Bangladesh Eyes Budget Support from Global Lenders

• Bangladesh Eyes USD 5.65bn in Budget Support from IMF, WB, and ADB to fuel economic reforms. Source

• Bangladesh’s RMG Exports to EU Grow 4.86% in 2024, reaching USD 19.8bn. Source

• Deposits with Banks Surge by USD 2.83bn in July-Dec 2024, reflecting economic confidence. Source

• Bangladesh Shipping Corporation to Buy South Korean Vessels for USD 330.3mn to boost maritime trade. Source

• Bangladesh to Receive 40MW Power from Nepal for five months under regional energy cooperation. Source

• Bangladesh Secures USD 200mn from WB to strengthen social safety-net programs. Source

• New Chinese Investment of USD 3.82mn in wig manufacturing at Ishwardi EPZ. Source

• Bangladesh Bank to Gain More Autonomy under proposed central banking reforms. Source

• Russia-Bangladesh Talks on Extending Nuclear Power Credit for Rooppur project financing. Source

• Bangladesh’s Overvalued Taka Hampers Trade Competitiveness, central bank reports. Source

Economy & Banking

• World Bank’s USD 200mn Support for Social Safety Nets: The WB will provide USD 200mn to enhance Bangladesh’s social safety-net programs, boosting transparency and accountability. Source

• Bank Deposits Rebound by USD 2.83bn: Deposits in Bangladeshi banks rose to BDT 17.77tn (USD 145.6bn) by December 2024, signaling restored confidence after panic-driven withdrawals. Source

• Bangladesh Bank Pushes for Full Autonomy: The central bank is set to propose reforms to become fully autonomous, introducing changes to laws and functions for modernization. Source

• Non-Performing Loans Soar by USD 10.98bn: NPLs rose sharply to BDT 3.5tn (USD 28.3bn) by December 2024, now accounting for over 20% of total loans, raising concerns for banking stability. Source

• Bridge Banks Proposed to Manage Failing Lenders: Bangladesh Bank plans to establish temporary "bridge banks" to manage failed financial institutions under a new Bank Resolution Ordinance. Source

• NBR Revenue Collection Falls 21% Below Target: Domestic revenue collection for Jul-Jan FY25 missed its target by 21%, putting pressure on development spending goals. Source

Energy & Infrastructure

• Bangladesh to Receive 40MW Power from Nepal: Under a tripartite agreement, Bangladesh will import electricity via India from June to November 2025 to meet peak demand. Source

• Fresh USD 3bn Refinery Project Moves Ahead: Plans for a second petroleum refinery at Eastern Refinery Ltd. are revived, with funding split between BPC and foreign loans. Source

• BEZA to Develop 20 Economic Zones in 20 Years: The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority will phase out development across short, medium, and long terms to boost industrial growth. Source

Trade & Commerce

• Bangladesh’s RMG Exports to EU Grow 4.86%: RMG exports to the European Union reached USD 19.8bn in 2024, though unit prices fell by 5% as volume growth outpaced value. Source

• City Group to Raise USD 123mn via Bonds: The company plans to issue a zero-coupon bond to fund the expansion of City Sugar Industries, boosting production capacity and cash flow management. Source

• Bangladesh Shipping Corporation to Buy South Korean Vessels: The state-run corporation will spend USD 330.3mn to acquire six container ships, enhancing export logistics. Source

• Chinese Investor Sets Up USD 3.82mn Factory in Ishwardi EPZ: A Chinese firm will establish a wig factory, producing nearly 7mn pieces annually and creating 1,474 jobs. Source

• Rosatom and Bangladesh Discuss Nuclear Credit Extension: Bangladesh and Russia are negotiating an extension of the Intergovernmental Credit Agreement for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant until 2026. Source

International

• Starlink Faces Rising Competition in Satellite Internet: Elon Musk’s Starlink is facing pressure from Chinese and Amazon-backed competitors to expand globally. Source

• Gold Prices Ease After Record High: Gold prices dipped slightly after hitting a record, though demand remains high amid global uncertainties. Source