What’s in store for Bangladesh in 2023?
Both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have painted a gloomy scenario for the global economy for 2023 as uncertainty persists amid the protracting Russia-Ukraine war, the volatility in the international energy market and higher inflation. The world is expected to head for a recession.
Out of the frying pan into the fire
One could not ask for more from Bangladesh at the outset of 2022 as the country rebounded from the coronavirus pandemic-induced lows and people’s two-year struggle appeared to be over finally and they were raring to return to normalcy.
Remittance outflow crosses $100m -- thru legal channel
Outward remittances from Bangladesh through legal channels crossed the $100-million mark for the first time in 2021 as more foreigners are working in the fast-growing economy, data from a global organisation showed.
Dhaka, Ctg home to most agent banking activities
Although agent banking is spreading at a faster clip in Bangladesh, accelerating financial inclusion, a majority of activities are concentrated in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions, central bank data showed.
Bright prospects for Bangladesh despite short-term challenges
Bangladesh is going through some short-term challenges like the rest of the world largely for the external factors but the medium-term prospects for the country remain bright, said Standard Chartered Bank Group Chairman José Viñals.
BB to return to biannual monetary policy
The central bank is set to return to its semiannual monetary policy stance after three years as per a suggestion of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but local economists say the move would not bring about any change amid the lending rate cap and multiple exchange rates.
LIVE UPDATE: ‘Make dollar exchange rate free for Bangladesh’
The exchange rate of dollar needs to be freed to make the garment business profitable at this crisis time, said a top leader of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) today.
LIVE UPDATE: ‘Complacency responsible for falling forex reserve’
"Complacency has brought us to the current forex reserve situation,” said Salehuddin Ahmed, former governor of the Bangladesh Bank.
LIVE UPDATE: Come up with strategy now to stop depletion of forex reserves: Ahsan H Mansur
The government should come up with a clear strategy to stop fast depletion of the foreign currency reserves in a bid to save the country from a major crisis, said a noted economist today.
Premier Bank to grow further on new trends
The Premier Bank Limited celebrates its 23rd anniversary today. Set up in 1999, it is one of the strongest banks in Bangladesh today with the lowest non-performing loan ratio. Its deposit base and loans have expanded in the last two decades. Recently, M Reazul Karim, managing director of Premier Bank, spoke about the bank’s journey, digital banking and new challenges and opportunities for banks, during an interview with The Daily Star.