Bangladesh's Exports Surge 11% in 8 Months

• Exports Grow by 11% in July-February, hitting USD 32.94bn, driven by RMG and agro-products. Source

• China Wants to Import 1,000 Tons of Hilsa from Bangladesh, with potential for more. Source

• PRAN-RFL to Build USD 16.4mn Factory for 100% export production, creating 2,500 jobs. Source

• BB Reduces Cash Reserve Requirement for banks to 3%, boosting liquidity. Source

• Rice Shipments from Pakistan & India arrived to stabilize prices and replenish reserves. Source

• BB Plans USD 1.5bn Stabilization Fund to curb forex volatility and support banks. Source

• Fixed Freight Rate Withdrawn on Chattogram-Pangaon route after a 90% drop in container transport. Source

• Japan Contributes USD 1.6mn to UNHCR for Rohingya support and shelter improvements. Source

• Tax on Cancer Drug Raw Materials Cut from 5% to 2% to lower production costs. Source

• VAT exemption on Local Edible Oils to ease price pressure during Ramadan. Source

• EPB Raises Service Fees for Exporters, citing operational costs, sparking industry backlash. Source

Economy & Banking

• Exports Grow by 11% in July-February: Total export earnings hit USD 32.94bn, driven by RMG and agro-products, though woven garments declined slightly. Source

• Bangladesh's Fiscal Deficit Rises to 0.7% of GDP: The deficit widened due to a 460% spike in interest payments, with revenue growth lagging behind rising expenditures. Source

• BB Reduces Cash Reserve Requirement: Bangladesh Bank lowered the CRR to 3%, freeing up liquidity for banks to invest and manage financial stress. Source

• BB Plans USD 1.5bn Stabilization Fund: The fund will help manage currency volatility and ensure banks can finance essential imports during liquidity shortages. Source

• Call Money Rate Falls After CRR Cut: The interbank call-money rate dropped slightly to 10.02%, as banks gained more liquidity flexibility. Source

• Bank Deposit Growth Slows, but Some Banks Thrive: Overall deposit growth slowed to 7.44%, but select banks saw up to 30% growth as depositors shifted funds from weaker institutions. Source

Trade & Commerce

• China Wants to Import 1,000 Tons of Hilsa: Rising demand in China could open up greater export opportunities for Bangladesh’s fisheries sector. Source

• PRAN-RFL to Build USD 16.4mn Export-Oriented Factory: The new factory aims to generate USD 36.9mn in annual exports and create 2,500 jobs. Source

• Fixed Freight Rate Withdrawn on Chattogram-Pangaon Route: The rate removal follows a 90% drop in container transport; flexible pricing may restore trade flow. Source

• Shrimp Exports Halve in 7 Years: Factory closures, raw material shortages, and high loan interest rates have severely impacted the shrimp industry. Source

• EPB Raises Fees for Exporters: The Export Promotion Bureau increased service fees, citing operational costs, though exporters argue it contradicts cost-cutting efforts. Source

• Rice Shipments from Pakistan & India Arrive: 26,250 tons of rice from Pakistan and 11,000 tons from India will help stabilize domestic rice prices. Source

• NBR Exempts VAT on Local Edible Oils: The tax exemption aims to ease consumer prices during Ramadan, amid rising global commodity costs. Source

• Govt Lowers Tax on Cancer Drug Raw Materials: The tax cut from 5% to 2% is intended to make cancer treatments more affordable for patients. Source

International

• Trump Imposes New Tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China: The new tariffs, targeting fentanyl-related concerns, risk escalating global trade tensions. Source

• China Retaliates Against US Tariffs: Beijing responded by imposing new duties on US agricultural products and restricting exports from 25 American firms. Source