Central Bank Extended Payment Period for Raw Material Imports

Bangladesh Bank will release redesigned banknotes before Eid-ul-Azha 2025, featuring cultural and historical themes instead of full human portraits. The Tk20 note with images of Kantajiu and Buddhist temples will be issued on May 22.

Bangladesh is forming a dedicated fund to manage seized assets from money laundering cases. Recovered money will support affected banks in repaying depositors, while funds from non-banking crimes will aid the poor. BB Governor Ahsan H. Mansur confirmed over Tk 1.3 trillion in immovable assets and US$164 million abroad have been attached.

On Sunday, T-bill yields in Bangladesh showed a mixed trend as banks shifted preference toward longer-tenure securities. The yield on 91-day T-bills rose to 11.65% from 11.54%, while yields on 182-day and 364-day T-bills declined to 11.51% and 11.62%, down from 11.64% each.

Bangladesh is projected to remain the world’s top cotton importer in MY2025-26, with imports reaching 8.5 million bales, ahead of Vietnam’s 8 million, according to the USDA. This surge aligns with a 10.86% year-on-year rise in Bangladesh’s RMG exports to $30.25 billion in the first 10 months of FY25.

Bangladesh's imports from Pakistan rose nearly 10% in 2024, reaching 19.14 lakh tonnes, driven by direct shipping and relaxed customs rules. The launch of the Karachi–Chattogram direct route in November 2024 cut delivery time from 30 to 11 days, slashing costs by a third. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) also eased customs inspections

Bangladesh Bank has announced a Tk 9.0 billion startup fund aimed at accelerating economic growth by providing capital to new enterprises. The fund will be distributed through commercial banks and is part of the government's initiative to foster innovation and investment in the startup sector.