Dhaka, May 7 -- A complex economic situation - at both national and global levels- is now prevailing. Bangladesh is now going through one of the most difficult macroeconomic situations in recent decades. The country is facing a number of transitional challenges: graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, delivery of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), completion of the Eighth Five-Year Plan (8FYP) and Perspective Plan (2021-2041), and emerging geostrategic issues. Against the backdrop, the upcoming national budget and expectations of the disadvantaged citizens and community deserve some serious attention.

At this testing time, three major manifestations of current challenges that need to be addressed may be highlighted...