Discuss the economic activities of the people of Bangladesh

The nature of economic activities of any country depends upon the counties geographical and
natural conditions, traits of the race, population, rate of education, stage of development and the
overall socioeconomic conditions. The major economic activities of the people of Bangladesh
are discussed below.

1. Agriculture: Bangladesh is an agricultural country. Agriculture is the occupation of

about 70 percent of the people of this country. The farmers produce different crops in the
fields and earn money in exchange of that. So the main economic activities of the country
are agricultural works.
2. Business and trade: A large number of people of Bangladesh both in rural and urban
areas earn their livelihood from different types of small and medium size business.
Moreover, many people are engaged in big trading centers located in towns.
3. Service: Other important economic activities are services in mills, factories, offices,
educational institutions and various government and non-government organizations. A
huge number of laborers, employees and officers earn income by serving in these places.
4. Work in small and cottage industries: Both in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh
there are various types of small and cottage industries. Many people of our country earn
their livelihood serving in these organizations by producing various commodities. So this
sort of work is also important economic activities.
5. Fish cultivation and catching fishes: In Bangladesh ponds, tanks etc. are used as places
for fish cultivation on commercial basis. The fisherman of our country catches fish from
canal, marshy areas, rivers and seas and earns money by selling them.
6. Driving vehicles: A large number of people earn their livelihood driving various
categories of vehicles both on land and water routes. Earning income by providing
transport such as bus, trucks, scooters, rickshaws, carts, cattle-cart, launch, boats etc. are
other major economic activities.
7. Rearing animals and birds: Although not on a large scale, but some people earn their
livelihood by rearing animals and birds in Bangladesh. Establishing farms for cows,
buffaloes, goats, lambs, ducks and hens they earn money. Recently some people have
come up to establish farms for rearing animals and birds as a means of self-employment.

Besides, there are various small professions included in economic activities of our country.
Such as, washer man, barber, tailor, blacksmith, potter, cobbler etc. classes of people in
urban and rural areas earn their incomes.

Discuss the basic economic problems of Bangladesh.

In developing countries, there are generally certain basic economic problems which hinder
economic development of a country. Problems of this nature are called basic economic
problems. As a developing country like Bangladesh has some problems which creates
obstacles to the path of economic development. These problems are given below.

