Economy
Inflation finally dawns on youth as potato crackers price increased
For a generation that evaluates the economy based on carbonated drink prices, it took a while for Bangladeshi youth to perceive the true gravity of the ongoing economic inflation. The concerned youth didn’t flinch during the oil price hike or as the dollar market rose higher by the hour. But as it turns out, the price hike of Potato Crackers chips is where they draw the line.
“The first wave started with the increase of the 250 ml Coca-Cola price. It was tough but we had to resort to our last option – Bepis,” says Shadman Sakib, a victim of the recent Potato Crackers crisis, “But what about Potato Crackers? I can’t just replace it with the closest knockoff! It’s potato chips, not my undergrad from Canada where I can just choose the University of Newfoundland if Manitoba’s not an option!”
Unlike the dollar market crisis or oil price hike, the Potato Crackers price hike has affected the privileged classes as well. Panic floods the streets of Gulshan, Banani and the urban and more privileged sections of Uttara. Supermarkets have reportedly run out of stocks of Potato Crackers as victims are fearing prices rising even further in the future.
Bashir Wayne, an eminent icon of the privileged class, expressed his concern, “I’m the least bothered when it comes to money. I don’t get the panic among the peasants regarding the dollar price hike. If things are too expensive for you to buy in taka, just pay in dollars using your father’s credit card. The Bangladeshi currency inflation can’t affect you if you don’t use Bangladeshi currency in the first place! I can’t believe our economists haven’t yet come up with this simple solution.”
“However, the Potato Crackers crisis made me realize that we, as a nation, are in grave danger,” continued Bashir, “Just like my father tries to bypass the taxation policies of our country, I also tried to bypass the crisis and order Potato Crackers on Amazon. Unfortunately, it wasn’t available and now I have to live my worst nightmare – pay for something in cash on my own and live like a commoner.”
Acclaimed economist and Nobel laureate Dr. You-Know-Who dissected the financial strategy of our youth, “The panic regarding price hike of Potato Crackers among our youth is equivalent to the panic regarding oil prices among our boomers. While nations evaluate the economy in terms of gold reserves, import-export index or local market prices of commodities, our youth measures it through prices of energy drinks, chips, inflammable death sticks and the availability of vouchers on food delivery apps. For them to understand the gravity of the inflation, we must dumb the economic terms down to their IQ and explain it to them as you’d to a 4-year-old.”
Dr. You-Know-Who’s new book ‘Inflation for the Mentally Inflated’ intends to explain the financial crisis to Bangladeshi youth and create the much-needed panic among them so that they can be more financially responsible, save their money and invest in more fruitful ventures.
During the eleventh month of the current fiscal year, the country’s foreign currency reserves have fallen below $19 billion for the first time. After paying off some import bills, the reserves have now stood at $18.26 billion on Sunday.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as of May 8, the total foreign currency reserves of the country were $19.82 billion.
Mohammad Mezbauul Haque, the spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, informed that through the Asian Clearing Union (ACU), the central bank has paid off import bills totaling $1.63 billion over the past two months.
However, Bangladesh Bank maintains that after paying off the import bills, the foreign currency reserves now stand at $23.71 billion.
According to the Central Bank’s accounts, the reserves were $25.27 billion on May 8.
The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the DSE Brokers Association (DBA) have expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her directive to list government companies in the capital market, a move hailed as timely and positive.
The directive was issued during the recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) last Thursday.
Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Hasan Babu, Chairman of DSE, described the directive as a significant step towards enhancing the dynamics of the capital market. He emphasized that besides invigorating the capital market, this move would also attract foreign investment and promote sustainable development.
Despite previous efforts, government institutions had not been listed in the stock exchange, according to a notification issued by the DSE. The Prime Minister’s directive is seen as a pivotal step towards revitalizing and expanding the economy.
Dr. Babu further remarked, “The listing of reputable companies in the capital market, as directed by the Prime Minister, will greatly benefit the country’s economy. It will also enhance investor confidence.”
Similarly, the DBA released a notification applauding the Prime Minister’s directive, terming it as positive and timely for the capital market.
Saiful Islam, President of DBA, expressed optimism about the directive’s potential to accelerate the country’s capital market and overall economy. He pledged support to relevant government departments and regulatory bodies in implementing the directive, ensuring its positive impact on the economy, including the capital market.
India has expressed interest in financing Bangladesh’s Teesta project, announced Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Mahmud stressed the importance of aligning the project with Bangladesh’s needs. He confirmed discussions on the Teesta issue during the meeting. Mahmud also affirmed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to New Delhi, indicating that the finalization of the date would depend on the formation of the new Indian government following ongoing elections.
Meanwhile, the IMF has approved a $1.15 billion staff-level loan for Bangladesh in its third tranche. Mahmud noted the ongoing elections in India and the subsequent formation of the new government as factors influencing the scheduling of PM Hasina’s visit.
When asked about the sequence of visits to India and China, Mahmud suggested Delhi’s geographical proximity to Bangladesh. Diplomatic sources suggest PM Hasina’s visit to India is planned for early July, following India’s elections.
Pre-election surveys indicate strong prospects for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election. Modi previously congratulated PM Hasina on her electoral victory in January, expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two nations.
The last bilateral engagement between the prime ministers occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023. Modi is expected to invite South Asian and BIMSTEC leaders to his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.
Addressing border killings, Mahmud emphasized the government’s commitment to ending such incidents and promoting the use of non-lethal weapons by border forces. Discussions also covered enhancing physical and people-to-people connectivity, including cooperation with India to import hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan through India. Mahmud highlighted the need to further ease visa restrictions to strengthen people-to-people relations.
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