AGP Executive Report

Investment & Industry Revival: Invest Bangladesh will start open bidding in October for the first batch of 5–7 idle state assets, with 44 factories/industrial holdings lined up across sugar, textile, chemical, jute and steel units. Export Diversification: Ecolet will invest $15.91m at BEPZA EZ-1 in Mirsharai to make 6m LED bulbs/lamp units yearly for US, UK, EU and Middle East markets, creating 306 jobs. Energy Transition: Government plans to expand rooftop solar via a district-based enlistment of service providers, while Germany signed MoUs worth EUR 12m for mangrove/marine protection and energy efficiency projects. Finance for Factories: Bangladesh Bank says agreements are finalised to raise Tk 41,000cr from 17 commercial banks under the Tk 60,000cr stimulus to reopen closed industrial units. Trade & China Ties: FBCCI urged deeper China investment to cut a $17.5bn trade gap, focusing on SEZs in Chattogram and Khulna, and also pushed simpler visa steps for businesspeople. RMG Worker Support: BGMEA held an orientation on UWPP and LIMS for garment factories, backed by EU TA-SPBS. Capital Market: Stocks rebounded on DSE after a week-long slide, though turnover stayed weak.

Energy & Infrastructure Response: Nepal Electricity Authority restored power to flood-hit Nuwakot areas after the BhoteKoshi River disaster, using alternative transmission lines from Sindhupalchok and other reroutes while teams work to bring key 66kV/11kV lines back online. Hydropower Rescue Ops: A Nepal Army helicopter landed at Upper Trishuli-3A to rescue stranded employees, with a high-level NEA team assessing damage and coordinating restoration. Trade & Customs: Bangladesh Customs intelligence says it stopped an attempt to import four luxury cars by declaring them as used parts and shipping them in large sections; the estimated value runs into crores. Manufacturing Update: RAK Ceramics (Bangladesh) resumed tiles production on one line after scheduled maintenance, while another line remains shut. Worker Safety: Bodies of nine Bangladeshi victims from a Riyadh sofa factory fire are set to arrive in Dhaka, with remaining identifications pending. Jobs & Skills: A Khulna job fair handed out 285 appointment letters on the spot, linking youth with employers. Agribusiness: Successful ostrich breeding in Dinajpur has produced chicks via incubators, drawing visitors and setting a local example. Industry & Investment Signals: BRAC University recognized 17 top researchers for Q1 journal publications, including work tied to supply chains and the RMG sector.

Food Safety Crackdown: BSTI ordered the withdrawal of 10 substandard products, including spices from Bombay Sweets & Co Ltd and Baghabari-brand ghee, after lab tests found quality failures (e.g., ghee with no milk fat). Tax & Industry Compliance: NBR sealed Beauty Tobacco Company in Manikganj after detecting counterfeit cigarette banderoles on 90,000 sticks and seizing 13,000 unused fake stamps; a case was filed and production suspended. Renewables Push: The government added about 200 MW of solar power to the national grid via net metering in the first six months, as part of an expanded renewable and grid-stability plan. Agri Livelihoods: The agriculture minister said fertiliser stocks are ample and warned against any “artificial crisis,” while also highlighting the Farmer Card initiative to track land, crops and input needs. Livestock Value Chain: The fisheries and livestock minister said local processing and packaging centres will be built to secure fair livestock prices for farmers. Bangladesh-China Skills: PM adviser Mahdi Amin and Education Minister Milon urged education—especially technical/vocational and Chinese-language learning—to deepen Bangladesh-China people-to-people ties. Trade & Logistics Spotlight: Dinajpur’s Dashmail banana hub handles about Tk 1 crore (US$81,280) daily, with hundreds of trucks moving produce to Dhaka.

