Bangladesh’s US apparel exports post strong double-digit rise

India is moving rapidly to secure new trade agreements in an effort to protect exporters from steep US tariffs and reduce reliance on the American market, as efforts to strike a deal with Washington continue to stall.

Bangladesh has taken a major step toward strengthening its trade partnership with the United States, with discussions opening the possibility of wider market entry and support for the country’s key textile and apparel sector.

A bipartisan Russia Sanctions Bill approved by US President Donald Trump could allow the United States to impose tariffs of at least 500 percent on countries such as India, China and Brazil that import Russian oil. 

Asian stock markets were mixed on Thursday as the year’s early rally took a pause and traders looked ahead to the release of crucial United States jobs data later in the week, which could influence global interest rate expectations. Markets also took stock of geopolitical developments and recent Wall Street performance, with major US indexes pulling back from record highs. 

Bangladeshi nationals applying for United States B1/B2 business or tourist visas will from 21 January 2026 be required to post a refundable visa bond as a condition of their application after Bangladesh was added to a US visa bond pilot programme, according to State Department information.

Japan has called on China to reverse its decision to impose stricter export rules on products with potential military applications, a move that has raised fears of supply disruptions.

Asian stock markets opened higher on Monday as investors assessed the fallout from the United States’ removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Sri Lanka’s inflation rose by 2.1 percent last year, remaining well below the central bank’s target of five percent, the monetary authority said on Thursday, while forecasting a gradual pickup in price pressures in 2026.

Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant is moving closer to electricity generation, with fuel loading at Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project expected to begin in early February, according to project officials.

China’s factory activity edged up in December, official data showed on Wednesday, offering a rare positive note at the end of an otherwise subdued year for the world’s second-largest economy.

China said on Wednesday it will impose additional tariffs of 55 percent on certain beef imports from countries including Brazil, Australia and the United States when shipments exceed specified quotas, starting January 1.

Precious metals extended their losses on Tuesday as investors booked profits after recent record highs, while Asian stock markets swung in thin trading as participants wound down ahead of the New Year.

The month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) will begin on January 1, 2026, featuring a wide range of local and international exhibitors. The 30th edition of the fair will be inaugurated by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal.

India is pursuing a compensation claim of more than $30 billion against Reliance Industries and its partner BP, alleging the companies failed to produce agreed volumes of gas from offshore fields in the Krishna Godavari basin, according to people familiar with the case.

Asian equities mostly rose on Monday in subdued post-Christmas trading, as investors looked ahead to the release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting, while precious metals pulled back from recent record highs.

The World Bank has approved an additional $150.75 million in financing to help Bangladesh create more employment and income opportunities for low-income youth and microentrepreneurs, with a strong focus on women and communities vulnerable to climate risks.