United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s stock markets posted gains in early trading on Monday, with key indices rising at both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE). During the first half of the session, the benchmark DSEX index at the DSE climbed 46 points. Among the other indices, the Shariah-based DSES advanced 11 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index rose by 15 points. Out of the traded issues at the DSE, prices of 304 companies moved up, while 40 declined and 43 remained unchanged. The turnover at the premier bourse crossed Tk 270 crore in the first half of the day. The CSE also witnessed a positive trend, with its overall index CASPI gaining 55 points. Stocks surge at DSE, CSE on strong buying as week opens At the port city bourse, share prices of 70 companies increased against declines in 22 issues, while prices of nine companies remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE stood at over Tk 1.70 crore during the first half of trading.

Leaders of the country’s apparel trade bodies, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), on Monday strongly opposed recent recommendations to restrict yarn imports. They said any attempt to force the purchase of local yarn through tariff barriers would undermine the global competitiveness of the garment industry and disrupt its integrated supply chain. The leaders expressed their concern at an emergency press conference at a Dhaka hotel. Selim Rahman, acting president of BGMEA, said exporters prefer local yarn if its price matches the global market but imposing new tariffs or restrictions to support local mills would create a crisis. “If local yarn is available at global market rates, we will not import. But trying to force local yarn sales artificially is not a solution. It will only worsen the crisis,” he said. He urged the government to support the textile sector through cash incentives, reliable energy supply, and favourable tax and interest rates instead of imposing duties on yarn imports. He warned that BGMEA might take ‘tough measures’ if these concerns are ignored. Mohammad Hatem, president of BKMEA, said price differences between local and imported yarn have always existed but the situation worsened after the reduction of cash incentives. He criticised the Commerce Ministry for recommending restrictions on blended and man-made fiber (MMF) yarn, pointing out that local production in these categories is still insufficient. “If you stop yarn imports artificially and people start importing finished fabric instead, what will you do?” Hatem asked. The BKMEA leader also raised concerns over the shrinking Export Development Fund (EDF) which has been cut from $7 billion to $2 billion under IMF conditions. He said many businesses still cannot access the remaining funds. Garment accessories sector posts record $7.45bn export earnings in FY25: BGAPMEA Hatem expressed frustration over the lack of support from the financial sector. Highlighting regional competition, he noted that India continues to provide strong incentives to its textile and apparel sectors despite graduating from LDC status. He questioned why Bangladesh cannot implement similar support to sustain its top-earning export sector during this transition period.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Sunday (January 18, 2026) launched an automated system that allows income tax paid at the import stage to be directly credited to taxpayers’ electronic income tax returns, significantly easing long-standing compliance hassles for importers. The new facility has been introduced through the successful integration of the NBR’s e-return system with ASYCUDA World, the customs clearance platform. From now on, advance income tax paid during import will automatically appear as a credit in the concerned taxpayer’s e-return. Officials said the move has effectively ended years of difficulties faced by importers in adjusting import-stage income tax against their final tax liability. Read More: NBR sees growing use of e-returns by expatriate Bangladeshis At the same time, it has made the process of filing e-returns simpler and more efficient for importing businesses. Under the new system, when an importer enters business income details in the e-return for a particular assessment year, information related to advance income tax paid against each Bill of Entry during that year will be displayed automatically. The credited amount is then deducted from the total payable income tax, enabling the system to determine the final tax payable along with the return. The NBR noted that the initiative is part of its broader effort to digitise tax administration and improve taxpayer services