United News of Bangladesh

The European Union’s apparel import market witnessed a significant reshuffling in 2025, as Bangladesh’s exports to the bloc climbed to €18.06 billion despite a broader trend of falling unit prices and aggressive competition from China. According to the latest Eurostat data for the period of January to November 2025, the EU's total apparel imports grew by 3.93 percent, reaching a total value of €82.94 billion. While the market saw a robust 11.60 percent increase in volume, the average unit price for garments fell by 6.88%, signaling a highly competitive, price-sensitive environment for global suppliers. Bangladesh, the EU's second-largest apparel supplier, saw its export value rise from €16.78 billion in 2024 to €18.06 billion in the first eleven months of 2025—a growth of 7.65 percent. This value growth was largely volume-driven, with an 11.26 percent increase in the quantity of goods shipped, even as the country faced a 3.25 percent decrease in unit prices. However, data from the end of the period suggests a cooling trend. A comparison between November 2024 and November 2025 reveals a sharp 10.87% drop in export value and a 12.27% decline in unit prices, highlighting the mounting pressure on Bangladeshi manufacturers to lower costs. Garment accessories sector posts record $7.45bn export earnings in FY25: BGAPMEA The report highlights a strategic pivot by China. Facing ongoing challenges in the United States market, China has intensified its focus on Europe. Chinese apparel exports to the EU reached €24.42 billion, marking a 6.55 percent growth in value. Most notably, China saw a massive 15.73 percent surge in export volume, supported by a 7.93 percent reduction in unit prices. The sourcing landscape across Asia showed varying results. Vietnam recorded a healthy 10.10 percent growth, reaching €4.02 billion. Unlike its neighbors, Vietnam saw a 4.19 percent increase in unit price, likely reflecting a shift toward higher-value garments. Turkey struggled significantly, facing an 11.31 percent decline in exports to the EU, totaling €7.66 billion. India, Pakistan, and Cambodia all showed substantial growth rates, contributing to the overall volume surge in the European market. Global demand crunch pinches RMG, exports stagnant in first 5 months of fiscal at $16bn "The data reflects a complex environment where volume is up, but margins are being squeezed," noted Mohiuddin Rubel, Managing Director of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange Ltd. "While Bangladesh remains a key player, the aggressive pricing strategies from competitors like China and the recent dip in November figures suggest that staying competitive will require a careful balance of volume and value-addition," he said.

The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday (January 17, 2026) cancelled the candidacy of BNP’s Monzurul Ahsan Munshi and upheld that of National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Abul Hasnat, popularly known as Hasnat Abdullah, in Cumilla-4. The decision came after the EC, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard appeal petitions filed by both candidates against each other. The orders were issued in the afternoon. The EC accepted the appeal filed by Hasnat canceling the candidature of Monzurul Ahsan, but turned down the appeal filed by Monzurul Ahsan, declaring the candidacy of Hasnat valid in the upcoming national election scheduled for February-12. Free, fearless media vital to Bangladesh democracy: Journalists Munshi, in his petition, alleged that Hasnat did not mention the sources of his income rightly in the affidavit submitted with the nomination paper. Hasnat in his appeal alleged that Munshi is a loan defaulter and concealed the information in the nomination paper. The EC that acts the electoral appeal tribunal started hearing of the appeal on Saturday last (January 10) and will dispose of a total of 645 petitions by Sunday (January 18). The EC on Saturday last (January 10) started hearing of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons and organisations against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and cancellations of nomination papers during the scrutiny. According to the EC, a total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers to contest the upcoming national election from the country’s 300 constituencies by the December 29 deadline. Read more: NCP accuses EC officials of bias ahead of election After scrutiny, returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid and rejected 723 others.

Six people including three members of a family who died in a devastating fire at a multi-storey building in Dhaka’s Uttara area, were laid to eternal rest on Saturday and Friday night in Cumilla and Mymensingh districts. In Cumilla, the bodies of Fazle Rabbi, 37, his wife Afroza Begum Suborna, 30 and their child Kazi Fayaz, 3 were brought to Cumilla city where a namaz-e-janaza was held on Daroga Bari Mazar premises on Friday night. Read more: Sylhet’s Gowainghat house fire caused by short circuit, police confirm no communal link They were buried at their ancestral graveyard on Saturday morning following another namaz-e-janaza at Chiora village. A pall of gloom descended in the area over their tragic deaths. UNB Mymensingh Correspondent reports: three members of another family who died in the same fire incident in Uttara were laid to eternal rest in Ishwarganj of Mymensingh district on Friday night. They are Hares Uddin, 47, his son Rahab Chowdhury, 17 and Rodela Akter, 15, daughter of Rahab. They were buried around 10 pm following a namaz-e-janaza. Read More: House of ex-Dhaka-18 MP Habib Hasan’s brother set ablaze in Uttara

Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) has reported the discovery of 7.8 million ounces of additional gold resources across four locations in the Kingdom, strengthening its drive to grow domestic mineral reserves and build a global gold business. The new resources were identified at Mansourah Massarah, Uruq 20/21, Umm As Salam and the newly defined Wadi Al Jaww site. The expansion follows an intensive drilling programme that initially outlined more than nine million ounces before standard annual reporting adjustments. Mansourah Massarah delivered the biggest increase, adding three million ounces year-on-year. Uruq 20/21 and Umm As Salam together contributed 1.67 million ounces, while Wadi Al Jaww delivered a maiden resource of 3.08 million ounces. CEO Bob Wilt said the findings validate Maaden’s long-term strategy. “The results leave no doubt that the company’s long-term strategy is working on the ground. This is exactly why we continue to invest heavily in Saudi Arabia’s gold endowment,” he said. Read more: What Does Gold Carat Mean? Decoding Gold Purity Levels He added that the latest discoveries highlight the scale of Maaden’s exploration pipeline. “The addition of more than seven million ounces through drilling across the four areas demonstrates the scale and ongoing potential of Maaden’s gold portfolio, and it continues to deliver as we advance exploration and mine development. Our assets are growing, and that growth directly supports future cash generation.” Maaden’s 2026 exploration programme is focused on the Central Arabian Gold Region, where drilling has identified new mineralised zones and possible mine extensions. Work is also underway near the historic Mahd gold site to assess opportunities to extend mine life, reports Gulf News. Wilt said the results also support Maaden’s diversification plans. “The results underline the strength of the company’s broader pipeline. These early copper and nickel results show the same signals we saw first in gold and that the Arabian Shield has real scale to continue developing,” he said. “What we’re seeing at Shayban and Jabal Al Wakil points to a much bigger opportunity across the Kingdom and reinforces our ambition to build a strong multi-commodity portfolio alongside our growing gold business.” Read More: Gold price hits record Tk 234,680 per bhori in Bangladesh Maaden’s flagship Mansourah Massarah project now hosts an estimated 116 million tonnes grading 2.8 grams of gold per tonne, equivalent to a total resource of 10.4 million ounces. The company said mineralisation remains open at depth, with further drilling planned through 2026.

The government has extended the completion deadline of Mongla Commander Flotilla West (COMFLOT West) infrastructure development project by two years, a move that has nearly doubled the project cost. Originally scheduled for completion by December 2026, the strategic naval infrastructure project is now expected to be completed by December 2028, according to officials familiar with the revised Development Project Proposal (DPP). The time extension has led to a sharp rise in the estimated cost, pushing the total project outlay from Tk 699.94 crore to Tk 1,316.62 crore. Dream project derails; Khulna-Mongla railway struggles without freight flow Being implemented by the Bangladesh Navy under the Defence Ministry, the project aims to strengthen maritime security and logistics in the Mongla naval region, which covers the country’s deep sea and coastal areas including the strategically important Mongla seaport in Bagerhat district. Officials said the extension was unavoidable as delays and technical adjustments continued to drive up costs. “The extension of the implementation period has exposed the project to global price inflation, revised rate schedules and increased construction costs,” a senior planning ministry official told UNB. One of the major reasons behind the cost escalation is the project’s riverbank location. Soil tests carried out during implementation revealed weaker ground conditions than initially assessed, requiring an increase in the number, length and diameter of piles for buildings and other structures. In addition, global inflation and rising prices of construction materials, engineering equipment and furnishings further inflated the revised budget. The project design has also been modified to reduce long-term risks and costs As of June 2025, cumulative expenditure on the project stood at Tk 382.28 crore, with financial progress recorded at 54.61 percent and physical progress at 54 percent, officials said. Once completed, the upgraded COMFLOT West facilities are expected to enhance the Bangladesh Navy’s operational readiness in the Mongla region by ensuring secure berthing, accommodation, medical services, supply and maintenance facilities for a growing number of naval and commercial vessels. The project is also seen as crucial for safeguarding commercial shipping, fishing trawlers and other maritime activities linked to the country’s blue economy. Read more: Third consignment of US wheat arrives in Mongla  “Time overruns inevitably translate into cost overruns,” one official said, adding that meeting the revised completion deadline is now critical to preventing further escalation. The project is fully financed by government funds, adding pressure on the public exchequer at a time when development spending is already under scrutiny over delays and rising costs.