Ship Recycling Safety: Bangladesh’s shipbreaking push faces renewed scrutiny after a deadly LNG-tanker yard accident, with experts warning that certification on paper isn’t matching real enforcement and on-ground compliance. Energy Security & LNG Finance: The World Bank is set to double its LNG loan guarantee by an extra US$350m to help Petrobangla secure LNG imports amid declining domestic gas and volatile global prices. RMG & Trade Policy: Bangladesh Bank reports a strong rebound in net RMG exports in Apr-Jun FY26, while a new import policy order expands FoC facilities and sets rules for free trade zones and bonded warehouses—welcomed by some, but raising concerns among local textile producers. Digital & Telecom: Banglalink installed a 50kW rooftop solar array at its Cumilla data center, and 5G-ready handset share rose to 8.29% as users upgrade. AI Skills Push: Bangladesh and KOICA signed a $13m grant to build an AI-Hub at STP-2 (2026-2029) to train AI experts. Tax Relief for Small Firms: NBR plans to exempt firms with turnover up to Tk2cr from minimum turnover tax, easing pressure on smaller businesses. Agriculture & Fisheries: Cabinet approved 140,000 tons of phosphate fertilizer imports from OCP Nutricrops, while KAU stressed science-based fisheries management during National Fisheries Fortnight.

RMG Outlook: Bangladesh Bank says garment exports rose 11% YoY to $10.10bn in Apr-Jun FY26, but warns of rising costs and tougher competition, urging export diversification and higher value-add. Mobile Upgrade Push: 5G-ready handset share climbed to 8.29% in July 2026 (from 5.74% a year earlier) as users replace older phones, even though 5G coverage remains limited. Trade Policy Shift: A new Import Policy Order 2026-29 expands FoC imports for export-oriented manufacturers and introduces rules for free trade zones and central bonded warehouses—welcomed by trade bodies but questioned by some textile and apparel players. Fertiliser Supply Watch: Govt says there’s no fertiliser shortage, while a cabinet committee approved imports of 140,000 tons from OCP Nutricrops; retailers are also allowed to keep selling at government-set prices, as distribution issues remain under scrutiny. Energy & Industry Support: BRAC University launched a Centre for Energy and Logistics, and Crystal International reports 100% renewable electricity coverage at three factories in Bangladesh and elsewhere. Digital Health: TETON’s remote ECG monitoring is gaining attention as a practical home-care option. Urban Transport: DSCC plans to modernise Sayedabad Bus Terminal with dedicated AC facilities to cut road congestion. Macro Signals: MCCI reports gradual stabilisation in Q4 FY26, helped by strong remittances and reserves, but still constrained by inflation and weak export momentum.

Energy & Industry: Bangladesh will keep gas supply steady by buying an LNG cargo from Aramco at $23.93 per MMBtu (1–2 Sept), while the government also moved toward more LNG procurement and approved fertiliser imports to shore up stocks; experts urged Bangladesh to diversify fuel sources and cut wastage to protect factories and households as the gas-power crunch continues. RMG & Wages: Garment wage timing is under dispute after the Labour (Amendment) Act shortened the minimum-wage review cycle to three years—lab groups want a new Minimum Wage Board by December, while manufacturers argue it would be retroactive. Transport & Trade Logistics: Bangladesh Railway launched a dual-gauge upgrade for the Chattogram–Dohazari line to speed freight from Chattogram Port; separately, Bangladesh and India discussed reopening land ports and easing yarn import curbs. Textile Skills & Innovation: TECN Art & Photographic Society’s TexFrame contest offers Tk 6,000 in prizes for students from 10 textile engineering colleges. Renewables & Skills: German-backed training with BPMI is building solar and wind skills for the energy transition. Climate & Land: Environment Minister Mintoo stressed land protection for drought resilience and food security, while BRAC highlighted community-led adaptation as climate action scales up. Business Climate: Invest Bangladesh began operations as the country’s apex investment promotion agency, aiming to improve the investment pipeline.

LNG Cost Shock: Bangladesh approved two September LNG cargoes at $24.25–$24.625 per MMBtu, more than double pre-war spot rates, pushing the import bill higher as gas supply remains tight. Energy Crunch on Industry: The gas-power shortage continues to hit factories and even transport, with ripple effects across production and shipments. Jute Price Pressure: Jute farmers face lower yields from adverse weather and weaker demand after India export curbs, with raw jute prices down about Tk 1,200 per maund. Plastic Waste Rulebook: Bangladesh’s first EPR guideline for plastic waste management (2026) came into force, making producers and brand owners responsible for financing end-of-life collection, recycling and disposal. R&D Gap: Finance Minister Amir Khosru said Bangladesh spends only ~0.3% of GDP on R&D, among the lowest in peers, urging a shift to research-driven industry. Trade Facilitation: Bangladesh and India discussed reopening border haats, fully operating land ports, and lifting yarn import restrictions via land routes. Port Efficiency Move: Chattogram Customs will auction abandoned goods from 442 containers to clear congestion and recover value. Fertiliser Supply Push: Govt plans to import 365,000 tonnes of fertiliser to rebuild stocks, with purchases costing about Tk 2,700 crore. Innovation Spotlight: Honda’s Y-E-S Award 2025 recognised four young engineering talents from BUET and KUET.

