AGP Executive Report

Power & Energy Security: Bangladesh faces a fresh squeeze as Adani’s coal supply disruptions cut India-linked electricity deliveries, while Nepal’s Bhotekoshi floods have halted hydropower exports to zero, leaving Bangladesh receiving far below contracted levels. Banking & Cashless Push: Bangladesh Bank is set to launch an “e-Payment Credit” for eligible customers (Tk 50–Tk 10,000) usable only for digital bill payments, with short repayment tenures and service fees. RMG Under Pressure: Gas and power shortages are forcing garment and other factories to cut output, shift schedules, and rely more on rooftop solar—raising costs and threatening export deadlines. Apparel Trade Update: Bangladesh retained No. 2 spot in US apparel exports (Jan–Jul), even as China’s shipments to the US fell sharply. Capital Market/Banking Products: BRAC Bank launched the CORPnet mobile app for corporate approvals and real-time visibility; Vanguard Rupali Bank Fund set an Oct 26 SGM to convert from closed-end to open-end. Industrial Expansion: Nearly half of Jashore EPZ plots are ready for allocation, while Eastern Refinery’s modernization gets $1bn IsDB financing to treble capacity. Public Health & Cities: Dengue cases surged again (988 new cases, 2 deaths), and Khulna authorities stepped up mosquito control; DSCC’s plastic-waste-for-groceries drive generated about Tk 1 crore in two years.

Opposition Mobilisation: Bangladesh’s 11-party alliance has kicked off a 246-km motor “long march” from Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar toward Chattogram’s Laldighi Maidan, demanding a Gono Vote/referendum, justice over July killings, and action on gas, electricity, fuel, fertiliser shortages, rising prices, extortion and corruption. Energy & Cost Pressure: A new report highlights how Bangladesh’s energy crunch has deepened after LNG and gas supply disruptions, pushing households and factories into longer outages and higher living costs. Housing for Officials: The government is moving ahead with a Tk3,542.77 crore Sher-e-Bangla Nagar housing plan for 1,512 flats for public officials and employees, scheduled March 2026–Feb 2030. Banking for RMG: BRAC Bank inaugurated a new banking booth at the BGMEA complex to serve garment-sector entrepreneurs and staff with 24/7 ATM and cash deposit services. Customs Recovery: Chattogram Customs revenue rebounded 29.2% year-on-year in August to Tk7,092 crore, though it still fell short of the two-month target. ESG Reporting: Palmal Group published its first ESG reports for 2024 for three business units, following GRI standards with Swisscontact and SGS support. Education & Nutrition: Commentary backs midday meals as a right, stressing quality, regular supply and accountability. Public Safety: A man died after being hit by a train in Karwan Bazar; authorities are conducting legal procedures and an autopsy.

Capital Market Push: BSEC Chairman Masud Khan says large multinational firms must be listed on Bangladesh’s capital market, starting with voluntary moves but with legal authority if needed. Energy & Industry: Bangladesh and IsDB sign a $1bn financing deal for Eastern Refinery modernization/expansion, while Rooppur’s grid integration milestone advances via control-system links to the national grid. Power & Climate Resilience: BERC Chairman urges renewable energy scale-up with policy support and low-cost financing to ease the electricity crisis, and calls for scrutiny of quick-rental power corruption allegations. Cyber Governance: ICT Minister Faqir Mahbub seeks stakeholder input to finalize the Cyber Security Act, Personal Data Protection Act and National Data Management Act. Justice System: Govt forms 22 narcotics tribunals across districts/metropolitan areas to speed up trials. Food Prices: Dhaka markets see continued pressure on edible oil, sugar and vegetables amid supply tightness. Livestock Health: A locally developed LSD vaccine is set to reduce farmers’ costs and dependence on imports. Regional Business Link: Nepal flood response continues after 10 days, with major damage and ongoing tunnel rescues.

