Economic growth in Bangladesh and the role of banking sector

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Bangladesh has come a long way in its economic growth. From a meagre
US$ 5.70 billion in 1972, the gross domestic product (GDP) increased to
US$ 285.82 billion in 2018. The Bangladesh economy is the 42nd largest in
the world in nominal terms and 31st largest in terms of Purchasing Power
Parity (PPP). Recently, Bangladesh graduated from least developed
country (LDC) status to a lower middle income country, and hopes to
become a developed country by 2041.
Four distinct growth phases are discernible (Ahmed 2012; Khuda and
Barkat 2017) in the country's economic journey. The first phase (1990-
1996), one of subdued growth rate expansion, witnessed less than 4.0 per
cent annually in aggregate terms and less than 3.0 per cent in per capita
terms. The second phase (1996-2003) witnessed growth rate fluctuating
between 4.0 and over 5.0 per cent and around 4.0 per cent per capita. The
third phase (2004-13) witnessed growth rate of around 6.0 per cent and per
capita growth of around 5.0 per cent. The fourth phase (2013--) witnessed
growth rate of over 6.0 per cent, and reached over 7.0 per cent during the
last two financial years.
With acceleration in the growth of per capita income, there has been
considerable progress in poverty reduction (Raihan and Khondker 2012).
Poverty declined from 56.7 per cent in 1991 to 24.3 per cent in 2015.
Today, it is around 22 per cent. As a result of considerable decline in
poverty, especially during 2001-10, the number of poor people declined,
with the size of the population below the upper poverty and lower poverty
lines declining by around 8.58 million and 8.61 million respectively.
However, there is high and rising income inequality.
MAJOR FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ECONOMIC GROWTH:
Considerable increase in per capita income has been made possible by
sustained economic growth. The three broad economic sectors (agriculture,
industry and services) contributed to the process of economic growth.
Between 2009-10 and 2016-18, the growth rate of the agriculture sector
declined while it increased in the services and industry sectors. The overall
share of the agriculture (including fisheries) sector to GDP declined to
around 14 per cent, while that of the services and the industry sectors
increased to around 52 per cent and 34 per cent respectively in FY 2016-
17. Within the industry sector, growth in the manufacturing (led
predominantly by the ready-made garments (RMG) sector), 'electricity, gas
and water supply' and the construction sub-sectors experienced positive
growth. Within the manufacturing sector increase, large industries
experienced positive growth, while it remained largely unchanged in the
case of small-scale industries. Within the services sector, growth in trade,
hotels and restaurants and transport, storage and communication remained
unchanged; and real estate declined. Financial intermediations registered
positive growth, though at a low rate.
Economic growth in Bangladesh has been helped largely by export
earnings from the ready-made garments (RMG) sector; remittances sent by
migrant workers; growth in the agricultural sector; expansion in Medium,
Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs); decline in the rate of population
growth; and the government's safety net programmes.
First, considerable expansion has taken place in the RMG sector since the
late 1970s. Today, it is the most important industry in the country; and
Bangladesh is the second largest apparel exporter of western brands, after
China. The RMG sector accounts for around 82 per cent of total exports.
Bangladesh's garment exports increased from US$ 6.8 billion in 2005 to
over US$30 billion (The Financial Express, July 05, 2018).
Second, being a labour surplus country, annually about 0.5 million
Bangladeshis migrate abroad in search of jobs. According to the Bureau of
Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), the total number of
Bangladeshi labour migrants was around 11.5 million in 2017. The figure
represents about 4.5 per cent of the country's population and 11 per cent of
its labour force (BMET 2018). With increase in the number of migrant
workers, there has been considerable increase in the amount of annual
remittance.
Third, agriculture sector witnessed remarkable progress, despite continued
loss of arable land. There has been a sharp increase in food grain
production during the last over four decades. The increase has been made
possible as a result of a liberalised input market and expansion of irrigation,
encouraging farmers to adopt the new seed-fertiliser technology.
Fourth, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has played a vital role in
promoting economic growth, poverty reduction, and employment
generation. The Government of Bangladesh highlighted the importance of
SMEs in its Industrial Policy; and it has been identified as a 'thrust sector'
by the Ministry of Finance. However, to efficiently run SMEs, allocation of
adequate funds and skill development of both entrepreneurs and workers
are critically needed.
ROLE OF BANKS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH: Commercial banks have
been playing an important role in the economic development of
Bangladesh. They provide investible funds to both the public sector, and
specially the private sector. Further, banks have played a significant role in
respect of the four major drivers of economic growth in Bangladesh as
discussed above.
The banking sector, however, is faced with various challenges, which
include among others, weak management, poor governance, lack of strong
leadership, and non-compliance with ethical standards leading to various
types of banking scams such as money laundering and Non-Performing
Loans (NPLs).
Bangladesh is an import-dependent country. It needs to import raw
materials, accessories and machineries to foster development of the
industrial sector, including the RMG sector. Banks have been facilitating
payment, finance and risk management services to the sector.
In 2017 the private commercial banks' (PCBs) share in export finance was
the highest (60 per cent) followed by state owned commercial banks
(SoCBs). Within the apparel sector, the RMG sector received the highest
proportion of financing from banks, and the volumes and proportions have
increased between 2014 and 2017. Import payments have been increasing
over the years. The total import payments (c & f), including imports of EPZ,
increased more than two times from US$21,629 million during 2007-08 to
US$43,663.0 million during 2016-17.
Banks play a major role in facilitating remittances by migrant workers.
During 2010-11 and 2016-17, the country received lower remittances than
in the past; and the amounts remitted through banking channels likewise
declined. However, Bangladesh received higher remittances during the last
fiscal year resulting from a strong pick-up in global economic activities,
especially in the Middle East countries. The major factors contributing to
higher remittances through the banking channels during the last fiscal year
are: (a) depreciation of the BDT against US$; (b) higher rate offered by
local banks; (c) many banks, facing shortage of US$ for the last few
months due to increase in import payments against decline in export
earnings, have intensified their efforts to increase remittance inflows
through their respective channels; and (d) Bangladesh Bank's (BB)
strengthened surveillance on hundi -- the illegal outlet that many migrant
workers use to send money home.
Given the importance of the agriculture sector, the government has given
highest priority to agriculture and its allied sectors for adequate credit with
low cost. Between 2013 and 2017, banks' loan disbursement exceeded the
target; and the crop sub-sector received about one-half of total agricultural
credit, followed by livestock and other agriculture activities.
