Bangkok:Bangladesh's Finance and Planning Minister, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, stated that discussions with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on economic progress, reforms, and the government's development plans are advancing positively.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the IMF expressed satisfaction with Bangladesh's economic progress, taking into account the economic challenges faced by the government and the impact of ongoing global conflicts.
The remarks came after a meeting with IMF Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke, held on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok. Amir Khosru noted that teams from Bangladesh and the IMF engaged in detailed discussions over several days, covering a range of issues.
During the meeting, the IMF raised concerns about specific areas like the banking sector and the tax-to-GDP ratio, while Bangladesh also had its observations. The finance minister mentioned that progress had already been made on several issues, and discussions on remaining matters would continue in the coming months.
Amir Khosru also addressed the ongoing discussions about a new programme with the IMF, expressing optimism that these talks would soon lead to a final decision. The meeting covered topics such as recapitalisation of the banking sector and economic stability.
He emphasized that Bangladesh is actively engaging with the IMF, World Bank, and other multilateral development partners to advance its economy. The government plans to implement its development plans in partnership with these institutions, aligning with its election manifesto commitments.
The 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings, which began on October 12 in Bangkok and run until October 18, are being attended by finance ministers, central bank governors, policymakers, and representatives from various countries.