IMF warns Bangladesh about economic risks

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sees several challenges in Bangladesh. IMF Bangladesh Mission Chief, Rahul Anand said this in a written statement after the visit on Sunday (May 7). The IMF team led by Rahul Anand visited Bangladesh from April 25 to May 7.

IMF mission chief, Rahul Anand said in a statement that inflationary pressures, global economic instability and slowing economies of major trading partner countries will affect Bangladesh's growth, foreign exchange reserves and currency value.

The IMF delegation came to Bangladesh on April 25 to learn about the progress in the use of loan money and the updated information on various indicators of the economy. Rahul Anand, head of the Asia Pacific region of the organization, led the delegation.

During this visit, the IMF representatives met with the top officials of the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank and the Ministry of Energy. They discussed the latest situation of Bangladesh's macro economy and the progress of projects taken under IMF loan.

Rahul Anand said in the statement, “During this visit we discussed the macroeconomic situation and the state of the financial sector. We have also collected information on the projects taken up on loan and the progress towards fulfilling the conditions.”

He said that the IMF delegation had a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor, Abdur Rauf Talukder, Finance Secretary Fatima Yasmin and other senior government and Bangladesh Bank officials. Private sector representatives, bilateral donors and development partners were also consulted.