Private Commercial Banks (PCBs) accounted for the largest share of
agricultural credit followed by Specialised Banks (SBs), State-owned
Commercial Banks (SoCBs) and Foreign Commercial Banks (FCBs)
(Bangladesh Bank Annual Reports). Between 2001-02 and 2017-18, the
Bangladesh Krishi Bank's total disbursement to the agriculture sector
increased more than five times from BDT 15.63 billion to BDT 82.15 billion;
and its total disbursement to the crop production sub-sector increased by
about 3.6 times from BDT 8.59 billion to BDT 30.62 billion. During FY17,
the SoCBs, PCBs, FCBs and SBs provided credit of BDT 210 billion,
exceeding the target of BDT 175.50 billion. The FCBs and the PCBs
exceeded their targets by about 44 per cent and 36 per cent respectively.
Between 2007 and 2017, the share of short-term loans was greater than
that of long-term loans, and the gap has been widening during the past five
years (Siddique et.al. 2018). In FY17, about 82 per cent of disbursement
was in the form of short-term lending, and the rest was in the form of long-
term loans for purchase of agricultural machineries, irrigation equipment
and livestock. Credits for crop production and poverty alleviation
programmes accounted for about 59 per cent and 11 per cent respectively
of total short-term loans. Around 3.86 million farmers received agricultural
and rural credit. Around 3 million small and marginal farmers received
about BDT 150 billion agricultural loans from different banks. Over 8700
farmers in the less-developed areas (haor, char, etc.) received about BDT
0.4 billion of agricultural and rural credit. More than 19,000 farmers in the
three hill districts received around BDT 0.5 billion at only 5.0 per cent
interest rate. About BDT 4.0 billion was disbursed among about 0.12 million
farmers through over 15,000 open credit disbursement programs arranged
by different banks. The BB undertook a special refinance scheme under
which it provided BDT 5.62 billion credit through BRAC to 0.15 million
share-croppers with limited access to banks. Also, the BB undertook
special refinance schemes for the jute and dairy farming sectors
(Bangladesh Bank Annual Report 2018).
To ensure adequate funding for SMEs, the Bangladesh Bank in 2010
formulated the "SME Credit Policies and Programmes" aimed at helping
SMEs in achieving sustainable inclusive growth. Under this programme, the
BB does not impose targets on commercial banks and non-financial
institutions (NBFIs); rather the targets are independently decided by them.
Since 2012, both the targets and actual disbursements have been
increasing. During FY17, while the target was BDT 1338.6 billion, BDT
1439.7 billion was disbursed by all banks and NBFIs among 697,000
cottage, micro, small and medium sized enterprises. Women-led
entrepreneurs received special emphasis, with 49,000 of them receiving
BDT 45.1 billion.
The BB has been encouraging all banks and NBFIs to grant loans to
women entrepreneurs at reduced interest rate (9 per cent). Also, it set up a
dedicated women entrepreneur desk and instructed all banks and NBFIs to
do the same, reserve 15 per cent of the SME funds exclusively for women
entrepreneurs, provide credit to new women entrepreneurs in this sector,
and sanction loans of at least BDT 2.5 million to women entrepreneurs with
only personal guarantee but no collateral under its refinance facilities. At
the end of June 2017, BDT 20.3 billion was refinanced to 19,098 women-
led enterprises.
To become a developed country by 2041, the major impediments to
development need to be effectively addressed. Therefore, there is urgent
need to: (i) further increase public spending on infrastructure development;
(ii) increase the investment-GDP ratio, and encourage greater investments
in the private sector; (iii) increase export earnings by both increasing the
volume and quality of RMG products as well as by considerably diversifying
export basket and exploring new markets; (iv) increase inward remittances
by providing adequate skills to the migrant workers, exploring new
countries of destination, and further improving banking channels for
receiving inward remittances; (v) create adequate number of "decent jobs"
to provide the workforce with reasonable wages and decent standard of
living; (vi) make required investments in the health and education sectors to
be able to reap the benefits of "demographic dividend"; (vii) ensure
continued growth in agriculture, despite loss of arable land and threats of
natural disasters; (viii) increase efficiency and productivity in the SME
sector by duly addressing various challenges faced by the sector; (ix)
increase private sector credit to the productive sectors; (x) improve
efficiency, management, governance, leadership, and transparency in the
banking sector to check money laundering and other scams and recover
NPLs, which could, then, be used for productive investment; (xi) strengthen
macro prudential frameworks and enhance exchange rate flexibility to
improve resource allocation, reduce vulnerabilities and boost resilience;
(xii) ensure inclusive growth and development; and last, but not the least,
(xiii) improve efficiency, transparency, accountability and overall
governance, both in the public and the private sectors.
Digital Banking: Impact and future in the country.
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The roots of digital banking can be traced back to the advent of ATMs and
cards launched around the 1970s in the West.
Soon broadband and digital networks began to connect retailers with
suppliers and consumers nurturing needs for early online catalogues and
inventory software systems.
By the 1990s, the internet's popularity began to grow. The improvement of
broadband and e-commerce systems around the early 2000s led to what
resembled modern digital banking.
The proliferation of smartphones over the next decade opened the door for
transactions on the go beyond ATM machines.
Over 60 per cent of consumers now use their smartphones as the preferred
method for digital banking.
The decision for banks to add more digital solutions at all operational levels
will have a major impact on their financial stability.
Banks that deliver a comprehensive, feature-rich mobile banking app to
their corporate clients are in reality providing them a competitive edge and
flexibility to conduct banking activities with the same freedom as retail
customers.
By offering an integrated business banking app, banks enhance the
customer experience by giving company owners the freedom to decide how
they want to do business. Providing this level of service also opens the
possibility of acquiring new corporate customers.
There are four key factors that banks should offer to separate a business-
focussed mobile banking app from a retail-oriented app used by
consumers. These are:
TRADITIONAL MOBILE FUNCTIONALITY: Running a business requires
many more functions for banking than those offered to a consumer.
Business owners still need to be provided with the basic functions that are
typically seen in retail mobile banking apps. These include account
reviews, money transfer, card controls, statement access, remote deposit
capture, and transaction alert management. These tools can enable
commercial customers to operate freely without worrying about typical
banking hours.
BUSINESS-SPECIFIC FUNCTIONALITY: Moving beyond the traditional
retail mobile banking features, a strong business banking mobile app will
have a few specific tools. These can include ACH origination, sub-user
management, and cash management reporting.
