Bangladesh
Over the past ten years economic growth in Asia has contributed to a reduction of poverty as well as fertility rates, and greater prosperity has contributed to gains in life expectancy. However, at present many workers still work in informal employment, frequently for long hours at little pay and without social protection coverage. A growing demand for social support, extending the coverage of social protection benefits and improving the job quality of workers will be among Asia’s major challenges in future. This report considers these challenges, providing policy examples from countries to illustrate good practice, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore and Viet Nam.
1984: Income Tax Ordinance; provides for favourable tax treatment of occupational provident, pension and gratuity plans.
Achieving sustainable, equitable and resilient societies is humankind’s challenge for the 21st century. In pursuit of this ambition, the international development community needs a shared, universal framework, within which to work more closely together. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the obvious answer, but a number of technical, political and organisational challenges prevent development co-operation providers from using them as their common results framework. Based on seven case studies, this publication identifies two critical factors and one game changer that can help overcome those challenges. First, country leadership needs to be supported by the international community. Second, development partners need to change their set-ups in order to deliver on the SDGs. Finally, by forcing governments and development partners to reset their long-term strategies and rethink their internal systems, the COVID-19 pandemic provides them with a rare opportunity to use the SDG framework collectively as a roadmap to recovery: this can be a game changer.
This case study explores whether the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be used as a shared framework by all actors to manage development co-operation for results in lower middle-income countries, taking Bangladesh as a case study. The study offers an introduction to Bangladesh’s progress in mainstreaming the Goals in national policy making, as well as in monitoring the SDG targets and indicators. The report then focuses on the experiences of development co-operation partners in aligning their country-level programmes and frameworks with the SDGs, and identifies enabling factors, drivers and obstacles that contribute to SDG alignment and monitoring in Bangladesh. The study concludes with recommendations for both the government and its development partners to increase the collective use of the SDG framework and improve the policy coherence, effectiveness and sustainable impact of all development efforts.
This chapter analyses two case studies of apprenticeship programme design and delivery in the context of the formal and informal economy of Bangladesh. It analyses the methods of improving participation and deepening employer engagement in order to build skills in a context of a labour market with low levels of skill and high levels of informality. Specific challenges and lessons for other emerging economies are also addressed.
Since gaining independence in 1971, Bangladesh has achieved significant progress. Its economy has transformed from one of the poorest in the world to a growing South Asian economy, home to a global manufacturing hub of ready-made garments (RMG). However, Bangladesh's achievements should not lead to complacency. The country is grappling with multiple challenges, from mitigating the impacts of climate change to preparing for LDC graduation. To secure a prosperous future, Bangladesh needs to prioritise new drivers of growth. It should shift from a price-led competitiveness model to one grounded on quality and innovation. Bangladesh also needs to shift its business mindset and modernise its policy approach for industrial development. Advancing on digitalisation and updating international partnerships are key to sustaining future progress. Above all, Bangladesh needs to future-proof the state to make it work as a value-driven and rules-based system. Chief in this transition from nation to state building is the modernisation of its institutional arrangements and the empowering of institutions to effectively deliver policies and operate in a highly dynamic and interdependent world.
Several land value capture instruments are used in Bangladesh (). The national legal framework foresees charges for development rights and infrastructure levies, but they are rarely implemented, due to insufficient administrative capacities. There is no legal framework for developer obligations. Large-scale development projects sometimes adopt land readjustment. Land management is used little for strategic purposes.
Bangladesh acceded to the UNCAC in February 2007 and was a founding member of the APG in 1997. The Bangladeshi legal system is based on English common law. Bangladesh’s criminal bribery offences have not been externally reviewed.
Bangladesh is a highly patriarchal society and gender discrimination is evident across all levels. Women are dependent on men throughout their lives. The Constitution affirms gender equality, but state legislation and institutions frequently disregard women’s rights. Women and young girls are more disadvantaged than men in their access to education, health care and financial assets.