AGP Executive Report

Himalayan Disaster: Nepal-Tibet flash floods have killed 626 and left about 3,000 missing, with rescue slowed by bad weather and fears of a new upstream lake overflow. Nepal says it wants foreign help only for specialised tasks like tunnel rescues, DNA work and body storage, not general search-and-rescue. Dhaka Traffic: Repairs on the Ashariarchar Bridge have triggered a 50-km tailback on the Dhaka–Chattogram highway, stranding thousands and even causing a patient to die in an ambulance. UN Diplomacy: Irene Zubaida Khan has assumed office as Bangladesh’s permanent representative to the UN after presenting credentials to UN chief António Guterres. Public Safety & Crime: Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested 554 people in a 24-hour anti-crime drive, seizing yaba, cannabis, phones and SIM cards. Rohingya Rights: Rohingya language and education have expanded across Cox’s Bazar camps, with thousands of learning facilities and teachers supporting schooling despite stalled repatriation. Health & Education: Govt plans permanent campuses for six medical colleges this fiscal year and incentives to ease teacher shortages. Local Infrastructure: Kamrangirchar Iron Bridge is reopened for pedestrians only after renovation.

Saif Ali Khan Case: A Bangladeshi national accused in the January 2025 stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has approached a Mumbai court to plead guilty, asking for leniency; the hearing is set for September 11 after the prosecution was asked to respond. Nepal Floods: Nepal says it does not need foreign search-and-rescue help as it manages operations after flash floods and mudslides killed nearly 500 and left hundreds missing; bodies have reportedly washed up far downstream, while rescue work faces delays due to lake-overflow fears and heavy rain. Malaysia Jobs for Bangladeshis: Malaysia will reopen its labour market through a transparent process, directly selecting 25 Bangladeshi agencies and allowing 312 as associates; it also plans to recruit 10,000 workers for Malaysia on a “zero-cost” basis via BOESL, with officials warning people not to pay brokers or submit passports early. Bangladesh-China Education: Bangladesh and China signed an MoU to set up a China-Bangladesh Vocational Education, Training and Research Center, plus teacher training and research platforms, aiming to turn skills into jobs. Sports & Culture: Bangladesh U-19 began the GD Trophy with a big win over U-17, while Dhaka marked 416 years with a large procession showcasing Old Dhaka heritage.

Mecca Pact Talk: Bangladesh says it will “positively consider” joining the Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca Joint Defence Agreement if signatories propose Dhaka’s inclusion, with Opposition parties also backing the idea. Energy Pressure: Opposition leaders in Parliament hit the government over the energy crisis, load shedding, factory closures, unemployment fears and worsening law-and-order. Rooftop Solar Push: The government launched a nationwide drive to build a network of local rooftop solar entrepreneurs and service providers under a 2026-2030 strategy, aiming to expand access beyond big cities. Green Building Drive: Bangladesh’s green building push is expanding beyond garments, with more LEED-certified factories and offices, while experts call for a rating system suited to local climate. Rohingya Support at OIC: Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir urged OIC states to fund the Gambia’s ICJ case on Rohingya atrocities and to support safe, dignified repatriation. Nazrul 50th Death Anniv: DU and Chhayanaut marked Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 50th death anniversary with prayers, discussions, music, dance and recitations. Nepal Flood Fallout: Nepal says it doesn’t need foreign rescue help, while scientists link the disaster to a glacier collapse that temporarily dammed a river—raising concerns for the wider region. BSS Leadership: Kader Gani Chowdhury appointed Managing Director and Chief Editor of state-run BSS.

