It also forecasts that the country’s economic growth would remain robust and real GDP will grow by an average of 7.7% per year in 2018/19-2022/23, bolstered by strong increases in private consumption and gross fixed investment.

The report also specifically mentions the reputation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as being the key factor in election. It states that Sheikh Hasina remains the most popular candidate, according to numerous local opinion polls.

It adds that that the country’s impressive record of economic growth and socio-economic development under the Awami League administration, coupled with a lack of an effective opposition election campaign, will be enough to fend off any challenge posed by BNP or Jatiya Oikya Front more broadly.

The report adds that a win for Awami League will be important in sustaining foreign investment, and will also support the administration’s drive to expand and deepen private sector participation in the economy.

Following such a win, Bangladesh is expected to continue to exploit its strategically important location on the Bay of Bengal to extract concessions and economic assistance from India, China and Japan,said the report.

But Bangladesh’s relations with Myanmar will remain tense in the medium term owing to the Rohingya refugee crisis which will remain severe, at least in the early part of the forecast period, it added.

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