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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
'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, 18:00 PM
'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, 18:00 PM
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, 18:00 PM
Rohingya - A people not wanted anywhere
According to media reports, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) took back 31 stranded Rohingyas from the no-man's land in the India-Bangladesh border near Brahmanbaria after a five-day impasse
25 January 2019, 18:00 PM
Getting out of the poverty trap through education
Students of primary and secondary grades began the new year with sheer happiness on their faces after getting free new textbooks in their hands. The programme initiated by the government since 2010 is surely laudable and this year alone more than 4.26 crore students from Class-I to Class-IX are receiving over 35.21 crore copies of free textbooks. Surely,
14 January 2019, 18:00 PM
From 'basket case' to 'development model'
In 1971, when Bangladesh emerged from the War of Liberation, many doubted that the country could survive as an independent state but today, 47 years later, those doubts have been put to rest.
10 December 2018, 18:00 PM