South Asia Development Update, April 2025: Taxing TimesAmid uncertainty in the global landscape, growth in South Asia is estimated to slow to 5.8% in fiscal year (FY) 2025 before picking up to 6.1% in FY2026. In Bangladesh, GDP growth will moderate to 3.3% in FY2024-2025 before rebounding to 4.9% in FY2025-2026. Growth in Bhutan will accelerate to 6.6% in FY2024-2025 and 7.6% in FY2025-2026. In India, growth is projected at 6.5% in FY2024-2025 and 6.3% in FY2025-2026; while in Maldives, growth will reach 5.7% in FY2025 and 5.3 in FY2026. Nepal’s economy will grow to 4.5% in FY2024-2025 and 5.2% in FY2025-2026. In Sri Lanka, growth will moderate to 3.5% in FY2025 and 3.1% in FY2026. Author: World Bank Year: 2025 Download Tags: GDP, WB, South Asia  Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2025South Asia underwent a slowdown, amid delays in public investment in India. South Asia's gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at 6.0% in fiscal year (FY) 2025 and 6.2% in FY2026. Bangladesh's GDP growth is estimated at 3.9% in FY2025, amid a projected improvement in manufacturing. In Bhutan, growth in 2025 will rise to 8.5% behind expansion in industry and hydroelectric production. India's GDP will reach 6.7% in FY2025 amid a strong outlook for services and manufacturing. In Maldives, growth will moderate to 5.0% in FY2025 amid slowdowns in construction. GDP growth in Nepal in FY2025 will be at 4.4% with expansion expected in agriculture. Sri Lanka's GDP will moderate to 3.9% in FY2025, though infrastructure investments are forecast to spur growth. In Southeast Asia, Myanmar will experience modest GDP growth of 1.1% in 2025, premised on growth in industry and services.
Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2025 Download Tags: ADB, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Services Update of the Readiness Assessment for Cross-Border Paperless Trade: BangladeshThis report reviews Bangladesh’s readiness for cross-border paperless trade. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting the policy-based Integrated Trade Facilitation Sector Development Program 3 in Bangladesh, under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC). Under the program, the Government of Bangladesh will prepare a road map to implement cross-border paperless trade. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2024 Download Tags: Macroeconomic Update: Nepal (September 2024)This issue of Macroeconomic Update: Nepal looks at the challenges that Nepal faces in terms of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, graduating from the least developed country category, and becoming a middle-income country. The report suggests that, to achieve upper middle-income country status by 2043, Nepal will need a robust strategy for efficient capital mobilization and sustainable growth. Author: Asian Development Bank Year: 2024 Download Tags: Nepal, Export, Sustainable Development Goals, ADB  Action Plan For SASEC Initiatives (2024–2026)The Action Plan For SASEC Initiatives (APSI) (2024–2026) was finalized following extensive discussions during the SASEC working group meetings on transport, trade facilitation, and energy, as well as the Senior Officials Meeting held in New Delhi, India in late 2023, with additional input from country consultations and SASEC meetings in Thimphu, Bhutan in 2024. A significant enhancement to this iteration is the introduction of a Progress Update Framework, through which ADB will provide periodic updates on the advancement of APSI projects and knowledge initiatives. The comprehensive list of projects and knowledge works scheduled for implementation during the 2024–2026 period emerged from these SASEC deliberations and subsequent consultations, receiving final endorsement at the SASEC meetings in Thimphu, Bhutan in November 2024. For reporting purposes and to demonstrate continuity, the APSI also incorporates a list of projects and knowledge works completed during the 2022–2024 period, highlighting their connections to initiatives planned for 2024–2026. Author: SASEC Year: 2024 Download Tags: SASEC, Energy, Economic Corridor, Trade Facilitation, Transport |
