Why is Bangladesh booming?

[Syed1]

It is not so easy in Pakistan. [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]s list is spot on but the Army has a huge propaganda machine. They carefully monitor activists who can "disappear" if they are too critical. This has happened to many people recently like Amar Ali Jan, Waqas Goaraya etc. Even when you go out for a drive the faces of Nishan e Haider are painted all over walls in Pakistan. On social media our DG ISPR twitter had the nerve to criticise BBC report pointing out human rights abuses in Waziristan. Instead of recognising the need for security, we prefer to think everyone is against us in a worldwide conspiracy.

And you have a problem with that????????


So nation shouldn't be proud of the people who gave up their lives in their youth leaving behind young families and often poor parents so that filth like you can sit in their cushy lounges and spew nonsense against them behind the keyboard.

[MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION] look at this namak haram having an issue with Pak recognizing the sacrifice of her armed forces.

 

[Bewal Express]

And you have a problem with that????????


So nation shouldn't be proud of the people who gave up their lives in their youth leaving behind young families and often poor parents so that filth like you can sit in their cushy lounges and spew nonsense against them behind the keyboard.

[MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION] look at this namak haram having an issue with Pak recognizing the sacrifice of her armed forces.

This guy is the pits. A total loser who sympathises with killers buy hides behind his phone.

 

[Mamoon]

No mention of PPP and PMLN destroying our economy in 10 years? We were doing just fine under Ayub Khan(not that i support military rule).

Nawaz was launched by the military itself, and his corruption and theft was not a problem as long as he was following their script. We were not doing fine under Ayub Khan. Our economic performance has appeared to be good under military dictatorship because of doing USA's bidding. Ayub and Zia in the Cold War and Musharraf in the WoT. However, economic growth backed by the bribes of Pentagon is not an optimal, long-term solution.

 

[Cricket lover 27]

Nawaz was launched by the military itself, and his corruption and theft was not a problem as long as he was following their script. We were not doing fine under Ayub Khan. Our economic performance has appeared to be good under military dictatorship because of doing USA's bidding. Ayub and Zia in the Cold War and Musharraf in the WoT. However, economic growth backed by the bribes of Pentagon is not an optimal, long-term solution.

Well the largest number of industries were setup under Ayub Khan that’s why we were doing well which were later nationalised by Bhutto and this led to our country’s economic downfall. So no it was not because of US we were doing well. I don’t support military rule but let’s not just peddle lies here.

 

[Mamoon]

Well the largest number of industries were setup under Ayub Khan that’s why we were doing well which were later nationalised by Bhutto and this led to our country’s economic downfall. So no it was not because of US we were doing well. I don’t support military rule but let’s not just peddle lies here.

The industrial growth under Gen. Ayub is only part of the story. He is one of the worst leaders Pakistan has ever had. His capitalist policies promoted income inequality and resulted in a few tycoons controlling the majority of the resources and industries.

This eventually led to Bhutto nationalizing industries (not justifying his decision, merely explaining it). He ruined the political system of Pakistan and paved the way for the military to control the country. Without his legacy, there would be no Zia and Musharraf.

Furthermore, his witch-hunt against Fatimah Jinnah, rigging the 1965 election as well as discriminating against East Pakistan did immense long-term damage to the nation. Besides, if Pakistani industries were doing so well, why was he so reliant on Pentagon’s aid?

He was a vile man who has done more long-term damage to Pakistan than any leader. However, I think Imran can give him stiff competition on this front.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Question: Why is Bangladesh booming?

Answer: It succeeded in parting ways with Pakistan

Some factors and what different Bangladesh did compared to Pakistan :



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My favorite economist from Bangladesh on some of the factors (and challenges) behind Bangladesh's impressive growth performance. <a href="https://t.co/1ktwVZLs7S">https://t.co/1ktwVZLs7S</a></p>— Atif Mian (@AtifRMian) <a href="https://twitter.com/AtifRMian/status/1127769177878683648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My thoughts on Bangladesh’s economic progress relative to India/Pakistan, in response to <a href="https://twitter.com/AtifRMian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AtifRMian</a>'s question posed to me. 13-tweet thread follows.[Warning: these thoughts are of Twitter-length & depth, not the level at which academics normally engage on such complex questions] <a href="https://t.co/b0y1BVhRH9">https://t.co/b0y1BVhRH9</a></p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716623081717762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1. From macro data, the 2 proximate causes are our 2 biggest exports: (a) Garments and (b) Humans (i.e. remittances), both of which contribute large shares of GDP. [Not "exporting people to India", as trolls claim in Atif's thread, but remittance receipts from ME, SEA and Europe]</p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716624486862848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2. Why did the garment sector take off? Our comparative advantage has been low-wage labor. Women, who had traditionally not worked outside the home, and therefore had poor outside options, work at lower wage in B’deshi factories than their counterparts in competing countries.</p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716625803882502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">3. Perhaps India and Pakistan should think more about encouraging female labor force participation? Religion and culture, and views about women's role in society, are likely relevant? <a href="https://t.co/BmYws00cuw">https://t.co/BmYws00cuw</a></p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716626995077121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>




