United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has welcomed a significant new trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States, signed today (Tuesday) following nine months of intensive bilateral discussions. The agreement introduces a strategic reduction in reciprocal tariffs and provides a major boost for garments made from USA raw materials. In its initial response, BGMEA expressed sincere gratitude to the USA Government and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), as well as to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the interim government’s leadership for their roles in achieving this milestone. BGMEA secures special healthcare benefits for members Reciprocal Tariff Reduction: The standard tariff on Bangladeshi products in the U.S. market will be reduced from 20 percent to 19 percent. Zero-Tariff Provision: Notably, garments manufactured in Bangladesh using cotton and man-made fibers imported from the United States will be exempt from reciprocal tariffs. Market Expansion: BGMEA believes these provisions will significantly enhance Bangladesh’s competitive edge and access to the USA market. To maximize these benefits, BGMEA emphasized the need for local spinners to ensure competitive yarn pricing, particularly since USA cotton is of superior quality but comes at a higher cost. The association also noted that ensuring the traceability and proper valuation of USA origin raw materials will be critical for exporters. BGMEA Instructs Factories Not to Respond to RSC Letters on Non-OSH Complaints

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Tuesday said that the government is trying to resist further declines in potato and egg prices to avoid hurting farmers, underscoring a policy push to balance producer viability with consumer affordability. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Commerce in the afternoon, he said prices of potatoes and eggs in the local market are currently at a ‘normal’ level and the overall market situation remains stable ahead of Ramadan. “The market is now more stable compared to other times. Compared to last Ramadan, prices of essential commodities are expected to be lower in the upcoming Ramadan,” he said. Expedite trade facilitation roadmap implementation for LDC graduation: Sk Bashir Claiming there is no shortage or disorder in the market, the adviser said discipline has returned to the market as a result of various initiatives taken by the Ministry of Commerce. “We have been saying repeatedly, and we are saying it again, that the upcoming Ramadan will be better than the previous one.” Referring specifically to potato and egg prices, Bashir said he does not want prices to decline further. “Eggs are selling at Tk 120 per dozen and potatoes at Tk 30 per kg. If prices fall below this level, farmers will be affected.” To protect small-scale poultry farmers, he stressed the need to fix egg prices in line with feed costs. “Prices must be determined after considering all relevant factors.” Replying to a question on alleged syndicates in the meat market, the adviser said the government deliberately refrained from importing beef to reduce prices, as such a move would have harmed local cattle farmers. “We could have imported meat from Brazil at half the current price if we wanted to. But the government chose not to do so, keeping farmers’ interests in mind,” he said, adding that while some corporate dominance exists in the egg market, no such control is evident in the meat sector. He also noted that there has never been a supply shortage in the egg market. “When egg prices rose to Tk 180 per dozen, the Ministry of Commerce approved the import of 290 million eggs. However, only 1.1 million eggs were actually imported—an amount that can meet national demand for just 10 to 15 minutes, given a daily demand of around 50 million eggs.” On his last working day, Bashir acknowledged that there were shortcomings but said there was no lack of effort in controlling the market. “There is no visible crisis in the market. Overall, the prices of eggs, potatoes, rice, pulses, sugar and edible oil are at a tolerable level,” he said, adding that monitoring and investigations into edible oil prices are continuing regularly. Second round of tariff talks with US ‘encouraging’: Sk Bashir

Bangladesh’s capital market recorded its highest daily turnover of 2026 on Tuesday, the last trading day before a four-day closure due to the national election and the weekly holidays. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) saw transactions worth nearly Tk 800 crore, the highest so far this year. Trading began on a positive note in the morning, with turnover crossing Tk 300 crore within the first two hours. By the end of the session, the total turnover stood at Tk 790 crore. Previously, the highest turnover this year was Tk 746 crore on February 2. With Tuesday’s performance, the market has crossed Tk 700 crore in daily turnover on three occasions so far in 2026. All indices posted gains during the day. The benchmark DSEX surged by 87 points, while the Shariah-based DSES rose by 19 points and the blue-chip DS30 advanced by 27 points. Stocks surge in early trading at DSE, CSE Most listed companies ended higher, as share prices of 288 companies increased against declines in 67, while prices of 37 companies remained unchanged. In the block market, shares of 26 companies worth Tk 23 crore were traded, with Apex Spinning and Knitting Mills Limited topping the list by selling shares worth Tk 8 crore. Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC topped the DSE gainers’ chart with a 10 percent rise, while Keya Cosmetics Limited was the day’s worst performer, losing around 5.5 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also witnessed a strong rally, with its overall index CASPI jumping by 241 points. On the CSE, prices of 166 companies advanced against declines in 24, while 13 issues remained unchanged. The total turnover at the bourse stood at Tk 9 crore, up from Tk 8 crore in the previous session. Apollo Ispat Complex Limited emerged as the top gainer on the CSE with a 10 percent rise, while Global Heavy Chemicals Limited ended at the bottom, shedding more than 9 percent.

