Banking, the lifeblood of any economy, faces unique challenges in Bangladesh. A high percentage of non-performing loans (NPLS), inadequate capital, and an overreliance on bank financing are just a few of the many obstacles impeding advancement.

There is no denying that in recent decades, the Micro, Small and Medium and Cottage Enterprises (MSMEs and cottage) sector has been thriving in Bangladesh, both in terms of its contribution to GDP as well as employment generation.

Bangladesh has been struggling with primary energy supply since 2007, a long 17 years. Unfortunately, the focus was never to solve this fundamental problem sustainably but to build more power plants that are visible and carry larger political mileage.

The highly impressive track record of Bangladesh’s export-oriented readymade garments (e-o RMG) sector is well-known and well-appreciated.

The city is perhaps the greatest innovation carried out by humans. Although nature has been used as an analogy in conceiving the fabric of the city, there is no such thing as the “city” in nature.

We are proud to present to you the third instalment of our five-part special supplement series on the occasion of The Daily Star’s 33rd anniversary.

The way we work and the skills we need to succeed are changing constantly due to the technological revolution, where artificial intelligence (AI) has taken this revolution one step further, creating both opportunities and challenges.

That Bangladesh is a growth superstar of Asia looms large in any global economic forum, be it the World Economic Forum or the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. This sustained growth has been largely fuelled by the government’s unapologetic push for digitising all government services to citizens, building an ecosystem for technology startups and incentivising the ICT services industry over the last decade and a half.

Bangladesh’s tech startup ecosystem is navigating through an era of unparalleled growth and innovation, underpinned by robust economic fundamentals, a tech-savvy youthful population, and proactive government policies. The year 2023 has marked a significant stride in this journey, showcasing the resilience and dynamism of Bangladeshi startups amidst global economic uncertainties.

As Bangladesh grapples with the challenges of educational inequality, digital learning emerges as a transformative force.

In the long list of problems that startups want to address on a global scale (and largely have, despite a shrinking of the tech startup industry in recent times), health and wellness has always taken a slight backseat to problems like mobility, connectivity and ways of work.

Education is perhaps the most tangible manifestation of enlightenment.

Bangladesh is a highly centralised country. With most opportunities being centralised to Dhaka, one of the most expensive cities in South Asia, students in Bangladesh need to cross two significant barriers, geographical and financial, to access quality education.

Bangladesh’s economic miracle is undeniable. Since independence in 1971, the nation’s GDP has grown a staggering 7.5% per year on average, lifting millions out of poverty and propelling the country towards middle-income status. Bangladesh went from a nation grappling with poverty and infrastructural challenges to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

For decades, headlines surrounding Bangladesh have largely focused on its challenges: poverty, natural disasters, and the struggles of a developing economy. While these realities remain, a new narrative is quietly unfolding, driven by resilience, innovation, and an economic trajectory that has surprised many.

As Bangladesh enthusiastically gears up for the advent of 5G technology, a centrepiece of its Vision Smart Bangladesh 2041, the mood is a mix of optimism and caution. The transition to 5G is not just an upgrade in telecommunications; it represents a significant technological leap. This leap, however, is fraught with complexities that demand a thorough, objective examination.

The Bangladeshi job market, like many other job markets across the world, is very dynamic in nature. People often say that this particular job market is unstable or that there is a lack of opportunities here. However, while there may be some truth to this, it may not be the case entirely. In fact, similar descriptions are also applicable to job markets in other parts of the world.

Tertiary education and the outcome provided by it are factors that are constantly in need of revision. In today’s world where new in-demand jobs and special fields of expertise explode into popularity at unprecedented rates, universities have a responsibility to respond by adapting quickly and efficiently.

In 2012, Bangladesh marked a significant technological milestone by embracing 3G connectivity, followed by the introduction of 4G in 2018. A notable leap occurred on December 12, 2021, with the trial launch of the 5G network in Bangladesh, signalling a new era in the nation’s digital evolution.

In recent years, the diaspora community has emerged as a pivotal force in shaping the economic landscape of Bangladesh, their contributions marked by a blend of remittances, investments, and intellectual exchanges that bolster the country’s march towards sustainable development.