SECURITY: Banks must also address the security concerns of a business'
regarding mobile banking. The more devices a company uses to manage
finances, and the more personnel it has who can access the firm's banking
services, the greater is the need for a strong security component in the
mobile app. From the company's private information to its customers'
personal data, business executives need to know that their mobile banking
app has the security protections needed to thwart cybercrimes. Banks
rolling out a business banking app should ensure protections such as out-
of-band authentication, token authentication, and fraud anomaly detection.
With these features, business executives are capable of verifying their
identity to access private information, keep transactions protected with
tokenisation and mitigate any potential threat of fraud to keep their
business secure.
INTEGRATION WITH ALL BANKING CHANNELS: Consumers expect a
consistent experience whenever they interact with their bank. Business
owner clients demand the same. Likewise, they are likely to be frustrated or
confused if a bank delivers a different user experience - or unsynchronised
account data - between a mobile app, an online banking portal, or the teller
account screen. This poses the risk of them abandoning the mobile app -
or, worse, moving their banking needs to a competitor.
The future of the banking ecosystem will look much different than today
and will extend well beyond just financial services. There is a unique
opportunity to capitalise on the insights banks hold and the innovation that
they can build, buy or collaborate with to become the centre of a
consumer's everyday life. For the banking organisation, they will benefit
from the new banking ecosystem by having increased customer
interactions and engagement.
Consumers enjoy an improved experience that saves them time and
money, with a much more personalised relationship. They expand their
relationship because no other organisation possesses the insights that their
primary organisation does. Merchants and service providers also benefit
from the bank's customer insights through improved offer targets and
increased sales volumes.
To provide a structure for navigating this chaos, and to galvanise the shift
to bolder thinking, six opportunities for banks to fuel future growth can be
focussed upon.
A) GROW BEYOND YOUR CORE INTO RELEVANT ECOSYSTEMS:
Banks have long relied on making customers aware of relevant products as
a path to growth. For example, a customer with a checking account would
be encouraged to consider a personal line of credit, a home-improvement
loan, or a bank credit card. Banks can extend these services further and
come up with new products that can cater to the account-holder's specific
needs.
B) CREATE A FINANCIAL SUPERMARKET: Taking a page from some of
the larger digital businesses, banks can offer curated and vetted mix of
internal and third-party offerings. This aggregation model provides
customers with easy, one-stop access to financial products and the ability
to address multiple financial needs through a single, integrated channel.
Building a financial supermarket allows a bank to focus on the high-return
side of the industry: average annual return on equity (RoE) for providing
credit from bank balance sheets is only six per cent, while RoE for product
origination/sales is 22 per cent.
In the United Kingdom, for instance, 60 per cent of auto-insurance policies
are sold through aggregators. And Bank Bazaar in India, a pure-play
financial supermarket with no proprietary offerings of its own, offers a full
set of services from more than 50 institutions to more than 23 million
customers.
C) EXTEND VALUE ACROSS THE CUSTOMER JOURNEY: For most
consumers, working with a bank is just a means to an end: ensuring a
secure retirement, growing a business, or buying a home, for example.
Most banks, however, tend to focus only on discrete, bank-centred
moments in the customer's overall journey, such as offering a mortgage,
when the customer's larger goal is to buy the house. By attending only to
the bank-related part of the overall journey, banks leave considerable value
on the table.
D) MONETISE YOUR DATA: More than half of financial-services
respondents in a recent McKinsey survey said that their companies have
begun to monetise data. What's more, data monetisation seems to
correlate with industry-leading performance.
There are multiple ways to monetise data. The first is for a bank to use its
internal data more effectively for its own operations by adding new
analytics capabilities. Another is to create new offerings, such as reports or
benchmark analytics, based on bank data. Several of Canada's biggest
banks have partnered with Toronto-based SecureKey in a system that
allows individuals to use their bank credentials to access online services
from the federal government. The system works in much the same way as
websites that allow users to log in using their Facebook account - except in
this case, Canadian government agencies provide access to online
services when visitors enter their bank credentials. The banks just use the
data they already have to verify their customers' identities, and then
provide it as a secure capability at a truly national scale and gain access to
new potential customers.
E) BECOME A DIGITAL ATTACKER: By employing digital channels or
novel business models, incumbent banks can enter new geographies or
market segments that would be prohibitively expensive targets using
traditional approaches. ING Direct was the original digital attacker. It
started as an exclusively online bank in 1996 and attracted more than 20
million customers in nine countries over little more than a decade. Later,
several of its national subsidiaries spun-off in the late 2010s.
Banks should consider this option if they want to enter new markets or
segments without the need to invest in the physical infrastructure which
would be prohibitively expensive. This approach is useful for exploring
market opportunities, but it requires sufficient digital skills (design,
customer experience, analytics, etc.), the expertise to scale wins, and the
management discipline to kill off poor performers.
F) BECOME A PRODUCT-OR INFRASTRUCTURE- SOURCING
FACTORY: Many banks and fintechs are locked in a battle over the
customer- facing front end. But large institutions can create significant
value by leveraging back-end assets to create and provide products or
services to smaller banks and other businesses. This is because many
small and non-traditional institutions lack core banking products,
infrastructure, capital assets, or even banking licenses, and do not have the
reach or resources to acquire them.
Prior to taking the digital journey, a bank should reconsider its future
business model and subsequently its internal culture and resources to be
aligned with that digital vision. Until its systems, human resources and
processes are redesigned towards meeting future customer needs, it will
not be able to offer a meaningful end-to-end customer experience.
