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The Bangladesh economy relies heavily on its leather sector, which employs nearly a million people. But the industry is also poisoning many of them. We followed a worker to see how he's risking his life and barely getting by. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.

Organizations: Business Locations: Bangladesh

☆ Bangladesh Welcomes Biden Letter on Support for Economic Goals
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

DHAKA (Reuters) - President Joe Biden said the U.S. is willing to work with Bangladesh to help the South Asian nation achieve its economic goals, nearly a month after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sworn in following an election boycotted by the opposition. Biden made his comments in a letter to Hasina, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters on Monday, adding through this letter ties between the two countries will advance further. Hasina and her party won a fourth straight term in the Jan. 7 election, which the main opposition dismissed as a sham. "We welcome the letter written by President Biden. "The United States is committed to supporting Bangladesh's ambitious economic goals and partnering with Bangladesh on our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," Biden said in his letter, provided to reporters.

Persons: Joe Biden, Sheikh Hasina, Biden, Hasina, Hasan Mahmud, Mahmud, Ruma Paul, Sharon Singleton Organizations: U.S . State Department, Reuters, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, BNP Locations: DHAKA, U.S, Bangladesh, United States, Dhaka didn't, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Myanmar Border Guards Flee to Bangladesh Amid Clashes With Rebels
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Ruma Paul and Sudipto GangulyDHAKA (Reuters) - At least 95 Myanmar border guards, some of them wounded, have fled to Bangladesh over the last few days as fighting intensifies between rebel forces in Myanmar and the junta regime, officials in Bangladesh said on Monday. Members of the Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) entered Bangladesh with their weapons and 15 of them had bullet wounds when they crossed the border, Shariful Islam, a spokesman for Border Guard Bangladesh, said on Monday, adding that the wounded received treatment at different hospitals. Bullets and mortar shells from across the Myanmar border landed on Bangladesh territory on Monday, killing at least two people, a government official in Cox's Bazar said. Panic has gripped the refugee camps in Myanmar with many waiting to cross over to Bangladesh as supply chains have been cut off due to the ongoing conflict, according to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Some of the Rohingya Muslims want to flee here as they are living in constant fear without basic needs," Rohingya refugee Oli Hossain said.

Persons: Ruma Paul, Sudipto Ganguly, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Rahman, Mohammad Shamsud Douza, Oli Hossain, Nick Macfie Organizations: Sudipto Ganguly DHAKA, Myanmar Border Guard Police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Locations: Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bangladesh's, Cox's Bazar, Islam, Bandarban, Bazar

☆ North Korean Hackers, Criminals Share Money Laundering Networks in Southeast Asia - UN
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Tom WilsonLONDON (Reuters) - North Korean hackers are sharing money-laundering and underground banking networks with fraudsters and drug traffickers in Southeast Asia, according to a United Nations report published on Monday, with casinos and crypto exchanges emerging as key venues for organised crime. Funds stolen by North Korean hackers are a key source of funding for Pyongyang and its weapons programmes. The junket sector has been infiltrated by organised crime for "industrial-scale money laundering and underground banking operations," with links to drug trafficking and cyberfraud, the report said. The proliferation of casinos and crypto have "supercharged" organised crime groups in Southeast Asia, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Jeremy Douglas told Reuters. "It's no surprise sophisticated threat actors would look to leverage the same underground banking systems and service providers," he said.

Persons: Tom Wilson LONDON, Lazarus, Pacific Jeremy Douglas, Tom Wilson, Tommy Reggiori Wilkes, Angus MacSwan Organizations: United, United Nations Office, Drugs, Korea's, United Nations, North, Casinos, Bangladesh's Central Bank, Lazarus, UNODC Regional Representative, Southeast, Pacific, Reuters Locations: Southeast Asia, United Nations, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, North, Geneva, United States, Pyongyang, Philippines

Rohingya traditionally take to sea in October, at the end of the rainy season, on journeys fraught with danger. Of 3,572 Rohingya who have left on 34 boats this year, 31% of them were children, data showed. In 2022, one of the deadliest years for the Rohingya at sea, a fifth of the about 3,705 people who fled were children. "Children making the boat journeys was not a trend before," said Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh's refugee relief and repatriation commissioner based in Cox's Bazar. With little hope of settling in Bangladesh or being accepted elsewhere, they feel they have no choice but to take to sea, Rahman said.

