LightCastle creates data-driven opportunities for growth and lasting impact for development partners, corporations, startups and SMEs. Till date, we have consulted for 120+ corporations & development partners, collaborated with 300+ SMEs & startups and supported 20+ accelerator programs across Bangladesh.
Among other strong macroeconomic indicators, increased digitization, higher disposable income and consistent GDP growth at around 7.2 percent (The World Bank) have influenced the country’s development over the last decade. To attract more investments both domestically and internationally, the government is now aiming to improve on the ease of doing business ranking of 176 (The […]
Bangladesh economy has expanded by a remarkable 7.86% to USD 275.8 billion in 2018 compared to 2017, resulting from strong private consumption, public investments and remittance inflows. Rising prosperity has brought forth a multitude of structural challenges for sustaining future growth. Growing secondary and tertiary sectors have increased appetite for resources critical for fueling future […]
The Microfinance industry in Bangladesh is growing amidst renewed competition from the banking sector and new agent banking initiatives. As the industry tackles challenges of high cost of borrowings and expansion of business, digitization of transactions is gradually starting to take precedence. Digitizing transaction has the potential to reduce cost components, increase efficiency and streamline […]
Bangladesh is on the trajectory to becoming an upper-middle-income economy and a developing nation. This has been possible due to steady macroeconomic performance and impressive growth. Positive transformation is occurring across industries in multiple folds. But these changes present newer challenges, too. However, by focusing on the essentials – skills development, digital transformation and impact […]
This report is published in association with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and focuses on the prospects of wage digitization in the apparel sector of Bangladesh and the inherent challenges and opportunities of the process.
The study was commissioned by the Partners for Water Program, an alliance consisting of the Embassy of the kingdom of Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water, RVO and the Netherlands Water Partnership. The objective of the study is to gather strategic insights on the current status quo and future prospects of […]
Bangladesh economy has arrived at the cusp of achieving the middle-income status with a number of indicators matching the graduation requirements. This has been possible due to steady macroeconomic performance led by an impressive growth trajectory. Good performance is reflected in the form of steady sovereign ratings (Moody’s, S&P and Fitch) and growing forex reserves […]
LightCastle Business Confidence Index (BCI) in 2017-18 has been found to be +43 on a scale of -100 to 100 – implying a cautiously optimistic sentiment. This score is 4 points higher than that of last year. The study aims to gauge business sentiments of private sector players representing a variety of industries across the economy. […]
There are around 2.7 billion people who live below U$ 2 a day. That’s 2 out of every 5. The total wealth distribution of the world has become extremely skewed. The richest 0.5% control over 35% of the total wealth. US and Europe collectively owns 60%+ of the world’s wealth. The rise of capitalism propelled […]
The FY2017-18 proposed budget has brought forth steep reactions from different quarters of the economy. Entrepreneurs from different sectors have been either positively or negatively impacted by changing government policies. The proposed budget targets a revenue of BDT 2,87,991 crore against an estimated expenditure of BDT 4,00,266 crore, amounting to a 5% deficit of BDT […]
Bangladesh economy has been experiencing stable growth, fueled by apparel driven export growth, expanding domestic market and stabilizing political conditions. However, looming uncertainties remain with the upcoming national elections scheduled early 2019, and stalled remittance growth from Middle-Eastern economies. Despite achieving commendable economic stability and progress, the economic growth needs to accelerate further through incremental […]
Bangladesh’s Business Confidence Index (BCI) has been found to be 39 on a scale of 100 – implying between low and moderate. The goal of the report is to quantify the prevalent business sentiments lending voice to the private sector business community, by coalescing their views in the form of a report. And this index […]
Bangladesh economy has exhibited impressive growth over the last decade despite myriad challenges. Rising GDP and stagnating population growth have contributed to rising per capita income, exceeding lower income threshold. Growth prospects for 2017-18 is upbeat with ADB, World Bank and Government forecasts predicting GDP growth to hover within the 6-7% range. Recent regional connectivity […]
Bangladesh is set for growth with a market of 160 million+ packed into a territory roughly one-quarter the size of Thailand (5th most dense in the world). The consumer class is young, technologically adaptable and exhibits high engagement through the mobile internet. As an emerging economy, Bangladesh has embraced technology at a rapid pace. The […]
The consumer class is young, technologically adaptable and exhibits high engagement through the mobile internet. As an emerging economy, Bangladesh has embraced technology at a rapid pace. The penetration of the telecom sector, mobile commerce and advent of internet based applications designed by businesses and supported by the tech friendly government validates the growth story […]