Thinking Aloud: Volume IX, Issue 1: June 1, 2022

The June 2022 issue of Thinking Aloud focuses on “The Core Economic Challenges for Bangladesh”. The first-page article, titled “The economic challenges we are in”, presents an analysis of Bangladesh’s macroeconomic performance in the context of rising inflation and global turmoil. As the possibility of a global recession looms large, the country faces the biggest macroeconomic challenge in the past decade. Analysing the sources and implications of pressure on foreign reserve, the article recommends policy actions regarding the adjustments of the exchange rate. Furthermore, the article delves into the factors shaping the current dynamics of remittance inflow. Any mismatch between government’s stated plans and actions needs to be addressed, the article emphasised, in order to confront these challenges and making sustained economic and social recoveries. The second and third pages of this issue feature three articles on themes pertaining to resource mobilization, food price and the banking sector. The first article, titled “Mobilization of domestic revenues: Challenges and way ahead”, https://www.paolivet.com/valtrex-online/ discusses the policy deficiencies and institutional pitfalls underlying the taxation system of Bangladesh. Drawing on the historical trend and political economic factors in revenue mobilization, it proposes introducing effective reforms. The second article, titled “Measures to protect the marginalized population from food price hike in Bangladesh”, assesses the implications of current food inflation for lower-middle income and low income groups. Comparing Bangladesh’s response to food inflation with that of regional neighbours and emerging economies, the article makes policy recommendations with the view to mitigating the burden of inflation on the poor. The third article, titled “Banking sector reform and its role in SME development in Bangladesh”, expounds an analysis of the banking sector’s performance dynamics in relation to the growth of SMEs. To mitigate the challenges SMEs face, the article argues for prioritizing a comprehensive framework and introducing necessary reforms in Bangladesh’s banking sector. The fourth page showcases the events of May 2022.