Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury expects Bangladesh’s economic performance to improve in the coming months, with an agreement on the next steps in its engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expected by January.
Speaking to reporters at the National Board of Revenue in Dhaka on Wednesday, he said the government was pursuing specific targets to strengthen growth and fiscal discipline, with economic indicators expected to gain momentum in the second, third and fourth quarters compared with the first.
He said customs performance and the broader growth trend were encouraging, while revenue collection was expected to rise in the coming quarters.
The minister said the government would ensure proper use of taxpayers’ money, with every public investment expected to generate appropriate returns and create jobs.
“We are planning projects in a way that ensures an appropriate return on every investment and creates new employment opportunities,” he said.
On discussions with the IMF and other development partners, Amir Khosru said the fund’s lending and assistance formed part of a broader economic programme.
He said Bangladesh was also drawing on support from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank, alongside bonds and other sources, to keep the economy moving.
A working group is reviewing ongoing engagement with the IMF and related structural issues. The minister expects a clear progress report on these matters by January.
He said the government’s measures would help keep revenue in line with expenditure and ensure that the public benefited from improved economic management.