Persons: Riska, Chris Lewa, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Rahman, taka, Mohammed Taher, Ruma Paul, Sudipto Ganguly, Krishna N, Das, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights DHAKA, Malaysia, Thomson Locations: Sabang, Aceh province, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bangladeshi, Cox's Bazar, Arakan, Southeast Asia, Indonesia's Aceh, South Asia, Dhaka, Mumbai

☆ Climate change drives Bangladesh's worst dengue outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[6/14]Read moreMedical Entomologist Professor Dr. Kabirul Bashar collects adult mosquitoes from the field at night to examine the changes in the behavior of Aedes aegypti in Dhaka, Bangladesh, October 6. Bashar, an entomologist and zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh, has spent much of his career studying mosquitoes and said he had never seen such a severe outbreak in his 25 years of...DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Persons: Dr, Kabirul Bashar, Bashar Organizations: Read, Jahangirnagar University Locations: Dhaka, Bangladesh, DHAKA, BANGLADESH

The death toll from Bangladesh's outbreak in 2023 is 1,476 as of Nov. 12, with 291,832 infected, official data showed. "These seasonal pattern changes are creating the ideal situation for breeding of Aedes mosquito. Dengue is common in South Asia during the June-to-September monsoon season as the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads the disease, thrives in stagnant water. "This year we have seen different symptoms for dengue fever," physician Janesar Rahat Faysal told Reuters. "I had to deal with two dengue patients, my sister and my niece.

Persons: Mohammad Ponir Hossain, Kabirul Bashar, Bashar, Janesar Rahat Faysal, Sirazus Salekin Chowdhury, Ruma Paul, Sudipto Ganguly, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Mugda Medical College and Hospital, REUTERS, Rights DHAKA, Hospitals, Jahangirnagar University, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Dhaka, Bangladesh, South Asia

☆ Explainer: Why is South Asia the global hotspot of pollution?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Sakshi Dayal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The worsening air pollution is an annual problem for South Asian nations as winter approaches and cold, heavy air traps pollution in a thick layer of smog. South Asia has become the global hotspot for air pollution, with studies finding four of the world's most polluted countries and nine of the 10 most polluted cities in the region. WHY IS POLLUTION IN SOUTH ASIA WORSE THAN OTHER PLACES? An increase in the number of vehicles on roads as the region has developed has also exacerbated the pollution problem. Countries across South Asia will have to coordinate efforts if the region's pollution problem is to be solved, collaborating to enhance monitoring and make policy decisions.

Persons: stubble, Anushree, Sakshi Dayal, Michael Perry Organizations: Swiss Group, REUTERS, ., Thomson Locations: DELHI, South Asia, Asia, New Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh's

[1/5] Garment workers come out of a factory during lunch hours at the Ashulia area, outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, November 8, 2023. A panel of factory owners, union leaders and officials agreed to the increase unanimously, said Siddiqur Rahman, the owners' representative. "We continue to recommend that the government of Bangladesh adopt an annual minimum wage review mechanism to keep up with changing macroeconomic factors," the letter said. In addition to the wage increase, the government has said that workers would be given a 5% annual increment. Babul Akter, president of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, urged global brands to pay more, saying: "There could be some problems for the owners to cope with the increased salaries."