RMG Sustainability Push: Gazipur’s garment factories are gaining global attention as a “green revolution” spreads—LEED-certified sites, rooftop solar, better ventilation and waste management are reshaping buyer perceptions. Energy Crunch & Industry Impact: Experts urged Bangladesh to scrap or renegotiate unfair energy deals and rely more on domestic resources and renewables; meanwhile the gas crisis is still forcing factories to shut or delay production, with BFSA also stepping up food-safety enforcement (Tk 67 lakh in fines). Food & Farm Economics: Bagerhat farmers report bumper summer vegetable harvests worth Tk 289.48 crore, but low farm-gate prices and rising input costs are squeezing returns. Trade & Investment Institutions: DCCI hosted a seminar on FY2026 fiscal/monetary outlook and private-sector expectations, while Invest Bangladesh formally begins operations to streamline investment promotion. Logistics & Trade Risk: A vessel incident in the Bay of Bengal (MV Ocean Winner) highlights ongoing shipping and maritime safety concerns for the region. Policy & Governance: BUET faces daily scheduled load shedding as power shortages persist, and the government continues disaster-preparedness awareness in flood-prone areas.

Energy Crunch Hits Industry: Bangladesh’s gas crisis is forcing factories to cut output or shut down, with Narsingdi’s gas-dependent textile units reporting fabric damage and cancelled orders as pressure drops to near zero. Food & Consumer Safety: Chattogram’s Pure Food Court fined four establishments Tk 40 lakh for serious safety violations, including use of substandard ghee and expired products. Investment Promotion: Invest Bangladesh has started operations as the new apex investment promotion agency, merging BIDA, BEZA and PPPA under a single front office for investor support. Maritime & Transport: Govt launched Watercraft Census 2026 to build a vessel database and reduce harassment, while Bangladesh also faces wider regional shipping disruption after a Panama-flagged bulk carrier sank off Odisha with 22 crew missing (including a Bangladeshi). Agri Finance: United Commercial Bank signed with Bangladesh Bank to expand refinance-backed agri lending for farmers and rural entrepreneurs. EV Manufacturing Push: Runner plans to manufacture BYD electric cars in Bangladesh, backed by board approval for capital raising and factory expansion. Textile Trade Calendar: The 25th Bangladesh textile exhibition series will run Sept 2-5 in Dhaka, targeting machinery, yarn, fabrics and dye-chem supplies. Capital Markets Mood: DSEX fell 63 points as energy worries and earnings uncertainty rattled investors.

Flood Watch: Khowai River in Habiganj is running 130cm above danger level at Balla point, inundating low-lying areas as water levels rise at 75 of 127 monitoring stations. Investment Push: Bangladesh launched Invest Bangladesh, merging BIDA, BEZA and PPPA into one apex agency under the PM’s Office with a single digital access point and clearer licence timelines. Gas Crisis Hits Industry: Ongoing gas shortages are disrupting apparel production and delaying shipments, with factories forced to shut down and some exporters shifting to costly air freight. Fertiliser Shutdown Fallout: Ashuganj fertiliser plant remains idle after gas shortages, leaving workers jobless and threatening farm input supply. Energy Trade Costs: Bangladesh may pay a new electricity import Settlement Nodal Agency charge of 0.005 Indian rupees per unit, with potential impact on long-term imports. Textile Environment Pressure: In Narsingdi, many textile units are burning wood or firewood due to gas shortages and expensive textile waste, raising environmental concerns. Port Safety & Labour: Shipbreaking safety remains weak despite certifications, after deaths linked to toxic gas exposure at a Sitakunda yard. Digital Payments: Bangladesh Bank is easing rules for outbound foreign-currency digital accounts and has contacted PayPal about possible entry. Jewellery Export Drive: BAJUS targets $7bn jewellery exports by 2030-31, calling for policy support and easier gold imports. Maritime Incident: A Panama-flagged MV Ocean Winner sank in the Bay of Bengal; 22 crew members including a Bangladeshi sailor remain missing as searches continue. Weather & Farming Risk: El Niño is expected to intensify, bringing erratic rainfall and heat that could disrupt Bangladesh agriculture and food security. Diplomacy: India’s Jaishankar says India-Bangladesh ties need “mutual interests” and “common ground,” amid uncertainty around Tarique Rahman’s possible visit.

