Bangladesh’s economy will do well in 2021: Finance minister
Bangladesh's economy is in a fairly good shape compared to other countries due to various measures taken since the onset of Covid-19 outbreak, says Minister Kamal
The outgoing year was very challenging for the economy due to Covid-19, stated Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, expressing hope that Bangladesh's economy will be better in the forthcoming year 2021.
"The coronavirus pandemic is not over yet. Nonetheless, Bangladesh's economy is in a fairly good shape compared to other countries due to various measures taken since the onset of Covid-19 outbreak.
"While economic indicators of other countries are on a downward trend, our indicators are positive."
"Since we've done well in 2020, I hope we'll do well next year too," the minister told the media at the end of a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase on Wednesday.
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have projected that the size of the global economy would shrink by 4% in 2020, he said, adding that the rate is 1.7% for Asian countries in this case. "Overall, the coronavirus has had a more negative impact on the economies of developed countries."
"We're in a fairly good position by dealing with the pandemic.
"Bangladesh is in a good position in various indicators of macroeconomics and economy. The overall economy of many other countries is also down. So, next year will be good for us too."
The committee approved a proposal to buy another 50,000 tonnes of non-basmati parboiled rice from India, he said. MSPK Agrilink Private Ltd of Birbhum in India will supply the rice at a cost of Tk168.63 crore, added the finance minister.