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Bangladesh’s incoming BNP-led government is set to take office at a delicate economic moment, with mounting pressure to restore confidence in banks, rein in inflation and revive job growth.

As the dust settles on the 13th national election, expectations are running high among depositors, stock market investors and unemployed graduates who say prolonged financial strain has left little room for further delay.

For Abdul Hamid, a retired government employee, the crisis is personal. He has been unable to recover Tk 24 lakh placed in a fixed deposit at a private bank.

“I expected the new government to return my Tk 24 lakh, which was fixed and deposited in a private bank. But the bank fails to pay me the principal amount and benefits,” he said.

He added that many depositors in several private banks face similar liquidity constraints, with institutions struggling to repay funds.

Investors await stability

Stock market investors are also watching closely. Golam Azad, 45, invested around Tk 35 lakh in 2007, seeking higher returns. After suffering losses during the market turmoil of 2010 and 2011, he is still waiting for a sustained recovery.

He said he hopes the new democratic government will take meaningful steps to ensure market stability and strengthen investor protection.

Unemployed graduates form another anxious group. Washim Habib, who completed his degree in 2021, has sat for Bangladesh Civil Service and other recruitment exams but remains without work.

“If business does not expand, employment will not be generated. And without employment, the purchasing power of the people will remain weak. This is one of the biggest challenges,” Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed told reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Habib said he hopes the new government will create opportunities in both public and private sectors, as his elderly parents can no longer bear his expenses.

Structural hurdles ahead

Dr Salehuddin warned that revitalising trade and industry must be the incoming administration’s top priority, alongside strengthening financial institutions to ensure long-term stability.

He described inflation as a “multidimensional problem” that cannot be resolved through monetary policy alone, signalling the need for coordinated fiscal and structural measures.

On the banking sector, he said reforms are under way but acknowledged that difficult decisions lie ahead. While recent initiatives by the central bank have helped deposits inch upward, credit flow remains constrained and public confidence has yet to fully recover.

To reduce overdependence on banks, he stressed the importance of developing a deeper capital market.

“If we cannot develop the capital market, trade and commerce will not grow by relying solely on banks. Equity participation through the stock market and a strong bond market, especially for the private sector, are essential,” he said.

He also flagged legal complexities and court cases as barriers to regulatory reform.

Energy and insurance concerns

The adviser identified the energy sector as a major long-term challenge, calling for accelerated domestic exploration, including offshore drilling, and faster progress in renewable energy development.

He also described the insurance sector as a sensitive area where reform momentum has been slow despite various initiatives.

As the new government prepares to take the oath, economists say its first 100 days will be critical — defined by its ability to stabilise markets, restore financial sector confidence and translate public expectations into tangible economic relief.