1. Undeveloped Agriculture: Bangladesh is an agro based country. About 70% people of

this country are dependent on agriculture. But due to traditional system of cultivation,
lack of facilities for irrigation, manures, seeds, agricultural loans and natural hazards etc.
our production in agriculture much less than developed countries.
2. Undeveloped Industry: In spite of available necessary raw materials and surplus man
power, the pace of industrial development of this country is very slow due to lack of
capital, developed technical knowledge, skilled labor, improved infrastructure, proper
planning etc. The contribution of industry to the national income is only 29.93%. Due to
undeveloped nature of agriculture and industry, economic development is not easy.
3. Less Per Capita Income: Per capita income of the people in this country is very low due
to low production in agriculture and industry. In the United states are per capita income is
$63,416, in Japan $42,248, in Germany $54,076, in peoples of republic of china 7258
dollar. Where as in Bangladesh it is only $2,824 (FY2021-22) dollar.
4. Low Standard of Living: About 50% people of Bangladesh live below the poverty line
due to low income. They fail to collect to minimum amenities for their living. More than
half of people of this country at present suffering from hunger, malnutrition have become
seek and have lost strength for work.
5. Inadequacy of Capital: Savings in Bangladesh are less because of low income. As a
result, the rate of capital formation is low. Due to lack of adequate capital investment and
production in agriculture and industry are very low. This low production is the root cause
of our poverty.
6. Rapid Population Growth: The present rate of population growth in Bangladesh is
1.14%. This rate of population increase is much higher compared to many other countries
of the world. The vest population of the country has many problems including food
deficit and unemployment. That is why the population problem has been identified as
number of one national problem.
7. Unemployment Problem: At present acute unemployment problem exists in Bangladesh
due to rapid population growth and lack of employment opportunities. About 30 percent
of productive labors of the country are unemployed.
8. Food Deficit: Food deficit has been persisting in Bangladesh for a long time though it is
basically an agricultural country. At present our annual food deficit is about 40 lacks of
tons. Because of undeveloped method of cultivation, lack of improved seed, fertilizer and
pesticides, absence of sufficient irrigation facilities, natural calamities, and rapid
population of is less than the requirement.
9. Lack of Education: Education is one of the main determinants of economic
development. At present in Bangladesh about 75% of population is illiterate. Because of
this wide spread illiteracy, social environment of our country is not favorable for
economic development.
 10. Deficit in Foreign Trade: Since production in agriculture an industrial sector in
Bangladesh is low, the volume of export is also less. But to meet the diversity of demand
of our ever increasing population and also for developmental needs imports are far
greater than export.
11. Over Dependence on Foreign Aid: As the per capita income of the people of
Bangladesh is low their savings are also low. As a result sufficient fund that is required
for economic development cannot be met from international resources.
12. Underdeveloped Socio-economic Infrastructure: Our economic Infrastructure are such
as road, rail and water ways, irrigation system, river and sea-ports, electricity and water
supply, telecommunication system etc. are not developed. Here social infrastructures are
like education, training, research, public health, cultural consciousness, values etc. are not
also developed. For poor infrastructure the economic and social development of this
country hampered.
13. Lack of Proper Planning: In Bangladesh there is absence of proper pragmatic planning
for economic development. Full implementation of planning cannot be done. As a result,
desired development cannot be achieved in agriculture, industry, education, health etc.
sectors.
14. Undeveloped Social Environment: The influence of social environment in Bangladesh
is not developed due to lack of education, bad education, superstitions, religious
fanaticism, unreasonable religious decrees etc.
15. Political Instability: Political stability and discipline and peace are the preconditions of
development. But in Bangladesh, production in mills and factories and other development
oriented programs are hampered due to prevailing political instability, social agitations
and unrest.

Discuss the solution of economic problems of Bangladesh.

Solution of economic problem is must in Bangladesh for the sake of economic development of
the country. Adoption of the following steps is necessary for this purpose:

1. Agricultural Development: Bangladesh is mainly an agricultural country. So the

principal means of our economic development is development of agriculture. With
agricultural development, income of most of the people of this country and their standard
of living will increase. Agricultural development shall have to be attained through
adoption of modern agricultural method. Use of improved seeds and manures, increased
irrigation facilities, adequate agricultural loan, flood control, cooperative farming etc. is
necessary for the purpose.
2. Rapid Industrialization: At present it is not possible on the part of any country of the
world to attain economic progress without industrial development. Industrial
development in our country shall have to be achieved side by side with agriculture for
increasing national income and employment opportunities.
3. Capital Increase: An increase in capital investment in the sector of agriculture, industry,
trade and commerce etc. will lead to increase production and income. For this purpose,
savings of the people are to be increased for increasing capital. Proper social environment
has to be maintained for profitable investment.
4. Full Utilization of Natural Resources: There are fertile agricultural land, water
resources, natural gas and other mineral resources in Bangladesh. Bright prospect for
discovery of some more mineral resources is also there production, income and
employment opportunities will increase if these natural resources are properly utilized.
5. Population Control: It is not possible to achieve economic development in the present
rate of increase of population cannot be controlled. For this, the tendency of population
increase should be controlled through family planning.
6. Spread of Education: Education is a significant force to solve economic problems and
ensure economic development. The illiteracy of the people shall have to be removed
through extensive spread of education. As a result, efficiency of labor will increase and
development oriented attitude of the people will be created.
7. Improvement of Technical Knowledge: Technical knowledge of workers shall have to
be improved for the purpose of increasing production in mills and factories. For this
purpose, it is necessary to establish more technical schools, colleges and training centers
in the country.
8. Solution of Unemployment Problem: Unemployment shall have to be removed for the
purpose of increasing per capita income of the people and improving their standard of
living. For this purpose, labor intensive small industrial factories and professions instead
of capital intensive industries shall have to be built up.
9. Development of Economic Infrastructure: Developed economic infrastructure is
indispensable for improvement of agriculture, industry and trade and commerce. Rapid
development of basic infrastructure in our country like roads and high ways, rail and
water ways, telecommunication, water irrigation, electric supply, ports, embankments, etc
shall have to be made.
10. Proper Utilization of Foreign Aid: Bangladesh receives every year a huge amount of
foreign loans and aid form World Bank other organizations and different countries.
Proper utilization of this foreign assistance will increase the pace of our development.
11. Sound Planning: Sound planning is most essential for solution of economic problems
and rapid development. Besides, formulation of rural based planning and implementation
are essential for development of our rural economy.
12. Poverty Alleviation Programs: Innumerable helpless and poor men and women of
Bangladesh should be given loans and aid through various government and non-
government organizations for self-employment. Through this assistance they will be able
to keep themselves engaged in self-employed occupations such as dairy poultry farming,
live-stock rearing, cultivation of flowers and vegetables, establishment of handicrafts,
small shops etc.
 13. Equitable Distribution of National Income: At present wealth is being concentrated in
the hands of a few people of Bangladesh. As a result, the number of poor people and their
level of poverty are increasing. This situation is adverse to social and economic welfare.
Arrangement shall have to be made for equitable distribution of income and wealth
through adoption of appropriate principles of development.
14. Improvement of Social Environment: Our social environment shall have to be
improved through expansion of education and culture, social movement and formulation
of appropriate laws. The path of development will be smooth with the removal of
superstitions, religious fanaticism, adverse social rules and regulations etc.
15. Sound Administrative Arrangements: Our administrative system shall have to be made
sound and efficient for solving economic problems and to help economic development.
Proper understanding and cooperation among different administrative divisions are to be
increased.

