More than 10,000 customers of Sammilito Islami Bank withdrew their funds on the third day of the bank's repayment programme, taking the total number of customers paid to 26,056 over three days.

Yesterday (9 September), 10,697 customers withdrew a total of Tk381 crore.

Since the repayment programme began, 26,056 customers have withdrawn a total of Tk1,040 crore over three days. At the same time, fresh funds have continued to flow into the bank alongside the repayments to customers.

Earlier, among customers who applied to withdraw funds on 1 September, 8,125 withdrew a total of Tk319 crore on 7 September.

On that day, the bank received Tk93 crore in cash and another Tk51 crore through RTGS, BFTN and clearing, bringing total inflows to Tk141 crore. A total of 16,600 transactions were completed through cash and other channels that day.

Among customers who applied on 2 September, 7,234 withdrew a total of Tk340 crore on 8 September.

The bank received Tk90 crore in cash and Tk105 crore through BFTN, RTGS and clearing that day, resulting in total inflows of Tk195 crore. A total of 16,050 transactions were completed.

Overall, 58,745 customers applied between 1 and 3 September to withdraw a total of Tk3,304 crore. Against these applications, 26,056 customers withdrew Tk1,040 crore between 7 and 9 September.

This means around 31.5% of the amount applied for has so far been paid to customers.

The bank authorities said funds continue to flow into the bank alongside customer repayments. Regular transactions through personal accounts are continuing as normal and will remain operational.

The bank also said repayments are being made according to customers' applications. A significant number of customers are withdrawing their funds every day, while the flow of funds into the bank and normal banking operations continue.

Parliament today (9 September) passed the Bank Resolution (Amendment) Act, 2026, abolishing a provision that allowed former directors or owners of merged or merger-bound banks to regain ownership.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury moved the amendment bill, which was passed by voice vote. Deputy Speaker Kaisar Kamal presided over the session.

The amendment repeals Section 18A of the Bank Resolution Act, 2026, which had allowed former owners or directors of banks undergoing or listed for merger to regain ownership by paying 7.5% upfront of the money invested by the government or Bangladesh Bank. The remaining 92.5% was to be repaid within two years with 10% simple interest.

The provision was not included in the ordinance issued by the interim government. The current government later added it to the law, drawing widespread criticism from analysts, who said it created an opportunity for those accused of looting banks to buy back ownership in instalments.

Why the provision was scrapped

In a statement explaining the amendment, Khosru said Section 18A was introduced as a market-based alternative to existing resolution tools, allowing banks under resolution to remain operational while being restructured.

He said the provision also aimed to address capital and liquidity shortages, protect depositors and investors, reduce the government's financial exposure and account for the banking sector's prevailing conditions.

However, no individual or institution had applied after the law came into force while fulfilling all the conditions of the provision, he said. Therefore, repealing Section 18A was considered appropriate and necessary.

The minister subsequently moved the bill for passage, and it was approved by voice vote.

Brief disturbance in parliament

The amendment came amid a brief uproar after independent MP Rumeen Farhana criticised the government over rising loan defaults, saying BNP rule was historically marked by corruption and crises.

"The BNP will come to power, and there will be no gas, electricity or fertiliser crisis – that cannot happen. Bangladesh will not become the champion in corruption – that is also not possible," she said.

Government lawmakers shouted from their seats. Rumeen later questioned Section 18A, saying it could benefit lawmakers with loan-default records.

Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman criticised the disruption, saying MPs must be allowed to speak, while the Speaker could rule on any remarks deemed unparliamentary or the relevant minister could respond.

The value of internet banking transactions in Bangladesh grew by 6.22 percent month-on-month to Tk 1.84 lakh crore in June 2026, driven mainly by sharp increases in two payment systems, according to a recent central bank report.

The total had stood at Tk 1.73 lakh crore in May 2026.
The transactional values of Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) rose while Bangladesh Electronic Fund Transfer Network (BEFTN) fell, according to the e-Banking and e-Commerce Statistics review by Bangladesh Bank.RTGS, NPSB and BEFTN are BB-operated interbank payment systems, but they serve different purposes.

BEFTN is for scheduled batch transfers, NPSB is for real-time card and account transactions, and RTGS is for high-value, instant gross settlement-- all three route transactions among the country’s scheduled banks and mobile financial service providers.

Among the individual channels, RTGS transactions rose 26.09 percent to Tk 50,461 crore in June, up from Tk 40,022 crore in May. NPSB transactions increased 2.70 percent to Tk 57,480 crore in June from Tk 55,967 crore in May, the report showed.

BEFTN transfers, by contrast, declined to Tk 11,638 crore in June from Tk 12,987 crore in May. “It is clear that a large number of customers are using internet banking to access financial services,” BB said in the report.

However, the total number of internet banking customers fell slightly during the same period, decreasing 0.64 percent to 2.27 crore in June from 2.28 crore in May.

The data also showed that among the internet banking customer base, 1.78 crore were male, 44 lakh were female, and 4.7 lakh were registered under “other” in June.

As of June, 58 scheduled banks were offering internet banking services in the country.

The government will import 18 cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from France-based energy company TotalEnergies over the next nine months, with two cargoes scheduled each month from October this year to June next year.

The government may also purchase additional LNG cargoes from the company if needed, subject to mutual agreement between the two sides.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase approved the LNG procurement proposal at a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today (9 September).

The LNG will be procured through the direct purchase method for international procurement.

Each LNG cargo from TotalEnergies will be priced at the Japan Korea Marker (JKM) plus $0.06 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), according to the government.

The rate is slightly lower than the price agreed with US-based Gunvor for 14 LNG cargoes to be imported between 2026 and 2028. Under that arrangement, the price was set at JKM plus $0.0875 per MMBtu.

The TotalEnergies procurement received policy approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to meet urgent gas demand amid heightened geopolitical instability stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, according to the Ministry of Finance's Public Relations Department.

Bangladesh has long-term LNG supply agreements with Qatar and Oman. However, supplies under the contracts have been disrupted amid the Iran conflict, contributing to the country's ongoing gas shortage.

Against this backdrop, the government has been buying LNG from the spot market at relatively high prices while seeking alternative sources to bolster supplies.

As part of that effort, the government has also approved a proposal to sign a long-term LNG import agreement with US-based Gunvor through 2038.

Under the approved arrangement, Bangladesh will import 14 LNG cargoes from Gunvor between 2026 and 2028 at JKM plus $0.0875 per MMBtu.

