[🇧🇩] Monitoring Bangladesh's Economy

[Saif]

Investment, savings slide as growth slows

Bangladesh's investment and savings ratios declined sharply in FY2024–25, reflecting a broader economic slowdown that has pushed GDP growth to its lowest level since the pandemic. The latest official data point to weakening domestic demand and a more cautious investment climate. Economists w

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Investment, savings slide as growth slows
BBS data signals deepening economic strain amid inflation, weak demand

FHM Humayan Kabir

Published :
Mar 29, 2026 09:17
Updated :
Mar 29, 2026 11:35

Bangladesh's investment and savings ratios declined sharply in FY2024–25, reflecting a broader economic slowdown that has pushed GDP growth to its lowest level since the pandemic.

The latest official data point to weakening domestic demand and a more cautious investment climate. Economists warn that the twin decline in investment and savings could have far-reaching consequences for employment, income growth and poverty reduction, raising fresh concerns over the country's macroeconomic stability.

According to the recently released final estimates of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the investment-to-GDP ratio fell to 28.54 per cent in FY25, down from 30.70 per cent in the previous FY24.

Domestic savings dropped by nearly two percentage points to 21.98 per cent, while national savings followed a similar downward trajectory, settling at 27.67 per cent in FY2025.

Domestic savings declined to 21.98 per cent of GDP in FY2025 from 23.96 per cent in FY2024, the official data showed. Similarly, national savings fell to 27.67 per cent of GDP in FY2025 from 28.42 per cent in FY2024, according to the BBS final estimates.

Analysts say this contraction underscores a cautious environment for both public and private capital, with private investment dropping to 22.03 per cent of GDP in FY2025 from 23.96 per cent in FY2024. Public sector investment also declined slightly to 5.80 per cent of GDP in FY2025, from 5.91 per cent in the previous fiscal year, the data showed.

Economists attribute the decline to a combination of persistently high inflation and weak domestic demand, which has forced many households to prioritise immediate consumption over long-term savings.

Furthermore, high interest rates and exchange rate volatility, with the average dollar rate used for BBS calculations rising to Tk 120.82, have significantly eroded real purchasing power and surplus income.

The drop in these key indicators aligns with a revised GDP growth rate of 3.49 per cent for FY2025, down from the provisional estimate of 3.97 per cent. This marks the third consecutive year of deceleration for the Bangladesh economy.

While the industrial sector posted modest growth of 3.71 per cent, both the services and agriculture sectors slowed, expanding by 4.35 per cent and 2.42 per cent respectively.

In a rare positive development, per capita income rose to Tk 334,511 (US$2,769) in FY2025, up from Tk 304,102 (US$2,738) in FY2024, according to BBS data. However, analysts caution that the increase in dollar terms partly reflects exchange rate adjustments and nominal growth, rather than a broad-based improvement in living standards.

The current economic landscape suggests that, without a significant boost in investment and savings, growth recovery may remain uncertain.​

 

[Saif]

The next phase of digital payments in Bangladesh

When I look at how payments were traditionally made in Bangladesh till about a decade ago, I am reminded how our financial system relied on physical presence. Paying utility bills, settling supplier payments, or processing salaries meant paperwork, signatures, and visits to banks or service centers

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

The next phase of digital payments in Bangladesh

Sabbir Ahmed
Published :
Mar 29, 2026 23:51
Updated :
Mar 29, 2026 23:51

When I look at how payments were traditionally made in Bangladesh till about a decade ago, I am reminded how our financial system relied on physical presence. Paying utility bills, settling supplier payments, or processing salaries meant paperwork, signatures, and visits to banks or service centers. The system was familiar and dependable, but it was also slow and paper-heavy and not designed for scale. As the economy expanded and commerce accelerated, the cost of manual processes became increasingly visible in time lost, operational inefficiencies, and delays in opportunities.

By the late 2010s, mobile phones had become a key channel for financial transactions. Mobile Financial Services such as bKash and Nagad expanded rapidly, enabling millions to send, receive, and manage money while bringing formal financial services closer to people with limited access to banking.

A key turning point came in 2012 with the launch of the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB). By allowing banks to connect with one another and enabling smoother ATM, POS, and online fund transfers, it laid the groundwork for an extremely efficient and integrated system. Over time, it also strengthened the links between banks and Mobile Financial Services. In many ways, this was the beginning of a more connected, real-time payments ecosystem in Bangladesh.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, digital transactions including mobile wallets, internet banking, and other electronic channels increased from 366.7 million in 2023 to 403.1 million in 2024, with total transaction value exceeding Tk 763.40 billion.

Although cash continues to play an important role in daily life, this steady growth shows that more people are choosing digital payment methods. To me, this reflects not just usage, but growing trust.

