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Beyond Headlines brings together the five biggest business stories of the day in one concise business digest to keep readers informed about the developments that matter. Here’s the business digest for 28th September 2026.
Bangladesh Bank asked the telecommunication regulator to block and permanently shut down 22 online payment aggregators operating without licences. The central bank issued formal directives to the telecom regulator and financial intelligence authorities following an internal payment systems investigation.
The 22 unauthorised entities are Bohudur Pay, ZiniPay, PayTiller, BengaliPay, Payora BD, SohojPay BD, EasyPay Way, AK Pay, BD PAY, Shajghar Pay, AsthaPay, UddoktaPay, Walletmix, BTTPay, EasyPay Automation, UniquePay BD, BD AUTO Pay, RH Pay BD, EzePay, Autopay ltd, Biswasto and PipraPay.
Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Arief Hossain Khan said the regulator alerted consumers because it bears no liability for defrauded users. He said the central bank asked telecom authorities to remove company applications from the Google Play Store and block websites.
Officials said operating unauthorised payment services constitutes a punishable offence under domestic law. Only 11 operators currently hold valid licences, while authorities pursue enforcement with security agencies to curb untraceable transactions, gambling and tax evasion.
Source: The Business Standard
The government initiated a phased reopening of state-owned jute mills on Monday, aiming to generate roughly 50,000 jobs nationwide. The Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation initiative seeks to revitalise closed industrial units through private sector leases under public-private partnerships.
Production has commenced in nine of 17 leased mills, employing 9,500 workers. Recent agreements with PRAN-RFL Group and HAMKO Group for three mills will mobilise Tk 619 crore in private investment, generating Tk 1,175 crore in annual revenue and 11,629 jobs.
BJMC Chief Operating Officer Md Mamunur Rashid said authorities plan to lease 20 of its 25 mills. State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam said the government is reviving plants closed in 2020 to expand employment and utilise idle assets.
The corporation is preparing to lease three additional mills, while transferring two Demra facilities to economic zone authorities. Meanwhile, Amin Jute Mills will commence production by December, alongside state efforts to promote eco-friendly jute diversification and export programmes.
Source: BSS
Bangladesh received roughly $295 million in foreign loans during July and August, registering a 61 per cent year-on-year drop, according to Economic Relations Division data. The contraction in external inflows stemmed from reduced disbursements by multilateral institutions and European lenders.
World Bank loan disbursements fell to $74 million during the period, down from $253 million released a year earlier. Concurrently, credit from European lenders dropped to $21 million from $348 million recorded in the same period of the previous fiscal year.
The decline marked the second consecutive monthly drop in external assistance, following a 13 per cent year-on-year contraction in July disbursements to $180 million. Aid commitments from international development partners also decreased over the two months, continuing an ongoing slowdown.
Meanwhile, debt repayment pressures mounted as the government repaid nearly $700 million in principal and interest, rising 5 per cent year-on-year. During the previous fiscal year, Bangladesh received $8 billion in foreign financing while debt servicing climbed 11 per cent to $4.49 billion.
Source: The Daily Star
Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan said on Monday that the government is preparing market-specific export strategies for 18 key destinations. Speaking at a workshop, he said the initiative aims to boost earnings and reduce heavy reliance on garment shipments.
Ataur said commercial wings abroad gathered data on market barriers, competitor positions and trade potential to formulate individual action plans. He said the ministry is applying an analytical matrix evaluating import shares and regulatory reforms to identify viable new export commodities.
Centre for Policy Dialogue Distinguished Fellow Mustafizur Rahman said services exports must receive equal priority alongside merchandise during diversification drives. He said developing information technology, supporting freelancers and upgrading worker skills remain essential to improving international market competitiveness.
Industry leaders from pharmaceuticals, electronics, agriculture, and leather proposed expanding non-garment manufacturing. Stakeholders said market-specific roadmaps for the 18 destinations will establish sustainable export structures by expanding partnerships in existing markets and securing access to new territories.
Source: UNB
Bangladesh and Pakistan agreed to strengthen commercial engagement and expand bilateral cooperation across the textile and apparel supply chain on Sunday. The agreement followed discussions between Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Mohammad Hatem and Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider in Dhaka.
Both sides discussed implementing joint initiatives under an existing memorandum of understanding between BKMEA and the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association. The leaders planned corporate meetings to establish direct trade linkages between apparel enterprises across both nations.
Hatem invited Pakistani textile firms to participate in the Bangladesh International Textile, Knitting and Garment Industry Exhibition scheduled for January 2027 in Dhaka. He said participating in the fair would help develop supply chain synergies and expand private commercial partnerships.
Haider assured the trade body of official assistance to broaden bilateral commerce and industrial coordination between the two economies. Several BKMEA directors attended the meeting as both parties committed to accelerating institutional ties to support regional manufacturing growth.
Source: BSS
That concludes today’s briefing. Stay with Beyond Headlines for in-depth news and analysis, explainers, opinion pieces, long reads, and more.
Beyond Headlines brings together the five biggest business stories of the day in one concise business digest to keep readers informed about the developments that matter. Here’s the business digest for 12th October 2026.
- Digest
Beyond Headlines brings together the five biggest business stories of the day in one concise business digest to keep readers informed about the developments that matter. Here’s the business digest for 11th October 2026.
- Digest