Therefore, the banks must formulate their respective long-term digital
strategies and collaborate internally as well as externally for seamless
implementation
মুজিব বর্ ষ
১৯২০ সালের ১৭ মার্ষ গগাপােগলের টুঙ্গিপাড়ায় িন্ম গেে বাঙাঙ্গে িাঙ্গির মহাে
গেিা বিবন্ধু গেখ মুজিবুর রহমাে, যার হালি ঙ্গবশ্ব মােঙ্গর্লে অজিি হলয়লে েিু ে
একটট স্বাধীে গেে— বাাংোলেে। আসলে ২০২০ সালে বিবন্ধুর িলন্মর েি বের
পূর্ হলব।
ষ এর পলরর বের ২৬ মার্ষ স্বাধীেিার সুবর্িয়ন্তী
ষ উেযাপে করলব
বাাংোলেে।
এই েলযে আগামী ২০২০-২১ সােলক ‘মুজিব বর্’ ষ গ ার্র্া করা হলয়লে। িাঙ্গির
ঙ্গপিা বিবন্ধু গেখ মুজিবুর রহমালের েিিম িন্মবাঙ্গর্কীষ উেযাপে উপেলয
২০২০ সালের ১৭ মার্ষ (বিবন্ধুর িন্মঙ্গেে) গেলক ২০২১ সালের ২৬ মার্ষ (স্বাধীেিা
ঙ্গেবস) পযন্ত
ষ এ বর্ পােে
ষ হলব
২০২০ সালের ১৭ মার্ষ গেলক ২০২১ সালের ২৬ মার্ষ পযন্ত ষ এই বেরলক ‘মুজিব বর্’ষ
ঙ্গহলসলব পােে করা হলব। ২০২১ সালের ২৬ মার্ষ বাাংোলেলের স্বাধীেিার
সুবর্িয়ন্তী
ষ হলব। গসই পযন্ত ষ বিবন্ধুর েিবাঙ্গর্কী
ষ পােলের কমসূষ ঙ্গর্ পাঙ্গেি হলব।
বিবন্ধু অোঙ্গিঙ্গেউলয় আওয়ামী েীলগর গকন্দ্রীয় কাযােলয়ষ েলের গযৌেসিায়
সিাপঙ্গির সূর্ো বক্তলবে প্রাধেমন্ত্রী ও েলের সিাপঙ্গি গেখ হাঙ্গসো এ ‘মুজিব বর্’ষ
গ ার্র্া কলরে।
ঙ্গিঙ্গে বলেে, বিবন্ধু আমালের স্বাধীেিা ঙ্গেলয় গগলেে। িারই েী আলদােলের
ষ
ফসে এ স্বাধীেিা। িার রলক্তর ঋর্ আমালের গোধ করলি হলব। এিেে আমরা
বেরবোপী বোপক কমসূষ ঙ্গর্ ঙ্গেলয় বিবন্ধুর েিিম িন্মবাঙ্গর্কী
ষ উেযাপে করলবা।
প্রধােমন্ত্রীর গ ার্র্া অেুযায়ী, সরকার ও আওয়ামী েীলগর পয গেলক ‘মুজিব বলর্’ষ
গেেবোপী বোপক কমসূষ ঙ্গর্ পােে হলব।ঙ্গপিার িন্ম েিবাঙ্গর্কী
ষ উেযাপে করলবা।
সারালেলে ঙ্গবিাগ, গিো, উপলিো ও ওয়ার্ষ পযায়
ষ পযন্ত
ষ এ কমসূষ ঙ্গর্ পাঙ্গেি হলব।
সরকাঙ্গরিালবও আমরা কমসূষ ঙ্গর্ পােে করলবা।
এ সমলয়র মলধে স্বাধীেিা ঙ্গেবস, ঙ্গবিয় ঙ্গেবস, মহাে ২১গে গফবরুয়াঙ্গর
আন্তিষাঙ্গিক মািৃিার্া ঙ্গেবস, ঐঙ্গিহাঙ্গসক ৭ মার্ষ, ১৭ মার্ষ বিবন্ধু িন্মঙ্গেে, ৭ িুে
৬ েফা ঙ্গেবস, ২৩ িুে আওয়ামী েীলগর প্রঙ্গিষ্ঠাবাঙ্গর্কী,ষ ১৫ আগস্ট, ৩ েলিম্বর
গিেহিো ঙ্গেবলসর কমসূষ ঙ্গর্র সলি সমন্বয় কলর িাঙ্গির ঙ্গপিার িন্ম ঙ্গেবলসর
কমসূষ ঙ্গর্ পাঙ্গেি হলব।
বিবন্ধুর েিিম িন্মবাঙ্গর্কী
ষ পােলের কমসূষ ঙ্গর্লি স্কুে-কলেলির োে-োেী,
গিলে-কামার-কুমার-িাাঁঙ্গি, শ্রঙ্গমক-র্াকঙ্গরিীবী-গপোিীবী-কমর্ারী,
ষ ঙ্গেশু-
ঙ্গকলোরসহ সব গশ্রর্ী-গপোর মােুর্লক সম্পৃক্ত করা হলব।
স্কুে-কলেিসহ ঙ্গবঙ্গিন্ন পযালয় ষ ক্রীড়া প্রঙ্গিলযাঙ্গগিা, ঙ্গর্োিে, সাাংস্কৃঙ্গিক
অেুষ্ঠােসহ ঙ্গবঙ্গিন্ন কমসূষ ঙ্গর্ও োকলব।
মুজিব বর্ উপেলয
ষ ঙ্গবঙ্গিন্ন প্রকােোও োকলব। বিবন্ধুলক ঙ্গেলয় পাঙ্গকস্তাে
সরকালরর গগালয়দা সাংস্থার প্রঙ্গিলবেলের একটট সাংকেে প্রকাে করা হলব। ৪৭টট
ফাইলের ৩০ হািার পািালক েয় হািার পািায় ঙ্গেলয় আসা হলয়লে। এটা ১৪টট
খলের একটট সাংকেে হলব।
িন্মেিবাঙ্গর্কীর
ষ কমসূষ ঙ্গর্র অাংে ঙ্গহলসলব বিবন্ধুর িীবে ও কম ঙ্গষ েলয়
আন্তিষাঙ্গিক গসঙ্গমোর আলয়ািে এবাং গেঙ্গে-ঙ্গবলেঙ্গে গেখকলের গেখা ঙ্গেলয়
স্মারকগ্রন্থও প্রকাে করা হলব। এ োড়া আন্তিষাঙ্গিক জক্রলকট ও ফুটবে টুোলমন্ট
ষ
আলয়ািলেরও ঙ্গসদ্ধান্ত ঙ্গেলয়লেে গেিারা।
েলের সহলযাগী-ভ্রািৃপ্রঙ্গিম সাংগঠেগুলো এবাং কঙ্গব-সাঙ্গহঙ্গিেক, ঙ্গেল্পী, সাংস্কৃঙ্গিকমী,
বুজদ্ধিীবী ও ঙ্গবঙ্গিন্ন গশ্রঙ্গর্লপোর মােুর্লের ঙ্গেলয় আোো কঙ্গমটট কলর কমসূষ ঙ্গর্
পােে করা হলব। আর েে ও সহলযাগী-ভ্রািৃপ্রঙ্গিম সাংগঠলের সারালেলের োখা
কঙ্গমটট এবাং সামাজিক সাংগঠে গেিালের ঙ্গেলয় গেেিুলড় িাাঁকিমকপূর্ কম ষ সূষ ঙ্গর্
আলয়াজিি হলব।
PHARMA INDUSTRY
After apparels the pharmaceuticals industry has been one of the success stories
of Bangladesh in the last three decades. Bangladesh had to depend largely for
medicines on multinational companies and imports in the 1970s and early 80s.
