A World Bank report titled “Toward New Sources of Competitiveness in Bangladesh” authored Sanjay Kathuria and Mariem Mezghenni Malouche, to be published by the World Bank Group in 2016 cited CPD independent study on Rana Plaza collapse.
The Diagnostic Trade Integration Study identifies the following actions centered around four pillars to sustain and accelerate export growth: (1) breaking into new markets through a) better trade logistics to reduce delivery lags; as world markets become more competitive and newer products demand shorter lead times, to generate new sources of competitiveness and thereby enable market diversification; and b) better exploitation of regional trading opportunities in nearby growing and dynamic markets, especially East and South Asia; (2) breaking into new products through a) more neutral and rational trade policy and taxation and bonded warehouse schemes; b) concerted efforts to spur domestic investment and attract foreign direct investment, to contribute to export promotion and diversification, including by easing the energy and land constraints; and c) strategic development and promotion of services trade; (3) improving worker and consumer welfare by a) improving skills and literacy; b) implementing labor and work safety guidelines; and c) making safety nets more effective in dealing with trade shocks; and (4) building a supportive environment, including a) sustaining sound macroeconomic fundamentals; and b) strengthening the institutional capacity for strategic policy making aimed at the objective of international competitiveness to help bring focus and coherence to the government’s reform efforts.
Citation
“Kathuria, Sanjay; Malouche, Mariem Mezghenni. 2016. Toward New Sources of Competitiveness in Bangladesh : Key Insights of the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study. Washington, DC: World Bank. © Government of teh People’s Republic of Bangladesh. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/22712 ”