In one word, the best way of solving economic problems of our country is uninterrupted
economic development. For this purpose, planned development programs should be undertaken
in a planned manner.

Agriculture or agricultural work

Agriculture means the activities relating to the production of vegetation and animal resources to
meet the daily requirements of human beings. So, agriculture includes such productive works
which are related to the production of crops, rearing up of birds and animals, fisheries, a
forestation etc. Agriculture is considered as the main profession in most of the developing
countries of the modern world. In Bangladesh also agriculture is the main profession of its
inhabitants.

What are the opportunities and constraints of agriculture in Bangladesh?

Opportunities:

1. Agricultural sector is the single largest contributor to GDP.

2. Crop production system is highly labor intensive and there is an abundance of labor in the
country.
3. Agriculture is the largest source of employment for skilled and unskilled labor.
4. Favorable natural environment generally exists throughout the year for crop production.
5. Wide range of bio-diversity exists for different crops.
6. Different crops and agricultural commodities are the main sources of nutrition including
protein, minerals and vitamins.
7. Agricultural commodities have comparatively higher value addition than non-agricultural
commodities.
Constraints:

1. Agriculture is dependent on the vagaries of nature and is risky.

2. Availability of cultivable land is decreasing.
3. Widespread poverty among the population engaged in agriculture.
4. Lack of required capital for agricultural activities.
5. Inadequacy of appropriate technology considering farmers socio-economic conditions.
6. Uncertainty of fair price of agricultural commodities due to underdeveloped marketing
system.
7. Agricultural commodities are rapidly perishable and post-harvest losses are too high.
8. Limited knowledge of common people about the nutritional value of agricultural
commodities including vegetables and fruits.

Discuss the importance of agriculture in Bangladesh.

The importance of agriculture in the economic development of an agricultural country is very

high. Being an agriculture country the economic development of Bangladesh is depends
basically on the development of its agriculture, from different viewpoints the importance of
agriculture is discussed below:

