External sector shows sign of recovery in H2

Current-account balance-to-GDP (gross domestic product) ratio improved during the second half (H2) of 2018 compared to the same period a year earlier.

This means the country's export growth shows sign of upturn while import growth is decaying.

Such as ratio has been fluctuating during the last couple of years, according to the latest Bangladesh Systemic Risk Dashboard (BSRD) report, released by the central bank on Monday.

The report noted the ratio has been negative since December 2016.

During the fiscal year (FY) 2017-18, real GDP growth rate maintained an increasing trend and was recorded at 7.9 per cent.

The growth rate was 7.3 per cent in FY 17.

"We've released the report on a half-yearly basis to make the stakeholders aware about any possible macroeconomic risks," a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) told the FE.

Officials said the improvement will strengthen the country's external sector.

The central bank has focused on different macroeconomic indicators such as aggregate debt-to-GDP ratio, government debt-to-GDP ratio and advance-to-deposit ratio of the banks with graphical charts in its 40-page report.

[email protected]