President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a $20 billion investment for data centers in the United States by an Emirati company led by billionaire Hussain Sajwani, a close business partner of the Trump family. The investment by DAMAC Properties in the United Arab Emirates is intended to highlight Trump's personal ability to attract new money for big projects. The announcement follows a pledge made last month by the Japanese billionaire investor Masayoshi Son, while at Trump's side, to invest $100 billion in the United States. Trump said at a news conference that he believed Sajwani made the commitment because “he was very inspired by the election and wouldn't do it without the election.” The president-elect emphasized his plans to get investments of $1 billion or more through the environmental regulatory review process quickly. Following Trump, Sajwani briefly joined the news conference and said: “It’s been amazing news for me and my family when he was elected in November.” Sajwani's promised investment feeds into an existing boom for constructing data centers used in the development of artificial intelligence and expansion of cryptocurrency, as well as in other elements of an increasingly digital economy that relies on having greater sources of computer processing power. Trump tries again to get Friday's hush money sentencing called off While Trump has sought to portray these announcements as a source of newfound energy in the U.S. economy, the $20 billion commitment is also a sign that wealthy investors close to Trump can profit off that relationship, given the already significant investment in new data centers. In October, the financial company Blackstone estimated that the U.S. would see $1 trillion invested in data centers over five years, with another $1 trillion being committed internationally. The commitment made by Sajwani could represent just 2% of the total expected domestic investment in the sector. Sajwani would gain data centers in the United States, which thus far have not been part of his company's EDGNEX data center portfolio. According to the company's website, it already has or plans to build data centers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Spain, Thailand and Indonesia. DAMAC Properties is one of the top private developers in the skyscraper-studded city-state in the United Arab Emirates. The property developer has been a Trump partner. Under Sajwani, DAMAC built the Trump International Golf Club at a massive development in the city’s desert outskirts just before Trump first entered the White House. DAMAC also paid a licensing fee worth millions back to the Trump Organization, following a pattern the president-elect's company has used in developments both in the U.S. and abroad. There had been plans for another DAMAC development further in the desert that would have a Trump-named golf course. However, DAMAC later dropped plans for the golf course at the development. Also, discussions for a promised $2 billion in deals between DAMAC and the Trump Organization after his first electoral win in 2016 never materialized. Sajwani has said that Trump's initial election to the presidency helped increase the profile of his company. Since Trump’s re-election in November, Sajwani has been seen at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He posted a picture standing between a seated Trump and billionaire Elon Musk at a New Year’s Eve celebration. However, the Trump Organization since has been involved with Dar Global, a Saudi-funded real estate firm that’s building a Trump-branded golf course in Oman and Trump projects in Saudi Arabia. There are plans for a Trump Tower in Dubai as well, though previous plans for a Trump Tower on Dubai’s man-made Palm Jumeirah archipelago fell apart during the city’s financial crisis that began in 2008.

