OPEN SKY
Why do people stash dollars under pillows?
It's because of the inflation-led pressures on Bangladesh’s taka and the central bank's undervaluation of the US dollar.
New monetary policy is appropriate in direction, but inadequate in dosage
Why this behind-the-curve approach to fighting inflation?
Why our balance of payments won’t balance out post-election
With the facade of the elections at its height, prevailing financial issues seem to have faded into the background.
A faulty tax policy equals a dehydrated housing sector
Under the Income Tax Act, 2023, the 'gain' tax on plots, flats and commercial establishments has doubled and redoubled.
Opinion / Rising risky loans and the talent of making excuses
The actual share of NPLs in total loans would have crossed 20 percent had BB not loosened the definition.
Surging government borrowing portrays a grim future
Recent trends seem to care too little about the wise art of deficit financing.
Monetary policy has been set free... but not really
While the government’s latest monetary policy for the first half of fiscal year 2023-24 shows an attempt to be rational for the market, it lacks vigour to solve inflation and the dollar crisis.
National Budget 2023-24: Of sweet accounting and sour economics
If we choose only 10 commodities and measure inflation, the figure will land at no less than 20 percent.
Consequences of wrong economics
Martin Luther King once said that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Inflation phobia of central bank hampers growth
The latest monetary policy testifies that the central bank is behaving like the Germans who once regarded inflation as more dangerous than a bomb.
Taking banks further away from the public
When I, along with another colleague of mine, went to Philadelphia to interview jobseekers, the findings of one interviewee's dissertation reminded me of something: the recent news on bank directors in Bangladesh.
How early nominations can help the economy
We can reduce this kind of political setback on the economy only by channelling the political exuberance in a positive way. Whatever control the election commission brings on the size of the spending by candidates, the political nominees will spend the most anyway.
Dramas, dilemmas and doldrums
Bangladeshis relish drama and nothing is more drama-filled than election time. The atmosphere will be one of excitement and uncertainty this year.
A tumultuous year for the economy
History repeats itself, though not fully, but history is the best educator. As we approach 2018, we can take lessons from the economic successes and failures of 2017.
No honking, please
It is my great pleasure to be back in Dhaka for professional purposes after having lived overseas for two decades.
Why Patal Rail is a must for Dhaka
The government is again contemplating building the nation's largest airport somewhere in the southwest part of the country.
Do we really need a central bank?
Pet doors are small portals at the bottom of doors to let pets move in and out of the house. Sir Isaac Newton once made one big hole for a cat and one small hole for its kittens in the same door.
How India became a growth generator
Addressing Rabindranath Tagore, the American philosopher Will Durant once pronounced, “You alone are sufficient reason why India should be free.
