How can we become an attractive investment destination?
Economic growth and business development are highly dependent on the business climate created by socio-economic policies and political decisions of governments.
Education system in Bangladesh needs to change
In Bangladesh, although primary education is free and the government provides the textbooks, more than 4.3 million children aged 6-15 years are not in school.
Sustaining our economic growth for a better society
While most economies around the world today are suffering from an economic crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 6.4 percent in the 2021-22 fiscal year (FY), according to the World Bank.
To keep Bangladesh moving forward, we need urgent actions
In 1971, when Bangladesh emerged victorious from the Liberation War, many doubted that the country could survive as an independent state.
How war and arms sales are exacerbating global poverty
Poverty has many roots, and it has many causes. but among those causes, war and arms sales are one of the greatest obstacles to development and poverty reduction.
Why is foreign direct investment so low in Bangladesh and how to increase it?
Despite steady economic growth in the country over the past decade, foreign direct investment (FDI) has been comparatively low in Bangladesh compared to regional peers.
Bringing population back into the conversation
The relationship between population growth and economic growth is of great interest both for demographers and for development economists.
Key socioeconomic issues we must address to reduce poverty
Poverty is a multifaceted economic phenomenon. Although dealing with the causes of poverty in Bangladesh is complex, the country has nonetheless shown impressive improvements and resilience over the years. Before the coronavirus crisis,
Why is tax-GDP ratio so low in Bangladesh and how to raise it?
Despite positive economic growth in recent years, Bangladesh has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios (9.3 percent) in the South Asian region. It is 23.1 percent in Nepal, 16.8 percent in India and 11.0 percent in Pakistan.
As the pandemic continues, the rich are getting richer
The Covid-19 pandemic may have taken a heavy toll on the global economy, but the pandemic hasn’t been bad for everyone. While hundreds of millions of people worldwide have lost their source of earning and have become jobless, billionaires are getting richer than ever before.
A strong banking system makes a strong economy
For the last several years, the banking sector in Bangladesh has been playing an important role in our USD 300-plus billion economy where banks comprise more than 80 percent of all financing activity.
Women’s empowerment is meaningless without safety
Not too long ago, it was hardly believable that the women of Bangladesh would take part in the economic development of the country.
Key socioeconomic issues that we must address
Bangladesh is, without a doubt, one of the most promising economies in the region. We have made considerable progress in many socio-economic sectors.
Make Dhaka liveable again
Dhaka is one of the fastest growing megacities in the world. It is predicted to be one of the world’s largest metropolises by 2025, along with Tokyo, Mexico City, Shanghai, Beijing and New York City.
Lessons from Singapore
When Singa-pore was expelled from Malaysia in 1965 and thrust into an unwanted independence, its overall condition—economic, social and political—were not at all conducive.
To end poverty, we need peace and justice first
Today we live in a world that is more divided than ever. It’s filled with hatred, double standards and hypocrisy, conflict, war, uncertainties and many other
Tackling the global refugee crisis
For a moment, imagine yourself being forced out of your country. You are running for your life, leaving everything behind.
The ‘Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome’ and our dilemma
How to get rich quick? That’s the question I once asked my professor of economics when I was studying in the United States in the late ‘80s. Without a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Well, son, if getting rich is really important to you, then you should probably not study economics, better go to any third world country and start your own business or just get into politics.”
Violence against women is a men’s issue
Violence against women and girls is a major global issue. It is no more confined to a specific culture, region or country, or to particular groups of women within a society; it is prevalent in every corner of the globe that impacts women and girls,
The world is sadder, angrier and more fearful than ever
Today, about 7.7 billion people call earth their home but our present home (world) is just not that happy of a place—at least, not according to the people living in it. Last year, US-based analytics firm Gallup conducted a global survey, asking 151,000 people in 143 countries
Ending child marriage is good economics
Recently, I came across a news report that is quite shocking and concerning. A UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) study reveals
What the rising GDP and per capita income are not telling us
On April 4, 2019, the World Bank presented its latest economic forecast that Bangladesh's economy will grow at 7.3 percent in the
'Women hold up half the sky'
Women in Bangladesh have made their mark in multiple fields, from the farms to the peak of the Himalayas, from the sports arena to high-tech jobs, from the handicrafts industry to the Gono Bhaban.
'Demographic dividend' could turn into a 'demographic disaster'
Bangladesh has a fairly young population with 34 percent aged 15 and younger and just five percent aged 65 and older. At present, more than 65 percent of our population is of working age, between 15 and 64.
Checking capital flight before it is too late
In a recently published report by the Washington-based research institute Global Financial Integrity (GFI), Bangladesh has been ranked second in South Asia in terms of illicit outflows of money.
