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M A Khaleque

  • Economist
  • Sat, 23 Sep 23

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

Is dominance of US dollar in global economy about to decline?
Is dominance of US dollar in global economy about to decline?

Economics

Sat, 16 Nov 24

Is dominance of US dollar in global economy about to decline?

Recently, the BRICS summit was held in Kazan, Russia. Initially, BRICS was formed by four countries: Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Later, South Africa joined, giving it its current name, BRICS. Last year, five more countries were admitted, raising the membership to ten, although the group retained its original name. In this recent summit in Kazan, in addition to the 10 full BRICS members, 25 countries joined as observers, many of which may soon gain full membership. BRICS is fundamentally an economic cooperation bloc, whose member states represent 57% of the world's population and account for 47% of global GDP.

Legal reforms are essential to offset banking sector catastrophes
Legal reforms are essential to offset banking sector catastrophes

Economics

Mon, 11 Nov 24

Legal reforms are essential to offset banking sector catastrophes

The private research institution, the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), has highlighted the dire situation of the banking sector in its latest research report. According to the report, over the past 15 years, widespread embezzlement has taken place in the country's banking sector, pushing it into a state of severe risk. Of the 60 banks operating in the country, at least 29 are struggling to function properly for various reasons. Among them, at least 10 banks are on the verge of bankruptcy. What was once a symbol of public trust, the banking sector, has now become a breeding ground for corruption.

Time to initiate urgent reforms in the banking sector
Time to initiate urgent reforms in the banking sector

Economics

Mon, 28 Oct 24

Time to initiate urgent reforms in the banking sector

After the students' movement, an interim government assumed the responsibility of state management under special circumstances. The interim government is now passing three months in office. Public expectations from this government are very high. People hope that it will steer the country towards sustainable development by addressing the various damages created in society. However, there are growing concerns that public trust in the interim government is gradually fading. Although several commissions have been formed for reforms in various sectors, the general public is not well-informed about their activities and progress. In particular, there is skepticism about what the interim government is planning regarding the troubled banking sector and how much of that we will be able to see reflected in the future.

Factors hindering country’s investment and trade environment
Factors hindering country’s investment and trade environment

Economics

Thu, 17 Oct 24

Factors hindering country’s investment and trade environment

A recent report by the World Bank titled “Business Ready” has expressed dissatisfaction with the current business and trade environment in Bangladesh. It states that the existing conditions for business and trade in Bangladesh are far from favorable. As a result, despite having immense potential, the country is struggling to perform well in international trade. Considering the current realities of the business environment, Bangladesh has been placed fourth in the rankings. In a review based on ten indicators, Bangladesh scored 53.86 out of a total of 100 points.

Revisiting loan account rescheduling essential
Revisiting loan account rescheduling essential

Economics

Sat, 5 Oct 24

Revisiting loan account rescheduling essential

According to a recent newspaper report citing reliable sources, the banking sector has regularized two and a half lakh crores taka of defaulted loans over the past five years through rescheduling. Notably, on the eve of the last national parliament elections, 93 thousand crores were regularized in just a few months. This trend of converting significant amounts of defaulted loans into regular loans is concerning.

Change of MDs of state-owned banks, when is the policy overhaul?
Change of MDs of state-owned banks, when is the policy overhaul?

Economics

Tue, 24 Sep 24

Change of MDs of state-owned banks, when is the policy overhaul?

The Financial Institutions Division under the Ministry of Finance on September 19 issued a circular cancelling the contract-based appointments of Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers (MDs and CEOs) at six state-owned banks: Sonali, Rupali, Agrani, Janata, BASIC, and BDBL. This unprecedented decision marks the first time in Bangladesh's banking history that so many MD appointments have been revoked simultaneously, sparking intense debate within the sector.