<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4. What makes our workers productive? Investments in human capital. Social indicators for women and children (female school enrollment, maternal and infant mortality, fertility rate, early marriage, vaccination) compare favorably to richer states of India. <a href="https://t.co/8IcGheRvRI">https://t.co/8IcGheRvRI</a></p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716628320460801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">5. Why does BD outperform neighbors in social indicators? Impressive NGOs (BRAC and many others) partly responsible. NGOs operate with minimal interference. Provide healthcare, schools, banks, dairy collectives, phone service, public health campaigns like ORS, immunization drives</p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716629993918470?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>





<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">6. Impressive reach of NGOs (supported by int’l dev aid) complements govt. Not by providing microcredit, but other massive social programs. Microcredit largely used for consumption not investment. Makes people happier (which is important), but unlikely to produce much growth.</p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716631399022592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">7. I'm not mentioning other contributing factors like agricultural productivity growth due to green revolution, because Pakistan and India experienced that as well. Those were very important, but does not help explain the differential performance</p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716632753836032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>




<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">8. To be sure, B'desh still has many problems. Poor state of infrastructure makes us less competitive than SEA neighbors (Thailand, Vietnam..). Filipina women contribute a lot of remittance, but Bangladeshi women don’t migrate much internationally. <a href="https://t.co/78qfy56w2k">https://t.co/78qfy56w2k</a></p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716633949233152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>




<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">9. Poor infrastructure is partly due to very poor tax collection, and poor governance and corruption. We lag behind South Asian neighbors (including Nepal) in Tax/GDP ratio. <a href="https://t.co/JY8qcFMQpG">https://t.co/JY8qcFMQpG</a></p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716635601788935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>




<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">10. University quality is severely lacking relative to India. As a result, India moved into hi-tech, which we need to emulate. See <a href="https://t.co/lZJOlNSSra">https://t.co/lZJOlNSSra</a> by <a href="https://twitter.com/econgaurav?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@econgaurav</a>. [but liberalizing higher ed in the early 90s was a good move. Pvt univ. met pent-up demand for degrees]</p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716637120061440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>




<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">11. Poor governance and political instability leaves much to be desired. But politics not nearly as messy as in Pakistan. Thankfully, more limited role for religion in politics. Govt acted decisively to root out terrorist threats, perhaps at the expense of curtailing civil rights</p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716639041101825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">12. Garment factory safety, wages, working conditions remain important concerns. Ensuring , "safe migration" is also a concern. Those are challenges we need to rise up to with creative, innovative, and effective ideas.</p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716640236421121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">13. I am heartened to see the innovative spirit and public mindedness of many young Bangladeshis. But people can only innovate when they have freedom of expression. Our govt should take note, and resist any authoritarian temptations that have trapped other countries in poverty.</p>— Mushfiq Mobarak (@mushfiqmobarak) <a href="https://twitter.com/mushfiqmobarak/status/1127716641444433921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

Noticing a lot of Pakistan-bashing here. Comparing Pakistan and Bangladesh, economically and politically, is like comparing apples and oranges mainly because they both face a totally different set of challenges, both, internally and externally and hence can't be judged based on such simple parameters.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

More good news for Bangladesh.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trump's trade war is turning out to be a boon for Bangladesh <a href="https://t.co/EgNJKmOjsY">https://t.co/EgNJKmOjsY</a></p>— Bloomberg Next China (@next_china) <a href="https://twitter.com/next_china/status/1152564767959240704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How the digital economy is shaping a new Bangladesh <a href="https://t.co/Q5xJ8xxaWX">https://t.co/Q5xJ8xxaWX</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangladesh</a> <a href="https://t.co/dNScA1wAZH">pic.twitter.com/dNScA1wAZH</a></p>— World Economic Forum (@wef) <a href="https://twitter.com/wef/status/1155357235264049153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangladesh?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangladesh</a> has become the second-largest supplier of online labour, according to Oxford Internet Institute. The Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh spoke to us on how the country is leveraging the opportunities in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/digitaleconomy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#digitaleconomy</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Xtr5Kbo642">pic.twitter.com/Xtr5Kbo642</a></p>— Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) - NUS (@ISASNus) <a href="https://twitter.com/ISASNus/status/1148481660540731392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[RameezRambo_Fan]

Bangladesh is a one trick pony...it's called textiles, which is what the majority of Bangladesh's economy is based on...and that too because of its non-existent labour laws.

