Quest for Inclusive Growth in Bangladesh

This book offers a selection of intensely researched essays focused on the critical planning objectives and policy priorities that would enhance the promotion of inclusive growth in a developing country. It has taken Bangladesh as the case study. It argues for rethinking of traditional policies and provides arguments and ways to reorient these toward inclusive growth and better social inclusion. These involve a dedicated focus on employment and inclusion in the design of monetary and fiscal policies, trade and industrial policies, policies toward rural non-farm employment, social protection and safety net strategy and the nature of institutional and governance reforms which are imperative for ensuring inclusive growth. The studies included in the book were prepared before or at the onset of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the unfolding economic crisis; yet they provide cursory observations on its likely impact, and underscore how the stated principles and policies of an inclusive growth strategy have become even more significant in the present situation.

Bangladesh has been growing respectably during the past decade and a half and has arguably shown strong progress in several social indicators. However, inequality and vulnerability are rising alarmingly, and the economy is beset with high levels of corruption, as well as with various other governance deficits that can adversely affect future growth and social inclusion. The book provides a critical assessment of how far growth in Bangladesh has been inclusive, both over time, and in comparison to selected South and Southeast Asian countries. It constructs a specific 'inclusive growth index' with reference to what the study considers as the significant goals and pillars of inclusive growth.

Bangladesh is not the only developing country that is faced with the arduous task of tackling unbalanced economic growth and of implementing the 2030 Agenda. Rising vulnerability, inequality, disappointing job growth and poor governance are also major challenges to inclusive growth for many countries in the Global South. Therefore, the appeal of this book extends well beyond the borders of Bangladesh and the South Asian region.

Corresponding to SDG 8, the book is aimed at academia, researchers, policymakers, civil society leaders as well as other national and international development practitioners with an avid interest in issues concerning growth with equity, and in sync with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In addition, the book is a valuable resource for interested students of disciplines related to economics and development policy.

Explores the currently held perceptions on inclusive growth and offers a set of pertinent goals and characterizations that would enable designing of a strategy to meet the dual objectives of growth and social inclusion in a country Provides an employment-focused approach to inclusive growth, based on the contention that critical goals of inclusive growth are largely achievable through the pursuit of the goal of full employment, corresponding to SDG8 Charts out a strategy for operationalizing inclusive growth at the national level with specific reference to Bangladesh

Auteur
Dr. Muhammed Muqtada, a development economist and policy analyst, is best known for his work on growth, poverty, employment and labour market issues. He had been associated with the International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva, for nearly two and a half decades, and had held several top management positions at the ILO. He led, and participated, in various fact-finding, programming and employment review missions in various countries, inter alia Cambodia, Chile, Egypt, Kenya, Pakistan, Philippines, Tanzania and Ukraine. As Director of Policy Planning, he coordinated and directed the research programmes of the ILO's Employment Sector, Geneva. Prior to joining the ILO, he taught macroeconomics, economic development and planning at the University of Dhaka. Among his co-edited titles, are-Employment Expansion and Macroeconomic Stability in an Era of Increasing Globalization (from MacMillan, London); and Bangladesh: Economic and Social Challenges of Globalization (from The University Press Limited, Dhaka). At present, Dr. Muqtada is involved in applied research and consultancy services and to date, has provided expert advisory services to governments, international organisations and other stakeholders within and beyond Bangladesh. He has also been a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Dr. Muqtada was educated at the University of Cambridge, UK (PhD in Economics, 1980), and the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh (MA and BA in Economics).

Contenu
Chapter 1. The Quest for Inclusive Growth in Bangladesh: An Overview of the Issues.- Chapter 2. Designing an Employment-focused Inclusive Growth Strategy: Major Considerations.- Chapter 3. How far has Growth been Inclusive in Bangladesh?: A Comparative Assessment.- Chapter 4. Macroeconomic Policy, Price Stability and Inclusive Growth.- Chapter 5. Export-led Growth of Manufacturing Employment: How Successful?.- Chapter 6. Alternative Approaches to Full Employment: Role of Non-farm Sector.- Chapter 7. Towards a Social Protection Strategy for Bangladesh.- Chapter 8. Governance, Growth and Social Inclusion.