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The Informal Financial Sector in Bangladesh: An Appraisal of its Role in Development

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  • Atiq Rahman

Abstract

Informal financial markets in developing countries, and their role in the development process itself, form a relatively neglected area when it comes to research and policy planning. It seems, however, that this may be due to inaccurate perceptions of the value and effectiveness of this sector, and of its relationship to formal sector financial institutions. This paper uses data from an extensive research project on informal financial markets in Bangladesh to examine the size of the informal market, its relationship to the formal financial sector and the part it plays in the process of development. The paper concludes that, in all these aspects, the informal financial markets are more important, more efficient and more equitable than is generally supposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Atiq Rahman, 1992. "The Informal Financial Sector in Bangladesh: An Appraisal of its Role in Development," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 23(1), pages 147-168, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:devchg:v:23:y:1992:i:1:p:147-168
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7660.1992.tb00441.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bhaduri, Amit, 1973. "A Study in Agricultural Backwardness under Semi-Feudalism," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 83(329), pages 120-137, March.
    2. Bardhan, Pranab K, 1980. "Interlocking Factor Markets and Agrarian Development: A Review of Issues," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 32(1), pages 82-98, March.
    3. Bhaduri, Amit, 1977. "On the Formation of Usurious Interest Rates in Backward Agriculture," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 1(4), pages 341-352, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mallick, Debdulal, 2012. "Microfinance and Moneylender Interest Rate: Evidence from Bangladesh," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(6), pages 1181-1189.
    2. Ngalawa, Harold & Viegi, Nicola, 2013. "Interaction of formal and informal financial markets in quasi-emerging market economies," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 614-624.
    3. Felicitas NOWAK-LEHMANN D. & Inma MARTÍNEZ-ZARZOSO & Dierk HERZER & Stephan KLASEN & Axel DREHER, 2010. "Foreign Aid and Its Effect on Per-Capita Income (Growth) in Recipient Countries: Pitfalls and Findings from a Time Series Perspective," EcoMod2010 259600121, EcoMod.
    4. Lutz G. Arnold & Benedikt Booker, 2012. "Good Intentions Pave the Way to ... the Local Moneylender," Working Papers 126, Bavarian Graduate Program in Economics (BGPE).
    5. Anwar Ahmed, 1994. "The Informal Financial Sector in Bangladesh: An Appraisal of its Role in Development — A Comment," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 25(3), pages 635-640, July.
    6. Madestam, Andreas, 2014. "Informal finance: A theory of moneylenders," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 157-174.
    7. David Giles & Patrick Caragata, 2001. "The learning path of the hidden economy: the tax burden and tax evasion in New Zealand," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(14), pages 1857-1867.
    8. Richard Kwabi Ayisi, 2022. "Does informal banking influence monetary policy transmission? Some empirical evidence for Ghana," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(2), pages 2345-2355, April.
    9. Jain, Sanjay & Mansuri, Ghazala, 2003. "A little at a time: the use of regularly scheduled repayments in microfinance programs," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(1), pages 253-279, October.
    10. Madiha MUNIR & Saira TUFAIL & Ather Maqsood AHMED, 2023. "Financial Segmentation and Transmission of Monetary and Real Shocks : Implications for Consumption, Labour, and Credit Distribution," Journal for Economic Forecasting, Institute for Economic Forecasting, vol. 0(3), pages 101-119, October.
    11. repec:ilo:ilowps:408917 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Balkenhol, Bernd. & Schütte, Haje, 2001. "Collateral, collateral law and collateral substitutes," ILO Working Papers 994089173402676, International Labour Organization.

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