European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Nicola Beer on Tuesday said they find the current situation in Bangladesh "stable" for their investment in priority sectors. "The current situation I see... It's stable for investment. So, we go on with what we already decided together. So, this was the reason why I was speaking about further signatures during this year's time," she told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after her first meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at his office. But of course, Beer said, it is up to the Bangladeshi citizens and bodies to decide on the moment of elections and of the power then in Parliament afterwards. The EIB Vice President said she can only express from the side of the European investment Bank group that they are "backing" this interim government and they are looking together with the different ministries and sectors, which investments they now can also speed up. They also talked about the priorities of investments in Bangladesh to deliver. "I'm quite optimistic that we will see through the signatures during this year to come on important projects, especially in the sector of water and sanitation," she added. "I think we are quite near when it comes up for the programme of the interim government to reform and lead it to elections, quite soon," Beer said. EIB VP Beer begins Bangladesh tour to strengthen ties with interim govt She said she is really happy now to be here in Dhaka to hear firsthand from the different ministries, but also from economy leaders and citizens groups about the challenges and about their own plans for the future of the country. "I hope we can deliver together, especially with the support of the European Union. So I'm very happy that the ambassador is with us who is very well connected here in the country and gives us valuable insights," Beer said. "I only can assure you that the European Union as a whole is standing behind this interim government together with the Bangladeshi people, to serve the Bangladeshi citizens for the future to come," she added. Responding to a question from the UNB correspondent, Beer said energy is a very important part of it. "We have a framework loan, we want to bring it really down now also in the project and this is something we will look further and try to speed up." In today's meeting they discussed international relations, how they can place this country also in the region as a strong nation on an equal footing. "We reaffirm the support of the European Union and also of its bank as European Investment Bank. And now we'll see the different projects and maybe also new proposals with the other ministries and sectors. So maybe you ask me in two days’ time," Beer said. She began her three-day visit on Tuesday to review existing partnerships, discuss various issues and explore expanded investment cooperation with the interim government. Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller, among others, accompanied her during the meeting with Adviser Hossain. "A number of meetings have been lined up, including a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus," a senior official told UNB on Monday. European countries: CA's press wing shares progress on visa issues Vice-President Beer, during her stay in Dhaka, will also hold meetings with Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Railways Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Water resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur to discuss wide range of issues, officials at the relevant ministers said while speaking to the UNB correspondent. She will also have a breakfast meeting with the representatives of the KfW, AfD, ADB, IMF, WB, IFC and JICA. The Vice President will have an interaction over dinner with the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham). She is likely to visit Ghandharbpur Water Treatment Plant on Thursday before wrapping up her visit. The EIB, owned by the 27 EU member states, is the world's largest multilateral financial institution and serves as the European Union's investment bank. Vice-President Beer oversees policy priorities, critical raw materials, EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and financing operations in South, Southeast and East Asia. While climate action is a big part of EIB activities, it also focuses on the environment, development, innovation and skills, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), infrastructure and cohesion. Govt trying to make things easy for investors: Foreign Adviser Prof Yunus recently urged the European Union (EU) to extend support to Bangladesh to transform its energy sector. “We look forward to your cooperation on that…we also talked to other countries to provide us support for transformation of our energy sector,” he said during an interactive session with the diplomats of European countries, stationed in Dhaka and New Delhi last month. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus said the environment is, of course, a top priority for them. Bangladesh is a victim of environmental degradation that is taking place, Prof Yunus said, adding, “In one area, I get very interested – renewable energy”. The EIB finances and invests both through equity and debt solutions companies and projects that achieve the policy aims of the European Union through loans, equity and guarantees. Since its establishment in 1958, the EIB has invested over a trillion euros in projects in Europe and countries worldwide.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday urged the country’s business community and entrepreneurs to come forward to strengthen its export base with more investment in the services sector to boost overall exports to the competitive global market. “We need to enhance our exports. I urge all businesspeople to come forward to invest more in the services sector in addition to products to boost our exports,” he said while inaugurating the 29th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2025 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Purbachal. Highlighting the importance of entrepreneurs’ role, Dr Yunus said developing an exportable product is important but it is more important to know who developed the product. The Chief Adviser said every year there is an initiative to announce a “Product of the Year” and this year furniture product is the product of the year. In addition to this process, Dr Yunus said, he wants to introduce “Entrepreneur of the Year” to let everyone know who is behind the product. The Chief Adviser highlighted the government’s initiative to promote Bangladesh’s products in the global market with its diversified presence. He said Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) has already secured a leading position in the global apparel market. Read: Month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair to open Wednesday Dr Yunus said the export trade is playing a significant role in cutting poverty and unemployment in addition to earning foreign currencies. “It’s playing an important role in strengthening Bangladesh’s economy.” He formally inaugurated the month-long fair.  Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin was, among others, present. Like the previous years, the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) have jointly organised the fair. The spaces for stalls or pavilions of various categories have been allocated online for the first time in this trade fair. The e-ticketing system has also been arranged for the first time in the fair. Apart from this, BRTC's dedicated bus service would be available alongside Uber service at a special discount to facilitate the travel of buyers and visitors to and from the fair venue. Besides, "July Chattar" and "Chhatrish Chattar" were created at the fair venue in honor of the sacrifices of students in the anti-discrimination students' movement. A Youth Pavilion has also been set up to encourage the youth folk of the country in export trade. Initiatives have been taken this year to organize potential sector/product wise seminars at the fair. There will be separate sourcing corners, electronics and furniture zones for the convenience of foreign entrepreneurs and participants. Technology corner has been installed for the convenience of the age-based visitors while seating corner will be there for senior citizens. Read more: Dhaka Int’l trade fair begins Sunday There is also a children's park in the fair for ensuring pure entertainment. The trade fair is being held for the fourth time in a row at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal. According to the layout plan of the fair, some 361 pavilions/stalls/restaurants of different categories have been allocated in favor of local producing and exporters firms, general business establishments and foreign business entities in a cent percent transparent manner.

