World Bank: Tier-2 cities like Gazipur, Narayanganj must promote urban growth outside Dhaka | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Sunday
July 06, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SUNDAY, JULY 06, 2025
World Bank: Tier-2 cities like Gazipur, Narayanganj must promote urban growth outside Dhaka

Bangladesh

UNB
29 September, 2022, 10:35 pm
Last modified: 29 September, 2022, 10:39 pm

Related News

  • 3 more arrested over beating Gazipur factory mechanic to death
  • Sheikh Hasina, Quader, Kamal, Mozammel sued in two murder cases in Gazipur
  • Another arrested over Gazipur factory worker killing
  • Garment worker tortured to death in Gazipur, one arrested
  • Tk35 crore worth of forestland recovered in Gazipur; 205 illegal structures demolished

World Bank: Tier-2 cities like Gazipur, Narayanganj must promote urban growth outside Dhaka

‘Better urbanization and connectivity will help absorb the climate migrants and sustain fast productivity growth’

UNB
29 September, 2022, 10:35 pm
Last modified: 29 September, 2022, 10:39 pm
Photo: UNB
Photo: UNB

Bangladesh has made remarkable economic progress in the past five decades. To sustain and further accelerate the growth rate in the long term, the country needs a strong reform agenda, says a new report by the World Bank (WB).

The World Bank Dhaka office in a release on Thursday quoted Senior Trade Economist Nora Dihel: "Greater Dhaka generates one-fifth of the country's GDP and almost half of its formal employment. The already congested capital needs to be prepared to accommodate climate migrants,"

"Better urbanization and connectivity will help absorb the climate migrants and sustain fast productivity growth. Successful urbanization will mean attracting tradable activities to small and medium-sized cities," she said.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

This will require making the next tier of cities attractive to formal firms and skilled workers. Cities will need to raise their own revenues to finance infrastructure investments and the provision of services, including affordable housing. Faster broadband speeds, better access to basic services, and easier intercity transport connectivity can lead to tier-2 cities like Gazipur and Narayanganj promoting urban growth outside Dhaka.

Although digitalization of payments has increased rapidly with 34% of adults using digital payments in 2017 in comparison to 7% of adults in 2014, about 40% of adults do not have a bank account. Strengthening credit infrastructure and promoting further digitalization of financial services will be important to reach the most underserved population.

Bangladesh has been among the top 10 fastest growing economies in the world, but there is "no room for complacency", according to a World Bank report. 

The report urges strong policy reforms in three areas critical to sustaining growth: stem the erosion of trade competitiveness, address vulnerabilities in the financial sector, and ensure an orderly urbanization process.

Bangladesh's heavy reliance on ready-made garments and protective tariff regime inhibits diversified export growth, according to a World Bank (WB) report. 

The average tariffs in Bangladesh are higher than its comparator countries: the average tariff rate on intermediate goods in Bangladesh is 18.8 percent, which is about twice the rate as in China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Deep and comprehensive trade agreements with the European Union and India covering tariff modernization, increased trade facilitation, and services and investment reforms can boost Bangladesh's economy. Scaling up private sector financing is essential for sustaining economic growth. Bangladesh has an untapped domestic capital market, which is required for raising long-term finance for infrastructure and climate adaptation projects.

Bangladesh needs to focus on unlocking private sector financing for green and climate-related projects, said World Bank's Chief Economist Dr Shamsul Haque. 

The country also needs to expand access to finance in underserved segments, such as women and MSMEs, he added. It needs to source external resources proactively through international capital markets and ease its borrowing constraints.

Top News

urban / Urban area / Urban Development / Urban Development in Bangladesh / Narayangaj / Gazipur / Gazipur City

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infographic: TBS
    Japanese loan rate hits record 2%, still remains cheaper than others
  • Photo: Collected
    Jamaat presses ahead with candidate rollout, announces aspirants for 293 JS seats
  • A quieter scene at Dhaka University’s central library on 29 June, with seats still unfilled—unlike earlier this year, when the space was overwhelmed by crowds of job aspirants preparing for competitive exams. Photo: Tahmidul Alam Jaeef
    No more long queues at DU Central Library. What changed?

MOST VIEWED

  • The release was jointly carried out by the Forest Department and the Chattogram Zoo authorities as part of an ongoing initiative to conserve wildlife and maintain ecological balance. Photo: Collected
    33 Python hatchlings born in Ctg zoo released into Hazarikhil sanctuary
  • File photo of a new NBR office in Agargaon, Dhaka. Photo: UNB
    NBR launches 'a-Chalan' for instant online tax payments
  • Customs bureaucracy: Luxury cars rot at Ctg port
    Customs bureaucracy: Luxury cars rot at Ctg port
  • Infograph: TBS
    How BB’s floating rate regime calms forex market
  • Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed talks to reporters in Brahmanbaria on Saturday, 5 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Raising savings certificate interest rates will hurt banks: Finance adviser
  • Saleudh Zaman
    ‘We are dying’: Adverse policies drive most textile millers to edge, say industry leaders

Related News

  • 3 more arrested over beating Gazipur factory mechanic to death
  • Sheikh Hasina, Quader, Kamal, Mozammel sued in two murder cases in Gazipur
  • Another arrested over Gazipur factory worker killing
  • Garment worker tortured to death in Gazipur, one arrested
  • Tk35 crore worth of forestland recovered in Gazipur; 205 illegal structures demolished

Features

Students of different institutions protest demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 circular cancelling quotas in recruitment in government jobs. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

5 July 2024: Students announce class boycott amid growing protests

1d | Panorama
Contrary to long-held assumptions, Gen Z isn’t politically clueless — they understand both local and global politics well. Photo: TBS

A misreading of Gen Z’s ‘political disconnect’ set the stage for Hasina’s ouster

1d | Panorama
Graphics: TBS

How courier failures are undermining Bangladesh’s online perishables trade

1d | Panorama
The July Uprising saw people from all walks of life find themselves redrawing their relationship with politics. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

Red July: The political awakening of our urban middle class

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

After backing Israel, Iran’s self-styled crown prince loses support

After backing Israel, Iran’s self-styled crown prince loses support

2h | TBS World
Trump says he is about to raise tariffs as high as 70% on some countries

Trump says he is about to raise tariffs as high as 70% on some countries

13h | TBS World
Will political disputes delay the elections?

Will political disputes delay the elections?

14h | TBS Stories
Initiative to break the deadlock created by the US

Initiative to break the deadlock created by the US

14h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net