Political change in Bangladesh played a major role in establishing the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and Independent Review of Bangladesh’s Development (IRBD.)
After the end of military rule, Prof Rehman Sobhan thought about how to bring together economic stakeholders and policymakers for discussion, said Dr Fahmida Khatun, executive director of CPD, during the second session of “The CPD Journey: Commemorating CPD's 30th Anniversary” on Sunday.
“IRBD was born as one of CDP’s flagship programs. As a flagship program, IRBD was first completed in December 1995,” Fahmida also said during a session titled “An Independent Review of Bangladesh’s Development (IRBD).”
CPD Research Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem delivered the keynote presentation of “Thirty years of CPD Journey IRBD and Beyond”.
CPD’s objectives are to enhance national capacity for economy-wide policy analysis; foster regional cooperation in key areas such poverty alleviation, trade, investment, and connectivity; facilitate Bangladesh’s effective integration into the process of globalization, he said in his keynote.
CPD is adamant on its decision. The organization is working despite facing various challenges. From the beginning, CPD has not given its opinion in favour of black money whitening, Moazzem also stated.
He also said: “CPD’s research activities have worked for the government’s development. It has worked on plans. Along with this, it has also helped in many policymaking.”
At the event, CPD Board of Trustees member Rasheda K Chowdhury said: “Along with economic research, research on remittances is also needed. It is important to calculate how income is spent.”
CPD seeks to be the leading institution for in-depth research and dialogue to promote inclusive policymaking in Bangladesh, and strengthen regional and global economic integration.
CPD was established in 1993 with the vision of creating an inclusive society based on equity, justice, fairness, and good governance.