Macro
GDP growth target may be revised down to 5.25%
The GDP growth target may be brought down to 5.25 percent in the
revised budget for the current fiscal year due to the damage caused
by multiple floods and the interim government’s contractionary
monetary policy to contain high inflation. The previous government
had set the growth target at 6.75 percent in the original budget.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/gdp-growth-target-maybe-revised-down-525-3817276
Wage growth negative for 3 years as inflation outpaces pay rise
Stubbornly high price pressures have kept real wage growth negative
for three consecutive years, forcing low-income households to cut
back on protein consumption and brace for food insecurity. Inflation
has outpaced wage growth for 36 consecutive months up to January,
despite a gradual increase in pay gains since January 2021, according
to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/wage-growth-negative-3
-years-inflation-outpaces-pay-rise-3817296
Fourth, fifth loan tranches may come together in June
Releasing the fourth instalment from IMF loan package may be
delayed until June and come jointly with the fifth tranche then, unless
two mandatory prior actions are executed. The two must-dos are
additional revenue mobilisation and exchange-rate flexibility.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/fourth-fifth-loantranches-may-come-together-in-june-1738781641
Big outlay planned for FY26
The finance ministry has planned a big outlay of about Tk 8.5 lakh
crore for the 2025-26 financial year, aiming at encouraging business
activities. Officials of the ministry said that emphasis would be given
on the generation of more revenue by the National Board of Revenue
to support the big expenditure amount. The provisional target for the
NBR has been set at Tk 5.2 lakh crore, said the officials.
https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/257255/big-outlay-plannedfor-fy26

Fuel & Power
Govt to set benchmark rate for power purchases to cut subsidies:
Energy adviser
The government will implement a benchmark price to lower the power
purchase rate with a view to reducing electricity subsidies, Power and
Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said today (5
February). Despite being under significant pressure due to electricity
subsidies, the government has no immediate plans to increase prices,
he said.
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/energy/govt-set-benchmarkrate-power-purchases-cut-subsidies-energy-adviser-1062006
Saudi cos keen to invest in BD port, energy
Several Saudi companies are interested in investing in Bangladesh in
its port and energy sectors, said Saudi Ambassador in Dhaka Essa
Yousef Essa Alduhailan on Wednesday. The top officials of the Saudi
Red Sea Gate expressed their interest in managing Matarbari deepsea port and discussions to this end are well underway, according to
him. Addressing a briefing, he said the energy adviser had a fruitful
meeting with Saudi company ACWA Power with regard to their
investment in Bangladesh’s energy and power sector.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/saudi-cos-keento-invest-in-bd-port-energy-1738781680
Miscellaneous
Bangladesh still top shipbreaking destination
Bangladesh remained the global shipping industry’s first choice for
scrapping vessels in 2024, even though the overall import fell to a six
-year low amid dollar constraints and subdued demand due to
economic woes.
https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bangladesh-still-topshipbreaking-destination-3817266

Stocks
Retail investors of BEXIMCO likely to return empty-handed
General shareholders of BEXIMCO are likely to lose their investment
in the company after the closure of its business units, which used to
generate 80 per cent of its revenue. The company experienced a loss
of Tk 358.79 million in FY24 and is now struggling to pay off workers’
wages. If the company is forced to liquidate assets to pay off the
remaining dues, shareholders will be left with nothing as they are at
the bottom of the payees.
https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/retailinvestors-of-beximco-likely-to-return-empty-handed-1738779380