Nazrul Anniversary: Bangladesh marked Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 50th death anniversary with state honours, wreath-laying at Dhaka University and cultural programmes across the country. Banking Recovery: Bangladesh Bank reviewed Sommilito Islami Bank’s reconstruction and loan recovery, saying nearly 10,000 lawsuits have been filed and more are coming, alongside forensic audit work. Capital Boosts: Dutch-Bangla Bank plans to raise authorised capital to Tk 3,500 crore, while Mutual Trust Bank seeks Tk 500 crore via seven-year bonds. Guarantees for Foreign Firms: BB allowed local partners to arrange foreign-currency guarantees and SBLCs for foreign firms winning international tenders. State Assets Tender: Invest Bangladesh will offer idle state assets through open bidding in October, with the first batch of 5–7 expected. Trade & Exports: CottonPort was launched to cut middlemen and push US cotton sales; FBCCI urged more Chinese investment to narrow a widening trade gap. Health Watch: 868 new dengue admissions were reported in 24 hours; measles-like deaths rose by five. Nepal Flood Aid: Bangladesh pledged relief and offered support after Nepal’s deadly flash floods and landslides.

Nepal Floods: Bangladesh has expressed condolences and readiness to help after flash floods and mudslides hit Nepal’s Rasuwa and Bhotekoshi/Trishuli river areas, with the death toll reported at least 95 and 28 police still missing; Dhaka says it will support relief and rescue, while Nepal’s power restoration is underway using alternative transmission lines and a Nepal Army helicopter has reached the Upper Trishuli-3A hydropower site to rescue stranded employees. Malaysian Nationals Missing: Malaysia says the number of Malaysians uncontactable after the Nepal floods has risen to 54, with coordination involving the Malaysian embassy in Kathmandu and officers from the High Commission in Dhaka. Dhaka Politics & India Ties: A report questions who is driving Tarique Rahman’s planned India visit, citing internal BNP divisions and a six-point agenda that includes the Ganges Water Treaty and energy/trade/border issues. Customs Crackdown: Customs intelligence says it stopped an attempt to import four luxury cars by declaring them as used parts and shipping them in sections, with contraband value estimated at Tk 4.50–6.70 crore. Crime & Communal Tension: Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote issues a 24-hour ultimatum over the killings of Ganapati Chakraborty and family, threatening nationwide protests if arrests don’t happen. Sports: Mitchell Starc becomes ICC’s No.1 Test bowler after a 10-wicket haul against Bangladesh in Mackay. Business/Industry: RAK Ceramics (Bangladesh) resumes tiles production on one line after maintenance, while another line remains shut.

Bangladesh-China Defence Talks: Bangladesh is moving toward formal negotiations with China over buying J-10CE fighter jets and attack helicopters, with a draft agreement being prepared by a government panel. Nepal Floods: PM Tarique Rahman and the Foreign Ministry expressed deep condolences and said Bangladesh stands ready to support Nepal’s relief and rescue after deadly flash floods and mudslides. Health Alert: Dengue cases keep climbing—550 new cases in 24 hours, taking the total to 31,380, with 88 deaths this year; meanwhile, seven more children died of suspected measles. Public Safety & Quality Control: NBR sealed Beauty Tobacco Company over counterfeit cigarette banderoles; BSTI ordered withdrawal of 10 substandard products, including spices and “ghee” failing lab standards. Law & Order: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed pledged to make police more people-friendly and said most accused in recent criminal cases have been arrested. Sports: Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket haul lifted him to No. 1 in ICC Test bowling rankings after Australia levelled the series vs Bangladesh. Education Diplomacy: Bangladesh officials pushed education cooperation with China, focusing on student exchanges, joint research and skills training.

