Economic Update

The Covid-19 pandemic is having a major impact on the world we live in. The virus has not only wreaked havoc on our healthcare system, but has devastated the global economy. Amid the economic maelstrom, the Bangladesh economy finds itself in a precarious state, especially due to sagging apparel sales, declining remittances, soaring job losses, […]

The COVID-induced lockdown is striking all parts of the agriculture sector’s value chain. LightCastle Partners conducted holistic research to evaluate the effects of the lockdown on different food crop and vegetable sectors, as well as farmers and daily agro-based laborers.  The study reveals that the aforementioned sectors are suffering from a multitude of problems due […]

LightCastle Partners & Sheba.xyz collaborated on an independent study about the “COVID-19 Impact on the SMEs of Bangladesh”. The survey was conducted in late April with over 230 SME respondents from all over Bangladesh covering industries involving Trading & Production (48.4%) that includes Perishable & Grains, Poultry, Dairy, Fisheries, Jute Diversified Products, and Retail Store; […]

Since March of 2020, Bangladesh is experiencing the wrath of COVID-19 pandemic. As business shut down due to the lockdown, the entire startup ecosystem has been shaken to its core, threatening thousands of startups that create over a million jobs. To understand the impact further, LightCastle Partners commissioned an independent study – “COVID-19 Impact on […]

The global coronavirus pandemic will be perilous for the rural, agrarian population in developing countries such as Bangladesh. In order to evaluate the income-crippling effects of the pandemic and consequent lockdown, LightCastle Partners has conducted a rapid, nationwide survey of 160 rural farmers and workers across 8 divisions.  The analysis finds that 80.4% of respondents […]

Bangladesh witnessed its first official casualty from the Covid-19 coronavirus on March 8, 2020. In order to understand the impact of Covid-19 on the livelihoods of RMG workers in Urban Dhaka and their families, LightCastle Partners had conducted rapid response surveys across major Low-Income Communities (LIC) in the greater Dhaka region in early April 2020. […]

Bangladesh witnessed its first official casualty from the Covid-19 coronavirus on March 8, 2020. Conducted in early April, this study looks at the impact of Covid-19 on the livelihoods of urban low-income and lower-middle-income working population of Dhaka. A total of 113 respondents, employed in Dhaka Division (segregated into Dhaka Metro, Greater Dhaka North and […]

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 […]

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 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 […]