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4th SANEM Annual Economists’ Conference (SAEC) 2019
“Governing New Challenges: Inclusive Development, Trade, and Finance”
February 16-17, 2019, BRAC Centre Inn, Mohakhali, Dhaka
About the Conference
The 4th SANEM Annual Economists' Conference (SAEC) 2019, on “Governing New Challenges: Inclusive Development, Trade, and Finance”, was held on February 16-17, 2019. SANEM also proudly announces the success of the 1st SAEC 2016 on “Bangladesh: Way towards a Middle Income Country” held on February 20, 2016, the 2nd SAEC 2017 on “Managing Growth for Social Inclusion” held on February 18-19, 2017, and the 3rd SAEC 2018 on “Leave no one behind in South Asia” held on February 17-18, 2018. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th conferences were graced with the presence of renowned economists, policy makers and participants from home and abroad. A substantial number of well-thought-out ideas were presented through quality research papers.
Schedule
08:30 - 9:00
Registration
09:00 – 10:45
INAUGURAL SESSION AND KEYNOTE SPEECH
Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor
Chief Guest: M. A. Mannan, MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Planning, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Chair: Dr. Bazlul Haque Khondker, Chairman, SANEM, and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Chief Guest: M. A. Mannan, MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Planning, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Chair: Dr. Bazlul Haque Khondker, Chairman, SANEM, and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Opening Remarks by Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Keynote Speech: Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director of the ESCAP-SSWA, New Delhi
Keynote Speech: Dr. Binayak Sen, Research Director, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
Open Discussion
Remarks by the Chief Guest
Remarks by the Chair
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
11:15 – 01:00
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1, 2 & 3
BREAKOUT SESSION-1 MACROECONOMIC POLICIES
Venue: Auditorium, 2nd FloorChair: Dr. Atiur Rahman, Former Governor, Bangladesh Bank
Special Guest : Dr. Bazlul Haque Khondker, Chairman, SANEM, and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Paper presentations:
• “Impact of double taxation avoidance (DTA) agreements on foreign direct investment in Nepal”, by Mr. Umesh Raj Rimal, Tax Officer, Ministry of Finance, Nepal and Mr. Bishal K Chalise, Research and Program Officer, Niti Foundation and Visiting Faculty, Kathmandu University School of Management, Nepal• “Firm-Level Productivity in South Asia: An Empirical Evidence From 7 Countries”, by Ms. Nabila Zaman, Senior Lecturer, East West University and Mr. Pablo Miah, Data Analyst, NB-IRDT, University of New Brunswick
• “Impact of Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy on Budget Deficit: An Empirical Investigation” by Mr. Farhan Khan, Research Assistant, SANEM and Mr. Zubayer Hossen, Research Economist, SANEM
• "Exchange Rate Movement and International Reserve Position in the Floating Exchange Rate Regime of Bangladesh" by Mr. Mohammad Mohidul Islam, Joint Director, Statistics Department, Bangladesh Bank
Discussant: Dr. Monzur Hossain, Senior Research Fellow, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
Open discussion
Remarks by the Special Guest
Remarks by the Chair
BREAKOUT SESSION-2 ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Venue: Meeting Room 1, 3rd FloorChair: Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairman, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), Nepal
Paper presentations:
• “Farmer’s Behavior toward Climate Change Adaptation Strategies, Determinants of Climate”, by Ms. Farjana Eyasmin, MSS student, Department of Economics, Pabna University of Science & Technology, Bangladesh• “Assess the Effect of Climatic and Adverse Environmental Factors in Aus, Aman and Boro Rice”, by Mr. Mahmud Al Hasan, MSC student in Agricultural Economics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh
• “Impact of Climate Change and Its contribution Share to Paddy Rice Yield in Nepal: An Evidence of a Mountainous Country”, by Mr. Nirash Paija, Lecturer, Economics, National Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management, Nepal
• "Is Bangladesh Becoming a Pollution Safe Heaven? A VECM Analysis" by Mr. Towhid Iqram Mahmood, Research Economist, SANEM
Discussant: Dr. Minhaj Mahmud, Senior Research Fellow, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
Open discussion
Remarks by the Chair
BREAKOUT SESSION-3 TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT
Venue: Meeting Room 3, 3rd FloorChair: Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
Special Guest: Dr. Prabir De, Professor, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), India
Paper presentations:
• “India–ASEAN Trade Potential: What determines the trade flows?”, by Mr. Ashish Gupta, Economics Research Scholar, Department of Humanities, Delhi Technological University, India and Dr. Nand Kumar, Head, Department of Humanities, Delhi Technological University
• “Exchange rate and Export in Bangladesh”, by Mr. Jonaed, Research Associate, SANEM
• “Does Federal Funds Rate Affect Other Economies? Evidence from Bangladesh" by Ms. Sunera Saba Khan, Research Economist, SANEM and Mr. Towhid Iqram Mahmood, Research Economist, SANEM
• "Brexit and Bangladesh: An Exploratory Study on Likely Economic Implications" by Ms. Sherajum Monira Farin, Research Associate, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
• “Exchange rate and Export in Bangladesh”, by Mr. Jonaed, Research Associate, SANEM
• “Does Federal Funds Rate Affect Other Economies? Evidence from Bangladesh" by Ms. Sunera Saba Khan, Research Economist, SANEM and Mr. Towhid Iqram Mahmood, Research Economist, SANEM
• "Brexit and Bangladesh: An Exploratory Study on Likely Economic Implications" by Ms. Sherajum Monira Farin, Research Associate, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
Discussant: Dr. Nazneen Ahmed, Senior Research Fellow, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
Open discussion
Remarks by the Special Guest
Remarks by the Chair
Lunch
01:45 – 04:00
PANEL DISCUSSION ON “GOVERNING NEW CHALLENGES: INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT, TRADE, AND FINANCE - A SOUTH ASIAN PERSPECTIVE”
Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor
Organized By SANEM SDG Centre
Chair Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Director of the ESCAP-SSWA, New Delhi
Chief Guest Professor Rehman Sobhan, Chairman, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
Trigger Presentation Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Panelists:
- Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Executive Director, Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Sri Lanka
- Dr. Dushni Weerakoon, Executive Director, Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Sri Lanka
- Dr. Prabir De, Professor, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), India
- Dr. Posh Raj Pandey, Chairman, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), Nepal
- Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
Tea/Coffee Break
04:15 – 06:00
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 4 & 5
BREAKOUT SESSION-4 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Venue: Auditorium, 2nd FloorChair: Dr. Ewald Rametsteiner, Senior Programme Officer (SP2), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome
Special Guest: Mr. Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative a.i., United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Paper presentations:
• “Drivers of Carbon Emission Embodied in Indian Exports: An Index Decomposition Analysis", Mr. Suvajit Banerjee, Department of Economics and Politics, Vidya Bhavan, Visva Bharati University, India
• “Women’s Attitudes toward Domestic Violence and Women’s Autonomy in Bangladesh and Pakistan: Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) Estimation”, by Ms. Syeda Samiha Azim, Research Associate, BBC Media Action, Dhaka
• “The Toll of Urbanization on Climate Change in Bangladesh”, by Mr. Muntasir Murshed, Research Analyst, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
• “Using Behavioural Economic Research Insights in Public Policy Design: Unlocking a New Horizon of Sustainable Development in Bangladesh” by Ms. Rafiqua Ferdousi, Research Economist, SANEM