Persons: Mohammad Ponir Hossain, Siddiqur Rahman, Rahman, Inditex, Hugo Boss, Fazlul Hoque, Hoque, Levi Strauss, Armour, Sheikh Hasina, Akter, Abdus Salam Murshedy, Murshedy, Krishna N, Ruma Paul, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Rights DHAKA, Reuters, Inc, Knitwear Manufacturers, Association, Labour, Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Puma, Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, Envoy Group, Walmart, Hasina's Awami League, Das, Thomson Locations: Dhaka, Bangladesh, DELHI, China, Zara, Ukraine, New Delhi

☆ Court stays sacking of Sri Lanka board
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ranasinghe had replaced the board with an interim committee on Monday after a disappointing World Cup campaign, amid protests calling for the resignation of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials. The matter was also discussed in Sri Lanka's parliament on Tuesday. Sri Lanka's team wind up their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Thursday. Sri Lanka are currently ninth with four points -- the same as England, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. The only control that we have in this tournament is the game tomorrow," Nawaz told reporters.

Persons: Arun Jaitley, Sri Lanka's Dilshan Madushanka, Bangladesh's Tanzid Hasan, Pathum Nissanka, Anushree, Roshan Ranasinghe's, Ranasinghe, Shammi Silva, Sri, Sri Lanka's, Naveed Nawaz, Nawaz, Chiranjit Ojha, Rohith Nair, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Cricket, ICC Cricket, Arun, Sri, Pathum Nissanka REUTERS, Sri Lanka Cricket, New Zealand, Christian, Thomson Locations: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Delhi, India, Sri Lanka's, Pakistan, England, Netherlands, Bengaluru

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference after participating in G7 ministerial meetings in Tokyo, Japan, November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Pool Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI/WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will hold talks with India this week that officials say will focus on security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and concerns over China, rather than the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. U.S. officials were moving swiftly to deepen ties with India while pledging support for an investigation into the June killing on Canadian soil, an American official aware of the Indo-Pacific policy said. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media. India's ties with the U.S. have grown steadily stronger on several fronts, and it has close strategic links with Israel.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Lloyd Austin, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rajnath Singh, Narendra Modi's, Joe Biden's, Xi Jinping, Rick Rossow, Rossow, Krishn Kaushik, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, YP Rajesh, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Officials, Ottawa, Indian, Economic Cooperation, Asia Society, South, U.S, Washington’s Center, Strategic, International Studies, Biden, YP, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, DELHI, WASHINGTON, India, China, Gaza, Ukraine, New Delhi, Canada, Washington, Asia, San Francisco, South Asia, Israel, Delhi, Russia, Washington and New Delhi, Myanmar, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal

☆ Bangladesh captain Shakib ruled out of final World Cup game
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - Bangladesh v Sri Lanka - Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, India - November 6, 2023 Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan in action as he scores four runs REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis Acquire Licensing RightsNov 7 (Reuters) - Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan will miss his team's final World Cup match after fracturing his finger during their win over Sri Lanka, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said on Tuesday, and will be replaced by Anamul Haque. Shakib scored 82 in Delhi, helping Bangladesh chase down 280, and took two wickets in a man-of-the-match performance. "He underwent an emergency X-ray in Delhi after the game which confirmed the fracture on the left PIP joint. Shakib, 36, also made the appeal that led to the controversial time-out dismissal of Sri Lanka batter Angelo Mathews who called him a "cheat" on social media. The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Cricket World Cup has approved Anamul Haque Bijoy, who has played 45 ODIs, as Shakib's replacement.

Persons: Arun Jaitley, Shakib Al Hasan, Anushree, Anamul Haque, Shakib, Khan, Sri, Angelo Mathews, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Chiranjit, Ed Osmond Organizations: Cricket, ICC Cricket, Arun, Sri, Bangladesh Cricket Board, Australia, Thomson Locations: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Delhi, India, Delhi, Bengaluru

☆ Asthmatic players skip practice, Bangladesh coach says Delhi air 'not ideal'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Amlan Chakraborty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Altaf Hussain/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Asthmatic Bangladesh cricketers remained indoors while Sri Lankan players wore masks as poor air quality in smog-shrouded New Delhi remained the talking point ahead of Monday's World Cup clash between the two nations. "Our doctor is keeping a close eye on the players," Hathurusinghe told reporters on Sunday. "Some of the players didn't turn up for practice as they are asthmatic, so they stayed indoors. "Team selection won't depend on air quality. Most of the Sri Lankan players wore masks when they arrived at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the afternoon.