Now local companies meet almost 98 percent of domestic demand worth around
USD 2 billion or Tk 16,000 crore.
The sector is not only catering to domestic needs, but also exporting to over 100
countries including the United States and Europe. Pharmaceutical exports were
close to USD 100 million in fiscal 2016-17.
Bangladesh's pharmaceuticals industry is going to be a major player in the global
export market in the next three to five years.
Technology transfer by Novo Nordisk, which is the world leader in insulin, to a
company outside Denmark is a manifestation of the country's strength.
What has driven this phenomenal growth of the industry?
Two effective policies have accelerated the growth of the sector. One was the
Drug Control Ordinance 1982, which banned foreign companies from selling
imported pharmaceutical products in the country.
The other was the relaxation of the World Trade Organization's agreement on
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which permitted
Bangladesh to reverse engineer-patented generic drugs. The relaxation of TRIPS
for least developed countries has been extended to 2032.
Bangladesh's pharmaceutical sector can grow at 15 percent for the next five
years riding on the expanded domestic market as well as new export frontiers,
according to research studies.
LR Global, an asset management firm, in its recent report on Bangladesh's
pharmaceutical sector, said that it would be unsurprising if it takes a similar route
to the Indian pharmaceutical industry.
Presently, the pharma industry of Bangladesh meets 98 percent of the local
demand and exports to more than 125 countries.
Greater affluence among the poorest socio-economic group and a shift in
disease profile are expected to drive the growth of healthcare expenditure in
Bangladesh,.
Bangladesh's disease profile is expected to change in two major ways: the rise of
non-communicable diseases and a gradual move from acute to chronic diseases.
Also, the country's ageing population is increasing: By 2036 about 25 percent of
the population will be over 50 years of age.
Besides, drug purchasing power is likely to rise with sustained growth in income
as Bangladesh advances into the league of middle-income countries, according
to the analysis.
The industry also has growth opportunities in the international domain—enough
to emerge as the next thrust sector after garment.
With backward integration, quality research and skilled human resources,
Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry can emerge as a world leader in producing
off-patented generics medicine.
Globally, healthcare providers are increasingly endorsing generic drugs and
Bangladesh can capitalise on the trend to penetrate the markets in the US,
Germany, France, the UK and Japan.
Global generics were valued at USD 168 billion in 2013, and are expected to
reach USD 380 billion by 2021.
Emerging markets also hold promise for Bangladesh's exports: Their spending
for pharmaceutical products stood at USD 249 billion in 2015 and is expected to
reach USD 345-375 billion by 2020.
Since the beginning of the decade, the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh
has experienced double-digit growth driven by a large consumer base, improved
health consciousness and a supportive regulatory framework.
In fiscal 2015-16, the annual sales of pharmaceutical products stood at Tk
15,600 crore. This is a huge jump for the sector as the industry size was only Tk
170 crore in 1982.
Exports of pharmaceutical products registered 14.6 percent growth in 2011-2016,
while the industry is expected to log in receipts of USD 90.3 million for fiscal
2016-17.
In line with the growth of the market, everybody has invested in quality, lab
equipment and human resources to raise the standard to international level,
which enabled local firms to enter developed and highly regulated markets.
Agent Banking in Bangladesh
Agent Banking means providing limited scale banking and financial services to the
underserved population through engaged agents under a valid agency agreement,
rather
than a teller/ cashier. It is the owner of an outlet who conducts banking transactions on
behalf of a bank. Globally these retailers are being increasingly utilized as important
distribution channels for financial inclusion. Bangladesh Bank has also decided to
promote this complimentary channel to reach to the poor segment of the society as well
as existing
bank customer with a range of financial services specially to geographically dispersed
locations.
Bangladesh Bank is issuing this guidelines as per authority conferred to it by Article
7A(e)
of Bangladesh Bank Order, 1972, Section 45 of Bank Company Act, 1991 and Section 4
of
Bangladesh Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2009.

4.1 The following services will be covered under Agent Banking:

I. Collection of small value cash deposits and cash withdrawals (ceiling should be
determined by BB from time to time );
II. Inward foreign remittance disbursement;
III. Facilitating small value loan disbursement and recovery of loans, installments;
IV. Facilitating utility bill payment ;
V. Cash payment under social safety net programme of the Government ;
VI. Facilitating fund transfer(ceiling should be determined by BB from time to time);
VII. Balance inquiry;
VIII. Collection and processing of forms/documents in relation to account opening,
loan application, credit and debit card application from public;,
IX. Post sanction monitoring of loans and advances and follow up of loan recovery.
X. Receiving of clearing cheque.
XI. Other functions like collection of insurance premium including micro‐ insurance
etc
Although the central bank issued an agent banking guideline in 2013, the first banks
started full-fledged agent operations in 2016. The business took off almost immediately,
with 544,536 accounts opened with deposits of Tk380.68 crore opened between
October and December that year.
By the end of March this year, the number of agent banking accounts stood at
1,468,797 with deposits of Tk1,634.36 crore, according to the latest estimate of
Bangladesh Bank.
banking was Tk 309.56 crore between October and December last year.
Comparable quarterly figure for remittance sent through mobile banking was not
available but migrant workers sent home Tk 8.12 crore in December using mobile
banking.
The total money transacted via agent banking stood at Tk 380.68 crore in December
last year.
It started off with 10 banks and now 16 commercial banks run agent operations - Dutch-
Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL), Bank Asia, Al-Arafah Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank
Limited, Modhumoti Bank Ltd, Mutual Trust Bank Limited, NRB Commercial Bank,
Standard Bank Ltd, Agrani Bank Ltd, Midland Bank, First Security Islami Bank, The City
Bank, Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd, The Premier Bank Ltd, United Commercial Bank
Limited, and AB Bank Limited.
