Economics
Silent role of MFS to keep the economy going
With the advancement of the pandemic, the citizens of Bangladesh are leaning more and more towards adopting Mobile Financial Service (MFS) as their method of money transfer, buying products and services, buying mobile balance and making bill payments.
Navigating the socioeconomic perils of Covid-19 in Bangladesh
Despite the depressing state of major indicators such as negative export-import growth; large revenue deficit; falling private sector investment; rising non-performing loans recorded in the last quarter of 2019
Stimulus for Bangladesh’s export-oriented enterprises
On March 25, 2020, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced, in her address to the nation, that the government would provide an incentive package of Taka 5,000 crore for export-oriented industries.
Financial mobility in an immobile world
The recent outbreak of Covid-19 is an unprecedented global issue, leading many to contemplate difficult questions that are plaguing all of humanity.
COVID-19 has exposed the fragility of our economies
The human dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic reach far beyond the critical health response. All aspects of our future will be affected—economic, social and developmental. Our response must be urgent, coordinated and on a global scale, and should immediately deliver help to those most in need.
Economic threats in the time of corona
What will the impact of Covid-19 be on the Bangladesh economy? Overall, it seems inevitable that the GDP gains that were expected to be realised in the current fiscal year are likely to be wiped out.
COVID-19 and Bangladesh’s macroeconomic challenges
The world economy is now on lockdown because of the global coronavirus pandemic. Governments and their central banks around the world are wasting no time in dealing with the health and economic implications of this crisis.
Implementing SDG 6: Watering the seeds of development
Nothing is more useful than water. Ironically, hardly anything can be obtained in exchange for water.
What should we do with a sovereign wealth fund?
The Government of Bangladesh (GOB) has just approved setting up a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) to channel government funds into projects considered vital for the country.
The humble economist
All indications are that the world economy will experience robust growth in the coming months barring any oil shocks, outbreak of open hostilities in the Far East, collapse of the British economy following Article 50 notification, and a financial crisis akin to the Greek economic crisis of yesteryears.
How state intervention can boost our economy
The sad truth is our political establishment is too busy arguing with one another regarding issues which only they are concerned with. Dialogue, discussion and debate regarding policy matters seem to have been ignored for too long.
Economics of inclusion
In recent years, many developing countries have witnessed rapid growth in GDP but this has happened in sync with a surge in the number of people left behind.
The irony of it all
We have witnessed progress despite obstacles in the jute industry since my last op-ed (October 15, 2014, The Daily Star), where I had
Bangladesh and the new economic world order
Bangladesh has so far been watching from the sidelines as a major international shake-up currently takes shape in the global economic and political landscape.
Can Trump stifle our growth momentum?
If you thought Brexit was a fluke, then think again. The new game in town, populism, paved the way for Donald Trump to capitalise on economic and social frustrations of the forgotten blue-collar American....
How to make Special Economic Zones successful
Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are geographically delineated 'enclaves' in which regulations and practices related to business and trade differ from the rest of the country and therefore all the units therein enjoy special privileges. SEZs can generate both static and dynamic benefits.
Great expectation along the Silk Road
The BRI covers a vast population of 4.4 billion and an economic output of USD 21 trillion in more than 70 countries in the Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Africa. The majority of them are emerging and developing countries.
How Bangladesh can become more competitive
According to the recently published “Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) 2016-2017”, Bangladesh is now ranked 106th among the 138 countries included in the survey.