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The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) launched its inaugural edition of the Monthly Macroeconomic Insights (MMI) on Thursday.
The MMI is a new initiative developed by PRI's Center for Macroeconomic Analysis (CMEA) with support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), said a press release.
The event was chaired by PRI Chairman Dr. Zaidi Sattar, with Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Ministry of Finance, attending as the Chief Guest.
Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, joined as the guest of honour.
Clinton Pobke, Deputy Head of Mission, and Mr. Joshua Gacutan, Second Secretary, from the Australian High Commission in Bangladesh, participated as Special Guests.
Dr. Anisuzzaman Chowdhury said global economic history shows that nations achieve sustained development when policy coherence is paired with strong social capital. Bangladesh must prioritize both.
The government is committed to aligning its policies around clear objectives.
"While challenges are inevitable, LDC graduation offers a valuable opportunity to reassess our trajectory, learn from past missteps, and move forward with renewed strategic clarity and resolve," he added.
Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman said, "Exchange rate liberalization will benefit Bangladesh on multiple fronts. Notably, the exchange rate has remained stable even after the move to a floating regime. Considering the current reserve levels, improvements in the current account, and overall balance of payments, we are well-positioned to manage any potential exchange rate overshooting. I remain optimistic about the trajectory of economic recovery."
Mr. Clinton Pobke commended the initiative, "We are proud to support efforts that enhance evidence-based policy dialogue and contribute to more effective, timely policymaking. I commend PRI for bringing together macroeconomic data, rigorous analysis, and impactful presentation in a way that can meaningfully inform and influence policy decisions."
The March edition of the MMI highlighted key developments, including a modest rebound in GDP growth in Q2 FY25, persistent inflationary pressures, and progress in the external sector driven by robust export performance and strong remittance inflows.
However, it also underscored persistent revenue collection challenges and limited fiscal headroom for counter-cyclical spending.
PRI will host monthly discussions based on the MMI, bringing together stakeholders from government, development partners, industry, and academia.
Designed to offer timely, data-driven insights, the MMI aims to support evidence-based policymaking and informed business decisions while fostering dialogue on Bangladesh's evolving macroeconomic landscape.