Macro
Exports grow by 11% in July-February
The country’s export earnings grew by nearly 11% in the first eight months (July-February) of the ongoing fiscal year compared to the same period last year. During this period, the country exported goods worth $32.94 billion, up from $29.80 billion in the corresponding period of the previous financial year, according to the latest data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) released yesterday (4 March). Exports in February this year alone reached $3.97 billion, marking a 2.77% year-on-year increase from $3.86 billion.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/bangladeshs-exports-grow-over-11-july-february-1083931

Bank
BB eases daily cash reserve ratio requirements to improve banks’ liquidity
The central bank has eased the daily Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) requirement for commercial banks to help manage their liquidity. In a circular issued yesterday, the Monetary Policy Department of Bangladesh Bank announced that banks are now required to maintain a CRR of 3% daily, down from the previous 3.5%. Although the daily CRR requirement has been relaxed, banks must still maintain the bi-weekly average CRR at 4%, as before.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/banking/bb-eases-daily-cash-reserve-ratio-requirements-improve-banks-liquidity-1084456

Govt to form banking regulatory simplification task force: BB governor
A banking regulatory simplification task force will be formed to clarify central bank policies and streamline operational processes for banks, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Monsur said yesterday (4 March 2025). The task force will include managing directors from various banks and experts
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/banking/govt-form-banking-regulatory-simplification-task-force-bb-governor-1084061

Yield on two-year BGTBs rises significantly
The yield on two-year Bangladesh government treasury bonds (BGTBs) increased significantly on Tuesday as banks expressed their unwillingness to invest funds in the securities. The cut-off yield on the BGTBs rose to 11.20 per cent on the day from 10.92 per cent earlier, according to auction results. The government borrowed Tk 45 billion through issuing the BGTBs on the day to partially meet its budget deficit. Besides, the government borrowed Tk 5.0 billion on the day through issuing Three-Year Floating Rate Treasury Bonds (FRTBs).
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/yield-on-two-year-bgtbs-rises-significantly

$500m ADB loan likely for ailing banking sector
The Asian Development Bank is likely to provide $500 million budget support in May for improving assets quality of the ailing banking sector. Economic Relations Division officials said that improving asset quality in the banking sector was among the conditions for the loan. Financial Institutions Division officials said that they had already made some groundwork to fulfil the ADB loan conditions. A move has been taken to amend the draft Bangladesh Assets Management Company Act to set up a dedicated entity to deal with bad loans and risk assets of banks and non-bank financial institutions.
https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/259317/govt-expects-500million-loan-from-adb-in-may

Bangladesh’s digital transactions jump 17% in 2024, says Visa
Bangladesh is experiencing a significant shift toward digital payments, with growing adoption of online and contactless transactions for both domestic and cross-border payments, according to Visa, a global leader in digital payments. In 2024, spending by Bangladeshi card users on Visa’s network rose by 14%, while the number of transactions increased by 17% compared to 2023.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/banking/bangladeshs-digital-transactions-jump-17-2024-says-visa-1084511

Textile
BKMEA wants Tk7,000cr outstanding cash assistance from govt before Eid
The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has requested the Finance Division to release Tk7,000 crore in outstanding cash assistance for exports before Eid-ul-Fitr. BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem made the request in a letter to Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder yesterday (4 March). In the letter, he stated that the country’s changed political situation, along with instability in the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, has created significant challenges for industrial establishments.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/rmg/bkmea-seeks-outstanding-tk7000cr-cash-assistance-eid-1084191

Capital Market
BSEC to revise IPO rules, ending private share offerings for issuer employees
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has moved to amend initial public offering (IPO) rules, eliminating provisions for private share offerings to issuer company employees. The move aims to ensure transparency and fairness in the IPO process, preventing misuse of the private offer facility. The stock market regulator published a draft notification on 2 March, inviting stakeholders to submit their feedback by 17 March.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/bsec-revise-ipo-rules-ending-private-share-offerings-issuer-employees-1084546

Stock
Square Pharma MD to buy company shares worth Tk32.55cr
Square Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Tapan Chowdhury has announced plans to purchase 15 lakh shares of the company, worth over Tk32 crore, from the secondary or block market within the next 30 days. He made the announcement through a disclosure published on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) website on Tuesday (4 March).
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/stocks/square-pharma-md-buy-company-shares-worth-tk3255cr-1083906