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Deputy Chief Observer Inta Lase on Saturday (January 17, 2026) said it is very important to see the whole picture of electoral process holistically to present their report impartially, stressing that this is a historic moment for Bangladesh. "Let us observe and let us wait until a holistic assessment is done," she told reporters at a city hotel, noting that they all know there is no perfect election anywhere in the world. Lase said their assessment and report with recommendations in the spirit of friendship and cooperation will help improve the future electoral process in the country. She said their observers are very experienced though many of them are coming to Bangladesh for the first time. EU to allocate €60B military, €30B economic aid to Ukraine Addressing the observers, Lase said, "You are the ones who are in the field, seeing the realities, telling us here in Dhaka how the situation is unfolding in each and every district. We are really looking forward to your report and assessment from the field." She said she knows observers' hours on the ground will be longer but it will be rewarding. "Trust me, we are all very privileged to hear from you and see this historical election," Lase said. 200 Observers Altogether At full strength the EU EOM will comprise 200 observers drawn from all 27 EU member states, Canada, Norway and Switzerland. The EU EOM will present its preliminary findings in a statement at a press conference on 14 February in Dhaka.

A serious shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is disrupting kitchens and commercial eateries across the capital, forcing businesses and households to struggle with erratic supplies and higher costs. For nearly two decades, Abdullah Molla has run a mid-range hotel in the capital, serving affordable meals to office-goers, students and low-income workers. Over the past two weeks, however, he says keeping the business running has become a daily struggle. “Even after paying more, gas cylinders are not available. Some days we cannot serve our full menu. We are losing money and customers are leaving without eating,” Abdullah told UNB. Closing the kitchen is not an option but with no gas, many food items have already been dropped from the menu,he said . Small restaurants and roadside food vendors are facing the same crisis across the country. Kader, who runs a fast-food cart in a busy commercial area, said the rising price of LPG has pushed up his daily operating costs. Gas cylinder explosion after wedding kills eight in Islamabad “The price I used to buy gas at has increased sharply. If I raise food prices, customers get annoyed. Many walk away without buying anything,” he said. Homemakers Under  Pressure The crisis is not limited to businesses. In many urban neighbourhoods, LPG is now the only cooking fuel as new residential gas connections remain suspended. For thousands of families, daily cooking has become uncertain. Some households are being forced to switch to alternative fuels, which are often more expensive, time-consuming and inconvenient. “There has been no pipeline gas in our area for a long time. We depend entirely on LPG cylinders, but now even that has become chaotic,” said housewife Arha Moni. She alleged a huge gap between government-fixed prices and what retailers are charging. “What is the official price of a 12-kg cylinder, and what are shopkeepers charging? Now it costs Tk 2,500 to Tk 2,600. Is this business, or is it robbery?” she asked. Titas low pressure chokes gas supply across Dhaka; residents struggle She accused traders of ignoring official prices and creating artificial shortages. “Who gave them the right to empty ordinary people’s pockets through syndicates? Families are suffering badly. There is no gas in the stove, and buying a cylinder has become suffocating. Is there no one to see this?” she said. Consumers have blamed weak market monitoring for allowing such practices to continue and have urged authorities to act immediately to curb price manipulation and ensure sales at government-fixed rates. Import Dependence and Supply  Disruptions Businesses involved in LPG marketing  claim that the current crisis stems from uncertainty in the supply system and complications over price adjustments. They allege that despite the worsening situation, no clear directive or visible initiative has yet come from the government. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on January 04 said there is no shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country and local administrations have been ordered to take action against those responsible for creating the artificial crisis. According to the ministry, LPG imports were 1.05 lakh metric tons in November 2025 and 1.27 lakh metric tons in December 2025. Despite the increase in imports, there is no logic for a supply shortage in the market, it added. Energy sector sources say Bangladesh’s annual LPG demand is now around 1.4 million metric tonnes, with monthly consumption exceeding 120,000 metric tonnes on average. Demand rises further during winter and festival seasons. Nearly 98 percent of the country’s LPG is imported, making the domestic market highly vulnerable to global price volatility, dollar shortages, LC opening complications and shipping delays. Marketing companies claim recent import disruptions have prevented the buildup of adequate reserves. Read more: How to Save Gas While Cooking at Home As a result, dealers in many areas are receiving far fewer cylinders than required, creating shortages at the retail level. Although the government-fixed price of a 12-kg cylinder remains unchanged, consumers say shortages have pushed market prices to Tk 1,800 to Tk 2,000 and even higher in many areas. Analysts say LPG demand could reach 2.5 million metric tonnes annually by 2030. Without expanding supply capacity, simplifying import procedures and strengthening market monitoring, the crisis could worsen further. A Ray of Relief? Amid growing pressure from traders and consumers, Bangladesh Bank has eased import rules for liquefied petroleum gas to reduce financing pressure on local importers. In a circular issued on Sunday, the central bank said LPG imports will now be eligible for usance terms of up to 270 days under suppliers’ or buyers’ credit. The move is expected to give importers greater flexibility in managing payments during the ongoing dollar crunch. However, industry insiders say the impact of the policy change may take time to be felt on the ground. Until supply stabilises and prices come down, hotel owners, food vendors and homemakers fear the crisis will continue to disrupt daily life and livelihoods. Energy and Mineral Resources Division's Joint Secretary AKM Fazlul Hoque said around six million households in Bangladesh currently use LPG, making it an essential commodity. “The government is in the process of updating the LPG policy, which will include guidelines aimed at addressing existing challenges in the sector,” Fazlul added. Chairman of the  Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Jalal Ahmed on Thursday expressed optimism that the country would not face a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) during the upcoming Ramadan, citing an expected increase in imports. LP gas traders threaten nationwide supply suspension “Those who brought in additional imports were not obstructed. Around 150,000 tonnes of LPG are expected to arrive in January. We hope there will be no problem during Ramadan,” Jalal said at a roundtable discussion titled ‘Challenges of Regulating the LPG Market’, organised by the LPG