The United States banned a broad swath of Canadian alcoholic beverages, motorcycles and dairy products from import on Tuesday, sharply escalating an already acrimonious trade spat.

The import bans, which go into effect on September 29 and were published on the White House’s website, came after Canada’s own retaliatory tariffs on US goods took effect after midnight on Tuesday.
Those Canadian levies themselves followed 50 percent tariffs that the United States imposed on some $20 billion of Canadian goods last month, after several rounds of negotiations collapsed.The breakdown has widened a rift between the longtime allies, who have blamed each other for the failed talks, spurred Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to urge a further shift away from Canada’s biggest trading partner, and cast doubt on the viability of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.“We have everything we need to pivot and prosper,” Carney said on Tuesday in a video posted on YouTube. “That pivot will come at a cost. There’s always a cost to action. But it doesn’t come close to the cost of standing still,” he said.

The import bans came after Canada’s own retaliatory tariffs on US goods took effect after midnight on Tuesday

The US bans appeared to cover most alcohol products, including beer and various types of wine, whisky, bourbon, rum, vodka, vermouth, tequila, mezcal, and brandy. The dairy ban covers whey protein, invert molasses, cane molasses and non-alcoholic beer, per notices on the White House’s website. In addition to the import bans, various cheese products were added to a list of products subject to a 50 percent tariff, but not banned outright.

Some paper, aluminum, wood, furniture, lighting and other products were also added to the list.

A US official said President Donald Trump’s pre-existing threat to increase tariffs on Canadian autos from 25 percent to 50 percent on January 1 remained in effect.

The official added that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had spoken with Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister responsible for bilateral US trade, over the past couple of days, and the pair were expected to speak again in the coming days to see if there was an alternative path for the two countries.

In a social media post on Tuesday night, LeBlanc criticized the latest US measures and said he was in contact with Greer regarding a path forward.

“As has been the case for the last 18 months, our first priority remains on protecting and supporting Canadian workers, farmers, families, and businesses from these unjustified actions,” he wrote.

OTTAWA STRIKES BACK

Ottawa’s retaliatory measures, which in turn provoked Washington’s move on Tuesday night, were designed to put economic and political pressure on Washington, Canadian government officials said.

Those counter-tariffs cover some $20 billion of US goods, with duties ranging from 15 percent to 50 percent across products from steel and furniture to clothing and electronics, and are expected to hit sectors in some competitive states such as Michigan and Ohio, ahead of US midterm elections in November.

While the tariffs affect a small amount of exports compared with total trade between the US and Canada, some analysts worry the standoff could destabilize the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the free-trade pact that succeeded NAFTA.

Together they have underpinned commerce across North America for decades.

“What we are worried about is an escalatory spiral,” said Michael Harvey, executive director of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance and a member of Carney’s advisory committee on bilateral US economic relations.

“But at the same time, we totally understand that the prime minister needs to find areas of leverage.”

Trump has been lobbing various attacks at Canada on Truth Social in recent days.
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On Monday, he said Canadian private jet maker Bombardier would no longer be allowed to sell its planes in the United States unless it started manufacturing in the country.

He also shared a map of North America draped in the US flag, including Canada and Mexico, and an AI-generated image reviving a running jab at Carney, calling him “Governor,” a reference to his repeated taunt that Canada should become the 51st US state.

On Tuesday, hours before the latest import bans, Trump directed the General Services Administration, a US government body responsible for providing services for the federal government, to coordinate with the US Trade Representative and “REMOVE Canadian-origin products from GSA’s Multiple Award Schedules unless Canada restores full and fair reciprocity for American Farmers and Companies.”

VARIOUS SECTORS HIT

Trump’s tariffs implemented last month hit sectors including wine, furniture, dairy products, cement, clothing, fishing rods and hockey equipment, covering $20 billion, or 5 percent, of Canadian exports to the US.

A Sapporo spokesperson said the brewer is considering moving a limited amount of production of non-alcoholic drinks from Canada to the US due to tariff risks, but no final decision has been made.

Sapporo owns Ontario-based Sleeman Breweries.

Canada accounts for more than half of the Japanese firm’s overseas beer sales.

According to Canadian and US government data, Canada has shipped almost 68 percent of total exports to the US this year, out of which roughly 80 percent moved duty-free due to exemptions under the USMCA pact.

Protections under the agreement have provided the domestic economy some resilience.

Last month’s tariffs, imposed under a Depression-era US law, do not allow Ottawa to exercise USMCA exemptions.

Concerns about the USMCA’s future have fueled uncertainty about investment and growth, as Canada wages a trade war against an economy 13 times its size.

Polls also show Carney has broad support from Canadians, but that could disappear within months as the consequences of the trade war sink in, according to political analysts.

A new poll from Angus Reid on Tuesday showed that approval of Carney’s performance jumped 11 points to 62 percent from an August poll.

Meanwhile, just 20 percent of Americans approved of Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

Trump threatened last month to raise US tariffs on all cars, trucks and automotive parts from Canada to 50 percent starting January 1, and signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America.

Ten banks accounted for more than 72 percent of the banking sector’s total non-performing loans, according to the central bank, showing that the country’s 61 commercial lenders are not equally responsible for the sector’s financial distress.

As of June this year, bad loans in the banking sector stood at a whopping Tk 6,06,555 crore, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bank (BB). Of this, the 10 distressed lenders held Tk 4,39,527 crore in NPLs.

The lenders are Islami Bank Bangladesh, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank, IFIC Bank, National Bank, AB Bank, First Security Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, Social Islami Bank and Union Bank.

In terms of volume, Islami Bank Bangladesh has the highest level of bad loans in the banking sector. Until June this year, its NPLs stood at around Tk 98,914 crore, or 52.15 percent of its disbursed loans.

The bank was taken over by S Alam Group in 2017. The controversial conglomerate later extended around 80 percent of the bank’s total loans to its own companies and associated firms, violating banking rules and regulations.

After the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024 in an uprising, the bank was freed from the group’s control and is now operating under the supervision of the BB.

At the end of December last year, Islami Bank’s bad loans stood at Tk 92,115 crore, or 49 percent of its disbursed loans. In the six months to June, its bad loans increased by Tk 6,799 crore, according to BB data.

Contacted, Md Altaf Hossain, acting managing director of Islami Bank, said that a large share of its defaulted loans is linked to the S Alam Group, with recovery remaining minimal.