The country risks plunging into an economic crisis in the coming days if the government fails to accelerate public and private investments within the shortest possible time, analysts have warned. According to Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, private investment remains stagnant in the country. “At present the stagnant situation of private investment is going on, this is due to instability and political insecurity and indiscipline,” he said recently during a briefing on ECNEC meeting. According to sources in the Planning and Finance Ministry, the country is now facing challenging times in sustaining production in the private sector. Already RMG and other factories in the private sector have faced serious instability and disruption of production due to various types of movement including labour movement. “There is no interest at all (from the private investors) in investment in the private sector,” the planning adviser had told the briefing. Meanwhile, the accelerating interest rate on bank lending caused another trouble for the economy as this acceleration put barriers for the private investors to take loans from the banks. “As a result, the investors are not showing interest in going for new investments,” Wahiduddin said. Bangladesh Bank on October 22 hiked the policy or repo rate further by 50 basis points to 10 percent in its efforts to rein in inflation, which has been stubbornly high for the last two years. Banks borrow from the central bank at the repo rate. The latest hike comes in less than a month after the BB increased the repo rate to 9.50 percent from the previous 9 percent. The general point-to-point inflation rate in Bangladesh rose in November reaching 11.38 percent, up from 10.87 percent in October 2024. This rate is the highest in the last four months. According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the increase was driven by a rise in food inflation, which jumped to 13.80 percent from 12.66 percent. Meanwhile, non-food inflation showed a slight rise of 9.39 percent from 9.34 percent in November. The general point-to-point inflation rate both in urban and rural areas also increased last month. The point-to-point inflation in rural areas in November was 11.53 percent which was 11.26 percent in October. The food inflation in the rural areas was 13.41 percent in November from 12.75 percent in October while the non-food item was 9.72 percent in November from 9.72 percent in October. On the other hand, the point-to-point inflation rate in urban areas in November was 11.37 percent which was 10.44 percent in October. The food inflation in November was 14.63 percent which was 12.53 percent in October while the non-food item in November was 9.31 percent which was 9.06 in October.   The wage rate index in November was 8.10 percent which was 8.07 percent in October 2024. On the other hand, the review meeting of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) monetary policy committee (MPC) has decided not to increase the policy interest rate for the time being. The committee acknowledged that although inflation remains elevated, the monetary policy stance is on the right track and there is no immediate need to raise the policy rate further. The MPC assessed the current macroeconomic situation, challenges, and outlook from domestic and global perspectives. Moreover, the MPC focused on reviewing the current inflation trend and outlook, economic activities and growth prospects, recent financial market developments, and developments in the external sector. Specifically, the MPC extensively reviewed the overall banking sector's liquidity situation, particularly the cash flow shortage of some conventional as well as Islamic banks, interest rate trends, the foreign exchange reserve position, and exchange rate developments. Read: Investment in education must be increased to overhaul the system: Dr Salimullah Khan The committee anticipates that inflation will likely decrease due to the downward trend in the global price outlook, moderation in geopolitical tensions, the stability in our exchange rate, the expected good harvest of Aman paddy, and the increasing supply of winter season vegetables. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has fixed the maximum interest rate on credit cards at 25 percent from 20 percent after banks insisted the central bank raise the rate to recover operation costs. According to the BB, banks will be able to charge a maximum interest of 25 percent from credit card customers. So far, the maximum interest limit was 20 percent. The planning ministry officials apprehended that as the private investment is remaining stalled and public investment is experiencing lowest ever, the economy of the country might go through a tough time in the coming days, “If the public expenditure does not improve also then there would be an economic recession in the country,” the planning adviser had said in the briefing. During the first four months of the current fiscal year, from July to October, the ADP implementation rate stood at only around 8%, the lowest figure in recent years, according to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Planning Ministry. Read more: Foreign Adviser calls for increased Norwegian investment in Bangladesh Its data highlights that, in contrast, the same period last year saw an execution rate of 11.54%.  