The International Monetary Fund has slightly raised its projection for the economic growth of Bangladesh to 6.6 per cent for this fiscal year, up from 6.5 per cent it forecast in October.

The Washington-based multilateral lender came up with the projection at a press briefing held at InterContinental Dhaka hotel today.

The rising economic activities and a rebound of exporting earnings are the major reasons for raising the projection of the GDP growth, said Rahul Anand, division chief in the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department.

The projection, however, is still lower than the government's target of 7.2 per cent for fiscal year 2021-22.

"Despite being hit by multiple waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, quick and decisive actions by the authorities, supported by the external environment, led to a much quicker rebound than Bangladesh's regional peers," Anand said.

Growth is expected to pick up to 6.6 per cent in FY22, which may further increase to 7.1 per cent in FY23, the IMF said.

The IMF staff team led by Anand arrived in Dhaka on December 5 and met high officials of the different government entities, including the finance ministry, the Bangladesh Bank and the National Board of Revenue.