He said that the bank is trying to recover loans from other borrowers, but progress has been limited.

“We are trying to recover the loans through cash payments and rescheduling. When we find no other way, we ultimately resort to filing cases against the customers,” Altaf told The Daily Star.

The acting managing director said the bank regularised Tk 5,885 crore this year through rescheduling, while it recovered Tk 749 crore from classified loans.

Scam-hit Janata Bank ranked second in terms of bad loan volume. Its NPLs stood at Tk 75,729 crore, or 75 percent of its disbursed loans.

Seeking anonymity, Janata Bank officials told The Daily Star that a major portion of the bank’s bad loans is concentrated among a small number of powerful business groups.

They said that about 80 percent of its bad loans are stuck with its top 20 defaulters, including Beximco, S Alam and AnonTex.

Beximco Group alone accounted for about Tk 25,000 crore of the bank’s exposure. Other major defaulters include Crescent Group and Thermex Group.

Agrani Bank, another state-run lender, also struggles with a heavy NPL burden. Its NPLs stood at Tk 32,133 crore, or 43.98 percent of its disbursed loans, show BB data.

At EXIM Bank, bad loans stood at Tk 38,052.53 crore, nearly 71 percent of its total disbursed loans, according to central bank data.

The bank was largely influenced by Nazrul Islam Mazumder, chairman of Nassa Group and former chairman of the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB). Lending irregularities and weak corporate governance have pushed the lender towards a merger with four other troubled banks.

Among lenders linked to the S Alam Group, First Security Islami Bank reported NPLs of Tk 60,645 crore, or 97 percent of its total disbursed loans.

Social Islami Bank’s bad loans stood at Tk 29,799 crore, or 78 percent of its disbursed loans, while Union Bank’s NPLs stood at Tk 27,134 crore, or 96 percent of its disbursed loans.

The boards of the two lenders were also largely dominated by the S Alam Group.

AB Bank’s NPLs stood at Tk 20,325 crore, or 56.04 percent, while National Bank reported Tk 28,276 crore, or 65.46 percent, according to BB data.

Bad loans at IFIC Bank stood at Tk 28,520 crore, or 63.38 percent of its disbursed loans. The bank was dominated by Salman F Rahman, vice-chairman of Beximco Group and an influential adviser to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Md Ezazul Islam, director general of the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM), said the country’s NPL situation shows that the problem is concentrated in a handful of Islamic and state-owned banks.

“The main reason for the rise in NPLs is that loans have become concentrated among a small number of corporate borrowers. The banking sector needs to move away from this excessive loan concentration,” he told The Daily Star.

Ezazul, a former official of the central bank, said that around 10 percentage points of the banking sector’s NPL ratio, which has now reached 30 percent, can be attributed to economic factors, while the remaining 20 percentage points are the result of willful default, irregularities and corruption.

Bangladesh has set a target to generate at least 20% of its total electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 30% by 2040 to curb dependence on imported fuels and prioritise renewable energy to meet growing demand, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament today (9 September).

Under the government's National Renewable Energy Development Strategy for 2026-2030, he said, the country aims to generate 5,500 megawatts of electricity from rooftop solar systems and 4,500MW from ground-mounted solar projects by 2030.

Another 450MW to 550MW is targeted from wind, waste-to-energy, hydropower, floating solar, and agrivoltaics, among other technologies, he added.

The prime minister disclosed the targets in a written response to a question from Meherpur-1 MP Md Tajuddin Khan during the question-answer session of the third session of the 13th parliament.

"Considering the country's growing electricity demand, the government has identified renewable energy as a priority sector to reduce dependence on imported fuel," said the prime minister.

The prime minister also said the government has also introduced incentives to encourage electricity generation from renewable sources, including conditional exemptions from various duties and taxes on solar panels, inverters, batteries and supporting structures used for solar installations.

He said the maximum generation cost for rooftop solar systems with batteries was set at Tk8 per unit on 1 September 2026.

As part of a special incentive package, the government has fixed the purchase price of electricity supplied to the national grid at Tk10.50 per unit, taking into account a 20% profit margin on generation cost and an 11.25% premium.

Under the notification, consumers who install rooftop solar systems by 28 February 2027 in accordance with the Net Metering Guideline 2025 and supply surplus electricity to the national grid after meeting their own consumption needs will receive Tk10.50 per unit for the following three years, until 28 February 2030.

The prime minister also told parliament that the government has formulated several policies and guidelines to expand renewable energy.

These include the "Guideline for Development of Renewable Energy Projects on Land Owned by Government Agencies under the PPP Model, 2026," the "Policy for Increasing Private Participation in Renewable Energy-Based Power Generation, 2025," the "Renewable Energy Policy, 2025," the "Net Metering Guideline, 2025" and the "National Rooftop Solar Programme, 2025."

He said guidelines have also been formulated on business models for waste-to-energy generation, onshore wind development and carbon credit processing.

Bangladesh and Hong Kong yesterday signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) with an aim to increase and safeguard bilateral investment.

Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, commerce minister, and Algernon Yau, secretary for commerce and economic development of Hong Kong, signed the deal during the opening session of the 11th Belt and Road Summit 2026 held in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is currently the seventh-largest source of investment in Bangladesh

The agreement is expected to further strengthen the protection of mutual investments and capital of investors from Bangladesh and Hong Kong, according to a statement from the commerce ministry.

At the same time, it is expected to create a more institutionalised investment environment between the two sides and open up new opportunities for economic cooperation.

Hong Kong is currently the seventh-largest source of investment in Bangladesh.

The new agreement is expected to help increase investment from Hong Kong in Bangladesh.

In particular, there is potential for increased investment flows into promising sectors, including the ready-made garment and textile industries.

It may be noted that Bangladesh has attracted approximately $750 million in foreign direct investment from Hong Kong over the past five years. Of this amount, $122 million was received in 2025 alone.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) edged lower today (9 September) as cautious investors remained on the sidelines amid uncertainty over the market's direction, while concerns over the country's ongoing gas and electricity crisis continued to weigh on sentiment.

The DSEX, the broad index of the DSE, fell 1 point to settle at 5,538. The blue-chip DS30 index shed 5 points to close at 2,103, while the Shariah-based DSES index gained 1 point to settle at 1,111.

Turnover fell nearly 12% to Tk520 crore from Tk590 crore in the previous session, reflecting subdued investor participation. Of the 387 securities traded, 165 advanced, 150 declined and 72 remained unchanged.

