UNB, Dhaka

The International Crisis Group yesterday said Bangladesh’s newly elected government faces a “daunting set of challenges”, but how it handles these competing pressures will shape the country’s trajectory in the years ahead.

“If it can revive the economy, the government will create space to pursue the rest of its ambitious agenda, including improving public services and strengthening the rule of law.”

It added that if the government fails to create the jobs needed to meet the aspirations of young Bangladeshis or struggles to ensure clean governance, the country could face another bout of instability and political upheaval.

The organisation said the BNP should take advantage of the “post-election honeymoon period” to move quickly on economic, governance and security reforms.

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