Meanwhile, Trust Bank, South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce Bank, Brac Bank Ltd,
and NRB Bank have secured licenses from the central bank to operate agent banking,
but they are yet to launch the service.
Secret behind the growth
Agent banking has been able to get such popularity mainly for its simplicity to the clients
and cost-effectiveness for the banks.
According to a research paper titled, “Alternative delivery channel: Opportunities and
challenges of the new banking environment” by Bangladesh Institute of Bank
Management (BIBM), agent banking has become popular because of its benefits for
both the banks and clients, while the country’s economy is also being benefited through
financial inclusion.
the banks have been able to increase customer volume, improve financial appearance,
lower operating costs, expansion of business, increase deposit collection, improve
banks’ branding and widen their spreads.
Agent banking has facilitated customers by providing full-fledged banking services at
their doorsteps in the remote area, and it has made convenient and easy for channeling
remittance.
The agent banking outlets are now not only limited to services like cash deposits, cash
withdrawal remittance payment only, the banks have started giving out small loans
through the outlets.
As of March 31, this year, six banks have disbursed Tk122.25 crore in credit through
their agent banking outlets.
Challenges
Though substantial progress has been made in the area of agent banking in terms of
the number of agents, account-holders and deposits, there are a number of challenges
confronting the growth of this new tool of banking.
The BIBM research paper identified seven challenges for banks.
The challenges are:
selection and monitoring of agents,
cheque book issue and clearing cheque,
limited transaction time,
power failure,
cash carrying or management risk,
physical and cyber security,
and settlement of complaints.
Another research paper by BIBM titled “Agent Banking: Effectiveness in Financial
Inclusion,” says product lending is still absent in the agent banking outlets.
Central bank data says agent banking is concentrated in two banks, with DBBL and
Bank Asia covering more than 86% of agent banking accounts.
By the end of March 2018, a total of 884,680 accounts were opened through DBBL and
380,936 accounts through Bank Asia.
Use of Technology in Banking Sector of Bangladesh
Today, information and communication technology has become the heart of banking
sector and banking industry is at the heart of every robust economy. Electronic banking
system has become the main technology driven revolution in conducting financial
transactions. Technology has already enabled most of the banks in Bangladesh to
introduce innovative products to their customers in the form of ATM/POST facility,
Mobile/Tele banking, Web banking, ‘Anytime’ and ‘Anywhere’ banking, etc. Customers
of banks have felt the positive impact of technological solutions implemented by banks.
Banks play a vital role in developing the economic and social conditions of a country.
The major share of the profit of banks generally comes from spread. But the profitability
of banks is under tremendous pressure because of continuous shrinking of spread. It
becomes important for banks to reduce the cost per transaction for increasing spread
that in turns will increase the profitability of banks. Use of technology in banks reduces
the cost. Banks have realized that cost of transaction drastically reduces from brick and
mortar structure of the branch to online delivery channels like ATM, POS Terminal,
Mobile Phone, Internet, etc. Each of these channels has its own specific advantages in
terms of improved customer service and reduced transaction cost. The basic difference
between online banking and traditional banking is that, in traditional banking the
customer has to visit the branch for the basic banking needs viz. withdrawal or deposit
of cash, transfer of funds, statement of accounts etc. Online-business saves customers’
time. Bank also enjoys lower overheads, establish¬ment, premises and maintenance
costs, which results in reduction of transaction cost. Low transaction cost is one of the
main reasons why online business is getting popularity. Worldwide transaction cost of
ADCs are decreasing as number of online (branch less) transactions are increasing
very rapidly.
ICT Infrastructure of Banks
According to the Bangladesh Bank (BB) guideline, commercial banks are categorized
as Category-1 and Category-2. Category-1 means Centralized ICT Operation for
managing core business application solution through Data Center (DC) with backup
assets for continuation of critical services including Disaster Recovery Site
(DRS)/Secondary Data Center to which all other offices, branches and booths are
connected through WAN with 24/7 attended operation. Category-2 means Decentralized
ICT operation for managing distributed business application solution hosted at DC or
operational offices/branches with backup assets for continuation of critical services
connected through WAN or having standalone operations.
Branch Automation
Despite the fact that the SOCBs are large in terms of shares in assets and number of
branches, they could cover only around 72.3 per cent of their branches under
computerization while the PCBs and FCBs brought 99.5 and 100 per cent of their
branches, respectively, under computerization.
IT Investment and Sector-wise IT Budget
In tune with the global trends, Bangladeshi banks have been investing heavily in
technology infrastructure, solutions and manpower. Possibly, the key purpose of such
high investments in IT is to achieve increased productivity, efficiency, profitability and
competitive advantage through improved internal and external transaction flow, better
access to clients and markets and enhanced reach and quality of products and
services. Total investment for IT operations in the banking sector up to 2015 was
estimated at Tk. 25,007 crore since 1968 (considering the installation of computer at
Agrani Bank in 1968 which was the first installation of computer in the banking sector of
Bangladesh). And in 2015, approximately Tk. 1138 crore was invested on IT processes
in the banking segment, excluding central bank In 2015, it is seen that a major portion of
the IT budget was used to procure hardware and it was 41.9% of total budget. Second
highest budget went to software sector. However, budget for security, training and audit
was very poor in last five years. The rest of the budget went to power management,
vehicles purchase, stationary procurement and decoration purpose.
Penetration of Computer (PC) and E-mail ID
Number of computers and official E-mail account per hundred employees are two
important parameters to understand the automation status of a bank. At the end of
2015, it is seen that about 86% of the bank employees have working terminal (PCs)
whereas approximately 77% of the employees (perhaps most of the non-officers have
no e-mail id which is not unusual) have official e-mail addresses. Currently we have
about 1.73 lac employees in the banking sector and total number of 1,46,253 PCs and
6700 Servers are being used in this sector.
Corporate Intranet System and Internal Communication
Some of the banks have their in-house developed system having a revolutionary impact
in implementing the paper-free communication inside the bank. An internal web portal
that holds features like circulars, messaging, news, instant notices, employee profiles,
on-line leave processing, on-line requisition, on-line cheque requisition, MIS reports
from CBS data and many more.
Human Resource in IT Department
Today ‘IT Department’ is the most important department in any bank which was hardly
found a decade ago. This departments works like a power-hose of a bank. Most of the
IT departments are headed by DMD equivalent executives. Approximately, 3500 IT
professionals has been working in those departments.
