Author: News Desk

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new policy to broaden the country’s export avenues. For the first time, it has permitted online exports under the business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) framework. The central bank declared the policy on Monday through a foreign exchange circular. According to the policy, products can now be sold directly to international buyers via approved international platforms and marketplaces. However, exports will be completed through intermediaries like international e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, or third-party warehouses, rather than being sent directly to the end customer. The circular also mentions that, to export under the B2B2C framework, exporters must provide the dealer bank…

Chinese exporters have raised prices on critical elements, particularly those with military applications, for Russia’s defense industry, according to a new study by the Bank of Finland Institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT), The Moscow Times reported. Between 2021 and 2024, the prices of export‑controlled Chinese goods sent to Russia—many of them dual‑use components vital to the defense sector—climbed by an average of 87%, compared with just 9% for similar shipments to other destinations. According to Financial Times, citing a senior Western sanctions official, these steep markups restrict Moscow’s access to sensitive technologies, even though it has managed to bypass Western…

Indonesia has launched an investigation into the illegal rice import of roughly 250 tons from Thailand into Sabang, Aceh, with authorities stressing that the shipment violates the country’s food import regulations under President Prabowo Subianto. “We have sealed (the warehouse), and we are requesting a full investigation into who the perpetrators are,” Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said on Sunday. Amran cautioned that government officials involved in violations would face immediate repercussions, including dismissal for authorizing or allowing rice imports contrary to presidential directives, which he emphasized as critically important. “The President has already stated that imports are not allowed because…

Morocco’s tourism sector has achieved a significant accolade, as the country has been awarded the title of ‘Destination of the Year’ at the 2025 Travel Awards, held on Friday in Brussels. The event took place at Skyhall, Brussels Airport, and brought together around 1,000 travel professionals. The award highlights Morocco’s notable progress within the international tourism industry, showcasing the nation’s increasing appeal as both a cultural and luxury destination. This recognition further reinforces Morocco’s position as a leading travel hub, underscoring its continued commitment to delivering high-quality travel experiences for visitors worldwide. Morocco recently achieved 13th place globally in the…

Taiwan removed all restrictions on Japanese food imports on Friday, signaling support for Tokyo amid reports that China plans to halt purchases due to a dispute with the new prime minister. Taipei had previously enforced a blanket ban on products from five Japanese regions near the Fukushima nuclear disaster site, triggered by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, before gradually easing rules in 2022 and 2024. Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration stated on Friday that “Japanese food safety management measures return to normal,” effective immediately. Taiwan will no longer mandate certificates of origin for any Japanese food products or radiation inspection…

South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with the EU ambassador to Korea on Friday, calling on the bloc to grant the maximum import quota for Korean steel under its new safeguard plan, according to Yeo’s office. During talks with Ugo Astuto, Yeo raised Seoul’s concerns regarding the EU’s new steel safeguard plan and urged the bloc to allow Korean companies the maximum quota. Earlier this year, the European Commission unveiled plans to cut tariff-free quotas on imported steel by 47% and double tariffs on imports exceeding the quota from 25% to 50%, citing the need to safeguard the domestic…

U.S. President Donald Trump has lifted the 40% tariffs on Brazilian food imports—including beef, coffee, cocoa, fruits, and tomatoes—reversing policies that had significantly raised prices for American consumers. The decision, revealed on Thursday, removes the tariffs introduced in July in response to Brazil’s prosecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro. As outlined in the White House executive order, the exemptions will cover Brazilian shipments entering the United States starting November 13. The decision could also necessitate Washington to reimburse duties collected while the tariffs remained in effect. The rollback represents the most recent reversal to an expanding series of exemptions from…

Türkiye’s business and industry associations urged the European Union to exclude the country from its proposal to abolish the customs duty exemption on e-commerce shipments worth less than €150. The EU’s plan primarily targets small parcels from China, which make up the majority of low-value imports into the bloc. However, Turkish business representatives warn that the measure could inadvertently hurt Türkiye’s small exporters and strain its closely linked trade ties with the EU under the Customs Union. Sector representatives contend that Türkiye should be exempt from the new scheme due to its Customs Union membership and strong, interconnected supply-chain relationships…

Malaysia and Ethiopia have signed four memoranda of understanding (MoUs), paving the way for enhanced cooperation in bilateral relations. The MoUs will facilitate cooperation in the fields of air transport, health, and tourism between the two nations. A partnership agreement between Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Addis Ababa City Administration was also formalized. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Ethiopian counterpart, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, witnessed the exchange of documents, which formed a central part of Anwar’s visit to Ethiopia. Anwar stated that Malaysia looks forward to expanding into new markets, particularly across Africa, Latin America, and beyond, as…

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that imports of oil and gas from the United States will be subject to the bidding process. “There will definitely be a bidding process for the American vendors for the direct import,” Airlangga said on Thursday. The oil and gas imports fall under a reciprocal tariff arrangement and will be carried out by state-owned PT Pertamina. Under Indonesia’s existing regulations, supplying energy to Pertamina must go through a competitive bidding process. Airlangga previously stated that Indonesia would permit U.S. firms to sell energy products directly to Pertamina without undergoing the usual…