Bangladesh’s phenomenal economic growth is obscuring the fact that parts of its banking sector are suffering with persistent NPLs.

Bangladesh's economy is growing fast but its cities face huge air pollution challenges, and the country’s weak infrastructure is buckling under the strain of this economic growth. 

Bangladesh’s finance minister, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, talks to Stefania Palma about the local banking sector, the current account deficit and government revenue, ahead of stepping down at the end of 2018, after a decade at the ministry.

The managing director of the Dhaka Stock Exchange explains to Stefania Palma why the bourse chose investment from a Chinese consortium over a competing offer from India, and how the exchange will grow in the coming years.

Bangladesh’s banking sector has yet to resolve problems relating to non-performing loans, governance and the soundness of its supervision. But a large population that is still predominantly financially excluded offers local banks enormous potential, as Stefania Palma reports.

While some Belt and road Initiative projects have slowed in Bangladesh, the country’s enormous infrastructure needs and fast pace of growth make it an enticing partner for China. Stefania Palma reports.

Eschewing monetary policy norms can support growth and lead to positive outcomes for the socially and financially excluded, as Bangladesh is demonstrating.

In the space of just four years, mobile payments service bKash has had a dramatic effect upon Bangladesh, bringing the unbanked into the formal economy, speeding up and simplifying the process of sending money from urban to rural areas, and even helping the country’s central bank monitor inflation levels. Stefania Palma charts its dramatic rise.