The '2024 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers' published on March 29 identified barriers to government procurement, intellectual property protection, digital trade, investment and labour rights in Bangladesh. According to the NTE report published by United States Trade Representative Catherine Tai, the United States faces several obstacles in doing business with Bangladesh. Bangladesh faces obstacles in the export of goods and services, foreign direct investment and e-commerce. NTE reports have been published regularly since 1985. This year's NTE report highlights significant foreign trade barriers in 59 markets. According to the report, corruption is a widespread and chronic problem in Bangladesh. And the implementation of anti-corruption laws is not enough. It also said that bribery and extortion are common in commercial transactions despite bribery transactions and gifts being illegal. US companies have also complained that they are forced to pay bribes to get licenses.  The report also mentions that the government has tried to weaken the anti-corruption rules in procurement. According to the report, US companies have complained that it takes a long time to get licenses and tenders approved because government officials in Bangladesh demand bribes.    

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) believes that the government is going to face a huge revenue deficit in the fiscal year 2023-2024. Observing the current trend of revenue collection in the last six months, it is expected that there may be a deficit of Tk 82,000 crore at the end of the financial year. CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun made the announcement at a press conference at the CPD office in Dhanmondi on Saturday (March 16). According to the CPD, there has been a big deficit in revenue collection for 10 to 11 years. This deficit will remain in the financial year 2023-24 as well; By the end of the year, it could be Tk 82,000 crore. They also said that the government's budget deficit has decreased, but the government's dependence on commercial banks has increased to reduce the deficit.

Padma Bank is going to be merged with Exim Bank. The decision was taken unanimously at a meeting of the Board of directors of Exim Bank. Bangladesh Bank has been informed about the merger of the two banks. Chairman of Exim Bank, Nazrul Islam Mazumder, confirmed the matter to the media on Thursday (March 14). Padma Bank is set to merge with Exim Bank, marking the first voluntary merger in Bangladesh's history. Padma Bank, which has long been struggling with bad loans, set to merge with Exim Bank marking the first voluntary merger in  history Bangladesh. A director of Exim Bank said, "We have decided to merge the private Padma Bank with our bank. Soon it will be sent to Bangladesh Bank for permission. It will come into effect after the approval of the regulatory body."

The financial condition of four commercial banks has become fragile. As a result, the banks had fallen into red zones. Besides, four private banks and one foreign bank are on the list. The four state-owned banks are Basic Bank, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank and Rupali Bank. Besides, there are four private banks in this zone. These are Padma Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, National Bank and AB Bank. Besides, the foreign National Bank of Pakistan is in the red zone. Bangladesh Bank (BB) gave this information with a biennial report titled  "Banks Health Index and HEAT Map" prepared by the Financial Stability Department of the BB.   

During Ramadan, banking hours is reduced by 30 minutes. Bangladesh Bank said in a new directive that banking transaction will take place between 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.  Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday (March 5) has fixed office hours for banking transactions during Ramadan. According to the Bangladesh Bank, banks will remain open from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. There will be a break for prayers from 1:15 pm to 1:30 pm in the office timing during Ramadan. However, transactions should be continued in alternative systems at this time. The usual working and transaction schedule will resume  to the previous state at the banks and financial institutions after the holy month of Ramadan.

Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has said that there is nothing to be disappointed about the country's economy. He said this while talking to reporters after the Finance Ministry session at the  Deputy Commissioners' (DC) conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Monday (March 4) at 12:15 pm. "Under the leadership of PM Sheikh Hasina, all the indicators of our country's development and economy are increasing. In February, on Sunday (March 3) Bangladesh saw the highest remittance inflow in the past eight months amounting to $2.16 billion. Responding to a question, Mahmood Ali said, "We are moving forward with Sheikh Hasina's Delta Plan 2100. You can see the development that has taken place in the country and instilled hope among the people of the country.  

The Ministry of Finance has recently appointed Md. Khurshid Alam and Dr Habibur Rahman as deputy governors of the of the central bank of Bangladesh. They have been appointed on a contract basis against two vacant posts. The Financial Institutions Division issued two notification  in this regard on Wednesday (Feb 28). Md Khurshid Alam is currently working as the executive director (Grade-1) of Bangladesh Bank. On the the other hand Dr Habibur Rahman is the chief economist of Bangladesh Bank.  Now both of them have to take retirement from regular service and join the contractual post of deputy governor.