The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), Bangladesh's primary capital market, experienced an upward trend in trading on January 9, 2025. During the first hour and a half of trading, the DSE recorded transactions exceeding 430 million taka. Despite this positive movement, the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) saw a decline in its index. The DSE's upward trend followed a two-day downtrend prior to this trading session. In related economic news, the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association threatened an indefinite strike if the interim government does not roll back a recent decision to increase the value-added tax (VAT) on restaurant food bills from 10% to 15%. The government has raised VAT and supplementary duties on over a hundred goods and services, which may further increase the cost of living for ordinary citizens. Additionally, the prices of essential commodities, including rice and fish, have been rising, while the costs associated with mobile communication and internet usage have also increased due to a new 20% supplementary tax.