Economy & Policy Governance Archives

Bangladesh EU Strategic Relation and its Future

July 23, 2026July 23, 2026 editor No Comments

Bangladesh and the European Union stand at a decisive turning point. The initialing of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in April 2026 formally launches a relationship that aspires to be more than transactional. But aspiration and achievement remain separated by a wide gap, one built from structural asymmetries, institutional deficits, and political uncertainties that…

Economy & Policy Governance

Forecasting Bangladesh’s Economic Recovery: Timelines, Reform Priorities, and Long-Term Sustainability

July 16, 2026July 16, 2026 editor No Comments

Bangladesh’s economy has demonstrated resilience over several decades despite global economic shocks, domestic inflationary pressures, exchange-rate adjustments, and financial sector challenges. Recent data published by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) indicate that the economy continues to expand, although at a slower pace than its long-term average, while inflation and business confidence remain important concerns. …

Economy & Policy Governance

Reducing Bangladesh’s Import Costs: A Roadmap for Competitive Trade

July 16, 2026July 16, 2026 editor No Comments

This article examines why imported goods become substantially more expensive in Bangladesh after arrival and outlines practical reforms that can reduce these costs, improve competitiveness, strengthen trade efficiency, and lower prices for consumers and businesses. The price a Bangladeshi consumer pays for an imported product bears little resemblance to its international market value. By the…

Economy & Policy Governance

The Political Economy of China’s Involvement in Managing Mongla Port in Khulna, Bangladesh

July 9, 2026July 9, 2026 editor No Comments

Mongla Port, situated in the Khulna Division of southwestern Bangladesh, is the country’s second-largest seaport after Chattogram. The city’s strategic location in proximity to the Bay of Bengal and its proximity to the Sundarbans make it an important gateway for international trade and regional connectivity. In recent years, China has emerged as a significant partner…

Economy & Policy Governance

4,200 Participants, 130+ Speakers, Thousands of Meetings-Yet Equity FDI Grew Less Than 2%

July 2, 2026July 2, 2026 editor No Comments

For years, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has played a pivotal role in encouraging, facilitating and retaining investment in Bangladesh. While it deserves credit for initiatives such as its 180-Day Action Plan to unify a long-fragmented investment architecture and the digitalisation of one-stop services, its overall impact remains open to question, particularly in 2025….

Economy & Policy Governance

Decline of Social Media Economy in Bangladesh

July 2, 2026July 2, 2026 editor No Comments

Scroll through any social media feed in Bangladesh today, and the signs are unmistakable: fewer viral brand campaigns, dwindling engagement on sponsored posts, and a growing chorus of content creators questioning whether the influencer economy still pays. The glow that once surrounded digital influencing has faded considerably. But what exactly is driving this downturn? Is…

Economy & Policy Governance

Green Budget 2026: Signals Without Structural Transformation

July 2, 2026July 2, 2026 editor No Comments

Bangladesh’s FY2026–27 national budget presents itself as a document of growing environmental awareness. Over recent years, allocations for climate-related expenditures have steadily increased across ministries, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has received a modest boost as well. At first glance, such trends suggest that climate issues are gaining prominence within fiscal…

Economy & Policy Governance

Old Wounds, New Opportunities: Pakistan and Bangladesh at an Economic Crossroads

June 25, 2026June 25, 2026 editor No Comments

More than five decades after 1971, Pakistan and Bangladesh continue to share one of South Asia’s most complex relationships. Historical grievances, political sensitivities and shifting geopolitical priorities have often shaped how the two countries engage with one another. Yet, in focusing almost exclusively on the past, both countries may be overlooking an important question: are…

Economy & Policy Governance

The Economic Potential of Rangpur

June 25, 2026June 25, 2026 editor No Comments

Rangpur, located in the northwestern corner of Bangladesh, is one of the country’s most historically overlooked regions. Despite its vast agricultural base, significant population, and strategic geographic position, it has long lagged Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet in terms of infrastructure, investment, and economic development. This disparity is not a reflection of the region’s potential but…

Economy & Policy Governance

Bangladesh’s UN Moment Should Become a Governance Agenda

June 18, 2026June 18, 2026 editor No Comments

A Diplomatic Opening Dr Khalilur Rahman’s election as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) gives Bangladesh an important diplomatic opening at a sensitive moment for the international system. The position is procedural in form, but influential in practice. It gives Dhaka a rare opportunity to shape conversations across the…

Economy & Policy Governance