Specifically, for the period from July to October of the current fiscal year, the government managed to implement development projects worth Tk 21,978 crore, according to the IMED. Finance Ministry sources said that as the stagnant situation is on and the inflation is increasing, employment generation will suffer whether the economy does not see any expansion in the coming days. They mentioned that middle income group and lower middle income group are experiencing the worst of this inflation. The planning commission officials hoped that while stability will come in the economy, the private investors will step forward with their investments.

The reform of the education system should be gradual, not revolutionary, and requires time. To bring about changes in the education system, investment in education must be increased, and educational opportunities should be provided to all. The state must take responsibility for the cost, curriculum, and language of education. These points were made during a dialogue titled "Post-People's Uprising Thoughts on Education—What Kind of Education System Do We Want?" held at the RC Majumdar Auditorium of Dhaka University on Friday afternoon, organized by the Samajtantrik Chhatra Front. Professor and writer Salimullah Khan stated during the discussion that if we want to bring about changes in the education system, investment in education must be increased, and the state must take on that responsibility. He emphasized that the real issue in education is how long we will consider education a right, what the curriculum will be, and in what language education will be delivered. He added that even if education is universal and everyone’s rights are protected, inequality will still persist. For this reason, the democratic form of education would be nationalization. The state must take responsibility for the cost, curriculum, and language of education. He further said that everyone should have access to education and that the teacher-student ratio must be changed. Read: AKDN's resident representative discusses education and climate change initiatives with Foreign Adviser Associate Professor Samina Lutfa of the Department of Sociology at Dhaka University stated that the reform of the education system should not be revolutionary, but should happen gradually. The reform cannot be accomplished quickly, so experienced educators should be involved in the process. She said that teaching is not like a typical 9am to 5pm job; it is a 24-hour responsibility, and teachers should be provided with the necessary environment to perform their duties. She further emphasized that for real change to take place, students need to be involved in extracurricular activities such as sports and various cultural and literary events, and that diversity is important. The infrastructure of schools and colleges, along with the role of teachers, are crucial in this process. Professor Kamrul Hasan Mamun of the Department of Physics at Dhaka University commented that political stories have been included in the textbooks of children in the country’s education system. Political messages and images have been added to the back covers of books. The inclusion of politics in children’s books is something not found in any other country. He also mentioned that various education streams, including Bengali, English, Madrassa, and technical education, exist in the country, but there is no common platform for them. He pointed out that those who study in English-medium schools are expected to pursue "export-quality" education, while those studying in Bengali-medium schools aim to take the BCS exam. This divide has emerged in the education system. He added that there has been a rush to establish universities in districts under the name of development. Unqualified individuals have been made teachers in these universities. However, he noted that Bangladesh has never had a sufficient number of qualified teachers in its 161 universities. Navine Murshid, a teacher at a private university, said that the kind of education system they want is one where students can think critically. Critical thinking should be the foundation of any education system. Read more:Private institution teachers to get transfer opportunity: Education Adviser Other speakers at the dialogue included writer and editor Rakhal Raha, and senior teacher Shamiem Zaman from Muhammad Shahidullah Adarsha Higher Secondary Institution.

