AMN
Bangladesh’s economy is forecasting to grow faster than all countries in South Asia except Bhutan in the current fiscal year, World Bank has said.
According to the latest edition of the “South Asia Economic Focus, Making (De) Centralisation Work”, the gross domestic product in Bangladesh is projected to moderate to 7.2 per cent this fiscal year and 7.3 per cent the following one.
“The outlook is clouded by rising vulnerability financial sector, but the economy is likely to maintain growth above seven per cent, supported by a robust macroeconomic framework, political stability, and strong public investment,” the WB report said.
The report points out that its economy is likely to maintain growth above 7 per cent, supported by a robust macroeconomic framework, political stability, and strong public investments. Bangladesh has reduced the current account deficit due to rising export and remittances which was above dollar 15.5 billion in 2018. However, the report says financial sector vulnerability, fiscal pressures and loss of external competitiveness pose challenges to its growth rate.
Indicating vulnerability in the financial sector, world bank report says low deposit growth rate and rising bad loans along with low credibility of Letter of credit guarantees in the international market remain causes of worry for Bangladesh.
The report points out that despite slowdown in industrial growth rate, the industrial sector remains strong as the country’s garment industry benefited from the trade tensions between the United States and China.
The World Bank said Bangladesh need to address key structural challenges such as reducing the infrastructure deficit, enhancing human capital, improving urban management and managing climate change risks.