Tax & Data Centres: Bangladesh’s NBR cut total tax incidence on specified server imports from about 24% to 9.5% to speed up cloud and data-centre growth, with customs and VAT exemptions under HS 8471.50.90. Banking & Mobility: Bank Asia signed an MoU with DHS Autos to offer auto-loan facilities and joint marketing, aiming to make vehicle financing easier for customers. Industrial Expansion: Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) entered the sanitaryware market with about Tk 300 crore investment, targeting a fast-growing construction-linked demand. Energy Pressure on Industry: DCCI and BKMEA warned the energy crisis is hitting far beyond power-intensive sectors, disrupting production, raising costs, and delaying projects; BKMEA urged gas supply restrictions for non-public vehicles and relief on bills. Private Investment Push: Economists and business leaders at a DCCI seminar called for coordinated fiscal/monetary reforms, lower interest rates, and predictable policy to revive private investment. Construction & Connectivity: PM approved the Hijla–Mehendiganj–Bhola highway plan to cut travel time and transport costs by linking Bhola to the mainland road network. Textile Trade & Expo: CEMS-Global USA and CEMS Bangladesh launched the 25th textile exhibition series in Dhaka (Sept 2-5), covering machinery, yarn/fabric and textile chemicals. Food & Pharma Policy: Experts urged a medicine pricing rethink after the Essential Medicines List 2026 and pricing method were cancelled, reverting to the 1994 list and system. Markets Watch: Gold rose to a 3-month high amid dollar weakness and US Treasury buyback support.

Energy & Industry: Bangladesh’s gas crunch is still biting factories, with reports pointing to production disruptions and the need for faster energy solutions. Textile & Manufacturing Skills: Higher education leaders in Bangladesh are pushing for university-industry collaboration and curricula aligned with jobs and technology, aiming to support a faster path to a trillion-dollar economy. Healthcare Infrastructure: Work has started on a long-awaited PET-CT lab in Chattogram, with a target launch in about two and a half months—expected to cut patient travel costs and expand cancer diagnostic capacity. Trade & Agriculture Exports: Chinese traders showed strong interest in Bangladeshi fruits and farm products at the Mekong-Lancang festival in Kunming, opening fresh export and business links. Renewables & Power Efficiency: Savar’s wind-turbine plan will power highway lights, while garment-sector initiatives highlight rooftop solar and energy-saving efforts to reduce factory power costs. Construction & Environment: A JICA-funded road project in Moheshkhali’s reserved forest reportedly continued despite a High Court injunction, keeping legal and environmental concerns in focus. Water & Food Security: Conservation efforts are linked to hilsa returning to the upper Ganga, underscoring how river health and fisheries management affect food supply.

Bangladesh–India ties: Indian President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Bangladesh’s newly sworn-in President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, calling for stronger cooperation across energy, technology, connectivity, youth, health and education, as Dhaka and New Delhi also weigh the uncertain proposed visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. New president: Alamgir, BNP’s veteran leader, took oath as Bangladesh’s 23rd President in a ceremony at Bangabhaban, after winning a first contested presidential election since 1991. Industry & energy: BGMEA and Bidec signed an MoU to help garment factories convert conventional capacitor ceiling fans to BLDC fans amid gas supply problems; in Chuadanga, an agrivoltaics pilot combining solar power and irrigation was inaugurated. Textile innovation: TIE and ITET launched a TIE–ITET Innovation & Research Cell to boost applied research and competitiveness for Bangladesh’s textile sector. Higher education for jobs: Finance adviser Amir Khosru urged linking higher education to employment and entrepreneurship, while the government plans innovation hubs and startup ecosystems in universities. Business update: Carew & Company (Bangladesh) is projected to post a record Tk 165.24 crore net profit despite ongoing sugar unit losses.

