AGP Executive Report

Eid & money moves: Bangladesh’s Eid-ul-Azha shopping push is staying strong despite inflation, with Mastercard saying digital-first payments, discounts up to 50% and its “Lakh Takar Utshob” vouchers are nudging more people toward cards and structured transactions. Health alert: DGHS has ordered strict measles care nationwide—separate isolation wards, and mandatory twice-daily doctor rounds—after 75 deaths since Mar 15 (389 more with symptoms). Markets closed: Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges will shut May 25–31 for Eid, but stay open May 23–24. Trade keeps running: NBR says customs will operate on a limited scale May 25–31 (not on Eid day) and asks banks to stay open as needed. Crime case: A court recorded a “confessional statement” in the dismemberment murder of Saudi-based Bangladeshi Mokarram Miah in Mugda. Diplomacy shock: An Indian protocol officer (security guard) was found dead at the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong; details still unclear. Travel angle: Tourism officials say the sector can lift jobs and GDP, and US-Bangla won TOAB’s Best Domestic Airline award.

Eid trade stays moving: The NBR has ordered customs houses to run on a limited scale from May 25–31 (except Eid day) across key points like Dhaka, Chattogram, Benapole, Mongla and ICD Kamalapur, and asked banks to stay open as needed so imports/exports don’t stall. Eid banking schedule: Bangladesh Bank says scheduled banks will be closed for seven straight days (May 25–31), but branches in garment hubs (Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj, Chattogram) will operate May 25–26 for wage-related transactions. Tourism push: A state minister says tourism can drive jobs and growth, aiming to lift its GDP share from about 3% to 8–9%. Health & education link: Islami Bank signed a MoU with Dhaka University and Palestine’s embassy to fund 12 Palestinian female students for five years. Transport watch: HSIA airfreight screening is delayed as three RA3 scanners are down, raising concerns for EU-bound cargo queues. Local human interest: RAB arrested two over the dismemberment killing in Mugda.

Eid banking squeeze (latest): Bangladesh Bank says scheduled banks will be closed for seven straight days from May 25–31 for Eid-ul-Azha, but May 23–24 stay open for normal transactions. To keep garment wages moving, selected branches in Dhaka, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj and Chattogram will run limited hours (10am–3pm; transactions 10am–1pm) on May 25–26, while ports/land ports/airports keep limited import-export operations. Trade & travel friction: Customs houses will also operate on a limited scale during the holiday. Transport push: Planners and BIP are urging the Dhaka–Gazipur BRT to start with dedicated lanes soon, arguing most work is already done. Airport logistics hit: HSIA airfreight screening is delayed as RA3 scanners fail, slowing EU-bound cargo. Markets & governance: ACC seized BSEC documents over alleged Tk 2.57bn stock manipulation involving Shakib and 14 others. Economy pressure: Fuel import spending jumped 54% in nine months, while inflation and weak investment keep strain on growth. Tourism spotlight: US-Bangla won a top domestic airline award as tourism is pitched as a jobs engine. Road safety: Two died in a Faridpur Expressway crash after one truck rammed another.

Fuel & power squeeze: Bangladesh’s fuel import bill jumped 54% in the first nine months of FY2025-26, hitting $6.3bn and raising fuel’s share of total imports to 11.55%—while shortages are still sparking anger, with thousands protesting energy ‘crisis’ responses and warning of rationing and medical supply risks. Eid travel & connectivity: Free high-speed Wi‑Fi launched at HSIA for up to 37,000 passengers at once, and TECNO kicked off its Eid-ul-Azha phone campaign with prizes for buyers. Hajj calendar locked: Saudi authorities confirmed the Dhul Hijjah crescent, setting Arafah on May 26 and Eid al-Adha on May 27. Markets & mood: Dhaka stocks slipped back into the red, with DSEX closing down as selling pressure returned. Sports & society: The High Court cleared the way for BCB elections on June 7, and women’s participation in athletics is under spotlight as numbers keep falling.