Market participants said uncertainty over the economy and corporate operations has kept investors cautious, particularly as ongoing gas and electricity shortages continue to disrupt industrial production. Concerns over the impact of the utility crisis on corporate earnings have discouraged investors from taking fresh positions.

Many investors are instead waiting for clearer signals on the market's direction and upcoming corporate earnings before increasing their exposure, market participants said.

Recent intervention by the stock exchange in large buy and sell orders has also unsettled some major individual investors, they said. Uncertainty over such interventions has prompted some investors to adopt a wait-and-see approach.

Meanwhile, recent inspections and investigations by the stock exchange at several brokerage houses have further weighed on market sentiment, according to market participants.

The DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh (DBA) has urged the stock exchange to avoid unnecessary harassment of brokerage houses during such exercises and maintain a balanced approach so that inspections and investigations do not disrupt their normal operations.

EBL Securities, in its daily market commentary, said the capital market remained range-bound, with the indices showing largely flat momentum throughout the session. Large-cap stocks remained under pressure amid subdued participation as investors stayed cautious about the market outlook.

The brokerage also said investors were closely watching for fresh positive catalysts that could support a sustained recovery, while uncertainty over the upcoming earnings season continued to weigh on sentiment.

Despite more stocks advancing than declining, weakness in several large-cap stocks kept the benchmark index in negative territory.

On the sectoral front, Textile stocks accounted for the largest share of turnover at 31.2%, followed by General Insurance at 13% and Banking at 11.9%.

Textile stocks posted the highest sectoral gain, rising 2%, followed by Mutual Funds at 1.6% and Jute at 1.1%. On the other hand, Ceramic stocks declined 1.4%, Life Insurance fell 0.7% and Financial Institutions lost 0.3%.

ICB AMCL Sonali Bank Limited 1st Mutual Fund was the top gainer, rising 10%. Sena Insurance gained 9.98%, while Saiham Textile Mills advanced 9.76%.

SK Trims & Industries was among the biggest losers, falling 5.11%. Metro Spinning declined 3.81%, while Golden Son lost 3.73%.

Envoy Textiles led the turnover chart, followed by Sharp Industries and Saiham Textile Mills.

The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also ended lower on Wednesday. The CASPI index fell 59.1 points to settle at 14,869, while the CSCX declined 42.9 points to close at 9,088. Turnover at the CSE stood at Tk87.27 crore.

Market observers said the DSE may continue to see cautious trading in the near term unless concerns over utility shortages, corporate earnings and market-related regulatory issues begin to ease.

Swisscontact, an international development organisation, has announced plans to offer advisory and technical support to promising ready-made garment (RMG) companies looking to raise long-term financing through Bangladesh's capital market.

Speaking at a workshop today (9 September), Farzana Amin, team leader of Swisscontact's Progress project, said the organisation aims to develop several RMG companies as role models over the coming year, guiding them through the process of entering the capital market.

She was speaking at a workshop titled "Expanding RMG's Financing Horizons: Opportunities in the Capital Market", jointly organised by the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Swisscontact at the DSE Training Academy.

"RMG companies need to consider capital market-based financing alongside bank loans," Farzana said, adding that Swisscontact plans to provide end-to-end support to companies interested in accessing the market.

DSE Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar said the capital market should be developed as a major source of long-term financing for private-sector businesses rather than being viewed only as an investment platform.

She stressed the need to expand financing options beyond equities and initial public offerings (IPOs), particularly through the bond market, and called for reviewing existing policy and regulatory constraints, including the use of IPO proceeds and opportunities for refinancing.

BKMEA Deputy Secretary Md Harunur Rashid said industrial companies remain heavily dependent on bank financing, which often limits their ability to raise sufficient funds for business expansion.

He said bringing viable companies to the capital market could help them expand operations, create employment and contribute to economic growth. However, maintaining sustainable business growth after listing would be essential to preserving investor confidence.

BMBA President and LankaBangla Investments CEO Iftekhar Alam discussed the process of raising long-term capital under the new listing regulations.

He explained the eligibility requirements for main-board IPOs and SME-board qualified investor offers (QIOs), company valuation, listing procedures, use of raised funds, subscription, share allocation and lock-in requirements.

DSE General Manager of the Market Development Division Saiyid Mahmud Zubayer presented an overview of the country's capital market, DSE's market infrastructure and technological capabilities, and the available equity and debt financing options.

He highlighted IPOs, QIOs, the SME platform, the bond market and direct listing as potential avenues for companies seeking funds for expansion. He also discussed how capital market participation can strengthen corporate governance and enhance a company's credibility.

DSE Chief Technology Officer Md Asifur Rahman said the exchange is providing advisory services and one-to-one counselling to entrepreneurs interested in entering the capital market.

Swisscontact Inspire project Team Leader Bidowra Tahmin Khan said the organisation would work with the DSE, BSEC and other stakeholders to provide advisory and technical assistance to promising RMG and textile companies.

She said Swisscontact has been working with the RMG and textile sectors for around two decades on compliance, skills development and green transition, and plans to use that experience to support companies seeking capital market financing. Swisscontact Bangladesh Deputy Country Director Syeda Israt Fatima and senior officials from the DSE, along with representatives of leading BKMEA member companies, attended the workshop.

The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China have been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership (CSCP) because of expanding two-way trade and strategic reasons, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said yesterday.

Seventeen important agreements have been signed recently between the two countries, under which various projects -- including the modernisation of Mongla Port and the establishment of a Chinese economic and industrial zone in Chattogram -- are being implemented. Muktadir made these remarks as a panellist at a policy dialogue held during the 11th Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Summit in Hong Kong.

He also said that Invest Bangladesh has taken an initiative to establish the country’s first overseas investment office in China as part of efforts to strengthen investment ties with the country.

Describing Hong Kong as one of Bangladesh’s important commercial gateways, the minister said Bangladesh must leverage Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between mainland China and global markets.

He said the global economy of the future can be strengthened not through isolation, but through mutual cooperation, sustainable development, and an open trading system.

Speaking at the session on “Building Resilient Trade and Investment Frameworks in a Diverse Global Landscape,” the minister also said that for developing countries like Bangladesh, economic resilience is not merely about responding to crises.

Rather, it means creating a system capable of adapting to global changes while generating employment and new opportunities, according to a statement from the commerce ministry.

