During the past twenty years or so, Bangladesh has implemented wide-ranging trade policy reforms. These liberalization measures have led to a remarkable decline in quantitative restrictions, notable opening up of trade in many restricted items, significant rationalization and diminution of import tariffs, fundamental transformation of the foreign exchange regime and promotion of the export-oriented sectors. Although a remarkable rise in exports marks the same period, if the growth of the ready made garment sector is to be attributed to a restricted textiles and clothing global trade managed under the Multi-fibre Arrangement (MFA) regime, which expired only recently, the impact of liberalization in stimulating export response can be doubted. In the aftermath of the MFA Phase out, how effective a policy of liberalization will be in promoting exports is therefore a serious concern.

This book reviews the main elements of trade and industrial policy environment in Bangladesh and their envolution to current situation, while examining the trade policy options for supporting exports and growth. It also provides an appraisal of investment climate assessments to identify the most relevant issues for consideration, and attempts a brief review of constraints associated with some selected non-traditional export sectors.

Author Description
Abdur Razzaque
With a Ph D from the University of Sussex, UK, Dr Abdur Razzaque is a faculty member of the Department of Economics at Dhaka University. His primary research interests lie in the area of international trade and trade policy analysis. Dr Razzaque’s recent publications include several chapters in a book titled Commodity prices and Development (published by oxford University Press : UK), a chapter in WTO at the Margins (published by Cambridge University Press : UK), and an edited volume, Global Rice Trade Liberalisation : Implications for South Asian Countries (published by Commonwealth Secretariat and Academic Foundation). His other major works on Bangladesh (along with co-authors) are : WTO and Regional Trade Negotiations outcomes : Quantitative Assessments of potential Implications on Bangladesh, and Venturing into a Quota free World : RMG Exports from Bangladesh. Two of his forthcoming books ( with co-authors) on poverty and income distribution are : Intra-household Resource Allocation Dynamics: A Study on Bangladesh, and Documenting the Undocumented : Female Migrant workers from Bangladesh. Dr Razzaque has contributed to research projects commissioned by, amongst others, Asian Development Bank, Bangladesh Institute of Development studies (BIDS), Commonwealth secretariat, International Development Research centre (IDRC), CUTS International, ILO, Planning commission of Bangladesh, UNCTAD, UNDP, and world Bank. He has also presented his works in various national and international conferences and workshops.

Selim Raihan
Dr. Selim Raihan, a faculty member of the Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, holds a PhD from the University of Manchester, UK. Dr Raihan’s research works focus on issues related to international trade, macroeconomic policies, and poverty. Dr Raihan possesses expertise in micro- and macro-econometric modelling techniques and computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models. One of Dr. Raihan’s recent publications is Dynamics of Trade Liberalisation in Bangladesh: Analyses of policies and practices (a book published in Dhaka in June 2007). Some of other major works of Dr Raihan include (along with co-authors): WTO and Regional Trade Negotiations outcomes : Quantitative Assessments of potential Implications on Bangladesh, and Venturing into a Quota-free World : The Ready made Garment Industry in Bangladesh. Dr Raihan contributed several chapters in competitive Advantage and Competition Policy in Developing Countries (a book published by the Edward and Elgar, London in 2007). He was also a co-author of a chapter in poverty and the WTO: Impacts of the Doha Development Agenda (a book published by the World Bank, Washington in 2006). One of his forthcoming books (with co-authors) on poverty and income distribution is :Intra-household Resource Allocation Dynamics: A Study on Bangladesh. Dr. Raihan has worked for several national and international organisations including UNDP, World Bank, PEP, Commonwealth Secretariat, CUTS International, CPD and BIDS, and has also presented his analytical works in a number of national and international conferences.