through automation and system integration. The e-return system for the 2025–26 tax year was formally inaugurated on August 4, 2025 by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed through the website www.etaxnbr.gov.bd. Read More: NBR links ASYCUDA World with BGMEA e-UD system to modernise bond management Since the launch, more than 4.6 million taxpayers have registered on the e-return platform, while around 3.3 million taxpayers have already submitted their income tax returns online. Notably, the NBR said, many individuals for whom e-return filing is not mandatory are also voluntarily submitting their returns through the online system, indicating growing acceptance of digital tax services. The scope of the system has also been expanded to include non-resident Bangladeshis. Expatriate taxpayers can now register and submit their income tax returns online. So far, nearly 4,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have filed their income tax returns for the 2025–26 tax year through the e-return system. According to the NBR, taxpayers are not required to upload any supporting documents or papers while filing returns online. The authority reiterated that its efforts are focused on enabling individual taxpayers to pay taxes and submit returns easily from home, without physical visits to tax offices. The NBR has urged all individual taxpayers to submit their income tax returns online through the e-return system by January 31, 2026. Read more: Mobile phone prices set to fall as NBR slashes import duty

Stocks rallied sharply on Sunday, the first trading day of the week, with key indices at both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) posting significant gains amid broad-based price appreciation and higher turnover. At the DSE, the benchmark DSEX index jumped 76 points, while the Shariah-based DSES rose 13 points and the blue-chip DS30 advanced 26 points. Prices increased for most listed companies, as shares of 290 firms closed higher against declines in 42 issues, while 57 remained unchanged. Read More: Stocks advance at midday at DSE, CSE Market activity also strengthened, with total turnover at the DSE rising to Tk 474 crore, up from Tk 379 crore in the previous session. In the block market, shares of 19 companies worth Tk 13.5 crore were traded, with Fine Foods Limited topping the list by executing transactions worth Tk 4.3 crore. Apex Tannery Limited emerged as the top gainer at the DSE, climbing nearly 10 percent, while Familytex (BD) Limited ended as the worst performer, losing more than 8 percent. The upbeat trend extended to the CSE, where the overall CASPI index soared 165 points. At the port city bourse, prices of 97 companies advanced against declines in 47 issues, while 19 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE stood at Tk 7 crore, compared to Tk 6 crore in the previous trading day. Apex Tannery Limited also topped the gainers’ list at the CSE with a rise of around 10 percent, while Reliance One The First Scheme of Reliance Insurance Mutual Fund closed at the bottom, shedding nearly 10 percent. DSE inches up, CSE slips as majority stocks end lower

The upward trend in inward remittances continued and 56.3 percent growth in January, with receiving over US $1.86 billion in 17 days of the month. Bangladesh received $18.12 billion in inward remittances from July to January 17, 2026, in the current fiscal year FY 2025-26. It was 14.96 billion in the same period of the previous FY2024-25, and saw a growth of 21.1 percent. Read more: Stocks surge at DSE, CSE on strong buying as week opens Blessed by strong remittances, Bangladesh’s gross forex reserves have surpassed $33 billion, up from $29 billion under the IMF’s BPM6 standard. Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, said the expatriates have sent $1.86 billion in the first 17 days of January 2026, which was $1.19 million in the same period of January 2025. It means the remittance earnings grew by 56.3 percent in this time. The growth is attributed to several factors, including incentives offered for sending money through legal banking channels, increased encouragement for using the formal system, and the active role of exchange houses. In FY2025-26, Bangladesh received $2.47 billion in remittances in July, $2.42 billion in August, $2.68 billion in September, $2.56 billion in October, $2.88 billion in November, and $3.22 billion in December. Read more: NBR launches automated system easing compliance for importers This data revealed that the average inward remittance flow was over $2.42 billion in the last six months. This robust flow of remittance influences Bangladeshi policymakers to discourage lending from the IMF with tough conditions.

