Petrobangla Proposes Extension for Offshore Exploration Bids

The government has decided to review contracts signed under the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010, commonly known as the indemnity act, which allowed public contracts to be awarded without tenders and shielded government actions in the energy sector from judicial scrutiny.

Islami Bank Bangladesh is facing uncertainty over recovering Tk 8,279 crore provided as liquidity support to  four banks—First Security Islami Bank, Union Bank, Social Islami Bank, and Global Islami Bank—and one non-bank financial institution, Aviva Finance. 

The Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs approved, in principle, a proposal for emergency LNG procurement from the spot market to address the country's gas demand. The LNG will be sourced from 23 firms under Master Sale Purchase Agreements with Petrobangla, following Public Procurement Rules, 2008.

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) benchmark index, DSEX, surged by 500 points in the past month, reaching 5,728.64 on September 4, 2024, up from 5,229.26 on August 4. Turnover increased from Tk 207 crore to Tk 674 crore, peaking at Tk 2,010 crore on August 11. The rise follows political changes and reforms by the interim government, including new leadership at the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE).

Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC declared a 350% cash dividend for general shareholders and a 200% cash dividend for sponsors and directors for the financial year 2023-24. General shareholders will receive Tk 35 per share, while sponsors and directors will get Tk 20 per share.

The new board of United Commercial Bank (UCB) has cancelled a Tk 500 million investment plan in a close-ended mutual fund, initially approved by the previous board. The previous board, dominated by the family of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, was dissolved by the Bangladesh Bank on August 27. The change followed political shifts after the fall of the Hasina-led government. Following the cancellation, UCB's stock rose 1% to Tk 12.30 per share. UCB reported a profit of Tk 1.27 billion for the first six months of 2024.