https://www.newagebd.net/post/power-energy/296854/ship-carrying-jet-fuel-arrives-at-chattogram-port
Facing persistent energy pressures and rising fuel import costs, the commerce ministry is moving to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in commercial transport, by proposing significant duty reductions on their imports.
In a letter to the National Board of Revenue early March, the commerce ministry recommended lowering customs duty and supplementary duty on electric buses, trucks, dumpers and excavators to levels below those applied to conventional fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
The move is aimed at reducing operational costs in industrial and commercial sectors while cutting dependence on imported fossil fuels, ministry officials said.
The proposal comes as Bangladesh grapples with a prolonged energy crunch, worsened by global oil and gas supply disruptions from the Middle East war. Officials said high fuel costs are already feeding into production and transport expenses, putting pressure on businesses and inflation.
“Current duty structures are discouraging EV adoption,” said Shibir Bicitro Barua, additional secretary at the commerce ministry. “Electric vehicles face significantly higher taxes than fuel-based ones, which is counterproductive at a time when we are trying to reduce fuel dependency and manage energy costs.”
He added that the commerce ministry wants to promote import of electric vehicles to phase out traditional ones.
Tax barriers for EVs
According to ministry data, importing a conventional diesel or petrol-powered bus attracts around 39.75% duty, while an electric bus faces about 93.16%. Similarly, fossil fuel-powered trucks are taxed at 39.75%, compared to 61.80% for electric trucks.
The gap persists across other heavy equipment. Electric dumpers and tippers are taxed at 61.80% versus 45.45% for conventional ones, while electric excavators face duties as high as 93.16%, compared to 28.73% for their fuel-based counterparts.
Such imbalances have discouraged businesses from switching to electric fleets, despite the long-term cost advantages of EVs, industry insiders said, adding that although electric vehicles have higher upfront costs, they significantly reduce fuel and maintenance expenses over time.
A typical diesel-powered heavy truck consumes between 25 and 40 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, depending on load and road conditions. With diesel prices remaining volatile, transport operators face mounting operational costs. In contrast, electric trucks can cut energy costs by up to 40-60%, depending on electricity tariffs and usage efficiency.
Senior officials at the National Board of Revenue said the proposed measures are still under review.
“The government is keen to promote environmentally friendly vehicles,” an NBR official said on condition of anonymity. “However, since the policy is still in draft form, there may be further revisions. Some proposals may be added, others refined.”
Draft policy targets 30% EVs in govt fleet
The duty reduction proposal aligns with the draft Electric Vehicle Industry Development Policy 2025, which sets a target for at least 30% of government and corporate vehicle fleets to be electric by 2030.
The draft policy also proposes reducing import duties on completely built EV units to below 37%, alongside tax waivers on registration, advance income tax (AIT), and fitness certification for all kinds of electric vehicles until 2030. Registration fees could be cut by 50% under the plan.
Additionally, buyers may access bank financing of up to 60% of a vehicle’s value, repayable over eight years, an incentive designed to ease the transition for businesses and institutional buyers.
Officials at the industries ministry said the plan focuses on replacing older fuel-run vehicles, especially in public transport and logistics.
The previous interim government had formulated the draft Electric Vehicle Industry Development Policy in October last year, setting targets for transitioning towards green transport to reduce vehicular emissions.
Lagging in EV adoption
According to the International Energy Agency, EV sales crossed 20 million units in 2025, growing more than 20% year-on-year.
In China, EVs account for 12% of vehicle registrations and nearly a half of car sales in the domestic market. The global leader in the EV industry, China, reduced fuel import cost by 10% last year.
India and Vietnam have rolled out aggressive incentives, including tax cuts, subsidies and local manufacturing support, to accelerate EV adoption and reduce oil dependency.
In Bangladesh, however, adoption remains slow. Data from the NBR show 178 EVs were imported in FY25, and 82 in the first half of FY26. A plan to procure 400 electric buses is yet to be implemented.
Industry stakeholders have broadly welcomed the commerce ministry’s proposal but stressed that local manufacturing must be prioritised over imports.
Hafizur Rahman, president of the Automobile Assemblers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh, said, “The world is moving towards electric vehicles, and Bangladesh must follow. But tax incentives should favour local production and assembly more than imports.”
He said several companies have already invested in EV assembly and manufacturing, often in partnership with global firms. “If we ensure policy stability and protect these investments, the sector can generate employment and build backward linkage industries,” he added.
Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited, one of the country’s pioneering EV manufacturers, has completed construction of a factory on 100 acres in Chattogram’s National Special Economic Zone, with an investment of Tk1,440 crore. However, production has yet to begin due to delays in gas connections.
Managing Director Mir Masud Kabir said high duties on imported components, currently around 61%, are a major barrier. “To develop a competitive EV industry, duties on parts must be lower than those on fully built vehicles. Export incentives would also help attract foreign investment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Runner Automobiles Limited has recently signed an agreement with China’s BYD to explore local assembly or production opportunities, signalling growing interest from global EV players.
https://www.tbsnews.net/nbr/govt-considers-slashing-duties-evs-ease-fuel-import-pressure-1404771
A decision to increase fuel prices from next month may be made following discussions at a cabinet meeting, the energy minister told parliament Tuesday, reassuring that Bangladesh holds adequate stock of fuels despite global crisis.
Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku made the statement in the House during question hour on the tenth day of the first session of the 13th National Parliament.
The session was chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
The minister explains that there is a structured mechanism for adjusting fuel prices, which is reviewed on a monthly basis. “The final decision for the coming month will be determined at the cabinet level.”
Economists and energy experts are of the view that a hike in fuel prices would have domino effect on people’s living and the economy at large.
Highlighting global challenges, Tuku pointed to geopolitical instability over the Middle East and restrictions imposed by Iran on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which have disrupted global energy-supply chains.
“Despite these challenges,” he emphasizes, “the government has ensured a steady supply of fuel from multiple sources.”
Providing an update on current reserves, the minister said Bangladesh has 164,644 metric tonnes of diesel in stock, with an additional 138,000 tonnes expected to arrive by April 30. The country also holds 10,500 tons of octane and 16,000 tons of petrol, with further large shipments expected within this month.
Comparing regional trends, he notes that Pakistan has increased fuel prices by 50 percent, while Sri Lanka has introduced fuel rationing. India, Afghanistan and Nepal have also raised fuel prices. “In contrast, Bangladesh has so far kept prices stable to reduce the burden on citizens.”
To support farmers during the irrigation season, the government has instructed district administrators to issue “agriculture cards” to ensure uninterrupted diesel supply.
On enforcement, the minister reaffirms government’s ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against illegal hoarding and smuggling of fuels.
Between March 3 and April 4, authorities had conducted 342 operations nationwide, filing 2,456 cases. These drives resulted in 31 jail sentences, fines totaling Tk 12.539 million, and the recovery of approximately 4.048 million litres of fuels.
The minister also assures parliament that monitoring has been strengthened through the appointment of “tag officers” at filling stations and regular virtual meetings with district administrations.
Economists are, however, divided over the government plan to raise fuel prices from next month, arguing about a difficult tradeoff between fiscal constraints and the cost of living.
One group says the increase will disproportionately hit low- and lower-middle-income households, as higher fuel costs are likely to feed through into the prices of essential goods and services.
Rising transport and production costs could amplify inflationary pressures already felt by consumers, they alert.
Dr M. Masrur Reaz, chairman and chief executive Officer of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, says the impact would be broad-based.
Higher fuel prices would raise labour and freight costs, feeding into the wider economy.
“Power and electricity costs will increase as a result of the adjustment, with multiple knock-on effects,” he told The Financial Express.
He adds that irrigation and transport costs would rise sharply, placing an additional pressure on lower-income groups. Others argue that an adjustment is unavoidable, as such.
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/wars-impose-deep-and-prolonged-economic-costs-on-countries-imf-research-finds
The telecom regulator has decided to allocate spectrum from the 850 MHz and Extended GSM (EGSM) bands for a month-long trial to examine potential interference between the two frequencies.
The move is part of a broader effort to eventually assign this spectrum through auction or other regulatory mechanisms, with the goal of ensuring better services and improved network reliability across the country. The decision was made at a recent commission meeting.
“It’s just a trial and any band can participate,” said Md Emdad ul Bari, Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
“After assessing the trial results and interference implications, we will allocate spectrum from these bands through auction or other appropriate regulatory mechanisms,” he added.
The EGSM band is an extension of the standard GSM 900 MHz range, offering additional radio frequencies for mobile operators. It allows networks to handle more users at once, improve coverage, and deliver better call and data quality, particularly in areas where connectivity is otherwise weak.
Its low-frequency nature also ensures strong indoor penetration and wide-area connectivity, making it crucial for urban and rural network reliability.