Rohingya Crisis: Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar protested on the ninth anniversary of Myanmar’s 2017 crackdown, saying aid cuts and reduced food rations are worsening hardship and that safe return remains out of reach amid ongoing fighting. Defence Diplomacy: Bangladesh is considering joining the “Mecca pact” defence agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, with a foreign ministry source saying Riyadh has invited Dhaka; analysts warn it could complicate Dhaka’s balancing act with India. Air Force Upgrade: Bangladesh is moving ahead with plans to buy China’s J-10CE fighter jets, attack helicopters and UAV systems, with a draft procurement deal sent for approval. Public Health: Bangladesh’s measles outbreak is intensifying, with confirmed and suspected deaths nearing 1,000 as new suspected cases surge. Economy & Trade: Bangladesh’s RMG export earnings rebounded in April-June, while the government faces heavy G-Sec maturity pressure in FY27. Energy & Industry: Bangladesh is also pushing for solar adoption, including Banglalink’s rooftop solar at a Cumilla data centre, as the country grapples with energy uncertainty. Diplomatic Moves: Bhutan’s king made a stopover in Dhaka and met President Mirza Fakhrul; China’s Xi sent a congratulatory message to the new president.

AFC U20 Qualifiers: India’s U20 men head to Tashkent unbeaten after four friendlies in Bengaluru, with matches against Syria, Uzbekistan and Bangladesh. Macroeconomy: Bangladesh shows gradual stabilisation in Q4 FY26, helped by strong remittances and higher forex reserves, though inflation and weak exports remain concerns. Trade & Industry: A new import policy (2026-29) eases LC opening rules and expands free-of-cost imports for exporters, while garment makers warn it could squeeze local producers. Banking Watch: Bangladesh Bank orders Sammilito Islami Bank to let depositors withdraw principal from Sept 1 without profit haircut; BSEC also approves Meghna Bank’s Tk 400cr subordinated bond. RMG & Growth: Garment exports rise 11% to $10.10bn in Apr-Jun, but BB flags stiffer competition and rising costs. Defense & Foreign Policy: Dhaka is moving toward buying China’s J-10CE jets if budget support is available, and officials say Bangladesh could consider joining the Makkah pact—raising foreign-policy balancing questions. Rohingya Crisis: Tens of thousands mark nine years since the 2017 exodus with protests over dire camp conditions and demand safe return to Myanmar. Health & Tech: KOICA, ICT Division and ERD sign a $13m AI-Hub project with Korea; remote ECG monitoring is gaining attention as families shift toward home-based care. Transport & Cities: DSCC plans to modernise Sayedabad bus terminal with dedicated AC facilities to cut road congestion. Sports: Bangladesh A suffer a heavy innings defeat to South Africa A; Bangladesh HP also taste their first Top End T20 loss, while Shoriful Islam is denied a county NOC for workload reasons.

Rohingya Crisis Diplomacy: On the ninth anniversary of the Aug 25, 2017 exodus, 16 diplomatic missions in Dhaka—including the UK, EU and Canada—reaffirmed Rohingyas’ right to return to Myanmar, warning insecurity, aid blockades and worsening conditions are making safe, dignified repatriation impossible right now. Banking Update: Bangladesh Bank told Sammilito Islami Bank to clearly assure depositors there will be no profit “haircut,” while refunds are already underway and withdrawals of principal accounts will resume from Sept 1. Humanitarian Pressure: Oxfam warned that funding cuts are putting lifesaving services at risk in Cox’s Bazar as hunger and WASH strain deepen for Rohingya families. Bangladesh-India Trade Talks: India’s envoy met Bangladesh’s commerce minister to discuss reopening land ports and border haats and easing yarn import curbs to boost trade. Public Health: Dhaka recorded the highest measles-like symptoms with 406 suspected cases in 24 hours, as a vaccination push targets missed children. Energy Costs: Bangladesh approved two September LNG cargoes at over $24/MMBtu—more than double pre-war rates—raising pressure on the import bill. Cricket: Selection chief Habibul Bashar said Bangladesh are well placed to reach the WTC Final after returning from Australia with a 1-1 series draw.