IMF Talks: Bangladesh’s IMF loan remains stalled as the lender demands financial-sector reforms, subsidy cuts, a market-based FX rate, NBR capacity upgrades, and climate resilience measures. Energy & Industry: Bangladesh’s solar push faces grid and financing limits, but a new 49.6-kW agrivoltaics pilot in Chuadanga is testing how to grow crops under solar panels. Agri Finance: Bangladesh Bank launched a Tk 10,000-crore refinance scheme for agriculture and rural credit at up to 8% interest, with collateral-light crop loans for small farmers. Food Safety: Farmers will get pesticide safety training to reduce health risks and support safer food production. Investment & Industry Mapping: BIDA, ADB and SANEM started a nationwide industrial survey to identify investment potential and business bottlenecks. Automation Expo: A 3-day industrial automation expo opened in Bogura to promote tech-driven manufacturing and certification support. Aviation Cooperation: Bangladesh and AirAsia discussed expanding low-cost airline operations, airport management, digital services, maintenance and technology transfer. Port Safety: Chattogram Port Authority removed illegal fishing nets from navigation channels to protect commercial shipping. Venture Capital: BSIC appointed Wise Rahim as its first MD/CEO to scale startup funding via its Ankur fund.

RMG Energy Shock: Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimates Bangladesh’s energy crisis is costing industry up to Tk 2,387 crore daily, with gas and power shortages hitting factory output, exports, investment and jobs. Rooftop Solar Push: CPD says garment factories could generate up to 1,768MWp from rooftop solar, mapping 9.7 million sq m of space to cut reliance on unstable supply. Gas Crunch in Textiles: Reports highlight production halts at Narsingdi textile factories due to gas shortage, underlining how fuel disruptions are directly derailing manufacturing. EPR for Plastic Waste: New Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines 2026 shift plastic waste responsibility to producers, importers and brand owners, with non-compliance risking environmental registration and shutdown pressure. Tea Industry Disrupted: Sylhet tea gardens face peak-season damage from power cuts, forcing costly generators and delaying processing. Industrial Leadership Moves: BSIC appoints Waiz Rahim as MD and CEO to scale startup investment; Waiz’s background spans venture funding and industrial systems. Textile Import Controls: Textile millers urge withdrawal of bond facilities for importing 10–30 count yarn to protect domestic spinning and curb misdeclared imports. Aviation & Logistics: Bangladesh explores AirAsia cooperation for ground handling and airport management, while Bangladesh also looks at aviation tech and training capacity building. Ship Recycling Safety: Sitakunda’s Ferdous Steel toxic gas incident death toll rises to 10, renewing calls for stricter enforcement in ship recycling.

Maritime Data Build: Bangladesh’s first nationwide vessel census kicks off Aug 20-29, with a Khulna procession marking the drive to create a comprehensive engine-powered vessel database. Food & Export Value-Add: BAU researchers say modern canning tech can turn kuchia (eel fish) into safe, long-shelf-life canned products, with samples tested against international standards—aimed at new export prospects. City Service Accountability: DSCC administrator warns of surprise inspections and immediate action over negligence in waste, mosquito control, street lighting and revenue collection. Local Development Delivery: Chattogram-5 reports 329 of 450 development projects completed in the first 180 days, spanning roads, drainage, water supply, power, and community facilities. Energy Crunch Update: Excelerate’s Moheshkhali LNG supply is suspended due to deliverable cargo shortage, cutting grid gas by 105 mmcfd; Summit’s terminal continues. Circular Economy Finance: EKI Energy Services gets Verra registration for Bangladesh’s first plastic waste reduction project, targeting plastic credits and circular material flows. Trade Facilitation: Bangladesh asks India for faster business visas and fewer non-tariff barriers to boost goods movement and investment. Textile Leadership: Ocean Textile Effect promotes Engr. Zahedul Huque to Global Head, expanding Bangladesh-linked global operations. Halal Market Push: Malaysia’s envoy highlights halal’s growth to $3.6tn by 2029 and urges Bangladesh-Malaysia cooperation in certification, standards and supply chains. Governance & Infrastructure Funding: ECNEC approves 10 projects worth Tk 9,333.58 crore, including Dhaka Medical College hostel buildings, smart bridge maintenance, coastal protection and solar power.