Publication
An article titled “Bangladesher Orthoniti Kototuku Egulo” was published in the daily newspaper Nayadigonto on 26 October, 2017. The article reviewed the GDP growth performance of Bangladesh over time as well as in comparison with other neighboring Asian countries. It highlighted the challenges to further acceleration arising from constraints to investment, and low level of skill of the work force. It suggested policy actions needed to address these constraints.
Other Activities 2017
02 October: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was the only discussant in a TV program broadcast by Channel 24. The subject matter of the discussion was the economic implications of the completion of the Padma Bridge with a particular focus on economic growth and poverty alleviation.
03 October: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam participated in a TV program broadcast by News 24. The other participant was Mr. Helal Uddin, Commissioner, Bangladesh Securities Exchange Commission. The discussions dealt with the present state of capital market in Bangladesh, role of investor education, directions of regulatory reforms and oversight of financial statements of the listed companies to invigorate the capital market.
05 October: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was only discussant in talk-show broadcast by Jamuna TV. The subject matter of discussions was the $4.5 billion credit agreement with India—its justification from the point of view of augmenting foreign exchange supply, terms and conditions of the agreement and their implications for the macro economy of Bangladesh.
16 October: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam chaired a round table discussion on “Regulatory Unpredictability in Bangladesh” where Mr. Md. Shahidul Haque, Senior Secretary, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division was the Chief Guest. Key-note paper was presented by Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, Executive Director, Policy Research Institute. The designated discussants were Mr. M. Masrur Reaz, Senior Economist & Program Manager, Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice, World Bank Group, Syed Akhter Mahmood, Lead Private Sector Specialist, Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice, World Bank Group, Mr. Suhel Ahmed Chowdhury, Former Commerce Secretary and Mr. Asif Ibrahim, Former President, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The other participants included Dr. Zaidi Sattar, Chairman, Policy Research Institute and Senior Economists from CPD& BIDS as well as some eminent business representatives. The discussion dealt with the sources of regulatory unpredictability and policy action needed to redress it in the interest of creating congenial environment for private sector investment.
23 October: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam participated in a TV program broadcast by News 24. The other participant was Mr. Md. Nasir, Vice-President Meghna Insurance. The discussions dealt with the present state of development of the insurance industry with particular focus on its contribution to GDP, population coverage and product diversity. The challenges facing the industry and policy actions needed to invigorate the industry were also discussed.
25 October: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam along with Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Professor Dhaka University, Department of Accounting and Business Management appeared in a TV Talk-show broadcast by NTV. The focus of discussions was the implications of recent macroeconomic developments on the capital market of Bangladesh.
25 October: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was only discussant in talk-show broadcast by Ekushey TV. Among the issues discussed were the recent performance indicators of macro economy in Bangladesh in terms of exports, remittances, classified loan in the banking system, flow of credit to the private sector, inflation etc. and their implications for near term growth.
29 October: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam delivered a lecture at Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management (BIGM) of Dhaka University. The topic of the lecture was “Macroeconomic Management in Bangladesh”. The lecture dealt with the achievement of Bangladesh over time as well as in comparison with other countries in terms of growth of GDP, inflation control and poverty alleviation.
31October: Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam was the Chief guest at a seminar on “Contribution of Higher Education in National Development” organized by National Debate Federation (NDF). Dr. Niamat Elahee presently Chairman of International Business Department of Quinnipiac University, USA was the Special guest. The discussions dealt with diverse channels through which higher education can contribute to economic development, challenges to the full realization of the potential benefits of higher education and policy actions needed to deal with them.