IMF slashes Bangladesh growth forecast to 4.9% for FY26

SAT Desk The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered Bangladesh`s economic growth projection for FY26 to 4.9% from the previous 5.4% made in June. In its latest World Economic Outlook for October 2025 released Tuesday, the multilateral lender also projected that the rate of inflation would stand at 8.7% in FY26, an upward revision of its June projection of 6.2%. Earlier on October 7, the World Bank in its latest Bangladesh Development Update stated that the country was expected to maintain an upward growth trajectory in the medium term, but urgent reforms were critical to sustaining growth and job creation, especially for youth and women. It projected that gross domestic product (GDP) growth would rise to 4.8% in FY26 from 4% in FY25, and to 6.3% in FY27. The IMF in its Tuesday`s release also downgraded the global growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points from its forecast a year earlier. It projected global growth at 3.2% for this year and 3.1% for next year, a cumulative downgrade of 0.2 percentage points. Global growth is holding steady despite major policy shifts. The increase in tariffs and its effect has been smaller than expected so far. This is thanks to new trade deals, multiple exemptions, and the private sector`s agility in rerouting supply chains, said IMF`s chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, unveiling the outlook. Yet, beneath the steady surface, complex forces are at work, he warned. Gourinchas said easy financial conditions and a weaker dollar, fiscal stimulus in some major countries, and surging artificial intelligence investment were all shaping activity and inflation dynamics.SAT Desk The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered Bangladesh`s economic growth projection for FY26 to 4.9% from the previous 5.4% made in June. In its latest World Economic Outlook for October 2025 released Tuesday, the multilateral lender also projected that the rate of inflation would stand at 8.7% in FY26, an upward revision of its June projection of 6.2%. Earlier on October 7, the World Bank in its latest Bangladesh Development Update stated that the country was expected to maintain an upward growth trajectory in the medium term, but urgent reforms were critical to sustaining growth and job creation, especially for youth and women. It projected that gross domestic product (GDP) growth would rise to 4.8% in FY26 from 4% in FY25, and to 6.3% in FY27. The IMF in its Tuesday`s release also downgraded the global growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points from its forecast a year earlier. It projected global growth at 3.2% for this year and 3.1% for next year, a cumulative downgrade of 0.2 percentage points. Global growth is holding steady despite major policy shifts. The increase in tariffs and its effect has been smaller than expected so far. This is thanks to new trade deals, multiple exemptions, and the private sector`s agility in rerouting supply chains, said IMF`s chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, unveiling the outlook. Yet, beneath the steady surface, complex forces are at work, he warned. Gourinchas said easy financial conditions and a weaker dollar, fiscal stimulus in some major countries, and surging artificial intelligence investment were all shaping activity and inflation dynamics.

MPO teachers block Shahbagh, demand increase in rent allowance

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka Monthly pay order (MPO)-registered teachers from private educational institutions, protesting for an increase in house rent allowance, blockaded Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka on Wednesday after spending the night at Dhaka`s Central Shaheed Minar. Police had earlier stopped the teachers in front of the National Museum. The protesters set out towards Shahbagh around 1:45pm, though they had originally planned to begin the blockade around noon. Under the leadership of Principal Delawar Hossain Azizi, member secretary of the “Coalition Aspiring for Nationalization of MPO-enrolled Education,” the teachers aimed to occupy the Shahbagh intersection to press their demands. One protester said they would remain at Shahbagh until their demands were met, while another said they would stay until office hours ended, then return to Shaheed Minar. The teachers are demanding a 20% increase in house rent allowance, a Tk1,500 medical allowance, and a 75% festival bonus for employees. While sit-ins continue centrally in Dhaka, work stoppages are ongoing at educational institutions across the country. They also claimed that on Sunday, police used force during a sit-in in front of the National Press Club, prompting them to relocate to the Shaheed Minar. Police had again stopped the teachers on Tuesday during a “March to Secretariat” at the High Court Mazar Gate. Principal Delawar Hossain Azizi said: “We will blockade Shahbagh on Wednesday. Teachers across the country will observe a work stoppage, keeping classroom teaching suspended. No teacher will participate in classroom activities until a notification is issued.”

