Key challenges facing Bangladesh after the election

The Awami League led by Prime Minister Hasina is widely expected to win the general election on 30^th December. Low wages and a rapidly growing workforce mean Bangladesh should continue to pick up low-end manufacturing from China. But if Bangladesh is to raise trend growth to above 6% let alone meet the government’s ambitious 9% target, it is essential that it starts to diversify out of the garment trade and into other sectors such as electronics and consumer durables, where there is more scope to add value.