$234 billion siphoned out of Bangladesh between 2009 and 2023 when Awami League was in power
Moody’s has downgraded Bangladesh’s banking sector to “very weak” from “weak”, citing worsening client confidence, limited transparency and inadequate financial safeguards over the past year.
Moody’s downgrade of Bangladesh’s economic outlook from stable to negative is expected to have limited immediate impact on the economy, but may affect international trade for banks, leading to higher costs for letters of credit (LCs) and more stringent reviews of private sector credit, experts stated.
“The downgrade reflects heightened political risks and lower growth, which increases government liquidity risks, external vulnerabilities and banking sector risks, following the recent political and social unrest that led to a change in government,” said Moody’s.
When an interim government was sworn into office following the ouster of the Awami League regime just 100 days ago, there was an air of expectation that the Prof Muhammad Yunus-led administration would take steps to salvage a scam-ridden financial sector and rescue an ailing economy.
The government should increase its engagement with the country’s private sector in making policies and decisions amid ongoing reforms, according to prominent business leaders, who cited major challenges such as high inflation, rising interest rates and slowing demand and investment that are now plaguing private businesses.
For local business communities, Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential race has been shorthand for the expectation that Western apparel orders and some foreign investments would shift to Bangladesh, with global fashion powerhouse China possibly facing higher import tariffs from the US.
Business leaders appreciate the steps taken for the domestic industry
Smooth logistics, banking services and security for industries are a must to ensure a revival of economic activities that have been disrupted following the mass uprising that toppled the previous government.
As Bangladesh enters a new era following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, which ruled over the nation for 15 years and is responsible for countless financial wrongdoings, the need of the hour is to reform the overall system of governance.
Amid worker unrest and insecurity in the industrial sector, entrepreneurs and bankers have urged the new administration to focus on rebuilding confidence in the economy.
These incidents may have a serious impact on the economy
Imports, remittances and forex reserves are likely to increase, the leading chamber says
The panel gets 90 days to prepare and submit the paper
Govt should overhaul ailing sectors, ensure accountability
The interim government will take action as per the law if any official is involved in any irregularity, but its immediate task is to bring normalcy to the economy, said Salehuddin Ahmed, finance and planning adviser.
The priorities of newly appointed finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed should be to make key financial institutions functional immediately, control inflation, and present accurate data on exports, imports, GDP and important economic indicators, economists said.
Economic activities are finally returning to normal after three weeks of upheaval as both garment and non-garment factories started operations in full swing yesterday, according to industry insiders.
Bangladesh has entered a new chapter in its journey as the wheels of the economy are rolling again, with the country still healing from fresh wounds.