Let’s hold election to save people: Fakhrul

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called upon all not to create further divisions, raising the demands for a referendum and PR, rather than to help hold the upcoming election to save the countrymen. "Let`s hold the election quickly to save the people," he said while exchanging views with the people of his parliamentary seat, Thakurgaon-1, at Goreya Union Parishad in the district. Mirza Fakhrul called upon all the political parties not to create divisions or make a movement over the issues of the referendum and proportionate representatives (PR). "Debate can be held over the PR in the next parliament," he said. The Senior BNP leader said those who are demonstrating on the roads over the issues do not have good intentions. "They want to foil the election," he said. Mirza Fakrul called upon all to extend wholehearted cooperation to hold the next election, saying, "All want to cast their votes. Please help to do the election, and let`s hope there will be an elected parliament where these issues will be discussed." He reiterated his party`s commitment to create jobs for one crore people. Mirza Fakhrul said they don`t want to do the politics of vengeance. "We don`t want any division among the Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians. We want to live together. No more division, much damage has already occurred. We want no more damage. We want to live in amity and friendship," he said. He has reminded us that they are all working to build the country in a beautiful manner. The BNP leader said the election will be held and people will cast their votes to choose their desired representatives. "Make sure that there will be no division," he said. The BNP Secretary General said the July Charter will be signed with the consent of those who agreed to sign it. "The July Charter is like installing a metal tin in the house. The house needs to be hinged. The politics of the country needs to be reformed. So, we are making reforms," he said. The reform proposal that all have agreed upon will be signed, and those that are not agreed upon will have to go to the people for their support, he opined. Mirza Fakhrul has been roaming around his constituency to drum up public support in favour of the symbol Sheaf of Paddy in the upcoming general election since Tuesday. Thakurgaon district BNP General Secretary Poigam Ali, Sadar Upazila General Secretary Mahbub Hossain Tuhin, and hundreds of leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organizations were present.

Reception for Dance Artist Khangembam Khoni

The ‘Manipuri Library and Research Center’ felicitated eminent Manipuri dance Artist Khangembam Khoni on the occasion of its 6th foundation day. The reception was held on October 11 at the Manipuri Cultural Complex in Tetaigaon, Kamalganj. Md. Mamunur Rashid, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development and Human Resource Management) of Moulvibazar, attended the event as the chief guest. Kamalganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Makhan Chandra Sutradhar was present as the special guest. The event was presided over by President of the Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad A.K. Sheram and moderated by Ayekpam Anju. Convener of Funga Heritage, India, Munish Ningthoujam inaugurate the program. Welcome speeches were delivered by social activist Kaisham Monindra, N. Shanta, Journalist Rabi kiran Singh Rajesh, social worker Ibunghal Shyamal and Brajagopal Singha. At the event, the dignitaries presented Khangembam Khoni with a traditional uttariya , a crest, and a certificate of honor. The cultural segment featured performances by guest artists from Manipur, India — Vandana Wahengbam and Meenakshi — as well as local performers. The event was held in collaboration with Funga Heritage, India.

