Govt Resumes Central Bank Borrowing

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.

In the proposed Annual Development Programme (ADP) for FY2025–26, the top 10 ministries and divisions in Bangladesh will face a 13% budget cut, totaling Tk 163,103 crore—around 70% of the total ADP. The railway ministry’s allocation is set to be halved to Tk 7,715 crore, with Tk 3,258 crore from foreign funds.

In a major reform move, the Bangladesh government has officially dissolved the National Board of Revenue (NBR) through an ordinance, replacing it with two new divisions—Revenue Policy and Revenue Administration—under the Ministry of Finance. This restructuring, enacted late Monday night with presidential approval

The World Bank has approved a \$280 million loan for the Chattogram Water Supply Improvement Project (CWSIP), aimed at enhancing safe, climate-resilient water supply and sanitation in Chattogram city. Signed on 10 May 2024, the agreement between Bangladesh's Economic Relations Division and the World Bank outlines a project to improve water access and sanitation, while also boosting the performance and financial sustainability of Chattogram Wasa