Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor.

Dr Bazlul Haque Khondker, Chairman, SANEM
Dr Selim Raihan, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Executive Director, SANEM
Mr Mahtab Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Research Director, SANEM
Mr Zubayer Hossen, Programme Director, SANEM
Ms Israt Hossain, Director, SANEM

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Chair : Dr Md. Ezazul Islam, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) and Former Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank

Discussant : Dr Md. Deen Islam, Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka and Research Director, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), Bangladesh

• Paper Presentations:
• "Population Dividends in Bangladesh: Some Estimates from NTA and NTTA", by Dr M Shahidul Islam, Chief, Demographic Data and Intelligence Unit, UNFPA Bangladesh and Dr Bazlul Haque Khondker, Chairman, SANEM
• “Modeling the Determinants of Domestic Wheat Prices in an Import-Dependent Economy: An ARDL Cointegration Analysis for Bangladesh” by Mr Ibrahim Hassan, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
• “Implications of Exchange Rate Regimes for Foreign Reserves” by Ms Israt Hossain, Director, SANEM
• “How Remittances Reallocate Resources: Quasi-experimental Evidence from Nepal” by Ms Aayushma Manandhar, Predoctoral Researcher, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, UK (Online)

Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor

Chair : Mr Max Tuñón, Country Director, International Labour Organization (ILO), Bangladesh

Discussant : Mr Mahtab Uddin, Research Director, SANEM and Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka

• Paper Presentations:
• “Structural Shift in Job Creation: Evidence from Bangladesh” by Dr Nazmus Sadat Khan, Senior Economist, The World Bank, Bangladesh
• “Guided by Stars: Employee Ratings and the Future of Firm Performance” by Mr Rohit Duwadi, Research Fellow and Dr Prakarsh Singh, Professor, Plaksha University, India
• “What Drives the Manufacturing Employment in Bangladesh?” by Mr Md. Tuhin Ahmed, Honorary Deputy Director, SANEM and Lecturer, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Bangladesh and Ms Dipa Das, Research Associate, SANEM
• “ICT Adoption, Innovation, and Labor Productivity in ASEAN: Evidence from Panel Data Analysis” by Mr Tidiane Guindo, Master’s Student, Andalas University, Indonesia and Mr Harjito, Researcher, Indonesia (Online)

Venue: Meeting Room 1, 3rd Floor

Chair : Dr Shafiun Nahin Shimul, Professor, Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka

Discussant : Dr Rubaiya Murshed, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Paper Presentations:
• “Political Economy of Public Expenditure on Education in Bangladesh: Issues and Reform Pathways” by Ms Sumaeya Akhter, Adjunct Lecturer, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh and Ms Rifat Alam Nidhi, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australian High Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• “Assessing the Quality of Education for Rohingya Refugees in Cox's Bazar and Its Potential Outcomes” by Ms Mosaddika Mounin, Researcher and Dr Sayed Mohammad Nazim Uddin, Director, Center for Climate Change and Environmental Health (3CEH), Asian University for Women, Bangladesh
• “Assessing the Quality of Education for Rohingya Refugees in Cox's Bazar and Its Potential Outcomes” by Ms Mosaddika Mounin, Researcher and Dr Sayed Mohammad Nazim Uddin, Director, Center for Climate Change and Environmental Health (3CEH), Asian University for Women, Bangladesh
• “Classroom Practices of Social Inclusion in Government Primary Schools of Bangladesh According to the Acts and Policies” by Ms Nawrin Sultana, Experimental School Teacher, Primary Teachers Training Institute, Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh

Venue: Meeting Room 2, 3rd Floor

Chair : Dr Barun Deb Pal, Research Coordinator, Foresight and Policy Modelling Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Discussant : Mr Al-Hasan, Deputy Director, SANEM

