Category: Bangladesh

Overview. The government announced a Tk. 568,000 crore budget for the next fiscal year, with the overall budget deficit target at 6% of GDP. ADB has downgraded Bangladesh’s GDP growth projection for the current fiscal year to 4.5% in the wake of the ongoing pandemic. The country is at risk of having more than 16…

Overview. The government has decided not to extend the lockdown after 30 May, although public transport and other communications will remain closed until further notice. On the economy side, the government is aiming for 8.5% growth rate in the next fiscal year. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a USD 100 million loan agreement to…

Overview. The national lockdown, which started towards the end of March has been extended till 5 May. The government has announced a Tk. 72,750 crore (8.5 billion USD) stimulus package, in four separate programmes. The World Bank has estimated that GDP growth will drop to between 2% and 3% this year.…… Read the rest

Overview. The main political news has been the release (for six months) of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh is on a 10-day lockdown till April 4. Various global retailers have suspended or cancelled work orders from Bangladesh due to concerns over the coronavirus (C19) outbreak. Khaleda Zia Released from Jail.…… Read the rest

Overview. Dhaka’s new incoming mayors were sworn in. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s bail appeal on health grounds has been rejected by the High Court. In economic news, the government has walked back on its decision to slash interest rates. Dhaka City Mayors Sworn In. The newly elected mayors and councillors of Dhaka south and north…

Overview. Politically, January was dominated by the Dhaka mayoral election campaigning. The World Bank has projected 7.2% GDP growth for Bangladesh in FY 2019-20, while remittances hit record highs amid taka devaluation and government moves to provide incentives. Dhaka Mayor Elections. Awami League mayoral candidates were unofficially declared elected in the Dhaka North City Corporation…

Overview. The 21st triennial council of the ruling Awami League was held this month, with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurating the event and reiterating her desire to build a hunger and poverty-free Bangladesh. UNESCAP forecast Bangladesh’s exports to rise by more than 9% in value and 6% in volume in 2020.…… Read the rest

Overview. Seven militants were sentenced to death for their involvement in the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack. A USD9.5 million taka-denominated bond made its debut on the London Stock Exchange on 11th November. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received two ITU Telecom World awards in recognition of Bangladesh’s success in telecommunications and digitization.…… Read the rest

Overview. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made an official visit to India, where she signed bilateral agreements that included an MoU regards the Feni river. The World Bank has forecast GDP growth of 7% for Bangladesh for the 2019-20 fiscal year. On the security front, the murder of student Abrar Fahad by Chatra League members sparked…

Overview. The Prime Minister’s statement regarding the Rohingyas at the 74th UN General Assembly in New York is the main political story of the month. The Asian Development Bank has projected Bangladesh’s growth to be the fastest in Asia in the coming year. The crackdown on casinos and illegal gambling has seen police and security…