Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Tuesday told Parliament that the country’s economy is not in a mess, but Bangladesh is on the frontline in the world in terms of the average economic growth rate it achieved over the last five years despite global economic downtrend. “Bangladesh’s present economic state is not bad shape at all,” he told the House while responding to a tabled question of Shammi Akter (Women Seat-38).
Muhith said Bangladesh’s position was the second in the South Asian countries in the 2011-2012 fiscal year in terms of average GDP growth rate.
Only Bhutan was ahead of Bangladesh with a 9.7 percent growth while Sri Lanka with Bangladesh having the similar growth rate (6.4 pc), he said.
Responding to another question from Nazim Uddin Ahmed (Laxmipur-1), Muhith said there was US$ 16,685.07 million commitment of foreign aid from the World Bank and other international donor organisations from January 30 to April 2013.
Of the total amount, US$ 15,079.73 million was loan and US$ 1605.34 million donation, he said.
During the period, Muhith said, US$ 6941.51 million was disbursed of which US$ 5131.08 million loan and US$ 1810.43 million grant, the Finance Minister said.
Replying to a question from Begum Nazma Akhter (Women Seat-13), the Finance Minister said the central bank has no control over the state-owned banks. (Source: UNB)
