The United States set a 19% reciprocal tariff on Bangladeshi exports under a 9 February 2026 trade deal, while garments using US-imported inputs gained duty-free access. On 18 February, Bangladesh requested a three-year delay of its LDC graduation to November 2029, citing global and domestic economic pressures. Exports fell 3.15% year-on-year in July–February FY2026, driven by weaker RMG performance, with February exports down 12.03% to USD 3.49 billion. Inflation eased slightly to 8.65%, but food inflation rose to 7.99%. Sluggish non-food inflation decline and wage growth of 8.11% continue to erode purchasing power.
Author: Md. Imran Nazir, Programme Associate, CPD
Series Editor: Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, CPD
Publication Period: April 2026
