Some events of     Bangladesh in 2022

Certainly! In 2022, Bangladesh saw various events. Some highlights included advancements in the country's economy, infrastructure projects, efforts in combating climate change, political developments, and achievements in sports. The government also focused on social welfare programs and initiatives aimed at sustainable growth and development.

In November 2021, diesel prices were increased by 23 per cent to Tk 80 per litre from Tk 65 earlier.

At present, diesel is sold at Tk 109 per litre, petrol Tk 125 and octane Tk 130.

Phenomenal growth in export earnings

Bangladesh posted outstanding export earnings of $52.08 billion in 2021-22 fiscal year, which was way higher from the target of $43.5 billion.

All vital sectors, including apparel, leather and leather goods, home textile and jute and jute goods, performed well this year.

Even in November, the country booked highest ever single month export earnings of $5.09 billion, where garment contributed $4.37 billion.

Inflation hits 10-year high

Consumer prices, which was below 6.5 per cent until April this year, crossed the 7 per cent mark in May driven by increased commodity prices globally after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The spiral continued and inflation touched a 10-year high at 9.52 per cent in August.

The rate of inflation eased in the last three months until November. It still remained close to 9 per cent, which eroded purchasing capacity of the large section of the population particularly the low- and fixed-income families.

Rice prices hit record high

The month of August also saw historic high price of coarse rice—the benchmark variety—due to a supply shortage for less than expected imports, slow release from mills and farmers, as many parts of the country suffered from drought-kike situation raising concern about good harvest of aman paddy.

Retail prices of rice rose to Tk 49.5 per kilogramme in Dhaka in August, the highest on record, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

Wheat flour comes to the scene

Following suit of rice, wheat flour also hit record levels of Tk 60.11 per kilogramme in November in Dhaka's markets, which was over 80 per cent higher compared to the previous year. A chain effect was held responsible here -- dip in import because of the Ukraine war, a ban on export by India and higher transport cost following fuel price hike.

Sugar lost sweetness, hits Tk 100 for first time

In the outgoing year sugar became costlier than Tk 100 a kilogramme in the second half of October, which was hovering around Tk 80 a kilo until the middle of 2022. The refiners blamed the price hike on squeezed supply of gas to process raw sugar. Later, gas supply improved significantly, but prices of the sweetener rose as high as Tk 115 a kilo in Dhaka.

Amazing apparel comes to the rescue

Despite all odds, garment shipment registered 35.47 per cent year-on-year growth in FY22 and witnessed the highest ever export earnings of $42.61 billion.

Moreover, apparel shipment earnings of some months were spectacular. For instance, in November, garment export figure was $4.37 billion, which was the highest single month receipt in the history of Bangladesh.

The earnings were also extraordinary in January and June, which were $4.04 billion and $4.09 billion respectively.

Metro rail rolls out, a memorable feat for public transport

The year 2022 marked the opening of the country's first ever metro rail on December 28 adding a new mode of public transport for Dhaka city which is expected to reduce the traffic congestion.

Built at a cost of nearly Tk 33,500 crore, the Mass Rapid Transit Line-6 will allow many people to commute within scheduled time in the city where traffic jams make time prediction impossible.

With the launch of modern public transport, Bangladesh becomes the third country in South Asia to have metro rail after India and Pakistan.