Inflation falls slightly to 9.69% in July

Inflation fell slightly to 9.69 percent in July from 9.74 percent in the previous month thanks to the steady prices of non-food items, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). This was the second consecutive month the consumer prices witnessed decline since May when inflation rose to 9.94 percent, an 11-year high. Food inflation rose to 9.76 percent in July from 9.73 percent in the previous month. Non-food inflation eased to 9.47 percent last month from 9.6 percent in June, according to the BBS.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/inflation-falls-slightly-969-july-3387901

Bangladesh’s share in EU apparel market jumps to 22.20%

Bangladesh exported $22.89 billion worth of apparel to the EU market in 2022. Bangladesh, the second-largest apparel exporter to the EU, exported $22.89 billion worth of apparel to the market last year, showcasing a remarkable 35.69% year-on-year growth. Meanwhile, China’s exports stood at $30.15 billion, with a growth rate of 17.01%. In 2021, Bangladesh’s market share accounted for 19.80%, valued at $16.87 billion, while China dominated with a 30.22% share, totaling $30.22 billion. The latest data reveals that the EU’s overall apparel imports from all countries reached a staggering $103.09 billion in 2022, marking an impressive 20.97% year-on-year increase compared to $85.23 billion in the previous year. In terms of quantity, the EU’s clothing imports from Bangladesh surged by 21.20% year-on-year, surpassing China’s 17.01% year-on-year growth in 2022.

Source: https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/rmg/bangladeshs-share-eu-apparel-market-jumps-2220-678086

 Foreign loan disbursements fall 7.4% YoY

The year-on-year disbursements of foreign loans from development partners have decreased by 7.4% in the 2022-23 fiscal year but commitments of loans increased by about 7.23%. According to data from the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the finance ministry, In the recently concluded FY23, the foreign loan disbursement has dropped to $9.267 billion from a record $10 billion disbursed in the previous 2021-22 fiscal year. And commitments of foreign aid increased to $8.798 billion in FY23, up from $8.20 billion in the previous fiscal year, ERD data shows. Japan disbursed the highest amount of loans in FY23, about $2.04 billion. Besides, the World Bank disbursed $1.93 billion and the Asian Development Bank $1.56 billion.

Source: https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/foreign-loan-disbursements-fall-74-yoy-678062