Uncertainty Is the New Normal; Bangladesh Needs More Than Good Data: Finance Minister

At a glance
- Speaking at the EconThon 2026 finale on 3 October, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury called accurate, data-driven policymaking key to navigating economic challenges.

• He said rising energy prices, pressure on foreign exchange, climate impacts and inflation were squeezing people’s purchasing power.
• He stressed macroeconomic stability, tax-system modernisation, transparency and effective use of public money.
• The inter-university competition drew 224 registered teams, according to the minister.

Context

The minister’s remarks came as Bangladesh faces both external uncertainty and domestic economic strain. He pointed to sluggish global growth, high borrowing costs and trade protectionism, alongside local pressures from energy prices, foreign-exchange constraints, climate change and inflation. He told students that practical solutions and effective use of data matter in policymaking, and said transparency in public spending remained a priority.

Why It Matters

When prices rise and purchasing power weakens, economic uncertainty is not an abstract policy problem; households feel it in daily expenses, while businesses face costs and financing risks. Reliable data helps the government understand where pressure is greatest and choose effective responses. But data alone cannot restore confidence. People and businesses may require predictable decisions, honest public accounts and reforms that address inflation, foreign-exchange pressure and the tax system.

What We Think

Good policymaking is not a slogan but a public obligation. Accepting uncertainty as the new normal does not justify the normalisation of hardship. It is the government's obligation to demonstrate, through transparent data and measurable results, that its policies are easing pressure on households and businesses.