A move by the central bank to limit shareholding for individuals, families, and institutions has met with fierce opposition from the Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), an organization of bank owners, sparking a debate over the future of corporate governance in Bangladesh's financial sector. Under the draft Bank Company (Amendment) Act 2025, Bangladesh Bank has proposed that no person, family, or institution may directly or indirectly hold more than a 5 percent stake in more than one bank simultaneously. The Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the Ministry of Finance held a meeting last week, chaired by FID Secretary Nazma Mobarek, to discuss the addition of three new sub-sections to Section 14/B of the law. The primary objective is to prevent vested interest groups from exerting undue influence over multiple financial institutions at once. Three legislative changes are proposed to achieve the desired result: If a person or entity owns 2 percent or more of one bank, they cannot hold a similar 2 percent stake in any other bank. Even if an investor holds more than 5 percent of a bank's shares, their voting rights will be capped at 5 percent (excluding the government and non-profit/strategic investors). Current regulations allow an investor to hold up to 10 percent of a bank’s shares with "one share, one vote" rights, and there are no restrictions on holding shares in multiple banks. The Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), representing private bank owners, has strongly opposed the move. BAB representatives argued that general shareholders do not influence policy; rather, the Board of Directors does. They contend that since there are already proposals to reduce the number of family members on boards, further limits on shareholding are unnecessary and "excessively strict." BAB further proposed that the definition of a "family" be limited to spouses and dependent members, and that the maximum family shareholding limit be increased to 25 percent. Conversely, Bangladesh Bank officials highlighted the recent devastation caused by a single large conglomerate that gained majority control over six banks. Central bank representatives stated that this group manipulated policies to loot thousands of crores of taka, leaving hundreds of thousands of depositors in jeopardy. "The government had to inject Tk 20,000 crore of public money at the end of last year to compensate depositors of five merged private banks," officials noted during the meeting. FID Secretary Nazma Mobarek stated that more time is needed to finalize the amendments due to the significant differences in opinion between the central bank and the BAB. "We have asked the central bank officials and BAB representatives to reach a consensus before the next meeting," the Secretary said.

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations because of their opposition to American control of Greenland, setting up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland would face the tariff, Trump said in a social media post while at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The rate would climb to 25% on June 1 if no deal was in place for “the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by the United States, he said. The Republican president appeared to indicate that he was using the tariffs as leverage to force talks with Denmark and other European countries over the status of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark that he regards as critical to U.S. national security. “The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them,” Trump said on Truth Social. The tariff threat could mark a problematic rupture between Trump and America's longtime NATO partners, further straining an alliance that dates to 1949 and provides a collective degree of security to Europe and North America. Trump has repeatedly tried to use trade penalties to bend allies and rivals alike to his will, generating investment commitments from some nations and pushback from others, notably China. Trump is scheduled to travel on Tuesday to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he likely will run into the European leaders he just threatened with tariffs that would start in little more than two weeks. French President Emmanuel Macron pushed back against Trump in a social media post that seemed to equate the threat to Russian leader Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. “No intimidation or threats will influence us, whether in Ukraine, Greenland or anywhere else in the world when we are faced with such situations,” Macron said in a translated post on X. “Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond in a united and coordinated manner.” There are immediate questions about how the White House could try to implement the tariffs because the EU is a single economic zone in terms of trading, according to a European diplomat who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. It was unclear, too, how Trump could act under U.S. law, though he could cite emergency economic powers that are currently subject to a U.S. Supreme Court challenge. Trump has long said he thinks the U.S. should own the strategically located and mineral-rich island, which has a population of about 57,000 and whose defense is provided by Denmark. He intensified his calls a day after the military operation to oust Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. The president indicated the tariffs were retaliation for what appeared to be the deployment of s ymbolic levels of troops from the European countries to Greenland, which he has said was essential for the “Golden Dome” missile defense system for the U.S., He also has argued that Russia and China might try to take over the island. The U.S. already has access to Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement. Since 1945, the American military presence in Greenland has decreased from thousands of soldiers over 17 bases and installations to 200 at the remote Pituffik Space Base in the northwest of the island, the Danish foreign minister has said. That base supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations for the U.S. and NATO. Resistance has steadily built in Europe to Trump's ambitions even as several countries on the continent agreed to his 15% tariffs last year in order to preserve an economic and security relationship with Washington. ‘Important for the whole world’ Earlier Saturday, hundreds of people in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, braved near-freezing temperatures, rain and icy streets to march in a rally in support of their own self-governance. Thousands of people also