DHAKA— Bangladesh’s Awami League on Monday voiced serious concern over the country’s rapidly worsening economic crisis under the interim government led by Mohammed Yunus.
In a post on X, the Awami League stated:
“Mob violence meets market meltdown: Bangladesh’s economy bleeds under Yunus regime… Once hailed as a rising economic star, Bangladesh now faces an investment freefall, mob rule, and a governance vacuum. 253 cases of mob violence, 163 lives lost, foreign investment at a 14-year low, factories shutting down, industries gasping for survival.”
The party also invoked a Bengali proverb to characterize the current government:
“No food to give, yet always ready to strike,” calling it a fitting description of the Yunus administration.
The Awami League criticized what it described as “crippling interest rates” and the “systematic destruction of the private sector,” citing widespread dysfunction across the economy.
“Business leaders say they’ve never seen such dysfunction—including power outages, gas shortages, tax harassment, and import scams. All while the government throws flashy investment conferences for photo ops,” the party stated.
According to the Awami League, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under the Yunus-led interim government has plunged from $3.48 billion in 2018–19 to just $910 million in 2024–25. Letters of credit for capital goods have dropped 27 percent, industrial production has declined, and investor confidence is at an all-time low.
The party quoted Shawkat Aziz Russell of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), saying:
“In 1971, we lost our intellectuals. In 2025, we’re losing our entrepreneurs.”
The Awami League framed the economic crisis not merely as a downturn, but as an act of deliberate sabotage, questioning:
“Will the Yunus regime change the course or let the nation collapse?”
Back in May, the party had already flagged a “dramatic drop” in FDI, calling it a key indicator of declining international confidence in the country’s economic prospects.
“In just eight months, Bangladesh has witnessed a reported $208 million decline in FDI — a severe blow to an economy already on the ropes. Law and order issues, politically motivated violence, and an unpredictable regulatory environment have all contributed to the exodus of foreign investors,” the party said in a statement.
The statement also noted increasing incidents of looting and vandalism, impacting even major multinational brands.
“Incidents of looting and vandalism have increased, and even multinational brands like Pizza Hut and Bata have suffered from attacks and disruptions. Instead of intervening to protect businesses and restore stability, the government has largely remained passive, allowing fear and uncertainty to fester,” the Awami League added. (Source: IANS)
