Sohel Parvez

For Bangladesh’s economy, the year 2025 closed not with a definitive verdict, but with a mixed bag that has left economists in more than the usual anxiety.

Tents and camping gear exports are showing signs of revival, with global buyers placing fresh orders after selling off pandemic stockpiles.

Bangladesh remains heavily dependent on imports for sugar, palm oil, soybean oil and wheat

Recovery began in July, following an overall export decline of 4 percent in FY2024-25

India was the second-largest supplier with 1.4 million bales, followed by Benin

The decline is owed to a reduction in Aush rice acreage, which is harvested during the monsoon

Banks’ lending to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has fallen to a four-year low, putting the brakes on the rising trend in loan disbursements, as political uncertainty and the economic slowdown have dampened borrowing appetite among entrepreneurs.

Farmers and agriculturists said repeated floods and unfavourable weather affected Aman season paddy last year