Mobile Financial Services (MFS) have transformed how money moves in our system. Peer-to-peer transfers, merchant payments, and everyday transactions can now happen digitally at scale. Interoperable QR codes and mobile platforms have made digital payments more accessible, bringing greater convenience and financial inclusion.

Visa has been present in Bangladesh for more than three decades, supporting the evolution of the country's digital payments ecosystem through innovation-led solutions. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have emerged as a key pillar of the economy, enabling inclusive growth and new economic opportunities.

For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the growth of digital and contactless payments has created meaningful opportunities. Digital payments allow businesses to receive funds faster, maintain clearer transaction records, and reduce reliance on cash handling. QR payments, contactless cards, and mobile wallets also make it easier for merchants to accept payments from customers instantly. Over time, these digital transaction histories can help businesses build financial credibility and potentially improve their access to formal credit. In this way, digital and contactless payments are helping strengthen the SME sector, which remains a key driver of Bangladesh's economy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital platforms further demonstrated the resilience of the payment ecosystem. Government wage payments, particularly in sectors such as ready-made garments, moved largely to digital channels. What began as a necessary response during a difficult period has since become a lasting behavioral shift. For many businesses and consumers, digital payments are no longer an alternative, they have becoming part of the regular routine.

The momentum we see today is supported by an evolving policy environment, as the newly formed government reaffirms its focus on strengthening Bangladesh's digital financial ecosystem. Through regulatory support and engagement with industry stakeholders, these efforts are helping accelerate the adoption of secure and efficient digital payment systems across the country.

As digital payments expanded, we have seen firsthand how important security becomes in building long-term confidence. Convenience alone is not enough though. One of the most important advancements in recent years has been tokenisation. Instead of transmitting a customer's actual card number during a transaction, tokenisation replaces it with a secure digital code. This significantly reduces the risk of fraud while ensuring that transactions remain fast and seamless. Through Visa's Token Service, we work with banks, digital wallets, and merchants to enable secure payments across mobile apps, contactless taps, and online platforms. From my experience, innovation in security is not optional, it is essential. Trust is the foundation on which any digital ecosystem must be built.

Cash remains important in Bangladesh, and challenges such as digital literacy and system integration require continued attention; but the direction is clear. Digital payments are reducing friction across the economy shortening settlement times, lowering transaction costs, improving transparency, and expanding access to formal finance.

As digital payments reach new and first-time users, ensuring robust and seamless authentication becomes critical. To address this need, Visa is introducing Payment Passkey to further strengthen authentication in digital commerce. Designed to move beyond traditional one-time passwords, Payment Passkey is built on FIDO® standards and allows consumers to authenticate transactions using their device's native unlock methods such as fingerprint, facial recognition, or PIN. With a simple one-time setup, consumers can experience consistent authentication across participating merchants, improving both security and user experience.

Visa continues to be a global leader in digital payments, with a presence across more than 200 countries and territories, connecting consumers, businesses, and governments worldwide with its innovative solutions. Last year, we also introduced innovations around Visa Direct Account (VDA), which expands the way money can move through the Visa network. Visa Direct enables fast and secure transfers directly to bank accounts, supporting use cases such as remittances, business payments, and person-to-person transfers. By enabling funds to move quickly and reliably between accounts, these solutions help improve efficiency for businesses and provide greater convenience for consumers.

We are actively collaborating with leading issuing banks in Bangladesh to bring these innovations into the domestic e-commerce ecosystem. The objective is clear: reduce friction, improve transaction approval rates, strengthen security, and create a safer environment for digital commerce. For me, this partnership between global technology and local institutions is what enables progress that is both secure and sustainable.

The real change lies in how Bangladesh's payments ecosystem is evolving through stronger connectivity between institutions, improved security standards, and collaboration across the financial sector. While the purpose of transactions remains the same paying bills, buying groceries, or sending money to family, the speed and convenience have transformed. Today, a QR scan or a simple mobile tap can complete payments in seconds, often without any paperwork.

The process is the same: value exchanged for value. What has changed is the distance between intent and completion. And in reducing that distance, we are not simply making payments easier, we are helping position Bangladesh's economy in a favourable position to operate with greater efficiency, resilience, and global connectivity in the years ahead. At Visa, we are proud to play our part in enabling that progress alongside our partners across the ecosystem in our continued commitment to Bangladesh's progress.