• Paper Presentations:
• “Does Migration Improve Food Security? Evidence from Rural Nepal” by Mr Bipin Khadka, Researcher, Nepal; Mr Sanjeev Nhemhafuki, Tribhuvan University, Nepal; Mr Manab Prakash, University of Wyoming, USA; Dr Nirmal Kumar Raut, Tribhuvan University and Dr Alexandre Skiba, University of Wyoming
• “Assessing the Economic Benefits of Blast-Resistant Wheat Varieties Adoption in Bangladesh: A Cost Efficiency Approach” by Mr Khaled Hasan Bappy, Research Assistant, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh; Dr Hasneen Jahan, Professor, Bangladesh Agricultural University and Dr Mohammad Ariful Islam, Principal Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), Bangladesh
• “Impact of Livelihoods on the Level of Food Security among the Plain Lander Indigenous People in Bangladesh” by Mr Md. Liton Hossain, Master’s Student; Dr Md. Morshed Hossain, Professor and Mr Kazi Newaz Mostafa, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Begum Rokeya University, Bangladesh

Venue: Meeting Room 3, 3rd Floor

Chair : Dr Mohammad Emran Hasan, Head of Climate Justice and Natural Resource Rights, Oxfam Bangladesh

Discussant : Mr Farhan Khan, Senior Research Associate, SANEM

• Paper Presentations:
• “Why do Nudges Count for Household Cooking Efficiency? Findings from an Experimental Design in the Kathmandu Valley” by Mr Naveen Adhikari, Assistant Professor and Dr Nirmal Kumar Raut, Associate Professor, Central Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, Nepal; Professor Bishwambher Pyakuryal, Nepal Economic Association, Kathmandu
• “Governance, Carbon Emissions, and Renewable Energy Consumption: Evidence from RCEP Countries” by Ms Fahima, Master’s Student; Dr Md Nazmus Sadekin, Professor and Mr Md. Tuhin Ahmed, Honorary Deputy Director, SANEM and Lecturer, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Bangladesh and Ms Lubana Akter, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
• “The Impact of Trade on CO2 Emissions in Bangladesh” by Mr Md Razib, Research Associate, SANEM
• “Climate Finance as a Catalyst for Energy Justice: Accelerating Green Growth” by Mr Myne Uddin, PhD Student and Dr Zhao Yuhuan, Professor, School of Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, China (Online)

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Chair : Professor Rounaq Jahan, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh

Presentation By : Dr Kazi Maruful Islam, Professor, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka

Distinguished Panelists: Dr Mirza M. Hassan, Senior Research Fellow, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), Bangladesh
Barrister Sara Hossain, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Chair : Dr A K Enamul Haque, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) (TBC)

Presentation on Project Background & Methodology:

Dr Barun Deb Pal Research Coordinator, Foresight and Policy Modelling Unit, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

• Bangladesh Country Presentation:
• Dr Selim Raihan, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Executive Director, SANEM
• Ms Fariha Khan, Research Associate, SANEM
• Ms Shafa Tasneem, Research Associate, SANEM
• Ms Afia Mubasshira Tiasha, Senior Research Associate, SANEM
• Nepal Country Presentation:
• Mr Nanda Kumar Maharjan, Program Officer (Agriculture), Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), Nepal
  Mr Zaky Khan, Program Specialist, Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), Nepal

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Chair : Dr Zahid Hussain, Former Lead Economist, The World Bank, Bangladesh

Discussant : Mr Md. Abdullah Shihab, Joint Director (Bangladesh Bank), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Prime Minister's Office, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

