Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), speaks to Ramisa Rob of The Daily Star about how Bangladesh can navigate the current challenges.

The title of this write-up may appear somewhat misleading, but there are valid reasons to pose such a question, as there is context to it. Bangladesh is set to graduate from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) on November 24, 2026.

Bangladesh’s best course of action would be to prepare for smooth and sustainable graduation from the LDC group.

Bank defaulters or tax evaders receive a number of amnesty and benefits for whitening black money.

A key factor driving the rising debt-servicing obligations of Bangladesh originates from the country’s middle-income graduation.

Reducing income inequality by taking concrete steps is morally fair and economically justified.

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

Steps must be taken against those who have shifted money and wealth out of the country illegally.

As per the decision of the UN General Assembly held in November 2021, Bangladesh is set to graduate out of the group of least developed countries (LDCs) on November 24, 2026, about 50 years after it first became a member of this cohort of developing countries in December 1975.

Would it be possible to import fuel from Russia?

The celebration of 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence has been a welcome opportunity to revisit and put on the spotlight Bangladesh’s developmental experience over the past five decades,

The book poses a number of questions: which factors have contributed to Bangladesh’s growth?

It is indeed encouraging to note that the export sector of Bangladesh has rebounded in recent months, and earnings from exports (equivalent to about USD 24.69 billion) have registered highly impressive growth during the first half (July-December) of the 2021-22 fiscal year.

As is known, the current provisions of the EU’s Generalised System of preferences (EU-GSP) scheme are being revised at present in anticipation of the new scheme to be put in place as of January 1, 2024.

Vietnam has outperformed Bangladesh and emerged as the second-most important exporter of apparel in the global market in 2020. Should Bangladesh be concerned by this? What signals does this transmit for the medium-term prospects of Bangladesh’s export-oriented apparel sector?

In recent times, the discussion on Comprehensive Economic Partnerships Agreements (CEPAs) has gained considerable traction in Bangladesh. Policymakers and trade officials have mooted the idea of signing CEPAs with a number of Bangladesh’s trading partners.

Over the past decade particularly, the Bangladesh-India bilateral economic relationship has entered a new terrain with the strengthening of traditional ties and foundations being laid to deepen and broaden the partnership in going forward.

With the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Partnerships (RCEP) agreement, the world is witnessing a significant milestone in the global

On October 15-16, 2020, the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights of the WTO (WTO-TRIPS Council) will be holding an important meeting that has a special interest for the LDCs, in particular for graduating LDCs such as Bangladesh.

The transmission channels through which the emergent global scenario in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic are impacting the increasingly globalising economy of Bangladesh are diverse: export outflows are getting disrupted; import inflows are facing delays;