Macro
Beza developing 3-phase plan for economic zones
The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) is developing a comprehensive three-phase implementation plan to develop economic zones across the country, ensuring balanced industrialisation, employment generation, and sustainable infrastructure development. As part of a draft “National Master Plan of Economic Zones”, Beza is prioritising establishing 20 economic zones by 2046, strategically phasing the implementation for resource optimisation and to attract local and foreign investment.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/beza-developing-3-phase-plan-economic-zones-3832131

Bangladesh already in middle-income trap, economists warn
Bangladesh is already in a middle-income trap and must prepare for the post-LDC (Least Developed Country) graduation era, economists warned yesterday during a panel discussion at the 8th Sanem Annual Economists’ Conference (SAEC) 2025 at BRAC Centre Inn in the capital. Former lead economist of the World Bank Dhaka Office, Zahid Hussain, stressed that Bangladesh is already in a middle-income trap. “It goes through several phases. One phase is in the investment and export intensity of the economy. The investment rate has been stagnating recently and slightly declining. The export-to-GDP ratio was steady for some time but then started to drop,” he said.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/bangladesh-already-middle-income-trap-economists-warn-1076436

Upswing in imports in seven months of FY25
Overall import has witnessed an upward movement in the first seven months of the current fiscal year (FY), 2024-25, ahead of the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan, officials said. The actual import in terms of settlement of letters of credit (LCs) grew by 2.08 per cent to $40.25 billion from July to January of FY25, according to the central bank’s latest statistics. The figure was $39.43 billion in the corresponding period of FY24. On the other hand, the opening of fresh LCs, generally known as import orders, rose by 2.63 per cent to $41.02 billion during the period in question of this fiscal from $39.97 billion in FY24.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/upswing-in-imports-in-seven-months-of-fy25-1740331160

Bank
Loan disbursement to CMSME drops by 16pc
Loan disbursements to the Cottage, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (CMSME) sector dropped by 16 per cent in the July-September quarter of FY25 compared to the same period in FY24, due to political turmoil and economic instability during the period. According to Bangladesh Bank data, CMSME loan disbursements fell to Tk 44,202 crore in July-September 2025 from Tk 52,654 crore in the corresponding period.
https://www.newagebd.net/post/banking/258617/loan-disbursement-to-cmsme-drops-by-16pc

Bridge banks proposed to run failed banks
The Bangladesh Bank will be able to sell or liquidate weak banks by forming bridge banks—financial institutions that temporarily take over a failed bank, according to the draft Bank Resolution Ordinance. Finalised by the Bangladesh Bank (BB), the draft was recently published on the Financial Institutions Division website of the Finance Ministry for public consultation. Under the proposed legislation, the BB will have the authority to establish one or more bridge banks to run the critical and viable functions of distressed banks.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bridge-banks-proposed-run-failed-banks-3832141

Repo facility awaits regulatory axe again`
Existing repo facilities are being squeezed further as the central bank is bent on phasing out its 28-day-tenure liquidity window in a move to make banks manage funds more efficiently. Updating the bankers about such facility-curtailing move, the monetary policy unit of Bangladesh Bank sits for a meeting with the treasury officials of the commercial banks today (Monday) at the BB headquarters, officials said.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/repo-facility-awaits-regulatory-axe-again-1740330635

Fuel & Power
Gas tariff hike to raise import dependence, cut jobs
If the government implements the proposed increase in natural gas tariffs, it could halt local production, increase import dependency, and lead to significant job losses, warned sector insiders on Sunday at a policy discussion. The seminar, titled “Policy Consideration in Energy Affordability and Impact on Industrial Competitiveness” and jointly organised by the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) and Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB), was held at a hotel in the capital. Dr Masrur Reaz, chairman and chief executive officer of PEB, warned that doubling gas prices, as proposed by the government, would severely impact the economy. He stated that such a move would reduce local production, increase reliance on imports, and make employment generation extremely challenging.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/gas-tariff-hike-to-raise-import-dependence-cut-jobs-1740330868

Telecommunication
BD seeks to launch Starlink internet
Bangladesh eyes cover-all speedy Starlink internet service as Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has invited new US government functionary and technology tycoon Elon Musk to launch the satellite. In a letter to the top US businessman and Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX on February 19, the Chief Adviser told Musk his visit to Bangladesh would allow him to meet Bangladeshi young men and women who will be among the main beneficiaries of this leading technology, a spokesperson for the CA office said Sunday.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/bd-seeks-to-launch-starlink-internet-1740330718

Stocks
BSC to buy 6 ships for $330m to build container fleet
The Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) is going to purchase six modern container ships from South Korea at a cost of $330.32 million to break the stranglehold enjoyed by non-Bangladeshi feeder vessels, which results in the loss of a substantial amount of foreign currency in freight costs. Yesterday, the state-run corporation announced that it had received primary approval from the Planning Commission to acquire six container vessels from South Korea, each with a capacity of 2,500-3,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bsc-buy-6-ships-330m-build-container-fleet-3832146

Bepza terminates Ring Shine’s lease of 5 plots over $12.8m dues
The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) has terminated the land lease agreement for five plots allocated to Ring Shine Textiles Limited due to the company’s long-standing failure to pay its dues. The company must vacate these plots within seven days, or Bepza will take possession of them. As of 31 January 2025, Ring Shine owes Bepza $12.8 million. Bepza issued a letter to the company regarding the matter on Thursday. Following the letter, the company’s share price on Sunday decreased by 4.65%, falling to Tk4.10 on the Dhaka Stock Exchange.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/bepza-terminates-ring-shines-lease-5-plots-over-128m-dues-1076441