Referring to the preparations for graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, Muktadir said Bangladesh is now moving towards growth driven by productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.

Four areas are being given particular priority to achieve this goal. These include export diversification, development of connectivity infrastructure, attracting productive investment, and a green economic transition.

Alongside ready-made garments, Bangladesh is working to integrate pharmaceuticals, leather and leather goods, agro-processing, light engineering, information technology, and man-made fibre industries into global value chains.

The minister said Bangladesh welcomes investment that can facilitate technology transfer, skills development, and the integration of local industries into international supply systems.

Under the BRI framework, he noted, there are significant opportunities for partnerships in economic zones, logistics, and renewable energy.

He also emphasised expanding digital trade, cross-border e-commerce, and digital payment systems to connect small and medium-sized enterprises, women entrepreneurs, and local businesses with global markets.

Calling for future trade and investment frameworks to be made more environmentally sustainable in response to climate change, he said low-carbon production, sustainable logistics, and green infrastructure would form the foundation of the future economy.

In his speech, the minister emphasised export diversification, investment in productive sectors, and stronger sustainable partnerships to address global challenges such as geopolitical instability, supply-chain disruptions, and climate change.

Bangladesh has also highlighted the need to expand regional and global connectivity while building a green and inclusive economic framework to maintain competitiveness in a changing global economy.

How much oil is flowing through the Strait of Hormuz? Traders, energy executives and government officials are all trying to figure it out – but are reaching wildly different conclusions. It is, however, increasingly clear that this mystery has introduced a residual risk premium into crude prices that could remain deeply entrenched for months.

Benchmark Brent crude futures breached $100 a barrel on Wednesday for the first time since July 24 as ​escalating attacks in the Middle East, including on tankers, stifled hopes of a normalisation of oil shipping in the region.The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman has become the focal point of the conflict amid competing US and Iranian blockades.

Before the war erupted in February, flows through the world’s most important energy artery were largely taken for granted. While never perfect, flow estimates were remarkably reliable, even after accounting for Iran’s longstanding practice of switching off tanker transponders to evade Western sanctions.

For years, the consensus barely changed: Hormuz transited roughly 20 million barrels per day, equivalent to about one-fifth of global oil consumption. That certainty has disappeared.

Today, ​armies of analysts, along with increasingly sophisticated AI systems, are sifting through vast streams of information to determine how much oil is actually moving through the strait. Satellite imagery is cross-checked against port records, tanker drafts, loading ​schedules, refinery receipts and vessel-tracking data to reconstruct movements previously monitored in near real time.

The challenge has become exponentially harder because of the surge in “dark crossings,” when tankers switch ​off navigation and identification systems while approaching, transiting or leaving the strait. A US request for commercial satellite firms to delay imagery from the Gulf has further clouded the picture.

As a result, nobody can say with confidence exactly how much ​oil is flowing through Hormuz on any given day.

There are growing signs that Iran’s grip on the strait may be weakening. Months of tit-for-tat military exchanges have degraded Tehran’s radar systems and strike capabilities near Hormuz. US demining operations and a ​growing US-protected shipping corridor along Oman’s coast have allowed more vessels to enter and leave the Gulf.

The multi-billion-dollar question is how many vessels?

This uncertainty was highlighted by conflicting estimates from the Trump administration.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on September 2 that more than 17 million barrels transited the strait on August 31 under US Navy supervision, a figure that would represent the highest level recorded since the war began. The claim left traders and analysts scratching their heads.

More than a week later, ship-tracking firm Kpler, which uses satellite imagery, transponder ​signals, port logs and commercial shipping intelligence, suggested that perhaps only 6 million barrels crossed Hormuz that day.

Kpler estimates crude flows through Hormuz in August averaged only around 4.3 million barrels per day, rising to nearly 5 million bpd ​during the first six days of September. It also notes that transits appear to have fallen sharply in recent days.

One possible explanation is that the administration is including exports from the United Arab Emirates’ Fujairah terminal, located outside the strait and supplied by Abu Dhabi’s ​bypass pipeline. Moreover, ​a single day’s observation says little about broader trends.

Wright admitted as much, saying on Sunday that flows through Hormuz were averaging more than 9 million bpd, though he did not specify the period.

That would be in line with Kpler’s estimates when Hormuz flows are combined with exports moving through alternative routes that bypass the strait.

To complicate matters further, tankers can remain dark for days or even weeks before and after crossing the strait, so actual volumes could ultimately prove to be significantly higher than current estimates suggest.

The new Hormuz may therefore be carrying half its pre-war volumes, or it may be carrying considerably more. That caveat illustrates the broader problem.

For perhaps the first time in modern oil market history, ​participants cannot accurately measure flows through the world’s most important ​energy corridor. The consequences extend far beyond academic debates over ​tanker movements.
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Oil prices are supposed to reflect fundamentals. Yet it is difficult to assess fundamentals when one of the world’s largest supply arteries has effectively disappeared from view. In effect, uncertainty itself has become a fundamental.

The result is a persistent risk premium that is likely to remain embedded in prices for months. Clarity is likely to improve only with a resolution ​to the US-Iran stand-off. But whether that resolution is closer or farther away remains an open question.

Iran’s economy has come under severe strain after months of war, especially ​since Washington imposed a blockade on ​Iranian exports on July 14 and ratcheted up sanctions. The Trump administration likely aims to use economic pain to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table. But Iran’s clerical leadership continues to demand sanctions relief and maintains hopes of eventually collecting fees from ships crossing the strait.

Moreover, Iran retains the capacity to disrupt maritime traffic. Iran-linked forces have targeted 27 vessels since early July, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The Islamic Republic has also vowed to announce a new restricted zone in the ​Gulf in coming ​days.

In other words, more uncertainty.

Philosophers have long asked: If a tree falls in a forest and nobody hears it, does it make a ​sound? In today’s oil market, the equivalent question is whether a tanker crossing the Strait of Hormuz can influence global supplies if nobody can see it. The answer is far from obvious.

Since the political changeover in August 2024, Bangladesh has experienced significant political and social changes. Under the interim government, uncertainty remained over policy direction and the predictability of administrative procedures. It was certainly not an easy business environment for foreign companies.

