Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh attained a gross domestic growth (GDP) of 5.8 percent in FY10 despite the impact of global economic recession on export and remittance inflows, according to Asian Development Bank (ADB).
“Strong performance in agriculture and non-farm sectors and a pick up in public spending contributed to the respectable growth,” the ADB said in its latest Quarterly Economic Update (QEU).
Agriculture grew strongly with continued government support, which encouraged favorable supply responses, the QEU said, adding that industry sector growth declined because of a fall in external demand and a shortage of power, energy and transportation facilities.
“The services sector growth increased marginally. Bangladesh faces the challenges of maintaining food security for its large population, manage the effects of climate change, create job opportunities for a growing labor force and attain higher economic growth to reduce poverty,” it added.
For creating conditions conducive for rapid growth, Bangladesh needs to mount major initiatives to tackle power and energy shortages, take speedy actions to upgrade infrastructure, improve investment climate, develop institutional capacity and accelerate economic reforms, according to the QEU.
BBN/SI/AD-23Dec10-8:28 pm (BST)