Persons: Altaf Hussain, Chandika Hathurusinghe, Hathurusinghe, Skipper Kusal Mendis, Mendis, they've, Amlan Chakraborty, David Goodman, Pritha Organizations: REUTERS, Asthmatic, Sri, Bangladesh, Indian, International Cricket Council, ICC, Arun, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Asthmatic Bangladesh, Sri Lankan, Delhi, Sri Lanka

REUTERS/Mohammad... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreDHAKA, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Bangladesh's main opposition party will boycott the next general election if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina does not make way for a neutral government to conduct the poll, two party leaders said, amid a crackdown on opposition politicians and deadly protests. "The intensified crackdown on opposition party leaders and protesters over the weekend signals an attempt at a complete clamp-down on dissent," said Yasasmin Kaviratne, Amnesty's regional campaigner for South Asia. Hasina's main rival and two-time premier, BNP leader Khaleda Zia, is effectively under house arrest for what her party calls trumped-up corruption charges. Shakil Ahmed, an assistant professor at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka, said street violence had become "regular in Bangladesh during the transfer of power". Reporting by Krishna N. Das in New Delhi and Ruma Paul in Dhaka; Editing by Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sheikh Hasina, Hasina, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Zahir Uddin Swapon, Yasasmin Kaviratne, Khaleda Zia, BNP's, Tarique Rahman, Shakil Ahmed, Krishna N, Ruma Paul, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Bangladesh Nationalist Party, BNP, REUTERS, Reuters, Amnesty, Police, Jahangirnagar University, Das, Thomson Locations: Dhaka, Bangladesh, Mohammad, DHAKA, United States, Canada, India, South Asia, New Delhi

☆ Pakistan stay alive in semi-final race, Bangladesh eliminated
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

KOLKATA, India, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Former champions Pakistan kept alive their slender chances of making the semi-finals of the 50-over World Cup with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh, who were eliminated from the tournament on Tuesday. Babar Azam's men moved into fifth place after their third win in seven matches, while Bangladesh became the first team to drop out of contention. "We are trying to force things but it isn't working," Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said after their sixth defeat in seven matches. Bradburn must have been pleased as the pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim and Haris Rauf collectively claimed eight of the 10 Bangladesh wickets in the match. "We are trying to win our remaining matches and see where we stand," Babar said of their semi-final hopes.

Persons: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam's, Shakib Al Hasan, Grant Bradburn, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Afridi, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Rauf, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mahmudullah, Shakib, Wasim, Haq, Fakhar, Abdullah, Taskin Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Babar, Amlan Chakraborty, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Eden Gardens, Litton, Thomson Locations: KOLKATA, India, Bangladesh, Eden, Pakistan's, Pakistan, Afridi's, New Delhi

NEW DELHI (AP) — South Asia is expected to grow by 5.8% this year, making it the fastest-growing region in the world even as the pace remains below pre-pandemic levels, the World Bank said on Tuesday. At almost 6% this year, the region is growing faster than all other emerging markets, said Franziska Ohnsorge, the organization's chief economist for South Asia. “While high inflation and interest rates have bogged down many emerging markets, South Asia seems to be forging ahead,” the World Bank noted in its report. Per capita incomes in South Asia are around $2,000 — one-fifth of the level in East Asia and the Pacific region. Ohnsorge said that governments in South Asia could improve fiscal conditions by seizing on opportunities for energy transition, which could create jobs, reduce reliance on energy imports and cut pollution levels.