• Paper Presentations:
• “Monetary Policy Transmission Under Fixed Exchange Rate: Evidence from Nepal” by Mr Chop Kanta Subedi, Deputy Director, Nepal Rastra Bank and Dr Soumya Datta, Associate Professor, South Asian University
• “FDI, Exchange Rate and Firm's Gain in Terms of Real Assets” by Mr Ahmed Mehedi Nizam, Joint Director, Bangladesh Bank
• “The Dynamic Effects of Fiscal Policy on Economic Growth in Bangladesh: An ARDL Cointegration Analysis (1999–2024)” by Ms Khaleda Nasrin, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh
• “The Role of Central Bank Communication in Shaping Inflation Anchors and Driving Economic Transformation: A Taylor Rule Perspective” by Mr Md. Julker Naim, Deputy Director, Bangladesh Bank; Md Khalid Bin Kamal, PhD Fellow, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA and Dr SharmilaKayal, Associate Professor, St. Xavier’s University, India

Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor

Special Guest : Professor Alakh N. Sharma, Professor and Director, Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi

Moderator : Dr Selim Raihan, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Executive Director, SANEM

Bangladesh Country Presentation :
Dr Selim Raihan, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Executive Director, SANEM

Mr Mahtab Uddin, Research Director, SANEM and Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka

India Country Presentation:
Dr Balwant Singh Mehta, Professor of Economics, Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi, India

Distinguished Discussants:
Dr Saif Uddin Ahammad, Chief Executive Officer (Joint Secretary), Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI)
Mr Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), President, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI)

Venue: Dialogue Room, 1st Floor

Chair : Mr Zubayer Hossen, ProgrammeDirector, SANEM

Discussant : Ms Fariha Khan, Research Associate, SANEM
Ms Shafa Tasneem, Research Associate, SANEM

• Paper Presentations:
• “Financial Development as a Catalyst for Sustainability: Revolutionizing Environmental Performance Through the Digital Economy” by Mr Amzad Hossain, Student, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh; Mr Ayub Ali, Student, International Islamic University Chittagong, Bangladesh and Mr Myne Uddin, PhD Student, Beijing Institute of Technology, China
• “When the Earth Shakes, Do Minds Shift? Evidence on Time Preference from the Gorkha Earthquake” by Mr Sushant Rijal and Mr Adish Karki; Graduates, Kathmandu University, Nepal
• “The Nexus between Environmental Degradation, Climate Variability, Renewable Energy, and Agricultural Production in South Asia: Evidence from a PMG-ARDL Panel Analysis” by Mr Md. Shahria Ahmed Arzu, Mr Fazlul Karim, Ms Esita Ghosh, Ms Sumaiya Akter, Students, Department of Economics, University of Rajshahi and Mr Md. Atiqul Islam, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
• “Agricultural Transformation Paradox: Mathematical Analysis of Labour Displacement, Gender Wage Gaps, and Environmental Sustainability in Post-COVID India (2020-2025)” by Mr Syed Suheb S, Student, St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore, India (Online)

Venue: Meeting Room 1, 3rd Floor

Chair : Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha, Pro-vice Chancellor and Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka

Discussant : Dr Ishrat Jahan Khan Associate Professor, Department of Women and Gender Studies, University of Dhaka

• Paper Presentations:
• “Temperature Anomalies and Women’s Economic Empowerment: The Mediating Role of Female Labour Force Participation in Bangladesh” by Ms Nabila Hasan, PhD Candidate, University of Manchester, UK and Deputy Director (Research), Bangladesh Bank
• “The Impact of Media Coverage of Sexual Violence on Women's Work Decisions in Rural Bangladesh” by Dr Adnan M. S. Fakir, Associate Professor, University of Sussex, UK; Dr Tushar Bharati, Senior Lecturer, University of Western Australia and Mr Ashraf S Khan, Dalhousie University (Online)
• “Digital Edge: Effect of Internet on Women-owned Small Businesses” by Ms Soumi Bose, PhD Student and Dr Shreya Biswas, Associate Professor, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, India (Online)
• “The Changing Causal Impact of Maternal Employment on Child Nutrition over a Decade: Instrumental Variables Evidence from Bangladesh” by Ms Mahjabin Mahbub, Master’s Student, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and Mr S M Emtiaj Mahmud Mumu, Consultant, Swisscontact, Bangladesh