1. Main occupation: About 75% people of Bangladesh, depend directly or indirectly on

agriculture for their livelihood. Such a large scale dependence of the people on
agriculture testifies the importance of agriculture in the economy of our country.
2. Supply of food: The different products of agriculture such as food grains, fish meat,
milk, egg etc. meet the demand for food of the people. If the production from agriculture
increases, it will be possible to supply more food. At the same time the existing food
deficit in the country will be removed.
3. Supply of raw materials for industries: The major portion of the supply of necessary
raw materials required for our existing industries and new industries to be built up
basically comes from agriculture. On the basis of availability of the raw materials like
jute, sugar, tea, tobacco etc. the jute sugar tea and tobacco industries have been
established in our country.
4. Increase the tendency to establish agriculture related industries: With the
development of agriculture the demands for inputs like chemical fertilizer, insecticides,
deep and shallow tube wells, power tiller, tractor etc. increase. For this there is a
tendency to establish these industries. So if there is development in agriculture the
industries like chemical fertilizer pesticides, deep and shallow tube well, power tiller,
tractor industries will be established. As a result there will be rapid industrialization in
the economy.
5. Supply of cloths: Agriculture supplies clothes to the people of our country. Cloths are
made of jute, cotton, wool of sheep etc. the major portion of the demand for cloth is met
 up from these materials. Besides higher quality of carpets, and screen cloths are made
from jute.
6. Supply of inputs for house making and supply of fuel: In the rural area of Bangladesh
most of the houses are mainly made of bamboos, straw, leaves of trees, cane, wood etc.
these are supplied by agriculture. Moreover wood, dry leaves of trees, jute sticks, corn
husks, cow dung etc. meet our demand for fuel in a greater amount. So by supplying the
inputs of house making agriculture helps the construction of houses in rural areas. At the
same time, it also helps to solve the accurate shortage of foal by supplying the inputs of
fuel.
7. Establishment of medicine industry: We get raw materials of life saving drugs from
agriculture. Many kinds of medicinal herbs grow here and there near houses and bushes
in Bangladesh. On the basis of these medicinal herbs many herbal medicine industries
have been built. From ancient days our rural folks use herbal medicine for the treatment
of various diseases.
8. Main source of national production: The volume of our national product mainly
depends on agriculture. About 40% of our national production comes from agriculture.
So the importance of agriculture as a single source to the national production is
important. The more the volume of agricultural produce more will be our national and per
capita production.
9. Helping the earning of foreign exchange: A considerable amount of foreign exchange
is earned from the exports of different agricultural products. So it will be possible to earn
more foreign exchange, if agricultural products are exported. This foreign exchange may
be used for importing essential raw materials, machinery, fuel etc. for industries. As a
result the speed of industrialization will be faster.
10. Increase public revenue: A good amount of public revenue comes from agriculture
sector. Government of Bangladesh earns a lot of money from agricultural income tax,
fare from transportation of agricultural commodities, export duties of agricultural
products etc. the increased amount of revenue can be spent for administration of the
country and for its development.
11. Creation of markets for industrial products: The income of the cultivators increases
with the development of agriculture. So their demand for industrial product also
increases. As a result existing industries increase their production. Again, new industries
are established to satisfy the increased demand. So for industrial development of the
country the development of agriculture is essential.
12. Rapid economic development: The contribution of agriculture as single source to
national production is remarkable. Our internal resource will increase development. So
we can meet the increased cost of different development plans by internal resources. So
through the development of this sector economic development is possible.
From the above discussion it is clear that the importance of agriculture in the economic
development of Bangladesh is beyond any limit. The economic development or the overall
development of our country depends on the very development of agriculture.

Discuss the characteristics of agriculture in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is an agricultural country. But in spite of that the condition of agriculture is not
developed. All the characteristics of a backward agricultural system are noticed in our country.
So, agricultural productivity in our country is low in comparison with other developed countries.
The main characteristics of our agriculture are discussed below:

