Bangladesh-US Tariff Pact Falls Short: Only 1% Reduction After Months of Talks
After nine months of continuous negotiations, the signing of the “reciprocal tariff agreement” between Bangladesh and the United States has drawn mixed reactions from trade analysts. The agreement, signed in Washington on Monday, has reduced reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi products by only 1 percent, bringing them down to 19 percent a result many believe falls far short of expectations given the length and intensity of the discussions.
Sixth Consecutive Monthly Decline Recorded in Exports
Bangladesh’s export earnings continued their downward trend in January 2026, recording a decline for the sixth consecutive month and highlighting sustained pressure on the country’s external trade sector. Official data show that export earnings in January stood at around $4.41 billion, slightly lower than the earnings recorded in the same month of the previous year.
Uncertainty Grows Over Bangladesh’s LDC Graduation as UN Postpones Assessment Visit
A United Nations delegation was scheduled to visit Dhaka this month to review Bangladesh’s overall preparedness for graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) list and to present its assessment of the country’s position. At the same time, a schedule had been set to present an independent preparatory assessment report on LDC graduation on January 21. However, the delegation’s visit to Dhaka has been postponed for the time being even before the trip took place. No new date has yet been fixed.
Rising Inflation, Weak Business Climate Drag Bangladesh’s Economy: UN & World Bank
Bangladesh is facing the most severe inflation crisis in South Asia, according to the United Nations, while the World Bank has also lowered the country’s economic growth forecast for the fiscal year 2025–26 due to high inflation and a stagnant business environment.
Export growth in the country continues to decline and has entered negative territory
In the first half of the current fiscal year (July–December), the country’s export sector has faced negative growth. According to statistics published by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), exports worth USD 23.99 billion were made in the first six months of the 2025–26 fiscal year, compared to USD 24.53 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year. As a result, exports declined by 2.19 percent.
Market Capitalization Falls by Tk 21,231 Crore in One Year
In 2025, among the top 10 companies by market capitalization, the capitalization of seven companies declined, while that of three increased. During this period, the overall market capitalization of the country’s capital market increased by Tk 5,339 crore.
Savings Certificate Profit Rates to Be Reduced Again from January
The Ministry of Finance has taken an initiative to reduce the profit rates on savings certificates once again starting from January. Once the proposal of the Finance Division under the Ministry of Finance receives approval from the Finance Adviser, the new rates will come into effect. Subsequently, the Internal Resources Division (IRD) will issue an official circular.
Bangladesh Now Has the Highest Non-Performing Loan Rate in the World
Bangladesh’s banking sector is currently facing an unprecedented crisis. As of the end of September this year, nearly 36 percent of bank-distributed loans have become non-performing. According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, the volume of non-performing loans (NPLs) stands at 644,515 crore taka. In just nine months, NPLs have increased by nearly 300,000 crore taka, an extraordinary rise in the country’s history.
Bangladesh Faces Economic Risk Amid Surge in Non-Performing Loans
As of September, Bangladesh’s banking sector is grappling with an alarming Tk 6.45 lakh crore in non-performing loans (NPLs), posing a serious threat to the economy, slowing job creation, and ultimately transferring the cost of financial failure to the public.
High Court sets December 4 verdict on writ against NCT deal with DP World
The High Court on Tuesday set December 4 for delivering its verdict on a writ petition challenging the government’s move to award the operational contract of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to UAE-based DP World under a public–private partnership (PPP) arrangement.