Three factors holding back economy

The interest rate cap on loans, the frequent changes to the exchange rate regime and a relaxed attitude to enforcing austerity measures are the major challenges facing Bangladesh in restoring stability in the economy. 

The dominance of business elites in the political economy

The term “neopatrimonialism” is defined by political scientist Christopher Clapham as a system in which “relationships of a broadly patrimonial type pervade a political and administrative system, which is formally constructed on rational-legal lines”.

Bangladesh Apparel Industry / Thinking out of the box to gain some bargaining power

We constantly hear the complaint from our apparel exporters that buyers do not pay them a fair price for their products. Whether or not this is a fair assessment is perhaps irrelevant.

Trump's Proposed Tariff on Chinese Imports

Although Chinese products have provided consumers cheaper options, they are hurting US domestic production and the US manufacturing base has weakened dramatically over the last few decades.

Rise of the land of entrepreneurs

The simple answer to the question, “What do you do”, could really make a lot of difference.

PLEASURE IS ALL MINE / US' 'No' to GSP: One-sided love affair!

Though US-Bangla interactions have evolved on a love-hate trajectory, an exception is made in relation to the GSP facility for Bangladesh. Dhaka's obsession with it has not been reciprocated by Washington.

Quirks of banking and payment systems

We have some of the strangest banking and payment system strictures in the world.

The Trump tax cut: A mockery of fiscal responsibility?

It is well known that President Trump's much-ballyhooed recent tax cuts will have a major negative impact on the US federal budget, and according to some estimates, will lead to a USD 1.5 trillion increase in national debt.

Branding Bangladesh: How to deliver a promise

As global brands transcend borders by inspiring and engaging consumers through innovation and investors with the promise of higher turnover, sometimes rivalling that of some developing countries, it is no longer a question of how to compete with another nation.

The missing link

The concept of South Asia as a region is largely inherited from the British colonial legacy, with some exceptions.

Automation in apparel: Boon or bane for Bangladesh?

The World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said in a recent conference that about two thirds of jobs in the developing world may be lost due to automation.

Ready or not for the next recession?

A sunny day is the best time to check whether the roof is watertight. For economic policymakers, the proverbial sunny day has arrived:

Trump's Proposed Tariff on Chinese Imports

Although Chinese products have provided consumers cheaper options, they are hurting US domestic production and the US manufacturing base has weakened dramatically over the last few decades.

Rise of the land of entrepreneurs

The simple answer to the question, “What do you do”, could really make a lot of difference.

Whither Start-Up India?

It is often alleged that it is easier to start a business in India than to shut it down. At the Start-Up India launch, Modi signalled his government's willingness to address this concern.

What will kill RMG: TPP or Fear?

What will kill RMG in Bangladesh? Trans-Pacific Partnership or security fears? It may certainly be the second one and not the first. To begin with, the full text of the TPP is not yet available.