Bangladesh must speed up reforms for post-LDC growth: ICCB chief

Bangladesh stands at a pivotal economic juncture as it navigates its post-Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation era, facing both remarkable resilience and significant challenges. The nation must urgently implement structural reforms, bolster macroeconomic stability, and foster greater public-private collaboration to ensure sustained long-term economic growth.

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Bangladesh must speed up structural reforms, strengthen macroeconomic stability and enhance public-private collaboration to successfully navigate the post-LDC graduation era and sustain long-term economic growth.

Despite demonstrating resilience through strong remittance inflows, steady export performance, and ongoing infrastructure development, Bangladesh's economy expanded by only around 3.7 percent in 2025. This slower growth was attributed to weaker industrial activity, tighter macroeconomic policies, energy shortages, and subdued private investment. Nevertheless, export performance remained robust, and remittance inflows reached a record $32.8 billion, bolstering the external sector and supporting domestic demand. The agriculture and services sectors also continued to be vital for economic stability.

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the country entered 2026 at a defining moment of its economic journey.

Looking ahead, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects a growth recovery to approximately 4.7 percent in 2026, with further medium-term expansion anticipated if macroeconomic stability is maintained and reforms persist. Key opportunities lie in emerging sectors like the blue economy, renewable energy, green infrastructure, the digital economy, and tourism. However, realizing this potential demands decisive action.

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the economy expanded by around 3.7 percent in 2025, reflecting weaker industrial activity, tighter macroeconomic policies, energy shortages and subdued private investment.

Controlling inflation, fortifying the banking and financial sector, ensuring long-term energy security, enhancing domestic revenue mobilization, improving debt management, and restoring private-sector confidence are identified as national priorities. Furthermore, concluding Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) is crucial to maintaining export competitiveness following LDC graduation. The ICCB president highlighted infrastructure as a critical driver for competitiveness, underscoring the need for continued investment and development in this area.

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export performance remained resilient, while remittance inflows reached a record $32.8 billion, strengthening the external sector and supporting domestic demand