Public trust 'paramount' for restoring normalcy in Bangladesh economy

By Ibrahim Khalil Ahasan*

The Bangladesh economy is currently facing significant challenges, and the incoming administration will encounter numerous hurdles ahead. Rebuilding public trust is paramount for restoring normalcy to the national economy. The recent student protests have disrupted both trade and production, exacerbating the situation.

Prominent economists and business leaders have discussed the new government's strategies for revitalizing economic activity, emphasizing the need for entrepreneurs to have a stable work environment. Simultaneously, efforts must be made to increase the availability of dollars in the market.

Ensuring a steady supply of gas and electricity to meet demand is also critical, along with generating new investment opportunities. Economists and business figures assert that the nation's economy can grow despite complex obstacles.

However, these challenges have intensified with the new administration's arrival. The foremost issue remains maintaining law and order, which is vital for securing factories and resuming production. It is crucial to restore normalcy to the supply chain, which has been negatively affected by the recent student protests, resulting in increased product costs. Fortunately, there are signs that the supply system is gradually improving as conditions stabilize.

Despite a decline in product prices, the production sector has yet to recover fully. Chittagong port's import-export activities are still obstructed, leading to significant container backlogs. Due to security concerns, business owners are accepting fewer deliveries, impacting imports and exports.

The public holds high expectations for the new administration, but quickly restoring economic normalcy amidst the ongoing crisis will be challenging. There is hope for improvement if issues such as anomalies, corruption, money laundering, and informal currency exchanges are addressed. Establishing a trusting environment is essential for reinvigorating the economy.

The nation continues to grapple with a dollar crisis, as the current dollar value is artificially sustained and does not align with the central bank’s rates, complicating the process of opening import letters of credit. The economic crisis has also been interlinked with the recent student movement, necessitating prompt action to resolve these emergencies.

The government must explore strategies to boost employment and stimulate economic growth to meet citizens’ expectations and attract further investment. Immediate action is essential to address employment concerns, particularly given the daily financial losses incurred by businesses, including payrolls and production disruptions in medium and large factories.

A spirit of tolerance is required from all parties to support the economy and ensure that no citizen faces financial hardships. According to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), production delays lasting four to five days during the unrest caused severe financial setbacks for the export-oriented garment sector.

Advocates for large and medium-sized enterprises argue that measures must be taken to mitigate these losses, as the student protests have particularly hindered the growth of export-driven industries. The nation has been experiencing fluctuations in key economic indicators such as remittances, foreign exchange reserves, and inflation for over a year.

The economy has been under complex stress, and urgent actions are needed to address the economic crisis exacerbated by recent instabilities. The political turmoil has further aggravated food inflation, necessitating swift measures to ensure the stability of the food supply chain.

Declining reserves are currently a critical factor contributing to the economic crisis, underscoring the need for immediate intervention. In recent years, various crises have surfaced within the nation's macroeconomic framework.

To make progress in the forthcoming fiscal year, the economy must confront challenges related to inflation, the dollar crisis, investment, and revenue generation—issues that were not adequately addressed in the previous fiscal period. The global economy is rife with uncertainties, making it essential to navigate these obstacles effectively in the new context.

Creating a conducive investment climate is paramount for achieving objectives across different macroeconomic sectors. There is also a pressing need to address the management crises affecting businesses and industries.

---

*Dhaka-based independent columnist and freelance journalist, writes on contemporary international issues

Comments

Pace bowlers who transcended pace bowling prowess to heights unscaled

By Harsh Thakor* This is my selection and ranking of the most complete and versatile fast bowlers of all time. They are not rated on the basis of statistics or sheer speed, but on all-round pace-bowling skill. I have given preference to technical mastery over raw talent, and versatility over raw pace.

When a lake becomes real estate: The mismanagement of Hyderabad’s waterbodies

By Dr Mansee Bal Bhargava* Misunderstood, misinterpreted and misguided governance and management of urban lakes in India —illustrated here through Hyderabad —demands urgent attention from Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), the political establishment, the judiciary, the builder–developer lobby, and most importantly, the citizens of Hyderabad. Fundamental misconceptions about urban lakes have shaped policies and practices that systematically misuse, abuse and ultimately erase them—often in the name of urban development.

'Serious violation of international law': US pressure on Mexico to stop oil shipments to Cuba

By Vijay Prashad In January 2026, US President Donald Trump declared Cuba to be an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US security—a designation that allows the United States government to use sweeping economic restrictions traditionally reserved for national security adversaries. The US blockade against Cuba began in the 1960s, right after the Cuban Revolution of 1959 but has tightened over the years. Without any mandate from the United Nations Security Council—which permits sanctions under strict conditions—the United States has operated an illegal, unilateral blockade that tries to force countries from around the world to stop doing basic commerce with Cuba. The new restrictions focus on oil. The United States government has threatened tariffs and sanctions on any country that sells or transports oil to Cuba.

When grief becomes grace: Kerala's quiet revolution in organ donation

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Kerala is an important model for understanding India's diversity precisely because the religious and cultural plurality it has witnessed over centuries brought together traditions and good practices from across the world. Kerala had India's first communist government, was the first state where a duly elected government was dismissed, and remains the first state to achieve near-total literacy. It is also a land where Christianity and Islam took root before they spread to Europe and other parts of the world. Kerala has deep historic rationalist and secular traditions.

Bangladesh goes to polls as press freedom concerns surface

By Nava Thakuria* As Bangladesh heads for its 13th Parliamentary election and a referendum on the July National Charter simultaneously on Thursday (12 February 2026), interim government chief Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged all participating candidates to rise above personal and party interests and prioritize the greater interests of the Muslim-majority nation, regardless of the poll outcomes.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Beyond the conflict: Experts outline roadmap for humane street dog solutions

By A Representative In a direct response to the rising polarization surrounding India’s street dog population, a high-level coalition of parliamentarians, legal experts, and civil society leaders gathered in the capital to propose a unified national framework for humane animal management. The emergency deliberations were sparked by a recent Suo Moto judgment that has significantly deepened the divide between animal welfare advocates and those calling for the removal of community dogs, a tension that has recently escalated into reported violence against both animals and their caretakers in states like Telangana.

Declaration on raw cotton imports contradicts claim: 'Agriculture outside US trade deal'

By A Representative The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has alleged that recent remarks by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on raw cotton imports from the United States contradict the government’s claim that agriculture is not part of the proposed India–US trade arrangement.

Walk for peace: Buddhist monks and America’s search for healing

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The #BuddhistMonks in the United States have completed their #WalkForPeace after covering nearly 3,700 kilometers in an arduous journey. They reached Washington, DC yesterday. The journey began at the Huong Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26, 2025, and concluded in Washington, DC after a 108-day walk. The monks, mainly from Vietnam and Thailand, undertook this journey for peace and mindfulness. Their number ranged between 19 and 24. Led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara (also known as Sư Tuệ Nhân), a Vietnamese-born monk based in the United States, this “Walk for Peace” reflected deeply on the crisis within American society and the search for inner strength among its people.

Search This Blog