• “Drivers of Carbon Emission Embodied in Indian Exports: An Index Decomposition Analysis", Mr. Suvajit Banerjee, Department of Economics and Politics, Vidya Bhavan, Visva Bharati University, India
• “Women’s Attitudes toward Domestic Violence and Women’s Autonomy in Bangladesh and Pakistan: Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) Estimation”, by Ms. Syeda Samiha Azim, Research Associate, BBC Media Action, Dhaka
• “The Toll of Urbanization on Climate Change in Bangladesh”, by Mr. Muntasir Murshed, Research Analyst, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
• “Using Behavioural Economic Research Insights in Public Policy Design: Unlocking a New Horizon of Sustainable Development in Bangladesh” by Ms. Rafiqua Ferdousi, Research Economist, SANEM
Discussant: Dr. Muhammad Shahadat Hossain Siddiquee, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Open discussion
Remarks by the Special Guest
Remarks by the Chair
BREAKOUT SESSION-5 POVERTY AND INEQUALITY
Venue: Meeting Room 1, 3rd FloorChair: Dr. Mustafa K. Mujeri, Executive Director, Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development (InM)
Special Guest: Dr. M. Abu Eusuf, Professor, Department of Development Studies and Executive Director, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID)
Paper presentations:
• “Agricultural Efficiency and Poverty Reduction: Evidence from Nepalese Vegetable Farms”, by Dr. Rudra B. Shrestha, Senior Program Specialist, SAARC Agriculture Center, Dhaka and Visiting Professor, Thai Nguyen University, Vietnam and Purbanchal University, Nepal
• “Structural Changes and Inequalities in Higher Education Participation in India Evidence from NSSO Data”, by Mr. Amit Kumar, PhD Scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
• “Challenges of Financing for Inclusive Development: Poverty and Inequality ridden Farm Sector in India”, by Ms. Meenakshi Rajeev, Professor (Reserve Bank of India Chair), Centre for Economic Studies and Policy, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, India and Mr. Pranav Nagendran, Research Assistant at the Center for Economic Studies and Policy at the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru, India
• “Agricultural Efficiency and Poverty Reduction: Evidence from Nepalese Vegetable Farms”, by Dr. Rudra B. Shrestha, Senior Program Specialist, SAARC Agriculture Center, Dhaka and Visiting Professor, Thai Nguyen University, Vietnam and Purbanchal University, Nepal
• “Structural Changes and Inequalities in Higher Education Participation in India Evidence from NSSO Data”, by Mr. Amit Kumar, PhD Scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
• “Challenges of Financing for Inclusive Development: Poverty and Inequality ridden Farm Sector in India”, by Ms. Meenakshi Rajeev, Professor (Reserve Bank of India Chair), Centre for Economic Studies and Policy, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, India and Mr. Pranav Nagendran, Research Assistant at the Center for Economic Studies and Policy at the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru, India
Discussant: Dr. Atonu Rabbani, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Open discussion
Remarks by the Special Guest
Remarks by the Chair
SESSION BREAK
06:15 – 07:15
A SESSION FOR BUDDING RESEARCHERS
Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor
Chief Guest: Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Eminent Economist
Special Guest: Professor Shamsul Alam, Member (Senior Secretary), General Economics Division, Ministry of Planning, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Moderator: Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM
Panel Discussion by Budding Researchers:
Avinno Faruk
Avinno Faruk
Sheikh Atiya Islam
Chowdhury Amir Abdullah
Ayesha Ahmed
Tamanna Tabassum
Farhana Kabir
Rafia Nisat
All panelists are students of Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Open discussion
Remarks by the Special Guest
Remarks by the Chief Guest
Remarks by the Moderator
07:30 – 08:00
A SESSION TO HONOUR THE LIFE AND WORK OF PROFESSOR WAHIDUDDIN MAHMUD
08:00
Dinner
08:30 - 9:00
Registration
9:00-10:30
SANEM-BIGD SESSION: EVIDENCE FOR POLICY – BRAC’S TUP PROGRAMME
VENUE: AUDITORIUM, 2nd Floor
