The Panam Institute officially launched its operations on Thursday as a new independent policy think tank, positioning itself as a platform for evidence-based research, policy advocacy and informed public dialogue on Bangladesh’s economic and governance challenges.
The launch event was held in Gulshan, Dhaka, alongside a high-level policy discussion on Bangladesh’s immediate economic priorities during what the organisers described as a critical geopolitical and post-revolution transition period.
Positioning itself as a non-partisan organisation, the Panam Institute said it aims to bridge the gap between academic research and public policymaking by working closely with policymakers, business leaders, academics, development partners and civil society.
The institute said its mission is to generate practical, evidence-based policy recommendations that can support Bangladesh’s long-term economic growth, institutional reform and sustainable development.
Five research priorities
According to the organisers, the institute will conduct research under five strategic pillars:
- Macroeconomic stability and governance
- Inclusive development and socio-economic equity
- Trade, investment and geoeconomics
- Sustainability and climate finance
- Banking and capital markets
From social media network to policy institution
The Panam Institute said the initiative evolved from an informal network of economists and policy enthusiasts that emerged on social media in the early 2020s to discuss Bangladesh’s economic challenges and governance issues.
Following the 2024 Monsoon Revolution, the group launched the podcast Orthonitir Barota, which sought to popularize policy discussions among a broader audience and encourage public engagement with economic reform debates.
Organizers said the strong public response to their Economic Reform Summit in October 2025 highlighted the need to establish a formal policy research institution capable of producing structured analysis and actionable recommendations.
Focus on the government’s first 18 months
A key session at the launch event focused on “The Economic Tests the Government Must Pass in Its First 18 Months,” examining the immediate policy reforms and economic priorities required to stabilise the economy during the transition period.
The discussion addressed issues including budget implementation, inflation management, revenue mobilisation, fiscal discipline, investment confidence and the broader challenge of translating economic planning into effective execution.
Speaking at the event, Jyoti Rahman, chair of the Panam Institute and a macroeconomist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), discussed the implementation challenges surrounding the national budget and broader economic planning for the coming years.
He emphasized the importance of institutional capacity, policy coordination and realistic reform sequencing to ensure that economic targets can be translated into measurable outcomes.
A platform for evidence-based dialogue
The Panam Institute said it intends to publish research papers, policy briefs, economic assessments and advisory recommendations on key national issues, with an emphasis on practical implementation rather than purely academic analysis.
Participants at the launch described the institute as an effort to create a more structured space for evidence-driven policy debate at a time when Bangladesh is facing pressures from global economic uncertainty, trade realignments, climate financing demands, banking sector vulnerabilities and domestic reform expectations.
The institute said it aims to serve as a long-term platform for informed policy dialogue and provide independent research to support evidence-based decision-making in Bangladesh’s economic and governance landscape.