IsDB Partnership Talks: Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman met IsDB Group Chairman Muhammad Al Jasser to map the next 2027-31 partnership strategy, with priorities spanning energy, food security, transport, digitalisation, jobs and private-sector growth. Development Financing for Social Impact: Al Jasser also met Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus at the Yunus Centre to discuss financing models that turn entrepreneurship into poverty and unemployment reduction. Eastern Refinery Deal: Bangladesh signed a $1bn IsDB loan agreement to expand the Eastern Refinery, aiming to cut refined fuel import costs; project completion targeted by Nov 2030. Energy & Trade Costs: LNG prices surged on Middle East tensions, with Bangladesh turning to spot purchases; separate reports flag coal supply disruptions affecting power supply. Investment Climate Recognition: UNCTAD highlighted Bangladesh’s reform delivery discipline as a model, focusing on removing practical barriers and tracking progress on an 180-day plan. Capital Market Move: BSEC plans to widen direct listings to attract stronger large companies and improve liquidity, while also reviewing the IPO framework. Companies Act Reform: Govt drafts amendments to make beneficial ownership disclosure mandatory and tighten anti–money laundering controls, alongside easing rules for small businesses. Border Trade Restart: Hili land port import-export activity is set to resume after a five-day halt caused by an Indian traders’ strike. Fertiliser Crackdown: Kurigram authorities seized 2,150kg of illegally stockpiled fertiliser and fined two people. Tech for Consumers: Lenovo launched AI-powered all-in-one PCs in Bangladesh, signaling more local demand for on-device AI. Digital Services Ecosystem: A report highlights how UDC and municipal digital centres act as the “human bridge” for citizens using government e-services. Nepal Flood Relief: Bangladesh provided $1m to Nepal’s disaster relief fund after the Bhotekoshi floods, as global climate-risk warnings intensify.

Trade & Tariffs: India said it will finalise its US trade deal only after Washington offers Indian exporters a preferential tariff edge over competitors like Bangladesh and Vietnam, keeping the focus on market access and competitiveness. UK Finance for Bangladesh: UK Export Finance offered up to £2bn to back Bangladeshi buyers using British goods and services across transport, agriculture, healthcare, airports, manufacturing, renewables and infrastructure. Remittances: Bangladesh received $35.59bn in FY26 remittances, up 17.35%, with Saudi Arabia the top source. Banking & Capital Markets: Bangladesh Bank widened collateral rules for hi-tech park firms and foreign-currency deposits held with OBUs; BSEC held talks on draft direct listing rules. Entrepreneurship & SME Credit: BB launched UDYOG, offering up to Tk 20 lakh (loan+grant) for young entrepreneurs without collateral. Garment Jobs Pressure: Over 400 garment factories shut in three years, blamed on global shocks, liquidity issues and buyer preferences. Leather Export Risk: CETP capacity and compliance gaps threaten leather export targets; government plans a new CETP. Energy & Commodities: Soybean oil pricing will track global prices plus domestic processing costs; stocks stayed range-bound as profit-taking capped recovery. Sports Business: BCB doubled domestic match fees and is mulling a new three-format franchise tournament. Governance & Courts: ACC approved a case over alleged Tk 276.30cr CSR embezzlement; a bill to amend bank resolution rules was placed in parliament.

IsDB Energy Deal: Bangladesh signed a $1bn Islamic Development Bank loan for Eastern Refinery expansion, aiming to cut refined fuel import costs and boost domestic refining capacity. Governance & Procurement Risk: An ACC complaint targets an LGED senior engineer over alleged tender fraud, commission-taking and wealth accumulation, including claims of improper bridge rehabilitation specifications. Banking Stress: Non-performing loans again crossed Tk 6 trillion, with reporting linking the rise to repeated rescheduling, weak new lending and pressure from the energy crisis. RMG Policy Push: BGMEA met the President seeking policy support for the garment sector, highlighting financing and customs steps while urging further measures to protect competitiveness. Energy Cost Debate: Finance adviser Titumir blamed past import-dependent energy policies for today’s crisis, while the government faces pressure to stabilise supply. Trade & Exports: FLAXA said leather and footwear exports could reach $5bn by 2030 with reforms and a shift to higher-value and non-leather products. Maritime & Shipbuilding: GRSE signed MoUs with DNV and Damen to expand advanced shipbuilding and dredger capabilities, including work relevant to Bangladesh’s inland water transport. Labour Migration: Malaysia will reopen recruitment from Bangladesh with 10,000 workers under a zero-cost arrangement, warning jobseekers not to pay brokers. Consumer Watch: Govt formed an expert committee to test microplastics and harmful chemicals in toothpaste. Market Pulse: Gold prices rose again after recent cuts, with BAJUS increasing 22-carat rates. Transport Disruption: Dhaka–Jamalpur bus services were suspended after attacks on transport workers following a fatal accident.

