News

May 07, 2025

The Department of Economics at East West University (EWU) successfully hosted the 4th East West Economics Research Conclave 2025 on April 25–26, 2025. The hybrid event, held at the EWU campus, brought together approximately 200 emerging and distinguished scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and the USA to engage in robust research dialogue across a diverse range of economic fields. Building on its tradition, the conclave provided a vital platform for nurturing young academics while facilitating interaction with leading policy thinkers.

The conclave commenced with an insightful inaugural session focused on Bangladesh's future development strategies. Dr. Muntasir Chaudhury, Chairperson of the Department of Economics at EWU, initiated the session by underscoring the critical role of research and collaboration in Bangladesh's ongoing development journey. Professor Dr. Shams Rahman, Vice Chancellor of EWU, articulated the university's ambition to elevate the conclave into a prominent regional research hub, positioning EWU as a nurturing ground for future economic thought leaders.

The keynote address was delivered by His Excellency Park Young-sik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh. He shared South Korea's remarkable economic development trajectory, emphasizing its export-led growth strategy, industrial transformation, and subsequent focus on high-tech industries. Ambassador Park encouraged Bangladesh to prioritize quality growth, cultivate strong domestic brands, diversify its export basket, strengthen capital markets, and consolidate the banking sector to achieve sustainable progress. Dr. Monzur Hossain, Special Guest and Member of the General Economics Division, highlighted the fundamental importance of infrastructure development, strategic investment in the social sector, and the diversification of Bangladesh's economic base to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth. Professor Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin, Session Chair and Chairperson of EWU’s Board of Trustees, emphasized land reforms, knowledge investments, and attracting quality Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as indispensable pillars for Bangladesh's future prosperity. He also stressed the necessity of visionary leadership to effectively navigate the challenges that will arise post-Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation. Dr. Khalilur Rahman, National Security Adviser, further enriched the discussion by highlighting the central role of strong institutional development, visionary policymaking, and the adoption of human-centric growth models for long-term success.

Session 1: Climate Change and Environmental Issues

Chaired by Dr. A.M. Tanvir Hussain, this session addressed pressing environmental and climate adaptation challenges. Research included an analysis of the significant carbon footprint of paddy production due to traditional farming and diesel irrigation, advocating for sustainable practices. Another study examined cross-border migration to India as a resilient adaptation strategy following Cyclone Aila, highlighting the role of social capital. The session also featured research indicating the potential of green finance mechanisms to simultaneously reduce environmental degradation and socioeconomic inequality in South Asia, and an online presentation proposing a theoretical model for micro-level e-waste estimation to fill gaps in national data.

Panel Discussion: Bangladesh in the Era of Global Economic Turmoil

Moderated by Professor A K Enamul Haque, this engaging open session provided diverse perspectives on the evolving global economic landscape. Panelists Professor Mustafizur Rahman (CPD) cautioned against complacency and urged Bangladesh to focus on productivity enhancement, regional trade agreements, and building competitive advantages beyond low-wage manufacturing. Professor Mohammad Abul Hossain (University of Chittagong) discussed the rise of new protectionism in global trade and highlighted Bangladesh’s vulnerability due to its reliance on limited export destinations. The panel collectively emphasized the urgent need for institutional reforms, export diversification, and strategic agility to navigate increasing global economic uncertainties.

Session 2: Labor, Gender, and Health Economics

Chaired by Professor Atonu Rabbani, this session delved into critical socioeconomic issues. Research findings indicated that education and wealth reduced women's justification of household physical abuse, with media exposure also playing a significant role. Another study pointed to persistent socioeconomic disparities in access to facility-based childbirth, particularly between rural and urban areas and across wealth quintiles. An analysis of economic returns from different education streams revealed vocational education yielding the highest private returns. An online presentation explored how agricultural land fragmentation in rural Nepal limits non-farm labor supply, suggesting the need for land policy reforms.

Day 2, Session 1: Issues Impacting Sustainable Economic and Financial Development (Online Session, HPRC Sponsored)

Chaired by Dr. Sakib Mahmud, this international online session broadened the conclave's scope. Research presented a causal link between dietary diversity and improved child nutrition outcomes in Bangladesh. Another study demonstrated the strategic use of targeted distribution programs to influence election results in West Bengal. The session also empirically established a connection between flu seasonality and fluctuations in US stock prices, highlighting cross-cutting themes of governance, policy targeting, and market vulnerabilities.

Plenary Session: Conversation on Global Geopolitics

Air Cdre (Retd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, Treasurer, and Assistant Professor Parvez Karim Abbasi led a thought-provoking conversation on the evolving global order. Discussions encompassed the impact of the Ukraine conflict on global alliances, the strategic rivalry between the US and China, the political economy of the Middle East, and regional conflicts in South Asia and their global repercussions. The speakers underscored the critical need for Bangladesh to carefully balance strategic alliances while safeguarding its national interests in this dynamic global landscape.

Session 2: Energy Economics

Chaired by Dr. Biva Arani Mallik, this session addressed the challenges of transitioning towards sustainable energy futures. Research included the introduction of a localized modeling framework for energy system optimization in Bangladesh. Another study identified systemic barriers hindering the penetration of renewable energy, such as policy inertia and financial bottlenecks. The session also featured a two-sector model explaining the interaction between energy usage and GDP growth on a global scale.

Session 3: Development and Contemporary Issues

Chaired by Dr. Anwara Begum, this session focused on various sectoral and structural vulnerabilities. Research evaluated the impact of cash incentives on remittance inflows using Synthetic Control methods. Another study revealed nuanced trends in income inequality dynamics in rural and urban Bangladesh. The session also mapped urban residential water consumption patterns under increasing urbanization and illustrated disparities in regional infrastructure investments across Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based policymaking for inclusive development.

Concluding Session

The conclave concluded with the Rapporteur's Report presented by Mr. Abeer Khandker, summarizing the key discussions, emerging research directions, and critical policy imperatives highlighted throughout the two-day event. A vote of thanks marked the successful culmination of the 4th East West Economics Research Conclave, celebrating its continued success in bridging the gap between research, practice, and policy.