HSBC hosts ‘cfo connect’ on Bangladesh outlook for 2026 and beyond

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Limited in Bangladesh organised an event on 2 March 2026 titled "Bangladesh and the World: Economic Prospects for 2026 and beyond", highlighting the latest global and Asian market developments and HSBC's perspective on Bangladesh.

The event featured a keynote presentation by Frederic Neumann, chief Asia economist and co-head, Global Research Asia, HSBC Global Research, who shared insights on the macroeconomic outlook. Jignesh Ruparel, chief financial officer of HSBC Bangladesh, also presented an overview of HSBC Group's latest global results and outlined the group's capabilities worldwide.

Kausar Alam FCMA, president of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB), and Md Mahbub ur Rahman, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh, also spoke at the event, which was attended by chief financial officers, stakeholders and senior officials of local and multinational companies.

In his keynote presentation over Zoom, Neumann said Bangladesh has shown resilience in recent years. "HSBC expects Bangladesh's GDP growth of 5.0% for 2026, and 5.5% for 2027," he said. For the calendar year 2026, he said HSBC forecasts Bangladesh's export value growth at 4.1%.

He added that remittance inflows continue to rise year-on-year amid growing trust in official money transfer channels. "This, together with easing inflation, will support private consumption," he said. With the conclusion of the recent general election, he said investment by domestic and foreign businesses may pick up modestly, but any acceleration would depend on the new government restoring investor confidence, including by demonstrating capacity to reinforce law and order.

Neumann said Bangladesh is set to graduate from least developed country status in November 2026, underscoring the need to boost export competitiveness by expanding market access and improving governance and infrastructure. He described a potential slowdown in global consumer demand due to US tariffs as a key risk, and said it is increasingly urgent for Bangladesh to accelerate trade negotiations with the European Union, its largest garment export market.

He also took questions from the audience in an interactive Q&A session.

Ruparel said HSBC Group's 161-year history is rooted in the objective set by its founders to facilitate local and international trade. With operations in 56 countries and territories, including Bangladesh, he said the group connects customers to opportunities globally.

Kausar Alam FCMA, president of ICMAB and chief financial officer of Seven Rings Cement Ltd, said, "The CFO Connect event serves as a timely initiative by HSBC, offering critical insights into the nation's evolving macroeconomic trajectory in a global context. Bangladesh's economy possesses immense latent potential, underpinned by favourable demographic dividends and a resilient private sector, which remains the primary catalyst in the country's pursuit of a trillion-dollar economy by 2040."

Md Mahbub ur Rahman said, "HSBC's strong 2025 performance highlights the power of our global network and the deep trust our clients place in us. As Bangladesh enters a pivotal new chapter of reform and growth, our role is clear: to connect local ambition with global opportunity. Through initiatives like CFO Connect, we aim to provide a platform for senior finance practitioners in Bangladesh to share insights and learn from one another, ensuring we are well-equipped to navigate an ever-changing economic landscape."