1. Undeveloped production method: Most cultivators of our country until now follow age
old and unscientific methods of cultivation. The majority of our cultivators are not even
directly aware of improved methods and instruments used agriculture. So our agriculture
is undeveloped and full defects.
2. Low productivity: Though Bangladesh is an agriculture country. Its productivity per
acre is very low compared to others country. In Japan the production of rice per acre is
more than 2 tons, where as in Bangladesh it is a bit greater than ½ ton.
3. Cultivation for subsistence: The cultivators of our country basically do cultivation for
their own subsistence only, so here the scope for producing huge surplus product which
can be sold is very much limited. However, recently by using high yielding technology
attempts are being to increase agricultural product.
4. Subdivision and fragmentation of holdings: The land holdings of the majority of
cultivators of this are very small. Again the plots are scattered throughout the field, it is
impossible to cultivate these small and scattered plots under mechanized methods. This is
a great obstacle on way of modernization of agriculture.
5. Landless cultivators: The majority of the cultivators of our country are landless. They
cultivate other peoples land as share croppers or only as they laborers. As they are not
owners of land, they don’t feel interest in cultivation. So production from land is small.
6. Uncultivated land: Because of the lack of the suitable irrigation and drainage system a
good part of our total cultivatable land has remain uncultivated till now. So in practice,
production is less than the amount which could be possible produce.
7. Dependence on rainfall: The agriculture of Bangladesh is yet basically dependent on
rainfall .if there is good and timely rainfall, crops grow well. If this is not so, the
production of crops is hampered seriously. As a result national production decreases.
8. The major portion of land is under the cultivation of food crops: About eighty
percent of our total cultivable land is used to produce food crops. So raw material
necessary for industrial use are produced in smaller quantity.
9. Defective ownership of land: We find in equality in the ownership of land in cultivation.
About thirty percent of the big and middle farmers own eighty percent of total land where
as seventy percent of small cultivators own only of land.
 10. Absentee owners of land: Many persons living in town are the owners of good amount
of cultivable land in country. Supervision work is almost absent because the owner of
land lives far away from land. As a result, the amount of produce is less.
11. Share cropping: About twenty five percent of total cultivable land of this country is
cultivated in system of share cropping. The production by the share cropper is less than
what would be if land was cultivated by the owner himself. So in our country the
productivity per acre is very low.
12. Poor, unhealthy and illiterate peasants: Due to lack of food, clothes, houses, medical
facilities etc. the peasants of our country are unhealthy and non-energetic. As they lack
general education they are orthodox, fatalists and believers in superstitions. Likewise
they are ignorant of an indifferent to modern technology of cultivation as they lack
education about agriculture.

On account of the above mentioned characteristics, Productivity in agriculture is very low. The
income of the farmers is small and their standard of living is also very low. The recent trend of
improvement in agriculture which is seen in the developing countries of the world is remarkably
absent in Bangladesh.

Discuss the causes of backwardness of agriculture in Bangladesh.

Although Bangladesh is an agricultural country, its agriculture is very backward and full of
defects. The causes of the backwardness of agricultural of this country are discussed below:

