Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has refused to apologize for the deaths of at least 1,400 people during Bangladesh’s July 2024 Uprising, saying she mourns the victims but rejects accusations that she ordered security forces to fire on protesters. In written interviews with Reuters, AFP, and the Independent, Hasina called the charges of crimes against […]
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Tuesday there is no reason for the United States or any other country to be concerned about Bangladesh’s balanced relationship with China.
South Asia could add millions of jobs by integrating more deeply into global value chains, according to the World Bank. Greater participation would attract foreign direct investment, increase competition, and raise productivity.
Following its 2022 economic collapse, Sri Lanka is focusing on private-sector job creation to rebuild livelihoods. With World Bank support, the government has introduced reforms to boost competitiveness and attract investment. The goal is to shift from state-dominated sectors to dynamic industries such as tourism, manufacturing, and services. Officials say restoring investor confidence and ensuring […]
The World Bank says unlocking the potential of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) could yield the biggest job gains in South Asia. These firms account for the majority of employment but face regulatory hurdles, unreliable infrastructure, and limited access to credit. Simplifying tax and labor laws, investing in energy and transportation, and eliminating favoritism […]
Despite rapid economic growth, South Asia remains one of the world’s most unequal regions for working women. Only about one in three women participate in the labor force, compared with one in two globally, according to the World Bank. Cultural norms, household duties, and safety concerns keep many out of paid work. Experts say governments […]
India’s Skill India Mission Operation, backed by a $250 million World Bank loan, has trained nearly six million youth, 34 percent of them female. The project funds District Skill Committees to promote market-relevant skills and expand employability across the country. While experts say the initiative has improved job readiness, they warn that deep gender and […]
Bangladesh is tackling youth unemployment through the $300 million RAISE program, supported by the World Bank. The initiative targets nearly 900,000 young people who left school early, offering counseling, life-skills and job training, and access to finance. One participant, Suma, was abandoned by her husband and returned to her parents, facing stigma as a divorced […]
South Asia’s population is growing younger and more restless. By 2035, nearly 300 million people in the region will be between 15 and 24, the World Bank reports. With current growth patterns, about a quarter — more than 70 million — will be neither in school nor employed. Analysts warn the numbers could undermine economic […]
Youth frustration over corruption and unemployment is reshaping South Asia’s politics. In Nepal, Generation Z protests against graft and joblessness brought down the government in September 2025. A year earlier, student demonstrations in Bangladesh forced the prime minister into exile, while similar unrest in Sri Lanka in 2022 ousted its president. Governments that emerged from […]
