Minori Bangladesh to Sell 46.66 Lakh Shares in Emerald Oil

On May 20, 2025, Bangladesh’s stock market rebounded from a five-year low as bargain hunters capitalized on undervalued shares. The DSEX rose 13 points (0.28%) to 4,789 in the first hour of trading. Blue-chip and Shariah indices also posted gains.

Over the past seven years, 56 companies raised Tk5,178 crore through IPOs in Bangladesh, but 24 of them—collectively raising over Tk2,000 crore—have been downgraded to the Z and B categories due to poor financial performance.

The interim government has approved the export of 25,000 tonnes of aromatic rice by 133 companies, including Square Food and Beverage, Pran-RFL Group, and Akij Essentials, each permitted to export 500 tonnes, while others like Ispahani and Tanveer Foods were allowed 400 tonnes.

Rice prices in Bangladesh have been rising despite a global decline. The FAO All Rice Price Index dropped by 1.7% in March 2025, down nearly 25% over the past year, reaching a three-year low. However, in Bangladesh, rice prices increased from July-August 2024, peaking just before Eid-ul-Fitr.

Bangladesh has met 76% of its FY25 rice import target, bringing in 0.38 million tonnes out of the planned 0.50 million tonnes, with shipments from India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The food ministry has now extended the import target to 0.90 million tonnes until December.

Rice prices in Bangladesh have been rising for 1.5 years, reaching record highs despite private import approvals. Of the 16.75 lakh tonnes permitted for import, only 2.63 lakh tonnes (17%) have arrived by March due to high dollar exchange rates, a strong Aman harvest, and weak demand.