Bangladesh is on an exceptional trajectory of economic growth. According to a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country’s economy is projected to reach $516.24 billion in fiscal 2024-25, outperforming advanced economies such as Denmark, Singapore and Hong Kong. Approaching a $500 billion+ economy, Bangladesh, with these predictions, would even surpass the oil-rich United Arab Emirates ($480.03 billion) by 2025. However, Dr. Zahid Hussain, former lead economist of the World Bank's Dhaka office, clarifies that these comparisons would only hold significance if they consider the overall economy as a market (courtesy: The Business Standard).

Bangladesh has every intention to carry this momentum to other areas of development as well. Bangladesh and the World Bank have recently signed five financing agreements to help the country achieve resilient and inclusive growth by improving early childhood development, secondary education, riverbank protection and navigability, urban primary health, and gas distribution efficiency.

Commenting on the new financing agreement, Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, says, “Bangladesh is an important partner for the World Bank toward its vision of a world free of poverty on a livable planet. Since the country’s independence, the World Bank and Bangladesh have had an impactful partnership that lifted millions of Bangladeshi people out of poverty. These projects will help prepare our children for a brighter future while improving resilience to climate change.” In this issue, we shed light on Bangladesh’s corporate realm. We dedicate this yearly special issue to the business leaders in Bangladesh.