Dhaka, May 21 -- owned enterprises (SOEs) have drained nearly Tk 882 billion from the national exchequer in a single year, emerging as one of the country's biggest fiscal risks, according to a World Bank study.

The study highlighted that the deteriorating financial condition of public enterprises has become "unsustainable" at a time when Bangladesh is already facing falling revenue collection, slower economic growth and mounting pressure on public finances.

It said the growing losses of SOEs are consuming resources that could otherwise be invested in healthcare, education and social protection.

The findings were presented at a dissemination workshop on the report titled "Financial Performance and Fiscal Risk of SOEs in Bangladesh" held...