Banking Stress: Bangladesh Bank’s Financial Stability Report 2025 shows Islamic banks’ capital, asset quality, efficiency and liquidity deteriorated sharply, with CRAR and leverage ratios falling and NPL pressure rising. Banking Losses: The wider banking sector posted a record net loss of Tk 1.37 lakh crore in 2025 as provisioning for bad loans surged. Tax Reform Push: PM Tarique Rahman told parliament Bangladesh can lift the tax-to-GDP ratio to 10% in five years via tougher action against tax dodgers, digitisation and gradual exemption rationalisation. Revenue Risk: Business groups warn weak NBR performance could make the FY27 revenue target harder to meet and may trigger taxpayer harassment. Energy & Climate Budget: CPD welcomed greener incentives (notably solar support) but criticised fossil fuels still dominating allocations. Trade Zones & LNG: Cabinet clears Bangladesh’s first free trade zones in Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar and approves procurement of three LNG cargoes plus urea and other fertiliser imports. Remittances/Reserves: Remittance inflows stayed strong with 18.3% FY growth; forex reserves sit around US$35.8b. Islamic Bank Governance: BB agrees in principle with a seven-point depositor forum demand to rebuild Islami Bank’s board with ethical, politically neutral directors. RMG/Steel Cost Pressure: Steel makers oppose proposed VAT/SD/AIT and warn higher production costs; RMG export weakness continues to weigh on competitiveness.