The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh
and Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI),
Norway are jointly implementing a 3-year research programme
focusing on issues of common interest to both the organisations
and the countries. The programme is to be implemented during
2010-2012 with support from the
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA). The signing ceremony of the programme took place
on 23 June 2010 at the CPD office. Professor Rehman Sobhan,
Chairman, CPD was present at the ceremony. HE Ms Ingebjorg
Stofring, Ambassador of Norway in Bangladesh at that time
signed the tripartite agreement on behalf of the Norwegian MFA.
Dr Arne Wiig and Professor Mustafizur Rahman put their
respective signatures on behalf of the CMI and CPD.
The broad objective of this programme is to
contribute towards improved governance and inclusive growth in
Bangladesh. The programme will be implemented under two themes
“Inclusive Growth” and “Good Governance” and research will be
carried out on the following seven areas:
Inclusive Growth
·
Agricultural Trade with India: Implications for
Food Security and Poverty
·
Private Sector Development: The Role of Education
and Business Training
·
Governance and Energy in Bangladesh: The Role of
FDI
Good Governance
·
The Parliament of Bangladesh
·
The Political Parties of Bangladesh
·
Political Governance in Bangladesh
·
Democracy and Corruption
Along with research, the programme also envisages
a number of other activities such as expert consultation,
dialogues and workshops (in Bangladesh and also in
Norway), training, publications (policy briefs,
journal and newspaper articles) and exchange visits.
Lead researchers who will be involved in the
above seven projects include, among others:
Project 1:
Agricultural Trade with India: Implications for Food Security
and Poverty in Bangladesh
The
report titled “Agricultural Trade between Bangladesh and
India: An Analysis of Trends, Trading Patterns and
Determinants” has been published as CPD-CMI Working Paper
3.
The
article titled “Agricultural Trade between Bangladesh and
India: An Analysis of Trends, Trading Patterns and
Determinants” is submitted to Journal of Asian Economics.
The
report titled “Impact of Indian Policies on Rice Price in
Bangladesh” has been published as CPD-CMI Working Paper 4.
The report is jointly prepared by S Raihan and T I Khan.
A draft
policy brief on “Impact of Indian Policies on Bangladesh
Rice Price” has been prepared by T I Khan
An
article titled “Impact of Indian Policies on Rice Price in
Bangladesh” is prepared to submit in a referred journal.
Made a
presentation by T. I. Khan on “Impact of Indian Policies on
Rice Price” at an in-house discussion meeting at CMI,
Bergen on 2 October, 2012.
Finalised the report titled
“Impact of Indian Policies on Rice Price” incorporating
reviewer’s comments. It will be published under the
CPD-CMI Working Paper series.
Prof. M
Rahman and Dr D Bhattacharya attended the “India-Bangladesh
Dialogue” organized by Asian Transport Organisation, CPD
held in New Delhi on 4-5 October and made a presentation on
“Duty Free Market Access Offer of India to Bangladesh:
Taking Advantage of the Initiative- The Next Steps”
Prof. M.
Rahman attended the meeting on “Bangladesh’s Trade Policy
Review” as part of official delegate during 14-19 October,
2012.
Project 2:
Private Sector Development: Role of Education
Prepared
the survey dataset and merged it with the dataset
of HIES 2005. Discussed in detail regarding the analytical
issues and distribution of work between CPD and CMI.
Made a
presentation by Dr KG Moazzem on “Entrepreneurship
and Poverty: Methodological Issues and Preliminary Findings”
in the International
Conference titled “Bangladesh Conference: New Context and
New Challenges” at CMI on 19 April, 2012.
Made a
presentation on “CPD-CMI Survey Data” by K.G. Moazzem at the
CMI on 3 October, 2012.
Published
an article titled “The Challenge for Development of
Bangladesh’s Small and Cottage Industries and the Activities
of BSCIC: An Analytical Review” By K G Moazzem in the
special issue on the 55th Anniversary of the
Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industry Corporation (BSCIC).
Analysed the survey data. First draft had been made.
Project 3:
FDI in the Energy Sector and Economic Growth in Bangladesh
Made a presentation by Dr F. Khatun on “Development
of the Energy Sector in Bangladesh: Role of FDI”
in the International
Conference titled “Bangladesh Conference: New Context and
New Challenges” at CMI on 19 April, 2012.
Prepared a draft report by Dr F. Khatun and M.G.
Ahamad on “Development of the Energy Sector in Bangladesh:
Role of FDI”
Prepared a journal article
by Dr I Kolstad and Dr A. Wiigon
“Digging
in the Dirt?: Extractive Industry FDI and Corruption” and
submitted to a referred journal. Accepted for resubmission.