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has called for increased Norwegian investment in Bangladesh. He said this when the newly appointed Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, Håkon Arald Gulbransen, paid his first courtesy call on the foreign adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday morning. The focus of the discussion centered around the strengthening of bilateral ties and increased Norwegian investment in Bangladesh. During the meeting, the foreign adviser highlighted the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries and welcomed Norwegian support to Bangladesh’s Interim Government. He underscored the significant reform initiatives currently underway in the country, particularly in the areas of democracy, governance, and the economy. The economy of Bangladesh is resilient, said Touhid. He encouraged more Norwegian investment in Bangladesh, particularly in prospective sectors such as ICT, renewable energy, and electronics. Read: Norway sees “great potential” in Bangladesh He further pointed to the ongoing government efforts in improving the business environment, including the introduction of the effective ‘One Stop Service’ to facilitate foreign investments. Ambassador Gulbransen, echoed the positive sentiment, stating that the relationship between the two nations has evolved from a development partnership to a more trade-centric one. "Norway sees great potential in Bangladesh," he said. He pointed out the significant presence of Telenor in the country, expressing a desire for enhanced business-to-business ties moving forward. On the issue of human rights, Foreign Adviser Touhid reaffirmed the Interim Government’s commitment to improving protection. He said Bangladesh acceded to the ‘International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances’ in August and shared the news that Bangladesh had recently been elected Vice President of the UN Human Rights Council. The Foreign Adviser assured the Norwegian Ambassador of the full support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in carrying out his duties and wished him a productive and successful tenure ahead.

The head of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority has invited China-based manufacturers to invest in Bangladesh in the wake of the post-election development. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, the Executive Chairman of the BIDA, wrote an "open letter" to investors in China, saying that Bangladesh was now ready to emerge as a potential destination for manufacturers planning to relocate or diversify their footprints. "The post-election developments in the US signal big increases in tariffs and duties for China-based manufacturers," Chowdhury, a former senior banker with HSBC, writes. "In this context, we extend an open invitation to our investor friends in China and are committed to supporting them in navigating the evolving landscape. We see potential in industries like garments, electronics, solar value chain, and automotive. We are committed to tailoring a favourable investment environment for the investors with attractive incentive programs and benefits," he said. The BIDA chief who met at least 200 CEOs of multinational and local companies last month, said contrary to what some political experts were predicting, Bangladesh economy is set to benefit hugely in the new Trump presidency. "We are already witnessing quite a lot of interest from China based manufacturers seeking to diversify their risks and manufacturing bases," he said. China, a long-standing partner of Bangladesh and, in 2022, has become Bangladesh's largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Chowdhury said this trend will accelerate once the new Trump administration takes over in January 2025. Prioritising quality and global standards can be Bangladesh’s path to post-LDC success: Strategy paper He said he has been following the regional expansion of Chinese manufacturers in the last decade and was fortunate to support them in his previous capacity as an investment banker. "With the new US political landscape, the trend is likely to grow." Bangladesh is keen to "welcome" these investors with tailored solutions. "That's my commitment as the chief marketing officer of Bangladesh," he writes.

