Crisis should be seen as an opportunity: Debapriya 

Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), today called for a shift in mindset, urging policymakers and businesses to treat crises as opportunities for reform.

Crisis should be regarded as an opportunity, he said at a seminar titled 'Reciprocal Tariff under US and the Way Forward for Bangladesh' organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) at its office in the capital.

Trade experts, business leaders, and policymakers attended the seminar.

Bhattacharya said that increasing tariffs in the name of reciprocity often ends up hurting end consumers. "Ultimately, it is the people who bear the cost of protectionism," he added.

"There is no final enemy in trade and commerce. It operates wherever it sees profit."

On Bangladesh's upcoming graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, he sought to dispel prevailing fears.

"Despite growing panic, the reality is that LDC graduation will not put us in a tough situation overnight," he said, adding that a pragmatic approach and sound policy frameworks can ease the country's transition to a developing country.