Yet Japanese companies continued their operations. More importantly, some even announced new investments or business expansions during this period. One reason may be that Japanese companies do not assess Bangladesh solely on the basis of short-term political developments. They are looking beyond the immediate political risks: the country’s large population, rising income levels, competitiveness as a production base and the expansion of its domestic market. In other words, they are looking at what Bangladesh could become over the next 10 or 20 years.
Bangladesh is gradually becoming more than a low-cost production base for Japanese companies. It is also a country where they see potential for future sales and business growth.

The 2025 JETRO Survey on Business Conditions of Japanese Companies Overseas provides some evidence. Of the Japanese companies surveyed in Bangladesh, 50 percent expected to be profitable in fiscal 2025, while 56.9 percent said they planned to expand their business over the next one to two years. At the same time, 94.4 percent identified political and social instability as an investment risk. These figures suggest an interesting contrast: Japanese companies are clearly aware of the risks, yet many continue to see opportunities for expansion.

The reason is not simply low labour costs. Bangladesh offers Japanese companies an established business base today, while its large population, rising incomes and expanding domestic demand offer the possibility of a much larger market tomorrow. In this sense, Bangladesh is gradually becoming more than a low-cost production base for Japanese companies. It is also a country where they see potential for future sales and business growth.

From this long-term investment perspective, the establishment of the Invest Bangladesh authority is an important development. On August 20, the government brought the Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026 into effect through a gazette notification, merging BIDA, BEZA and the PPP Authority into a new organisation. This is an important step towards consolidating investment promotion functions.

However, this merger does not mean that Bangladesh’s investment administration has become a unified system. Institutions such as BEPZA and Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA), which also play important roles for investors, remain outside the new organisation. Moreover, the issues faced by investors do not end with investment promotion agencies. They may need to coordinate with various government agencies on matters ranging from work permits to tax, customs and foreign-exchange regulations.

This is why I believe the potential role of Invest Bangladesh goes beyond managing the three organisations brought together under the new authority. It could become a coordinating “control tower” that addresses cross-government issues from the investor’s perspective.

For example, information submitted by an investor could be shared across relevant agencies. Digital procedures could also create clear records of applications and decisions, reducing room for different interpretations by individual officials. The real objective should not simply be to create “one organisation”, but to create “one administration from the investor’s perspective”.

Japanese companies have continued to see Bangladesh’s long-term growth potential. If the new organisation can play this cross-government coordinating role and improve the investment experience for companies, it could further strengthen that long-term confidence.

The Invest Bangladesh authority has the potential to make Bangladesh’s investment administration simpler, more transparent and more predictable from the perspective of businesses. That is a development worth watching closely.

The number of women working in Bangladesh's banking sector continues to rise, but their representation in senior positions remains comparatively low, according to a Bangladesh Bank report.

At the end of January-June this year, the number of female officers and employees at 61 scheduled banks stood at 35,971, up 910, or 2.60%, from the previous six-month period.

The findings were published in the central bank's semi-annual report on gender equality by its Sustainable Finance Department.

According to the report, the 61 scheduled banks had a total workforce of 2,17,818 employees at the end of January-June 2026. Women accounted for 35,971 of them, or 16.51% of the total workforce.

In July-December 2025, the number of female employees in the banks was 35,061, meaning their number increased by 910 in six months.

Among different categories of banks, private commercial banks employed 23,524 women, accounting for 16.12% of their 145,898-strong workforce.

State-owned commercial banks employed 9,471 women, representing 17.06% of their total workforce – a higher proportion than that of private commercial banks.

Foreign commercial banks had a comparatively smaller number of female employees, with 931 women working across nine banks. However, they had the highest proportion of women in their workforce, at 24.81%.

Women's representation remains low at senior levels

Despite the increase in the overall number of female employees, women's representation in senior positions remains relatively low, the report found.

During January-June, women accounted for 13.14% of bank board members. Their representation was 16.99% at entry-level positions and 16.37% at mid-level positions.

In contrast, women accounted for only 10.55% of employees at senior-level positions.

This means women's representation remains lower at senior levels than at entry and mid-level positions.

Age-wise, the data showed stronger participation among younger female employees. Women accounted for 21.10% of employees aged below 30, compared with 11% among employees aged above 50.

The report also showed that the employee turnover rate among female workers in the banking sector stood at 13.87% during January-June.

Banks take initiatives to support women employees

Banks have taken various initiatives to improve the working environment for female employees.

According to the report, all scheduled banks provide six months of maternity leave for female officers and employees.

All banks also have policies on preventing sexual harassment and raising awareness about the issue.

Of the 61 scheduled banks, 37 have established childcare facilities, either independently or jointly, for the children of female employees.

In addition, 36 banks have their own transport facilities to help female employees commute after designated working hours.

During January-June 2026, 49 scheduled banks organised awareness training on gender equality.

The Bangladesh Bank report said that although women's participation in the banking sector is increasing, there is still scope to improve their representation in senior positions.

The central bank is encouraging banks to take various initiatives to create a supportive working environment for female employees and ensure greater gender equality in the banking sector.

The securities regulator has widened the scope of investment for directors, officers and employees of stock exchanges and market operators while retaining restrictions on their direct investment in stocks.

According to a new directive issued by the securities regulator, the officials concerned will be allowed to invest in non-convertible bonds, government securities, open-end mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and real estate investment trust (REIT) funds. ETFs and REIT funds, however, are yet to be introduced in Bangladesh's capital market.

Previously, the investment scope was limited to open-ended mutual funds for the targeted group.

The directive covers directors, officers and employees of stock exchanges, Central Depository Bangladesh Ltd. (CDBL), Central Counterparty Bangladesh Ltd. (CCBL), Bangladesh Institute of Capital Market (BICM) and Bangladesh Academy for Securities Markets (BASM).Online newspaper subscription

BICM and BASM have also been brought under the restriction in the latest directive, extending its application to organisations involved in capital market education, training and professional development.

The commission imposed restrictions on their direct investment in shares to prevent conflicts of interest and address concerns over the possible misuse of market-sensitive information by employees of capital market institutions, said Md Abul Kalam, executive director and spokesperson of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).

The restriction is particularly relevant and important for employees who have access to sensitive information relating to trading, clearing, settlement, depository operations, corporate actions or other market activities before such information becomes widely available.

The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen professional conduct and market integrity rather than merely restrict employees' personal investments, said Mr Kalam.

"The change therefore combines tighter restrictions on direct investment in listed securities with a wider scope for investment in fixed-income and diversified products," he said, adding that the restriction applies to BSEC officers and employees as well, with the directive having come into effect last week.Bangladesh economic report

The broader coverage indicates that the regulator is seeking to establish a common standard for individuals working across the capital market ecosystem, market operators said.