Ever since the factory collapse, all western companies that were exploiting Bangladeshi workers for its lax labour laws are now shifting to countries like Myanmar and Laos to exploit them.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

As the rest of Asia (and the world) slows down, things still look positive in Bangladesh.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One economy that is shining: Bangladesh’s. <a href="https://t.co/wuzWjHCyVP">https://t.co/wuzWjHCyVP</a></p>— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) <a href="https://twitter.com/abhijitmajumder/status/1171662319606272000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Lonewarrior]

without hasina wajid, one can imagine where will bangladesh go ..time will tell.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Makes you wonder why Indians complain about Bangladeshi immigrants flooding into India. Surely they should be staying home and making the most of their own booming economy?

 

[sweep_shot]

Makes you wonder why Indians complain about Bangladeshi immigrants flooding into India. Surely they should be staying home and making the most of their own booming economy?

The ones who go to India are the poorest of the poorest. We are talking about absolute remote regions. Folks from capital (Dhaka) and other cities don't have to go to India illegally.

Also, there were some who crossed to India a long time ago. Bangladesh had a worse economy back then.

 

[sweep_shot]

without hasina wajid, one can imagine where will bangladesh go ..time will tell.

I am not a fan of Hasina and I think she is a female dictator. However, she has done some great things for the economy.

Bangladesh is of course not a first world country and there are works to be done. But, things are going to the right direction economically.

 

[JaDed]

They are a talented bunch, also they are placed well now geographically to benefit from countries everywhere.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The ones who go to India are the poorest of the poorest. We are talking about absolute remote regions. Folks from capital (Dhaka) and other cities don't have to go to India illegally.

Also, there were some who crossed to India a long time ago. Bangladesh had a worse economy back then.

So do you get Indian immigrants from poorest regions emigrating the other way into Bangladesh boom cities?

 

[sweep_shot]

So do you get Indian immigrants from poorest regions emigrating the other way into Bangladesh boom cities?

I am not sure if that is the case. India is obviously a larger and economically superior country.

 

[sweep_shot]

So do you get Indian immigrants from poorest regions emigrating the other way into Bangladesh boom cities?

I forgot to mention there are Indian and Pakistani folks in Bangladesh too. There are folks in Bangladesh who were born in Bangladesh but their ancestors were from India and Pakistan.

 

[MenInG]

A Bangladeshi cartoonist and a writer are among 11 people to be charged for posting content on social media critical of the government's handling of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Two of the 11 - cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore and writer Mushtaq Ahmed - were arrested on Wednesday by the Rapid Action Battalion paramilitary forces under the Digital Security Act (DSA), which critics say is a serious threat to freedom of expression in the nation of 168 million people.

Police have arrested at least 40 people in recent weeks under the controversial law that activists say is being used to suppress criticism of the government's handling of the contagion.

The impoverished South Asian nation has reported 11,719 virus cases and 186 deaths so far, but experts say limited testing by authorities means the true figures could be much higher.

'Spreading rumours'

The 11 have been charged with "spreading rumours and misinformation on Facebook about the coronavirus situation," Dhaka Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Shamim Ahmed told AFP news agency.

They are also accused of "undermining the image" of the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the nation's founding leader.

An investigation officer told the Daily Star newspaper that Kishore and Ahmed were arrested on charges of posting anti-government content on Facebook.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who enjoys an absolute majority in Parliament, has been accused of suppressing dissent and jailing opponents.

Kishore was working on a Life in the Time of Corona cartoon series that included caricatures of ruling party leaders and allegations of health sector corruption.

Ahmed has been a vocal online critic about the alleged shortage of protective gear for doctors.

The DSA passed in 2018 authorises prison sentences for up to 14 years for anyone who secretly records government officials or gathers information from a government agency using a computer or other digital device.

