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Business & Economy

Less than a fifth of Tk60,000 crore stimulus paid

Banks disbursed Tk11,959.82 crore from a Tk60,000 crore stimulus package by 15 October, Bangladesh Bank figures released on 18 October show. Another Tk2,559.97 crore was pending. Actual payments represented about 19.9 per cent of the package; the larger combined total includes money borrowers had not yet received.

From 19 October 2026 — Daily Brief

19 OCT 2026 · 10/25

Less than a fifth of Bangladesh’s Tk60,000 crore stimulus package had reached borrowers by 15 October, according to Bangladesh Bank figures released on Sunday, 18 October.

Banks had disbursed Tk11,959.82 crore across the package’s 15 schemes. A further Tk2,559.97 crore was awaiting disbursement. Together, paid and pending amounts totalled Tk14,519.79 crore, but the pending portion had not yet reached recipients.

Actual disbursement was about 19.9 per cent of the package.

The largest scheme, with Tk20,000 crore earmarked for reviving closed factories, had paid out Tk560.93 crore. Another Tk929.50 crore under that scheme was pending.

Disbursement was uneven elsewhere. Pre-shipment financing accounted for Tk6,917 crore, while cottage and microenterprise lending received Tk2,500 crore. Six schemes had yet to record any disbursement.

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.