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Ferdaus Ara Begum

  • Economist and Chief Executive

Ferdaus Ara Begum is the CEO of Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), a public private dialogue platform that works for private sector development.
From compliance to competitiveness: Bangladesh’s readiness for ESPR in EU market
From compliance to competitiveness: Bangladesh’s readiness for ESPR in EU market
Economics

From compliance to competitiveness: Bangladesh’s readiness for ESPR in EU market

EU’s Eco-design and Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) entered into force from July 2024, as a part of the package of measures for transition to circular economy. EU besets their environmental and climate goals, circularity and energy efficiency targets by 2030. For specific products, such as textiles and steel ESPR will be implementable from 2026. ESPR contains a number of new measures of which digital product passport (DPP), rules to address destruction of unsold consumer goods, green public procurement etc. For transformation process from compliance to competitiveness government ownership and private sector earnestness is imperative.

Upcoming Reforms for Financial Discipline and MPS H1FY26
Upcoming Reforms
State and Politics

Upcoming Reforms for Financial Discipline and MPS H1FY26

Bangladesh Bank (BB) organized a consultation meeting on Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) H1FY26 recently unveiled several elements of policy measures for the upcoming MPS. The discussion upstretched several concerns about the high policy rate for long, squeezed the credit facilities for the private sector, especially for CMSMEs, high Non-Performing Loans (NPL), sluggish investment, new investment is in wait and see while existing investment is in dilemma.

Lamentation over Milestone tragedy and next course of action
Milestone tragedy
State and Politics

Lamentation over Milestone tragedy and next course of action

The entire nation is shocked and horrified by the tragic plane crash at Milestone School and College, raising concerns about how safe and secure their children are at schools and colleges. Judging by the scale and extent of the accident, it is needless to say that no, they are not safe at all—this incident is living proof of that. Had the incident occurred just half an hour later, many children and teenagers might have survived; but cruel fate struck just moments before they would have left for home, climbing onto the laps of their parents or guardians, chatting away. It happened precisely when the teachers, as per their daily routine, were lining them up and preparing them to return home in an orderly manner—a most unfortunate event in recent memory. In today’s newspaper, I saw a gentleman standing in a daze holding a photograph—he had found his child, but his wife who came to pick up the child was missing.

Reciprocal Tariff by USA - its Impact on Bangladesh Economy
Bangladesh Economy
Economics

Reciprocal Tariff by USA - its Impact on Bangladesh Economy

The announcement of Reciprocal Tariff (RT) on April 2, 2025 on 108 countries ranging from 11-49% by the president Donald Trump has shaken the world irrespective of size of the economy and the amount of trade deficit USA is running with the concerned countries. The trade deficit of US was USD 918.4 billion in 2024, total US exports with the rest of the world is USD 3.12 trillion and total imports were USD 4.11 trillion as per the available information. US constantly enjoying surplus in services export, which was USD 1.15 trillion, and import was 0.841 trillion in 2024. USA did not mention services export issues anywhere whereas services export throughout the world is growing and will dominate the future trade.

Budget could have been more inclusive for expansion of SME sector
Budget could have been more inclusive for expansion of SME sector
Economics

Budget could have been more inclusive for expansion of SME sector

The VAT on all types of plastic products at the production stage has been increased from 7.5 percent to 15 percent. The tax on cotton yarn at the production stage has been raised from Tk 3 to Tk 5 per kg, and the same applies to yarn made from artificial fibres or blends. Additionally, VAT on blade production has also been increased.

Budget 2025–26: Question of sustainability for private investment
Budget 2025–26: Question of sustainability for private investment
Economics

Budget 2025–26: Question of sustainability for private investment

The Budget for the fiscal 2025–26, estimated at Tk 7.9 trillion is a contractionary one targeting realistic GDP growth and lower inflation at 8%. The floating exchange rate has been announced considering high foreign exchange reserve at USD 27.4 billion. Budget has given long term projection, sometimes up to 2030 showing optimism for future economic growth. However, the country at the moment is in a transition towards LDC graduation, declining growth in agriculture (from 3.30% to 1.79%), lower investment to GDP ratio (29.38%), SDGs, uncertainty because of Reciprocal tariff by USA, also non-tariff barriers by neighboughring country.