Aviation Upgrade at HSIA: Bangladesh launched free high-speed Wi‑Fi at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, covering about 94,000 sq m with 250 access points and designed for up to 37,000 passengers to connect at once. Airline Watch: Airbus has submitted a fresh 10-jet offer to Biman (4 A350-900 and 6 A321neo) as Biman reviews its next fleet phase after signing a major Boeing deal. Labour Mobility: Dubai Taxi Company says it wants to recruit 6,000 drivers from Bangladesh this year, including 1,500 new hires, with training support discussed with Bangladesh’s expat ministry. Security & Order: Police say two police training academies are planned for Jungle Salimpur in Chattogram to help restore law and order. Sports Governance: The High Court cleared the way for BCB’s board election on June 7. Eid Shopping Perks: TECNO’s Eid-ul-Azha campaign is handing out gifts like electric bikes and laptops, running from May 1 to Eid. Health Alert: Measles is resurging, with a nationwide measles-rubella vaccination drive underway.

Bangladesh vs Pakistan (2nd Test): Sylhet’s Day 2 is going Bangladesh’s way—Pakistan are 96-4 at lunch after Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan struck early, with Pakistan still trailing by 182 runs and needing a strong recovery. Women’s Cricket: Pakistan has named Fatima Sana as captain for the Ireland tri-series and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with several players set for their first World Cup. Aviation & Travel: Oman’s passport edges up in the Henley rankings; flydubai also announces direct flights to Benghazi from June 17. Business & Economy: Export garment makers accuse Premier Bank of fake back-to-back LC loans, while Bangladesh is also weighing a real-estate route to legalise undisclosed money. Health Watch: Measles is resurging in Bangladesh, hitting mostly under-5s, as authorities push a nationwide measles-rubella drive and vitamin A support. Road Safety: Experts warn crashes are preventable, urging stronger enforcement and better coordination.

Health Alert: Bangladesh is seeing a worrying measles resurgence, with thousands of suspected cases in weeks and most infections hitting children under five; authorities are pushing a nationwide measles-rubella drive and using vitamin A as part of treatment. Public Safety & Work: Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, the government has ordered factories to clear festival allowances and wages by May 21, with phased holidays to reduce travel chaos. Politics & Development: PM Tarique Rahman inaugurated the re-excavation of Chandpur’s Khorddo Khal canal and backed demands for a Cumilla division, hinting at an agricultural university. Business & Justice: Export garment makers are demanding a probe into alleged Premier Bank loan fraud involving fake back-to-back LCs that they say could shut factories. Diplomacy: China’s Dhaka envoy says tea is strengthening Bangladesh–China ties. Travel Watch: A Dutch citizen of Bangladeshi origin remains missing after a Kenya trip, leaving family urgently seeking updates.

Women’s Cricket: PCB named Fatima Sana to lead Pakistan in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 and a Dublin tri-series vs Ireland and West Indies, with warm-ups against Sri Lanka and Scotland in Derby. RMG Workers’ Pay: Govt ordered factories to clear Eid-ul-Adha allowances and wages by May 21, with phased holidays to cut travel chaos—warning delays could spark unrest. Eid Travel Security & Planning: Nationwide Eid security and monitoring measures are in motion, while officials push for smoother transport for workers and pilgrims. Border & Migration Crackdowns: Malaysia’s GOF detained 360 illegal immigrants in Kelantan since January, and Cambodia carried out raids netting hundreds tied to online scams and illegal stays. Politics & Courts: Fresh calls to stop selective prosecution of the Awami League keep judicial neutrality in the spotlight. Cricket (Men): Pakistan face Bangladesh in Sylhet’s second Test with Babar Azam returning after injury, while Bangladesh leads 1-0. Travel Alerts: A Bangladeshi group was among victims after a train crash into a car in Portugal; meanwhile a Dutch citizen of Bangladeshi origin is reported found dead after going missing in Kenya.

