Author: TBD Desk
The United States has reduced the tariff on Bangladeshi goods to 20 percent, down from a previous rate of 35 percent, following intense final negotiations in Washington. This significant tariff cut, confirmed by the White House, is expected to boost Bangladesh’s exports, especially in the garment sector. The reduction was secured just before a midnight deadline set by President Donald Trump and contrasts with the US’s generally protectionist trade stance. While the US announced a global minimum tariff of 10 percent, countries with trade surpluses faced higher rates of 15 percent or more. Bangladesh’s new tariff rate is notably lower…
Several left-leaning parties in Bangladesh, including the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), JASAD, Bangladesh Socialist Party (BASAD), and BASAD (Marxist), have boycotted a meeting of the National Consensus Commission, protesting what they claim is the removal of the original four fundamental principles from the country’s 1972 Constitution. The incident occurred late Thursday night at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, during the final session of the commission’s 23rd round of discussions. The commission had proposed including “equality, human dignity, social justice, and religious freedom and harmony” as core principles for state governance. However, leftist leaders argued that this proposal excluded…
Two separate courts in Dhaka have formally initiated the trial against ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, their children, and several high-ranking officials, indicting them in six high-profile corruption cases linked to the allocation of government land plots in the Purbachal New Town Project. According to court documents and statements from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the charges allege that while in office, Sheikh Hasina abused her power to facilitate the unlawful allocation of six 10-katha plots in Sector-27’s diplomatic zone of Purbachal to herself, her immediate family members, and other associates, bypassing eligibility requirements and standard…
Dhaka police have arrested 22 leaders and activists—including former members of the banned Awami League, its affiliate Bangladesh Chhatra League, and other associated organizations—after a secret gathering was held in a convention center near Bashundhara Residential Area. In addition, an army Major has been taken into military custody for questioning regarding his alleged involvement in the meeting. Authorities stated at a Thursday press briefing that the arrests were made following a police case filed at Vatara Police Station. The case claims a secret meeting, organized by the banned Chhatra League, took place on July 8 at the KB Convention Center…
A new wave of debate and controversy has swept Bangladesh’s political scene following a recent Facebook post by Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a key figure in last year’s anti-discrimination student movement. Nahid’s remarks have brought renewed focus to the tumultuous days after the student-led uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government, especially around efforts to form a national government under the leadership of Professor Muhammad Yunus. Nahid’s Facebook post, published on July 31, contradicted statements made by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. According to Nahid, contrary to Mirza…
The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has expressed serious concerns about the continuation of Bangladesh Bank’s contractionary monetary policy, warning that it is causing stagnation in business, investment, and overall industrial activity. As of June 2025, private sector credit growth has declined to only 6.4%, the lowest in 22 years. DCCI attributes this slowdown to uncertainties in the business environment, law and order instability, limited fuel supply, and notably, the tight monetary policy. The alarming rise in non-performing loans, now at 5.3 trillion BDT (around 27.09% of total outstanding loans), poses a significant threat to financial stability and…
Myanmar’s military junta has officially ended the state of emergency that had been in effect since February 2021, announcing plans to hold long-delayed general elections as early as December, 2025. The announcement, made Thursday by the State Administration Council, marks a significant development in the country’s turbulent political landscape. An eleven-member election commission, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing—the junta chief who will continue to serve as both military head and de facto interim president—has been formed to oversee the process. While the nationwide emergency is lifted, localized emergency measures remain in place across 90 townships in nine out…
China has announced the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, a project set to revolutionize renewable energy with a generation capacity of 60 gigawatts—nearly three times that of the current largest, the Three Gorges Dam. This mega-dam aims to significantly reduce China’s coal dependency, cutting carbon emissions as Beijing targets a carbon-free electricity sector by 2060. However, concerns loom over environmental and geopolitical impacts. The dam will harness the world’s highest river, the Yarlung Tsangpo, by creating a vast reservoir to drive turbines. While this is a major technological feat boosting China’s…
The Bangladesh Bank will begin accepting applications for digital bank licenses in August, with the number of licenses to be granted dependent on the quality of applications. Governor Ahsan H. Mansur emphasized a phased approach and said licenses will not be issued excessively. Potential digital bank operators must have an investment capacity ranging from 20 to 30 billion BDT, with a long-term vision essential for success due to the extended time needed to become profitable, as evidenced by bKash and Nagad. Currently, Mobile Financial Service (MFS) providers cannot directly issue nano loans without opening a subsidiary digital bank or obtaining…
The third and final round of tariff negotiations between Bangladesh and the United States began today, July 29, in Washington DC. Leading the Bangladesh delegation are Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, who arrived in the US capital for three days of intensive discussions. According to a press release from the chief adviser’s office, Bangladesh is hopeful for a constructive outcome, given the progress achieved in the previous rounds. The talks are of critical importance, as a 35% tariff is set to be imposed on Bangladeshi goods entering the US market starting August 1. US Commerce…