Rohingya - A people not wanted anywhere
According to media reports, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) took back 31 stranded Rohingyas from the no-man's land in the India-Bangladesh border near Brahmanbaria after a five-day impasse
Getting out of the poverty trap through education
Students of primary and secondary grades began the new year with sheer happiness on their faces after getting free new textbooks in their hands. The programme initiated by the government since 2010 is surely laudable and this year alone more than 4.26 crore students from Class-I to Class-IX are receiving over 35.21 crore copies of free textbooks. Surely,
From 'basket case' to 'development model'
In 1971, when Bangladesh emerged from the War of Liberation, many doubted that the country could survive as an independent state but today, 47 years later, those doubts have been put to rest.
The problem with our tax system
On November 13, 2018 at the inaugural programme of the weeklong Income Tax Fair, Finance Minister AMA Muhith wondered why only one crore people pay taxes as the number could easily be four crore.
When values are dispensable
When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts,” said the world-renowned Tibetan leader Dalai Lama. Bangladesh today has a huge youth population, and they are our future.
Your critics are your best friends
Friends come in all shapes and sizes, as the saying goes. But a true friend is one who sees us more clearly than we see ourselves. They see our flaws, our good sides and bad sides, and are willing to say the things that most people won't say.
Traffic jam: The ugly side of Dhaka's development
There was a time when commuters suffered traffic congestion only on the main city streets, but now it starts right from one's doorstep.
What will Bangladesh look like in 2050?
Throughout history, people have turned to astrologers, pundits and gurus in their quest to unlock the mysteries of the future.
The rich get richer, the poor get poorer
The title of this piece is not just a cliché, but also a fact. Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has been experiencing an impressive economic growth.
Why collapse of education is the collapse of a nation
Education is a major driving force of development in any modern society. Quality education equips young people with knowledge and
Bangladesh: Out of the basket
Our economic activity is growing rapidly. Back in 1970, the size of GDP was only US$6.2 billion and in 2015, the GDP grew to $205.3 billion taking Bangladesh to the 44th position in the world economy.
Out of Bangladesh
According to a research report titled “Illegal Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2004-2013”, recently published by the
The Politics of Terrorism
Terrorism is rooted in concrete social and economic conditions - in deprivation, joblessness, discrimination, poverty and social marginality.
There's money for war but not for poverty or peace
Globally, 800 million people still live in extreme poverty, 57 million children are still denied the right to primary education, gender
February 11, 2023
How can we become an attractive investment destination?
Economic growth and business development are highly dependent on the business climate created by socio-economic policies and political decisions of governments.
June 24, 2022
Education system in Bangladesh needs to change
In Bangladesh, although primary education is free and the government provides the textbooks, more than 4.3 million children aged 6-15 years are not in school.
February 13, 2022
Sustaining our economic growth for a better society
While most economies around the world today are suffering from an economic crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 6.4 percent in the 2021-22 fiscal year (FY), according to the World Bank.
December 20, 2021
To keep Bangladesh moving forward, we need urgent actions
In 1971, when Bangladesh emerged victorious from the Liberation War, many doubted that the country could survive as an independent state.
September 10, 2021
How war and arms sales are exacerbating global poverty
Poverty has many roots, and it has many causes. but among those causes, war and arms sales are one of the greatest obstacles to development and poverty reduction.
August 23, 2021
Why is foreign direct investment so low in Bangladesh and how to increase it?
Despite steady economic growth in the country over the past decade, foreign direct investment (FDI) has been comparatively low in Bangladesh compared to regional peers.
March 17, 2021
Bringing population back into the conversation
The relationship between population growth and economic growth is of great interest both for demographers and for development economists.
February 11, 2021
Key socioeconomic issues we must address to reduce poverty
Poverty is a multifaceted economic phenomenon. Although dealing with the causes of poverty in Bangladesh is complex, the country has nonetheless shown impressive improvements and resilience over the years. Before the coronavirus crisis,
November 18, 2020
Why is tax-GDP ratio so low in Bangladesh and how to raise it?
Despite positive economic growth in recent years, Bangladesh has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios (9.3 percent) in the South Asian region. It is 23.1 percent in Nepal, 16.8 percent in India and 11.0 percent in Pakistan.
September 22, 2020
As the pandemic continues, the rich are getting richer
The Covid-19 pandemic may have taken a heavy toll on the global economy, but the pandemic hasn’t been bad for everyone. While hundreds of millions of people worldwide have lost their source of earning and have become jobless, billionaires are getting richer than ever before.
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