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Bangladesh to clock record GDP growth: central bank

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Bangladesh to clock record GDP growth: central bank

(AFP) – 6 hours ago

DHAKA — Bangladesh's central bank said Tuesday the country was on track to achieve a record 6.7 percent economic growth this financial year, driven by an impressive turnaround in garment exports.

The Bangladesh Bank said economic activity had gained momentum since the start of the financial year in July, with exports posting 37 percent growth in the four months to October thanks to a huge rise in garment orders.

Imports were also up 37 percent, reflecting rising domestic demand, and imports of industrial machinery grew 36 percent, indicating a major expansion in the country's manufacturing sector.

The global economic crisis drove gross domestic product (GDP) growth to a seven-year low of 5.8 percent in the year to July 2010.

"If the trend continues, the country will achieve 6.7 percent growth in Gross Domestic Product in the current financial year and seven percent in the medium term from 2012," the bank said in a statement midway through the financial year.

Bangladesh previously clocked its highest annual GDP growth rate in the 2006 fiscal year, when the economy expanded by 6.6 percent.

Exporters said they have been flooded with export orders of clothing from European Union countries and North America, with major retailers like Wal-Mart, Gap and H&M making the country a key source for their low-cost products.

Ready-made garments for top Western brands make up 80 percent of Bangladesh's annual export earnings and employ some 40 percent of the country's industrial workforce.
 
BB governor certain of meeting target

BB governor certain of meeting target | Bangladesh | bdnews24.com


Wed, Dec 29th, 2010 12:25 am BdST

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Dhaka, Dec 28 (bdnews24.com) — The central bank governor has expressed hope that Bangladesh's economy will grow by 6.7 percent in 2010.

Atiur Rahman told a discussion on Tuesday evening that the national growth target would be met, given there is "no large-scale devastation". "At the same time, we will be attaining growth at more than seven percent over the next few years in line with our mid-term projections."

"We are still overcoming the effects of the global meltdown and our economy is gradually gaining pace."

However, he noted that although trade growth was not satisfactory at the beginning of the last fiscal, it bounced back this year.

Exports marked 37.33 percent growth in the first quarter, while imports grew by just over 37 percent. Inflation fell to 6.86 percent in September from 7.61 of last year, the discussion was told.

The Bangladesh Bank governor also pointed out that the central bank's foreign currency reserve had risen to $11 billion which was $1 billion more than that of Dec 30, 2009.

"The other economic indices including investment are also positive. Considering these positive signs, we will be able to attain our growth target."
 
At this rate, we can very soon expect to see a record GDP growth of around 9% in Bangladesh.
 
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