AGP Executive Report

Japan Partnership: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Tokyo summit produced expectations of 1 trillion yen ($6 billion) in Japanese private investment over five years, potentially creating 200,000 jobs. The leaders agreed to expand cooperation in energy, infrastructure, technology and supply chains; Rahman also visited a Japanese LNG terminal and urged investors to join Bangladesh’s growth drive. Economic Strain: Bangladesh faces slowing growth, a widening trade deficit and a weak banking sector. Growth fell to 3.4% in FY2025-26, while the IMF forecasts 3.2% for FY2026-27; imports exceeded exports by $2.09 billion in July. The report warns that deep reforms are needed. Energy and Skills: Australian clean-energy companies are seeking local partners as Bangladesh looks to strengthen energy security. Meanwhile, the packaging industry says it needs 20,000–50,000 skilled workers and is recruiting abroad, highlighting a workforce gap.

Investment Push: Bangladesh showcased infrastructure, energy and manufacturing projects at the World Investment Forum in Doha, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Japan visit is focused on attracting investment in sectors including automobiles, semiconductors and renewable energy. Japan has pledged $6.35 billion in private investment over five years. Trade and Finance: Bangladesh and Malaysia began talks on a free trade agreement as Dhaka seeks market access after LDC graduation. Foreign loan disbursements fell 42% in July-September, while repayments rose; the government is also seeking $1 billion in Korean budget support to cushion energy shocks. Law and Order: IGP Ali Hossain Fakir said police could resort to “crossfire” with government approval, drawing condemnation from NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah, who urged police neutrality. Migrant Workers: Saudi Arabia will allow Bangladeshi workers with expired iqamas to enter after flight disruptions, the expatriates’ welfare minister said. Economic Outlook: The IMF projects Bangladesh’s per-capita GDP will exceed India’s in 2026, but the gap in overall economic scale remains wide.

Japan Visit: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Tokyo for a four-day visit, seeking stronger trade, skills cooperation and support for safe Rohingya repatriation. Japan is considering $6.35 billion in private investment over five years, with automobiles, semiconductors, energy and manufacturing among the potential sectors. Governance & Cybersecurity: The government issued 23 directives as part of an anti-corruption drive and took disciplinary action against officials over financial misconduct. Bangladesh Bank restored its website after a three-day shutdown amid global cyber warnings, though security concerns remain. Exports & Finance: Bonded-warehouse and customs reforms aim to help industries beyond garments expand exports. BRAC Bank plans a Tk10 billion green bond to fund sustainable projects. Climate Pressure: A study finds climate-displaced families in southwestern Bangladesh often end up in risky urban settlements with limited protection. Cox’s Bazar, meanwhile, generates about 34.5 tonnes of plastic waste daily as tourist numbers surge. Textile Innovation: Bangladeshi startup threadBridge won a 2026 Global Change Award for AI smart glasses that detect fabric defects, highlighting homegrown technology for the garment industry.

Governance: A parliamentary committee says 1,074 Purbachal and Jhilmil plots are under scrutiny for alleged irregularities; files are on hold as it considers legal action after investigation. Humaiun Kobir has been given full ministerial authority to lead Bangladesh’s delegation to the Commonwealth summit. Election Politics: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed says the next election will be held under a caretaker government after a constitutional amendment. Jamaat has called a two-day programme for October 27–28 demanding justice over the 2006 Dhaka killings. Economic Pressure: First-quarter development spending hit a 17-year low, with just 3.89% of the annual plan used. The country’s sole DAP fertiliser plant has been shut for nearly four months, awaiting approval to import raw materials. Business and Finance: Bangladesh Bank is considering an exemption that would let eight banks lend Tk 1,700 crore to debt-laden City Group. Japanese firms are showing growing interest in investing in Bangladesh. Cybersecurity: Government officials warn that outdated website software leaves organisations exposed to cyberattacks, despite earlier warnings.

Japan Ties: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman leaves for Japan on a four-day visit, with talks on trade, investment and development cooperation, a business forum and possible agreements on skills, agriculture and energy. Election: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed says the next national election will be held under a caretaker government, which he says must be formally restored through a constitutional amendment. Development Spending: ECNEC’s meeting was postponed ahead of the Japan trip, delaying decisions on 15 projects worth about Tk 9,000 crore. Migrant Rights: After Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshis without prior notice to Dhaka, a migrant rights group urged stronger legal protections and greater accountability from diplomatic missions. Energy: The government approved six LNG cargoes from suppliers in Singapore and Qatar to help meet domestic gas demand.

