Trade liberalisation has been one of the major policy reforms in Bangladesh. This book aims to assess the dynamics of trade liberalisation. Which include an examination of the theoretical and empirical literature on the ‘trade liberalisation-growth nexus’, an evaluation of the changes in the policy regimes in Bangladesh, an examination of the changes in the extent of trade liberalisation in Bangladesh over time, an exploration of Bangladesh’s trade liberalisation in a global Perspective, an investigation of the ‘trade liberalisation – growth nexus’ in the context of the manufacturing industries in Bangladesh, and an exploration of the alternative options for the future direction of trade policy reform in Bangladesh. This book attempts to contribute to the empirical understanding of these dynamic issues.

A proper understanding of the dynamics of trade liberalisation is very important in the context of Bangladesh economy. There are debates among the economists and the policy makers in Bangladesh regarding the extent of trade liberalisation in Bangladesh, on whether the impact of trade liberalisation has been favourable to the domestic economy, and on the future direction of trade liberalisation in Bangladesh. Questions have been raesed over whether Bangladesh ought to undertake further drastic wholesale liberalisation of trade or take a more gradual approach. This book has tried to address these issues with the help of updated tools in economic analysis.

Author Description
Selim Raihan PhD, is a faculty member of the Department of Economics, University of Dhaka. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Manchester, UK. Dr Raihan’s research works focus on issues, such as trade policy, industrial policy, macroeconomic policies, poverty and income distribution in Bangladesh. Dr Raihan possesses expertise in applied economics research using micro- and macro-econometric modelling techniques and computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models. His recent applied international trade research works have focused on WTO issues and their implications for the Bangladesh economy, exports of readymade garments and MFA phase-out, import and export policies of Bangladesh, trade Liberalisation and growth performance, and regional integration in South Asia. Some of the major works of Dr. Raihan (along with co-authors) include: WTO and Regional Trade Negotiation outcomes: Quantitative Asswssments of potential Implications on Bangladesh (a book forthcoming), Trade and Industrial policy Enviroment in Bangladesh (a book forthcoming), Venturing into a Quota-free World: The RMG Industry of Bangladesh (a book forthcoming) Dr Raihan Foreign competition and Growth Nexus in the Bangladesh Manufacturing Industries (a chapter in a book titled ‘Competitive Advantage and Competition policy in Developing Countries’ published by the Edward and Elgar, London in 2007), and WTO Negotiations and Domestic Policy Reform- Implications for Poverty in Bangladesh: A Study in a Sequential Dynamic CGE Framework (a chapter in the book titled ‘Poverty and the WTO : Impacts of the Doha Development Agenda’ Published by the World Bank Washington in 2006). He had Presented his analytical works in conferences held in Geneva, Washington D.C, Montreal, Dhaka Cape Town, Quebec city. The Hague, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Addis Abba, Colombo, Kolkata, Islamabad and Nairobi.