Bangladesh’s Economic ‘Recovery’ in the COVID-19 Era: A Paradox, a Puzzle or a Mirage

Articles | Ali Riaz

Introduction

Reports in late August and early September suggest that the Bangladeshi economy is making a comeback from the COVID-19 induced downturn. Bangladesh entered the seventh month of the pandemic in September with a death toll of at least 4,500 and more than 338,000 cases. Conflicting information about the economy, the state of public health and underlying politics have become available. Some have become euphoric, while others have expressed healthy skepticism about the trajectory. Questions have been raised whether a ‘paradox’ is in the making or is it simply a ‘puzzle’ yet to be solved. A deep dive into some of the available data offers a different perspective and raises a different question – is it a mirage?

Published Date: October 02, 2020