1. Old Method of Cultivation: Old method of cultivation yet prevails in Bangladesh. The
use of modern scientific methods modern equipments and inputs are, so to say, almost
absent. The result is that the amount of agricultural production does not increase up to
satisfaction.
2. Subdivision and Fragmentation of Holdings: The land holdings of the most of the
cultivators of our country are subdivided and these are scattered in the different places of
the field. It is difficult to introduce modern technique of production in this kind of plots
and supervise the works of production properly.
3. Problem of Credit: Most of the cultivators of our country are poor. So they require loans
for cultivating land. But the loans are uncertain and risky. Because these are collected
from nongovernment sources. The amount of loans given by government source is
insufficient and the methods of sanctioning loans are complex and troublesome. So the
cultivators cannot invest money according to the needs of cultivation. So the volume of
production does not increase.
4. Unequal Distribution of Land Ownership: The ownership of land in Bangladesh is
very much unequal and defective. About 30 percent people are the owners of about 80
percent land. More than half of the total cultivators are landless. This kind of unequal
distribution of agricultural land is not helpful to increase production.
5. Lack of Goods Seeds and Manure: To increase the production of crops the use of high
yielding verities of seeds and chemical fertilizer are very important, but in our country
these two factors are very scarce. Moreover, as the farmer is very poor, they cannot even
purchase these things. As a result, the yield is low for the low quality of seed and lack of
adequate fertilizers.
6. Lack of Irrigation Facilities: Regular supply of water is essential to continue the work
of cultivation properly. But scientific irrigation works have not yet been introduced on
large scale. So agriculture of this country basically depends on rainfall. But rainfall is
irregular. Sometimes it is heavy and some other time lights. So cultivation is often
disturbed.
7. Natural calamities: Al most every year natural calamities like flood, cyclone, tidal bore
etc. occurs in Bangladesh. As a result, there is huge damage of crops. So the cultivators
get fewer amounts of crops than what they expect to have.
8. Decrease in the Fertility of Land: The plots of agricultural land in Bangladesh are used
continuously for year after year and remain under the cultivation of same variety of
crops. This leads to shortage of some chemical elements in those plots of land. This
shortage is not regained due to lack of fertilizer. So these plots of land are becoming
barren day by day and producing less.
9. Attack of pest and Insects and Crop Diseases: At the attack of locus pest and insects
and of crop diseases huge amounts of crops are damaged in the field every year. So the
cultivators get fewer amounts of crops.
10. Water stagnation and salinity of land: On account of heavy rainfall and lack of good
drainage system vast areas of land suffer from water stagnation. Moreover, due to salinity
many areas at sea shores remain uncultivated. As a result, the amount of cultivable land
has decreased.
11. Weak rural infrastructure: Infrastructure, such as, drainage system, roads supply of
electricity, health center, supply of drinking water etc., are very much important for
agricultural development. But these are very insufficient in rural areas of Bangladesh. So,
it is difficult to manage the process of production efficiently.
12. Defective marketing system: The marketing system of agricultural products is full of
defects. Due to the presence of middlemen, acute insolvency of the cultivators, lack of
god owns. Undeveloped transport and communication system etc. the peasants are bound
to sell their products just after harvest at low prices. As a result, they don’t get fair price
of their product.
13. Poverty and illiteracy of the peasant: the majority of peasants of Bangladesh are poor
deprived of the light of education. So they are orthodox fatalists and superstitious. They
are ignorant and careless about the application of modern techniques in the field of
production. Again in many cases they are against new techniques of production.
 14. Lack of subsidiary occupation: Due to lack of subsidiary occupations in rural areas, the
peasants cannot increase their income. As a result of this they cannot improve financial
position and cannot be achieve so much in the field of production.
15. Absence of proper organization: the farmers in Bangladesh carry on agricultural
activities in the small and scattered holdings in an unplanned simple way of management.
There is lack coordination in the different stages of cultivation and among the input used.
So the cultivation cannot conduct and manage agricultural works properly.
16. Absence of well-coordinated agricultural policy: a well-coordinated agricultural policy
is necessary at the government level for continuous and rapid development of agricultural
sector. Though Bangladesh is agrarian country, no long term well- coordinated policy has
yet been undertaken. As a result, a well- coordinated technology is not being followed in
our country. For reason, desired structural transformation is not taking place.

Because of these problems, in spite of being an agricultural country, Bangladesh is backward in

the field of agriculture to a greater extent. So productivity per acre is also very low.

Discuss the importance or need for industrialization of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is an agricultural country. But its agricultural system is undeveloped and production
is low. Unemployment is high due to rapid growth of population. Per capita income and standard
of living is low. It is not possible to solve the economic problems and march towards
development if the economy remains agro-based. Rapid industrialization along with agricultural
development is the key to an over-al1 development of the country. In fact, the developed
counters of the modern world reached their present stage of development through rapid
industrialization. The necessity of industrialization of Bangladesh is discussed
below.

