From time immemorial, rivers have meant much more to the people of Bangladesh than mere sources of water. The rivers system has made civilization possible and supported agricultural and livelihood activities, while also serving as the cultural and emotional centerpieces of a country that rests on i
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings for the year 2027 released on June 18 last once again presents a poor showing by the universities---public or private--- in Bangladesh. As usual the University of Dhaka (DU) is leading the pack with its ranking exactly at 600th spot shared by
The total marine water area of Bangladesh covers about 48,365 square nautical miles, an area as large as the country's landmass. As a coastal country, with 300-mile long coastline, Bangladesh is well-positioned to develop a thriving marine fisheries and seafood processing industry. This vast untapp
The unveiling of the updated Strategic Transport Plan (STP) for Dhaka marks an important moment in the city's long and often frustrating struggle against traffic congestion, inadequate public transport and unplanned urban expansion. The proposal, which estimates a requirement of nearly US$64 billio
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's China visit has understandably generated considerable enthusiasm in Bangladesh. Government leaders have portrayed the visit as a diplomatic breakthrough that ushers bilateral relations into a new era. The joint communiqué issued after the visit certainly conta
The World Bank (WB) has warned that the distressed banking sector is the primary hurdle to the incumbent BNP government's ambition of transforming Bangladesh into a US$1.0 trillion economy by 2034. The barrier to achieve this ambitious goal, the international agency responsible for reducing g
The news that Bangladesh-linked funds in Swiss banks swelled further last year sparked debate and speculation in the country. Though there is no clear evidence that the money is stashed away in Bangladesh, several media outlets labelled it an illicit transfer from the country, and some blamed the Y
A quarter of a century ago, the film 'No Man's Land' told the tale of soldiers trapped between opposing armies during the Yugoslav war. Stranded in a narrow strip of land, they found that every attempt to move carried the certainty of danger and the constant shadow of death. It was a classic case o
Bangladesh's insurance sector presents a striking paradox: despite having an unusually large number of insurance companies, insurance penetration remains among the lowest in the world. For example, while most vehicles on the country's roads are insured, most drivers and passengers do not have life
The government's latest initiative to strengthen the customs valuation marks an important step towards addressing one of the most persistent weaknesses in Bangladesh's external trade regime -- trade misdeclaration. Through a general order issued on June 11, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has d
For the third consecutive year, a Bangladeshi head of government is travelling to China. In 2024, it was Sheikh Hasina. In 2025, it was Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. In 2026, it is Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. On the surface, this sequence reflects a simple diplomatic reality: China matters to B
The tea sector contributes approximately 0.81 per cent to 1.0 per cent to Bangladesh's national GDP. It is the country's second-largest export-oriented cash crop after jute and supporting millions of livelihoods, especially in rural communities. The sector provides direct and indirect employm
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) across different areas in economy and trade has pushed countries onto a complex trajectory. To attain optimal gains from trade, wider use of AI now appears unavoidable. Countries are gradually using AI in trade facilitation, a set of measures to e