Energy & Policy: Bangladesh rolled out rooftop solar incentives with a Tk 0.086/kWh tariff for surplus power fed to the grid for three years, as the country battles a severe power crunch and seeks a cleaner, less import-dependent energy mix. Clean Power for Industry: EU envoy Michael Miller said garment competitiveness will increasingly hinge on access to reliable clean energy as global supply chains tighten low-carbon requirements. Crisis Response: Business leaders urged bringing idle coal, furnace-oil and diesel plants back online to ease gas pressure on power generation, while PM Tarique Rahman outlined a 10-year power and energy roadmap. Banking & Finance: Mutual Trust Bank joined BB’s Tk 41,000cr refinance package to support priority sectors; BRAC Bank secured a $50m IFC facility for women-led MSMEs and agriculture; Dhaka Bank and Visa teamed up to expand card growth. Capital Market: BSEC approved Tk 45.9cr preference shares for Desco against govt equity, as DSEX saw sharp swings in August. Food & Fertiliser: Govt approved importing 70,000 tonnes of fertiliser for the Aman season and also cleared other procurement including lentils and palm olein. Regional Climate Shock: Nepal’s Bhotekoshi flash floods killed over 1,200 and disrupted hydropower exports, hitting Bangladesh via the regional power supply chain. Governance: A 25-member National Committee on Climate Finance was formed with the PM as chair to coordinate climate finance and carbon trading.

Rooftop Solar Push: Bangladesh introduced a Tk 10.50/kWh incentive for surplus power from net-metered rooftop solar with battery storage, paying eligible consumers for three years (install by Feb 28, 2027) to ease load-shedding and fuel import pressure. Gold Market Update: Bangladesh Jewellers Association cut gold prices again by Tk 4,374 per bhori; 22-carat gold (VAT included) now Tk 2,31,880 per bhori, with revised rates for other carats. Power & Energy Context: With peak shortages near 4,000MW in August, the solar scheme targets energy security amid gas constraints and global fuel risks. Climate Finance Demand (Regional): Nepal asked the Loss and Damage Fund for urgent support after the Aug 26 Bhotekoshi flash floods, framing recovery as climate justice rather than charity. Sea-Level Risk Warning (Regional): A UN report flags Kolkata and Mumbai (and Dhaka) as facing immediate displacement risk from rising seas, with millions potentially losing homes. Capital Market Reform (Bangladesh): BSEC moved to reshape the capital market with reforms including direct listing pathways and derivative trading plans. Trade Watch: Commerce ministry sought exporters’ inputs on India-US market access amid tariff uncertainty, aiming to reduce order volatility. Remittance Signal: Remittance inflow rose 22% in August, offering some support to foreign exchange inflows.

Capital Markets Reform: BSEC has approved draft rules to allow direct listing for eligible firms without an IPO, including government- and foreign-owned companies and banks/financial institutions/insurers with Tk 500cr+ turnover, aiming to widen market access. Export Momentum: Bangladesh’s merchandise exports rose 13.14% YoY to $4.43bn in August, led by a 13.92% RMG rebound; however, exports fell 6.30% MoM from July. Energy & Industry Pressure: Commodity suppliers warn gas and electricity disruptions are already hurting production and could trigger wider supply-chain problems; gas supply hit a decade-low in August. Banking & Recovery Framework: Bangladesh Bank urged parliament to move fast on amendments to the Money Loan Court Act and a new Distressed Asset Management Act to speed loan recovery and clean up bank balance sheets. Renewables Push: Govt announced a rooftop solar incentive with Tk 10.50 per unit (Tk 8 base plus profit/premium) for systems with battery storage, valid until Feb 28, 2030. Regional Climate Risk: UN warned Kolkata and Mumbai face “immediate” displacement risk from rising seas, with over 14 million people at stake across South Asian deltas. ADB Funding: ADB approved $175m for Chattogram Hill Tracts power upgrades to expand grid access and modernise distribution networks.

