Abdullah Shibli

AN OPEN DIALOGUE

Dr Abdullah Shibli is an Economist, and IT consultant. He previously worked for Harvard University and the World Bank.

The looming US default and some lessons

Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen announced on May 1 that unless the US Congress raises the ceiling, the US government could run out of cash as early as June 1.

5d ago

US Federal Reserve and US economic crisis

The Fed faces an uphill task

The trade-off between a rate hike and a lower GDP growth rate is increasingly becoming fragile.

2w ago

AI will replenish, complement and enhance human intelligence

Students in higher education in the USA have been using software tools enhanced by AI for years.

The enormous potential of AI cannot be dismissed

The advance of AI will be facilitated if governments and/or international organisations can create guidelines to address privacy, security, and equal access issues.

How the poor dodge the pangs of hunger

The landless casual workers in rural areas and the urban poor face a bleak prospect.

Banning hundi won’t solve Bangladesh’s forex problem

Eminent economists have blamed the hundi market for the sorry state of Bangladesh’s forex reserves and the downward pressure on our exchange rate.

Shabbir Ahmed Shuvo: An inspiration for future (and all) generations

Shabbir Ahmed Shuvo, a Bangladeshi scholar of international repute, has left his legacy for many generations to come.

Our world is becoming economically fragmented

Even though globalisation may have peaked, it is far from being wholly reversed, and Western countries need to stop weaponising trade and economic policy.

Staying on top of the 4IR at the policy level

Bangladesh is poised to join the ranks of middle-income countries in 2026, and industrial growth will form the backbone of our economy as we make this transition.

What is holding Bangladesh's GDP growth rate down?

Pursuing GDP growth at the expense of people’s well-being will bring it down.

With the right policies, we can be cautiously optimistic about 2023

Emerging markets and developing economies are expected to grow at the rate of 3.4 percent, maintaining the steady growth from 2022's expansion.

Has Bangladesh become 'a dual society'?

There is an abundance of wealth in pockets and for a segment of the upper crust of civil society commingling with the underlying sub-strata consisting of the populace who fight hunger and poor health.

From COP27 to COP28: The tricky road ahead

Attribution Science can play a leading role in figuring out which countries the money should flow to

In a time of crisis, global leaders have failed us

Countries in Southeast Asia had until recently taken for granted a stable relationship between China and the US to preserve their own prosperity.

Bad economic policies and Biden’s loss

One of the few axioms of US politics is the loss of seats by the president's party in midterm House elections

Economics Nobel for Central Bankers?

Winners of the Nobel Prize in economics this year were rewarded for their work in the 1980s that 'significantly improved' the world's understanding of banks.

What Bangladesh needs to consider before devaluing the taka further

The taka has been devalued against the dollar in seven steps this year.

How do third world countries dodge the looming economic crisis?

While the participants in the Ukraine war are spending billions of dollars each day on weapons and other destructive arsenals, millions of people and the leaders in South Asia and Africa are passing days in anxiety with rising external debt, a strong dollar, lingering supply chain disruptions, and food shortages.

Queen Elizabeth II and my aunt: Reflections on death and loss

Both Najma and Elizabeth II are glowing examples of their lifelong love and selfless service.

Why so many delayed flights this year?

I must concede that personality-wise, I am somewhat neurotic about delays, long queues, immigration desks, lost luggage, and the other woes that accompany aeroplane travels.

Good planning requires accurate data

An economy without an independent source of data is like an aircraft flying without its airspeed sensors.

Digital divide gets wider if there is power failure and servers go down frequently

Bangladesh needs a fault-tolerant digital system.

Is load-shedding a symptom of Bangladesh's energy insecurity?

We had energy surplus a few months ago, and now the country is facing the prospect of “reduced electric supply” until September.

Why aren’t we looking at climate-based solutions to address flooding?

Doing so could help avoid the yearly sufferings of many vulnerable and poor citizens.

The newest challenge to environmental goals

It was reported that US President Joe Biden will be travelling to Saudi Arabia next month and finally kowtow to its rulers.

Monitoring, better statistics and jawboning can check inflation

How do you control inflation in a market economy?

‘Price Controls! Can’t we do anything else to beat inflation?’

What does a government do to alleviate the pain and suffering caused by rising prices and shortages?

Will Ankhi be able to take the SSC exam this year?

I have known Ankhi since she was two-years-old. She is the daughter of Ali and Kohinoor who have struggled their entire life to support their children as they climb the steps to get out of poverty through education.

Could Bangladesh be the next Sri Lanka?

Public demonstrations, political protests calling for the government to resign, and long queues at gas stations and grocery stores have been a regular feature in Sri Lanka for the last few weeks.

Why do we love to hate Dhaka?

Over the years, I have offered in these columns my ideas on solving some of Dhaka’s problems: overcrowding, traffic, and open garbage on the streets.

How to make the Universal Pension Scheme successful

The Bangladesh government recently announced a move to roll out a pension plan, initially named the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS), during the 2022-23 fiscal year.

How war and heightened inflationary expectations could lead to recession

Writing about inflation and monetary policy when a major war is going on in Europe can appear very cynical, and can be likened to the situation where Nero played the fiddle while Rome was burning.

Can rising interest rates really tame inflation?

Russia’s military attack on Ukraine has unquestionably thrown the global economy off balance.

Are we ready for Agriculture 4.0?

The fourth agricultural revolution (4AR), or Agriculture 4.0, refers to the anticipated changes from new technologies, particularly the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to make smarter planning decisions and for better integration of robotics.

The economic impacts of the 4IR on Bangladesh

Bangladesh is gearing up for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Hardly a day goes by when a national political leader or a prominent civil society stalwart does not bring up the issues relating to 4IR in the national media. One could even say that 4IR is the new buzzword for the country.

How does Myanmar military keep functioning so boldly?

Myanmar authorities appear to be getting away with their crimes as global attention is focused on the pandemic and, more recently, the Ukraine crisis.

Why economic forecasting is now trickier than before

Bangladesh has some very difficult—and one could say unpredictable—times ahead in the coming years.

My reflections and hopes for the new year

I cannot say for sure what 2022 will bring for every person on this planet, but for me it signifies a bend in the road. Last year is gone, and I can only hope that the new one will bring for us all exciting experiences, fewer worries, new opportunities, and more fulfilment.