Pandemic delays Bangladesh becoming fifth Asian Tiger: Mustafa Kamal

Bangladesh would have emerged as the fifth Asian Tiger in the next five years if it had not suffered economic losses due to the coronavirus, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said today.

"If we had five more years, we would be the fifth Asian Tiger," he said in a virtual briefing after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement.

"The economies of all the countries in the world have been damaged because of Covid-19, and so have we. Although the less. Hopefully we will be able to overcome this loss quickly."

Asked what Bangladesh's achievements were in the 50 years of independence, he said the four Asian tigers' gross domestic products increased at 6, 7 and 8 per cent in 30 years till 1990 and Bangladesh has also achieved similar growth.

Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan are called four Asian Tigers in terms of growth.

"We were once the 80th largest economy in the world. And now the 41st country," he said.