Bangladesh’s stock market witnessed a strong rally in the first half of trading on Tuesday, with key indices posting sharp gains on both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). On the third working day of the week, the DSE’s benchmark index DSEX advanced by 54 points. The Shariah-based DSES index rose by 11 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index gained 13 points. Most of the listed companies traded higher, as prices of 297 shares increased against 48 that declined, while 47 issues remained unchanged. The turnover at the DSE crossed Tk 300 crore in the first half of the session. Stocks trade higher as indices rise at DSE, CSE Trading also remained buoyant at the CSE, where the overall index CASPI jumped by 145 points. The share prices of 85 companies rose, while 14 declined and 10 remained unchanged. The port city bourse recorded a turnover of more than Tk 1.60 crore during the first half of trading.

Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Tuesday, led by strong gains in Japan as investor confidence improved following a landmark election victory. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 jumped 2.6 percent to 57,821.58, setting a new record. The index extended its rally from Monday, when it surged after the ruling party’s landslide win in parliamentary elections cleared the way for Sanae Takaichi to become the country’s first female prime minister. Investors are betting that the new leadership will push ahead with economic reforms that could support growth and corporate earnings. Elsewhere in the region, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.3 percent to 8,893.60, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.6 percent to 5,327.80. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng climbed 1.0 percent to 27,300.00, and China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.2 percent to 4,130.20. On Wall Street, US stocks closed higher, coming off their strongest session since May, although concerns remain that equity valuations have become stretched after the recent rally. The S&P 500 rose 0.5 percent to 6,964.82, edging closer to its all-time high. The Nasdaq composite gained 0.9 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was little changed. Investors continue to watch whether massive spending on artificial-intelligence technology by major companies will deliver sufficient returns. Still, optimism around the sector lifted chipmakers, with shares of Nvidia and Broadcom posting solid gains. January export earnings dip slightly amid mixed global trends In the bond market, US Treasury yields were largely steady ahead of key economic data later this week, including reports on employment and inflation. The data could shape expectations for future interest-rate moves by the US Federal Reserve. Gold prices rose 2 percent to $5,079.40 per ounce amid continued volatility, while silver posted a sharp jump. Bitcoin hovered just below $71,000 after recent swings. Oil prices were little changed in early Asian trading, and the US dollar edged slightly lower against the Japanese yen, while the euro also weakened modestly against the dollar.

Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) exports declined by 2.43 percent year-on-year to US$22.98 billion during July–January of fiscal year 2025–26, according to the latest country-wise export data published by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). The European Union (EU) remained the country’s largest export destination for RMG, accounting for 49.35 percent of total exports in the category. Export earnings from the EU stood at US$11.34 billion, marking a 3.98 percent year-on-year decline, said former BGMEA director Mohiuddin Rubel on Monday. The United States retained its position as the second-largest market. RMG exports to the USA amounted to US$4.47 billion, representing 19.46 percent of total RMG exports, with a marginal year-on-year decrease of 0.03 percent. According to EPB data, Bangladesh’s total RMG exports to the United States from February 2025 to January 2026 reached US$7,544.34 million. During this period, total national RMG exports stood at US$38,775.15 million, with the US market accounting for 19.46 percent of the total. Exports to Canada and the United Kingdom posted positive growth during the period. RMG exports to Canada amounted to US$784.17 million, accounting for a 3.41 percent share and showing 4.42 percent year-on-year growth. Exports to the United Kingdom reached US$2.62 billion, representing an 11.38 percent share with 2.55 percent growth. Exports to non-traditional markets stood at US$3.77 billion, accounting for 16.40 percent of total RMG exports, though registering a 4.99 percent year-on-year decline. In terms of product categories, the knitwear segment recorded a 3.13 percent decrease in exports, while the woven segment saw a 1.60 percent decline during the period.

