Pakistani High Commissioner Syed Ahmed Maroof stated that the governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh are working earnestly to establish direct air connectivity between the two countries. Direct flights are expected to launch this year, facilitating the use of Pakistan as a corridor for Bangladeshi traders to expand their export markets in the Middle East and Central Asia. He made these remarks on Monday (January 13) at a meeting with visiting Pakistani businessmen at a hotel in the capital. Syed Ahmed Maroof mentioned that whether Bangladeshi airlines or Pakistani airlines initiate the flights first is irrelevant. The primary goal is to establish communication between the people of both countries. During the meeting, Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), highlighted the significant trade potential between Bangladesh and Pakistan. He emphasized the opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, leather, machinery, chemicals, and ICT, which can be leveraged through regional connectivity. Md. Hafizur Rahman, Administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), also spoke at the meeting. He noted that although there has been consistent growth in trade between Bangladesh and Pakistan over the past years, many promising sectors, including agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and ICT, remain untapped. He stressed that joint ventures could significantly boost trade between the two nations. Rahman called for utilizing regional bodies like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen Bangladesh-Pakistan trade relations. He also highlighted the potential for close cooperation between the two countries in addressing the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in areas such as energy, education, technology, human resource development, research, and innovation. The FBCCI administrator proposed joint initiatives between FBCCI and FPCCI, including workshops, seminars, B2B meetings, and single-country trade fairs. Following the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed to form a Joint Business Council between the top business organizations of Bangladesh and Pakistan to bolster bilateral trade. It is noteworthy that discussions on Bangladesh-Pakistan relations have resurfaced following the fall of the Awami League government due to a student-people uprising. Since the interim government took charge, there has been an increase in commercial and diplomatic engagements between the two countries. Direct shipping between the ports of Karachi and Chittagong has already commenced, leading to the current announcement of direct flights between the two nations.

Global oil prices have climbed for the third consecutive day, driven by sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and the United Kingdom. According to a Reuters report on Monday (January 13), these sanctions are expected to disrupt Russia's crude oil exports to China and India, fueling the recent price surge. As a result, Brent crude oil prices rose by $1.48 per barrel, reaching $81.24—the highest level since August 27. Previously, Brent had peaked at $81.49. Similarly, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices increased by $1.53 per barrel (2%), reaching $78.10, after earlier touching $78.39. Since January 8, Brent and WTI crude prices have surged over 6% per barrel. The U.S. sanctions, introduced last Friday, targeted Russian energy giants Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz and 183 oil-transport ships. These measures, enacted by the Biden administration, aim to curb Russia's oil revenue and limit funding for its war efforts. The sanctions could hinder Russia's oil sales to China and India—its primary buyers—forcing them to turn to Middle Eastern suppliers and potentially increasing global oil prices due to higher import costs. Analysts predict that this shift will continue to drive prices upward. Reuters also highlighted that the doubling of sanctioned Russian oil tankers will heavily disrupt Russia's oil trade. Many of these vessels previously transported oil to India, China, and even carried Iranian oil. Additionally, seasonal demand spikes during winter are adding to the upward pressure on prices. Oil prices have been on a volatile path since 2021, rising sharply in 2022 amid the Russia-Ukraine war, which pushed crude oil to a record $139 per barrel. That year, prices averaged over $100 per barrel before easing. In 2023, crude prices averaged $98 per barrel, with the global average settling around $83.  Despite OPEC's efforts and geopolitical tensions, including the Hamas-Israel conflict, oil prices remained relatively stable—until the recent U.S. sanctions reignited upward momentum in the market.

