Macro
Yields on govt securities tumble in Feb: What it means for economy
Interest rates on government securities have dropped sharply since early February as the banking sector, flush with excess liquidity, faces weak private sector loan demand, signaling a likely decline in lending rates. Yields on government securities have dropped nearly two percentage points since December, falling to just over 10% in February. In the latest auction for a five-year bond held in the second week of February, the Bangladesh Bank aimed to raise Tk4,000 crore for the government at an interest rate of 12.09%. However, banks submitted bids totaling Tk22,389 crore – more than five times the government’s target – prompting the central bank to reduce the interest rate to 10.47%.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/yields-govt-securities-tumble-feb-what-it-means-economy-1072266

More foreign financing to fuel this FY’s budget
The government has planned to increase foreign financing by around 15 percent and reduce bank borrowing by 28 percent in the revised budget for this fiscal year to tame inflation. In the revised budget, the bank borrowing target has been brought down by 28 percent to Tk 99,000 crore, while the foreign financing target has been bumped up by 15 percent to Tk 109,000 crore, The Daily Star has learnt from finance ministry officials involved with the proceedings.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/more-foreign-financing-fuel-fys-budget-3828896

Large industries see throughput resurgence
Large industrial enterprises in Bangladesh see throughput resurgence–after recent pickups for political upheavals–as is reflected in the large-scale manufacturing sector’s latest index upswing. The index measuring state of the manufacturing biggies expanded 11.39 per cent in October of this fiscal year, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) data. Out of 23 manufacturing subsectors, 18 recorded a growth compared to the same period a year before. However, five in the domain-tobacco products, leather, paper, motor vehicles, and fabricated metals-saw a decline during this time.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/large-industries-see-throughput-resurgence-1739988678

Telecommunication
Revenue sharing for ITC operators hiked to 3%
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has amended the licensing guidelines for international terrestrial cable (ITC) operators, raising the gross revenue sharing requirement from 1 percent to 3 percent. Under the revised terms, ITC licensees must now pay 3 percent of their annual audited gross revenue on a quarterly basis, with payments due within the first 10 days of the following quarter. The total amount will be reconciled annually based on audited financial statements.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/revenue-sharing-itc-operators-hiked-3-3828581

Fuel & Power
Unable to return deposits, 8 banks leave BPC dry
The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) says it cannot encash deposits worth nearly Tk 1,700 crore held with eight private banks, which the government agency blames for causing delays to its development projects and disrupting regular operations. The banks holding the corporation’s deposits are: First Security Islami Bank (FSIB) PLC, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, Global Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, ICB Islami Bank, South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce Bank and Islami Bank Bangladesh.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/unable-return-deposits-8-banks-leave-bpc-dry-3828916

Barapukuria power plant shut for days
The Barapukuria 525MW coal-fired power plant in Dinajpur has completely shut down following a mechanical issue in its only running unit on Tuesday afternoon. Chief Engineer Abu Bakkar Siddique said a ruptured boiler tube caused the shutdown. “We expect to resume operations within a week,” he added. This closure raises concerns over severe power shortages in the northern region, particularly during the peak irrigation season for Aman cultivation.
https://www.thedailystar.net/environment/natural-resources/energy/news/barapukuria-power-plant-shut-days-3828381