World Bank
Financial incentives for intermediaries cannot attract foreign investment
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has taken several initiatives to attract foreign investment. One such initiative is to offer financial incentives to expatriate Bangladeshis who act as intermediaries in attracting foreign investment. Any expatriate Bangladeshi who facilitates foreign investment will be provided with a financial incentive amounting to 1 percent of the investment they help secure. This investment must be new and amount to at least USD 5 million. Many expatriate Bangladeshis attempt to attract foreign investment by leveraging their personal image and relationships. The provision of financial incentives will undoubtedly encourage them.
Increase allocations for education and healthcare
Given the dire condition of the country’s education and healthcare sectors, it was expected that the interim government would play a significant role in providing allocation to these sectors. But the draft budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year reveals that allocations for both sectors are being reduced. According to the Planning Ministry’s draft ADP (Annual Development Programme), the education sector will receive Tk 28,557 crore for 91 projects in the upcoming fiscal year, whereas the original ADP for the current fiscal year allocated Tk 31,528 crore to this sector. This marks a reduction of nearly Tk 3,000 crore. Similarly, the allocation for the health sector is decreasing by Tk 2,500 crore.
Agriculture sector needs to be prioritised in upcoming budget
The new budget is knocking at the door. The budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year may be presented on June 2. The preaparing the budget is currently underway. It has already been reported that the size of the upcoming budget may be Tk 7.9 trillion. Compared to this year’s original budget, it will be Tk 70 billion less. For the first time since independence, the budget size is decreasing in monetary terms. Undoubtedly, this will be a contractionary budget. Due to ongoing high inflation, slow revenue collection, and lack of capacity in budget implementation, a tight budget is indeed desirable for us.
Deepening geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions and risks: A global overview
The world is navigating an era of unprecedented geopolitical and geoeconomic turbulence, marked by shifting alliances, resource competition, and economic fragmentation. Below is a detailed analysis of key flashpoints and their global implications.
Foreign investment cannot be attracted without conducive environment
A four-day International Investment Summit was recently held in the capital. Over 500 investors and investment-related professionals from various countries participated in the event. This recently concluded international investment summit was significant for several reasons.
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.
Contractionary monetary policy alone can’t solve inflation woes
The Bangladesh Bank announced the second monetary policy of the current fiscal year on February 10, 2025. This was the second monetary policy for the fiscal year 2024-25 and the first policy under the interim government. There was considerable anticipation regarding the announced policy, and many experts had expected it to be contractionary in nature. Indeed, the policy can be described as contractionary in terms of its characteristics, as it focuses more on controlling the existing high inflation rather than achieving high growth.
Public reaps rewards from Chittagong Port
Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman, OSP, NDC, NCC, PSC, is the Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority. Over his extensive and diverse career, he has served in various important positions in the Bangladesh Navy, aboard ships, institutions, and naval headquarters. Since taking on the role of Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority, he has discussed various issues related to the port, including its challenges, potential, and plans. On behalf of Views Bangladesh, Anwar Hossain conducted an interview with him.
Private sector investment key to sustainable development
Every nation strives to achieve rapid and sustainable development. The core responsibility of any government is to ensure the optimal use of limited resources to maximize public welfare and elevate the country to the peak of development. A government that fulfills this responsibility effectively and brings development to all sectors of society is considered a government committed to public welfare. Many people believe that simply achieving economic development will fulfill the primary goal of development, but this belief is not entirely accurate. Development is a comprehensive concept, not limited to just economic progress. While economic development is an important indicator, it is not the sole measure of overall development. In other words, without achieving positive progress in other development indicators alongside economic growth, it cannot be considered balanced development. Economic growth is crucial, but it is not the only criterion for developmen
State action needed to harness demographic dividend
In the 1980s, the then military dictator General HM Ershad described uncontrolled population growth as the "number one national problem." Although his statement created a stir at the time, it was a completely misleading comment. Population growth, whether planned or unplanned, can never be the number one national problem for a country. Population is an irreplaceable resource. The progress of the world cannot be imagined without it. If population is systematically trained and transformed into a skilled and productive workforce, it becomes the nation's greatest asset. However, if population growth is unmanaged, it becomes a burden for the country. The responsibility of turning the population into human capital lies solely with the state. The state cannot escape the blame for its failure to do so.