Abstract: Bangladesh's rich textile heritage offers powerful, yet distinct, models for sustainable development. This study conducts a comparative analysis of two premier handloom sectors: the intricate Jamdani weaving of Tangail and the symbolic Khadi fabric of Cumilla. Framed within green economy principles, the research examines their socio-economic viability, environmental footprint, and potential as engines for pollution-free community development. Employing a mixed-methods approach (July-December 2025), the analysis incorporates surveys, environmental impact assessment, and case studies of both a "GI Gold" Jamdani export initiative and a revived Khadi business plan. Key comparative findings reveal: (1) Both sectors possess underutilized Geographical Indication (GI) status, but face different market challenges—Jamdani contends with high-skill imitation, while Khadi battles generic, low-cost substitutes; (2) their production paradigms, though both low-pollution, differ fundamentally, with Jamdani emphasizing artistic virtuosity and Khadi embodying philosophical self-reliance; and (3) their developmental contexts vary, with Tangail's model being craft-cluster centric and Cumilla's requiring synergistic infrastructure (e.g., airport revival) for growth. The study concludes that while both heritage textiles are potent vehicles for sustainable development, tailored, integrated strategies—recognizing their unique cultural, economic, and infrastructural ecosystems—are essential to unlock their full potential for artisan well-being, cultural preservation, and green economic growth in their respective regions.
Abstract: Due to imports of goods and particularly textiles, gems, seafood, and electronics, the United States presents tariff levels that are very high to Indian exports and this presents a great challenge to Indian trade balance and GDP. This paper will examine the economic effects of these tariffs, examine the bilateral trade pattern between India and the U.S., and provide an internal policy action to alleviate the effect. It also analyses strategic potential of the India UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as hedge against U.S trade headwinds. By quantitatively supported thought and sectoral knowledge, the paper draws a plan on how India can be resilient in exports and its economy.
Abstract: The rapid proliferation of digital technologies has fundamentally transformed the global trade landscape, with e-commerce and digital trade emerging as dominant forces reshaping traditional trade architectures. This paper examines the multifaceted impact of digital trade and e-commerce on global trade structures, analyzing key trends, challenges, and policy implications. Through comprehensive analysis of empirical data and theoretical frameworks, we demonstrate how digital platforms have reduced transaction costs, democratized access to international markets, and created new regulatory challenges. Our findings indicate that digital trade now accounts for a significant portion of global GDP, with cross-border e-commerce growing at unprecedented rates. However, this transformation has also highlighted critical issues including digital divides, data governance concerns, and the need for updated international trade frameworks. This research contributes to understanding how digital trade is reconfiguring global value chains and what policy interventions are necessary to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth in the digital economy.
Abstract: Bangladesh's rich textile heritage offers powerful, yet distinct, models for sustainable development. This study conducts a comparative analysis of two premier handloom sectors: the intricate Jamdani weaving of Tangail and the symbolic Khadi fabric of Cumilla. Framed within green economy principles, the research examines their socio-economic viability, environmental footprint, and potential as engines for pollution-free community development. Employing a mixed-methods approach (July-December 2025), the analysis incorporates surveys, environmental impact assessment, and case studies of both a "GI Gold" Jamdani export initiative and a revived Khadi business plan. Key comparative findings reveal: (1) Both sectors possess underutilized Geographical Indication (GI) status, but face different market challenges—Jamdani contends with high-skill imitation, while Khadi battles generic, low-cost substitutes; (2) their production paradigms, though both low-pollution, differ fundamentally, with Jamdani emphasizing artistic virtuosity and Khadi embodying philosophical self-reliance; and (3) their developmental contexts vary, with Tangail's model being craft-cluster centric and Cumilla's requiring synergistic infrastructure (e.g., airport revival) for growth. The study concludes that while both heritage textiles are potent vehicles for sustainable development, tailored, integrated strategies—recognizing their unique cultural, economic, and infrastructural ecosystems—are essential to unlock their full potential for artisan well-being, cultural preservation, and green economic growth in their respective regions.
Abstract: In the last decades, the Korean Peninsula has remained a region of constant political conflict and worrisome instability. In recent times, the tension between North and South Koreas has gathered momentum following North Korea’s nuclear development programmes and subsequent display of military prowess by both Koreas in a fashion that is characteristic of arms race of the Cold War era. The United States has wielded into the situation in the Peninsula to the effect of ending the catastrophic nuclearization. This has ballooned the historical conflict between the United States and North Korea. The paper examines Military Presence of United States in Korean Peninsula Conflict and Intensification of Nuclear Development Programme by North Korea, in order to ascertain if the continuous military presence of United States in the Korean Peninsula as sustained by Biden’s Presidency contributes to the intensification of catastrophic nuclear weapons development programme by North Korea. The study adopted the ’Realist Theory’ as its anchor blue-print in a pragmatic effort to explain why the engagement between the two states remain largely hostile. The study adopted content analysis for the purpose of analyzing documented materials generated through secondary sources of data collection as well as the qualitative method of data analysis. The findings show the serial and catastrophic worsening of United States and North Korea conflict with the unabated military presence of United States in Korean Peninsula and how it has intensified nuclear development programme by North Korea. Recommendations were proffered along these findings as follows, the need for reduction in the high military presence of the US in Korean Peninsula which the government of North Korea perceived as a threat to the national security of North Korea. The facts shows that North Korea will continue to feel threatened so long as the US heavy military remain in the Korean Peninsula.
Abstract: This study empirically investigates the inflation-unemployment trade-off in Bangladesh and assesses its implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) of zero poverty. High inflation erodes the real income of the poor, while unemployment directly limits earning capabilities, making the interplay between these variables a central determinant of poverty reduction. Using annual time-series data from 1990 to 2024, we employ an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to test for the existence and stability of a long-run relationship. Our findings confirm a significant short-run trade-off but reveal that this relationship is unstable and weakens in the long run, suggesting that other structural factors dominate. The results indicate that unanticipated inflationary shocks disproportionately harm the poor, and persistent unemployment remains a formidable barrier to inclusive growth. The study concludes that a singular focus on either price stability or employment generation is insufficient for attaining SDG 1. Instead, Bangladesh requires an integrated policy framework that combines prudent monetary policy to control the inflation rate with targeted fiscal measures, investments in human capital, and productive sector diversification to generate new employment opportunities. This holistic approach is essential to effectively manage the trade-off and accelerate progress towards eliminating poverty.