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Profile
Dhaka
is the main urban center and capital of
Bangladesh. It is also one of the
largest cities in the world with over 10
million people. While Dhaka is not
a major seaport it holds a smaller inland
port along with Narayanganj, Chandpur, Barisal
and Khulna.
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Country
Rankings
Bangladesh
|
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| Ease
of Doing Business World Bank '05 |
65
of 155
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Med*
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Corruption
Perception
Transparency International '05 |
158
of 159
|
Low
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Growth
Competitiveness
World Economic Forum '05 |
110
of 117
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Low
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| National
Literacy |
41.6%
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Low
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GDP
Growth
(2004 est.) |
4.9%
|
Low
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Dhaka
is the seat of the national government and is
the hub of the transport network. Its Zia
International Airport is the country’s largest
international airport.
The
manufacturing sector contributes around 15% to
Bangladesh’s GDP. Industrial activities
are mostly centered in Dhaka and Chittagong.
Export-processing zones (EPZs) have been established
in both cities to attract foreign investment.
The Dhaka EPZ was opened in 1993 and specializes
in high technology firms.
Recent
reports suggest that the SEC in Bangladesh is
set to introduce new guidelines for floating primary
shares with a view to encouraging the reputed
local, foreign and joint venture companies to
go public which would help to give new life to
the local markets. The Dhaka Stock Exchange
returned just about 15% last year. In addition,
A
recent UNCTAD report claims that FDI in Bangladesh
rose to a record $460 million last year.
The country as a whole ranks high on the IFC’s
recent “Doing Business in 2006” report
but Bangladesh is also the most corrupt country
for the 5th year running which will continue to
make it’s job of attracting further investments
from mature business groups an uphill task.
Key
Links:
Dhaka
Chamber of Commerce - www.dhakachamber.com
Export Promotion Bureau Bangladesh - http://www.epbbd.com
Board of Investment Bangladesh - www.boibd.org
Dhaka Stock Exchange - http://www.dsebd.org/
Source:
Population:
2004 or latest: http://www.citypopulation.de;
GDP Data: 2004 CIA Fact Book estimate; Literacy:
UN estimate
*
Country Ranking Codes: A relative color coding
of where the country falls compared to the 20
other Muslim countries represented in this list.
Hgh/Green=Top 3rd; Med/Yellow=Mid 3rd; Low/Orange=Bottom
rd
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