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The government has reduced its bank borrowing target by 28% to Tk 990 billion for FY2024-25, down from Tk 1,375 billion, due to lower expenditures and slow ADP implementation, which stood at 18% in the first half of the fiscal year. The Bangladesh Bank estimates actual borrowing may reach Tk 900 billion. Private sector credit growth remained at 7.28% in December 2024, below the 9.80% target. The government borrowed Tk 689.31 billion from banks in the first seven months of FY2024-25, but after repayments, net borrowing stood at Tk 136 billion. Comparatively lower operational expenses of the interim government also contributed to the borrowing cut. The move is expected to increase market liquidity, potentially reducing interest rates on loans and deposits. The government can borrow up to Tk 120 billion from the central bank under the Ways-and-Means Advances (WMA) facility for short-term spending.
The government has reduced its bank borrowing target by 28% to Tk 990 billion for FY2024-25, down from Tk 1,375 billion, due to lower expenditures and slow ADP implementation, which stood at 18% in the first half of the fiscal year. The Bangladesh Bank estimates actual borrowing may reach Tk 900 billion. Private sector credit growth remained at 7.28% in December 2024, below the 9.80% target. The government borrowed Tk 689.31 billion from banks in the first seven months of FY2024-25, but after repayments, net borrowing stood at Tk 136 billion. Comparatively lower operational expenses of the interim government also contributed to the borrowing cut. The move is expected to increase market liquidity, potentially reducing interest rates on loans and deposits. The government can borrow up to Tk 120 billion from the central bank under the Ways-and-Means Advances (WMA) facility for short-term spending.
Fitch Solutions forecasts Bangladesh’s inflation to average 8.5% in FY2024-25, exceeding Bangladesh Bank’s 7.0-8.0% target. Despite maintaining a 10% policy rate, inflation remains high due to political unrest and economic uncertainties. The agency expects another 15% taka depreciation in 2025, driven by a shift to a market-based exchange rate and a weaker-than-expected US Federal Reserve rate cut. Private-sector credit growth dropped to 7.3% in December 2024, the lowest since 2015, while real wages stagnate, weakening consumer spending. Consequently, Fitch plans to revise down its 5.5% GDP growth forecast for FY2025-26. The upcoming general election, now expected in FY2025-26, could exacerbate economic disruptions, historically driving inflation up post-elections. Additionally, potential US policy shifts under a Trump administration may further strain Bangladesh’s currency and economic stability. While agricultural output and lower oil prices may help, they likely won’t offset inflationary pressures from currency depreciation.
Twenty-nine international internet gateway (IIG) operators in Bangladesh owe the BTRC Tk 205 crore, with top five defaulters accounting for 77% of the outstanding sum. BTCL has the highest dues at Tk 51.58 crore, followed by Earth Telecom (Tk 32.02 crore) and Aamra Technologies (Tk 25.48 crore). Despite a Tk 220 crore payment deadline by January 18, only Tk 15 crore has been cleared. Several operators, including BdHub and Mango Teleservices, have requested installment plans. Peerex Networks obtained a three-month court stay, while Fiber@Home disputes Tk 5.90 crore in VAT charges. The BTRC is planning meetings with IIGs and issuing a final 10-day deadline for payments. The dispute over undisclosed bandwidth dues, totaling Tk 90.52 crore, remains unresolved, as IIGs claim BTRC calculations do not reflect actual bandwidth usage. The regulator aims to ensure compliance and settle dues amid industry pushback on revenue-sharing policies.
Bangladesh suffers an annual economic loss of nearly $300 crore due to extreme climate events such as floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves, impacting over 6.3 million people, according to the Climate Risk Index 2025 by Germanwatch. In 2022 alone, the country lost over $299 crore to natural disasters. However, effective risk prevention has drastically reduced cyclone-related deaths from 500,000 in 1970 to 4,234 in 2007. A 2022 heatwave, reaching 49.5°C in Pakistan and extending to India and Bangladesh, caused over 90 deaths. From 1993 to 2022, 9,400 extreme weather events globally led to 800,000 deaths and $4.2 trillion in damages. Global South nations, including Bangladesh, remain highly vulnerable. The report emphasizes that climate change is a growing global security threat, urging multilateral action to mitigate risks. Without intervention, extreme weather events will continue intensifying, further destabilizing societies and exacerbating global conflicts.