Shanchayapatra or national savings certificate has long served as a reliable saving scheme, providing a dependable path toward financial stability for the people of Bangladesh. Upon reaching maturity, some holders may find it necessary to withdraw their funds, whether for personal expenses, medical needs, or investment opportunities. For others, however, the renewal option of their Sanchayapatra offers a chance to continue growing their savings. Let’s explore what steps to take when it reaches maturity. Sanchayapatra Encashment Process Completing the encashment of Sanchayapatra typically requires around 2 to 3 business days after maturity depending on the issuing bank. For certain banks, processing may even take a few additional days. Each bank maintains its unique form to carry out the process. The first step in withdrawing funds is to fill out a form. After completing it, the form must be manually signed and submitted to the branch of the bank from where the Sanchayapatra was purchased. Read more: Buying US Dollar Investment Bonds: A Comprehensive Guide for NRBs If the investor cannot appear at the bank or sign the form due to physical limitations, a nominee can carry out the procedure on his/her behalf. In such cases, the investor must provide a medical certificate that verifies their physical condition. In addition to the investor, the nominee may withdraw only the profit earned from the Sanchayapatra. However, this requires explicit written authorization from the investor, including their signature and a discharge of the profit coupon. The initial deposit value, however, cannot be accessed solely through an authorization letter or permit. For Sanchayapatra purchased online, this procedure becomes much simpler. This online context refers to the National Savings Scheme Online Management System. In this regard, Bangladesh Bank recently issued directives to all its branches and scheduled banks. The principal of Sanchayapatra bought via the system will be credited directly to the investor’s account upon the exact day of maturity. Read more: How to Buy Bangladesh Government Treasury Bond: Everything You Need to Know Additionally, any profits will be transferred in installments on schedule. All transactions will be processed through the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) system. It means neither the investor nor their nominee will need to visit the bank to receive the profits or maturity value. Sanchayapatra Renewal Process With the automation of the new system, paperwork-related complications are set to reduce significantly. Here are the updated renewal guidelines for Sanchayapatra as per the directives of Bangladesh Bank: - For Family Sanchayapatra, Three-Month Profit-Based Sanchayapatra, and Pensioner Sanchayapatra, only the original invested amount will be automatically reinvested.- For five-year Sanchayapatra and Post Office Sanchayapatra, both the principal and the profits will be automatically reinvested. Read more: Investment: What Factors to Consider before Investing Money? In these cases, the maximum investment limit will be applied from the date of reinvestment.Profits from Pensioner Sanchayapatra will now be disbursed monthly rather than quarterly. In a Nutshell The recent advancements in Shanchayapatra’s encashment and renewal processes offer a streamlined, hassle-free experience. By utilizing the National Savings Scheme's online management system, investors gain seamless access to renew or encash Sanchayapatra. Thanks to the EFT system, funds are deposited directly into the account on maturity day, eliminating the need for in-person visits or form submissions. With automatic renewal options, holders can effortlessly reinvest, avoiding administrative delays and potential complications. Together, these improvements ensure a smoother, more accessible experience for all Sanchayapatra holders. Read more: Is Sanchayapatra a Good Investment Read more: How to Buy Sanchayapatra in Bangladesh: A Beginner's Guide

The economy of the country is experiencing a challenging period, with public and private investments coming to a near standstill over the past few months. Private sector investment has hit a low, as many industrial and bank owners are not present in their respective areas. Consequently, the resumption of activities in private industries and efforts to get the banking system back on track for lending have been moving slowly in recent times. Planning Adviser to the Interim Government Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud, in a recent briefing after an ECNEC meeting, acknowledged the slow pace of production in industries and lending activities in the banking sector. “Private sector investment is a driving force for the economy. If this sector faces hindrances, the whole economy is affected,” he said. However, Dr. Mahmud noted that it is normal to experience obstacles in investment after a significant political transition. “Investment in the private sector is currently lower,” he added. Regarding public sector investment, which is executed through the development budget, Dr. Mahmud explained that the interim government is re-evaluating the development projects approved by the previous Awami League government. The Awami League-led National Economic Council (NEC) approved the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2024-2025, with a total outlay of Tk 265,000 crore. This included 1,321 projects, comprising 1,133 