Staff Correspondent:

Bangladesh’s point-to-point inflation rose to 8.29% in November, up from 8.17% in October.

In the same period last year, November 2024, the rate was 11.38%.

In November this year, food inflation rose to 7.36%, up from 7.08% in October, but significantly lower compared to 13.8% in November last year.

On the other hand, non-food inflation stood at 9.08% in November, slightly lower than 9.13% in October and below the 9.39% recorded in November 2024.

On Thursday (4 December), Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur expressed strong optimism that inflation can be brought below the 5% mark by the end of the current fiscal year, which would pave the way for a gradual reduction in interest rates.

Speaking at an event organised by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) in Dhaka, the governor said the central bank’s top priority is stabilising inflation and restoring positive real interest rates – conditions he described as essential for a sustainable rebound in private investment.

Responding to concerns from business leaders about the high cost of borrowing, Mansur said, “If inflation comes down to the 5% level within this fiscal year, we can begin reducing the interest rate. But it cannot happen the other way around. High inflation with low interest rates is wishful thinking.”