Prepared
a paper by Dr K.G. Moazzem titled “Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI) in Bangladesh (1972-2010): An
Exploratory Note from Host Country Perspective” which is
submitted for publication as a book chapter.
Master
thesis completed by K. Rørvik on CSR
Project 4:
The Parliament of Bangladesh: Accountability and Control
Made a presentation by Professor R. Jahan and Dr I
Amundsen on “The
Role of the Parliament in Bangladesh”
in
the International
Conference titled “Bangladesh Conference: New Context and
New Challenges” at CMI on 19 April, 2012.
Published CMI Policy Brief titled Parliament of
Bangladesh. Boycotts, Business, and Change for the Better
which is prepared by Dr I Amundsen(CMI Brief March 2012,
Vol. 11, No. 2). in April, 2012.
PublishedCPD-CMI Policy Brief (in English)
titled The Parliament of Bangladesh: Challenges and Way
Forward which is prepared by Prof. R Jahan. It was
published in April, 2012.
Published
CPD-CMI Policy Brief titled “Bangladesher Jatiya
Sangsad: Challenge ebong Shommukhe Egiye Jabar Poth (in
Bangla) in July, 2012 which is prepared by Prof. R Jahan.
Prepared
an article titled ‘The Parliament of Bangladesh:
Representation and Responsiveness’ by Prof. R Jahan (and
Inge Amundsen) to be submitted in a referred journal.
Completed distribution of the CPD-CMI Working
Paper 2 titled “The
Parliament of Bangladesh: Accountability and Representation”
among the MPs and the Parliamentary Committees.
Completed
distribution of the CPD-CMI Working Paper 2 titled “The
Parliament of Bangladesh: Accountability and Representation”
among the MPs and the Parliamentary Committees.
Prof. Jahan was an invited participant at a
roundtable discussion to launch of the First Global
Parliamentary Report which was organized by IPU and UNDP,
New York on July 19, 2012.
Prof. Jahan invited panelist to speak at the launch
of the Global Parliamentary Report organized by UNDP,
Bangladesh, Dhaka in September 15, 2012.
Article published in the Forum, vol. 6,
January 2012, titled ‘Keeping Democracy Alive’ based
on interview with Professor Jahan.
Op-ed
by Professor Rounaq Jahan, The Parliament of Bangladesh:
Challenges and Way Forward, the Daily Star, June 3,
2012.
Project 5:
Political Parties in Bangladesh
As
part of initiation of the field work, preparatory works such
as identifying respondents, making appointments with the
respondents are ongoing. Prof. R. Jahan is in overall charge
of these works.
Dr.
Inge Amundsen submitted an article titled
‘Democratic Dynasties? Internal Party Democracy in
Bangladesh’ to the journal Party Politics, in
January 2013.
Prof.
Jahan has completed data analysis and is preparing the draft
report titled “Political Parties in Bangladesh” to be
published as CPD-CMI Working Paper
Prof. R. Jahan made a presentation in the Summit
on Women’s Leadership organized by UN-Women, Jaipur,
India, October 4, 2012.
Prof. Jahan has made a
presentation on “Political Parties of Bangladesh” in
the Expert Group Meeting organized by CPD on 8 November,
2012.
Prof. Jahan made a keynote presentation on ‘Future
of Democracy’ at a Roundtable meeting, participated
organised by SUJON on March 28, 2012
Prof. Jahan made a presentation on political parties
at Jahangir Nagar University, Bangladesh, November 10, 2012
Prof Jahan published in the Prothom Alo,
November 4, 2011 titled ‘Vision for Bangladesh: Political
Parties’.
Project 6: Strengthening Fiscal Autonomy and Financial
Accountability of Local Government in Bangladesh
Completed the discussion on identification and
finalisation of the theme of the proposed study under the
revised plan for project 6 during the Second Annual Meeting
in April, 2012 at CMI.
Prepared the concept note titled
“Strengthening Fiscal Autonomy and Financial Accountability
of Local Government in Bangladesh with Special Reference to
Pourashavas/Municipalities (the middle urban tier)” by Dr D.
Bhattacharya and Dr. M. Monem (DU)
Finalised the activities to be carried out by
CMI. These include one study on cross country analysis on
decentralization and corruption; another study on global
experience on fiscal issues related to the local government.
