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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 24th September 2026.
Bangladesh's readymade garment exports to non-traditional markets reached a record US$642.93 million in August of the current fiscal year. According to Export Promotion Bureau data, the shipments marked the highest single-month earnings for the apparel sector in emerging global destinations.
Japan remained the largest buyer among non-traditional destinations with US$118.67 million in August, followed by Australia at US$75.14 million and India at US$72.78 million. EPB statistics showed non-traditional markets generated 16.32 per cent of apparel shipments, up from 15.93 per cent last year.
Bangladesh Apparel Voice Chief Executive Officer Mohiuddin Rubel said non-traditional destinations offer substantial expansion opportunities across diverse apparel categories. Rubel said these collective markets represent hundreds of billions of dollars, and strategic industry focus is essential to reduce dependence on traditional destinations.
The record monthly performance signals that export diversification is gaining momentum following limited progress over the past two years. Sector stakeholders expect sustained shipments across emerging buyers to strengthen Bangladesh's apparel presence while reducing reliance on traditional trading partners.
Source: BSS
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam invited Meta to establish a corporate office in Bangladesh during talks with Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
A foreign ministry statement said the state minister proposed the physical expansion by citing the rapidly growing domestic digital economy alongside a massive national user base. Shama discussed how technological platforms could support local entrepreneurs and small enterprises across the expanding e-commerce sector.
Addressing safety concerns, the state minister urged corporate leadership to implement stricter preventive measures against online abuse and widespread digital harassment. The diplomatic discussion subsequently focused on the ongoing regulatory framework surrounding the proposed Cyber Security Act currently under review.
Prime Minister's Adviser Rehan Asif Asad and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Irene Khan attended the bilateral meeting with the American executives. Deputy Permanent Representative AKM Waheeduzzaman also participated in the high-level policy exchange held at the international headquarters.
Source: Prothom Alo
Industrial manufacturing across Bangladesh is gradually returning to normal operations as natural gas supply and pressure improve, business leaders said on Thursday. Factory owners introduced extended shifts and weekend production to recover output shortfalls caused by recent energy disruptions.
Reza Group Chairman Shahid Reza Shimul said employees are working an additional two to three hours daily alongside operating on Friday holidays. He said restored pipeline pressure eliminated running costly diesel generators, easing financial pressures that previously raised manufacturing expenses.
Desh Group Director and BGMEA Vice-President Bidia Amrit Khan said coordinated cooperation between authorities and businesses helped overcome the crisis. Former BGMEA president SM Fazlul Hoque said government initiatives in energy distribution are helping factories regain stability despite broader global market volatility.
Industry stakeholders said sustained gas supply and adequate pressure will enable manufacturing units to bridge remaining deficits. Trade representatives said ongoing collaboration between state agencies and factory owners will restore a fully normal operating environment across the industrial sector shortly.
Source: BSS
The key policy rate was kept unchanged at 9.5 per cent by Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday to assess recent economic shocks. The Monetary Policy Committee maintained the existing repo rate following a previous reduction that took effect in early August.
Headline inflation has trended downward but remains above the 7.5 per cent target ceiling for the current fiscal year, the committee said. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the 12-month moving average inflation stood at 8.66 per cent in August.
Panel members identified several emerging factors that could create fresh inflationary pressure across the economy in the coming months. These risks include volatile international energy markets amid Middle East conflicts, recent domestic fuel price hikes and the implementation of a new pay scale.
Chaired by central bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman, the monetary committee will closely monitor these developments. The panel opted to evaluate how domestic and external vulnerabilities affect gross domestic product growth and consumer prices before authorising further rate adjustments.
Source: The Daily Star
PRAN-RFL Group will commence constructing production facilities at a new industrial park in Bhola district this October. The corporate entity plans to invest Tk 60 billion to establish gas-based ceramics and glassware manufacturing operations across 1,000 bighas in Char Veduria.
The company scheduled the initial construction of four production floors, totalling 240,000 square feet, for late October. The project relies on local natural gas reserves and regional waterways to bypass metropolitan energy transmission deficits.
PRAN-RFL Group Marketing Director Kamaluzzaman Kamal said ensuring uninterrupted gas supply will allow the company to expand production rapidly. He added that competitive industrial fuel prices would encourage additional entrepreneurs to launch regional manufacturing ventures.
The conglomerate intends to bring the industrial park into full-scale commercial operation by 2028, creating 25,000 direct employment opportunities. The corporate expansion is expected to generate subsequent economic activity by increasing cargo movement through regional seaports.
Source: The Financial Express
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.
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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 11th October 2026.
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