Persons: Franziska Ohnsorge, ” Ohnsorge, Ohnsorge Organizations: DELHI, World Bank, IMF, Bank Locations: South Asia, Asia, East Asia, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, South

☆ Bangladesh dengue deaths top 1,000 in worst outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Ruma Paul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A nurse provides treatment to a dengue-infected patient at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsDHAKA, Oct 2 (Reuters) - The death toll from Bangladesh's worst dengue outbreak on record has topped 1,000 this year, official data showed, with hospitals struggling to make space for patients as the disease spreads rapidly in the densely-populated country. The current death toll is nearly four times more than the whole of last year, when Bangladesh recorded 281 dengue-related deaths. However, a lack of proper prevention measures has allowed the dengue-carrying mosquito to spread all over Bangladesh, said Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist and zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University. “From 2000 to 2018, dengue is only happening in Dhaka city, but in 2019 it is transferred into different cities.

Persons: Mohammad Ponir Hossain, “, …, ” Sanwar Hossain, Kabirul Bashar, ”, Abdullah, Ruma Paul, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Hospital, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Jahangirnagar University, “, Thomson Locations: Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rights DHAKA, Mugda, South Asia

☆ Pakistan pacer Riaz announces international retirement
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Pakistan v Bangladesh - Lord's, London, Britain - July 5, 2019 Pakistan's Wahab Riaz looks dejected after being bowled out by Bangladesh's Mohammad Saifuddin Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 16 (Reuters) - Pakistan's Wahab Riaz has retired from international cricket, drawing the curtain on a 15-year career, the left-arm fast bowler announced on Wednesday. Wahab, who made his debut in 2008, has 83 wickets in 27 tests, 120 wickets in 91 one-day internationals and 34 wickets in 36 Twenty20s. The 38-year-old said he will continue to play franchise cricket. "It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Pakistan on the international stage. Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pakistan's Wahab Riaz, Bangladesh's Mohammad, Paul Childs, Wahab, Riaz, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Muralikumar Organizations: Cricket, ICC Cricket, Pakistan, Thomson Locations: Pakistan, Bangladesh, London, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ S&P lowers Bangladesh's rating outlook to negative on liquidity risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Ruma Paul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DHAKA, July 25 (Reuters) - S&P Global Ratings on Tuesday lowered Bangladesh's long-term rating outlook to negative from stable, citing risks the country's external liquidity position could deteriorate in the next year while foreign exchange reserves remain under pressure. "Lower generation of current account receipts than we expect, a higher overall current account deficit than we forecast, or a failure to materially boost foreign exchange reserves would indicate downward pressure on the rating," S&P said. "This would cause either more uncertainty and more costs to weigh the growing risks of uncertainty in repayment," he said. Moazzem said measures were needed particularly in subsidy management and energy imports, which are the main weaknesses in the foreign exchange reserve situation. "The government needs to take bold actions in these regards including substituting importing energy by exploring gas and substituting energy import for power, agriculture by solar based and other renewable energy measures," he added.

Persons: Khondaker Golam, Moazzem, Ruma Paul, Juby Babu, Jacqueline Wong, Lincoln, Jamie Freed Organizations: International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: DHAKA, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bengaluru

☆ Four dead as boat sinks in Bangladesh's Buriganga river
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

July 16 (Reuters) - At least four people died after a boat carrying 20 people sank in Bangladesh's Buriganga river near the capital Dhaka on Sunday, a fire service official said. Most of the passengers were believed to have swum ashore as the water bus sank close to the bank, according to fire service official Anwarul Islam. Four bodies have been recovered and the rescue operation is ongoing, police official Sahabuddin Kabir told Reuters. Hundreds of onlookers gathered at the site as rescuers in multiple boats scanned the river with flashlights, according to a Reuters witness. Reporting by Ruma Paul in Dhaka; Writing by Shubhendu Deshmukh; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sahabuddin Kabir, Ruma Paul, Shubhendu Deshmukh, Andrew Cawthorne, Emelia Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: Bangladesh's Buriganga, Dhaka

Ali's comments came after sources said the airline was close to a deal to buy 10 Airbus A350 widebody planes, marking its first order with the French planemaker. It was not clear whether the deal would be finalised in time for the Paris Airshow, which opens on Monday. "Every country has both Airbus and Boeing in their fleet. We didn't have an Airbus in our fleet," Ali said, as the airline looks to break its reliance on the U.S. planemaker that typically dominates widebody orders. The 51-year-old airline has a fleet of more than 20 mostly Boeing planes, over half of which are widebodies, and some Dash-8 turboprops.

