Only 47.773 citizens registered for the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, out of a quota of 127.000, marking the lowest turnout of registrations ever; despite government efforts to reduce the price of packages, most people cannot afford the trip

The average rainfall in Bangladesh was one millimetre in April, the lowest in the country in 43 years, since 1981; the average rainfall in April is 134 mm

The government's Green Factory Award will recognize the compliance of 29 companies in 12 industries with occupational safety standards; main sectors are weaving, knitting, leather, tea, cement and textile industries

DEC Bangladesh, an award-winning youth organisation focusing on skills, career and social leadership development, launched a campaign in Chattogram entitled 'Keep the environment clean and livable'

The country will not provide electricity and gas to new factories to be built outside designated economic zones and industrial enclaves; central bank required banks to secure mandatory certificates of approval from utility providers before lending