However, the 850 MHz and EGSM bands sit adjacent to each other, meaning signals from one can leak into the other. This can cause interference, receiver overload, and degraded service quality if not carefully managed. Both bands are nonetheless highly valued for enabling wide coverage with fewer towers.
According to BTRC documents, 8.4 MHz of EGSM spectrum (880-888.4 MHz paired with 925-933.4 MHz) will be assigned to operators for four weeks at no financial cost.
The commission’s technical committee and operators will jointly collect and analyse data, then submit a consolidated report.
This is not BTRC’s first attempt to utilise this band. In 2024, a plan to assign EGSM spectrum to Grameenphone was shelved after objections from Robi Axiata and Banglalink, which cited high filter costs, potential coverage degradation, and concerns over market imbalance.
A proof-of-concept test also flagged interference risks.
After BTRC awarded 700 MHz spectrum earlier this year, Robi sought allocation in lower frequency bands, prompting the regulator to commit to addressing that demand. A technical committee was then formed to manage the spectrum shortage and ensure coexistence between the two bands.
At a February 3 meeting, operators were asked to specify their requirements. Robi and Banglalink each requested 3.4 MHz from the EGSM band, totalling 6.8 MHz, along with a four-week interference trial.
Grameenphone, which recently acquired 10 MHz in the 700 MHz band, said it has no immediate plans for either band but raised concerns about cross-border interference and regional harmonisation. Teletalk has not yet submitted any plans to the regulator.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/btrc-unlock-more-low-band-spectrum-boost-coverage-4145186
A vessel carrying 30,000 tonnes of refined diesel has arrived at Chittagong Port from Malaysia amid concerns over energy supply linked to Middle East tensions.
The tanker “PVT Solana” reached the Alpha Anchorage on Tuesday, said Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim.
He said unloading will begin once the tanker is brought to the port’s Dolphin Jetty.
On Thursday, another vessel from Singapore entered the port’s territorial waters carrying 10,000 tonnes of diesel and 20,000 tonnes of jet fuel.
Port authorities said two LPG carriers “Paul” and “Sena-9” also arrived in the outer anchorage on Monday night.
Another LPG vessel Gas Challenger is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, while an LNG tanker Celsius Galapagos is expected on Apr 4.
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/gold-price-rises-by-tk-3266-per-bhori
মার্কিন প্রেসিডেন্ট ডোনাল্ড ট্রাম্প ইরানের জ্বালানি অবকাঠামোতে হামলা স্থগিতের নির্দেশ দেওয়ার পরই বিশ্ববাজারে কমতে শুরু করেছে জ্বালানি তেলের দাম।
একইসঙ্গে বিশ্বজুড়ে বিনিয়োগকারীদের মধ্যে স্বস্তি ফিরেছে এবং চাঙ্গা হচ্ছে শেয়ারবাজার।
আজ সোমবার বার্তাসংস্থা এএফপি জানায়, ইরানের সঙ্গে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের ‘ফলপ্রসূ’ আলোচনা হচ্ছে জানিয়ে দেশটির বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র ও জ্বালানি অবকাঠামোতে হামলা স্থগিতের ঘোষণা দিয়েছেন মার্কিন প্রেসিডেন্ট ডোনাল্ড ট্রাম্প।
এ ঘোষণার পরপরই সোমবার বিশ্ববাজারে তেলের দাম কমতে শুরু করে। আন্তর্জাতিক বাজারে ব্রেন্ট নর্থ সি অপরিশোধিত জ্বালানি তেলের দাম ১৪ শতাংশের বেশি কমে প্রতি ব্যারেল ৯৬ ডলারে নেমে এসেছে।