Bangladesh-India Trade Reset: Dhaka and New Delhi met to reopen border haats, make land ports fully operational, and lift yarn import restrictions through land routes, aiming to revive bilateral trade stalled for about 1.5 years. R&D Push: Finance Minister Amir Khosru said Bangladesh spends only ~0.3% of GDP on research and development, urging a shift to an innovation-driven economy with stronger industry-academia links. Gas Squeeze Hits Economy: LNG prices for September cargoes were approved at over $24/MMBtu, while the gas and electricity shortfall is already forcing factories to cut output and weighing on markets. LNG Cost Shock: Two September LNG shipments will cost roughly Tk 1,000 crore each, far above pre-war spot rates. Dollar Rate Moves: Money changers set a new buy/sell rate of Tk 125.50/126.50 amid open-market volatility. Dengue Surge: DGHS reported 994 new dengue cases and at least 3 deaths in 24 hours. Market Mood Turns Risk-Off: Dhaka bourse turnover hit a month-low as large-cap sell-offs dragged indices lower. Mecca Defence Pact Interest: Bangladesh signalled interest in the Saudi-Pak-Turkiye Mecca pact, while stressing no formal decision yet. Human Rights Watch Warning: HRW urged an end to prolonged pretrial detention of political opponents. Cyber Safety Call: MAF demanded clearer legal protection against technology-facilitated gender-based violence in the Cyber Security Act. Sports: Bangladesh’s Australia tour ended 1-1 after a Mackay collapse; Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket haul dominated headlines.

Mackay Test Shockwave: Mitchell Starc tore through Bangladesh with 10 wickets (10-51) as Australia won by innings and 51 runs to level the series 1-1, leaving the Tigers reeling at 95-8 at tea after a 64 all-out first innings. Dhaka Policing: DMP carried out a 24-hour crackdown, arresting 440 people and filing 46 cases, with seizures including yaba, cannabis, a pistol and ammunition. Human Rights Pressure: Human Rights Watch urged Bangladesh to end prolonged pretrial detention of politicians and others linked to the deposed Awami League, saying hundreds remain jailed without charges and some have died in custody. Energy Crunch: Experts called for cancelling or renegotiating unfair energy deals and using more domestic resources as Bangladesh’s gas and power shortages keep hitting factories and daily life; BUET also faces scheduled load shedding. Traffic Tech Upgrade: AI cameras will be added to 50 more traffic signals across Dhaka to improve enforcement and reduce congestion. Foreign Policy Watch: Bangladesh said there’s “no rush” for PM Tarique Rahman’s India visit, while ministers also signalled openness to joining the Saudi-Pak-Turkiye defence framework. Sports Diplomacy: Brazil proposed a friendly in Dhaka in October, with a delegation inspecting venues. Remittances: Bangladesh received $2.15bn in remittances in the first 22 days of August, showing strong inflow momentum. Safety of Minorities: Police investigations into the killing of a Hindu family of four in Rangpur point to a drug-use dispute, not a religious attack, authorities said.

Bangladesh-Australia Test: Australia crushed Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs at Mackay to level the series 1-1, with Mitchell Starc taking 10 wickets (6-12, 4-39) and Shoriful Islam’s 7-48 only partly softening the blow. Energy crunch hits industry: Gas shortages are forcing factories to shut and damaging production—textile firms in Narsingdi report chemically treated fabric ruined after days of zero gas pressure, while sugar prices rise as refineries cut output. Finance & payments: Bangla QR use keeps surging after the July 1 mandate—transactions nearly doubled in volume and almost tripled in value, while Bangladesh Bank data also shows rural borrowers still get fewer loans via agent banking. Investment push: Invest Bangladesh has started as the new apex investment promotion agency, merging BIDA, BEZA and PPPA under one umbrella. Crime & safety: Police detained two cousins over the killing of a retired Hindu teacher, his wife and two children in Rangpur, alleging yaba use and strangulation. Diplomacy & security: Security tightened in Dhaka’s Gulshan-Banani diplomatic zone after emails demanding money; police say it was a fake group. Migrant workers: BOESL provided assistance to two Bangladesh workers returning from South Korea after workplace accidents.