Dhaka has ranked second on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI index of 287 at 9:00 am this morning (January 17, 2026). Dhaka’s air was classified as 'very unhealthy' on Saturday, according to the air quality index. India’s Delhi and Kolkata and Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa, occupied the first, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 384, 202 and 192 respectively. Read more: Over 100 killed as severe floods and heavy rains batter southern Africa When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Read more: Experts stress reducing raw material use across industries to protect the environment

The death toll from a fire that broke out at a residential building in the capital’s Uttara has risen to six, police said on Friday. Among the deceased, three were members of the same family, Sub-Inspector Nazmul Sakib of Uttara West Police Station told UNB. The victims have been identified as Rodela, 14, daughter of Shahidul of Ishwarganj, Mymensingh; Fazle Rabbi Rizvi, 38, son of Kazi Khushedul Alam of Cumilla Sadar, Md Rashed, Two-month-old, son of Fazle Rabbi Rizvi of Cumilla Sadar; Raha, 17, daughter of Hafiz Uddin of Ishwarganj, Mymensingh; Harez, 52, son of Hafiz Uddin of Ishwarganj; and Afsana. Mosque, police station set on fire as Iran protests turn deadly The fire broke out at around 7:50am on the second floor of a seven-storey building located on Road No. 18 in Sector 11 of Uttara. Two firefighting units rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control by 8:25am, said Talha Bin Zasim, station officer of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters’ media cell. Cumilla crash: Four killed as bus catches fire after three-vehicle collision At least ten people were injured and are currently receiving treatment at several hospitals in Uttara, including Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Despite the government’s declaration of Savar upazila as a ‘degraded airshed’, brick kilns in the area continue operating openly, raising serious concerns over air pollution in Dhaka. The move, intended to protect the capital’s northern entry points, appears to have little effect on kiln owners, who are finding ways to circumvent official orders. On August 17, 2025, the government formally designated the entire Savar upazila as a ‘degraded air shed’ under the Air Pollution (Control) Rules, 2022, explicitly banning all brick-burning and brick-manufacturing activities. The decision followed mounting evidence that emissions from kilns in Savar significantly worsened air quality in Dhaka, especially during the dry season, posing grave health risks to the city’s densely populated residents. Read more: Illegal brick kilns in Khulna: A silent peril to environment and public health Yet, local residents and environmental activists report that many brick kiln owners treat the government’s circular as mere paperwork. Although authorities demolished chimneys of several kilns late last year, many have been rebuilt and resumed operations. According to the latest data up to June 2025, Savar hosts 86 brick kilns, including 59 licensed and 27 unlicensed facilities. In the Turag River area near Ashulia Bazar, brick burning remains widespread. Ashulia Bricks and MCB Bricks, in particular, have continued production since the start of the season. During a recent visit to Ashulia Bricks, hundreds of workers were observed manufacturing raw bricks, transporting them, and stacking finished products near the kiln. On the opposite side, others were removing fired bricks from the furnace. Read more: Tk 20 crore fines imposed in nationwide anti-pollution drives When contacted, Ashulia Bricks manager Md Madhu Mia defended the operation, saying, “The government has done its job and we are doing ours. We have already spent a lot of money on labour and other sectors. If we shut down the kiln, recovering that investment would be impossible. That’s why we were compelled to continue. We have communicated with various parties and they assured us.”