The 29th edition of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) began on the first day of the new year with hopes of overcoming political and economic crises. Although the fair didn’t initially draw much attention, it has gained vibrancy as a third of the month has passed. Yesterday, Friday (January 10), the fairground became lively with crowds of shoppers and visitors due to the weekend holiday. Additionally, cultural evenings and concerts added a different dimension to the event. According to organizers and traders, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the fair on Friday. They expect a similar turnout today, Saturday (January 11), also a weekend holiday. Since noon, thousands of shoppers and visitors have been seen entering the fair. Organizers and traders anticipate the crowd will grow as the day progresses. A tour of the fair revealed various offers at the stalls, with employees calling out to attract shoppers and visitors. This year's fair features 362 pavilions and stalls across various categories, 351 of which belong to domestic companies. The remaining 11 stalls represent seven countries: India, Pakistan, Turkey, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Additionally, this year’s fair has introduced spaces like July Square, Thirty-Six Square, and the Youth Pavilion to highlight the July-August uprising. The entry system has been upgraded with e-ticketing services. The household goods stalls have attracted the most crowds. Traders mentioned that this year’s fair showcases household products of various qualities and designs, with numerous discounts offered to attract shoppers, resulting in positive responses. However, buyers have complained that prices remain high despite discounts. Many shoppers noted that household items are always in demand due to their daily use, but this year, prices seem considerably higher. For the first time, stall or pavilion spaces in various categories were allocated online for this year's trade fair. To ease transportation for visitors, along with BRTC's dedicated bus service, Uber has introduced special discounted services. This year, initiatives have also been taken to organize sector-specific or product-based seminars. A separate sourcing corner, electronics, and furniture zones have been arranged for the convenience of foreign entrepreneurs or companies. To cater to visitors of different age groups, there are dedicated technology corners, sitting areas for senior citizens, and a children's park for kids' recreation. The month-long trade fair will run daily from 10 am to 9 pm and until 10 pm on weekends. Entry tickets are priced at 50 BDT for adults and 25 BDT for children under 12. However, freedom fighters and people with disabilities can enter for free by showing their identification cards.

In a significant move to bolster revenue, the government has raised the Value Added Tax (VAT) and supplementary duties on over a hundred products and services, including cigarettes, midway through the 2024–25 fiscal year. This adjustment has led to a noticeable increase in cigarette prices across all categories. On the night of January 9, President Md. Sahabuddin officially signed the ordinance implementing these tax changes. Subsequently, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued directives outlining the new pricing and tax structure for cigarettes. The NBR has mandated the use of stamps and banderoles according to the updated pricing tiers to ensure proper VAT and supplementary duty collection. The revised ordinance details price and duty hikes across four cigarette tiers: Lower Tier: The price of a 10-stick pack has increased from 50 BDT to 60 BDT. The supplementary duty has risen from 60% to 67%. Medium Tier: Prices have gone up from 70 BDT to 80 BDT, with the supplementary duty increasing from 65.5% to 67%. High Tier: The price has jumped from 120 BDT to 140 BDT, accompanied by a supplementary duty hike from 65.5% to 67%. Premium Tier: The cost has surged from 160 BDT to 185 BDT, with the supplementary duty also increasing from 65.5% to 67%. This tax adjustment aims to strengthen revenue collection for the remainder of the fiscal year while potentially discouraging tobacco consumption through higher costs.

