Lights, camera, economy!

Historically, the arts have been indicators of societal progress, with their roots going as far back as ancient Greece. But why does this timeless partnership between art and development continue to persist? Historians and economists alike agree that art tends...

Complementary or contradictory?

Bangladesh is witnessing a development carnival on its strides for graduating out of least-developed-country club. It needs billions of dollars worth of ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) for minimising the funding gap in the development expenditure. Since the country has been...

Scaling up climate finance for Bangladesh: Options to consider

Bangladesh’s current contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is about 0.4 per cent of total global emissions. But it is one of the most endangered countries in the world due to global warming and climate change. Bangladesh ranks 7th...

Business: The changing profile

Milton Friedman, a Nobel-laureate economist of twentieth century, is known for many caustic observations on the role of business in society. He once wrote that the main function of business was to make money for the owners and not to...

Masculinity in the 21st century

The idea of masculinity is built on what society, history, and politics believe to be 'appropriate' for a man. It involves holding attitudes that are recognised by other men and women as male traits. According to masculinist values, being a...

The concept of well-being and the rise of wellness industry

he concept of well-being is closely linked to health and wellness. Well-being is not just about physical health, rather it is a combination of multiple factors, including emotional, social, and mental health. It is an expression of how good we...

Promoting universal social protection system

Bangladesh has made remarkable strides in terms of socio-economic advancement indicators, sustaining an average yearly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of close to 6 per cent since the early 1990s, accelerating the pace in recent times, and markedly reducing poverty...

Why banks must 'think bolder'

The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) celebrates the 'Banking on Values Day' on November 8 every year. The GABV comprises 70 independent banks, credit unions and microfinance institutions from 43 countries. BRAC Bank is one of the founders...

World at a crossroads of major geopolitical conflicts and shifts

In the past decade, global stability has been greatly tested due to a significant rise in geopolitical tensions. Intense conflicts and incidents among world powers have fueled polarisation, raising concerns about the future. One might wonder: What events in the...

Bangladesh's green finance revolution: pioneering environmental responsibility

In an era when environmental sustainability is of paramount importance, Bangladesh has taken commendable strides in integrating green finance into its economic landscape. The global spotlight now shines on this South Asian nation for its proactive approach to aligning financial...

Exploring the EU export diversification scope

The European Union (EU), as an economic bloc, has been the single largest destination for Bangladesh's exports. Leveraging the EU's generous Generalised System of Preference (GSP) scheme for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), known as Everything But Arms (EBA), Bangladesh has...

The not-so-deep-dive in the disruptive fintech

The 1992 Cricket World Cup saw a novel stratagem, as the powerful Mark Greatbatch was promoted to opening to disrupt the bowling attack and give birth to the idea of pinch-hitting, destroying the opponent bowlers, rather than the usual taking-your-time-out...

Equation of BD's RMG prosperity and labour welfare

In the dynamic landscape of Bangladesh's economy, the ready-made garment (RMG) industry has long been the driver of growth and opportunity. A beacon of progress, it has consistently fortified the country's export earnings, highlighted by a recent surge to US$11.62...

Labour market and employment challenges stemming from BD's LDC graduation

Bangladesh economy has been growing fast for the past two decades. Among different contributors to this economic growth, ready-made garment (RMG) and remittance are the clear champions without any contention. Both the contributors are highly labour-intensive, enhancing the significance of...

Right diagnosis prerequisite for designing inflation-mitigating strategies

Monetary steps have been taken but inflation is still surging in Bangladesh. Needless to say that bringing down the rising inflation is now the crying need of the country. How to combat it presupposes deeper analyses. Several strategies are needed,...

Addressing governance challenges of urbanisation in BD

Urbanisation poses a critical challenge to Bangladesh today as the unplanned and uncontrolled growth of the country's urban space and population places immense pressure on public utilities and services. This strain is particularly evident in providing basic services such as...

Bettering working conditions and competitiveness in RMG industry

In the heart of Gazipur's bustling industrial landscape, the workstation of Ayesha Khanom (pseudonym) stands as a beacon of hope and change. The hum of sewing machines is now set against the backdrop of spacious, well-lit halls-a far cry from...

Corporate sustainability reporting: the new Black in Bangladesh's private sector

Sustainability reporting is a common practice that discloses an organisation's economic, social, environmental, and governance practices to stakeholders. It increases transparency and accountability, involves data collection and progress evaluation, and contributes to global sustainable development targets.Systematic sustainability reporting assists organisations...

Unpacking migration: Stages, obstacles and governance

Migration has become the biggest economic sector in terms of population percentage with at least 10 million + people involved in work abroad. While one has some idea about the migrants in the regular and proto-regular space whether in the...

Changing global trading environment, multipolarity and export prospects

Recent years have seen a drastic deterioration in the global trading environment, which is a fundamental determinant of both trade and economic growth. World trade growth is currently at a historic low and is expected to decline from 5.1 per...

Midhili destroys Tk 2b crops in Ctg

Cyclone Midhili, which lashed Bangladesh's coast recently with devastation despite being a 'weak' storm, has destroyed crops worth Tk 2 billion in five districts of Chattogram, according to government estimates. Mostly winter crops were damaged where the losses amounted to...

Govt creating new parties using money looted from state coffers: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday alleged that the government is creating new parties by hiring people abandoned by different parties using the money looted from the state coffers, reports UNB.Speaking at a virtual press briefing,...

Dengue daily hospitalization comes down below 1000

Six more deaths were reported from dengue caused by a mosquito-borne virus in 24 hours till Friday morning, raising the fatalities in Bangladesh to 1,583 this year, reports UNB.During the period, 645 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever,...

45th BCS written exams postponed

The authorities have postponed the 45th written exams of the Bangladesh Civil Service due to consecutive transport blockades enforced by the BNP and its allies, reports bdnews24.com.The exams were supposed to begin on Nov 27.In a statement on Friday, the...

BNP expels 2 central leaders

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled its two central leaders for violating party discipline and not toeing the line.The embattled party disclosed the development in a press statement issued on Friday.The expelled leaders are Matiur Rahman Montu, member of...

Blockades affect economy, foreign investments, says FBCCI chief

President of President Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerces and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam has called for shunning the politics of blockades and hartals saying that a day of such protests cost the economy up to Tk 65.00 billion.Talking to...

Internet disrupted as connections of 19 IIGs cut

Almost half the country's internet was disrupted on Friday as Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company PLC (BSCPLC) cut connections of 19 IIGs over Tk 2.5 billion.BSCPLC cut the connection on Friday night," Mirza Kamal Ahmed, Managing Director (Additional Charge), told The...

Final push to free Indian tunnel workers

SILKYARA TUNNEL , India, Nov 24 (AFP): Just a few metres of rock and earth separate Indian rescue teams from 41 workers who have been trapped inside a collapsed road tunnel for nearly two weeks, officials said Friday, vowing to...

Gazans fill streets heading home as truce begins

GAZA, Nov 24 (Reuters): Combat between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters halted on Friday for the first time in seven weeks in a temporary truce ahead of the planned release of Israeli hostages held by the militants in exchange for...

Sincerity gap leaves street kid financial inclusion struggling

Bangladesh's central bank rolled out an ambitious plan in 2014 to improve the financial well-being of street children and workers. However, nearly a decade later, the programme is struggling to gain traction.The number of bank accounts, account holders and account...