Core Banking Software (CBS)
Using the CBS Systems, banks are providing real-time online banking services to its
customers. It has also the capability to provide centralized MIS and ad hoc reports.
Moreover, it is also helping to ensure seamless flow of information in a secured manner
at all levels of the management. In today’s highly volatile and competitive business
environment, a centralized robust CBS that can accommodate all the electronic delivery
channels is a must for survival in the race of competition.
Data Communication Infrastructure
Reliability of data communication link is a matter of the utmost importance for smooth
operation of online banking. Optical fiber transmission system is more reliable
compared to other transmission links. A decade ago it was a dream to get an optical
fiber connectivity in Bangladesh. But, recent development of the optical-fiber network of
the country have brought huge opportunities for banks to run online banking activities
easily. Following table shows that banks are now trying to give more priority to use
optical fiber link compared to other links to ensure stable online data services.
Moreover, around 94% banks use dual links for online branch, ATMs or ADCs.
Internet Banking
Bangladeshi customers are now able to do banking from any place of the globe at any
time by using Internet technology.
ATM Banking
Point of Sale Terminal (POST)
Besides expanding the ATM networks, the banks are also giving emphasis on
increasing their POST network covering the major outlets for ease of purchase for the
customers. Many banks have installed POS terminals in major shops, hotels, sale
centre, etc., all over the country. POST allows all types of debit card and credit cards for
making transactions.
Mobile Financial Services (Mobile Banking)
Mobile banking is a term used for performing banking activities via a mobile device such
as a mobile phone. The developments in mobile phone density in Bangladesh, with 132
million subscribers, present a unique opportunity to leverage the mobile platform to
meet the objectives and challenges of financial inclusion.
Banks are already carrying out activities such as disbursement of inward remittances,
financial transactions through agent/ bank branch/ ATM/ mobile operator outlet,
payments of business organizations (such as utility bills) by individuals, payment of
individuals by business organization (such as salary distribution) payment of individuals
by Government (such as old-age allowance, freedom fighter allowance, etc.), payments
of Government by individuals (such as tax payments), individual to individual
transactions (from one registered mobile account to another registered mobile account)
and other transactions such as microfinance, overdraft facilities, insurance premiums,
etc.
Agent Banking
Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH)
The Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH) started automated cheque clearing
from 07 October 2010 by replacing the ancient manual clearing system with automation,
which allows inter-bank cheques and similar type instruments to be settled instantly.
Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN)
The commencement of the Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN)
added a new milestone in the country’s payment and settlement system. BEFTN is the
paperless electronic exchange that ensures transfer of funds from one account to
another, either within a single institution or across multiple institutions through
computer-based systems.
RTGS
Bangladesh Bank is committed to provide a safe, efficient, inclusive and authorized
payment and settlement system for the country. The introduction of the Real Time
Gross Settlement (RTGS) system is another milestone of the country’s financial sector
development. RTGS is a central processing and settlement facility system which was
launched on 29th October 2015.
Online MIS in Banks
A separate MIS department can ensure precise, timely and accurate generation of MIS
report. Generation of MIS report from various departments and sending it to the
management at right time is a challenging job. For this reason, a separate MIS
department gives benefit to an organization especially if the organization is very large.
Call Center
Giving importance to customer satisfaction and easy access to banking services, 48%
banks have established its high tech contact Centre. IVR, integrated with CBS and Card
system that enables customers to do banking by any phone system as well as
consultation with Call Centre agents (Phone banker).
Significance of the 7th March Speech

48 years ago, Bangabandhu gave the finest speech of his life at the erstwhile historic
Race Course Maydan. Disregarding the intimidation and threats of the Pakistani Army's
tanks, guns and machineguns, and in the presence of a million audience, Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared in a booming voice: "This time, the struggle is for our
liberation, this time the struggle is for our independence".
Date : 7th March, 1971
Place: Race Course in Dhaka
Liberation war began 18 days later after the speech
Bangabandhu started with, " Today I appeared before you with a heavy heart. You know
everything and understand well. We tried with our lives. But the painful matter is that
today In Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi and Rangpur the streets are dyed red
with the blood of our brethern. Today the people of Bengal want freedom.
He mentioned four condition :
1. Immediate withdrawal of martial law.
2. Immediate taking back of all Military personnel
3. A proper inquiry into the loss of life during the conflict
4. Immediate transfer of power to elected representatives of the people.
He concluded with, " Our struggle, this time is struggle for our freedom Our struggle this
time is a struggle for our Independence, Joy Bangla"
→The duration of the speech was: 19 mimutes
→It was an extempore, Not written
→It was composed with 1108 words.
→The speech was the de facto declaration of Independence.
→On 30th October, 2017 UNESCO has recognised the historic 7th March Speech as
an important documentary Heritage.
→It included the speech in the memory of the world International Register.
Importance
★The nineteen minutes speech was unique in many respects.
★ It touched upon every aspects of the struggle for economic and political
emancipation of the people of Bangladesh as part of the erstwhile Pakistan.
★It went on to provide guidance and instruction to carry on the struggle in a peaceful
manner.
★It also included conditions for talks and finally provided clear instruction to the people
for all out fight, at whatever costs may be, for the achievement of the final victory from
the clutches of the Pakistanis.
★ It even mentioned what the people need to do even in the absence of their great
leader.
The speech had electrifying effects. It transformed then 75 million people, with the
exception of a few, into a national peoples’ army ready to fight till their last blood for the
independence of their motherland.
In reality, it proved to be so when the call for action came in the early hours of 26th
March, 1971 after the Pakistanis let loose a reign of terror that included indiscriminate
killing, murder, rape and arson in the name of heinous ‘Operation Search Light’. The
atrocities continued to be committed against the unarmed people till the final victory on
the 16th December 1971. In the struggle for freedom 3 million people laid down their
lives and tens of thousands of women lost their honour. The victory was achieved at a
great cost and misery of the millions of the people. But one thing that guided and
remained as beacon of light and hope to the struggling freedom loving people was the
speech of their great leader ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’. It rejuvenated
them in times of despair and uncertainty. The leader was not in their midst during those
trying times but his instructions were there which they found in the 7th March speech.
However, the true significance of Bangabandhu’s 7th March speech cannot be said to
be limited only to a clarion call for emancipation of the 75 million people of Bangladesh.