একইভাবে, যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের প্রধান তেলের বাজার ওয়েস্ট টেক্সাস ইন্টারমিডিয়েটে তেলের দাম ১৪ শতাংশের বেশি কমে প্রতি ব্যারেল ৮৪ দশমিক ৩৭ ডলারে দাঁড়িয়েছে।
ট্রাম্পের ঘোষণার পর মধ্যপ্রাচ্যে উত্তেজনা প্রশমনের ইঙ্গিত বিশ্ব অর্থনীতিতে স্থিতিশীলতা ফেরাতে পারে এবং আকাশচুম্বী তেলের দাম সাধারণ মানুষের নাগালের মধ্যে নিয়ে আসতে পারে।
ইরান-যুক্তরাষ্ট্র উত্তেজনা প্রশমনের আভাসে ইতোমধ্যে আন্তর্জাতিক বাজারে মার্কিন ডলারের বড় ধরনের পতন ঘটেছে ও বিপরীতে চাঙ্গা হয়ে উঠেছে শেয়ারবাজার।
রয়টার্স জানায়, আজ সোমবার ডলারের সূচক ০ দশমিক ৩ শতাংশ কমেছে। আর ইউরোর দাম ১ শতাংশের বেশি বৃদ্ধি পেয়ে ১ দশমিক ১৫৮ ডলারে পৌঁছেছে, যা আগে ১ দশমিক ৪৮৭ ডলারের কাছাকাছি ছিল।
প্রতিবেদনে আরও বলা হয়, মার্কিন শেয়ারবাজারের সূচক ২ শতাংশের বেশি বেড়েছে। ইউরোপীয় শেয়ারবাজারের সূচক দিনের শুরুর ২ দশমিক ২ শতাংশ লোকসান কাটিয়ে ০ দশমিক ৭ শতাংশে ফিরে এসেছে।
যুক্তরাজ্যের আইজি মার্কেটসের চিফ মার্কেট অ্যানালিস্ট সক্রিস বোশাম্প রয়টার্সকে বলেন, ‘এটি যুদ্ধের স্থগিতাদেশ, পূর্ণাঙ্গ যুদ্ধবিরতি নয়। এখান থেকে পরিস্থিতি কোন দিকে যায় তা আমাদের দেখতে হবে। তবে এই খবরে বাজার যে স্বস্তির নিঃশ্বাস ফেলছে তা স্পষ্ট।’
লন্ডনের ব্রাউন ব্রাদার্স হ্যারিম্যানের মার্কেট স্ট্র্যাটেজির প্রধান ইলিয়াস হাদ্দাদ বলেন, ‘এই ইতিবাচক খবরে বাজারের একটি তাৎক্ষণিক প্রতিক্রিয়া দেখছি। যদি এটি প্রকৃতপক্ষেই উত্তেজনা প্রশমন হয়, তবে আরও বড় ধরনের উত্থান দেখা যেতে পারে।’
‘তবে এটি শুধু রাজনৈতিক কৌশলী বক্তব্য নাকি দীর্ঘমেয়াদী শান্তির বার্তা, তা বলা এখনো কঠিন,’ যোগ করেন তিনি।
সোমবার ভোরে নিজের সোশ্যাল মিডিয়া প্ল্যাটফর্ম ‘ট্রুথ সোশ্যালে’ এক পোস্টে ডোনাল্ড ট্রাম্প লেখেন, ‘গত দুই দিনে মধ্যপ্রাচ্যে আমাদের শত্রুতা চূড়ান্ত নিরসনে যুক্তরাষ্ট্র ও ইরান অত্যন্ত চমৎকার ও ফলপ্রসূ আলোচনা করেছে।’
তিনি আরও বলেন, ‘এই আলোচনা পুরো সপ্তাহজুড়েই চলবে। আলোচনার গতিপ্রকৃতি ও মেজাজের ওপর ভিত্তি করে আমি আগামী পাঁচ দিনের জন্য ইরানের বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র ও জ্বালানি অবকাঠামোতে সামরিক হামলা স্থগিতের নির্দেশ দিয়েছি।
https://bangla.thedailystar.net/international/news-3910081
The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) have reduced trading time by 40 minutes during the holy month of Ramadan.
Trading on the bourses will begin at 10:00am as usual and continue until 1:50pm, including a 10-minute post-closing session, in line with banking hours, according to a statement.
Trading at the bourses usually takes place from 10:00am to 2:30pm, including a 10-minute post-closing session.
The exchanges have also cut office hours by one hour to 9:00am–3:30pm, instead of the usual 9:00am–4:30pm.
After Ramadan, trading and office hours will return to normal.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/dse-cse-cut-trading-hours-during-ramadan-1771264014
Debt of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus increased by Tk2,60,257 crore during the first 14 months of its tenure, even though development expenditure fell to its lowest level in seven years.
According to the latest debt bulletin published by the finance ministry, total domestic and foreign debt stood at Tk21,49,044 crore as of 30 September 2025.
Economists say although the interim administration moved away from large-scale mega projects and sharply curtailed overall development expenditure, it failed to reduce dependence on borrowing due to sluggish revenue collection, mounting repayment obligations and persistent operating expenditure.
