The government has established a 12-member committee, headed by Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), to draft a comprehensive white paper on the state of Bangladesh’s economy.

The committee, announced yesterday, is set to hold its inaugural meeting today at the Planning Commission in Dhaka.

This panel comprises a diverse group of experts, including Professor AK Enamul Haque, dean of the faculty of business and economics at East West University; Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO of Business Initiative Leading Development; Imran Matin, executive director of the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development at BRAC University; Dr. Kazi Iqbal, senior research fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies; and Dr. M Tamim, professor at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

Other notable members include Dr. Mohammad Abu Eusuf, professor of development studies at the University of Dhaka; Professor Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow of CPD; Dr. Selim Raihan, professor of economics at the University of Dhaka; Dr. Sharmind Neelormi, professor of economics at Jahangirnagar University; Dr. Tasneem Arefa Siddiqui, founding chair of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit; and Dr. Zahid Hussain, former lead economist of the World Bank.

The formation of this committee follows the interim government’s recent announcement of its intention to prepare a white paper aimed at stabilizing the economy, achieving the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and addressing challenges associated with Bangladesh’s impending graduation from the group of least developed countries (LDCs).

After a meeting with Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat on August 25, Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya mentioned that the committee might explore additional issues beyond its initial mandate, depending on the evolving economic situation.

The white paper is expected to provide strategic insights and recommendations for navigating the economic challenges facing Bangladesh, particularly in the context of its transition from LDC status and its long-term development goals.