Sabbir Ahmed is Country Manager, Visa - Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.​

 

[Saif]

Hollowing out the economy by illicit fund outflow

Few statistics capture the scale of Bangladesh's economic vulnerability as starkly as this: $68.3bn illicitly transferred abroad in less than a decade. The figure, estimated by Global Financial Integrity, is not merely an accounting anomaly or a technical irregularity in trade data. It is a systemi

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hollowing out the economy by illicit fund outflow

Mir Mostafizur Rahaman
Published :
Mar 31, 2026 00:41
Updated :
Mar 31, 2026 00:41

Few statistics capture the scale of Bangladesh's economic vulnerability as starkly as this: $68.3bn illicitly transferred abroad in less than a decade. The figure, estimated by Global Financial Integrity, is not merely an accounting anomaly or a technical irregularity in trade data. It is a systemic haemorrhage -- one that has quietly but profoundly undermined the foundations of the country's economic stability.

For a developing economy like Bangladesh, such losses are not abstract. They represent foregone infrastructure, underfunded hospitals, fragile banks and missed opportunities for millions. At current exchange rates, the outflow of Tk 8.33tn over 10 years is equivalent to several annual national budgets. It is money that should have built roads, strengthened the education system, or cushioned the country's ultra poor against inflation and economic shocks.

Instead, it has vanished -- often invisibly -- through the opaque channels of global trade.

The primary vehicle for this outflow is not suitcases of cash or clandestine bank transfers. It is something far more mundane and therefore more dangerous: trade misinvoicing.

By overpricing imports and underpricing exports, businesses can legally move money across borders while disguising it as legitimate trade. A shipment worth $1m may be declared as $2m on paper, allowing an extra $1m to be transferred abroad. Conversely, exporters may understate earnings, retaining profits offshore. These practices exploit gaps in oversight and asymmetries in international trade reporting.

Such manipulation thrives in a global system where customs authorities in one country rarely have the capacity -- or sometimes the incentive -- to verify the accuracy of invoices against their counterparts abroad. The "value gap" identified by GFI is not just a statistical discrepancy; it is a symptom of weak governance.

But the deeper problem is not technical -- it is political.

The scale of the outflows suggests that this is not the work of isolated business people. It points instead to entrenched networks involving elements of the political class, sections of the bureaucracy, and segments of the financial system.

A white paper by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus estimated that as much as $234 billion was siphoned out of the country during the Awami League government. Whether or not one accepts the precise figure, the broader conclusion is difficult to dispute: illicit financial flows have been facilitated by institutional failures and, at times, active complicity.

This collusion corrodes more than just public finances. It erodes trust in the state. When citizens see vast sums leaving the country while they struggle with rising prices, stagnant wages and declining public services, the social contract begins to fray. The consequences of this long term capital flight are now visible across Bangladesh's economy.

First, it has intensified pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Every dollar illicitly transferred abroad is a dollar not available to stabilise the currency or pay for essential imports such as fuel, food and industrial raw materials. The recurring balance-of-payments stress that what Bangladesh faced in recent years cannot be understood without accounting for these hidden outflows.

Second, it has weakened the banking sector. When funds are siphoned off through trade channels, domestic liquidity tightens. Banks face increased pressure and are often resort to high lending rates, and their dependency on the central bank increases. This, in turn, constrains private sector investment and slows economic growth.

Third, it distorts competition. Honest businesses that comply with rules find themselves at a disadvantage compared to those that can shift profits abroad and evade taxes. Over time, this creates a perverse incentive structure where success depends less on efficiency and innovation and more on access to illicit networks.

Finally, it exacerbates inequality. The benefits of capital flight accrue to a narrow elite, while the costs are borne by the wider population through reduced public spending and economic instability. This is not just an economic issue; it is a question of fairness.

Despite repeated warnings from economists and international organisations, efforts to curb illicit flows have yielded limited results. The reasons are multilayered.

Regulatory oversight remains fragmented. While institutions such as Bangladesh Bank, the National Board of Revenue, and customs authorities all have roles to play, coordination between them is often weak. Information sharing is limited, and enforcement actions are sporadic.

There is also a capacity gap. Detecting trade misinvoicing requires sophisticated data analysis and access to international trade databases -- resources that are not always readily available.

More fundamentally, there is a deficit of political will. Tackling illicit financial flows inevitably means confronting powerful interests. Without sustained commitment at the highest levels of government, reforms risk being diluted or delayed.

Reversing this longstanding trend will require more than incremental adjustments. It demands a comprehensive strategy that combines domestic reform with international cooperation.

First of all the country needs to strengthen trade transparency.

Bangladesh must invest in real-time trade data verification systems, enabling customs authorities to compare declared values with international benchmarks. Partnerships with organisations like Global Financial Integrity can help build technical capacity.

Enhancing institutional coordination is a must. A dedicated inter-agency task force -- bringing together the finance ministry, central bank, customs and intelligence agencies -- should be empowered to investigate and prosecute cases of trade-based money laundering. Information sharing must become the norm, not the exception.

