Fahmida Khatun

MACRO MIRROR

Dr Fahmida Khatun is executive director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

Cause for frustration for common people

There is not much in it to make us feel better in terms of its focus and measures.

5d ago

Macroeconomic challenges that overshadow FY24 budget

The macroeconomic stability that Bangladesh's economy has enjoyed for a long time has disappeared in the face of multiple challenges – from both external and domestic sources.

1w ago

The untapped potential of Bangladesh-Japan trade

Over the last five decades, the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan has flourished and evolved into a mutually beneficial and symbiotic partnership, bringing about positive outcomes for both countries.

2w ago

What Bangladesh's new budget should offer to common people

The upcoming budget poses significant challenges – arguably the most challenging in recent times – for economic policymaking in Bangladesh.

3w ago

Ajay Banga’s plateful of challenges

One of the first things Banga would have to tackle is reforming and modernising the institution, something that stakeholders have asked for across sectors.

Fiscal policies that could tackle air pollution and climate change

Environmental degradation and climate change impacts create externalities that can be reduced through appropriate pricing mechanisms.

Poor policy and market management have caused price hikes

Why is the government failing to manage the market as they should?

Why low global prices don't reach Bangladeshi consumers

High commodity prices in the global market are often used as an excuse to justify price hikes in the domestic market, even if there is no direct correlation

Navigating sky-high prices in Ramadan

Arresting high prices requires more focused and extensive actions by the government.

Invest more to accelerate gender equality

Achieving gender equality requires collective effort from all members of society.

Why do Bangladeshi youth want to leave the country?

To retain the talents within the country and bring back migrated professionals, we need better opportunities.

For a smart Bangladesh, we need smart workers

Our education system does not equip students with the necessary skills for the job market.

For a better fiscal space, we need efficient tax system

Improving our revenue generation will require several measures, both technical and non-technical.

How do we cope with high energy prices?

Consumers in Bangladesh are at the mercy of policymakers

Is global governance failing to deliver climate commitments?

While commitment is the first step, finance is the most important means for implementation of climate commitments. But in this case, there are huge gaps, as pledges remain unfulfilled.

Overcoming looming economic challenges in 2023

The core problems of our economy are rooted in the very nature of the country’s governance, which has long been neglected. 

The never-ending crisis in our banking sector

Bangladesh Bank, which is supposed to oversee the governance of the country’s financial institutions, has rather supported these irregular activities through its policies and actions.

Loan defaulters are putting the banking sector at risk

Despite economic progress over time, Bangladesh’s financial sector continues to be dominated by banks that stand on shaky ground.

From rhetoric to realisation of climate actions at COP27

Despite demands from climate-change-affected countries, the issue of loss and damage has been contentious at the global forum.

Can an IMF loan rescue Bangladesh's economy?

Our current economic situation is one in which countries usually look to the IMF for balance of payment support.

How are LDCs faring with agricultural trade and food security?

LDCs are predominantly agricultural economies, but are also highly dependent on food imports.

Bangladesh needs proper policies to combat a food crisis

Dr Fahmida Khatun speaks to us regarding how Bangladesh can shield itself from a possible food crisis.

Is Bangladesh ready to face a global food crisis?

We now face the real risk of massive hunger and famine.

Two major economic woes Bangladesh needs to address right now

High inflation and low export and remittance earnings are a major cause for concern at the moment.

Significance of BIMSTEC during turbulent times

BIMSTEC countries have the potential for benefiting mutually and contributing to the global economy.

South Asian nations need a collective plan to tackle climate change

Given the nature of climate-induced problems faced by the countries in South Asia, policymakers should undertake both adaptation and mitigation measures.

PM Hasina’s India visit: Will our expectations be met?

The Bangladesh-India relationship covers a wide range of sectors

How will the common people survive?

Mismanagement, system loss and a weak supply chain of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) have become a perennial problem.

Here's how we can beat the heat waves

The world is feeling the scorching heat this summer, with heat waves sweeping across several countries in Europe and Asia.

Recognising a crisis and responding to it effectively

Soaring oil and commodity prices have hit Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves significantly.

How effective will the Bangladesh Bank's new monetary policy be?

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) has revealed its Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) for the period of July-December 2022 at a time when the country, and the world, is going through tough economic challenges.

How can the WTO help its ‘weaker’ members?

