Today’s top 5 business stories

Beyond Headlines brings together the five biggest business stories of the day in one concise news digest to keep readers informed about the developments that matter. Here’s the news digest for 26th October 2026.

ADP implementation hits record Q1 low of 3.89% as health spending lags

Bangladesh implemented a record-low 3.89 per cent of its Annual Development Programme (ADP) in the first quarter of the 2026-27 fiscal year, spending Tk 120.18 billion between July and September, an Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) report showed on Sunday.

Against a Tk 3,089.25 billion allocation for 1,172 projects, ministries and agencies spent Tk 21 billion in July, nearly Tk 36 billion in August and Tk 63.08 billion in September. First-quarter execution fell from 5.09 per cent (Tk 121.58 billion) in FY26, 4.75 per cent in FY25, 7.5 per cent in FY24 and 8.55 per cent in FY23, following a record-low 67.52 per cent full-year implementation rate in FY26.

The post-July 2024 uprising slowdown persisted eight months into Chairman Tarique Rahman's BNP-led government amid political changes, deteriorating law and order, and administrative reshuffles, after lacking pre-election momentum under the interim administration.

Among the 15 highest-allocated ministries and divisions, which averaged 6.62 per cent implementation across 52.90 per cent of total funds, the Health Services Division ranked lowest at 1.78 per cent, while the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education led at 17.38 per cent.

Source: The Financial Express

Remittance inflows rise 11.9% to $10.72b since July

Bangladesh's cumulative inward remittances reached $10.72 billion between 1 July and 24 October of the current 2026–27 fiscal year, according to the latest Bangladesh Bank update published on Sunday.

The cumulative total represents an 11.9 per cent yearly growth compared with the $9.58 billion recorded during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, maintaining robust inward remittance momentum across the country.

Expatriates remitted US$2.13 billion during the first 24 days of October 2026 alone, pushing the cumulative total for the 1 July to 24 October period to the $10.72 billion mark.

The October inflows registered a monthly growth of 6.7 per cent for the 2026–27 fiscal year, rising from the $2,002 million received during the same 24-day period in October 2025.

During the specific six-day span from 19 October to 24 October 2026, incoming remittances stood at $294 million, the central bank data showed.

Source: UNB

BSEC warns Dhaka bourse against indiscriminate probes after fund withdrawals

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) instructed the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Sunday to ensure specific, information-driven surveillance so market monitoring does not create investor panic.

The directive came during a meeting at the BSEC office after the DSE recently sent investigation letters to several brokerage houses. A section of investors withdrew their funds after receiving the notices, severely affecting market turnover and share prices.

BSEC Chairman Masud Khan chaired the meeting, attended by two BSEC commissioners, several executive directors, DSE Chairman Mominul Islam, Managing Director Nuzhat Anwar and Director Minhaz Mannan Emon.

Emon told The Daily Star that conducting indiscriminate investigations over a long period had created market panic, prompting the regulator to advise against aimless inquiries. The commission emphasised keeping the core surveillance objective intact without spreading undue fear under the guise of monitoring, he said.

While reiterating that monitoring would continue to prevent manipulation, the BSEC advised the bourse to be strategic and data-dependent when gathering information on perpetrators in major irregularities.

Source: The Daily Star

Bangladesh to surpass India with $2,886 per capita GDP in 2026: IMF

Bangladesh is projected to surpass India in per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026 at $2,886 against $2,749, according to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) 13 October World Economic Outlook. 

Having previously overtaken India in 2020, Bangladesh is expected to stay ahead at $3,219 to $3,036 in 2027 and slightly ahead in 2028, before India takes the lead in 2029 at $3,661 against $3,334.

Calculated by dividing domestic output by population without external remittance and export income, the indicator fluctuates with dollar exchange rates and masks wealth concentration among rich families in both nations. 

Moreover, India's economy, diversified across agriculture, technology, services and domestic demand, is nearly eight times larger with 2026 GDP projected at $4.15 trillion to Bangladesh's $506 billion, and leads in projected purchasing power parity at $12,998 to $10,884 amid higher projected inflation in Bangladesh.

Alongside garments, remittances and rising female labour participation, Indian economist Santosh Mehrotra credited slower population growth and consistent 6 per cent annual expansion for Bangladesh's rise. He noted that manufacturing's share in Bangladesh's value addition rose from 16.6 per cent in 2014 to 22 per cent in 2025 through export-oriented growth, whereas World Bank data showed its share in India's GDP fell from 15.1 per cent to 13.5 per cent by 2024.

However, slowing growth and the US-Israel war with Iran are pressuring Bangladesh, which imports nearly 95 per cent of its oil and liquefied natural gas mostly from the Middle East amid Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions, while Red Sea and Middle East route disruptions hit garment shipments generating over 80 per cent of export earnings.

Source: Prothom Alo

Tarique seeks Japanese investment in 3 key sectors, second fertiliser plant

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday urged greater Japanese investment in Bangladesh's information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy and advanced manufacturing sectors through foreign direct investment and public-private partnerships. Leading a 16-member delegation on a four-day state visit, he made the call at 3:45 pm at Tokyo's Imperial Hotel during talks with Masumi Kakinoki, chairman of Marubeni Corporation, and the Japan-Bangladesh Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation, Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin said.

Pledging regulatory reforms and simplified approvals to strengthen the bilateral economic partnership, the prime minister sought Japanese cooperation to modernise Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company Limited, assess a second fertiliser plant's feasibility and develop the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone, according to UNB.

Praised by the premier for his leadership in expanding bilateral investment and business ties, Kakinoki expressed hope that effectively implementing the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement would expand trade, increase investment and create new business opportunities.

The talks followed an 11 October Dhaka meeting with Marubeni President and Chief Executive Officer Masayuki Omoto covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, IT, fertiliser and energy. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, State Ministers Humaiun Kobir and Aninda Islam Amit, Advisers Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Rehan Asif Asad, Special Assistant Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon attended Monday's meeting.

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.