Expert
group meeting on “Strengthening Fiscal Autonomy
and Financial Accountability of Local Government in
Bangladesh with Special Reference to Pourashavas/Municipalities
(the middle urban tier)” to be held on 7 November, 2012.
Literature
review and a note on the relationship between corruption and
decentralization.
Field survey was carried out during December,
2012- February, 2013.
Project 7:
Democracy and corruption
Made a presentation on “Democracy-Corruption
Nexus in Bangladesh: An Economic
Interpretation” by Dr. D. Bhattacharya in the International
Conference titled “Bangladesh Conference: New Context and
New Challenges” at CMI on 19 April, 2012.
Made a presentation on “Democracy
and Corruption” by Dr I. Kolstad in the
International
Conference titled “Bangladesh Conference: New Context and
New Challenges” at CMI on 19 April, 2012.
Made a presentation on “Democracy and
Corruption” by Dr. I. Kolstad at the “Nordic Conference in
Development Economics, Gothenburg, 19 June 2012.
Prepared an article on “Impact
of Democracy on Economic Growth in Bangladesh: A
Cointegrated VAR Approach"by
Dr. D. Bhattacharya and S. Dasgupta for submission in a
referred journal.
Prepared an article titled “Does Democracy
Reduce Corruption?” by Dr I Kolstad and Dr A. Wiig which is
submitted to a referred journal.
Literature review for the study on “Impact
of Corruption on Economics Growth” is ongoing. Dr Debapriya
Bhattacharya is leading the study.
Project 8:
Capacity building and sustainability
Dr K.G. Moazzem and Mr T.I. Khan
visited CMI during 26 September-9 October, 2012.
A
team of CPD’s senior and mid-level officials of Dialogue,
Communication and Accounts Divisions have visited CMI during
10 September, 2012- 20 September, 2012.
Prof. M Rahman and Dr D Bhattacharya attended
the “India-Bangladesh Dialogue” organized by Asian Institute
of Transport Development, New Delhi and CPD which was held
in New Delhi on 4-5 October, 2012. Prof. Rahman made a
presentation on “Duty Free Market Access Offer of India to
Bangladesh: Taking Advantage of the Initiative The Next
Steps”
Prof. M. Rahman attended the meeting on
“Bangladesh’s Trade Policy Review” as a government delegate
during 14-19 October, 2012.
Prof. M. Rahman and Dr D Bhattacharya attended
the WTO Public Forum which was held in September,
2012.
Project 9:
Project monitoring and dissemination
A
research conference was held at CMI 19th and 20th
of April 2012 where international experts were invited for
commenting papers prepared by some of the CPD/CMI
researchers involved in the project. The conference has been
streamed in order to disseminate our findings to a wider
audience.
CPD/CMI
researchers provided presentations at the Bangladesh
Frontier Forum 17 April.
A
new Bangladesh WEB site has been created at CMI. It gives
information about the programme and provides links to
important institutions dealing with Bangladesh, CPD in
particular. A novel feature of the homepage is that it
provides information about newly internationally
published/forthcoming articles within the programme field
(poverty and governance). In addition, it provides
Bangladesh news.
The communication and accounting units at the
two institutions have had several meetings at CMI (see
project 8 above). Based on these meetings, the communication
department at CMI has prepared a note on common
communication strategies.
1.2 Exchange
visits
Dr
K.G. Moazzem and Mr T.I. Khan visited CMI during 26
September-9 October, 2012. Both made presentations at CMI.
A team of
CPD senior and mid-level officials of Dialogue,
Communication and Accounts divisions have visited CMI during
10 September, 2012- 20 September, 2012. Ms A. F. Yousuf made
a presentation on “-Role of Civil Society in Civic Activism:
CPD's Experience” on 13 September, 2012, CMI, Bergen.
Between 16 September 2011 - 24
April 2012
Project 1: Agricultural Trade with India:
Implications for Food Security and Poverty in Bangladesh
·Completed
the study on “Changes in Indian Agricultural Policies and Their
Implications on the Bangladesh Economy “. Draft report will be
sent to reviewers for comments.
• Report on “Agricultural Trade between
Bangladesh and India: An Analysis of Trends, Trading Patterns
and Determinants” is ready for publication.
Project 2: Private Sector Development: Role of
Education
• Retracing survey was carried out among 2100
households who were covered under HIES 2005. Total households
traced were more than 1600.
• Published an article titled “Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises in Bangladesh: Are They Scaling Up?” by KG
Moazzem in the special issue on SME Development in Bangladesh in
the Daily New Age.