Venue: Meeting Room 2, 3rd Floor

Chair : Professor Sharmind Neelormi, Department of Economics, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh

Discussant : Mr Md. Tuhin Ahmed, Honorary Deputy Director, SANEM and Lecturer, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Bangladesh

• Paper Presentations:
• “Addressing Rural Credit Market Imperfections in Financing Climate Change Adaptation: Behavioral Insights from Rice Farmers in Northwestern Bangladesh” by Mr Md Shohidul Islam, Master’s Student and Mr Bikash Chandra Ghosh, Assistant Professor; Department of Economics, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
• “Growth After the Storm: Revisiting the Economic Impact of Natural Disasters inLower Middle- income Countries” by Ms Abina V P, PhD Student, Centre for Economic Studies and Policy, Institute for Social and Economic Change, India and Ms Meenakshi Rajeev, Professor of Economics, Indian Institute of Technology Jammu, India(Online)
• “Socioeconomic Resilience for Climate Change Affected People” by Ms Sadia Islam Munmun, Master’s Student and Dr Md. Nasif Ahsan, Professor, Economics Discipline,Khulna University, Bangladesh
• “Does the Natural Disaster Shocks Impact on the Household’s Food Insecurity? Evidence from the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS) 2018–19” by Mr Md. Hasinur Rahman, Master’s Student, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Venue: Meeting Room 3, 3rd Floor

Chair : Mr Neil Gandhi, Senior Governance Advisor, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

Discussant : Mr Shadlee Rahman, Country Economist, International Growth Centre (IGC), Bangladesh

• Paper Presentations:
• “Democracy Assistance and Its Impact on Democratic Transition: Assessing the Experiences of the USA” by Ms Zinat Khan Moddhoma, Researcher, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University Bangladesh
• “Exploring the Impact of Political Stability and Government Effectiveness on Infrastructure Development: Evidence from South Asian Nations” by Mr Asif Erfan, Master’s Student and Mr Istihak Rayhan, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
• “Dynamism in Response of Exports to Geopolitical Shocks: A Case Study of India Employing TVP-LP-SV Approach” by Dr Md Zulquar Nain, Assistant Professor; Ms Nausheen Ansari and Mr Mohd Zahid, Research Scholars, Department of Economics, Aligarh Muslim University, India (Online)
• “Economic Sanctions and Income Inequality: The Russian Experience in the Aftermath of the Crimean Crisis by Mr Jeet Saha, Senior Research Fellow and Dr Amlan Majumder, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of North Bengal, India (Online)

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Chair : Dr Zaidi Sattar, Chairman, Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI), Bangladesh

Keynote Speaker : Dr Franziska Ohnsorge, Chief Economist, South Asia Region, The World Bank (Online)

Distinguished Panelists : Dr Sirimal Abeyratne, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (Online)
Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh
Dr Anirudh Shingal, Professor and Department Chair, Economics and Policy, S. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai, India (Online)
Dr Rajan Krishna Panta, Director, Nepal Rastra Bank, Nepal

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Remarks : Mr Zubayer Hossen, Programme Director, SANEM

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Chair : Dr Chandan Sapkota, Country Economist, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Bangladesh (TBC)

Discussant : Mr Jillur Rahman, Lecturer, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka and Deputy Director, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID)