It also sets similar punishments for people who spread "negative propaganda" about the country's 1971 war of independence and its founding leader Sheikh Mujib.

"It is seen as an assault to freedom of expression, to the right to life and livelihood," human rights activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin told AFP after the latest charges.

"The government should instead nurture a free press ... which can greatly help in curbing the pandemic."

Bangladesh reported 790 new infections on Wednesday - its fourth-straight one-day record of fresh cases.

The government on Monday extended its nationwide lockdown to May 16, but has allowed factories and some shops to reopen to kickstart the economy.

"There are deaths. We are sorry for that. But the number of deaths is still low compared to other nations," Health Minister Zahid Maleque said on Tuesday as he acknowledged that the reopenings could drive up infections.

Bangladesh has also lifted restrictions on people congregating in mosques for prayers from Thursday.

Places of worship are to provide hand sanitiser and devotees should wear face masks and use their own prayer mats, the religious affairs ministry said on Wednesday.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...ed-anti-government-posts-200507102957266.html

 

[Gabbar Singh]

In amongst all the doom and gloom in the region at least one country in South Asia has something to celebrate.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Column?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Column</a> | IMF's projection that Bangladesh’s per capita income in dollar terms is likely to overtake India’s has focused attention on a nation that has risen like a Phoenix from the ashes.<br><br>(writes Mark Tully)<a href="https://t.co/LRlPLFlYrH">https://t.co/LRlPLFlYrH</a></p>— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) <a href="https://twitter.com/htTweets/status/1320002094439432196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Nadeemp]

Remarkable what bangladesh has done in the last 10 years. I meet some remarkable people who represent bangladesh at the UN. Great job Bangladesh.

 

[OMB]

View: Bangladesh to benefit more from cooperation beyond trade and infrastructure connectivity

Synopsis :
While bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh is steadily increasing, there should be more focus on investment and knowledge cooperation. Other than strengthening our bilateral value chains, it will create a large number of semi-skilled employment, furthering the development of Bangladesh’s rural non-farm economy.

Next week Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bangladesh to take part
in commemoration ceremonies of the 50th anniversary of its independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. His first foreign visit after the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic!

It is expected to give a further boost to infrastructure and other connectivity initiatives between the two neighbouring democracies. A number of memorandums of understanding on connectivity and related areas are expected to be signed, which should be looked as a stepping stone for taking this relationship to the next level.

Geography Matters
Geography Matters
The location of Bangladesh in India’s Indo-Pacific construct resembles that of a butterfly. While the centre (the body of a butterfly) is Bangladesh, her wings are spread across a vast geography with Russia and Mauritius on one side and Japan and Australia on the other.

This shows the role that Bangladesh can and should play for a ‘free, open, secure and prosperous’ Indo-Pacific and benefits that it can get from it, being an immediate neighbour to a big economy. As Bangladesh has qualified to graduate out of its least-developed-country status in 2026, its geo-economic and geo-strategic status will improve in the emerging Indo-Pacific construct.

According to a recently published report by the World Bank Group (Connecting to Thrive: Challenges and Opportunities of Transport Integration in Eastern South Asia), “seamless transport connectivity between India and Bangladesh has the potential to increase national income by as much as 17 per cent in Bangladesh … All districts in Bangladesh would benefit from integration, with the eastern districts enjoying larger gains in real income.”

This is exactly what the two governments are aiming for over the last few years, which has gained momentum with the commissioning of a number of infrastructure connectivity projects. The recently inaugurated bridge over the Feni River connecting Chattogram port and Sabroom district in Tripura is one such example.

Most importantly, these initiatives are not limited to enhancing road connectivity. They are encompassing all means of transportation including rail, air, inland waterways and coastal shipping.

Out of the six existing but defunct railway links, five have been revived and work is underway to operationalise the sixth one along with two new links. Air connectivity between Dhaka and Guwahati has been revived. In near future many other Bangladeshi cities such as Sylhet, Chattogram will get connected by air with smaller towns/cities in eastern and northeast India.


The scope of using river protocol routes, particularly for bulk goods, has been enhanced with the inclusion of new and extended port of calls. An agreement on coastal shipping has been inked so as to use Mongla and Chattogram ports for transporting Indian goods to Bangladesh and to Northeast India. Taken together, they will not only help Bangladesh to explore new sources of non-tax revenues but will also make it more resilient to adverse economic shocks.

They should be complemented with regulatory harmonisation including that in digital connectivity to further the ease of doing trade. This should be an important pillar of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement that Bangladesh and India are expected to finalise soon.

