Publications

This volume covers the Third Conference on Regional Economic Co-operation among Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM). The conference was held in Dhaka during February 6-7, 2002. The BCIM initiative explores opportunities for co-operation among four sovereign countries. Within the two largest countries in the grouping, India and China, the immediate prospective beneficiaries would be the seven states of North-East India and Yunnan Province in South West China. The geographical proximity of these sub-regions to Bangladesh and Myanmar give them the opportunity to participate in a prospective growth zone with enormous potential for economic development

for the region. The papers published in this volume have been contributed by eminent academics and experts in their respective fields drawn from across the BCIM region.

CPD-UNFPA Papers
•Demographic Transition and Policy Challenges (February 2003), CPD-UNFPA Paper No. 22.
•Bangladesh's Population Policy Emerging issues and Future Agenda (March 2003), CPD-UNFPA Paper No. 23.
• Re-thinking Population Policy in Bangladesh (March 2003), CPD-UNFPA Paper No. 24.
•Containing Population Pressure for Accelerating Poverty Reduction in Bangladesh (March, 2003), CPD-UNFPA Paper No. 25.

Occasional Papers
•China's Accession to the WTO: Consequences for Bangladesh's Export-Oriented RMG Sector (January 2003) Occasional Paper No. 19.
Author : Professor Mustafizur Rahman and Dr Ananya Raihan.
This paper examines the consequences of China's accession to the WTO and its potential ramifications for Bangladesh. The Chinese economy, in particular the RMG sector, is analysed and

compared to that of Bangladesh. Based on this analysis, recommendations are made.

•Exchange Rate Policy of Bangladesh: Not Floating Does Not Mean Sinking (January 2003) Occasional Paper No. 20, Author : Dr Mirza Azizul Islam.

This paper analyses the current exchange rate policy of Bangladesh under various criteria and then assesses the feasibility of a floating rate regime under these various criteria. It looks at factors such as involvement with international capital markets, share of trade with the country/countries with which the currency is pegged, and nature of shocks facing the economy, the willingness and feasibility of giving up control of its monetary policy and the level of international foreign currency reserves.

Dialogue Reports
• Health Sector Programme in Bangladesh: Promoting Participation and Gender Equity. Report No. 53 (January 2003).
•Corporate Responsibility in Bangladesh: Where Do We Stand? Report No. 54 (January 2003).
•Coping with Post-MFA Challenges: Strategic Response for Bangladesh RMG Sector. Report No. 55 (January 2003).
• State of Bangladesh Economy and Budget Responses 2002, Report No. 56 (February 2003).

Upcoming Activities of CPD
A dialogue on The War in Iraq and Economic Impacts for Bangladesh will be held on April 10, 2003.
•The CPD-Prothom Alo-Daily Star will hold eight regional dialogues for the National Policy Review Forum during May, 2003.
•Dialogue on International Civil Society Forum: Advancing LDC Interests in the Fifth WTO Ministerial will take place during May 29-30, 2003. The event will be organised by CPD in collaboration with Consumers International, EU-LDC Network, Oxfam International, SAWTEE and SEATINI.

•The three-day National Policy Review Forum 2003 will be held in Dhaka during June 03-05, 2003.
•CPD in association with the Coalition for Action on South Asian Co-operation (CASAC) will carry out a two-day workshop on Finalising the Study on Energy Co-operation in South Asia during June 10-11, 2003.
• CPD will hold a press briefing on initial reaction to the proposed budget for FY2004 on the following day of the budget announcement.
•Dialogue on State of Bangladesh Economy and Budget Responses 2003 will be held in June 2003.