Prof. Abu Ahmed, Economist : Bangladesh’s economy has boundless potential. How much of this possibility we will be able to make reality actually depends on how we combat crises. Speaking of which, our economy faces many such crises, which negatively impact our export-oriented business and about which we are all very apprehensive.
There have been no improvements in the country’s remittance flow; it has instead stagnated. Besides these glaring issues, further problems like the Rohingya crisis has put greater strain on our economy. Another dilemma is that, in reality, we have not yet been able to connect or associate with the global economy. We have no association with any global trade blocs, nor does our country possess any membership. Maybe we have been getting support from certain economies, but nevertheless, we have not been able to become part of any large economic group.
We could not get any international membership at global trade, which India and many other countries have already achieved. These are the reasons why our economy is lagging behind. Bangladesh is the only country that has not yet been able to become a participant in any bilateral free-trade agreement. Our country couldn’t even sign a multilateral agreement, let alone a bilateral one.
Whatever happens, our economy’s progress is continuously facing obstacles, for which we have not been able to achieve any significant success.
Translated by Abrar Hussain