Zahid Hussain, former lead economist of the World Bank’s Dhaka office, said weak revenue mobilisation was the principal reason behind the debt increase.
“Political instability following the August transition and subsequent disruptions in tax administration contributed to lower-than-expected revenue collection, limiting the government’s fiscal space,” he said.
Mounting debt
When the Awami League government was formed in 2009, the country’s total debt stood at approximately Tk2 lakh crore. Before the fall of the previous government on 5 August 2024, total debt had stood at Tk18,88,787 crore on 30 June that year.
Officials said the figure could rise further once borrowing data up to mid-February is fully accounted for.
The debt bulletin published in December 2024 had initially placed total debt at Tk18,32,282 crore, but the figure increased by Tk56,505 crore following the conversion of foreign loans into the new exchange rate.
A breakdown of borrowing indicates that the interim government relied more heavily on foreign sources than domestic ones. During the period, it received instalments from the International Monetary Fund and secured budget support from multiple development partners. Budget support amounted to $3.44 billion in the last fiscal year, compared with $2 billion the previous year.
As a result, foreign debt rose from Tk8.12 lakh crore to Tk9.51 lakh crore over the 14 months.
Domestic debt also increased, from Tk10.76 lakh crore a month before the previous government’s fall to Tk11.97 lakh crore by last September.
Data show that Annual Development Programme (ADP) implementation dropped to Tk1.53 lakh crore in the last fiscal year – the lowest in seven years. By comparison, ADP spending was Tk1.67 lakh crore in the fiscal 2018-19 and rose to Tk2.05 lakh crore in FY24, the final fiscal year of the previous administration.
Despite lower development outlays, borrowing continued to climb. Analysts attribute this partly to the settlement of arrears inherited from the previous government, including unpaid bills and subsidy-related liabilities.
Mahbub Ahmed, a former finance ministry senior secretary, said the interim government had borrowed largely to service old debts and manage repayment pressures.
In addition, high inflation prompted many savers to encash savings certificates, forcing the government to repay both principal and interest.
Although several projects were cancelled or suspended to rein in development expenditure, operating costs continued to outpace revenue growth.
Towfiqul Islam Khan, additional research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said pressure from external debt servicing and currency depreciation also played a role in pushing up the overall debt stock.
Challenge for next govt
While the interim government cleared many of the outstanding liabilities left behind by the previous Awami League administration, it will, in turn, pass on several financial burdens to the new government. These include unpaid electricity bills, the disbursement of house rent allowances for MPO-listed teachers, and the implementation of a new national pay scale.
Tasked with transitioning away from a debt-reliant economy, the BNP – having formed a government on the back of promises such as the introduction of “Family Cards” and a revised salary structure for civil servants – must now prepare a new budget within its first 100 days.
Analysts suggest that if revenue collection targets for the upcoming financial year are not met, the new administration may find it difficult to balance the books.
The BNP government, led by Tarique Rahman, will be required to announce a new budget just three and a half months after taking office – a budget for which the interim government has already finalised the ministry-wise allocations.
Despite this, economist Zahid Hussain believes the public will still view the upcoming June budget as the BNP administration’s first true fiscal test.
He remarked that the BNP must make several key political decisions in its very first budget. “However, balancing the figures will prove a significant challenge for the new administration.”
Zahid noted that the BNP has made extensive promises that must be incorporated into this initial budget, including a commitment to increase allocations for health and education to 5% of GDP.
“Furthermore, they have pledged to introduce ‘Family Cards’ and waive agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000. These initiatives will require direct and substantial government expenditure,” he said.
Zahid continued, “At the same time, the BNP has pledged to move away from a debt-reliant economy, which implies keeping the budget deficit within strict limits. The party has also committed to introducing a new salary structure for civil servants.
“Even if only one-third of the recommended new pay scale is implemented, an additional Tk30,000 crore will be required. Therefore, unless revenue collection is significantly increased, the new government will also find itself forced to depend on borrowing.
“Furthermore, if government borrowing rises, credit flow to the private sector will be further constrained – a figure that has already plummeted below 6%.”
Mahbub Ahmed said that to fulfil the BNP’s pledge of creating 1 crore jobs over the next five years, the new government must take effective measures to increase revenue collection while reducing debt dependency. He emphasised that the government must focus on securing the actual share of GDP that should be collected as tax.