Bangladesh suffers an annual economic loss of nearly $300 crore due to extreme climate events such as floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves, impacting over 6.3 million people, according to the Climate Risk Index 2025 by Germanwatch. In 2022 alone, the country lost over $299 crore to natural disasters. However, effective risk prevention has drastically reduced cyclone-related deaths from 500,000 in 1970 to 4,234 in 2007. A 2022 heatwave, reaching 49.5°C in Pakistan and extending to India and Bangladesh, caused over 90 deaths. From 1993 to 2022, 9,400 extreme weather events globally led to 800,000 deaths and $4.2 trillion in damages. Global South nations, including Bangladesh, remain highly vulnerable. The report emphasizes that climate change is a growing global security threat, urging multilateral action to mitigate risks. Without intervention, extreme weather events will continue intensifying, further destabilizing societies and exacerbating global conflicts.
TRANSFORM, an impact accelerator led by Unilever, the UK Government, and EY, announced grants of up to BDT 10 million each for two Bangladeshi SMEs focused on climate resilience. Deshifarmer, an agri-tech platform, connects farmers directly to consumers, aiming to benefit 3,000 farmers and 20,000 consumers in its first year. Techno Plastic Solution addresses ocean plastic pollution by improving collection infrastructure and launching a pilot program in Kuakata to collect 100 tonnes of plastic waste monthly. The Bangladesh Climate Challenge, launched in October 2023, supports enterprises working on climate resilience through funding and resources. This collaboration between Unilever, the UK Government, and EY marks their first joint effort in Bangladesh. TRANSFORM has previously supported 10 other enterprises in Bangladesh, impacting over three million lives.
A proposed hike in gas prices by Petrobangla has sparked major concerns among industrialists in Bangladesh, fearing economic harm. Industrial leaders argue that the increase, if approved, could lead to factory closures, job losses, and reduced industrial output, harming economic growth and potentially causing social unrest. Critics like Kutubuddin Ahmed and Abdullah Hil Rakib highlight that rising power and production costs already challenge competitiveness. The proposal affects new and existing gas users, with significant cost increases tied to LNG imports and additional charges. Industry leaders urge the government to reconsider the proposal, warning of the detrimental impact on both industries and the broader economy.
In FY 2023-24, the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) faced operating losses due to reduced trading, fewer IPOs, and increased costs. The DSE’s core revenue of Tk 125 crore fell short of expenses, causing a Tk 20 crore loss, while the CSE incurred a Tk 10 crore loss with Tk 31 crore in core revenue. Both exchanges relied on fixed deposit interest to achieve net profits of Tk 61 crore (DSE) and Tk 31 crore (CSE).
Declining daily turnovers, down to Tk 622 crore for the DSE, coupled with poor fund management and risky investments in troubled banks and NBFIs, exacerbated challenges. Experts recommend reforms, product diversification, and stronger company listings to revitalize the market. Meanwhile, 95% of brokerage houses are struggling with operating losses due to sluggish trading.
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Twenty-nine international internet gateway (IIG) operators in Bangladesh owe the BTRC Tk 205 crore, with top five defaulters accounting for 77% of the outstanding sum. BTCL has the highest dues at Tk 51.58 crore, followed by Earth Telecom (Tk 32.02 crore) and Aamra Technologies (Tk 25.48 crore).
Bangladesh suffers an annual economic loss of nearly $300 crore due to extreme climate events such as floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves, impacting over 6.3 million people, according to the Climate Risk Index 2025 by Germanwatch. In 2022 alone, the country lost over $299 crore to natural disasters.
Adani Power has agreed to fully restore its 1,600 MW power supply to Bangladesh within days after a three-month partial shutdown due to payment delays caused by Bangladesh’s forex crisis. Supply was halved on October 31, leading to the shutdown of one unit.