower at $4,113.70 per ounce.

The major factor here is the restarting of tensions between the US and Iran, with investors broadly not wanting to hold on to gold and silver at this point, Bart Melek, global head of commodity strategy at TD Securities, said.

The recent escalation in hostilities between the US and Iran could upend the International Energy Agency’s forecast of a significant oil market surplus next year, the agency said on Friday.

Oil prices were poised for a weekly rise, propelled by supply concerns amid fresh US-Iran strikes.

Higher energy prices fuel inflation concerns, strengthening expectations of interest rate hikes by central banks.

While gold is generally viewed as an inflation hedge, higher interest rates tend to weigh on the non-yielding metal by increasing the appeal of interest-bearing assets.

Every indication points toward the market worrying about inflation, particularly since oil has rebounded in the last few days, Melek said.

This will keep central banks diligent, particularly the Federal Reserve, he added.

Traders are pricing in about a 69 percent chance of a rate hike in September, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

The minutes from the Fed meeting in June showed a hawkish split as concern about high inflation mounted.

Investors are now eyeing next week’s inflation data and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s testimony for further insight into the monetary direction.

Meanwhile, gold traded at a steep discount in India this week, while demand in China remained steady.

This followed the Chinese central bank reporting its largest monthly increase in gold reserves in more than 2-1/2 years in June.

Investor confidence in Bangladesh's capital market is gradually returning due to sweeping reforms, stronger regulatory oversight and strict action against those involved in past market manipulation, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told parliament today (12 July).

Responding to a supplementary question from opposition MP Md Kamrul Hasan (Mymensingh-6), the minister said the country's capital market has shown visible improvement since the reconstituted Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) assumed office.

"The stock market has maintained an upward trend over the past two months, with significant gains in the market indices," he said, adding that the current commission is playing a positive role in restoring investor confidence by ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

The finance minister said the government has appointed a completely new BSEC comprising a chairman and three commissioners, while the process of appointing another commissioner is underway.

He said none of the commission members had been appointed on political considerations. Instead, they were selected based on professional competence, experience and integrity.

According to the minister, the commission, led by professionals with extensive experience in domestic and international capital markets, is working to strengthen governance in the market.

Highlighting actions taken against irregularities and market manipulation during the previous government's tenure, he said disciplinary measures had already been taken against individuals and institutions found responsible, while investigations and legal proceedings in several other cases remain ongoing.

Detailed information on these actions has also been published on the BSEC's website, he added.

The minister said financial penalties had been imposed on various individuals and organisations for market manipulation and fraud. Action has also been taken against those involved in manipulating Beximco share trading.

He added that the commission is implementing further measures based on the recommendations of a committee formed to investigate allegations of corruption and financial irregularities.

The government's objective, he said, is to transform Bangladesh's capital market into a transparent, accountable and internationally recognised investment destination.

He claimed that not only local investors but also listed companies and international fund managers have started showing renewed interest in the market.

Investment managers from major global financial centres, including Hong Kong, London and New York, have already begun visiting Bangladesh to assess investment opportunities in the capital market, he said, adding that the market's recent upward trend reflects improving investor confidence driven by the government's reform initiatives.

In response to another supplementary question, the finance minister said the government is implementing a comprehensive programme to make the tax system simpler, fairer and more taxpayer-friendly while expanding the country's tax base.

He said the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is identifying the market share of different businesses and assessing taxes based on their actual business capacity to ensure a more rational and transparent taxation system.

The government is also introducing a simplified flat-rate tax regime to bring individuals and small businesses currently outside the tax net into the formal tax system, he said.

Under the proposed system, taxpayers will pay a fixed amount based on their financial capacity and location, eliminating the need to file income tax returns or undergo lengthy assessment procedures.

The minister said the primary objective is to encourage voluntary tax compliance among new taxpayers and rapidly expand the tax base. Once a sufficient number of new taxpayers are brought into the system, they will gradually be integrated into the conventional tax regime, he added.

A private service holder, Rezaul Karim, first accessed the digital nano loan feature around four years ago, shortly after it was introduced, when the initial credit limit was Tk1,000.
TBS Illustration
TBS Illustration

Since then, he has used the service numerous times, with the credit limit gradually increasing to as much as Tk34,000 based on transaction history and repayment behavior.Sharing experience with The Business Standard, Karim said that digital loan services have become an important source of short-term financing for his everyday expenses.He first discovered the loan while making a payment through the bKash app, and after reviewing terms and conditions, he borrowed Tk1,000 to complete the purchase of a shirt.
"The service is particularly useful during emergencies or when immediate cash is needed, such as during Eid holidays when banking services are less accessible," said Karim. "On one such occasion, I borrowed Tk11,000 after running out of cash while away from home."Digital nano loan disbursement crossed Tk10,000 crore in July, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh's first fully digital and collateral-free loan service introduced jointly by bKash and City Bank in December 2021.Over 35 lakh bKash customers availed the loan from City Bank so far under the digital nano loan platform, reflecting an improvement in democratising access to credit for marginal people.bKash data shows that users availed the loans service over 3 crore times when the platform offered a minimum of Tk500 to a maximum of Tk50,000 based on payment behavior.

Under the digital loan platform, around 1 lakh customers receive an average of Tk3,500 each every day through the bKash app. In contrast, all banks combined lend to only around 20,000-25,000 people or companies.

