The World Trade Organization (WTO) as a multilateral institution has been saved, for the time being, but at the cost of doing, and agreeing to do, almost nothing. 'WTO Reforms' was the catchword of 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). Everyone agreed about the need for Reforms, but there was wide di
Considered impartially, eviction of hawkers from Dhaka's footpaths appears to be a delicate subject. Both political expediency and kickback economy are involved in this business. Crucially, operation of such unauthorised business could not go on if there was no demand for goods on display on footpa
The world is going through a tough time; it would not be wrong to say that, after the Second World War, this is the first time the world is experiencing a dramatic political transformation that is causing some countries to go through the pangs of death, particularly in the era of protracted conflic
Digitalisation has been a central theme of Bangladesh's national branding for well over one and a half decades. There has been unreserved national consensus across all political hues on digital transformation. The general expectation therefore is for the optimum utilisation of technology and a stea
Dhaka, being the heart of Bangladesh, has been burdened by population density over the years. Dhaka holds all the centres of Bangladesh, including administration, education, economy, healthcare, and many more. Along with population density, Dhaka has also been facing traffic jams, housing problems,
Dhaka city suffers from a shortage of manpower in waste and filth management. But what it suffers the most from is the lack of a modern and efficient cleaning system. The capital's daily struggle with waste is not just because of overpopulation. It is also because of inefficient practices that do n
South Asia, a geographic region crisscrossed with a plethora of transboundary rivers and comprising countries with often mutually exclusive and contested interests, is a hotbed of hostility. Even though the relation between India and Pakistan, two nuclear-powered rivals with their longstanding an
Bangladesh’s vulnerability to any disruption in the global energy supply chain has been amply demonstrated during the US-Israel’s war on Iran. For, as soon as Iran, in retaliation for the attack, blocked the narrow maritime chokepoint, called the Strait of Hormuz through which ships car
Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture in its economic trajectory. With sustained gross domestic product (GDP) growth, a large domestic market, and a favorable demographic profile, the country possesses the structural fundamentals required to attract significantly higher levels of Foreign Direct
The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has taken up a programme of planting 300,000 trees in areas under its jurisdiction in five years from now. This green initiative is not unprecedented, though. Late mayor Annisul Huq started such a programme as early as 2017. His plan was to plant 0.1million s
The Education Minister has recently announced that all coaching centres across the country will be shut down. But his claim apparently rings hollow as the government's decision to replace the lottery-based admission system with competitive tests from Class One to Class Nine from next year has alrea
Bangladesh is facing a major crisis due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has disrupted the oil supply chain and driven up prices. Despite temporary ceasefire, the oil shock will make the already vulnerable economic conditions more fragile. It will be truly challenging for the government
Establishing educational institutions to spread knowledge has always been regarded as a noble deed and great contribution to society. Generations continue to remember with deep respect philanthropists like Haji Muhammad Mohsin, Sir Khwaja Salimullah, Nawab Faizunnesa Choudhurani, RP Shaha and Ashwi