Education Shock: The SSC and equivalent exams for 2027 are set to start earlier, from Jan 7, after the government moved the schedule—students and guardians worry about a preparation gap, while mental health experts warn the change is “hasty.” Eid Travel & Pay: The government has declared a 7-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday (May 25–31) and ordered factory owners to clear monthly wages and Eid allowances by May 21, with phased closures to reduce traffic. Hajj Update: Bangladesh’s last government-operated pre-Hajj flight has arrived in Saudi Arabia; 56,659 pilgrims have reached so far, with 14 deaths reported. Tourism Push: UTSSOB held a roundtable urging better research and planning to grow Bangladesh’s tourism jobs and foreign-currency earnings. Missing Tourist (Kenya): A Dutch citizen of Bangladeshi origin, Sheikh Mahfuzur Rahman Emon, has reportedly been found dead in Mombasa after going missing in late April. Border & Security: Bangladesh-related travel and security items also include renewed focus on enforcement and monitoring ahead of Eid.

Eid & Hajj logistics: Qatar has confirmed Eid Al-Adha 2026 dates (Dhul Hijjah starts Mon, May 18; Eid begins Wed, May 27), while Saudi’s Makkah Route Initiative keeps expanding—now covering 18 airports in 10 countries for Hajj pre-clearance so pilgrims can land and board dedicated buses faster. RMG pay pressure: Bangladesh’s labour ministry ordered factories to clear monthly wages and Eid-ul-Azha allowances by May 21, warning delays could spark unrest, and urged phased closures to reduce Eid travel chaos. Tourism push: UTSSOB held a roundtable on expectations from the new government for tourism growth and jobs, and Sri Lanka hosted a welcome dinner for South Asian travel agents ahead of its fair. Cross-border travel & safety: 20 trafficked Bangladeshi children returned from India via Benapole after serving prison terms. Health watch: A hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has led US officials to monitor 18 evacuated passengers. Road discipline: Dhaka’s AI camera enforcement is visibly changing driver behavior at major intersections.

Eid rush meets enforcement: Bangladesh is moving fast to keep the Eid-ul-Azha travel and factory payments on track—labour officials ordered all RMG factories to clear monthly wages and Eid allowances by May 21, warning delays could spark unrest, while the government also announced a 7-day Eid holiday (May 25–31) and rolled out nationwide Eid security and monitoring. Roads get stricter: Dhaka’s AI-based traffic cameras are already changing driver behaviour at major intersections, with more people stopping at zebra crossings and waiting for green lights. Tourism push: UTSSOB held a roundtable urging the new government to back tourism with research, better statistics, and youth jobs. Energy investment signal: The power minister floated a five-year tax holiday and lower import duties to boost private solar power and battery storage projects. Travel perks: Mastercard launched an Eid-ul-Azha campaign with discounts and cattle-farm benefits for cardholders. Sports highlight: Bangladesh beat Pakistan in the first home Test to take a 1-0 lead.

Rural Health Crisis: In Thakurgaon’s Pirganj, 28 community clinics are running dangerously low on medicines, with patients turned away and families forced to go without care. Aviation & Travel Watch: European airlines are downplaying jet-fuel shortage fears for summer, even as stocks in some hubs look tight—so travellers may see price pressure more than outright disruption. Rail for Eid: Bangladesh Railway has pushed Eid-ul-Azha ticketing online via the Rail Sheba app, warning against social-media “ticket sellers” and fraud. Border & Security: Canada’s detector dogs seized 45kg of undeclared meat, dairy and plant products from travellers arriving from Bangladesh. Sports Spotlight: Bangladesh made history with their first home Test win over Pakistan in Mirpur, driven by fast bowling from Nahid Rana. Education Links: Thailand’s envoy met Bangladesh’s education minister to discuss teacher training and classroom technology under PEDP-5.