marched through Copenhagen, many of them carrying Greenland’s flag. Some held signs with slogans such as “Make America Smart Again” and “Hands Off.” “This is important for the whole world,” Danish protester Elise Riechie told The Associated Press as she held Danish and Greenlandic flags. “There are many small countries. None of them are for sale.” The rallies occurred hours after a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers, while visiting Copenhagen, sought to reassure Denmark and Greenland of their support. NATO training exercises Danish Maj. Gen. Søren Andersen, leader of the Joint Arctic Command, told the AP that Denmark does not expect the U.S. military to attack Greenland, or any other NATO ally, and that European troops were recently deployed to Nuuk for Arctic defense training. He said the goal is not to send a message to the Trump administration, even though the White House has not ruled out taking the territory by force. “I will not go into the political part, but I will say that I would never expect a NATO country to attack another NATO country,” he said from aboard a Danish military vessel docked in Nuuk. “For us, for me, it’s not about signaling. It is actually about training military units, working together with allies.” The Danish military organized a planning meeting Friday in Greenland with NATO allies, including the U.S., to discuss Arctic security on the alliance’s northern flank in the face of a potential Russian threat. The Americans were also invited to participate in Operation Arctic Endurance in Greenland in the coming days, Andersen said. In his 2½ years as a commander in Greenland, Andersen said that he hasn't seen any Chinese or Russian combat vessels or warships, despite Trump saying that they were off the island's coast. But in the unlikely event of American troops using force on Danish soil, Andersen confirmed that Danish soldiers have an obligation to fight back. ‘Almost no better' ally to US than Denmark Trump has contended that China and Russia have their own designs on Greenland and its vast untapped reserves of critical minerals. He said recently that anything less than the Arctic island being in U.S. hands would be “unacceptable.” The president has seen tariffs as a tool to get what he wants without having to resort to military actions. At the White House on Friday, he recounted how he had threatened European allies with tariffs on pharmaceuticals and he teased the possibility of doing so again. “I may do that for Greenland, too,” Trump said. After Trump followed through, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said "Congress must reclaim tariff authorities” so that they are not used solely at a president's discretion. European leaders have said it is only for Denmark and Greenland to decide on matters concerning the territory, and Denmark said this week that it was increasing its military presence in Greenland in cooperation with allies. “There is almost no better ally to the United States than Denmark,” said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., while visiting Copenhagen with other members of Congress. “If we do things that cause Danes to question whether we can be counted on as a NATO ally, why would any other country seek to be our ally or believe in our representations?”

Industry leaders and experts have called for the immediate implementation of business-friendly policies and the support of an elected government to unlock the potential of the sustainable packaging sector. Speakers at a high-profile industry event stated that with the right policy framework, this sector—already the country's second-largest export earner—could eventually surpass the Readymade Garments (RMG) industry. These observations were made on Saturday during the closing ceremony of Garments Accessories & Packaging Expo (GAPEXPO) 2026 and Garment Technology Bangladesh (GTB) Expo2026. The four-day mega-exhibition, organized by ASK Trade & Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. and the Bangladesh Garments Accessories & Packaging Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGAPMEA), concluded at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB). Chief Guest Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, former commerce and home minister, expressed high optimism regarding the sector's trajectory. "In the last fiscal year, the packaging and accessories sector generated $7.45 billion in exports. This sector's energy and capacity are remarkable," he said. He further noted that if the BNP forms the government in the future, it would stand by the business community to resolve all systemic issues hindering the sector. Fazle Shamim Ehsan, President of the Bangladesh Employers Federation (BEF), highlighted that while the sector is often "underrated," its ability to import raw materials and re-export them as finished goods proves its immense capability. He stressed the need for a stable, democratic government to restore foreign investor confidence and accelerate economic growth. Industry leaders also voiced concerns regarding current trade regulations. Shaukat Aziz Russell, President of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), warned that certain policies are pushing the industry toward a crisis. Russell argued that if the ‘Free of Cost’ (FOC) import facility is allowed at 100 percent, domestic factories will fail as all products will be sourced from abroad. He called for a reduction in extra taxes and port levies to enhance the competitiveness of local manufacturers. Additionally, Md. Shahriar, President of BGAPMEA, emphasized the integrity of real entrepreneurs, noting that while corrupt individuals have laundered money under the guise of business, true industrialists are committed to the nation's wealth. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) reported that this year’s expo was 80 percent more successful than the previous year. Abu Mokhles Alamgir Hossain, Director of EPB, highlighted the $700 billion global packaging market as a major opportunity. "As the 'Product of the Year,' we will organize seminars to address this sector's challenges and engage with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to ensure bond facilities and other necessary support," he stated. The 15th GAPEXPO-2026, held from January 14–17, featured 1,500 stalls and 350 domestic and international companies from countries including India, China, Pakistan, Taiwan, Australia, Germany, and the UAE. The organizers reported over 100,000 visitors, facilitating vital connections between global buyers and local sellers. The event concluded with the presentation of "Best Stall" awards to eight exceptional participating companies.

