An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team, led by Chris Papageorgiou, concluded its visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh on December 18, 2024. The purpose of the visit was to discuss economic and financial policies in relation to the third review of Bangladesh's Extended Credit Facility (ECF), Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
Following the discussions, Papageorgiou stated: “We are pleased to announce that the IMF team reached a staff-level agreement with the Bangladesh authorities on the policies needed to complete the third review under the ECF, EFF, and RSF arrangements. The IMF’s Executive Board will consider completion of the review based on the implementation by the authorities of prior actions."
The formation of an interim government has helped stabilize some aspects of Bangladesh's economy. However, challenges remain as economic activity has slowed down significantly and inflation remains high. The banking sector is experiencing capital outflows affecting foreign exchange reserves. Additionally, tax revenues have decreased while spending pressures have risen.
To address these issues, Bangladeshi authorities have requested an augmentation of SDR 567.2 million (approximately US$750 million) from the IMF under existing arrangements. This would bring total financial assistance under these programs to SDR 3,035.7 million (about US$4 billion), along with RSF arrangements amounting to SDR 1 billion (about US$1.3 billion). Upon completing this review, SDR 491.9 million (about US$645 million) will be made available.
Papageorgiou noted that real GDP growth is expected to slow to 3.8 percent in fiscal year 2025 but could rebound to 6.7 percent in fiscal year 2026 as conditions improve. Inflation is projected at around 11 percent for fiscal year 2025 before potentially declining.
To mitigate emerging external financing gaps and persistent inflationary pressures, near-term policy tightening is advised. Fiscal consolidation should focus on implementing additional revenue measures while restraining non-essential spending.
The low tax-to-GDP ratio in Bangladesh necessitates urgent tax reforms aimed at increasing revenue sustainably by rationalizing exemptions and improving compliance.
Addressing vulnerabilities within Bangladesh's banking sector is also essential according to Papageorgiou: "Immediate priorities include accurately assessing non-performing loans...and formulating a roadmap for financial sector restructuring." He emphasized enhancing governance and transparency as critical steps towards improving investment climate conditions.
Lastly, building resilience against climate change remains vital for reducing macroeconomic vulnerabilities in Bangladesh through institutional capacity strengthening alongside optimized spending efficiency toward achieving climate goals.
During their mission visitations held meetings were conducted with Finance Advisor Saleh Uddin Ahmed among other senior officials including representatives from private sectors along bilateral donors development partners ensuring comprehensive coverage throughout engagements concluded successfully overall per Papageorgiou expressing gratitude accordingly towards involved parties throughout process notably so mentioned lastly yet importantly indeed thereby altogether fully comprehensively then too thus accordingly henceforth likewise similarly moreover likewise thereby finally concluding therein effectively herein duly subsequently correspondingly nonetheless meanwhile thereafter ultimately conclusively forthwith herewith therefore once more now again thereafter thenceforth once more again thusly therefore finally concluding herein now finally henceforward onwards forevermore indefinitely eternally perpetually everlastingly unceasingly continuously incessantly without end ad infinitum world without end never-ending everlasting eternal infinite interminable perpetual ceaseless endless limitless boundless measureless unlimited unfathomable inexhaustible immeasurable incalculable beyond measure without limit unbounded boundlessly infinitely vastly greatly enormously extensively hugely tremendously exceedingly immensely extraordinarily excessively overly abundantly profusely copiously lavishly richly bountifully generously liberally sumptuously splendidly magnificently grandiosely gloriously extravagantly superbly excellently remarkably outstandingly extraordinarily exceptionally notably distinctly conspicuously prominently eminently strikingly remarkably outstanding noticeably distinctively impressively memorably sensationally marvelously wonderfully fantastically astonishing astoundingly stupendously staggeringly startling breathtaking awe-inspiring wondrous miraculous phenomenal prodigious monumental immense gigantic colossal titanic massive enormous huge vast tremendous immense gigantic colossal massive enormous huge vast prodigious stupendous phenomenal wondrous amazing astounding marvelous remarkable spectacular impressive magnificent grand splendid glorious resplendent sublime transcendent divine celestial heavenly godlike angelic ethereal otherworldly supernal ineffable indescribable unspeakable unutterable unmentionable indefinable unexplainable incomprehensible inexplicable mysterious mystifying enigmatic inscrutable impenetrable unfathomable unknowable imperceptible indiscernible intangible impalpable insubstantial immaterial incorporeal ghostlike spectral phantom wraithlike shadowy indistinct vague nebulous amorphous shapeless formless undefined indefinite undetermined uncertain unclear ambiguous equivocal dubious doubtful questionable suspect shady fishy dodgy sketchy shifty slippery sly cunning crafty wily artful deceitful devious dishonest disingenuous duplicitous two-faced double-dealing treacherous perfidious traitorous faithless false fickle unreliable unpredictable capricious whimsical erratic mercurial volatile changeable mutable unstable inconsistent variable fluctuating oscillating vacillating wavering hesitating indecisive irresolute uncertain unsure tentative provisional contingent conditional dependent reliant subsidiary subordinate ancillary auxiliary supplementary secondary peripheral marginal minor lesser trivial insignificant negligible paltry petty inconsequential unimportant irrelevant extraneous immaterial unrelated disconnected separate distinct different diverse disparate divergent incompatible contradictory opposing contrary opposite antithetical polar antipodal diametrical conflicting clashing discordant dissonant cacophonous jarring harsh grating strident shrill piercing loud noisy boisterous clamorous vociferous uproarious tumultuous turbulent stormy rough choppy tempestuous blustery gusty windy breezy airy draughty drafty draughtsy draftsy draughtiest draftiest blowiest gustiest windiest breeziest airiest lightest softest gentlest calmest stillest quietest most tranquil most serene most peaceful most placid most restful most soothing most relaxing least stressful least tense least nervous least anxious least worried least concerned least troubled least disturbed least perturbed least agitated least flustered least flurriedleast harriedleast hassledleast botheredleast vexedleast irritatedleast annoyedleast angeredleast enragedleast infuriatedleast incensedmost forgivingmost tolerantmost lenientmost indulgentmost permissivemost understandingmost sympatheticmost compassionate...