here's a news item that might be of interest, given that textile exports is very important for B'desh: ---------------------------------------------- BANK REPORT SEES DECLINING POVERTY IN BANGLADESH. Poverty level in Bangladesh, one of the world's most populous Muslim nations, fell over the last 10 years because of healthy economic growth, Reuters notes a report from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank said on Thursday.
"In 2000, 50 percent of the country's population was poor compared to 59 percent in 1991-92," said the report. The country, a major textile exporter, has a population of around 130 million, which is growing at about 1.6 percent a year. The average annual growth rate was about five percent over the last decade, the report said. "Between 1991 and 2000, real GDP in Bangladesh increased 60 percent averaging a growth rate of about five percent per year." The report attributed economic growth to prudent management and wide-ranging reforms introduced in the early 1990s. The reforms included deregulation of the economy and investment, and liberalization of foreign trade. The total population living below the poverty line was unchanged at 63 million in 2000 compared with 1991/92, while people living in extreme poverty dipped to 42.5 million from 45.5 million. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Anthony P. D'Costa Associate Professor Ph: (253) 692-4462 Comparative International Development Fax: (253) 692-5718 University of Washington Box Number: 358436 1900 Commerce Street Tacoma, WA 98402, USA xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