All political parties to sign July Charter, hopes Asif Nazrul

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Wednesday said that all political parties participated sincerely in the discussions on the July Charter and are expected to sign the document in the same spirit. “I think all political parties have participated in this discussion with dedication. I do not know what they will do. But I believe, as a continuation of this dedication, they will sign the July Charter. I believe everyone will sign it,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat. Talking about the upcoming national parliamentary election, the Law Adviser said: “Whenever there is an interim government, such concerns over elections naturally arise. On behalf of the government, I firmly said we are committed to holding the election in the first half of February. There is no room for second thoughts—not even in passing conversation.” Mentioning the separate secretariat for the Supreme Court, the adviser said the ministry will submit a proposal to the Advisory Council within the next few weeks to establish a separate secretariat for the Supreme Court. “This has been one of the key recommendations of the Judicial Reform Commission. We’ve done substantial work on this issue. There are some areas of differing opinion that still need to be discussed,” he said. The proposal will be placed before the Council of Advisers in the coming weeks, on behalf of the ministry, and if the council sees merit in it, it will be approved, he said, adding: “I do believe this government will be able to establish the Supreme Court Secretariat during its term.” Dr Nazrul also commented on the evolving political climate, saying that criticism and threats directed at advisers by political parties and groups reflect a shift from previous practices.

CA places six proposals to end hunger; emphasises ‘Three-Zero World’

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today placed six proposals for a complete transformation of the global food and economic systems to end hunger, saying hunger is caused by the failure of the existing economic framework. “Hunger is not caused by scarcity. It is caused by the failure of the economic framework that we have designed . . . we must change the system,” he said. The chief adviser presented a keynote speech at the grand opening of the World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event 2025 at Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Headquarters in Rome, Italy, this afternoon (Rome Time).

Trump hails ’tremendous day for Middle East’ as leaders sign Gaza declaration

US President Donald Trump hailed a "tremendous day for the Middle East" as he and regional leaders signed a declaration meant to cement a ceasefire in Gaza, hours after Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages and prisoners. Trump made a lightning visit to Israel, where he lauded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an address to parliament, before flying to Egypt for a Gaza summit where he and the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey signed the declaration on Monday as guarantors to the ceasefire deal.

Brazil President Lula plans visit to Bangladesh

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has expressed his interest in visiting Bangladesh in the coming months, hoping the visit would strengthen ties between the two nations. President Lula made the announcement during a meeting with Bangladesh`s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on Monday (Rome Time) on the sidelines of the FAO-organised World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event in Rome, Italy. Both leaders served as keynote speakers at the forum and later held a bilateral meeting at the FAO headquarters to discuss matters of mutual interest, including social business, universal healthcare, social inclus

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Proportional electoral system not possible in Bangladesh: Fakhrul

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka The proportional electoral system, which has come in the spotlight amid discussions of constitutional reform, is not possible in the context of Bangladesh, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul said today (13 November). Speaking at a press conference at his residence in Thakurgaon`s Kalibari, he said, "We have rejected this electoral system. This system is not possible in the context of the country." Bangladesh currently uses the First Past the Post, or FPTP, system, where the candidate with the highest votes in an electoral constituency wins. The other system is the Proportional Representation system, where there are no constituency-based candidates. Voters cast their votes for party symbols, and the number of seats a party receives in parliament is determined in proportion to the percentage of votes it secures. At the conference, Fakrhul also urged for patience and unity among the people following AL`s "successful attempts to create divisions". "We want a united nation by removing this division. In a democratic society there can be different opinions. But there must be unity on the basic issues of Bangladesh`s independence — sovereignty, democracy, human rights. "As a nation, we must not be intolerant. It is not possible to remove the garbage of 17 years in 17 days or even 17 months. So, this government should be given time." Fakhrul said, "We have verified that the people want an impartial election with the participation of all. We think that all kinds of reforms are necessary to make this election fair. So we have been saying that elections should be held within a reasonable time. And this roadmap should be given to the government." On the issue of reforms, he said the government would not have to do most of those. "It will be done by a parliament which has been elected." At the conference, Fakhrul also warned that India`s continuous campaign against Bangladesh can pose a great danger. "Now a trend has started on social media. Some are trying to destroy the achievements of Bangladesh. We have to be careful as we cannot meet another disaster right now. There is danger over our heads as the mastermind of fascism is staying in India," he said. After the fall of the Awami League administration, several parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have called for the introduction of the PR system in the national parliamentary elections.