The interim government has failed to implement decisive measures to curb extortion, hoarding, and irrational price-fixing of essential commodities, despite persistently high inflation, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has stated.
"It is a matter of regret. The steps taken by the interim government have so far failed to bring down the prices of essential commodities," CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun remarked during a briefing at the think tank's office on Wednesday (29 January).
CPD organised the briefing to present its assessment of Bangladesh's economic outlook for the fiscal year 2024-25.
While acknowledging government initiatives such as the sale of essential goods through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh to ease pressure on consumers, the CPD criticised the absence of effective measures to address the root causes of price surges.
Inflation in Bangladesh has remained above 9% since March 2023.
"High and rising prices of essential food commodities and inflation have consistently posed challenges," the CPD stated in its report, highlighting food inflation as a key driver of overall inflation and a major burden on households.