Bangladesh and the United States on Monday signed an agreement whereby the US committed to establishing a mechanism for certain textile and apparel goods from Bangladesh using American cotton and man-made fibres to enjoy zero tariff entry into the lucrative US market. At the same time, the agreement reduces the 'Reciprocal Tariff' rate for all other goods between the two nations to 19%.  It was originally set at 37 percent and later reduced to 20 percent in August last year. On the Bangladesh side, the signatories were Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, and on US side Ambassador Jamieson Greer, US Trade Representative. Negotiations on the agreement spanned over nine months since April last year. "The agreement marks a historically new level in our bilateral economic and trade relations. It will provide substantially enhanced access of Bangladesh and the US to each other's respective markets," said Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, who led the Bangladesh side.  "The reduction of reciprocal tariff from 20 percent to 19 percent will grant further advantage to our exporters, while zero reciprocal tariff on specific textile and apparel exports from Bangladesh will give substantially added impetus to our garments sector," said NSA Rahman, who was the lead negotiator of Bangladesh. The agreement was approved by the Council of Advisers today (Monday) and will be operational once notifications are issued by the two sides. Present during the signing were Commerce Secretary of Bangladesh Mahbubur Rahman and Assistant US trade Representative Brendan Lynch.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have hit a new milestone, crossing $34 billion mark as of Monday (February 9). This growth is largely attributed to a sustained surge in inward remittances and strategic stability in the foreign exchange market. Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, confirmed that by the close of business on Monday, gross reserves stood at $34.06 billion. Under the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, the reserves are valued at approximately $29.48 billion. The reserves have shown consistent growth over the past month: February 9: $34.06 billion (BPM6: $29.48 billion) February 2: $33.25 billion (BPM6: $28.75B) January 15: $32.32 billion (BPM6: $28.03 billion) Expatriates remit Tk 200bn via bKash in 2025 While reserves peaked at an all-time high of $48 billion in August 2021, they faced a sharp decline due to money laundering and economic instability, falling to $20.48 billion at the time of the previous government’s fall.  The current recovery marks a significant turnaround for the nation’s economy. The "remittance windfall" continues to be the backbone of this recovery. Following a strong December, expatriates sent over $3 billion in January alone. This momentum has carried into February, with $1.03 billion arriving in the first eight days—a significant jump from the $ 54 percent received during the same period last year. Central bank sources indicate that the current leadership has managed to stabilize the exchange rate at approximately Tk122 per US dollar. Notably, the new governor has not sold a single dollar from the reserves since taking office, allowing the stockpile to grow organically.

Bangladesh’s capital market closed on a positive note on Monday, with indices at both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) posting notable gains amid higher turnover and broad-based price appreciation. At the DSE, the benchmark DSEX advanced by 82 points. The Shariah-based DSES index rose 11 points, while the blue-chip DS30 gained 33 points. Gainers dominated the market as prices of 327 companies increased against declines in 37 issues, while shares of 33 companies remained unchanged. Stocks open week lower at DSE, CSE despite gains in majority shares The turnover at the premier bourse jumped by about Tk 168 crore to Tk 646 crore, compared to Tk 478 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares of 27 companies worth Tk 22 crore were traded, with Asiatic Laboratories Limited accounting for the highest turnover at around Tk 5 crore. Sharp Industries PLC topped the DSE gainers’ list with nearly a 10 percent rise, while Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC ended as the worst loser, shedding around 7 percent. The upbeat trend was mirrored at the CSE, where the broad-based CASPI index climbed 109 points. Out of the traded issues, prices of 130 companies advanced against declines in 41, while shares of 21 companies remained unchanged. The turnover at the port city bourse also increased to Tk 8 crore from Tk 6 crore in the previous session. AFC Agro Biotech Limited emerged as the top gainer at the CSE with a 10 percent price jump, while Northern Islami Insurance PLC ended at the bottom, losing 10 percent. Stocks open higher as DSE, CSE indices gain in first hour

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) on Monday expressed deep concern over the central bank’s continued contractionary monetary policy, warning that prolonged tightening is holding back Bangladesh’s economic growth without effectively curbing inflation. As one of the country’s leading private sector bodies, the DCCI said maintaining a tight monetary stance solely to control inflation has failed to deliver the intended results, while inflicting significant damage on productive economic activities, investment and employment generation. The chamber noted that private sector credit growth has plunged to a 22-year low, falling sharply to 6.1 percent in December 2025, reflecting acute liquidity constraints, high interest rates and rising borrowing costs. These factors, it said, are choking entrepreneurship, industrial expansion and job creation. Private sector investment is also on a declining trend, dropping from 24.18 percent of GDP in FY2023 to 22.48 percent in FY2025, reinforcing concerns that prolonged monetary tightening is discouraging long-term investment decisions. “The Bangladesh economy cannot grow with a tightly clenched monetary fist,” the DCCI observed. The chamber pointed out that broad money (M2) growth rose from 7 percent in June 2025 to 9.6 percent by December 2025, indicating monetary expansion and raising questions about the overall effectiveness and consistency of the current tightening policy. DCCI calls for immediate normalisation of Ctg port operations Export performance has also come under pressure. Over the last six months, exports recorded consecutive negative growth, plunging to minus 14.25 percent in December 2025, signaling weakening external demand and declining competitiveness amid high financing costs. DCCI said sustained growth, employment creation and investment revival are not possible under an excessively restrictive monetary regime. It urged the next elected government to adopt a more pragmatic, growth-supportive policy framework through better coordination between fiscal and monetary policies. The chamber called for ensuring flexible liquidity availability, reduced borrowing costs and a balanced approach that safeguards macroeconomic stability while supporting economic recovery in the days ahead.