Project 3: FDI in the Energy Sector and Economic
Growth in Bangladesh
• Completed literature review; prepared
methodological framework and prepared dataset and did
preliminary analysis
Project 4: The Parliament of Bangladesh:
Accountability and Control
• Published the study report titled “The
Parliament of Bangladesh: Accountability and Control” as CPD-CMI
working paper
• CMI policy brief will be published in April,
2012
• CPD policy briefs (English &Bengali) will be
published in April, 2012
Project 5: Political Parties in Bangladesh
• Literature review is completed; data
collection will be carried out in April-June, 2012
Project 7: Democracy and corruption
• Literature review and dataset preparation
are completed
• Econometric analysis has been done and an
article has been submitted to an international reputable
journal.
• First draft of the report titled “Democracy-Corruption Nexus
in Bangladesh: An Interpretation from Economic Perspective” is
ready.
Exchange visits
As part of exchange programme under the Programme,
six senior researchers of CPD visited CMI during 15-23 April,
2012. The team comprised:
Professor
Rehman Sobhan, Chairman, CPD
Professor
Mustafizur Rahman, Executive Director, CPD
Dr
Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow, CPD
Professor
Rounaq Jahan, Distinguished Fellow, CPD
Dr Fahmida
Khatun, Head, Research Division, CPD
Dr
Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Senior Research Fellow, CPD and
Programme Coordinator, CPD-CMI Programme
The team attended a number of programmes
organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Dhaka; Christen
Michelsen Institute (CMI), Bergen and Centre for Policy Dialogue
(CPD), Dhaka.
Research (till 15 September 2011)
Two research reports have been prepared under the
Project 1: “Agricultural Trade with India”. Both the reports
have been presented in seminars/workshop. These reports are:
·KAS
Murshid (2011) ‘Traditional Market Institutions and Complex
Exchange: Exploring Transition and Change in the Bangladesh Rice
Market’. The paper is submitted to an international journal.
·AKM
Nazrul Islam, M. Alamin, M.G. Ahamad and U.K. Deb (2011)
‘Agriculture Trade between India and Bangladesh: An Analysis of
Trends and Trading Patterns’. Draft report will be sent to the
internal reviewers.
One research report has been prepared under
Project 7: Democracy and corruption. Arne Wiig and Ivar Kolstad
(2011). ‘Does democracy reduce corruption’?
Under Project 4 on the study titled ‘Parliament
of Bangladesh, Accountability and Representation’. A draft
report was presented at a dialogue in Dhaka on October 13, 2011;
and a working paper published. Lead researchers are Dr Rounaq
Jahan and Dr Inge Amundsen.
Dialogue/Conference/Training
·Brainstorming
session with MPs, academics, and civil society representatives
to discuss the studies on “Parliament of Bangladesh:
Accountability and Control” and “The Political Parties of
Bangladesh”. The session was organised by CPD on 22
September 2010.
·CMI
organised a seminar in Bergen, Norway where Dr K A S Murshid
made a presentation on “Agrarian Market Institutions in South
Asia: Dynamics and Change in the Bangladesh Rice Market” on 7
December 2010.
·In
view of strengthening the research capacity of junior, mid and
senior researchers of CPD, an in-house training workshop has
been organised on “Input-Out Analysis, Social Accounting Matrix
and CGE Modelling”. Two CGE experts namely Mr Rob Davies
Research Fellow, Trade and Industry Policy Strategies (TIPS),
South Africa and Mr Dirk van Seventer, Principal Information
Analyst, Department of Labour, New Zealand gave the training on
CGE modelling. The workshop was held on 5-15 April, 2011. A follow
up study has been initiated.
Visits
·CMI
officials visited CPD for Project Review Meetings in October
2010 and March 2011.
·Dr.
KAS Murshid of BIDS visited CMI during 16 November, 2010 - 12
December, 2010. As part of this visit, Dr Murshid presented his
draft paper in the Conference “Halvdag seminar” in Bergen,
Norway on 7th December 2010.
·Dr
Eirik G Jansen, visited CPD on 3 March, 2011 and made a
presentation on "Some Impressions from a Revisit to a Village in
Bangladesh after 30 years”. A number of renowned economists of
Bangladesh attended the session.
·Ms
Kristin Rorvik, a Masters’ student at CMI visited CPD during 25
January, 2011 to 9 March, 2011.
·Professor
Rounaq Jahan and Professor Rehman Sobhan visited CMI, Bergen
during June, 2011. As part of this visit, Professor Jahan
presented a paper on "Parliament of Bangladesh, Accountability
and Representation" in a seminar that was arranged by the CMI.