A DSE official, requesting anonymity, said the officials concerned and their dependents — sons, daughters, fathers and mothers — were previously not even allowed to open beneficiary owner's (BO) accounts.

Under the latest directive, however, they will be allowed to open BO accounts solely for investing in non-convertible bonds, government securities, open-ended mutual funds, ETFs and REIT funds.

The exemption of diversified investment vehicles reflects an attempt to strike a balance between preserving personal investment rights and securing market integrity, said Akramul Alam, head of research at Royal Capital.

The inclusion of BSEC officials means that the regulator itself is also subject to the investment restrictions.

"Even when there is no actual misuse of information, the public perception that an employee can benefit from privileged access to information may undermine confidence," said Mr Alam.

The BSEC's latest order is expected to reduce the scope for potential conflicts between institutional responsibilities and personal trading interests, he added.

Enforcement key to effectiveness

Market participants said the effectiveness of the directive would ultimately depend on proper monitoring and enforcement.

"Restrictions on paper are not enough. The regulator needs an effective monitoring and disclosure mechanism to ensure compliance," said a stockbroker, preferring anonymity.

Effective enforcement would require coordination among the BSEC, stock exchanges, brokerage firms, depository and other relevant market institutions.

The BSEC spokesperson said the commission would monitor the investment accounts of the individuals concerned and ensure that prohibited transactions do not take place.

"If the regulator finds any investment beyond the approved instruments, it will take action in accordance with the securities rules," he said.

The country has no fertiliser shortage and will have a surplus of 1.584 million tonnes against demand during the upcoming Rabi and Boro seasons, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam told parliament yesterday (9 September).

Demand for urea, TSP, DAP and MOP from October to February 2027 is projected at 3.587 million tonnes, against a prepared supply of 5.171 million tonnes. "So, there is no reason for farmers to panic over fertiliser," he said.

Opposition lawmakers, however, disputed the assessment, saying adequate stocks on paper are not reaching farmers when needed. They blamed dealer irregularities, artificial shortages, black-market sales and poor management.
Govt cites supply, production

State Minister for Commerce Md Shariful Islam said the government is maintaining production, imports and buffer stocks to ensure uninterrupted supplies.

In the current fiscal year, 2,08,799 tonnes of urea have been produced and 1,17,899 tonnes imported, while 5,30,925 tonnes have been distributed and 409,000 tonnes remain in stock, he said.

Production at several factories has been suspended due to gas and raw-material shortages. However, the Ghorashal-Palash and Shahjalal Fertiliser plants are operating normally, while Chattogram Urea Fertiliser is expected to resume production soon.
'Fertiliser exists, proper management does not': Jamaat MP

Jamaat MP Shafiqul Islam said the main problem was poor management, not stocks. Citing media reports, he said farmers are struggling to buy fertiliser at fair prices. In Joypurhat, dealers are allegedly charging Tk300-Tk400 more per bag, with some farmers paying Tk500-Tk800 above the official price.

He also alleged that Tk10-Tk12 lakh is being traded for dealer appointments, with a syndicate bypassing lists prepared by local administrations or elected representatives.

Citing illegal stockpiles seized in Kurigram and an incident in which farmers broke into a warehouse, Shafiqul said field-level supplies were far from normal. He warned that failure to ensure supplies before Boro could revive a situation similar to the BNP's previous government.

Jamaat MP Md Mahbubul Alam said farmers in his constituency are buying fertiliser on the black market despite adequate government stocks.

He criticised the removal of MPs from fertiliser and seed monitoring committees. MPs had served on district- and upazila-level committees since 2009, but a 27 August circular removed all 349 MPs, he said.

Mahbubul proposed replacing the dealer system with an open market, creating union-based digital demand maps, distributing fertiliser through farmers' digital IDs using OTP or QR codes, and digitally tracking supplies.
Govt blames dealer gaps

Mir Shahe Alam said around 3,759 dealers appointed under the previous government were absconding, leaving dealer points vacant. The government plans to appoint around 4,918 new dealers.

Between 29 August and 6 September, 204 mobile courts took action in 22 fertiliser-related incidents, imposing Tk35 lakh in fines. He said MPs need not be on monitoring committees, as dealers should distribute fertiliser under existing rules.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said there is no shortage and dismissed allegations of corruption over new dealership applications.

Good and promising RMG companies should tap the capital market for long-term financing to diversify their funding sources and reduce heavy reliance on bank loans, speakers at a workshop said on Wednesday.

They said greater access to equity and debt financing could help Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) companies expand business, create jobs and contribute to economic growth.

The speakers made the remarks at a workshop titled “Expanding RMG’s Financing Horizons: Opportunities in the Capital Market,” jointly organised by the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Swisscontact at the DSE Training Academy.

Senior officials of leading member companies of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), top officials of the DSE and merchant bankers attended the event.Subscribe To News

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, DSE Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar said the capital market was not merely a platform for investment but an important source of long-term financing for economic growth and private-sector expansion.

“The capital market should not be limited to IPOs or the equity market; rather, it should expand opportunities for various forms of financing, including bonds,” she said.

Although discussions on developing an effective bond market had continued for years, recent initiatives by the current commission and relevant stakeholders created fresh opportunities to advance the sector, she said.

She called for reviewing policy and regulatory constraints to make capital-market financing more effective, including the use of IPO proceeds and refinancing opportunities.

“The main goal of such discussions is to identify the existing limitations of the capital market based on the needs and practical experiences of entrepreneurs and take effective initiatives to resolve them,” added Ms Anwar.

BKMEA Deputy Secretary Md Harunur Rashid said industrial enterprises remained largely dependent on banks, limiting the ability of many businesses to fully utilise their growth potential.Bangladesh economic report

“The capital market can be an effective alternative source of long-term financing,” he said.

Listing good and promising companies would support business expansion, create employment and accelerate economic growth, Mr Rashid said.

He, however, stressed the need to ensure sustainable business growth after listing to maintain investor confidence.

Swisscontact Progress Project Team Leader Farzana Amin said the organisation had been supporting the RMG sector for nearly two decades and that capital-market financing should be considered alongside bank loans.

Swisscontact plans to provide end-to-end support to RMG companies interested in accessing the capital market, she said.

The organisation aims to develop several RMG companies as role models within the next year to encourage other businesses to seek financing from the capital market, she added.