• Paper Presentations:
• “Anticipated Impacts of US led Trade Shift on the Apparel Industry in Bangladesh: A Global Value Chain (GVC) Perspective from a Qualitative Study” by Mr Sadril Shajahan, Coordinator, Research & Communication; Ms Noshin Tasnim Zaman, Research Officer; Ms Sabrina Nourin, Senior Program Manager and Mr Md. Faizul Islam, Senior Program Manager, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), BRAC University, Bangladesh
• “Assessing the Economic Impact of U.S. Tariffs on the Sri Lankan Economy: A CGE Analysis Using the GTAP Model” by Mr Udaya Namalgama, PhD Student, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka; Dr Ganeshan Wignaraja, Visiting Senior Fellow, Overseas Institute (ODI) Global, UK; Dr Sumali Dissanayake, Senior Lecturer and Dr Jeevika Weerahewa, Senior Professor, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
• “Geo-Spatial Proximity and Cross Border Effects on Location Choice in a Globalised Economy” by Mr Supriyo Mondal, PhD Student, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India (Online)
• “Discreet Ties: Regional Trade Agreements and Their Trade Impact on Member and Non-Member Nations” by Mr Supriyo Mondal, PhD Student, JawaharlalNehru University; Dr Manish Chauhan, Department of Economic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and Dr Somesh Kumar Mathur, Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India (Online?)

Conference Room, 1st Floor

Chair : TBD

Discussant : Ms Israt Hossain, Director, SANEM

• Paper Presentations:
• “Quantifying the Economic Effects of India’s Recent FTAs with Oman, New Zealand, and the European Union: A GTAP Analysis” by Mr Raktimava Bose, National Council of Applied Economic Research(NCAER), India
• “Electricity Access and Economic Performance: Evidence from the Energy-Development Nexus in South and Southeast Asia” by Mr Mohammad Iftekharul Islam, Research Associate, South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), Bangladesh; MrRassiq Aziz Kabir, Lecturer, Department of Economics, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• “Towards a Just Transition: Assessing the role of Energy Efficiency in G20 Economies” by Ms Apeksha Lal, Research Scholar and Dr Aparajita Singh, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India (Online)
• “Determinants of Clean Energy Development: Global Evidence from Economic Complexity, Clean Technology, and Environmental Taxation” by Ms Farhana Hoque Urmy, PhD Student, Xian Jiaotong University, China (Online)

Venue: Meeting Room 1, 3rd Floor

Chair : Dr M. Nahid Sattar, Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University

Discussant : Mr Md Jahid Ebn Jalal, Deputy Director, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID)

• Paper Presentations:
• “Towards Climate-Resilient Aquaculture: Analyzing Livelihood Assets and Vulnerability of Shrimp Farmers in Coastal Bangladesh” by Mr Rakibul Hasan, Research Assistant; Dr Mahmuda Nasrin, Professor and Dr Md. Akhtaruzzaman Khan, Professor, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh
• “Designing an Inclusive Coffee Supply Chain of Bandarban Hill District in Bangladesh” by Mr Mostafizur Rahman, Research Officerand MrMeshbaul Hassan Chowdhury, Lecturer, North South University; Mr S M Masfiqur Reza, Master's Student, Aston University, UK and Ms Sumaiya Majumder Jemi, Student, North South University, Bangladesh
• The Determinants of Nutritional Status of Under-Five Children in Bangladesh, Ms Mst.Farzana Akter Mim and MsShinthia Rahman,Master's Students, Department of Economics, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh
• “Estimating the Impact of Internet Use on Consumption Patterns: Evidence from Endogenous Treatment Models in India Agriculture, Food Security & Livelihood” by Mr Jatinder Singh, DoctoralFellowand Dr Pratap Chandra Mohanty, Associate Professor,Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India (Online)

Venue: Meeting Room 2, 3rd Floor

Chair : Dr Rumana Huque, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Executive Director, ARK Foundation, Bangladesh

Discussant : Mr S. M Abdullah, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka

• Paper Presentations:
• “Exploring the Effectiveness of Financing Sources for Non-Communicable Diseases in Nepal: A Quantile Regression Approach” by Mr Padam Raj Paneru, Lecturer, Golden Gate International College, Nepal
• “Mapping Inequity: GIS Analysis of Healthcare Access in Rural Bangladesh” by Ms Selima Sara Kabir, Senior Research Associate, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, Bangladesh
• “Parental Involvement and Children’s Mental Health: Evidence from Bangladesh” by Ms Syeda Tasnime Kabir, Measurement, Quantitative Methods & Learning Science, University of Houston, USA; Mr Sourov Kumer Paul, Disabled Rehabilitation and Research Association (DRRA), Bangladesh and Dr Md Shahadath Hossain, Assistant Professor, University of Houston, USA(Online)
• “Health Insurance in India: Patterns of Use, Financial Implications, and Behavioural Concerns” by Dr Milind Kumar Yadav, Assistant Professor, Christ University, India; Ms Pragya Taneja, Doctoral Fellow and Dr Pratap C. Mohanty, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India (Online)

Venue: Meeting Room 3, 3rd Floor

Chair : Dr Sakib Bin Amin, Professor, Department of Economics, North South University, Bangladesh

Discussant : MsIsrat Hossain, Director, SANEM

• Paper Presentations:
• “Quantifying the Economic Effects of India’s Recent FTAs with Oman, New Zealand, and the European Union: A GTAP Analysis” by Mr Raktimava Bose, National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), India
• “Electricity Access and Economic Performance: Evidence from the Energy-Development Nexus in South and Southeast Asia” by Mr Mohammad Iftekharul Islam, Research Associate, South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), Bangladesh; Mr Rassiq Aziz Kabir, Lecturer, Department of Economics, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• “Towards a Just Transition: Assessing the role of Energy Efficiency in G20 Economies” by Ms Apeksha Lal, Research Scholar and Dr Aparajita Singh, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India (Online)
• “Determinants of Clean Energy Development: Global Evidence from Economic Complexity, Clean Technology, and Environmental Taxation” by Ms Farhana Hoque Urmy, PhD Student and Dr Hongxun LIU, Professor, Xi’an Jiaotong University, China (Online)

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Special Guest : Professor Rehman Sobhan, Chairman, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)

Distinguished Guest : Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser (Status of Minister), Ministry of Finance & Ministry of Planning, Prime Minister's Office, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Keynote Speaker : Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)

Distinguished Panelist : Mr Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, Former Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh and Former Finance Secretary, Government of Bangladesh

Moderator : Dr Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM and Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Chair : Dr Bazlul Haque Khondker, Chairman, SANEM

Discussant : Ms Shrayana Bhattacharya, Senior Social Protection Specialist, The World Bank

• Paper Presentations:
• “Assessing the Impact of Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana (MKUY) on Preventing Child Marriage in Bihar, India” by Mr Anzal Ahmad, Senior Research Fellow and Dr Shruti Sengupta, Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India
• “An Analysis of Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Expenditure of Bangladesh” by Mr Sayed Arafat Zubayer, Research Assistant, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS);Dr Mohammad Abdul Hannan Pradhan, Professor and Dr Amit Roy, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Bangladesh
• “Assessing the Impact of TCB Cards on Economic Welfare and Consumption Patterns among Lower-Middle Income Groups in Bangladesh” by MrJulkernineIbn Ali and Ms Mayeesha Tasnim Aronee, Master’s Student, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Bangladesh (BUP)
• “Assets After Aid: Evaluating the NPGP in a Decade-Long UCT Environment” by Dr Saima Nawaz, Associate Professor, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan and Dr Nasir Iqbal, Professor, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Pakistan (Online)

Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor (By Invitation)

Chief Guest : Dr Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary), General Economics Division (GED), Bangladesh Planning Commission, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Welcome Remarks By : Mr Hoe Yun Jeong, Country Director, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Bangladesh

Moderator : Dr Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM and Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka

Presentation By : Dr Chandan Sapkota, Country Economist, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Bangladesh

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Moderator : Ms Israt Hossain, Director, SANEM

• Distinguished Panelists:
• Dr Prabir De, Professor, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), India
• Dr Md. Rafiqul Islam, Member (Additional Secretary), Bangladesh Energy & Power Research Council (BEPRC)(Online)
• Dr Syeda Sultana Razia, Member (Petroleum), Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC)
• Mr Naveen Adhikari, Assistant Professor, Central Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor

Chair : Mr Owais Parry, Country Economic Advisor, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh

Discussant : Mr Md Rabiul Islam Rabi, Economist, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Bangladesh

• Paper Presentations:
• “Sustainable Common-Pool Resource Management Through Community-Based Enterprises: A Pathway to Community Resilience in Bangladesh” by Mr Raisul Millat Safkat, Consultant, Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific, Bangladesh and Mr Md. Abu Jafor, Research Associate, Shikkha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram, Bangladesh
• “Reforming Southern MDBs: Evidence from Bangladesh and Nepal” by Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow; MrTowfiqul Islam Khan, Additional Director, Research; Ms Najeeba Mohammed Altaf, Senior Research Associate and MsMamtajul Jannat, Senior Research Associate,Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh
• “Determinants Regarding the Formalization Intentions of the Informal Entrepreneurs: Empirical Evidence from Bangladesh’s E-commerce Ventures” by Ms Syeda Maliha Tasnim, Master’s Student and Mr Md. Zahidur Rahman, Assistant Professor; Department of Development Studies, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Bangladesh
• “Identifying the Drivers of Rural Transformation Development Using Spatial Analysis: A Case of Pakistan” by Ms Farah Naz, Lecturer, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad; Dr Abedullah and Dr Shujaat Farooq, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics and Dr Fay-Rola Rubzen, The University of Western Australia (Online)

Venue: Dialogue Room, 1st Floor

Chair : Mr Mahtab Uddin, Research Director, SANEM and Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka

Discussant : Ms Dipa Das, Research Associate, SANEM
Mr Sudeepto Roy, Research Associate, SANEM

• Paper Presentations:
• “The Plastic Paradox: Balancing Innovation and Environmental Responsibility in Dhaka City” by Mr Ibrahim Habib, Student, North South University, Bangladesh and Dr Md. Hafiz Iqbal, Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO (BNCU), Bangladesh
• “BRICS and the Future of Global Financial Systems: Reducing Dependency on Western Institutions and the U.S. Dollar” by Ms Kazi Silia Bashar, Student, University of Dhakaand Ms Shamael Tariba Hossain, Student, North South University, Bangladesh
• “Analyzing the Impacts of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) on the Power Sector of Bangladesh” by Mr Shakil Khan, Student, Dhaka School of Economics; MsJishan Ara Mitu, Lecturer, Dhaka School of Economics and Ms Naomi Rahman, Student, University of Dhaka

Venue: Meeting Room 1, 3rd Floor

Chair : Dr Atonu Rabbani, Research Director, General Economics Division, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) and Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka

Discussant : Dr Md Nazmus Sadekin, Professor, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Bangladesh

• Paper Presentations:
• “Paid-work, Unpaid-work and Life Satisfaction: In the context of Bangladeshi Rural Women” by Dr Hashibul Hassan, Professor, Department of Finance and Ms Lubna Jebin, Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration, Jagannath University, Bangladesh
• “Wage Reform and Workers’ Realities: Impacts of the 2023 Minimum Wage on Bangladesh’s RMG Workers” by Dr Shahidur Rahman, Professor, Department of Economics and Social Science and Mr Md. Rafsan Al Abu Huraira, Research Assistant, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development; BRAC University, Bangladesh
• “Global Value Chains and Labour Market Transformation in India” by Mr Amit Mitra, Research Associate, National Council of Applied Economic Research, India (Online)
• “To Moonlight or Not? Gendered Insights into Multiple Job Holding in Sri Lanka by Ms Dinithi Sethmini Kumari Athulathmudali, Research Assistant, Institute of Policy Studies, Sri Lanka (Online)