It transcended to every aspect of the lives of the people after the independence of the
country. It brought about a revolutionary change in the psyche of the nation. They
transformed into a brave and invincible nation. Against all odds, they embarked on
rebuilding the country under the leadership of their leader who returned to his new born
country on January 10 from captivity in Pakistan. In those extremely difficult times, the
people put their relentless efforts in the rehabilitation of 10 million people who took
refuge in India during liberation war and reconstruction of the war ravaged
infrastructure. The people from freedom fighters turned into nation builders. In the
shortest possible time, the refugees were rehabilitated and most of the communication
networks were restored.
Current Brexit Situation and Impact on Bangladesh.
---------------------------------------------------
Like the rest of the world, Bangladesh has its watchful eye on the development in the
United Kingdom, the fifth largest economy in the world, which is going through a rough
patch over the Brexit issue.
The term “Brexit” refers to the UK’s move to pull out of the European Union (EU), a
powerful bloc of 28 developed European countries, following a referendum in June 2016
in which the British people voted to leave the EU by a very small margin.
As things stand now, the UK will have to leave the EU by 11pm, UK time, on March 29
in accordance with the negotiations that started on March 29, 2017.
The UK has found itself in a limbo after the vote at the House of Commons, where the
deal negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May was rejected by the lawmakers 432 to
202 votes – the largest such defeat a government conceded in a century.
Now, the UK, one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, has three
choices:
1. get a new deal, which is unlikely according to the EU27;
2. leave the bloc without a deal;
3. or remain in the union.
According to experts and senior diplomats both at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the
Bangladesh High Commission in London, Bangladesh has reasons to be concerned
about the happenings in the UK, as it is one of Bangladesh’s largest development
partners with significant trade and investment, as well as a sizeable diaspora.
Earlier, it was believed that Brexit would not affect Bangladesh, but Tuesday’s vote
seem to have made the policy-makers think differently.
Bangladesh will not be affected largely if the UK leaves the EU with a “good” deal or
decides to stay back, they observed. However, the diplomats and experts said it would
be a cause for concern for Dhaka if London got out of the EU with a deal – or no deal –
that might affect the UK economy, a notion made by many experts and a majority of
lawmakers in the UK.
They further said if Britain landed in an economic “chaos” due to a bad deal, it is all but
certain that development assistance would go down, remittances sent by the expatriates
would reduce, investment would be affected, and prospects of employment of
Bangladeshis in the UK curry industry would subside.
“In fact, UK leaving EU may benefit us further because within the EU, London cannot do
certain things even if it wants to due to common EU rules and regulations. For instance,
on issues like migration and climate change, the British are much more liberal than
some other members of the bloc,” he added.
Expert believes Bangladesh is likely to suffer for a short period of time given the current
situation, but Britain will fix the problems in the long run.
There is no doubt that there will be some adverse effects on us if there is a bad deal or
no deal. The vote at the House of Commons reflects that most of the lawmakers,
including over 100 from the treasury bench, consider it a bad deal. The Bangladeshi
diaspora will feel the first pinch, which is most likely to extend to Bangladesh.
*Development assistance,
*investment,
*remittance and
*prospect of overseas employment are likely to be affected, at least temporarily
However, if the Brexit process is prolonged due to the rejection and hits the EU
business, the market may slow down, which in turn is likely to cut demands of goods,
leading to a slower export growth for Bangladesh, the economist said.
Bangladesh currently enjoys duty-free market access in the UK under Generalized
System of Preferences (GSP) facilities as a EU member.
In first half of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh exports to the UK saw a slowdown.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau, in the July-December period of 2018-19
fiscal year, Bangladesh earned $2.04 billion, up by 3.16% from the earnings during the
same period a year ago, which was $1.98 billion.
However, in the last fiscal year, Bangladesh export earnings from the UK saw an
11.76% growth, to $3.99 billion, compared to the previous year’s $3.57 billion.
(All data from Dhaka Tribune)
ঢাকা মহােগরীলি যােিলট প্রঙ্গিঙ্গেে ৩৮ োখ কম ষ ণ্টা েষ্ট হলয় বলে ২০১৭ সালে ঙ্গবশ্ব বোাংক
ঙ্গহসাব গেঙ্গখলয়ঙ্গেে; এক বের পর বুলয়লটর এক গলবর্র্ায় বো হলয়লে, এই অিটট ৫০ োখ কম ষ
ণ্টা।
এই যােিলট বেলর আঙ্গেক
ষ যঙ্গির পঙ্গরমার্ ৩৭ হািার গকাটট টাকা গেঙ্গখলয়লে বুলয়লটর েু টো
ষ
গলবর্র্া ইেঙ্গস্টটটউট, যা িািীয় বালিলটর ১১ িালগর এক িাগ।
ঢাকায় যােিলটর কারলর্ ঙ্গপক আওয়ালর গর্পঙ্গরবহেগুলোর গঙ্গিলবগ ণ্টায় ৫ ঙ্গকলোঙ্গমটালর
গেলম এলসলে, গযখালে পালয় গহাঁ লট র্োর গড় গঙ্গিও ৫ ঙ্গকলোঙ্গমটার।
প্রঙ্গিঙ্গেে ৫০ োখ কম ষ ণ্টা েষ্ট হলে। যােিলট প্রঙ্গি বের ৩৭ হািার গকাটট টাকা যঙ্গি হলে।
ঢাকা েহলর গর্পঙ্গরবহেগুো প্রঙ্গিঙ্গেে ৩৬ োখ টিলপ ৩৫ েিাাংে যােীলক কমলযলে
ষ ঙ্গেলয়
যায়।
ঢাকা েহলরর গমাট েু টোর
ষ ৭৪ েিাাংে পের্ারী পারাপালরর সময় লট।
একটট গমাটামুটট উন্নি েহলরর িেে ২৫ েিাাংে িালো সড়ক প্রলয়ািে। বাাংোলেলে রলয়লে
৭.৮ েিাাংে।
গেলের গমাট যােবাহলে মাে ০.১ েিাাংে ঙ্গবআরটটঙ্গস পঙ্গরর্ােো কলর। এলি বালসর সাংখো ১
হািার, িালকর সাংখো ১৫০।
১০ বেলর ঢাকায় যাে র্োর্লের গড় গঙ্গি ণ্টায় ২১ ঙ্গকলোঙ্গমটার গেলক ৭ ঙ্গকলোঙ্গমটার পযন্ত
ষ
গেলম এলসলে।
বাাংোলেলের েহুলর িেসাংখোর ৩৬ েিাাংলের ঢাকায় বসবাস কলর।