Last Updated on April 11, 2026 10:23 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
AMN/ WEB DESK
Bangladesh is facing mounting pressure as its trade deficit widened sharply to 16.91 billion US dollars during July 2025 to February 2026, raising concerns over the sustainability of its economic recovery. According to data released by Bangladesh Bank, the deficit has increased by over 3 billion US dollars compared to the same period last year, driven by a combination of rising imports and declining export earnings.
Exports fell by 2.6 per cent year-on-year to 29.26 billion US dollars, largely due to weak performance in the ready-made garments sector – traditionally the backbone of Bangladesh’s export economy. Economists warn that continued stagnation in this sector reflects deeper structural vulnerabilities rather than temporary fluctuations. In contrast, imports rose by 5.6 per cent to 46.17 billion US dollars, fuelled by higher global prices of food, fuel and essential commodities.
Analysts say the growing import bill highlights Bangladesh’s heavy dependence on external markets, exposing the economy to global shocks and geopolitical uncertainties. Despite the widening trade gap, the current account deficit narrowed slightly to around 1 billion US dollars, mainly due to a nearly 21 per cent surge in remittance inflows. However, experts caution that reliance on remittances to offset trade imbalances is not a sustainable long-term strategy.