Ashikur Rahman

Nations do not fail overnight. Nor do they fail because of fate, geography, or some imagined civilizational curse. They fail slowly; when the institutions meant to safeguard the public interest are captured, hollowed out, and repurposed to serve the ambitions of a narrow elite.

An independent and effective central bank in a transforming economy is no longer a technocratic luxury or a symbolic nod to international best practice. It is a foundational safeguard for any country seeking macroeconomic stability, financial discipline and protection from elite capture.

Bangladesh stands at a crucial turning point in its economic and technological journey. While the digital economy has grown rapidly over the past decade, most visibly through mobile financial services (MFS), cash still dominates everyday transactions.

Bangladesh’s economy is showing early signs of recovery after two years of sustained macroeconomic stress.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has decided to prolong its discussions with Bangladesh, aiming to reach a staff-level agreement for the next tranche of its $4.7 billion support package.

Why do some nations prosper while others remain mired in poverty or stagnation? Why do countries that once showed promise -- like Argentina or South Africa -- struggle to sustain momentum? And what allows certain countries, such as Japan or China, to achieve lasting economic transformation?

The fundamental challenge facing policymakers in implementing a contractionary budget will be patience

The proposed national budget for FY25 has remained a widely speculated topic for the people of this country. Bangladesh has been navigating a precarious global economy over the last 24 months, and the economic aftereffects of Covid-19 and the Ukraine-Russia have not only complicated macroeconomic management but created widespread concerns across both domestic and international actors.