Beyond Trade
While bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh is steadily increasing, there should be more focus on investment and knowledge cooperation. India should encourage its private sector to invest more in Bangladeshi special economic zones. Other than strengthening our bilateral value chains, it will create a large number of semi-skilled employment, furthering the development of Bangladesh’s rural non-farm economy, particularly in sectors such as light engineering, pharmaceuticals, leather products.

Knowledge cooperation is another pillar, which requires specific attention. Over time India has developed a significant capacity to address issues and challenges in areas such as climate-smart agriculture, disaster management, renewable energy. Given the similarities of challenges that they have faced and are facing in these areas, there should be institutional cooperation including trilateral cooperation involving other development partners.

A Test Case for Prime Minister Modi
Bangladesh is a test case for Prime Minister Modi’s thinking on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. This is because, far from an autarkic measure, it is about serving the world with goods and services with ‘zero defect, zero effect’. With an ever-increasing purchasing power, Bangladesh is rightly placed to get incremental benefits from this initiative.

Secondly, Bangladesh is one such neighbour where Prime Minister Modi’s philosophy about ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikash, Sabka Vishwas’ will be tested on the ground. This is particularly so because it originates from the age-old Antyodaya philosophy of India and a stepping stone towards human-centric globalisation.

Therefore, on this auspicious occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence and Bangabandhu’s birth centenary, let there be a further momentum to our collective efforts for a ‘Sonar Bangla’. While we will remain independent republics separated by political boundaries, let us explore a new kind of confederation stitched by trade, investment and knowledge cooperation.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/view-bangladesh-to-benefit-more-from-cooperation-beyond-trade-and-infrastructure-connectivity/articleshow/81599959.cms

 

[sweep_shot]

I think Bangladesh should diversify. Don't just rely on India.

 

[MenInG]

A journalist at a leading Bangladeshi newspaper has been jailed on charges of publishing "false" news after his report on high food prices went viral.

Samsuzzaman Shams of Prothom Alo daily appeared in court and was denied bail, a day after he was arrested.

His story - which ran on 26 March, the country's Independence Day - is alleged to have "smeared the government".

Rights activists have denounced the arrest and accused the government of stifling press freedom.

The government denies the allegation but media rights groups have warned of a steady erosion in freedoms under the governing Awami League, in power since 2009.

Reporters Without Borders ranked Bangladesh 162 out of 180 countries in last year's World Press Freedom Index, below Russia and Afghanistan.

The paper Mr Shams works for is Bangladesh's largest and the most influential daily. It was not immediately clear how long he would stay in jail.

The reporter was picked up at his home outside Dhaka early on Wednesday morning by plain-clothes officers.

His employers had no idea of his whereabouts for nearly 30 hours as police and other security agencies said they had no information on him.

Fear in Bangladesh after huge fuel price rise
Blindfolded and held in a secret underground cell
Fears for democracy as buoyant Bangladesh turns 50
The report for which Mr Shams was detained featured ordinary Bangladeshis talking about their lives on Independence Day.

One quotation was from a labourer who asked: "What is the use of this freedom if we can't afford rice?"

The comment was seen to reflect growing worries about escalating food prices, which have soared around the world since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Prothom Alo article was shared by large numbers of people. When the paper posted the report on Facebook, it used a wrong photo of a person.

"Once we realised the error, we immediately pulled it down and issued a clarification under the (amended) report," Sajjad Sharif, the paper's executive editor, told the BBC.

"But we stand by the original report. The quote of the labourer on the food price was genuine," he said.

But supporters of the governing Awami League accused the daily of tarnishing the image of the country.

Police have also launched an investigation against its editor, Matiur Rahman, as well as a video journalist from the newspaper and several other people under the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA).

Law Minister Anisul Haq said Mr Shams had "misrepresented facts with the mala fide intention of creating discontent".

"The case was filed by an individual not by the government. Due process will follow," Mr Haq told the BBC.

He said the editor and the publisher of the daily also had responsibility for the report - and that's why police were investigating them.

The latest developments come amid concerns over the alleged harassment of human rights defenders and media personnel in the build-up to elections later this year.

The Media Freedom Coalition, an initiative by a group of Western nations in Dhaka, has expressed concern over recent reports of violence and intimidation of journalists, including the detention in the Prothom Alo case.

Bangladeshi journalists say there are increasingly under pressure for reporting that is critical of the government of Sheikh Hasina. They say the DSA has created a culture of fear.

According to media rights groups, cases have been filed against around 280 journalists under the DSA since it was enacted in 2018.

Mr Haq says the government is working with media houses on issues concerning the act. "I engaged with them [editors] to remove the fear. We are trying to take the best practices. If the DSA has to be improved we will make rules to do that," he said.

 

[sweep_shot]

Bangladesh is not booming currently. Economy is going downhill.

Prices of products are rising.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Bangladesh is not booming currently. Economy is going downhill.

Prices of products are rising.

Bangladesh is doing much better than many countries in world during this tough period.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Bangladesh struggling to pay for fuel due to dollar shortage, letters show

DHAKA, May 22 (Reuters) - Bangladesh is struggling to pay for imported fuel because of a dollar shortage, letters from the state petroleum firm show, with it warning of an "alarming decrease" in fuel reserves.

It owes more than $300 million to six overseas companies, some of which have either sent fewer cargoes than scheduled or threatened to halt supplies, according to one of the two letters from the Bangladesh Petroleum Corp (BPC) reviewed by Reuters.

The country is already grappling with power cuts that have hurt its exports-oriented garments industry. Separately, the body responsible for generating electricity and distribution also warned it had to delay payments due to the currency crunch.

BPC, which controls the import and marketing of fuel in the country, has asked the government to permit domestic commercial banks to settle money owed to India in rupees.

When asked about the letters, the central bank told Reuters it was acting rationally and prioritising dollar disbursal "given the context of the global economy".

The country is already grappling with power cuts that have hurt its exports-oriented garments industry. Separately, the body responsible for generating electricity and distribution also warned it had to delay payments due to the currency crunch.

BPC, which controls the import and marketing of fuel in the country, has asked the government to permit domestic commercial banks to settle money owed to India in rupees.

When asked about the letters, the central bank told Reuters it was acting rationally and prioritising dollar disbursal "given the context of the global economy".

'MAINTAINING' RESERVES

The central bank said it had given BPC $5 billion this fiscal year and $2 billion to Petrobangla for LNG imports. Commercial banks also had more than $3 billion that could be used by importers to open letters of credit.

"We are managing everything rationally," Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Mezbaul Haque said. "We need to prioritise given the context of the global economy. Despite all ups and down, we are maintaining foreign reserves of more than $30 billion."

BPC imports 500,000 tonnes of refined oil and 100,000 tonnes of crude oil every month.

Creditors included Unipec, the trading arm of China's state-owned Sinopec (600028.SS), Vitol, ENOC, Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOC) (IOC.NS), PetroChina (601857.SS) and Indonesia's BSP, BPC's April letter said.

BPC will have to pay $41.1 million this year for diesel to India's Numaligarh Refinery, majority owned by Oil India (OILI.NS), while IOC is owed $147.2 million for diesel and jet fuel, the May letter showed.

BPC asked the government to allow nationalised commercial banks to settle payments to Indian companies in rupees.

In September, Reuters reported that State Bank of India (SBI.NS) had asked exporters to avoid settling deals with Bangladesh in dollars and other major currencies as its reserves fell, favouring instead the taka and rupee currencies.

For years, Bangladesh's $416-billion economy has been one of the world's fastest growing but is facing many challenges now.

In a sign of further pain for the government, state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), responsible for generating electricity and distribution, has delayed the payment of more than $1.5 billion to private power producers by months, also blaming the shortage of dollars.

"This delay is bankrupting many local power companies," said Faisal Khan, president of the Bangladesh Independent Power Producers Association, which represents more than 50 members.

"If this is not remedied, electricity supply will be hampered."

Shameem Hasan, spokesman for the BPDB, said: "This is an ongoing process. We're trying to clear the payment as early as possible but like others we're facing also dollar shortage."

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-struggles-pay-fuel-imports-dollar-crisis-worsens-letters-2023-05-22/

 

[sweep_shot]

Bangladesh is not booming. Poor people are still poor. COVID also didn't help.

Only a certain group of people are getting richer and "booming".

 

[cricketjoshila]

Bangladesh fudged financial figures. The real issues are now out.

 

[SportsWarrior]

Bangladesh a s been laundering inflation as growth for decades. It is catching up to them now. With one of the poorest countries they are one of the costliest to develop any infrastructure as the ground level inflation is high. Their consumption is worse than Pakistan and their savings rates are similar to indians. So typical bangladeshi is buying less than half with similar percent disposable income.