Over 1.2 crore bKash customers are currently eligible to avail loans based on users' transaction behavior on the bKash app, KYC information, and previous loan repayment history, according to bKash.

The service was initially started with only 2 lakh customers. After the pilot phase, it expanded to 8 lakh and gradually increased to 1.2 crore in 4 years, according to City bank.

Arup Haider, deputy managing director of City Bank, said digital nano loans tell a bigger story of democratising credit and financial inclusion, which was the fundamental idea.

He said people frequently face unexpected situations where they urgently need cash, but there was no system to address that need. Nano loans have now filled that gap.

This has improved the lives not only of vegetable sellers but also of corporate employees, journalists, and countless ordinary people, said Haider.

He expects that if today's borrowers continue to grow, the average ticket size may rise from Tk3,500 to Tk10,000, because customers are gradually building credit scores and repayment histories. When ticket size grows, it will be used for the productive sector, he added.

"What we're seeing today is only the tip of the iceberg," said the banker.

Eventually, perhaps by 2030 or 2031, as many as one million people could receive nano-loans every day. When that happens, informal moneylenders will largely disappear. Many local lending associations will also become obsolete," he said. He also believes a significant share of the NGO microfinance market will eventually shift toward nanolending.

How nano-loans are democratising credit

According to bKash data, nearly half of all Tk10,000 crore loans have been disbursed outside large cities like Dhaka and Chattogram, expanding access to formal finance in smaller cities, towns, villages, and underprivileged communities. More than one-quarter of the borrowers are women, strengthening their financial inclusion and economic participation.

Ali Ahmmed, chief commercial officer of bKash, said the milestone has significant economic implications because the loans are reaching people who largely lack access to formal banking, particularly outside major cities. Women, small traders, and micro-entrepreneurs are using the loans for productive purposes, such as purchasing inventory or working capital.

He said customer feedback and internal research indicate that many borrowers use the funds to support income-generating activities.

For instance, someone selling vegetables in the market may borrow Tk5,000 in the morning, purchase vegetables, transport them to Dhaka, and sell them. They may repay the loan within a week or a month, but during that period they could generate business worth Tk30,000. Since vegetables often have margins of 40-50%, they can earn substantial returns. The economic impact of thousands of such cases is difficult to quantify, he said.

The government's vision of a cashless Bangladesh begins with people shifting from cash to digital transactions. Once customers start using mobile financial services digitally, they create a credit history, he said.

The borrowers' list is continuously refreshed. Some customers qualify while others are removed, depending entirely on scoring models. Their loan limits also change over time as new transaction and repayment data becomes available.

Loan eligibility is determined using customers' transaction history in bKash accounts along with City Bank's credit policy. The repayment period is 3 months to 6 months.

The maximum six-month option is mainly for financing purchases of specific products using the Pay Later product, and only a very small percentage of borrowers use that option. About 99% of customers repay within three months, according to the bank.

The service has become a vital financial safety net—helping manage emergency expenses, education costs, household needs, and temporary business cash-flow gaps while reducing dependence on predatory informal lenders.

There is no charge for early settlement of the loan, and interest applies only for the period the loan remains outstanding.

Eligible customers simply tap the Loan icon on the bKash app, enter the desired amount within their approved limit, accept the terms and conditions, enter their bKash PIN, and instantly receive the approved loan amount in their bKash account.

Though the contribution of digital nano-loans to overall business is still negligible, City bank experienced rapid growth in users and strong repayment behavior, which kept the service at break-even.

With a default rate of less than 1%, the digital lending model has demonstrated strong portfolio quality. The bank noted that approximately Tk8,000 crore of the total disbursement occurred within the last 18 months, highlighting the product's rapid growth.

So far, out of the Tk10,000 crore the bank disbursed, around Tk80 crore has not yet been recovered, according to the lender.

How costly are nano-loans?

The bank charges 17% to 19% for digital nano loans, which looks high but is not burdensome, said Arup Haider. "Apparently it looks high, but most people don't find that unreasonable."

Citing an example, he said, "If you borrow Tk10,000, you'll repay around Tk10,400 over three months of the loan period."

He said in traditional banking, issuing a loan requires a large operational process. "That's where digital technology changes everything."

He added, "Also, think about the alternatives. If you cash out Tk10,000 through conventional channels, you might spend around Tk200 in fees. Here, you receive a three-month loan and repay it gradually in installments, paying only less than Tk400 extra in total when this loan solves your immediate problem."

Future of digital nano-loans

Ali Ahmmed sees two major opportunities. First, the number of customers with access to credit can increase substantially given the country's around 126.6 million adults with national identity cards and more than 84 million mobile financial service users.

Second, there are significant opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Many small businesses currently have no meaningful access to formal finance. Many already use bKash for cash-in, cash-out, and merchant payments.

"If banks partnered with us to provide working capital loans, the funds could be used much more productively," he said.

"For example, suppose a pharmacy receives a Tk100,000 loan. Instead of receiving cash, the business could directly pay pharmaceutical companies to purchase medicines. The pharmacy would then sell those medicines and repay the loan after one week, 15 days, or a month."

"We often discuss the slow growth of private-sector credit. I believe that if we properly structure digital lending for SMEs, it could become an important driver of future private-sector credit growth," he said.