In its latest issue, WhiteBoard, Bangladesh's premier policy magazine, unveils a comprehensive analysis of strategic, cost-effective policy solutions vital for the nation's future. This edition highlights the challenges and opportunities Bangladesh faces in an increasingly complex world.

Regarded as the country's first policy-focused publication, WhiteBoard has established itself as a key forum for policy enthusiasts, garnering widespread acclaim for its insightful content. The magazine's 14th issue offers pragmatic solutions to pressing policy challenges such as decentralization, infrastructure efficiency, and media plurality, all crucial for Bangladesh's sustainable development.

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Ahmed Ahsan, a veteran Bangladeshi economist and former World Bank expert, champions decentralization as a pivotal driver for competitive growth. His view aligns with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 1975 vision of empowering 61 districts, a move that laid the groundwork for substantial regional autonomy.

In the realm of public-private partnerships, young lawyer Arunima Dutta Aurni examines the untapped investment potential in Bangladesh. Despite an ambitious pipeline of 80 projects worth USD 41.6 billion, only a few have reached full operation, hindered by challenges like land acquisition and expertise shortages. Aurni proposes practical reforms, including standardized agreements and specialized training, to boost foreign investment in infrastructure.

The magazine also delves into Bangladesh's energy sector, with Muhammad Shafiullah and Tirta Das highlighting its direct impact on economic growth. However, they point out significant threats such as diminishing gas reserves and uneven energy ownership distribution, calling for urgent attention to these issues.

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Sulav Choudhury, CEO of BKMEA, addresses the imperative of modernizing Bangladesh’s traditional RMG sector. In a rapidly evolving global landscape marked by the fourth industrial revolution and climate risks, he argues for advanced technology and smart trade reforms to maintain the country's export competitiveness.

WhiteBoard's latest issue also explores the evolving media landscape, characterized by the blurring lines between traditional and modern media, and between news and entertainment. Veteran journalist Afsan Chowdhury, alongside researchers Rafsanul Hoque and Tanvir Ahmed Mozumder, addresses the digital divide in media access and consumption, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies that support freedom of expression and public participation.

Ratan Kumar Roy and SM Shameem Reza highlight the need for regulatory reforms in media policy. They argue for protecting journalists and countering misinformation in the internet era, without compromising freedom of expression.

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Editor Radwan Mujib Siddiq, in his editorial note, stresses the importance of policymakers identifying opportunities for marginal gains within existing policies.

Radwan, a trustee of CRI, underscores the necessity of cost-effective policymaking for Bangladesh's future, a theme central to this edition of WhiteBoard.

As Bangladesh's sole multisectoral policy magazine, WhiteBoard continues to foster progressive policy debates and offer a roadmap for policy refinement. It provides critical insights for navigating the global landscape while strengthening the nation's foundations for a challenging future.

WhiteBoard is published quarterly and is available on its website, with the option for readers worldwide to receive a complimentary copy.

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