The 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) finally took place during June 12-16, 2022 after being cancelled twice due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The MC12 was held at a time of unprecedented global economic downturn.

Does budget 2022-23 address inflation properly?

An analysis of the national budget 2022-23 for Bangladesh, amidst Covid recovery and the Ukraine-Russia war.

Budget 2022-23: Inflationary concerns not addressed adequately

If one looks at the inflationary measures that are proposed in the FY2022-23 budget, there are ample reasons to be frustrated.

Issues that should be in focus in budget 2022-23

The finance minister of Bangladesh is scheduled to place the national budget for 2022-23 fiscal year at parliament on June 9.

8 things the government can do to stabilise the dollar rate

Exchange rate management is an important task for the central bank. In Bangladesh, though the central bank follows a floating exchange rate, it manages the foreign exchange market through intervention.

Price hike of essentials: What can the government do?

Bangladesh has been feeling this inflationary pressure since June 2020.

Holistic approach needed to rein in rising prices

The prices of essentials continue to rise at a fast pace. Bangladesh has been feeling this inflationary pressure since June 2020, which recently became unbearable for the poor and fixed income groups in the country.

Invest in education to reduce inequality

Quality education is urgently needed in Bangladesh as the country is progressing at a fast pace.

What message does South Asia get from Sri Lanka?

Right now, Sri Lanka is going through its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948.

Smart policies needed to deal with current economic shocks

The world is facing an unprecedented time as countries desperately try to recover from the fallouts caused by two years of Covid, followed by the newly raised geopolitical tensions due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

What the Russia-Ukraine war means for Bangladesh's economy

Since the war between Russia and Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, the global economy has entered a new terrain of uncertainty.

Prices of essentials: Is the only way 'up'?

The struggle of the poor and low-income group that began with the outbreak of Covid-19 in early 2020 is now worsened by the unabated rise in the prices of essentials.

High time to #breakthebias

Gender equality is still an elusive term not just in Bangladesh, but all across the world, despite so much economic progress and so many measures taken by policymakers.

How to make the universal pension scheme a success

The recent announcement by the government to introduce a universal pension scheme (UPS) in Bangladesh from the 2022-23 fiscal year is a welcome and timely move.

A modern tax system can generate more resources

In the run-up to the budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year (FY), the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has initiated discussions with various professional and business organisations—like the previous years.

Should development and democracy be at odds with each other?

The relationship between democracy and development is a much-discussed issue.

What should be the priorities in the FY2022-23 budget?

The economy of Bangladesh has fared very well despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. From 3.5 percent growth in FY2019-20, the economy recovered fast.

June 1, 2023
June 1, 2023

Cause for frustration for common people

There is not much in it to make us feel better in terms of its focus and measures.

May 28, 2023
May 28, 2023

Macroeconomic challenges that overshadow FY24 budget

The macroeconomic stability that Bangladesh's economy has enjoyed for a long time has disappeared in the face of multiple challenges – from both external and domestic sources.

May 22, 2023
May 22, 2023

The untapped potential of Bangladesh-Japan trade

Over the last five decades, the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan has flourished and evolved into a mutually beneficial and symbiotic partnership, bringing about positive outcomes for both countries.

May 15, 2023
May 15, 2023

What Bangladesh's new budget should offer to common people

The upcoming budget poses significant challenges – arguably the most challenging in recent times – for economic policymaking in Bangladesh.

May 7, 2023
May 7, 2023

Ajay Banga’s plateful of challenges

One of the first things Banga would have to tackle is reforming and modernising the institution, something that stakeholders have asked for across sectors.

April 17, 2023
April 17, 2023

Fiscal policies that could tackle air pollution and climate change

Environmental degradation and climate change impacts create externalities that can be reduced through appropriate pricing mechanisms.

March 29, 2023
March 29, 2023

Poor policy and market management have caused price hikes

Why is the government failing to manage the market as they should?

March 26, 2023
March 26, 2023

Why low global prices don't reach Bangladeshi consumers

High commodity prices in the global market are often used as an excuse to justify price hikes in the domestic market, even if there is no direct correlation

March 19, 2023
March 19, 2023

Navigating sky-high prices in Ramadan

Arresting high prices requires more focused and extensive actions by the government.

March 8, 2023
March 8, 2023

Invest more to accelerate gender equality

Achieving gender equality requires collective effort from all members of society.