United News of Bangladesh

The government on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to ensure the distribution of all school textbooks by the first month of the next year, despite concerns over irregularities in previous allocations and questions over the quality of books. After a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase and the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said orders for printing textbooks for certain classes have already been placed. He said authorities are now reviewing the list of recipient institutions to ensure that no school has received multiple allocations or been involved in irregular practices in the past. “We want to make sure that those who previously got books properly get them again, but we are also reviewing allegations that some institutions took more than their share,” he said. The meeting was held at the Secretariat with the Finance Adviser in the chair. He mentioned that the government is determined to finalise the list within the next two weeks so that the books can be distributed on schedule. “Our target is clear—students must receive textbooks on time, by January 1,” the adviser said. Govt moves to fast track printing of school textbooks for 2026 session Last year, new textbooks were delivered as late as March, but this year the ministry has brought the process forward to September to prevent delays. Authorities are also reviewing paper quality and other production features, aiming to avoid past complaints over substandard books. Dr Salehuddin also said the government has decided to procure vaccines for the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in two phases, while also trying to negotiate a reduced commission with Unicef. Speaking to reporters at the meetings, the adviser said Unicef had initially proposed a six-month supply arrangement, but the government opted for a phased approach. “We have asked Unicef to supply vaccines for three months first. For the next three months, we want to explore competitive bidding and see if international sources can also participate,” he said. The adviser noted that half of the requirement would be met immediately through Unicef, while the remaining will be finalised later. “We have also requested Unicef to reconsider their commission rate and bring it down,” he added. Responding to a question, the adviser, however, said details about the source countries for the vaccines have not yet been sought. Meanwhile, the proposal for printing, binding and supplying free textbooks for the 2026 academic year was withdrawn from the meeting agenda on Sunday. Procurement delay threatens timely distribution of class 6-8 textbooks in 2026 The withdrawn item covered free textbooks for students of Class IX in the secondary (Bangla and English versions), Dakhil, SSC and Dakhil Vocational Class IX, as well as Technical Trade Classes IX and X. The proposal had been placed by the Secondary and Higher Education Division and the agenda was dropped following a request from the Division itself.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Saturday said spending on education is always an investment in the nation’s future. “By investing in education, we are not merely helping individual students—we are shaping the future of the country,” he said while addressing a scholarship distribution ceremony of the Brahmanbaria District Association, Dhaka. He praised Brahmanbaria as the ‘Land of Heritage and Harmony’, and lauded the community’s unity and vision for building a district recognised for knowledge, culture and innovation. The Association hosted its Executive Committee Installation and Scholarship Award Ceremony at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), highlighting both the district’s heritage and its ongoing commitment to education and social advancement. A total of 312 scholarships were distributed among meritorious students—25 at Honours level, 182 at HSC level, and 105 at SSC level, aimed at nurturing academic excellence and creating opportunities for Brahmanbaria’s youth. Quality services needed to boost revenue collection: Finance adviser Brahmanbaria District Association President MA Khalek said the district has a proud tradition of producing leaders, scholars and artists. “Today we renew our commitment to building a Brahmanbaria recognised for its talent and contribution, not for negative stereotypes,” he said. General Secretary Engineer Md Khaled Hossain Mahbub (Shyamal) said the gathering was ‘a call to action’ to create and uphold a positive image of Brahmanbaria across Bangladesh and beyond. The event ended with cultural performances showcasing the rich traditions of the district, reinforcing the message of unity and pride in its heritage.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday expressed optimism about securing a better outcome in the one-to-one negotiation with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on imports from 14 countries including Bangladesh. “The final tariff will be fixed in the one-to-one negotiation with the USTR. That’s why we will have our meeting with them (USTR), the rate is not final yet,” he told reporters emerging from Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) meeting held at the cabinet division of Bangladesh Secretariat. The meeting with the USTR is scheduled for July 9 (US time). The Finance Adviser dismissed concerns over weak negotiation skills on Bangladesh’s part,  saying, “Vietnam received greater tariff relief because their trade deficit with the US is $125 billion while ours is only $5 billion. So, Vietnam got the better discount in the tariff rates.” He said the Commerce Adviser is already in Washington and has been working on this issue since he went three days ago. “We will understand the matter after holding the July 8 meeting which will be held early morning on July 9 (Bangladesh time),” he said. He also said whatever be the result, the government will take its measures considering the final outcome of the meeting. Govt didn’t interfere in ACC probe into NBR officials: Finance Adviser “So far, the meetings we have all are positive,” the Finance Adviser said. US President Donald Trump on Monday slapped a 35% tariff on Bangladeshi goods, 2% lower than his initial rate announced three months ago, but significantly higher than close rival Vietnam (in the field of RMG), which recently secured a trade deal with the US under which its goods will be charged a tariff of 20%.  Trump made the much-anticipated announcement on his Truth Social account, by publishing his letter dated July 7 to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at 2.36am (Tuesday) Bangladesh time. He posted identical letters to other world leaders revealing the tariff rates for their respective countries, which said the new rates would be effective from August 1. Apart from Bangladesh, it was learned on Monday that imports from Myanmar and Laos would be taxed at 40%, Cambodia and Thailand at 36%, Serbia at 35%, Indonesia at 32%, South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 30% and Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Tunisia at 25%. More letters may be forthcoming.  The letters warned Trump’s counterparts to not retaliate by increasing their own import taxes, or else the Trump administration would further increase tariffs.

