IMF Working Papers

Bangladesh: Economic Reform Measures and the Poor

By Padma Gotur

April 1, 1991

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Format: Chicago

Padma Gotur. Bangladesh: Economic Reform Measures and the Poor, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 1991) accessed September 19, 2024
Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

This paper assesses the impact on the poor of the economic reforms undertaken in Bangladesh under Fund-supported structural adjustment programs. It finds that program-induced changes in production, employment, and incomes have benefitted the poor, while the adverse impact of program-induced price changes has been modest. However, as adjustment efforts are intensified under the current structural adjustment program, more pronounced short-term adverse effects might arise, requiring compensatory measures. The paper reviews special assistance programs for the poor, including those designed to mitigate the potential adverse effects of adjustment, noting that improved targeting would yield sizable fiscal savings that could be used for strengthening social programs.

Subject: Agricultural commodities, Commodities, Consumption, Income, Inflation, National accounts, Population and demographics, Prices, Wages

Keywords: Adverse impact, Agricultural commodities, Consumption, Employment opportunity, ESAF period, ESAF program, Household expenditure survey, Income, Income growth, Income-generating capacity, Income-generating opportunity, Inflation, Per capita income, Price change, Price distortion, Price increase, Private sector, Real wage, Redistribution policy, Wage employment, WP

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    28

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Working Paper No. 1991/039

  • Stock No:

    WPIEA0391991

  • ISBN:

    9781451845730

  • ISSN:

    1018-5941