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Growth, governance and corruption in Bangladesh: a re-assessment

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  • M. Niaz Asadullah
  • N N Tarun Chakravorty

Abstract

This paper revisits Bangladesh’s ‘double paradox’ – sustained macroeconomic growth despite the poor state of governance and a high level of corruption – by critically reviewing trends in governance and corruption indicators during 1990–2017 vis-à-vis other South Asian countries. In addition, we draw upon data from a purposefully designed survey of manufacturing firms to assess the state of economic governance in the export-oriented ready-made garments (RMG) sector, the country’s main source of foreign exchange and driver of economic growth. Consistent with the country’s poor ranking in a host of indicators of investment climate and corruption perception, in-depth interviews of RMG factory owners confirm the high cost of doing business in various forms. We also find no evidence of growth-mediated improvements in indicators of governance. On the contrary, our review of print media reports suggests a growing governance deficit in the country’s financial sector. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for the country’s future growth as well as performance of the RMG sector.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Niaz Asadullah & N N Tarun Chakravorty, 2019. "Growth, governance and corruption in Bangladesh: a re-assessment," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(5), pages 947-965, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:ctwqxx:v:40:y:2019:i:5:p:947-965
    DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2019.1599854
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    Cited by:

    1. Islam, Md. Monirul & Irfan, Muhammad & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Vo, Xuan Vinh, 2022. "Renewable and non-renewable energy consumption in Bangladesh: The relative influencing profiles of economic factors, urbanization, physical infrastructure and institutional quality," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 1130-1149.
    2. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, Chih-Wei & Ho, Shan-Ju, 2020. "Country governance, corruption, and the likelihood of firms’ innovation," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 326-338.
    3. Tao, Miaomiao & Dagestani, Abd Alwahed & Goh, Lim Thye & Zheng, Yuhang & Le, Wen, 2023. "Do China's anti-corruption efforts improve corporate productivity? A difference-in-difference exploration of Chinese listed enterprises," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 87(PB).
    4. Aziz, Abdul & Naima, Umma, 2021. "Rethinking digital financial inclusion: Evidence from Bangladesh," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    5. Ridoan Karim & Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki & Mina Hemmati & Md Shah Newaz & Haroon Farooq & Mohd Nabil Muhtazaruddin & Muhammad Zulkipli & Jorge Alfredo Ardila-Rey, 2020. "Paving towards Strategic Investment Decision: A SWOT Analysis of Renewable Energy in Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-30, December.

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