Persons: Mahbub Ali, Ali's, Biman, Ali, Ruma Paul, Tim Hepher, Aditi Shah, Christopher Cushing, Jamie Freed Organizations: Bangladesh Airlines, Airbus, Boeing, country's, Reuters, Paris Airshow, Thomson Locations: DHAKA, PARIS, Britain, Malaysia, Thailand, Canada, Dhaka, Paris

SINGAPORE, June 7 (Reuters) - Bangladesh is facing its worst electricity crisis since 2013, a Reuters analysis of government data shows, due to erratic weather and difficulty paying for fuel imports amid declining forex reserves and value of its currency. Bangladesh, the world's second-largest garments exporter behind China supplying global retailers including Walmart, H&M and Zara, has been forced to cut power for 114 days in the first five months of 2023, a Reuters analysis of power grid data showed. Supply was short of demand by as much as 25% early on Monday, the data showed. Over 40% of the 7.5 GW of power plants running on diesel and fuel oil could not operate because they lacked fuel, according to the operator. Power imports by the energy hungry nation, which has very little renewable capacity, held steady at less than 10% of total supply, the data showed.

Persons: Bangladesh Taka, Ruma Paul, Matthew Chye Organizations: Walmart, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Power, Power Grid Co, Reuters Graphics, Oil, Reuters, Bangladesh, U.S ., Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Bangladesh, China, Zara

☆ Bangladesh struggles to pay for fuel imports as dollar crisis worsens -letters
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Ruma Paul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DHAKA, May 22 (Reuters) - Bangladesh is struggling to pay for imported fuel because of a dollar shortage, letters reviewed by Reuters show, with the state petroleum company owing more than $300 million as it faces an "alarming decrease in fuel reserves". Heavily reliant on energy imports, Bangladesh is grappling with power cuts resulting from a fuel shortage that have badly hurt its exports-oriented garments industry. BPC imports 500,000 tonnes of refined oil and 100,000 tonnes of crude oil every month. The April letter said several fuel suppliers had either sent fewer cargoes than scheduled or threatened to halt supplies. Others in South Asia, such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan, have also sought or received IMF funds this year.

DHAKA, May 18 (Reuters) - Apparel makers in Bangladesh are considering rare bulk exports by air to Europe and the United States, as they race to meet deadlines and avoid cancellations after a cyclone delayed shipments, caused power cuts and disrupted production. Bangladesh, the world's second-largest garment exporter, has already been hit by weakening global demand, with exports falling in both March and April. Another garment owner who supplies H&M said some of his shipments had been delayed. Power cuts in the last two months, first due to a scorching heatwave, and then the cyclone, have put more stress on apparel companies. "Now there are also chances of missing orders for the next season, as we are struggling to provide samples on time due to the regular power cuts," Ehsan said.

Millions of Bangladeshi citizens have been hit by frequent power cuts in recent months, as erratic weather patterns and high global energy prices have made fuel supply to power plants unreliable. "We are experiencing power cuts every other hour and there is hardly any gas to cook. Zainul Abdin Farroque, a senior leader of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, accused the government of not doing enough to ensure reliable power supply despite hiking tariffs. Power supply was about 17% short of demand on Monday while the deficit was more than 14% on Sunday, data from Bangladesh's grid operator showed. Bangladesh's other floating LNG unit, the Moheshkhali LNG terminal, will resume operations "in the next few days", Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker told Reuters.

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