Political Tensions: NCP leader Nahid Islam warned parliament may not complete its five-year term, citing a weakened opposition voice and worsening law and order. Police say a proposed law would let them pursue extortion cases without victims’ complaints, who may fear retaliation. Japan Investment: Ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Tokyo visit, Japanese firms are eyeing vehicle assembly and other investment, with up to $6.35 billion in private investment under discussion. Exporters say Bangladesh must broaden Japan-bound shipments beyond garments and meet tougher quality standards. Technology Exports: IT exports rose 8.68% to $684 million in FY26, but industry leaders warn AI could squeeze demand for outsourced software work. Climate Finance: Bangladesh’s updated climate plan is estimated to need $116 billion through 2035, including $90 billion in international support. State Minister Shama Obaed called for climate finance as grants, not loans. Capital Markets: New BSEC rules reopen direct listings for eligible private companies, while analysts say deeper markets need more new listings and fresh capital—not just rising share prices.

Cybersecurity: Bangladesh Bank’s website remained offline for a third day after a global security alert. The central bank says commercial-bank connections and financial operations are unaffected; the site will return only after security checks are complete. Accountability: The UK High Court froze a £15 million London apartment linked to the brother of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury amid a National Crime Agency investigation into suspected money laundering. Trade and investment: Bangladesh remains the EU’s largest denim supplier, though exports fell 5.85% in January–August; August shipments rebounded. Japan is also set to mobilise $6.35 billion in private investment in Bangladesh over five years, with wider cooperation expected during the prime minister’s visit. Industry: Jute exporters face renewed Indian duties, while industry leaders urge energy reforms and more domestic exploration to support investment and manufacturing. Public health: A national survey found elevated lead levels in 38.4% of children aged 12–59 months, with rates highest near industrial areas. Politics: Police arrested two local leaders over a loudspeaker campaign claiming Sheikh Hasina would return in December. Meanwhile, BNP-Jamaat relations face renewed scrutiny as the parties’ political paths diverge.

Politics: Jamaat-led opposition parties warn of alleged “election engineering” in the October 29 Thakurgaon-1 by-election, while the NCP has retained Nahid Islam and Akhter Hossen in its top posts as it restructures its central committee. Japan Ties: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visits Japan October 26–29, with more than four cooperation agreements expected and Japan poised to mobilise about $6.35 billion in private investment in Bangladesh over five years. Climate and Health: Researchers warn that climate-displaced people arriving in secondary cities often lack safe housing, services and stable work. Dengue data show women make up a larger share of deaths despite fewer hospitalisations. Migrant Workers: Nearly 240 Bangladeshi workers in Singapore’s process sector have reportedly gone unpaid for up to two months; some paid as much as $12,000 to secure jobs. Sajek Unrest: Clashes and a road blockade have emptied the tourist area, closed shops and left residents fearing further scrutiny by law enforcers.

Investment: Japan plans to mobilise $6.35 billion in private investment in Bangladesh over five years, with projects in manufacturing, automobiles and energy. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is due to visit Japan on October 26–29 for talks on investment, trade and cooperation. Bangladeshis Abroad: The remains of Shahed Ahmed Ashik, killed in a Houthi attack on Riyadh airport, arrived in Dhaka; his family will receive financial assistance and his outstanding employment benefits. Dhaka is also still awaiting Saudi Arabia’s response over the executions of two Bangladeshis. Fisheries and Food: A proposed Tk47.55 crore project would develop 29 baors in four southwestern districts, aiming to lift fish production by at least 10%. Separately, climate-resilient rice varieties are helping Bangladesh increase output despite shrinking cultivated land. Tax and Property: The government plans to set property registration values closer to market prices to curb tax evasion, with local committees expected to assess properties nationwide within four months. The NBR also alleges former MP Abdus Salam Murshedy concealed more than Tk55 crore in assets and income.

Cybersecurity: Bangladesh Bank took its website offline as a precaution after a global alert over flaws in widely used PHP software; the national cyber response team urged organisations to patch vulnerable systems immediately. Southwest Investment: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inspected Mongla Port, the Sundarbans and a proposed economic zone, raising hopes of new investment and infrastructure development. Foreign Reserves: Usable reserves rose to $31.5 billion, enough to cover more than five months of imports at recent rates. Politics: Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said he sees no prospect of Sheikh Hasina returning within a decade and called for electoral reforms to give ordinary citizens a fair chance to contest polls. Energy: The government plans two Titas gas wells, at an estimated Tk 592 crore, that could add about 30 million cubic feet of gas a day and reduce reliance on imported LNG. Cost of Living: A report warns persistent inflation may have pushed as many as 10 million people below the poverty line.

Investment: The government plans a 30-day deadline for processing profit-repatriation applications and has eased rules for some share transfers, aiming to build investor confidence. Digital Market: BTRC plans to restart the handset register from January 2027, automatically registering phones already in use and targeting illegal devices to curb an estimated Tk2,000 crore in annual tax evasion. Diplomacy: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is due in Japan from October 26 to 29 for talks on trade, investment and the bilateral economic partnership. Road Safety: Bangladesh lacks a concrete plan to cut crashes, experts warn; an average of 66 people die and 104 are permanently disabled on the roads each day. Public Health: Dengue cases remain high, with 116,990 hospitalisations and 364 deaths reported through October 21; experts say authorities must focus on finding and destroying mosquito breeding sites. Climate Costs: Bangladesh still lacks a system to measure the full economic damage of climate change, leaving losses to households, workers and businesses largely uncounted.

