Macro
ADP spending at 24.27% in eight months – lowest in a decade
The government spent Tk67,553 crore on development in the first eight months of the fiscal year, just 24.27% of the allocation – the lowest implementation of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) in over a decade. According to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), development expenditure during the July–February period decreased by Tk18,049 crore year-on-year.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/adp-spending-2427-eight-months-lowest-decade-1095331

Bangladesh Bank sets 27% loan target for CMSMEs to boost employment
Bangladesh Bank has introduced a significant policy change to enhance business growth and employment in the Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (CMSME) sector. Under the new policy, the central bank has mandated that 27% of loans be allocated to the CMSME sector for the next five years. As part of the new policy, people involved in f-commerce and e-commerce will be eligible for loans of up to Tk5 lakh under the CMSME scheme.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/bangladesh-bank-sets-27-loan-target-cmsmes-boost-employment-1094936

Govt borrowing from banks surges to Tk 86,000cr
The government’s borrowing from commercial banks doubled in the first eight months of the 2024-25 financial year due to high interest rates and the low-risk nature of treasury instruments. According to Bangladesh Bank data, borrowing reached Tk 86,000 crore in the July-February period, significantly higher than Tk 44,137 crore in the same period of FY24. During this time, the government repaid Tk 59,780 crore to the Bangladesh Bank, reducing reliance on direct central bank financing.
https://www.newagebd.net/post/banking/260335/govt-borrowing-from-banks-surges-to-tk-86000cr

UK to boost investment in Bangladesh
Bangladesh and the United Kingdom have reinforced their long-standing economic partnership through high-level discussions on trade and investment, focusing on education, aviation, and renewable energy. UK Investment Minister Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE met with Mr Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), to explore ways to expand foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthen business ties.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/corporates/uk-boost-investment-bangladesh-1095021

Bank
Agri-loan disbursement falls, recovery rises
Agricultural loan disbursement declined, but recovery increased in Bangladesh in the six months to December last year compared to the same period of the previous year. Reduced lending from private and foreign commercial banks, which disburse most agri-loans, led to an 11.28 percent year-on-year drop in total agri-loan disbursement to Tk 16,259.11 crore in the last six months of FY25.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/agri-loan-disbursement-falls-recovery-rises-3850956

Number of small accounts rises: BB
The total number of small savings accounts, aimed at encouraging savings among marginalised people, reached 3.25 crore in the December 2024 quarter, with cumulative deposits amounting to Tk 68,236.28 crore, according to the latest report by Bangladesh Bank. The number of Tk 10/50/100 accounts—excluding School Banking, Street Urchins, and Working Children Accounts—stood at 2.81 crore, with total deposits of Tk 46,851.15 crore during the quarter under review.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/number-small-accounts-rises-bb-3850681

Textile
Govt to allow bonded warehouse facility for cotton traders to ease US trade gap
The government plans to provide cotton traders with a bonded warehouse facility to import the fibre duty-free, aiming to ease the trade gap with the United States – the single largest export destination for Bangladesh – according to sources at the National Board of Revenue (NBR). An initiative has already been taken to amend the Bonded Warehouse Licensing Rules after receiving a letter from the Bangladesh ambassador in Washington in favour of a US company seeking the facility.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/govt-allow-bonded-warehouse-facility-cotton-traders-ease-us-trade-gap-1095391

Stock
Azam J Chowdhury to acquire more shares at Green Delta Insurance
Azam J Chowdhury, chairman of East Coast Group, is set to increase his stake in Green Delta Insurance Company by purchasing approximately six lakh shares from M Muhibur Rahman, a sponsor of the company. According to a disclosure published yesterday on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) website, Azam will purchase the entire stake—5,93,675 shares—owned by Muhibur.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/azam-j-chowdhury-acquire-more-shares-green-delta-insurance-1095341