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Country Commercial Guide FY 1999: Bangladesh

X.  ECONOMIC AND TRADE STATISTICS

Appendix A - Country Data

--Population:  127 million
--Population Growth Rate: 1.8%
--Religions:  Muslim (87%); Hindu (12%); Buddhist, 
     Christian & Other (1%)
--Government System: Parliamentary
--Languages:  Bangla (Bengali), English
--Work Week:  Sunday-Thursday


Appendix B - Domestic Economy 

(Millions of U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)
Fiscal year ending June 30

(projections for 1999 are not available)

                            FY 95     FY 96        FY 97     FY 98

-  Current GDP 1)       29,110.00   31,814.00    32,847.00  42,800.00
-  Real GDP
 Growth Rate (%)             4.45        5.3          5.9        5.6
-  GDP Per Capita 1)       240.00      260.00       263.00     338.00
-  GOVT. SPENDING (%GDP)    18.93       18.2         18.0        N/A
-  Inflation (%) 2)          5.2         6.6          2.6        7.0
-  Unemployment (%) 3)       n/a        36.5         36.5       36.5
-  Gross Int'l Reserves  3,074.00    2,039.00     1,719.00   1,768.00
-  Avg. Exchange
 Rate (TK/1US) 4)           40.20       40.9         42.8       45.4
-  External
 Public Debt 5)              n/a    15,170.00    15,025.00  15,855.00
-  Debt Service Ratio       10.0         9.8         10.7        n/a
-  U.S. Economic Aid 6)     98.5        65.0         73.6       77.0

Notes:

1) Due to change in methodology, the FY98 GDP number is not
comparable to prior years.
2) Calculated on new CPI, base year 1985-96  
3) Figure is a measure of unemployment and underemployment
4) Annual Average 
5) Medium term and long term
6) Figures are for U.S. fiscal year (October 1-September 30)

INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 1998.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF
THE UNITED STATES

BangladeshA03 Bangladesh: Trade =Bangladesh


Appendix C -   Trade (Millions of U.S. dollars)

                              1995      1996   1997     1998

--Total Bangladesh Exports 1) 3,464     3,886  4,320    4,173
--TOTAL BANGLADESH IMPORTS 1) 5,904     6,881  7,056    3,449
--U.S. Exports 2) 3)            325       210    259      178
--U.S. Imports 2) 3)          1,257     1,343  1,679    1,311 

Notes:

1/  Bangladesh fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).  Exports are
reported on shipment basis. 1998 data July-April (exports),
July-December (imports)
2/  Calendar year (January-December)
3/ 1998 data January-August


Appendix D -   Investment Statistics

The Embassy estimates total current foreign direct investment
(FDI) to be about one billion dollars.  This figure represents
the Embassy's best "guesstimate," compiled from estimates
provided by the larger investing countries' embassies and from
extrapolations of Board of Investment figures.  Direct investment
will probably increase significantly as soon as additional
foreign firms are authorized to explore and develop natural gas,
oil and coal deposits.  The opening up of the power sector to
private power companies should mean very large increases in
foreign investment.  Additional reforms improving the investment
climate and political stability are other important factors in
attracting more foreign investment.

At present, the Embassy estimates the three largest foreign
investors in Bangladesh by place of origin to be Malaysia, Japan,
and the United Kingdom.  The next tier of investors is the United
States, Singapore, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Germany, and South
Korea.  The Embassy estimates U.S. investment in Bangladesh will
reach several hundred million by 2000, when the first phase of
large investments in gas exploration, production and power
generation conclude.  Prior to 1997, the stock of U.S. investment
in Bangladesh was estimated to be approximately $ 25 million in
book value, including five manufacturers in the Chittagong EPZ,
the assets of one life insurance company, the banking operations
of two U.S. commercial banks, and about 10 other U.S. service and
marketing firms.

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Note* International Copyright, United States Government, 1998 (or other year of first publication). All rights under foreign copyright laws are reserved. All portions of this publication are protected against any type or form of reproduction, communications to the public and the preparation of adaptations, arrangement and alterations outside the United States. U. S. copyright is not asserted under the U.S. Copyright Law, Title 17, United States Code.