Power & Infrastructure: ADB approved a $175m concessional loan to expand reliable electricity access in Bangladesh’s Chattogram Hill Tracts, targeting 26 upazilas and at least 88,000 additional households through new substations and thousands of km of distribution upgrades. Rural Development: The government’s FY26-27 budget puts rural connectivity, climate-resilient infrastructure, jobs, poverty reduction and financial inclusion at the centre, linking roads/bridges and disaster resilience with entrepreneurship and local services. Capital Market: BSEC Chairman Masud Khan said the regulator will restore investor confidence through concrete steps, including scrapping the floor price and resolving Beximco Pharma’s GDR issue, with MSCI set to reinstate the index from November. Banking & Finance: Bangladesh Bank signed a Tk3,000cr refinancing deal with Islami Bank, while it also extended loan restructuring facilities for affected borrowers and set longer repayment support for large defaulters. Healthcare & Industry: United Healthcare performed Bangladesh’s first robotic surgeries, and DSCC inaugurated a modern slaughterhouse to improve meat safety. International Labour: Malaysia plans to hire about 200,000 workers from Bangladesh over six months, starting in phases from late September. Aviation/Business Diplomacy: Bangladesh’s Boeing purchase talk resurfaced as a foreign ministry state minister said recent US envoy remarks likely referred to the earlier Biman-Boeing deal for 14 aircraft. Minority Rights: A minority rights lawyer warned of rising fear and intimidation against Hindus amid weak institutional protection.

Business Registration Push: RJSC will roll out an Electronic Business Registration System modelled on Singapore, aiming to let new companies be registered online from home within hours, with real-time checks of NID, e-TIN and mobile numbers to cut errors and fraud. Banking & Agriculture Finance: Bangladesh Bank and Islami Bank signed a Tk3,000 crore refinancing deal to strengthen the agricultural value chain, covering production, storage, processing, marketing and rural jobs. Capital Market Rule Change: BSEC plans to define and bring “public interest companies” to the stock market under the Securities Act, with direct listing and faster IPO steps expected after feedback. Loan Relief for Big Defaulters: Bangladesh Bank offered rescheduling/renewal for defaulters with loans above Tk10 billion, up to 15 years with a two-year grace period, with applications due by September. SME Tax Relief: NBR exempted firms with turnover up to Tk2 crore from minimum turnover tax, while setting lower rates for the next band. City Clean-Up Drive: LGRD ministers urged faster implementation of “Clean City, Green City,” including night waste collection and stronger public awareness. Corporate Leadership: Standard Chartered Bangladesh appointed Enamul Huque as CEO effective Sept 1. Consumer Tech Launches: vivo V80 Lite 5G and Xiaomi Redmi Note 17 Pro Max entered Bangladesh with battery-focused positioning. Disaster Watch (Regional): Nepal-China floods left 950+ dead and 4,400+ missing, with about 500 workers feared trapped in hydropower tunnels.

Energy Crunch: Gas supply in August hit a decade low, pushing Bangladesh toward near standstill as power generation deficits widened and factories faced fuel shortages. Aviation Deal: Bangladesh is set to expand Boeing purchases under a new US commitment, potentially adding billions to its fleet modernisation beyond the April order for Biman. Trade & Ports: CIID seized contraband worth about Tk 28 lakh at Dhaka airport, while Bangladesh’s logistics push also includes Laldia terminal investment plans aimed at boosting Chattogram’s role as a regional hub. Gold Watch: BAJUS cut 22-carat gold prices by Tk 4,474 per bhori, reflecting softer Tejabi gold rates. Digital Economy: AI/IoT adoption is rising in RMG factories, with some reporting productivity gains up to 25% from real-time machine monitoring. Public Services: Dhaka’s “Nagorik Sheba Kendra” centres are reportedly largely non-functional, and footpaths still lack tactile paving for visually impaired people. Social Impact: Runa Khan of Friendship won the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Award for work in remote, river-eroded and climate-vulnerable communities.

Energy & Industry: A new study says Bangladesh’s energy crisis pushed the FY25-26 import bill to $10.63bn (+107% y/y) and is stalling about Tk35,000cr in industrial investment tied to pending gas connections, with power reliability and gas supply gaps hurting firms. Banking & Finance: Bangladesh Bank approved a Tk2,000cr revolving pre-financing fund for frozen food exporters (shrimp/fish) to ease cash-flow stress and support production, cold storage and exports. Agriculture Credit: BB cut rates on its Tk10,000cr farm refinance scheme by 100 bps, capping customer-level cost at 7% and refinance to banks at 3%, while keeping loan tenure at 18 months. Capital Market: Bangladesh Bank says NPLs are starting to decline (32.6% in March), but warns the banking sector still needs deeper clean-up. Trade: Imports from India rose to $10.96bn in FY26 despite restrictions, while exports stayed flat at $1.75bn. Infrastructure & Logistics: APM Terminals began work on the $550m Laldia Container Terminal in Chattogram, aiming to add about one-third capacity by 2030. Governance & Markets: A finance adviser says the market is “captured” and regulators are implicated in financial-sector crimes, calling for forensic scrutiny. Foreign Policy: Bangladesh reiterated it sees no risk in joining the Mecca defence pact, saying it won’t limit other partnerships.

