After the completion of the Eighth Five Year Plan (2020–2025) in June 2025, the country is currently facing a planning vacuum due to the absence of a long-term economic plan. To address this gap during the interim period before the adoption of a future long term plan, the General Economics Division (GED) of Bangladesh Planning Commission has taken an initiative to prepare an economic strategy paper.
A preliminary consultation meeting was held on 5 February 2026 at the GED conference room under the chairmanship of Member of GED, Dr. Monzur Hossain. Renowned economists of the country, along with academics, social scientists, and population scientist, participated in the meeting. Dr. K. A. S. Murshid presented a concept paper at the meeting.
All participants welcomed the initiative to prepare such an economic strategy paper and expressed optimism that it would lay a strong foundation for formulating a future long-term development strategy. The discussants emphasized the importance of policy continuity, inclusive growth, and structural reforms.
In the concluding remarks, Member (GED) briefed the participants on the process of preparing the Strategy Paper and expressed the hope that it would support the achievement of sustainable economic development by incorporating the economic vision and mandate of the next political government. He also noted that the Strategy Paper would play a crucial role in maintaining continuity in the government’s economic strategy. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks and expressions of gratitude to all participants.
Participants attending both online and in person included:
Dr. Zaidi Sattar, Dr. Sajjad Zohir, Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Dr. Rushidan Islam Rahman, Dr. A. K. Enamul Haque, Dr. A. T. M. Nurul Amin, Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Dr. Selim Raihan, Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha, Rasheda K. Chowdhury, Jyoti Rahman, Dr. Mobashar Hasan, Dr. Mainul Islam, Dr. Khurshed Alam, Dr. Munira Begum, Nikhil Kumar Das, Md. Ashrafuzzaman and senior officials of GED.