The European Union’s apparel import market witnessed a significant reshuffling in 2025, as Bangladesh’s exports to the bloc climbed to €18.06 billion despite a broader trend of falling unit prices and aggressive competition from China. According to the latest Eurostat data for the period of January to November 2025, the EU's total apparel imports grew by 3.93 percent, reaching a total value of €82.94 billion. While the market saw a robust 11.60 percent increase in volume, the average unit price for garments fell by 6.88%, signaling a highly competitive, price-sensitive environment for global suppliers. Bangladesh, the EU's second-largest apparel supplier, saw its export value rise from €16.78 billion in 2024 to €18.06 billion in the first eleven months of 2025—a growth of 7.65 percent. This value growth was largely volume-driven, with an 11.26 percent increase in the quantity of goods shipped, even as the country faced a 3.25 percent decrease in unit prices. However, data from the end of the period suggests a cooling trend. A comparison between November 2024 and November 2025 reveals a sharp 10.87% drop in export value and a 12.27% decline in unit prices, highlighting the mounting pressure on Bangladeshi manufacturers to lower costs. Garment accessories sector posts record $7.45bn export earnings in FY25: BGAPMEA The report highlights a strategic pivot by China. Facing ongoing challenges in the United States market, China has intensified its focus on Europe. Chinese apparel exports to the EU reached €24.42 billion, marking a 6.55 percent growth in value. Most notably, China saw a massive 15.73 percent surge in export volume, supported by a 7.93 percent reduction in unit prices. The sourcing landscape across Asia showed varying results. Vietnam recorded a healthy 10.10 percent growth, reaching €4.02 billion. Unlike its neighbors, Vietnam saw a 4.19 percent increase in unit price, likely reflecting a shift toward higher-value garments. Turkey struggled significantly, facing an 11.31 percent decline in exports to the EU, totaling €7.66 billion. India, Pakistan, and Cambodia all showed substantial growth rates, contributing to the overall volume surge in the European market. Global demand crunch pinches RMG, exports stagnant in first 5 months of fiscal at $16bn "The data reflects a complex environment where volume is up, but margins are being squeezed," noted Mohiuddin Rubel, Managing Director of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange Ltd. "While Bangladesh remains a key player, the aggressive pricing strategies from competitors like China and the recent dip in November figures suggest that staying competitive will require a careful balance of volume and value-addition," he said.

Canada has agreed to reduce its 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in return for sharp cuts to Chinese duties on key Canadian farm products, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday. Speaking after two days of talks with Chinese leaders, Carney said the deal will initially allow up to 49,000 Chinese-made EVs to enter the Canadian market. In exchange, China will lower its tariff on Canadian canola seeds from about 84 percent to around 15 percent. The announcement came as Canada and China signaled a broader effort to reset relations after years of tension. Carney said his visit, the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, marked “a historic and productive” step toward rebuilding ties and adapting cooperation to new global realities. He called for closer collaboration in agriculture, energy and finance. Chinese President Xi Jinping said talks since an initial meeting last October had helped open a new chapter in bilateral relations and that Beijing was willing to continue working to improve ties. Venezuela’s new leader signals oil sector reforms and warmer US ties Relations between the two countries deteriorated in recent years after Canada followed the United States in imposing steep tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum under former prime minister Justin Trudeau. China retaliated with heavy duties on Canadian canola oil, meal and seeds, as well as pork and seafood, effectively shutting Canadian canola out of the Chinese market. The renewed engagement comes as both countries face economic pressure from US President Donald Trump’s America-first trade policies, which have disrupted global commerce and hit both the Canadian and Chinese economies. Carney said his government is seeking to build an economy less dependent on the United States and to diversify trade partnerships during a period of global trade disruption. After leaving China on Saturday, Carney will visit Qatar before heading to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, where he is expected to meet business leaders and investors to promote trade and investment.