Bangladesh: measles, trade strain

Bangladesh has started an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign as an outbreak spreads, while exporters face tighter dollars, pricier freight and slower growth. (unicef.org) (adb.org) The vaccination drive began on April 5 in 30 upazilas across 18 high-risk districts, targeting more than 1.2 million children aged 6 months to 5 years with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization and Gavi. It expanded on April 12 to Dhaka North, Dhaka South, Mymensingh and Barishal city corporations, with a nationwide rollout scheduled from May 3. (who.int) (tbsnews.net) The Directorate General of Health Services said the city-corporation phase will run daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding public holidays. Dhaka Tribune reported that children with suspected or confirmed measles will also receive vitamin A capsules during the campaign. (tbsnews.net) (dhakatribune.com) Measles spreads fast when routine immunization slips, and Bangladesh’s response now sits alongside a broader economic squeeze on households and factories. The Asian Development Bank said on April 10 that Bangladesh’s economy is expected to grow 4.0% in fiscal year 2026 after 3.5% in fiscal year 2025, with inflation likely to stay at 9%. (adb.org) (bdnews24.com) The bank linked the weaker outlook to global conflict and domestic strain, while Bangladeshi business reports described a dollar shortage and higher shipping costs hitting importers and exporters. Bangladesh’s export sector is especially exposed because ready-made garments remain the country’s main source of foreign exchange. (adb.org) (banglamirrornews.com) Bangladesh Bank moved on April 9 to revive and extend a pre-shipment credit refinance scheme until December 31, 2030. Local reports said the facility totals Tk 5,000 crore, lets banks borrow at 2%, and caps exporter borrowing at 5%. (bssnews.net) (dhakatribune.com) The central bank said the fund is meant to sustain export growth, keep factories running and increase foreign-currency inflows as global uncertainty pressures export-oriented industries, including garments. That support arrives weeks before the Bangladesh International Textile, Knitting and Garment Industry Exhibition opens in Dhaka on April 29 and runs through May 2. (dhakatribune.com) (btkgexpo.com) Organizers say the exhibition at International Convention City Bashundhara will bring together 900 companies and brands from 30 countries and regions. The event is a sales floor for machinery and sourcing, but it is also a test of whether Bangladesh’s garment supply chain can keep attracting orders while financing and logistics stay under pressure. (textilefocus.com) (btkgexpo.com) For now, the government is trying to contain two different problems on two different clocks: a vaccine campaign that is already underway, and an export sector being propped up ahead of a major industry gathering later this month. (who.int) (bssnews.net)