1. Rapid Economic Development: In order to make rapid economic development in

Bangladesh what is urgently needed is to develop industries and factories in large
numbers and increase production. It is not possible to have an over-all development of
the country only through agriculture development. For, the production in agriculture
takes -place slowly and for various reasons the production of required amount in
agriculture is not possible. Industrial production can be increased quickly and desired
amount can be
produced. So industrialization is a must for attaining rapid economic development. All
the developed countries of the world achieved rapid economic growth through broad-
based industrialization. So the pre-condition for economic development of Bangladesh is
rapid industrial development.
2. Increase in National Income: For the growth of national income both me agricultural
and industrial sectors have important role to play. The national income of a country
cannot be increased rapidly if it remains dependent on agriculture alone. Since the
 agricultural system in Barg1adesh is not developed. So our national income and per
capita income need to be increased through industrial development.
3. Solution of Unemployment Problem: In Bangladesh unemployment problem is
increasing gradually due to high rate of population growth. ‘The problem of disguised
unemployment is being created due to pressure of increased population on agriculture.
The scope of providing employment for this increasing population in agriculture is
limited. Under this circumstance, through the development of industrial sector other than
agriculture job opportunities can be created for our excess population.
4. Development of Agriculture: Proper cultivation, irrigational tools chemical fertilizer
and insecticides needed for the development and modernization of agriculture
Industrialization is necessary for the production of these inputs. The supply of these
inputs will increase and their prices will - come down if these can be produced in the
country. As a result, it would be possible for the farmers to use these inputs and increase
agricultural Products easily. To achieve this goal industries must be developed.
Besides processing industries should be established to process different agricultural
products.
5. Reduce Pressure of Population on Agriculture: The subdivision and fragmentation of
land in Bangladesh is increasing gradually due to additional pressure of population on
agriculture As a result agricultural land holdings are becoming small and are getting
scattered Due to this, the modernization and mechanization of cultivation is not possible.
Besides the rate of disguised unemployment is increasing day by day. Under this
circumstance, it is necessary to transfer the surplus labor of agriculture to elsewhere. The
surplus labor force of agriculture can be transferred to industrial sector by establishing
larger number of industries in the country. This will also reduce pressure of population on
land and pave the way for condensation of cultivation.
6. Proper Utilization of Natural Resources: Bangladesh has in its reserve different natural
resources Proper utilization of these resources can be done by establishing industries As a
result, industrial production and per capita income will rise and this will in turn improve
standard of living.
7. Economic Stability: In Bangladesh uncertainty prevails in agricultural production due to
natural calamities like excessive rain, draught, flood tidal bore etc. But such uncertainty
does not prevailing case, of industrial production. So in order to maintain economic
stability in our economy, industrial development is essential. When industrial production
increases export increases. As a result, favorable condition will be created in the field of
international trade and stability will be achieved.
8. Earning of More Foreign Exchange: We need sufficient amount of foreign exchange
for the economic development of our country. Exports will increase and more foreign
exchange can be earned if rapid industrialization takes place in the country. Rapid
extension and development of garment industries in recent year in Bangladesh has
increased our foreign exchange earnings manifold.
 9. Reduction of Dependence on Others: Bangladesh imports from foreign countries
consumer goods machinery, transports, raw materials etc. in large quantity: The import
cost of these goods is higher than our export earnings. It is possible to reduce imports
through increased industrial production. This will reduce dependence on others and
balance of trade will be favorable. All developed countries of the world are less
dependent on others.
10. Development of Transport and Communication System: It is necessary to develop
transport and communication system for the growth of trade and commerce in the
country. So necessary machinery and materials needed for transport and communication
should be produced in the country Industries should be developed to achieve this goal.
Besides, development of industries for production of iron, steel and cement is necessary
for construction of good roads, bridges, ports etc.
11. Strong Defense System: It is necessary to develop a strong defer: system in Bangladesh.
A large amount of arms, equipment transports etc. are needed for this purpose Industries
should be developed so as to product these goods in the country as far as practicable.
12. Urbanization and Social Development: The standard of living of the people can be
raised through rapid urbanization and enhancement of soc utilities. The rate of
urbanization and enhancement of social utilities Bangladesh can be made through
industrialization. Besides, industrial development is essential to increase the supply of
consumer goods for the people Therefore; the importance of industries in the
economy of Bangladesh cannot be over emphasized. For the rapid economic growth in
Bangladesh development of industries is a must.

Discuss the causes of industrial backwardness in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is industrially undeveloped. Industries could not he developed in spite of the

availability of necessary raw materials and sufficient labor force in the country. The causes of
our industrial backwardness are as follows.