The much-talked-about meeting scheduled for 4pm between Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed and the NBR Reform Unity Council will not take place. According to NBR sources, the Finance Adviser ‘declined’ to meet the Unity Council members. Finance Ministry sources said the Adviser asked the agitating members to call off their protest programme first as a ‘precondition’ for any dialogue. NBR sources said a 20-member delegation led by Unity Council President Hasan Muhammad Tareq Rikabdar was on its way to meet the Adviser when they were informed about the ‘precondition’. Officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council, continued their ‘complete shutdown’ for the second consecutive day on Sunday, demanding the immediate removal of the NBR chairman. The protesters (officials) staged a sit-in in front of the NBR headquarters in Agargaon in the morning, while a large contingent of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police personnel were deployed inside the building. Entry to NBR headquarters ‘restricted’ amid officials’ protests The Unity Council has been staging a series of protest programmes, demanding structural reforms and the removal of the NBR Chairman, citing allegations of administrative irregularities, officer intimidation and obstruction of pro-reform efforts. Since early June, the agitating officials have observed work abstentions, hunger strikes and human chains, disrupting services in tax, VAT and customs offices across the country. The protest began after the government issued an ordinance on May 12 dissolving the NBR and the Internal Resources Division, replacing them with the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed will sit with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials to discuss its reform issues on Tuesday. The meeting will start at 3:30 pm at the Finance Ministry on Tuesday, said Al Amin Sheikh, public relations officer of NBR. Besides, a six-hour fresh pen-down strike enforced by the NBR Reform Unity Council was observed on Sunday to press home their demands for sustainable and inclusive NBR reform. The Council’s key demands include the immediate withdrawal of the proposed Revenue Ordinance, public disclosure of the NBR Reform Advisory Committee’s report and a comprehensive reform of the revenue system through meaningful consultations with stakeholders like NBR officials, business associations, civil society members and political leaders. The Unity Council emphasised their desire for a peaceful resolution through dialogue with the government. “We hope the government will sit down with us for discussions. Let us make it clear—our door for dialogue has always been open, remains open and will continue to remain open,” said a statement on Saturday. Earlier on Saturday, a five-hour pen-down strike was spontaneously observed from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm across various offices under the Customs, VAT and Tax departments, as well as the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Officials and employees at all levels participated in the programme, with stakeholders from various sectors expressing solidarity with the movement. NBR split logical, protests regrettable: Prof Abu Ahmed In their statement, the Council reiterated that a timely and sustainable reform of the revenue system is essential for national interest. They noted that NBR officials have long been demanding such reforms and yet the government issued the ordinance without consulting the very stakeholders responsible for its implementation. Besides, the report from the reform committee formed by the government has not been made public or discussed. According to the Council, such a top-down approach to reform could severely destabilise the country’s revenue administration.      

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard will not affect the bilateral relations between the two countries or Bangladesh’s economy. “Tulsi Gabbard’s comments will have no impact on our bilateral ties or economic activities,” he told reporters following the meeting of the Advisers’ Council Committee on Government Purchase. When asked about clearing congestion at Chattogram Port, Dr Salehuddin said the situation has improved. Talks just beginning between Trump's cabinet and Bangladesh govt: Tulsi Gabbard to NDTV Regarding reports of soybean oil floating near a cargo ship, he acknowledged the issue, saying, “We are aware of the matter. Traders often employ different tactics, and we are working to address them. The more strategic they become, the more vigilant we need to be.” On the question of possible negligence, the Finance Adviser said, “The Ministry of Commerce has been asked about the issue and they have handled it efficiently.”

Commerce and Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Sunday said Bangladesh has the enormous opportunity to make the leather and footwear items very good products in the export basket.  “Leather sector is very prospective for export diversification. For export diversification the leather sector is a very good item. This sector has prospects and problems as well,” he said while briefing reporters after holding a meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association and Bangladesh Tanners Association at his Finance Ministry office. He mentioned that they have discussed various issues related to the prospects and problems of the leather sector. “We have discussed all the problems. Why they have been shifted to Savar, what the environmental situation is in there, their financing (problems), their certification to export leathers, we have discussed all these points,” he said. In the meeting, the Adviser said, they have discussed everything to make these leather and footwear items big export products for the country. “And this sector has every possibility for this upgrade,” he said. The adviser also mentioned that leather is a raw material and it is locally produced. “This is a big advantage for us.” Government aims to simplify business, trade: Commerce Adviser Bangladesh leather industry comprises the components of tanning and finishing, footwear and footwear components, leather accessories and leather goods, e.g. bags, wallets, belts, accessories, etc. Products such as fabric-based footwear are also now being produced in Bangladesh for global retailers. International brands like Adidas, Aldo, Timberland, Marks & Spencer, Steve Madden, Esprit, ABC Mart, Nike and K-Mart, Sears etc. are sourcing leather goods or footwear from Bangladesh. European countries are the main markets for leather and leather products in Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh also exports to the United States, Japan, UK, China and a few other countries. The leather sector of Bangladesh includes 200 tanneries, 3,500 MSMEs, 2500 footwear making units and 90 large firms. Bangladesh meets the demand for about 10% of the world’s total leather market. Recently, a sustainable 205 industrial units Tannery Estate has been developed with CETP and STP and the production of eco-friendly leather and linkage industries-packing, lasts, adhesives, outsoles are growing rapidly. The Bangladesh government has taken many steps to upgrade the industry. The government has already set up a modern leather industrial estate in Savar and two more leather industrial parks will be set up in Chattogram and Rajshahi for unlocking the huge potentials of the country’s leather sector. Tanneries of the Hazaribagh area have been shifted to a modern environment-friendly tannery estate in Savar. Tanners have now the option to build their industrial unit by applying modern concepts. They can add updated hydraulic and pneumatic machines, apply the latest production processes, and use technology upgrades.