Venue: Meeting Room 2, 3rd Floor

Chair : Dr Moogdho Mahzab, Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Discussant : Ms Nabila Hasan, PhD Candidate, University of Manchester, UK and Deputy Director (Research), Bangladesh Bank

• Paper Presentations:
• “The Association between Adverse Temperature Shocks and Schooling Outcomes in India” by Dr Sumit Agarwal, National University of Singapore; Dr Pulak Ghosh, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore; Mr Francesco Scarazzato, Vienna University of Economics and Business and Dr Sofie R Waltl, Assistant Professor, University of Cambridge, UK (Online)
• “Perceived Costs, Benefits, and Barriers of Climate Adaptation among Smallholder Farmers in the Barind Tract, Bangladesh” by Mr Jamil Akhtar, Master’s Student and Dr Md. Atiqul Islam, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
• “Pathways Out of Poverty: The Role of Farming and Non-Farming Livelihoods in Climate Vulnerable Rural Bangladesh - Evidence from BIHS 2018” by Ms Tanima Akter, Master’s Student, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Venue: Meeting Room 3, 3rd Floor

Chair : Ms Sharmin Islam, Gender Team Leader, UNDP Bangladesh

Discussant : Ms Eshrat Sharmin, Deputy Director, SANEM

• Paper Presentations:
• “Redefining Female Agency through Motorcycling in Bangladesh” by Mr Md. Ashikur Rahman, Research Associate, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), Bangladesh and Mr Md. Sadiur Rahman, Lecturer, Department of Development Studies, Islamic University, Bangladesh
• “From Discord to Accord? Changing Spousal Views on Gender Norms in India” by MsSubhapriya Chakraborty, Research Associate, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, India and Mr Atif Anwar, Research Associate, J-PAL South Asia
• Stigma, Exclusion, and the Search for Dignity: Healthcare Services Experiences of Third Gender (Hijra) Population in Bangladesh” by Mr Md. Ishtiaque Yunus, Ms Sagata Das Mouly, Ms Israt Jahan Erin,Master’s Students, Bangladesh University of Professionals and Mr Wasik Sajid Khan, Lecturer, Department of Japanese Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
• “Gender Disparities in the Apparel Industry: Assessing the Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Female Workers” by Ms Pushpi Chaya de Alwis Dissanayake, Research Officer; Dr Asanka Wijesinghe, Research Fellow, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka and Dr Myra A. Yazbeck, Associate Professor, University of Ottawa, Canada (Online)

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Chief Guest : Mr Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (Export), Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Special Guest : Dr Edgard Rodriguez, Lead (Myanmar), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada (Online)

Moderator : Dr Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM and Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka

Distinguished Panelists : Dr Prabir De, Professor, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), India
Dr Ganeshan Wignaraja, Visiting Senior Fellow, Overseas Institute (ODI) Global, United Kingdom (Online) Mr Naveen Adhikari, Assistant Professor, Central Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Venue: Conference Room, 1st Floor

Moderation & Presentation : Mr Zubayer Hossen, Programme Director, SANEM

Distinguished Panelists : Mr Ziaur Rahman, Regional Country Manager (Bangladesh, Pakistan & Ethiopia), H&M
Mr Gunjan Dallakoti, Head of Programme and SME Development Specialist, International Labour Organization (ILO), Bangladesh
Mr Debashis Roy, Director, Advisory and Partnership, Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), Bangladesh
Dr Mehruna Islam Chowdhury, Economist, Transformative Economic Policy Programme II, UNDP Bangladesh
Mr Tawhidul Islam, Senior Manager (Programme), PROGRESS, Swisscontact Bangladesh

Venue: Auditorium, 2nd Floor

Closing Remarks : Bazlul Haque Khondker, Chairman, SANEM
Dr Selim Raihan, Executive Director, SANEM and Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka
Mr Mahtab Uddin, Research Director, SANEM and Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka
Mr Zubayer Hossen, Programme Director, SANEM
Ms Israt Hossain, Director, SANEM