There are two ways to look at Bangladesh’s approach to friendlier relations on equal terms with China. One is to look at the terms of the relationship and say that friendlier relations is hardly in the cards; rather the relationship is one of mere exploitation at the cost of solid footing elsewhere. The other is […]
Bangladesh has been buying stuff from China and China has been happy selling stuff to Bangladesh, without much concern for doing some shopping of its own. That is now about to change. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina currently in the middle of a five day visit to China carried with her great hope that China would […]
The House Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Global Environment held a hearing yesterday on US-Japan Relations. The subcommittee brought together a panel of experts (half in government, half think tankers) to discuss the current state of the Alliance and the best possible ways to strengthen ties. I found it surprisingly […]
The sitting government is making swift and sound moves to shore up the country’s infrastructure. It now seems like the government has been able to attract private foreign investment to help pay for the infrastructure construction. The Communications Minister, Syed Abul Hossain has communicated to his fellow parliamentarians that up to nine foreign firms […]
This past Sunday in Beijing marked the closing of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and its more eclectic sidekick, the China People’s Political Consultative Congress, familiarly known in Chinese as lianghui, or “the two meetings.” Both are typically derided as “rubber-stamp” bodies, theatrical reenactments of democracy that give the public a vague whiff of political […]
Thailand: Since the weekend, 120,000 to 250,000 Red Shirts have concentrated on Bangkok, demanding that Thai PM Abhisit dissolve Parliament and call for new elections, which they believe will usher the opposition into a majority, and hopefully signal the return of ousted and exiled Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra. By Monday, the Red Shirts had succeeded […]
Image: Shahidul Alam, NY Times Lens Blog Bangladesh has the disreputable distinction of being a democracy that supports a killing squad. The Rapid Action Battalion, an “anti-crime” paramilitary group that has killed more that 550 people, under circumstances that are, at best, suspicious. The smarter bet is that this group has been engaging in extra-judicial […]
Given the milestones that have marked the recent history of the overwhelmingly successful microfinance institution (MFI) business model, it is only appropriate that there be some consideration of retrenching and maintaining some sustainability in the MFI market. Surely none of us are so secure in the obvious beneficences of micro-finance that we cannot fathom that […]
In the past few months, China’s senior-most officials have all identified structural economic reform as one of the nation’s most important priorities. Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, premier-in-waiting Li Keqiang, and Minister for Industry and Information Technology Li Yizhong have each publicly stressed the need for domestic demand to supplant exports as China’s main engine of […]
Border skirmishes around Jaintapur and Padua threaten to destabilize the hard won amity that Bangladesh now shares with India. The Daily Star reports: “Indian Border Security Force dug 25 bunkers following an overnight intrusion into Bangladesh territory through Padua-Protappur border in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet and retreated yesterday afternoon after 19 hours.” “The BSF’s retreat […]
There are two new Economist articles that highlight the impact and consequence of micro-credit, or more generally micro finance institutions, that in Bangladesh moved millions of families away from the gaping jaws of extreme poverty, toward a vision of more sustainable, capability oriented lives. The first article deals with innovations that have empowered women. Though […]
The upshot of the recent trip to Beijing by NSC Senior Director Jeffrey Bader and Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg? The U.S. got an earful about China’s top three foreign policy concerns: “Taiwan, Taiwan, Taiwan” (courtesy of The Cable). “It was all about Taiwan,” said Bonnie Glaser, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic […]
Bangladeshi entrepreneurs are ahead of the curve again. This time its innovations in agricultural development and production. The good news at issue is: using 40% less nitrogen fertiizer, farmers have increased rice yield by 20%. And why is this a significant achievement? The NY Times blog Green Inc has some answers: “Chemical fertilizers are critical […]
The High Court in Dhaka quashed all the corruption charges brought against sitting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her involvement in purchasing Russian MIG-29 planes during her previous term in office. The charges, brought by a group that was associated with the BNP-led coalition were dropped declared the Court because the charges were meant […]
In what could potentially be a significant step towards women’s empowerment in India, the Rajya Sabha* yesterday passed the ‘Women’s Reservation Bill’ with 186 votes. Also known as the Constitution (108th) Amendment Bill 2008, it seeks to reserve 33% of the seats in the national and state legislatures for women. The Manmohan Singh government had hoped to have it passed on March 8, International Women’s […]
