Fashion
Make rate structure more market-oriented, IMF tells Bangladesh Bank
During a meeting with Bangladesh Bank officials last week, the IMF stressed the need to maintain a contractionary monetary policy to bring inflation down to 5 per cent.
Bangladesh’s economy is still facing significant pressure, the IMF said, advising the country’s central bank to make the interest rate structure more market-oriented.
It stressed the need to maintain a contractionary monetary policy to bring inflation down to 5 per cent.
It is concerned over the use of foreign reserves in forming the Export Development Fund and the growing volume of non-performing loans.
It also expressed concern over the use of foreign reserves in forming the Export Development Fund (EDF) and the growing volume of non-performing loans (NPLs).
Despite a requirement under the loan conditions to reduce bad loans in state-owned banks below 10 per cent, the figure has reportedly exceeded 40 per cent. Private banks also saw their NPL ratio surpass 10 per cent, double the stipulated 5 per cent limit.
Under the IMF’s $4.7 billion loan programme, Bangladesh has yet to fully achieve its inflation-control target.
The central bank informed the visiting IMF delegation that overall inflation had dropped to 8.36 per cent in September.
The IMF sought clarification on how the central bank plans to maintain investment momentum if the contractionary policy continues for an extended period, according to domestic media reports.
The delegation strongly objected to the bank’s practice of providing unsecured liquidity support to weak banks under its ‘lender of last resort’ policy.
It was satisfied with the current level of Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves.
The IMF mission will stay in Dhaka until November 13.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
In September 2025, exports totalled $42.7 billion, up 24.7 per cent year-on-year (YoY), while imports increased 24.9 per cent to $39.8 billion. Vietnam continues to strengthen its position in global supply chains, driven by strong trade activity and participation in multiple free trade agreements (FTAs), said Vietnamese media reports citing Standard Chartered Bank’s latest macroeconomic update on Vietnam.
Credit growth surged beyond 15 per cent YoY. Meanwhile, disbursed Foreign direct investment (FDI) climbed 8.5 per cent YoY to $18.8 billion and pledged FDI rising 15.2 per cent to $28.5 billion during the first nine months of 2025.
Standard Chartered has lifted Vietnam’s 2025 GDP growth forecast to 7.5 per cent (from 6.1 per cent) and 2026 to 7.2 per cent (from 6.2 per cent), citing strong momentum and easing inflation.
Exports surged 24.7 per cent YoY in September 2025, while FDI and credit growth also strengthened.
The bank highlighted Vietnam’s growing role in global supply chains and resilient economic performance.
“Vietnam’s resilience and adaptability are evidenced by its successful attraction of strong FDI and robust export growth, solidifying its strategic role in global supply chain diversification and pointing to strong prospects for continued economic expansion,” said Tim Leelahaphan, senior economist for Vietnam and Thailand at Standard Chartered Bank.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Published
November 4, 2025
Authentic Brands Group’s Juicy Couture business is upping its game in denim as of this month with the launch of its new denim collection.
Debuting globally on 17 November, it’s described as “a bold evolution for the cult label that defined a generation of Y2K glamour. Two decades after the world fell in love with Juicy’s velour tracksuits, the LA-born brand expands its reign with a collection that reimagines its signature confidence and playfulness in a new lens: denim”.
The company said the day-to-night collection blends “LA attitude with contemporary style” and “celebrates individuality through flattering, feminine silhouettes and elevated detailing”.
It takes in low-rise flares “with unapologetic early-aughts energy” to wide-leg jeans designed with “serious main-character appeal”.
Key pieces include the Diamanté Booty Short, Diamanté Wide Leg, Dog Crest Bootcut Jean, Dog Crest Skirt, JC Crest Flare Jean, JC Crest Pleat Skirt, and Midrise Bootcut Jean.
They use “premium” cotton denim and are finished with signature Juicy detailing such as embroidered logos, crystal trims and classic hardware.
The company also said the supporting campaign “embodies a new kind of Juicy girl, bold, empowered and effortlessly sexy”.
Authentic has been very busy on the Juicy Couture front in the last 12 months. In December last year it made a London store comeback at Westfield and in March this year it struck a deal to enter India. It’s also been boosting its beauty business and only last month it tapped two-time WNBA All-Star and cultural icon Angel Reese as its new global ambassador and creative collaborator.
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