Bangladesh and SAARC Countries: Bilateral Trade and Flaring of Economic Cooperation

Md. Abu Issa Gazi, Abdullah Al Masud, Razuan Ahmed Shuvro, Abu Ishaque Hossain, Muhammad Khalilur Rahman

Abstract


The primary purpose of this study is to observe the economic and
international trade relationships between Bangladesh and SAARC
countries during the Fiscal Years 2015-2016 to 2020-2021. This
research uses panel data to examine the relationship between
the nature and direction of exports and economic growth.
The researcher found that economic cooperation with SAARC
countries impacted economic growth, but there was insufficient
export adaptation. The study also showed that economic relations
have strengthened in recent epochs, and bilateral trade has
increased compared to previous years with SAARC countries.
The obtained results also showed that Bangladesh has suffered
from a long-standing trade imbalance with India and is in a
good position with Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives,
Nepal, and Pakistan. Our findings are beneficial for international
trade stakeholders and suggest that steps should be taken to
increase exports to reduce the trade deficit. Concern authorities
should be more aware of the expansion of trade facilitation and
infrastructure development.

JEL Classification: F5, F18, F23, F50, M16


Keywords


international trade; economic relations; export-import; trade deficit

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DOI: 10.15408/etk.v21i2.24353

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