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Abu Nazam M Tanveer Hossain

  • Bangladesh

Public Policy Advocate
Rethinking the Draft Telecom Ordinance 2025
Rethinking the Draft Telecom Ordinance 2025
Telecom

Rethinking the Draft Telecom Ordinance 2025

The draft Bangladesh Telecommunications Ordinance 2025 has been released for public comment with a bold promise: a “modern” telecom regime that recognises the realities of the digital age – from spectrum and submarine cables to OTT, AI and IoT. But when you dive in, three big questions stand out: how independent will the regulator really be, how much can the Ministry realistically supervise, and where exactly does licensing stop and surveillance begin?

A Policy Fallacy Rooted in Over-Licensing and Weak Oversight
A Policy Fallacy Rooted in Over-Licensing
Economics

A Policy Fallacy Rooted in Over-Licensing and Weak Oversight

Bangladesh, with a GDP of around USD 460 billion in 2025, has one of the most over-licensed financial sectors in South Asia. It currently hosts 61 scheduled banks, 38 non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), over 750 licensed microfinance institutions (MFIs), alongside 13 mobile financial service (MFS) providers, 9 payment service providers (PSPs), and 12 payment system operators (PSOs). These institutions are regulated by four bodies: Bangladesh Bank (BB), the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA), the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA), and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). Yet financial inclusion remains suboptimal. A substantial segment of the population, including many in urban areas, remains excluded from formal financial services.

Promising but demands tuning
Revision Attempt of Connectivity Policy
Telecom

Promising but demands tuning

The BTRC’s draft reform of the ILDTS policy is a vital step toward a modern, future-ready telecom framework. After two decades of outdated licensing, this overhaul promises a more efficient, competitive, and innovation-driven sector. By phasing out ineffective licenses and addressing key inefficiencies, it sets the stage for meaningful, sustainable growth in Bangladesh’s telecom industry.

Rakhine’s Path to Sovereignty and Its Implications for Bangladesh
Rakhine’s Path to Sovereignty and Its Implications for Bangladesh
Diplomacy

Rakhine’s Path to Sovereignty and Its Implications for Bangladesh

The growing strength of the Arakan Army (AA) and its territorial gains in Myanmar’s Rakhine State have raised the prospect of the region eventually becoming a sovereign entity. While this development could reshape regional geopolitics, it poses significant challenges for neighboring Bangladesh. Rakhine’s strategic location along the Bay of Bengal and its role as Myanmar’s maritime gateway make its future a critical concern for Bangladesh’s security, economy, and stability.

Data connectivity and quality: Significant challenges persist in Bangladesh
Data connectivity and quality: Significant challenges persist in Bangladesh
Science and Technology

Data connectivity and quality: Significant challenges persist in Bangladesh

In the digital age, robust telecommunications infrastructure is essential for economic growth and social development. Bangladesh has made notable progress in mobile connectivity, with over 170 million mobile subscribers in 2024, according to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). However, significant challenges persist regarding the quality and accessibility of data services.

Why Fixing Retail Prices of Commodities Fails to Address Market Issues in Bangladesh
Why Fixing Retail Prices of Commodities Fails to Address Market Issues in Bangladesh
Economics

Why Fixing Retail Prices of Commodities Fails to Address Market Issues in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, government efforts to fix the retail prices of essential commodities often fall short of achieving long-term price stability. Despite the apparent simplicity of setting price caps to make essential goods more affordable, this approach overlooks the intricate economic and structural challenges in the country’s commodity markets. Understanding the underlying factors, from supply chain inefficiencies to regulatory shortcomings, sheds light on why fixing prices is not a sustainable solution for managing the retail price of commoditie