Farzana Laboni, a private university student, shared her excitement about visiting the bustling Trade Fair. "My friends and I had been planning this visit for days. I needed to buy essentials, so I asked my father for money and the car. He agreed. On this chilly holiday morning, I woke up early and came here. Now, I'll shop, explore, and head home in the evening," she said. Abdullah Al Mamun, visiting from Mirpur with his wife and five-year-old daughter, expressed his enthusiasm. "Work kept me busy on other days, but today, I brought my family to shop, eat, and let my daughter enjoy rides like the Ferris wheel. Hopefully, we'll head home on my motorcycle this evening," he remarked. Manzurul Karim, a private bank employee, was on a mission to buy warm clothes, particularly Kashmiri shawls for his mother and sister. He said, "Weekdays are hectic for me. Since today is Friday and a holiday, I thought it was the perfect opportunity. However, prices seem a bit high. Lower prices would make shopping easier for everyone." As the day progressed, visitor numbers steadily increased. Stalls offered various deals, and salespeople eagerly promoted their products. Saeed, a vendor selling non-stick frying pans and ovens, commented, "Though there are special offers, customers are mostly browsing and bargaining without making purchases. I hope sales pick up after Friday prayers." Rabiul Islam, a cosmetics stall owner, noted, "Weekdays are quieter, but today will get crowded because it's a holiday. I expect a surge in visitors this afternoon." Garment trader Rahmat Ullah echoed similar expectations, stating, "Families typically visit on holidays, so today should bring better sales." The ticket counters were bustling with long queues. Shreyasi, a school student, said, "I'm usually busy with classes and coaching. That's why I came today. I plan to buy some makeup after entering." Anwar Hossain, an ATM booth security guard, brought his seven-year-old son. "My son insisted we visit today. We'll buy his favourite items first, then explore the fair together before returning home," he shared. Trade Fair director Bibek Sarker confirmed, "Crowds are naturally larger on holidays, and today will be no exception." This year's Trade Fair showcases 362 pavilions and stalls, with 351 from local businesses and 11 representing seven countries—India, Pakistan, Turkey, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The month-long event runs daily from 10 am to 9 pm, extending to 10 pm on holidays. Ticket prices are 50 BDT for adults and 25 BDT for children under 12, while freedom fighters and persons with disabilities can enter free with valid ID cards.

The interim government has initiated an increase in profit rates on savings certificates. According to the new decision, the profit rates will rise by at least 1%. However, investors with investments of up to Tk 7.5 lakh will receive slightly higher profits. This information was revealed on Thursday (January 9) through sources from the Ministry of Finance. It has been reported that the Chief Adviser, Dr Muhammad Yunus, has approved the proposal to revise the profit rates of national savings schemes. The Internal Resources Division of the Ministry of Finance will soon issue a notification. According to the Ministry of Finance, the new profit rates on savings certificates will be effective from January 1. The rates will be determined based on the average interest rates of 5-year and 2-year treasury bonds (calculated from the last six months' auction results). However, a premium of up to 50 basis points will be added for investments up to Tk 7.5 lakh. This means slightly higher profits for investments up to this amount. Using the new method, the government has determined the potential profit rates on savings certificates for the period from January to June.  Under this system, the profit rate for 5-year savings certificates for investments up to Tk 7.5 lakh will be 12.40%. For investments exceeding this amount, the profit rate will be 12.37%. Currently, the profit rate for 5-year savings certificates is 11.28%. For 3-year savings certificates, the potential profit rate for investments up to Tk 7.5 lakh will be 12.30%. For investments exceeding this amount, the profit rate will be 12.25%. Currently, the profit rate for this scheme is 11.04%. Once the new notification is issued, the profit rate for 5-year pensioner savings certificates for investments up to Tk 7.5 lakh will be 12.55%. For investments exceeding this amount, the rate will be 12.37%. Currently, the profit rate for this scheme is 11.76%.  

The government has set a 20% income tax on the earnings of companies manufacturing refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, compressors, and motorcycles, including their spare parts. This information was disclosed in a notification signed by National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan on Wednesday, January 8. According to the notification, the 20% income tax rate will apply to the income earned from the business of manufacturing complete freezers, refrigerators, motorcycles, air conditioners, and compressors, including spare parts. Currently, such industries are paying a 10% tax on their income. The notification includes several conditions, such as: The industrial company must be registered under the Companies Act, 1994. The company must comply with the provisions of sub-sections (5) and (6) of section 76 of the Income Tax Act, 2023, along with other applicable regulations. The company must have the capability to produce its own molds and dies. The company must have its own polyurethane foaming plant, powder coating plant, and active waste management plant. The company must be approved by the NBR and should not be formed through the restructuring or division of an existing business, or through the transfer of machinery or structures from an existing business in Bangladesh. The notification also mentions that the NBR can withdraw its approval if any company fails to meet the specified conditions. Currently, these industries are paying a 10% tax on their income and a 2% advance income tax (AIT) on the import of machinery, parts, and materials. This was initially intended to remain in effect until 2032.