Economy

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: As formal political competition has declined, the legitimacy of Awami League rule has come to be based on its ability to deliver growth and development.
Opinion

Real challenge for Bangladesh PM Hasina still lies ahead

Public is losing confidence that ruling Awami League can manage economic crisis

12 January 2024
Rohingya refugees work on rebuilding their makeshift shelters after a fire broke out in a camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on Jan. 7.
7 January 2024
Police confront garment workers in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, during a recent demonstration for higher wages. (Photo by Nazmul Islam)
Politics

Bangladesh garment industry wage fight shakes core economic pillar

Government alleges link between protests by opposition and inflation-weary workers

14 November 2023
Police officers pass a charred public bus burned during an opposition protest in Dhaka on Oct. 31, amid days of political violence.
Politics

Bangladeshi political violence poses 'high risk' to stuttering economy

Disruptions over election likely to worsen already weak fundamentals, experts say

6 November 2023
Pedestrians pass the Dhaka Stock Exchange building in the Bangladeshi capital in July. The country has secured another loan tranche from the International Monetary Fund.
Economy

Bangladesh makes grade for $681m from IMF but tougher tests await

'Accommodative' fund approves fresh lending as experts warn of insufficient reforms

19 October 2023
The multipurpose Padma bridge connects Dhaka with the south of Bangladesh. The repayment of a Chinese loan for a railway portion of the bridge is due to start soon.
Economy

Bangladesh's looming debt bills to China, Russia fuel forex fears

Dhaka must be 'very careful' with reserves as infrastructure loans come due

18 August 2023
Bangladeshi police confront opposition protesters blocking a highway into Dhaka on July 29.
Politics

Bangladesh election tensions rise as protests erupt, economy dims

Nation at crossroads between democracy and 'closed autocracy,' expert says

31 July 2023
Mugda Medical College & Hospital in Dhaka is struggling to cope with the high number of patients suffering from dengue.
Society

Deadly dengue sweeps Bangladesh, risks deepening economic pain

Some blame lax mosquito eradication while others point to climate change

22 July 2023
A recent leak from a Bangladesh government website exposed names, birth dates, national identification numbers and other sensitive information on millions of citizens. (Source photo by AP) 
Economy

Huge Bangladesh government data leak hints at other vulnerabilities

Latest wake-up call comes as nation aims to grow digital banking, other services

12 July 2023
Bangladesh's first deepwater port will be built here near the Matarbari coal-fired plant, which is nearing completion. (Photo by Toru Takahashi)
International relations

Japan funding fuels development boom on Bangladesh coast

New power plant and port come at crucial point in country's economic development

26 June 2023
Bangladesh has been squeezed by a lack of dollars needed to import fuel oil, gas and coal. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)
Economy

Bangladesh tightens policy to cut inflation, meet IMF conditions

South Asian nation to let local taka currency float freely against U.S. dollar

19 June 2023
Bangladesh's central bank is expected to lay down guidelines for setting up digital banks. (Source photo by Getty Images) 
Economy

Bangladesh readies digital bank framework in push to go cashless

Country follows lead of India and Pakistan, but 2016 hack looms large

13 June 2023
A man drinks lemonade from a street vendor during a heat wave compounded by power cuts in Dhaka on June 6.
Climate Change

Bangladesh blackouts magnify heat wave linked to climate change

Forex shortage further reduces electricity generation, frustrating residents

9 June 2023
Dhaka ferrymen eat on a boat on the Buriganga River: Inflation is putting a heavy strain on Bangladesh's public.
Economy

Bangladesh's 'expansionary' $71bn budget raises financing doubts

Analysts warn plan may exacerbate pressures that drove Moody's downgrade

2 June 2023
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina aims for Bangladesh to become a developed nation, but the nation's flawed power supply system could derail such plans. The country's giant Matarbari coal-fired power project has been scaled back amid concerns over its environmental impact. (Photos by Reuters and Toru Takahashi)
Energy

Can Bangladesh beat decarbonization challenge to achieve growth?

Travails of coal power project point to difficult economic road ahead

29 May 2023
Workers in Dhaka: Some economists say belt-tightening on imports may strangle Bangladesh's industrial development and job creation.
Economy

Bangladesh on hot seat to meet IMF loan targets

Second-tranche reviews loom as pressure grows to boost reserves but also imports

19 May 2023
Rescuers search for garment workers trapped in the rubble of the collapsed Rana Plaza building on April 24, 2013.
Politics

Bangladesh's Rana Plaza survivors suffer joblessness 10 years on

Many live in pain as advocates continue to push for greater safety, labor rights

24 April 2023
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks with Nikkei Asia at her official residence in Dhaka on April 18. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Interview

Bangladesh holding free trade talks with 11 countries: PM Hasina

Soon to exit 'least developed' status, Dhaka seeks new paths with big partners

20 April 2023
A man watches as firefighters try to contain a major fire that broke out in a Dhaka market area on April 4.
Fires

Fire rips through Bangladesh markets stocked up for Eid

Casualties unclear as merchants suffer heavy financial losses

4 April 2023
Bangladeshi banks are already dealing with a shortage of dollars, and industry experts say the outlook downgrade will further hinder cross-border transactions. 
Economy

Bangladesh banks feel squeeze of Moody's outlook downgrade

Sector faces higher costs, pressure for reform as economic worries mount

9 March 2023
Bangladesh's exports of clothing to the European Union surged nearly 42% in the first nine months of 2022. (Photo by Mostafiz Uddin) 
Trade

Bangladesh ready to topple China as top clothing exporter to EU

Garment industry is crucial to South Asian nation's economy

17 February 2023
A man sells vegetables while garment workers come out of a factory during their lunch break in Dhaka. The country is attempting to push through economic headwinds.
Economy

IMF's $4.7bn Bangladesh loan not a cure-all, analysts say

Experts say 'transformative' policy changes are needed for a true turnaround

2 February 2023
A woman collects garbage from a dump in Dhaka: The IMF's deputy managing director says Bangladesh should not be providing subsidies that benefit the wealthy.
Interview

Bangladesh should redirect subsidy money to help poor: IMF deputy

Antoinette Monsio Sayeh visits Dhaka ahead of board decision on $4.5bn loan

18 January 2023
Reserve Bank of India Gov. Shaktikanta Das speaks at an IMF event on Jan. 6, in this screenshot captured from the IMF's livestream.
Economy

RBI chief's South Asia prescriptions: productivity, energy security

At IMF event, Shaktikanta Das lists priorities for stable growth in troubled region

6 January 2023
An MRT-6 test run in Dhaka: The line promises to help at least some commuters avoid the city's clogged streets. (Photo by Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Transportation

Bangladesh to open Japan-backed metro line on Wednesday

Experts say launch is a positive step but won't solve congestion on its own

27 December 2022