Bangladesh’s GDP growth below targets every year: Report

Bangladesh fails to meet its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target every fiscal year, according to a report of the General Economic Division (GED) under the Planning Commission.   

The report on implementation review of the perspective plan 2010-2021 said progress in almost every index of microeconomics, including savings, investments and revenue collection, is disappointing.

The report was unveiled at a programme at the National Economic Council (NEC) conference room in the capital on Wednesday.  

GED member Dr Shamsul Alam presented the summary of the report at the event.

He said, "Despite a target of seven percent growth in fiscal year 2011-12, the actual growth was 6.5 percent."  

In fiscal year 2014-15, the growth target was eight percent, but the actual growth was only 6.6 percent. 

Despite this, Planning Minister MA Mannan, who also spoke at the event, expressed his satisfaction over the progress of implementation of the ongoing perspective plan.

"Our achievements are good. There are no major failures. I will give more than the pass mark, 50-60 percent," he said.

Hossain Toufique Imam, advisor to the prime minister, said the country is doing well to cope with climate change threats.

"A lot is being done for the development of human resources, but skills in many different fields need to be increased," he said.

Hossain Toufique also recommended boosting social protection to meet challenges.

Among others, Salman F Rahman, advisor on private industries and investment to the prime minister, and Planning Secretary Nurul Amin addressed the event.