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.
Abstract: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the components and effectiveness of the money supply process in Bangladesh, with a particular focus on its underlying determinants, trends, and policy implications. The primary objective is to evaluate whether the existing money supply mechanism, as implemented by the Bangladesh Bank, is effective in meeting the country’s macroeconomic objectives of price stability, economic growth, and financial stability. The research adopts a mixed-method approach, integrating both descriptive and econometric analyses. Descriptive statistics and trend analysis are used to examine the historical patterns of monetary aggregates namely the monetary base (H), money multiplier (m), narrow money (M1), and broad money (M2) over the past two decades.
The results reveal that the money supply process in Bangladesh exhibits both short-run volatility and long-run stability, with the monetary base and money multiplier jointly influencing the expansion of M2. Co-integration tests confirm the existence of long-term equilibrium relationships among monetary aggregates, while ECM results suggest a moderate speed of adjustment toward equilibrium following shocks. However, structural break analysis indicates that global financial crises, domestic policy shifts, and recent pandemic-related disruptions have caused significant short-term deviations.
The findings highlight that although the Bangladesh Bank’s monetary policy framework has been largely effective in steering the long-run trajectory of the money supply, challenges remain in managing short-run fluctuations and in aligning monetary expansion with real economic growth. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the money supply process, including improving forecasting models, strengthening monetary transmission mechanisms, and enhancing coordination between monetary and fiscal policy.
Abstract: Rural credit plays a crucial role in promoting agricultural growth and improving the livelihoods of rural households in developing economies, particularly in India. This research paper evaluates the impact of various rural credit mechanisms, including institutional finance, cooperative credit, microfinance, and government-sponsored schemes, on agricultural productivity and livelihood enhancement. Using secondary data from national surveys, published research, and policy documents, the study highlights how access to affordable and timely credit facilitates technological adoption, crop diversification, employment generation, income growth, and poverty reduction. The findings indicate that institutional credit significantly contributes to agricultural productivity and livelihood security. However, challenges such as regional imbalances, procedural complexities, and rising indebtedness remain. The study concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen rural credit delivery systems and ensure sustainable and inclusive rural development.
Abstract: This study examines pawnbroking's impact on social entrepreneurship and its implications for social development. It posits that Pawnbroking aids vulnerable entrepreneurs, often excluded from formal credit, in accessing quick financial resources, thereby enhancing social entrepreneurship. Through a meta-analysis and literature review, including three case studies from Bangladesh, the findings indicate that, despite exploitative practices, pawnshops are vital for providing the impoverished with financial access and supporting social welfare. However, risks such as asset loss, debt cycles, and exploitation of desperate borrowers are also highlighted. The study emphasizes the need for regulatory oversight and more accessible financial systems that protect borrowers while maintaining accessibility. Overall, pawnbroking offers both advantages and challenges for local communities in Bangladesh, necessitating a balance between quick cash access and consumer protections to promote healthier community dynamics.
Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between national income and tourism expenditure, framed within the context of the Engel curve, for six South Asian nations with significant potential for Halal tourism: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Utilizing a Generalized Least Squares (GLS) model on panel data from 2000 to 2024, we analyze the impact of GDP per capita on outbound tourism expenditure. Our findings indicate a positive and elastic income elasticity of tourism demand (0.989), signifying that tourism is a luxury good and that financial outlay on travel increases more than proportionally with income. The results underscore the critical opportunity for these countries to develop their Halal tourism sectors to capture a share of this elastic expenditure, thereby fostering economic diversification and employment generation. The study concludes with targeted policy recommendations aimed at leveraging this income-elastic demand for sustainable economic development.