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Business & Economy

Cox’s Bazar hotels fill for Puja as safety inspections intensify

Cox’s Bazar hotel operators reported around 90% of rooms booked during the Puja holidays, with many town hotels busy through 23 October. Officials intensified accommodation inspections after the 17 October resort fire that killed 10 people. Demand was uneven, with some Marine Drive resorts seeing weaker later bookings.

From 22 October 2026 — Daily Brief

22 OCT 2026 · 15/25

Cox’s Bazar’s hotels were seeing strong demand during the Durga Puja holidays on 21 October, while officials increased scrutiny of accommodation safety after a resort fire killed 10 people four days earlier.

Industry representatives said around 90 per cent of rooms in the town’s hotels, motels and cottages had been booked. Many establishments were booked through 23 October, although demand at some Marine Drive resorts was weaker for later dates.

Crowds at Laboni, Sugandha and Kolatoli beaches were bringing more business to restaurants, local transport operators and small traders. The combination of Puja and school holidays extended the busy period, but owners’ estimates of the total number of visitors remained forecasts.

The 17 October fire at Tup Tup Resort in Patuartek had raised concerns about buildings made with combustible materials and inadequate precautions. Resort managers said the administration and Fire Service had stepped up inspections and were asking businesses to ensure safety measures.

Local officials said monitoring also covered excessive charges, harassment and accommodation management.

Business & Economy

Mongla rally backs solar expansion and demands Sundarbans safeguards

Speakers at a Mongla rally urged faster solar expansion alongside stronger protection of the Sundarbans. Khulna’s city administrator outlined the planned 442MW Rampal solar project. Environmental campaigners welcomed it while pressing for cancellation of nearby coal and proposed LNG projects, keeping ecological safeguards central to the debate.

Business & Economy

Oil climbs as Middle East supply fears intensify

Oil rose as traders weighed threats to Middle Eastern supplies and shipping. Brent exceeded $114 a barrel during 23 October trading, with further gains later in the session. Analysts pointed to risks from a wider conflict and uncertainty over how quickly disrupted transport routes could recover.

Business & Economy

Gold falls another Tk2,158 per bhori as BAJUS cuts prices again

BAJUS cut the VAT-inclusive price of 22-carat gold by another Tk2,158 per bhori to Tk224,182, effective from 10am on 23 October. The reduction follows the previous day’s cut. Silver also became cheaper, while jewellery-making charges remain dependent on the design.

Business & Economy

Tk592 crore Titas gas-well proposal set for ECNEC review

A Tk592 crore proposal for two Titas gas wells is scheduled for ECNEC consideration on 25 October, officials disclosed on 22 October. The wells could add about 30 million cubic feet of gas daily. Government and company funds would finance the project; approval and future production remain pending.

Business & Economy

Gold price falls as BAJUS cuts rates by Tk1,691

BAJUS cut the price of 22-carat gold jewellery by Tk1,691 per bhori to Tk226,340, including VAT, from 10am on 22 October. The association cited lower local pure-gold prices. Other gold categories and silver also fell. This was the second gold-price cut in nine days; one bhori equals 11.664 grammes.

Business & Economy

Bangladesh and Algeria discuss energy imports and wider industrial cooperation

Bangladesh and Algeria discussed energy imports, fertiliser supplies and textile cooperation in Algiers on 22 October. Officials said a hydrocarbon memorandum signed earlier could support government-to-government fuel trade, infrastructure and training. The talks set out areas for cooperation without announcing a quantified shipment or completed commercial supply contract.