Dhaka: Aim to keep credit flow and the exchange rate stable. Industry insiders say finding new markets and diversifying products is now essential to sustain export earnings, with particular emphasis on investing in higher-value goods.

A visit to several markets in the capital found some stability in the prices of daily essentials. Shoppers, however, say they still struggle to make ends meet as incomes have not risen.

On monetary policy, the latest figures from the relevant agency show a notable change in the index compared with the previous quarter. Market analysts see it as a mixed signal.

Business leaders say small and medium enterprises are under pressure from rising production costs. Easy-term loans and an uninterrupted energy supply would improve the situation, they hope.