Nepal Flood Aftermath: Nepal’s BhoteKoshi flash floods have killed at least 734 people, with nearly 2,500 still missing as rescue enters day five; families in Madhesh report dozens still uncontacted, while displaced residents face shortages including critical medicines. Bangladesh-Malaysia Trade & Labour: Bangladesh and Malaysia reaffirm mutual-trust ties as Malaysia plans phased recruitment of up to 2,00,000 workers from September, including a 10,000 “zero-cost” batch via BOESL, alongside calls to expand Bangladeshi imports. Textile SME Boost: Urmi Group and SME Foundation sign an MoU to strengthen textile and garment CMSMEs through affordable surplus raw materials and skills training, with a focus on women entrepreneurs. Dhaka Transport Push: PM orders Electronic Toll Collection on expressways and flyovers within four months and plans bus terminal relocation to cut congestion. Banking Pressure: Banks are under strain as the Tk8,565cr remittance incentive reimbursement backlog delays state payments. Ports & Logistics: Foundation stone for Chattogram’s Laldia Container Terminal is set to be laid, aiming to ease pressure on the port. Education Reform: Curriculum overhaul is planned from the 2028 academic year, adding AI, sports and practical employability elements. Corporate Update: MIDAS Financing will sell three commercial properties; it reported a larger first-half loss.

Shipbuilding Investment Push: Maersk Line says it’s interested in making direct investments in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding, with talks also touching ship recycling, jobs and skills transfer. Dhaka Traffic Overhaul: PM Tarique Rahman orders Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on expressways/flyovers within four months and directs relocation of Fulbaria Bus Terminal to Keraniganj and Karwan Bazar kitchen market to Gabtoli to ease congestion. Jobs & Energy via Foundations: Government-linked foundations will work in five clusters to support the Five-Year Strategic Framework, with pledges of over 1 crore jobs and a push for renewable energy and “One Village, One Product.” Insurance Claims Restart: IDRA will begin settling long-overdue insurance claims next week by liquidating assets of troubled insurers, starting with 7–8 companies. Digital Loan Crackdown: BFIU warns against unauthorised loan apps and names 30 illegal platforms involved in fraud and data theft. Port & Trade Signals: Chattogram retains 68th spot among the world’s busiest container ports, while customs seize bonded garment-accessory materials diverted for illegal sale. Fertiliser Assurance: Agriculture minister says there’s no fertiliser crisis and warns against artificial shortages and price hikes. Rural Savings Gap: InM survey finds 26.64% of rural people have no savings, citing inflation and income instability. Banking Partnerships: Bengal Commercial Bank and Nagad expand digital services; Bank Asia ties up with DHS Motors for auto loans; IFIC opens new ATM booths.

US Fed Watch: Fed chair Kevin Warsh called US inflation “concerning” and signalled the central bank’s focus is firmly on prices, keeping rate-hike expectations alive. Nepal Flood Fallout: Himalayan flash floods killed 633 across Nepal and Tibet, with nearly 3,000 still missing; Nepal says it needs foreign specialists only for tunnel rescues, DNA testing and forensic storage. Women & Work: An ILO-linked argument highlights how lack of safe, affordable childcare is pushing working mothers out of jobs, hurting productivity and human capital. Gold Update: Bangladesh gold prices fell again—22-carat jewellery down Tk 7,115 per bhori to Tk 240,628—along with cuts across other carats and silver. Policy Leadership: Dr Nazneen Ahmed appointed Executive Director of CPD from Sept 1, bringing long experience in trade, industry, employment and inclusive growth. Energy/Industry: Bangladesh’s Import Policy Order scraps “single country, single source” limits for agrochemical raw materials, aiming to boost investment and competition. Urban Living: DSCC reopened Kamrangirchar Iron Bridge for pedestrians only after renovation, citing safety and reduced vehicle pressure. Strategic Foreign Policy: Reports say Dhaka is weighing deeper ties with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, with possible interest in the Mecca Pact.