Bangladesh's Apparel Exports to USA Soar 27% in Q1 '25

• Bangladesh's Apparel Exports to USA Surge 26.66% in Q1 2025, reaching USD 2.22 Bn in value and 733.98 Mn sqm in volume Source

• Parliament to Control Tax Exemptions from Next Fiscal Year, limiting them to a maximum of 5 years to ensure better oversight Source

• ADB Set to Provide Budget Support Credit to Bangladesh, indicating confidence in reform initiatives Source

• Bangladesh Receives USD 2.27 Bn in Remittance in first 26 days of April, averaging USD 87.3 Mn per day Source

• Forex Reserves Drop to USD 25.68 Bn after routine ACU payment, yet remain above USD 20 Bn by IMF-calculated standards Source

• PMI Falls to 52.9 in April, signaling slower economic expansion across manufacturing and services Source

• Internet Speed to Double Nationwide to 10 Mbps at BDT 500 under the “One Country, One Rate” policy Source

• Banks See Sluggish Deposit Growth as high inflation erodes household saving capacity despite higher interest rates Source

• Export Proceeds of USD 7.6 Mn Stuck in Russia, affecting 14 Bangladeshi exporters due to dollar shortages Source

Economy & Banking

• Parliament to Regulate Tax Exemptions from FY26: Tax exemptions will require parliamentary approval and be limited to a maximum of 5 years, strengthening fiscal discipline and transparency. Source

• ADB to Provide Budget Support to Bangladesh: The Asian Development Bank confirmed plans to disburse budget support credit, reinforcing confidence in Bangladesh’s reform path. Source

• Forex Reserves Fall to USD 25.68 Bn: Bangladesh’s reserves dipped following the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) payment, though IMF-compliant reserves remain above USD 20 Bn. Source

• PMI Slows to 52.9 in April: Bangladesh’s Purchasing Managers’ Index indicates a slower pace of economic expansion in manufacturing and services. Source

• Banks See Sluggish Deposit Growth Despite High Rates: Deposit growth fell due to inflation reducing savers' real returns, even as banks offered rates as high as 10.6%. Source

• Corporate Tax Relief for Green Industries Under Review: The government is considering special corporate tax cuts for industries embracing green technologies as part of its sustainable development agenda. Source: TBS (print edition)

• IMF Team to Visit Bangladesh in Mid-May: An IMF delegation will review reform progress before disbursing the next tranche of the USD 4.7 Bn loan package. Source: FE (print edition)

Trade & Commerce

• Apparel Exports to USA Jump 27% in Q1 2025: RMG exports to the US hit USD 2.22 Bn in January–March, showing strong volume and value growth. Source

• Export Proceeds of USD 7.6 Mn Stuck in Russia: Fourteen Bangladeshi exporters are unable to repatriate funds due to dollar shortages and payment bottlenecks in Russia. Source

• Internet Speed Doubled Nationwide to 10 Mbps: The new “One Country, One Rate” broadband policy mandates 10 Mbps base speed for BDT 500, aiming to ensure digital inclusion. Source

• Starlink Gets BTRC Approval for Bangladesh Launch: Elon Musk’s Starlink has received regulatory clearance to operate satellite internet in Bangladesh, pending final nod from the telecom ministry. Source

• Telecom Tower Policy Draft Finalized: The BTRC is finalizing a new policy to streamline tower sharing among mobile operators and reduce infrastructure duplication. Source: DS (print edition)

• Govt to Fast-Track Inland Waterway Projects: New dredging contracts are being signed to enhance cargo movement through rivers and cut export logistics costs. Source: TBS (print edition)