Strong structural reforms can help Bangladesh sustain growth: WB

Bangladesh made a rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic supported by prudent macroeconomic policies, but the economy now faces considerable challenges with global economic uncertainty, rising inflationary pressure, energy shortages, a balance-of-payments deficit, and a revenue shortfall, said the World Bank (WB) in its twice-year-update.

Released today, the Bangladesh Development Update April 2023 entitled 'Trade Reform: An Urgent Agenda' said that accelerating the implementation of structural reforms, including trade reforms and export diversification, will help Bangladesh face the current challenges and a sustained growth momentum in Bangladesh is expected to accelerate over the medium term. In FY24, growth is expected to pick up to 6.2 percent.

The government has set GDP growth target of 6.5 percent for FY23.

While releasing the report at WB Dhaka office, Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said Russia's invasion of Ukraine and global uncertainly have impacted countries around the globe. Bangladesh's post-pandemic recovery has been disrupted by elevated commodity prices, rising interest rates, and slowing global growth.

The World Bank stands ready to support Bangladesh with reforms to accelerate growth and strengthen resilience, he added.

As per the update, higher commodity prices have contributed to inflationary pressure. The balance-of-payments deficit reached $7.2 billion in the first half of FY23, up from $5.3 billion in FY22 creating considerable pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

A multiple exchange rate system has contributed to the balance of payments pressure disincentivizing export and remittance inflows. Moving towards a single market-based exchange rate will help restore external balance. Domestic banks faced challenges with tighter liquidity and increasing non-performing loans. The fiscal deficit widened in FY23, with higher financing from domestic banks. However, the January 2023 joint World Bank-IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) assessed that Bangladesh remained at low risk of debt distress.

Improving trade competitiveness for export diversification will be critical to achieving Bangladesh's aspiration of upper middle-income status by 2031.

Bernard Haven, World Bank Senior Economist and co-author of the report, said the ready-made garments sector accounts for about 83 percent of Bangladesh's exports.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the risk of overreliance on a single sector, he added.

He said, "Diversifying exports and improving competitiveness will help Bangladesh achieve upper middle income status by 2031. For this, it will be important for Bangladesh to reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers. A comprehensive reform program can strengthen regional integration, particularly with South Asia and Southeast Asia"

The Bangladesh Development Update is a companion piece to the South Asia Economic Focus, a twice a-year World Bank report that examines economic developments and prospects in the South Asia region and analyzes policy challenges faced by countries.

The Spring 2023 edition titled "Expanding Opportunities: Toward Inclusive Growth, launched on April 4, 2023", shows that South Asia's growth prospects have weakened due to tightening financial conditions, with large downside risks in most countries given limited fiscal space and depleting reserves. It also analyzes the high level of inequality of opportunity in the region and offers recommendations to achieve more equitable and inclusive growth.