He further noted that the interim government cancelled numerous projects and suspended funding for many others, leaving them half-finished. The new administration, Mahbub said, will need to complete projects where funds have already been spent and which promise genuine public benefit.
“This, however, will require additional financing. If this cannot be achieved through enhanced revenue collection, they too will be forced to rely on borrowing.”
Mahbub further said, “To implement the BNP’s commitments – including the new salary structure for civil servants, and the introduction of ‘Agriculture Cards’ and ‘Family Cards’ – vast sums of money will be required.
“While the current level of our national debt may not yet be a cause for panic, there is certainly enough reason for concern.”
Towfiqul Islam Khan said that the new government must develop a pragmatic estimate for its debt repayment schedule.
“This is because, year after year, the actual amount required for foreign debt servicing consistently exceeds the projections made by the External Resources Division (ERD).”
He further noted that upon taking office, the new administration must immediately revisit the revised budget to make the interim government’s projections more realistic.
“Furthermore, they must adopt a pragmatic action plan for the new budget to fulfil their electoral manifesto. Failing this, public disillusionment could set in as early as the announcement of the first budget.”
Towfiqul also advised the new government to seek opportunities to renegotiate any loans taken by the previous Awami League administration where such terms are feasible.
In an interview with The Hindu, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the new government must begin its tenure by addressing the “burden of debt” left behind by the Awami League administration.
He emphasised the need to re-evaluate various mega-projects to identify areas of financial wastage. “Of these projects, we will retain only those that serve the national interests.”
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/debt-rises-tk26-lakh-crore-14-months-yunus-govt-1363596
আগামীকাল বুধবার (১০ ডিসেম্বর) সন্ধ্যায় অথবা পরদিন বৃহস্পতিবার ত্রয়োদশ জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচনের তফসিল ঘোষণা করা হবে বলে জানিয়েছেন নির্বাচন কমিশনার আব্দুর রহমানেল মাছউদ।
মঙ্গলবার (৯ ডিসেম্বর) নির্বাচন ভবনে সাংবাদিকদের সঙ্গে আলাপকালে তিনি এ তথ্য জানান।
তিনি, ত্রয়োদশ জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচনের তফসিল ঘোষণায় ভাষণের সবকিছু চূড়ান্ত। রাষ্ট্রপতির সঙ্গে সাক্ষাৎ শেষে বুধবার (১০ ডিসেম্বর) সন্ধ্যায় অথবা বৃহস্পতিবার তফসিল ঘোষণা করা হবে।
এই নির্বাচন কমিশনার বলেন, তফসিল ঘোষণায় রাজনৈতিক দলসহ সবারর সহযোগিতার বিষয়ে বিশেষভাবে গুরুত্ব দেওয়া হবে। আগামীকাল দুপুরে রাষ্ট্রপতির সঙ্গে সাক্ষাৎ করতে যাবে নির্বাচন কমিশন।
তিনি আরও বলেন, চূড়ান্ত পোস্টাল ব্যালটে নিষিদ্ধ বা স্থগিত কোনো দলের প্রতীক থাকবে না।
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur has expressed strong optimism that inflation can be brought below the 5% mark by the end of the current fiscal year, paving the way for a gradual reduction of interest rates.
Speaking at an investment organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) today (4 December) in Dhaka, the governor said the central bank’s top priority is stabilising inflation and restoring positive real interest rates – conditions he described as essential for a sustainable rebound in private investment.
Responding to concerns from business leaders about the high cost of borrowing, Mansur said, “If inflation comes down to the 5% level within this fiscal year, we can begin reducing the interest rate. But it cannot happen the other way around. High inflation with low interest rates is wishful thinking.”
He noted that real interest rates had remained negative for an extended period, contributing to economic distortions and macroeconomic pressures. With headline inflation still slightly above 8% and food inflation elevated, the governor emphasised that monetary tightening must remain in place for several more months.
Mansur added that the central bank’s recent steps to rationalise and unify the exchange rate system have already improved stability in the foreign exchange market.
“We now have a proper value for the taka. We have already corrected what needed to be corrected. A stable and transparent exchange rate regime is crucial to rebuilding confidence,” he said.
He also noted that the taka has stabilised at a more competitive level in recent weeks, reversing earlier volatility. Market discipline, he argued, is now significantly better than even six months ago.
https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/bb-aims-bring-inflation-below-5-fiscal-year-governor-mansur-1301726
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard’s Google news channel
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel.
