Why is foreign direct investment so low in Bangladesh and how to increase it?
Despite steady economic growth in the country over the past decade, foreign direct investment (FDI) has been comparatively low in Bangladesh compared to regional peers.
22 August 2021
Bringing population back into the conversation
The relationship between population growth and economic growth is of great interest both for demographers and for development economists.
16 March 2021
Key socioeconomic issues we must address to reduce poverty
Poverty is a multifaceted economic phenomenon. Although dealing with the causes of poverty in Bangladesh is complex, the country has nonetheless shown impressive improvements and resilience over the years. Before the coronavirus crisis,
10 February 2021
Why is tax-GDP ratio so low in Bangladesh and how to raise it?
Despite positive economic growth in recent years, Bangladesh has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios (9.3 percent) in the South Asian region. It is 23.1 percent in Nepal, 16.8 percent in India and 11.0 percent in Pakistan.
17 November 2020
As the pandemic continues, the rich are getting richer
The Covid-19 pandemic may have taken a heavy toll on the global economy, but the pandemic hasn’t been bad for everyone. While hundreds of millions of people worldwide have lost their source of earning and have become jobless, billionaires are getting richer than ever before.
21 September 2020
A strong banking system makes a strong economy
For the last several years, the banking sector in Bangladesh has been playing an important role in our USD 300-plus billion economy where banks comprise more than 80 percent of all financing activity.
25 July 2020
Women’s empowerment is meaningless without safety
Not too long ago, it was hardly believable that the women of Bangladesh would take part in the economic development of the country.
12 March 2020
Key socioeconomic issues that we must address
Bangladesh is, without a doubt, one of the most promising economies in the region. We have made considerable progress in many socio-economic sectors.
12 February 2020
Make Dhaka liveable again
Dhaka is one of the fastest growing megacities in the world. It is predicted to be one of the world’s largest metropolises by 2025, along with Tokyo, Mexico City, Shanghai, Beijing and New York City.
27 January 2020
Lessons from Singapore
When Singa-pore was expelled from Malaysia in 1965 and thrust into an unwanted independence, its overall condition—economic, social and political—were not at all conducive.
3 January 2020
To end poverty, we need peace and justice first
Today we live in a world that is more divided than ever. It’s filled with hatred, double standards and hypocrisy, conflict, war, uncertainties and many other
5 November 2019
Tackling the global refugee crisis
For a moment, imagine yourself being forced out of your country. You are running for your life, leaving everything behind.
11 October 2019
The ‘Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome’ and our dilemma
How to get rich quick? That’s the question I once asked my professor of economics when I was studying in the United States in the late ‘80s. Without a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Well, son, if getting rich is really important to you, then you should probably not study economics, better go to any third world country and start your own business or just get into politics.”
29 September 2019
Violence against women is a men’s issue
Violence against women and girls is a major global issue. It is no more confined to a specific culture, region or country, or to particular groups of women within a society; it is prevalent in every corner of the globe that impacts women and girls,
24 August 2019
The world is sadder, angrier and more fearful than ever
Today, about 7.7 billion people call earth their home but our present home (world) is just not that happy of a place—at least, not according to the people living in it. Last year, US-based analytics firm Gallup conducted a global survey, asking 151,000 people in 143 countries
15 June 2019
Ending child marriage is good economics
Recently, I came across a news report that is quite shocking and concerning. A UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) study reveals
26 April 2019
What the rising GDP and per capita income are not telling us
On April 4, 2019, the World Bank presented its latest economic forecast that Bangladesh's economy will grow at 7.3 percent in the
8 April 2019
'Women hold up half the sky'
Women in Bangladesh have made their mark in multiple fields, from the farms to the peak of the Himalayas, from the sports arena to high-tech jobs, from the handicrafts industry to the Gono Bhaban.
19 March 2019
'Demographic dividend' could turn into a 'demographic disaster'
Bangladesh has a fairly young population with 34 percent aged 15 and younger and just five percent aged 65 and older. At present, more than 65 percent of our population is of working age, between 15 and 64.
1 March 2019
Checking capital flight before it is too late
In a recently published report by the Washington-based research institute Global Financial Integrity (GFI), Bangladesh has been ranked second in South Asia in terms of illicit outflows of money.
5 February 2019