Publications
An article titled “The Rising Loan Default: Causes, Consequences and Remedies” was published in The Financial Express on 4 April, 2018. The article reviewed the scenario of rising loan default in the banking system, the underlying causes, the adverse consequences of such default for the economy and remedial actions needed to address the problem.
An article titled “Impact of LDC Graduation of Bangladesh: Opportunities & Challenges” was published in Issue No. 134 of Market Pulse—a monthly journal of Lanka Bangla Securities. The article dealt with the challenges resulting from the graduation of Bangladesh from the category of least developed countries in respect of preferential market access for exports, terms of official development assistance from international organizations and compliance with intellectual property of obligations. The article also dealt with opportunities arising from graduation, particularly in terms of inflows of foreign direct investment as well as private capital flows from abroad.
Other Activities
03 April: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam along with Mr. Ahsan Mansur, Executive Director, Policy Research Institute (PRI) participated in a talk show broadcast by Jamuna TV. The discussions dealt with recent regulatory changes introduced by Bangladesh Bank with regard to Advance Deposit Ratio, Repurchase Rate (REPO) and deposit of government funds with the private banks and their implications for governance of the banking system.
04 April: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was a discussant in a TV talk show broadcast by NTV. The other participant was Dr. Jamal Uddin Ahmed, Secretary General of Bangladesh Economic Association. The discussions focused on the above mentioned policy changes and the signals that these changes provide for the autonomy of the Central Bank in conducting Monetary Policy.
07 April: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam along with Dr. Bazlul Hoque Khandakar, former Professor of Dhaka University participated in a TV talk show broadcast by DBC. In the course of discussions potential gains and losses of Bangladesh arising from its graduation from the category of least developed countries were reviewed. The policy measures needed to deal with the challenges were suggested.
15 April: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was the only discussant in a TV talk show broadcast by Ekushey TV. The discussion reviewed the recent developments in key macroeconomic indicators and prognosis for the near future.
22 April: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam chaired a seminar on Policy Analysis organized by Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management. Mr. Mujibul Hoque, Minister for Railways was the Chief Guest. The discussions highlighted the need for objective policy analysis based on reliable data to inform policy making in various areas where the government has to make interventions in a market oriented economy.
26 April: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam along with Mr. Shakil Rizvi, former President of Dhaka Stock Exchange participated in a TV talk show broadcast by News 24 Channel. The discussions analyzed the recent developments in the stock market and urged the concerned governmental authorities to make efforts to increase the number of profitable and well governed companies in the stock market.
28 April: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was a discussant in an Expert Group Meeting organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). The other participants included some eminent economists and private sector representatives. The discussions offered comments on the draft of Independent Review of Bangladesh Economy in 2018 prepared by CPD.