Australia vs Bangladesh Test: Mitchell Starc tore through Bangladesh again in Mackay, finishing with 10 wickets (10-51) as Australia beat the visitors by an innings and 51 runs to level the series 1-1 after the Darwin upset. Flood Watch: In Habiganj, the Khowai river is 130cm above danger level, flooding low-lying areas as water levels rise at most monitoring stations. Energy Crunch: Bangladesh’s gas shortage is forcing factory shutdowns and disrupting apparel production and shipments, with knock-on risks for orders, costs and quality. Investment Push: Invest Bangladesh has started operations, merging BIDA, BEZA and PPPA into one apex agency under the Prime Minister’s Office to streamline licences and approvals. Foreign Policy: Bangladesh says it is open to joining the Saudi-Pakistan-Türkiye defence pact, but decisions will be guided by “Bangladesh First” national interests. Weather: Dhaka may see light rain or thundershowers, but heat relief is unlikely. Crime & Safety: Police are investigating a suspicious death of a Hindu teacher and his family found dead in a locked home in Rangpur.

Mackay Test Shock: Australia tore through Bangladesh for 64 on Day 1, with Mitchell Starc taking 6/12 and Shoriful Islam replying with a career-best six-for as the hosts closed on 165/8, still leading by 101. Bangladesh Cricket Low Point: The openers went for ducks again—only the 4th time in Test history—leaving Bangladesh staring at a tough fightback. CHT Leadership: Sa Ching Prue took oath as Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. Kolkata Fire Fallout: Six Bangladeshi victims’ bodies were repatriated to Bangladesh, with one cremated in Kolkata as families await closure. Tax Push for Tech: Govt cut total tax incidence on server imports from about 24% to 9.5% to speed up cloud and data-centre growth. Energy Pressure on Industry: DCCI warned the gas-and-power crisis is now hitting even non–power-heavy sectors, threatening output and investment. EU Trade Talks: Bangladesh aims to start formal EU free-trade negotiations within a month. Health Alert: 702 fresh dengue cases were reported in 24 hours. Business Moves: MGI invested Tk 300 crore to enter the sanitaryware market; Bank Asia signed an MoU to offer car loans with DHS Autos.

Cricket, Mackay Test: Bangladesh were bowled out for 64 by Australia on Day 1 of the second Test, with Mitchell Starc smashing a 6/12 and taking wickets with the first ball of the match again—leaving the visitors reeling at 35/6 at lunch and Australia 50/3 by tea in reply. Sportsmanship & discipline: Steve Smith was warned by umpires after another verbal exchange involving Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Women’s safety in transport: Bangladesh launched women-only “Pink Buses” in Dhaka, Chattogram and Bogura, with all-female staff to reduce harassment and expand female employment. Weather: Bangladesh Meteorological Department expects rain in several areas across Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet, though temperatures may not drop much. International ties: Oman’s Sultan Haitham sent greetings to Bangladesh President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, wishing stability and stronger cooperation. US immigration ruling: A US judge struck down a Trump policy suspending immigrant visa processing for Bangladesh and 74 other countries.

Presidential Oath: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sworn in as Bangladesh’s 23rd President at Bangabhaban, with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Nepal’s President sending congratulations, as the new cabinet also took shape. Cabinet Shake-up: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expanded his cabinet by appointing four new ministers and two state ministers, bringing the cabinet to 55 members. India Visit Uncertainty: Rahman’s proposed BRICS-linked India trip remains undecided as Dhaka awaits New Delhi’s response on extradition concerns; India also withdrew a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement about ceremonial preparations. Bangladesh–Australia Cricket: Bangladesh head to the 2nd Test in Mackay after stunning Darwin, with Australia making one change—Matt Renshaw for Jake Weatherald—and Bangladesh aiming to clinch a historic series win; Mushfiqur is close to 7,000 Test runs. Security Watch: Authorities reported bomb recoveries and explosions near Dhaka, raising fears of militant regrouping and possible sabotage plans. Local Life: A cleanliness drive has started to revive the Old Buriganga channel’s navigability by removing waste and dredging blocked sections.