Saudi Executions: Dhaka is still waiting for Riyadh to explain the October 14 executions of two Bangladeshis and provide their court verdicts; officials say Bangladesh was not notified of their death sentences. Japan Visit: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s October 26–29 Tokyo trip is expected to focus on attracting investment and implementing the Bangladesh-Japan trade pact. Japan may also press to bring India back into its Bay of Bengal growth initiative. Solar Push: New rules open rooftops, unused land, tea gardens and water bodies to private solar projects, as Bangladesh targets 3,000–4,000 megawatts of solar capacity before next summer. Jobs and Investment: The World Bank warns South Asia faces a severe job-creation challenge, with many workers in low-productivity agriculture. Bangladesh also faces weak private investment and persistent inflation, adding urgency to structural reforms. Garment Workers: Extreme heat is putting factory workers’ health at risk and raising costs, while experts call for stronger monitoring and enforceable protections.

Girls’ Education: Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed says tackling poverty, school dropouts and limited opportunities is key to ending child marriage. Nearly 47% of Bangladeshi women aged 20–24 married before 18. Equal Rights: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman marked Durga Puja by saying citizenship matters more than religious identity and pledging equal rights for all. Saudi Executions: Dhaka has sought answers after Saudi Arabia executed two Bangladeshis; families say they were not informed in time to intervene. Economy: Reserves have recovered and inflation eased, but growth remains weak. Economists are urging faster structural reforms as energy costs and fragile LNG supplies add pressure. Public Health: Bangladesh’s measles outbreak has reportedly reached 202,000 cases and 1,147 deaths, exposing serious gaps in child vaccination. Migrant Workers: At least 54 Bangladeshis have reportedly died in Russia’s war after travelling there for promised jobs.

Politics: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman accused the ousted Awami League and an opposition party of conspiring to stir unrest, citing alleged efforts to fuel factory protests. Separately, President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir accepted State Minister Ishraque Hossain’s resignation after a video showed him brandishing a firearm during an anti-drug drive. Sheikh Hasina says she is ready to return despite risks of arrest or worse. Saudi Executions: Dhaka has sought court documents and an explanation from Riyadh after two Bangladeshis were executed on October 14; officials say the mission was not told they faced the death penalty. Garment Workers: Wage protests expose mounting pressure from rising living costs. Workers are demanding Tk 30,000, while labour representatives say long hours and overtime still leave many struggling to cover basic expenses. Trade and Finance: Bangladesh urged major Chinese banks to establish local operations to support trade and investment. BRAC Bank also launched digital trade services for corporate clients. Japan Ties: Tarique Rahman is due in Tokyo on October 26–29 for talks aimed at deepening economic cooperation and attracting investment.

Political Tensions: Sheikh Hasina says she will return to Bangladesh despite the risk of arrest or death, as debate over the country’s political future continues. Saudi Executions: Dhaka has sought an explanation from Riyadh after two Bangladeshis were executed without advance notice, raising questions about consular support and the citizens’ legal rights. Connectivity: The telecom regulator plans to map coverage gaps in remote and disaster-prone areas to guide nationwide improvements. Energy and Investment: Excelerate has halted LNG supplies to Bangladesh for seven months, while Confidence Power plans a Tk4,159 crore investment in 400MW of solar projects and aims to raise Tk400 crore through an IPO. Public Health: Dengue is spreading heavily in coastal districts, which account for nearly 40% of hospital admissions this year, with no dedicated prevention plan reported. Rohingya: A UN envoy’s visit has put repatriation talks back on the agenda as Bangladesh seeks international support.

Politics: President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged national unity to prevent a return to authoritarian rule, while Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called on the opposition to challenge the government constructively. Energy and Economy: Bangladesh spent an additional $4.12 billion on energy in eight months, and fuel-import letters of credit jumped 65% year-on-year in the first quarter. Finance Minister Amir Khosru says the economy and energy sector could stabilise by the government’s second year. LDC Graduation: The government expects a decision this month on its request to delay graduation by three years, giving Bangladesh more time to prepare and negotiate an EU trade deal. Banking and Accountability: The government cancelled the remaining terms of the managing directors of Sonali, Janata and Rupali banks. Former air force chief Sheikh Abdul Hannan was arrested in Qatar in a corruption probe, with the ACC seeking his return. Rohingya Support: Germany pledged another €2 million to support refugees in Cox’s Bazar and local host communities.