1. Lack of Patronage of British and Pakistani Regime: Due to lack of patronage of

British regime for about two hundred years, no important industry could be developed in
this country. The British used this region as producer of raw materials and a market of
their industrial products. During 24 years of Pakistan regime the desired development of
industries could not occur because discriminatory policy of the Pakistani rulers.
2. Paucity of Capital: Capital is needed to establish industries. As it is a poor country
income and saving are low in Bangladesh. The rate of capital formation is also low. The
entrepreneurs of this country cannot easily establish industries due to paucity of
necessary capital.
3. Scarcity of Power and Mineral Resources: The growth of industries is being hampered
due to scarcity of mineral resources like coal, oil; iron etc. Besides there is shortage of
 power for industrial use in the country. Of course. Natural gas, which is used as industrial
fuel and raw materials, is helping the development of industries.
4. Lack of Technical Knowledge: Labor with sophisticated technical knowledge is highly
needed for modern industries. But laborers of Bangladesh are not equipped with modern
technical knowledge. Rapid industrialization does not take place due to this reason.
5. Lack of Skilled Labor: Skilled labor force is essentially needed to conduct mills and
factories efficiently. Though Bangladesh possesses sufficient labor force, the efficiency
of labor is low due to lack of education and training. The growth of industries is
hampered due to lack of skilled labor force in the country.
6. Lack of Entrepreneurs: A good number of efficient entrepreneurs are required for the
development of industries in the country. But efficient entrepreneurs did not come out
dining the 1ong era of Pakistani and British administration. As a result still there is
absence of entrepreneurs interested to establish industries. For this reasons industrial
development in our country is not taking place as desired.
7. Problem of Industrial Loan: Loan is essential for the establishment of industries.
Industrial loan in required amount is not available easily in Bangladesh. Foreign loan is
also not sufficient. So industrial development is hampered due to non avaiabi1ity of
loans.
8. Scarcity of Foreign Exchange: Machinery, tools and raw materials for industries are
imported from foreign countries. Due to paucity of foreign exchange in Bangladesh these
inputs cannot be imported in required amount. As a result industrial growth is hampered.
9. Undeveloped Transport and Communication System: A developed transport and
communication system is essential for rapid industrial development. Roads transport and
communication system in Bangladesh is not developed. Due to this transportation of raw
materials and produced goods and mobility of labor are hampered.
10. Lack of Efficient Management: For smooth running of mills and factories efficient and
experienced managers are needed. But there is serious shortage of such leaders in our
country. For this reason various problems cropped up in case of nationalized industries of
our country and different industries incurred losses.
11. Lack of Proper Industrial Policy and Planning: For the proper management of mills
and factories an appropriate industrial policy and planning is essential. But consistent
with the prevailing socio-economic situation no industrial policy has yet been formulated.
For this in the past industrialization was hampered. Besides, based on our own resources
in Bangladesh no planning has yet been undertaken. For all these reasons the raft of
industrialization in Bangladesh is mostly slow.
12. Political Instability: Political stability and maintenance of law and order in the country
is essential for rapid industrial development. Due to political instability and
dissatisfaction among the laborers and student students strikes blockade etc. are frequent
in Bangladesh. As a result natural trend of industrial development is hampered.
13. Lack of Other Facilities: There is substantial lack of complementary facilities required
for industrial establishment, For example, there are lack of plots water and electricity
supply in the industrial area, absence of facilities for import of raw-materials and
accessories. There is also Lack of direct and indirect government help and cooperation.
For all these reasons the initiative for establishing, industries is affected. As a result
Bangladesh is still backward in industries.

Discuss the contribution of women in national economy.

1. Men are considered to be the head of the family and its most important member, since it
is most often men who earn the income those houses, feeds, and clothes the family.
2. Even though women are engaging more in house hold in Bangladesh they typically work
16 hours a day
3. While both men and women recognize that women’s household activities constitute
important work, they do not grasp the extent of its economic value i.e. unpaid work
4. According to UNDP the value of unpaid household work performed by housewives is
approximately US$69.8 to $91 billion per year
5. As of 2014, female participation in the labor force is 58% as per World Bank data, and
male participation at 82%.