Bangladesh Merchant Bankers Association (BMBA) President and LankaBangla Investments CEO Iftekhar Alam outlined opportunities for raising long-term capital through IPOs and the structural challenges facing the capital market.

He discussed the listing process, including eligibility for main-board IPOs and qualified investor offers (QIOs) on the SME platform, company valuation, fund utilisation, subscription, share allotment and lock-in requirements.

Bidowra Tahmin Khan, team leader of Swisscontact’s INSPIRE Project, said Swisscontact would provide advisory and technical assistance in coordination with the DSE, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and other stakeholders to help promising RMG and textile companies access the capital market.

Swisscontact has been working with Bangladesh's RMG and textile sector for around 20 years, focusing on compliance, skills development and the green transition, she said.

Bangladesh’s economic activity fell to a 23-month low in August, reversing July’s rebound, as exports weakened and energy disruptions weighed on manufacturing and services, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).

The headline Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell 7.9 points month-on-month to 49.9 in August, its weakest reading since September 2024.

The index, jointly developed by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB), last month dropped below the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction.

The decline follows a sharp rise in July, when the index gained 4.9 points to 57.8 on a strong rebound in manufacturing alongside continued growth in agriculture and services.

Manufacturing had led July’s expansion, jumping 16.6 points to 65.4 – the strongest turnaround in the survey’s history. It reversed sharply in August, falling 18.0 points to 47.4.

New export orders, output, input purchases, imports and employment all fell back into contraction, while input prices continued to rise at a faster pace.

Services, which had expanded for 22 consecutive months, also slipped into contraction, falling 6.8 points to 49.2.

New business and business activity continued to grow but at slower rates, while employment contracted sharply.

In contrast, agriculture remained a bright spot, extending its expansion for the 12th straight month by rising 1.3 points to 56.5 in August from 55.2 in July.

Construction, which had stayed marginally in contraction throughout July at 49.3, moved into expansion in August, reaching 52.4.

Meanwhile, the Future Business Index, which had shown strong optimism across all sectors in July, indicated a slight decline in sentiment in August.

“The August PMI reading of 49.9 indicates that Bangladesh’s economic activity remained broadly near the neutral threshold, despite temporary pressures on manufacturing and services,” said M Masrur Reaz, chairman and CEO of PEB.

“Agriculture continued expanding, while construction returned to growth, highlighting underlying economic resilience.”

He said the moderation in manufacturing partly reflected weaker monthly exports and temporary energy disruptions associated with LNG infrastructure maintenance.

He added that improved energy availability, stronger export demand and supportive measures to restore business confidence could help the economy regain momentum.

Bangladesh and Australia on Tuesday discussed various bilateral and multilateral issues, including cooperation in trade, investment, energy, labour mobility, and regional and global issues.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle, who paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at his office, reaffirmed that Australia will continue to support Bangladesh regarding vocational training and health issues.

The envoy said Australia will always be with Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingya crisis as well.

She also mentioned that Australia and Bangladesh are closely cooperating at the UN and other international forums, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

State Minister Humaiun sought closer cooperation and collaboration between Australian TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions and our Technical Training Centres (TTCs), as well as in training for Bangladeshi caregivers.

He praised Australia's continued support in addressing the Rohingya humanitarian crisis and hopes to continue working closely with Australia towards a sustainable solution to this prolonged crisis.

One morning in August 2025, a Turkish textile giant walked into BIDA, exploring Bangladesh for its first overseas factory. Until then, Egypt had been its default choice. After discussing Bangladesh’s market, workforce, incentives and industrial zones, the company was more interested. Then came a simple question: “Can you show us which plots are available?”

We paused. That sat with a different agency. The investor asked, “But you just heard our whole story. Do we really have to start again with someone else? How annoying.”

This experience reflects the confusion investors have faced for years -- fragmented roles, duplicated functions and multiple desks for the same investment journey. Investors have long asked for one focal point, one front office.

That is where Invest Bangladesh came from.

The idea was shaped by feedback from investors, business associations, think tanks and policy papers calling for the agencies to be unified. Bangladesh has also had multiple national-level investment promotion bodies with overlapping mandates. That is why the creation of Invest Bangladesh became one of the priorities under the government’s 180-day plan. Invest Bangladesh formally began its journey on August 20, 2026, bringing BIDA, BEZA and PPPA under one apex investment development agency.

The significance is the combination of capabilities.

Investment promotion and facilitation, policy coordination, economic zone development and PPP capability can now sit within one institutional framework. The agency can remain with an investor throughout the investment lifecycle, from opportunity identification and location selection to approvals, implementation, aftercare and expansion. The investor should be able to bring the project to one platform instead of first trying to understand the government organogram.

The Invest Bangladesh Act, ratified by the parliament, introduces capabilities that are easy to overlook. The new agency has a mandate to facilitate the transfer or privatisation of state-owned assets. Bangladesh has over a hundred government assets that are either non-operational or loss-making despite having valuable land, facilities or infrastructure. The new structure creates a pathway to bring these assets into commercial use.

“One-stop service” has been used so loosely in Bangladesh that, for an investor, it can sometimes feel like “many stops”. Multiple agencies operate their own platforms, while interoperability remains limited and manual service delivery continues alongside digital systems.

The new Act addresses this more directly: one central platform, mandatory integration of relevant services and, over time, a transition away from parallel manual processes. This is critical if digitisation is to reduce investor touchpoints rather than replicate them online.

The Act allows sector experts and specialists to enter the institution at different levels, including leadership roles. This can help Invest Bangladesh operate as the private-sector-facing arm of government, translating investor feedback into policy intervention.

This is not the first rodeo.

Our predecessor, BIDA, was created over a decade ago through the merger of two institutions. The intent was right, but execution exposed important gaps. The organisational structure took years to finalise, while legacy rules and ways of working continued under a common name.

A sustainable merger needs more than a new signboard. It needs a common purpose, integrated systems, aligned people and clear accountability. Those lessons must shape this transition.

But will it solve everything? The answer is no; it will not.

Invest Bangladesh is not a silver bullet. It is a back-office integration designed to make the investor experience simpler, faster and more coherent. The direction is clear: the investment ecosystem is moving towards simplification, and policymakers are beginning to walk the talk on reform. The next job is harder: making sure execution is flawless, and investors actually feel the difference.

The writer is the head of Business Development at Invest Bangladesh