Staff Reporter:
The evolving global order and changing geo-economic landscape present both challenges and opportuni-ties for developing countries, as highlighted by renowned economist Wahiduddin Mahmud.
He shared his insights during a public lecture titled “Evolving Global Order and Geo-economics: Impli-cations for Less Developed Countries” at the annual BIDS (Bangladesh Institute of Development Stud-ies) conference in Dhaka yesterday.
The session, moderated by Policy Research Institute Chairman Zaidi Sattar, featured discussions with key figures including Selim Raihan, Executive Director of SANEM (South Asian Network on Economic Modelling), and Dr. Binayak Sen, Director General of BIDS.
Mahmud emphasized the significance of strong public support for governments to align political and foreign economic interests effectively. He pointed out that this support is crucial in tackling the exploita-tion of developing countries by multinational companies. He also noted the distinct nature of the current geopolitical tensions between superpowers, particularly the US and China, compared to the Cold War era.
Discussing the economic strategies of Vietnam and China, Mahmud illustrated how government in-volvement in privatized sectors can yield benefits.
Zaidi Sattar reflected on the shift from globalization to economic nationalism, observing that even advo-cates of globalization are adopting protectionist policies. This, he suggested, requires deep consideration by developing countries in crafting their economic strategies.
Selim Raihan commented on Bangladesh’s historical non-involvement in geopolitics and its emerging role as a significant player amidst global power conflicts.
Overall, the discussions at the BIDS conference underscored the need for developing countries like Bangladesh to carefully navigate the new global order, balancing internal economic policies with exter-nal geopolitical pressures.
