Bangladesh’s economy closed fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25) with mixed outcomes, showing modest recovery signs but still facing significant structural challenges , according to the latest review by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).
Based on data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the review highlighted that GDP growth improved to 4.86% in the third quarter from 4.48% in the previous quarter.
Besides, point-to-point inflation eased to 8.48% in June although average annual inflation remained high at 10.03%.
Export earnings and remittance inflows rose in the last quarter, contributing to the stabilisation of foreign currency reserves but slow private sector credit growth, weak investment, and ongoing banking sector problems continued to weigh on economic momentum.
The agriculture sector expanded by 2.42% in Q3, up from 1.25% in Q2 while services growth accelerated to 5.88% from 3.78%. Industry growth slowed slightly to 6.91%, said the review.
In external trade, FY25 exports grew 8.58% year-on-year to US$48.28 billion, while imports rose 5.31% to US$63.96 billion in July-May.
Remittances surged 26.83% to US$30.33 billion.
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The current account deficit narrowed sharply to US$432 million in July-May from US$6.12 billion a year earlier.
On the fiscal side, NBR’s tax revenue rose 2.23% to Tk.370,874 crore but fell nearly 20% short of the annual target.
Annual Development Programme (ADP) implementation hit a 20-year low at 67.85%.
The foreign exchange market saw the Taka depreciate by 3.89% against the US dollar over the year, ending June 2025 at Tk.122.77 per US$.
Reserves stood at US$31.77 billion on a gross basis, or US$26.74 billion under the BPM6 standard.
MCCI said reforms in banking, better investment conditions, and sustained export and remittance growth will be key to achieving stronger recovery in the coming fiscal year.