Chair: Dr. Imran Matin, Executive Director, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University
Special Guest: Dr. Muhammad Shahadat Hossain Siddiquee,Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Keynote Presentation: Dr. Narayan Chandra Das, Senior Research Fellow, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University
Open discussion
Remarks by the Special Guest
Remarks by the Chair
TEA/COFFEE BREAK
11:00 – 12:45
LABOR MARKET AND EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES: A SPECIAL SESSION REMEMBERING MS. SIMEEN MAHMUD
VENUE: AUDITORIUM, 2nd FLOOR
Organized by SANEM Impact Assessment Centre
Chair: Ms. Maheen Sultan, Visiting Fellow and Head (a.i.), Gender Studies Cluster, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC Universit
Special Guest: Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, Eminent Economist
Paper presentations
• “Female Employment Stagnation in Bangladesh” by Dr. Selim Raihan and Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
• “An Extensive Study of Female Labor Force Participation in Bangladesh”, by Dr. Salma Begum, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, North South University, Bangladesh and Mr Rafe Rais Hannan, Researcher, Economic Research Group (ERG), Dhaka
• “An Extensive Study of Female Labor Force Participation in Bangladesh”, by Dr. Salma Begum, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, North South University, Bangladesh and Mr Rafe Rais Hannan, Researcher, Economic Research Group (ERG), Dhaka
Discussant: Dr. Md Shanawez Hossain, Head, Capacity Building and Partnership, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University
Open discussion
Remarks by the Special Guest
Remarks by the Chair
LUNCH
01:30 – 03:30
POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT
VENUE: AUDITORIUM, 2nd FLOOR
Organized by SANEM Centre on Political Economy
Chair: Dr. Rounaq Jahan, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)
Chief Guest: Dr. Akbar Ali Khan, Former Adviser of Caretaker Governmen
Keynote presentation: Dr. Mirza M. Hassan, Senior Research Fellow & Head, Governance & Politics Cluster
Panelists:
Dr. M. M. Akash, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Dr. M. M. Akash, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam, Professor, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka
Dr. Shapan Adnan, Associate, Contemporary South Asian Studies Programme, University of Oxford, UK
Dr. Ahmad Ahsan, Director, Policy Research Institute (PRI)
Dr. Naomi Hossain, Research Fellow, Power and Popular Politics Cluster, University of Sussex, UK
TEA/COFFEE
03:45 – 05:30
TARIFF RATIONALIZATION FOR EXPORT DIVERSIFICATION IN BANGLADESH
VENUE: AUDITORIUM, 2nd FLOOR
Organized by SANEM Centre on International Trade
Chair : Mr. Khondaker Muhammad Aminur Rahman, Member (Customs Audit, Modernization and International Trade), National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh
Special Guest : Ambassador Farooq Sobhan, President and CEO, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute
Special Guest : Ambassador Farooq Sobhan, President and CEO, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute
Keynote Presentation : Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Panelist
Mr. Syed Nasim Manzur, Managing Director, Apex Enterprise Limited
Dr. Masrur Reaz, Senior Economist & Program Manager, World Bank Group, Bangladesh
SESSION BREAK
05:40 – 06:15
SPECIAL LECTURE ON “PROSPECTS AND RISKS FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IN 2019”
VENUE: AUDITORIUM, 2nd FLOOR
Moderator: Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Research Director SANEM, and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Lecture by: Dr. Tanweer Akram, Director, Global Public Policy and Economics, Thrivent Financial, USA
06:15 – 06:45
HONORING ECONOMISTS OF INFLUENCE
VENUE: AUDITORIUM, 2nd FLOOR
Chair: Dr. Bazlul Haque Khondker, Chairman, SANEM, and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka
Guests of Honor:
Dr. Pratima Paul Majumder, Ex-Senior Research Fellow, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
Dr. Asaduzzaman, Ex-Research Director, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)
06:45 – 07:00
CLOSING SESSION
07:00