Bangladesh Journal of Political Economy Vol. 39, No. 1

Editor’s Note

The Bangladesh Journal of Political Economy (BJPE) has long served as a vital forum where rigorous economic inquiry meets the lived realities of our people. Volume 39, Number 1 (June 2023) arrives at a defining juncture. Though grounded in the empirical landscape of 2023, these contributions carry remarkable foresight, anticipating the monetary tightening, reserve constraints, and climate vulnerabilities that now define our present trajectory.

True progress can not be reduced to cold aggregates or market indices; it must be measured in the dignity and resilience of our most vulnerable citizens. This issue places human development at the heart of economic analysis. From the intricate interlocking of agricultural labour in Dinajpur and the fragile livelihoods of Tanguar Haor, to the social costs of parental migration on child schooling and the emerging burden of adolescent health, our contributors illuminate the human face of structural change. Alongside these grassroots examinations, the volume offers precise macroeconomic assessments: commercial bank capital adequacy, exchange rate dynamics, equity market volatilities, and the delicate trade-offs between industrial expansion, defence expenditure, and ecological sustainability.

As Bangladesh navigates LDC graduation, our policy architecture must evolve. We must transcend mere growth metrics and cultivate institutions that deliver equitable opportunity, transparent governance, and environmental stewardship—a vision deeply aligned with the pursuit of a ‘Enlightened Society’. Economic stability, after all, is meaningless unless it translates into lasting human welfare.

I extend my profound gratitude to our reviewers, the Editorial Board, and the dedicated researchers—both experienced scholars and emerging voices—whose careful work gives this volume its substance. In my many decades of teaching and public engagement, I have remained convinced that the surest compass for our future is a clear-eyed, compassionate reading of our present. May these pages inspire thoughtful dialogue and courageous, people-centred strategies for a resilient Bangladesh.

Professor Mahbub Ullah, Ph.D
Editor, Bangladesh Journal of Political Economy
Convener, Interim Committee, Bangladesh Economic Association