investment projects, 21 survey projects, 87 technical assistance projects, and 80 projects from autonomous bodies and corporations. Read: Economy in contraction mode, despite improvements in key sectors: Analysis   Dr. Mahmud pointed out that many development projects were politically motivated. “Several projects were either poorly implemented or, upon further scrutiny, would not be carried out as planned,” he said. As a result, the interim government is amending ongoing projects, a time-consuming process. If a project is deemed unnecessary or of low priority, the government is halting further allocations once it reaches a self-sufficient stage. Dr. Mahmud also cautioned that if both private sector investment and public sector expenditure slow down, the overall money flow in the economy will be affected. He added that rural businesses are reporting sluggish trade due to reduced investments from both sectors. Among the top 10 sectors in terms of ADP allocation, the transport and communication sector received the highest allocation of Tk 70,687.75 crore (26.67%), followed by the power and energy sector with Tk 40,752 crore (15.38%), and the education sector with Tk 31,529 crore (11.36%). Other key sectors include housing and community facilities, health, local government and rural development, agriculture, environment, industry, and science and technology. The total allocation for these top 10 sectors amounts to Tk 242,093 crore, representing 90.25% of the total ADP. In a bid to curb inflation, Bangladesh Bank has raised its key policy rate (repo rate) by 50 basis points, bringing it to 9.50%. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the general point-to-point inflation rate dropped to 9.92% in September from 10.49% in August 2024. Both food and non-food inflation also showed a downward trend during this period. Read more: Taskforce aims to re-strategise Bangladesh’s economy for sustainable growth Food inflation declined to 10.40% in September from 11.36% in August, while non-food inflation fell to 9.50% in September from 9.74% in August. Inflation in both urban and rural areas also decreased last month. In rural areas, inflation dropped to 10.15% in September from 10.95% in August. In urban areas, it fell to 9.83% in September from 10.01% in August.

Lack of appropriate temperature-controlled logistics in Bangladesh results in post-harvest losses, affects food safety, and limits trade in agricultural and consumer products, said Chargé d’Affaires of US Embassy Dhaka, Helen LaFave. "Cold chain infrastructure would enable Bangladeshi agricultural producers to diversify export opportunities by ensuring the safety and quality of their agricultural products," she said. US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a feasibility study grant to Bangladeshi prepared foods and cold chain services company Bonton Foods Limited (Bonton Foods) to support the deployment of a temperature-controlled logistics network of cold storage refrigeration warehouses in Bangladesh. This feasibility study will identify opportunities for increased U.S. investment in cold chain, which would create a stable logistics network for refrigerated and frozen U.S. products that meet the consumer demands of the rapidly growing Bangladesh middle class, Helen LaFave said. The study’s goal is to lower costs and reduce losses of dairy, meat, and other food products, resulting in improved food security for people across the country, USTDA said recently. Read: Bangladesh to reap long-term benefits of US investment: Commercial Counselor of US Embassy Bonton Foods selected Minnesota-based Land O’Lakes Venture37 to conduct the study. “Facilitating private sector investment is vital to Bangladesh’s food security goals. Our partnership with Bonton Foods will help mobilize capital and deploy innovative solutions that address the needs of Bangladesh’s people,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “We look forward to demonstrating the positive role that U.S. technology can play in unlocking greater access to fresh foods.” While Bangladesh has 2.7 million metric tons of cold storage refrigeration capacity across over 300 sites, the country’s current cold chain industry cannot meet demands, particularly in rural areas. As a result, animal proteins and produce are handled primarily via wet markets with little to no mechanical refrigeration support, which can lead to food spoilage and loss. The USTDA-funded study will address these challenges by facilitating the construction of an integrated network of third-party logistics cold storage facilities across Bangladesh. Shamim Ahamed, Managing Director of Bonton Foods, said the country’s large population—20 million people in greater Dhaka alone—a growing upper and middle-class, and changing consumer patterns signal a bright future for the cold chain industry. Read more:  US investment in Bangladesh's tech market to pave the way for the development of digital economy of two countries: Palak "We are keen to leverage our position in the market by expanding third-party logistics services to small and medium-sized agribusinesses as well as international food importers and exporters,” he said. USTDA’s study advances the goals of Biden-Harris Administration priorities such as the Feed the Future initiative. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create US jobs through the export of the U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies.