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M A Khaleque

  • Economist

Retired General Manager, Bangladesh Development Bank Limited and Writer on Economics

Why are certain officials in the republic becoming owners of huge amounts of money?
Government Service Act
State and Politics

Why are certain officials in the republic becoming owners of huge amounts of money?

The interim government has initiated several measures to restore discipline and increase efficiency in the administration. One of these measures includes adding new provisions to the Government Service Act 2018. It is important to note that referring to public servants as government employees is inherently misleading. A state requires four essential components for its formation: sovereignty, defined territory, population, and government. Among these, the government is the most fragile and the only variable component; the rest remain constant.

What impact market-based USD exchange rate will have
What impact market-based USD exchange rate will have
Economics

What impact market-based USD exchange rate will have

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Bangladesh Bank have finally decided to adopt a market-based exchange rate for the US dollar. From May 15, scheduled banks are now setting the US dollar exchange rate themselves.

Investment summits alone won’t help without improving investment climate
Investment summit
Economics

Investment summits alone won’t help without improving investment climate

A four-day international investment summit was recently held in Dhaka. Given the changing global and domestic context, this event carried particular significance. According to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), foreign investors attending the summit proposed investments amounting to Tk 310 billion. Some of these proposals were already in the pipeline. While this is certainly encouraging, especially amidst global economic instability, the mere announcement of investment proposals is not enough.

Graduation to the list of developing countries: Decisions must be based on reality
developing countries
Economics

Graduation to the list of developing countries: Decisions must be based on reality

To qualify for graduation to the final list of developing countries, a nation must meet three essential criteria. Bangladesh has successfully met all of these conditions. After being under observation for several years, Bangladesh is set to officially graduate to the developing country category in 2026. This will be the most significant economic achievement for the country since its independence. No nation wants to remain a least developed country (LDC) indefinitely. Every country aspires to graduate to the developing nation category as quickly as possible. While LDCs receive certain benefits from developed nations, these privileges are often granted out of a sense of charity rather than respect. Thus, achieving developing country status is a matter of national pride.

Some thoughts on the budget for FY 2025-26
budget for FY 2025-26
Economics

Some thoughts on the budget for FY 2025-26

The preliminary work for drafting the national budget for the upcoming fiscal year (2025-26) has already begun. If everything goes as planned, the proposed budget will be presented for approval on June 5. Since there is no active national parliament at present, the proposed budget for the next fiscal year will be submitted for approval to the advisory council of the interim government. Since Bangladesh gained independence, the national budget has been approved through the parliament every year, except during periods of military rule and the fiscal years 2007-08 and 2008-09.

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