Aviation Shock: Air India has slashed international capacity for summer 2026, suspending or cutting routes as jet-fuel costs and West Asia airspace curbs bite—Delhi–Chicago and Mumbai–New York (JFK) are among the suspended links, while other North America, Europe, and SAARC/Southeast Asia routes lose frequency. RMG Watch: Bangladesh’s readymade garment exports to the EU and “non-traditional” markets fell in July–April FY26, though April saw a sharp rebound. Politics & Loss: Veteran Awami League leader Engineer Mosharraf Hossain has died in Dhaka; meanwhile, election spending figures show Jamaat-e-Islami spent Tk 4.49 crore in the 13th polls. Crime & Safety: An engineer was jailed over a Tk 1.9 million robbery case; 20 trafficked children returned from India. Travel & Eid: School and madrasa breaks for Eid-ul-Azha are set for late May into June, and Bangladesh is rolling out nationwide Eid security and travel monitoring. Sports: BCB postponed Sri Lanka A’s Bangladesh tour; Australia’s Sophie Molineux named Women’s T20 World Cup captain.

Eid crackdown on extortion: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed says police will target toll-taking and harassment of vehicles carrying sacrificial animals during Eid-ul-Azha, with a special monitoring cell at Police HQ running seven days before and after the festival and body-worn cameras plus plain-clothes surveillance. Women’s train travel order: The High Court directed Bangladesh Railway to keep women-only compartments in all passenger trains during Eid holidays. Padma Barrage focus: With ECNEC approval expected this week, attention is on the barrage’s water-security promise—while warnings resurface about sediment starvation and delta risks. Bangladesh–China momentum: Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman says Dhaka wants to upgrade its strategic partnership with China, including talks on the Teesta project. Travel logistics: Bangladesh Railway starts 100% online advance ticket sales for Eid travel from Wednesday, alongside special trains and cattle services. Also in the mix: India says it’s meeting Bangladesh’s extra fuel requests amid the wider energy crunch.

Eid Security Rollout: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed says Bangladesh has activated a nationwide Eid-ul-Azha security and monitoring plan, with a police HQ cell running 7 days before and after Eid plus hotlines across agencies to curb accidents and extortion. Rail Travel Update: Bangladesh Railway starts 100% online advance train ticket sales for Eid from Wednesday, adding special trains and cattle services to ease the rush. Women’s Coach Order: The High Court directed Bangladesh Railway to keep women-only compartments on all passenger trains during Eid. President’s Health: President Mohammad Shahabuddin is in stable condition after a heart blockage was treated in the UK with angioplasty and a stent, with return expected May 18. Hajj Probe: Religious Affairs Ministry is investigating six Hajj agencies over alleged “pilgrim swaps” without approval. Local Life, Floods & Learning: Chalan Beel’s solar-powered floating schools keep classes running during monsoon flooding. Crime Watch: RAB arrested two people over a Tk 35mn overseas job scam involving fake visas and cancelled tickets.

Eid travel crackdown: Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam says a 24-hour central control room will run from May 20–31, with extra executive magistrates and mobile courts to stop overcharging, overloading and unsafe driving—plus staggered garment holidays to ease congestion. Energy shock ripple: PM Modi urges Indians to cut petrol/diesel use, restart work-from-home and delay foreign travel and gold purchases as the Iran-war fuel squeeze tightens budgets and foreign-exchange pressure across South Asia, with Bangladesh also facing fuel-related strain. Visa money made easier: Bangladesh Bank now lets banks remit visa bonds and refundable security deposits abroad (including via preloaded international/virtual cards), with funds tracked and repatriated after refunds. Cricket fallout: Bangladesh has formed a committee to review its 2026 T20 World Cup withdrawal over security concerns after ICC rejected moving matches from India to Sri Lanka. Migration pressure abroad: More than 600 migrants have reached Crete and Gavdos recently, with authorities worried about what summer could bring. Local market move: TCB resumes its nationwide truck sales for subsidised essentials ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, promising AI-backed monitoring to curb syndicates.