An empirical investigation on trade openness and economic growth in Bangladesh economy

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of trade liberalization on Bangladesh economy between the periods 1980 to 2010. This research analyzes the achievements of the economy in terms of important variables such as growth, inflation, export and import after trade liberalization. The paper uses simple Ordinary Least Square (OLS) technique as methodology for empirical findings. The analysis clearly indicates that GDP growth increased consequent to liberalization. Trade liberalization does not seem to have affected inflation in the economy. The quantitative analysis also suggests that greater openness has had a favourable effect on economic development. Both real export and imports have increased with greater openness. Liberalization policy certainly improves export of the country which eventually leads higher economic growth after 1990s. The findings of this study can be an interesting example for trade liberalization policy study in developing countries.