Existing laws often fail to deter big perpetrators. So heavier fines, asset seizures and criminal prosecution should be ensured for those involved in illicit flows by amending the rules and regulations.

Illicit funds do not disappear; they are parked in foreign bank accounts, real estate and financial instruments. Bangladesh must actively engage with international partners -- particularly in the United States and Europe -- to trace and recover stolen assets. Mutual legal assistance treaties and participation in global anti-money laundering frameworks are essential.

Investigative journalism and insider disclosures are often the first line of defence against financial crimes. Legal protections for whistleblowers and a free press can play a critical role in exposing corruption.

Ultimately, no reform will succeed without confronting the political economy of corruption. Transparency in political financing, asset declarations by public officials, and independent oversight institutions are crucial.

Recovering laundered money is notoriously difficult. It involves complex legal processes, cross-border cooperation, and long time. Yet even partial recovery can send a powerful signal.

Countries such as Nigeria and Malaysia have demonstrated that asset recovery, while challenging, is not impossible. For Bangladesh, success will depend on persistence, smart diplomacy, and the willingness to pursue cases even when they implicate influential figures.

Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. The exposure of large-scale illicit financial flows has created a rare moment of public awareness and political urgency. The interim government has signalled its intent to act, but intent must translate into results.

If these outflows continue unchecked, the consequences will be profound: a weakened currency, a contracted economy, and a growing sense of injustice among citizens.

But the reverse is also true. If Bangladesh can stem the tide of illicit finance -- if it can ensure that wealth generated within its borders is reinvested for the benefit of its people -- it could unlock a new phase of inclusive growth.

The stakes could hardly be higher. This is not just about money. It is about the kind of state Bangladesh aspires to be: one where rules are enforced, opportunities are shared, and the fruits of development are not quietly siphoned away, but visibly and equitably distributed.​

 

[Saif]

Foreign loan commitments rise, but disbursal slows

Bangladesh secured higher foreign loan commitments in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, yet actual disbursement fell by 26 percent compared with the same period last year, raising concerns about the country’s ability to use external funds effectively.

www.thedailystar.net

Foreign loan commitments rise, but disbursal slows

Md Asaduz Zaman

Bangladesh secured higher foreign loan commitments in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, yet actual disbursement fell by 26 percent compared with the same period last year, raising concerns about the country’s ability to use external funds effectively.

Between the July-February period, foreign loan disbursement dropped to $3.05 billion, down from $4.13 billion a year earlier, according to data released by the Economic Relations Division (ERD) today.

The decline was driven largely by slower project aid, the primary channel for financing infrastructure and development projects.

Disbursement under project assistance fell to just above $3 billion in the first eight months of this fiscal year, compared with over $4.1 billion during the same period last year.

This slowdown comes despite nearly $40 billion in financing commitments from foreign lenders.

Analysts say the widening gap between pledged funds and actual disbursement reflects Bangladesh’s limited capacity to use external resources on time.

Foreign aid is crucial for roads, power plants, and social sector projects, but delays can reduce project benefits and increase costs.

The trend is particularly concerning as Bangladesh’s external debt servicing rises. During the July-February period, the country paid $2.9 billion in principal and interest, up from $2.63 billion a year earlier.

Deen Islam, professor of economics at Dhaka University, said the figures indicate a gradual shift from development financing to debt rollover.

“When a large portion of new external borrowing is used to service existing debt rather than finance productive investment, the net inflow of resources into the economy declines,” he said.

“Infrastructure and development spending may slow, while rising debt servicing puts additional pressure on foreign exchange reserves and the exchange rate,” Islam said.

He added that the situation could also fuel imported inflation. While not yet a crisis, he described it as a “warning sign”.

“If this trend persists, policymakers will face difficult trade-offs between taking on more debt and reallocating domestic resources away from development spending,” he said.

Meanwhile, Monzur Hossain, member (secretary) of the General Economics Division (GED) under the Planning Commission, said, “Loan disbursement is directly tied to project progress. When implementation slows, disbursement inevitably falls.”

He pointed to structural bottlenecks, particularly in investment projects.

“Many projects involve complex conditions, and meeting those requirements takes time. Land acquisition remains a major challenge in many cases,” Hossain said.

He also noted weaknesses in the execution of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) as a key factor. “Since most of these loans are linked to ADP projects, delays in overall project execution translate into slower disbursement,” he added.

During the period of the interim government, many projects were almost stagnant. However, Hossain expressed optimism about improvement in the coming months.

“Now, with a political government in place, monitoring has increased, projects are being prioritised, and delays are being scrutinised more closely,” he said.

“I expect the situation to improve soon, particularly in the final months of the fiscal year as measures taken by the Planning Commission begin to take effect,” he added.​