A meeting chaired by the governor of Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday revealed differing opinions among senior officials regarding whether to lower interest rates in the upcoming monetary policy. The discussion took place as business groups continued to urge the central bank to reduce lending rates, which have remained high due to previous policy rate hikes.
Some officials argued that reducing interest rates could boost investment and employment, warning that Bangladesh risks losing competitiveness compared to neighboring countries with lower borrowing costs. Others disagreed, citing the 2021–2024 period when low rates failed to attract expected investment. Deputy Governor Zakir Hossain Chowdhury noted that inflation and investment in Bangladesh are not strongly tied to interest rate changes, while Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmad urged caution in decision-making.
The meeting also discussed the widening interest rate spread as stronger banks attract deposits from weaker ones. No final decision was made. The next monetary policy, expected by June, will set targets for inflation, GDP growth, and private sector credit expansion.
অর্থনৈতিক রিপোর্টার প্রকাশ : ২০ মে ২০২৬, ২২: ১০ বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংকের নীতি সুদহার বৃদ্ধির কারণে ব্যাংকগুলোর ঋণের সুদহার ঊর্ধ্বমুখী রয়েছে। ব্যবসায়ীরা দীর্ঘদিন ধরে সুদহার কমানোর জন্য কেন্দ্রীয় ব্যাংকের কাছে প্রস্তাব দিয়ে আসছেন। যদিও বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক এখনো তা
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