Business

The UK government is considering having the public finances formally assessed only once a year following a suggestion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The global economic watchdog said the change could avoid “overly frequent” switches in policy to meet the government’s borrowing rules. The UK’s independent forecaster – the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) – currently assesses if the ...

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves currently stand at $30 billion, according to Bangladesh Bank. However, based on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) methodology, the reserves are calculated at $24.99 billion, the central bank said in a press release issued today.

Bangladesh Bank has withdrawn its earlier direction regarding employees’ attire following widespread criticism. According to spokeperson Arif Hossain Khan, executive director of the bank, it was just a proposal at departmental meetings considering the social context of all levels of officers and employees. No official order or formal policy decision was issued regarding the matter. ”When the matter was known ...

The United States and Indonesia have reached a major trade agreement aimed at easing export restrictions on critical minerals and lowering tariffs, the White House announced Tuesday. President Donald Trump called the deal a “huge win” for American companies. As part of the agreement, the US will reduce a previously threatened 32% tariff on Indonesian goods to 19%. However, goods ...

The average household spend on food and drink is on course to rise by £275 this year, prompting shoppers to buy cheaper groceries or prepare simpler meals at home to cut costs. Over the past month, food prices have risen by 5.2% compared to last year as consumers’ concern about the cost of shopping has accelerated, according to Worldpanel by ...

Gold prices in Bangladesh have been increased once again, with the new rate for 22-carat gold set at Tk 171,601 per bhori (11.664 grams), reflecting a hike of Tk 1,050 per bhori. The decision comes in response to a rise in the price of acid-refined (tejabi) gold in the local market, according to Bangladesh Jewellers Association (BAJUS). The revised pricing ...

Asian shares were mixed on Monday, while US stock futures rose modestly following Wall Street’s third consecutive weekly gain. Market sentiment remained cautious amid political instability in Japan and anticipation of key earnings reports from major U.S. tech firms later this week. Markets in Japan were closed for a holiday, a day after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffered ...

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the United States recorded a significant 21.6 percent year-on-year growth in the January–May 2025 period, reaching $3.53 billion. The latest figures, released by the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), indicate that Bangladesh’s performance far outpaced the overall growth in US apparel imports, which rose by just 7.06 percent during the same period to $31.70 billion. ...

Key representatives from Bangladesh’s business community gathered in Dhaka today for a breakfast meeting hosted by Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli, where they discussed the country’s macroeconomic outlook, challenges in the financial sector, and emerging investment opportunities. Among the participants was Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, chair of the commission behind the recently published White Paper on the State of the Bangladesh Economy. ...

Expatriate Bangladeshis have sent approximately US$1421 in remittances during the first 16 days of July in the current fiscal year 2025-26, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on Friday. This amount reflects a daily inflow of $88.21 million, showing a steady increase compared to the same period last year when the country received $1.32 billion. The growing remittance flow ...