The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Bangladesh's GDP growth may drop to 3.2% in the current fiscal year. This is 1.1 percentage points lower than its previous forecast.
Earlier, the ADB had projected a growth rate of 4% and the World Bank estimated it at 3.4%.
In a major blow to low-income people, prices of daily commodities are unlikely to fall anytime soon. During the same period, average inflation could rise to 10.9%.
This information was released on Tuesday (October 13) at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group held in Bangkok.
The conference began on Monday (October 12) and will continue through October 18.
Against this backdrop, Finance Minister of Bangladesh Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury sought assistance from development partners, particularly the IMF and the World Bank, at the annual meeting in Bangkok.
The minister held meetings with IMF security director Urjit Patel and World Bank managing director Anna Bjerde.
The latest World Economic Outlook report shows that the global economy has maintained its resilience. However, sustaining this resilience is becoming increasingly costly.
According to forecasts, global growth is projected to be 3.1% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027.
Soaring energy and food prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East are adversely impacting economic activity. However, investments in artificial intelligence (AI) are helping offset some of these losses.
Furthermore, global inflation is expected to rise to 4.7% in 2026 before easing to 4.1% in 2027.
Risks of economic deterioration remain, including a potential escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and a reassessment of AI-related expectations.
However, positive possibilities also exist: if AI investments prove durable, productivity surges rapidly, trade systems improve, and high fossil fuel prices accelerate investments toward energy security, economic conditions could improve.
The IMF noted that policy priorities include restoring the capacity of public finances, strengthening energy security, enhancing readiness for AI adoption, and keeping trade and cooperation channels open.