AZAshfaq Zaman

1. Article · Aug 21, 2026 · Ashfaq Zaman

   What Bangladesh's golden fibre needs to become a climate-era export (opens the original)

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   Bangladesh has spent five decades protecting the reputation of one raw commodity: our golden fibre, jute. But what it has not built is the industrial ecosystem that could turn that commodity into commercial products the world demands as environmentally friendly alternatives to various synthetic goods. While on July 15, Faridpur Jute received the Geographical Indication (GI) status, which the Agriculture Secretary Dr Rafiqul I Mohamed said would help establish the fibre’s identity abroad, it must

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2. Article · Jul 18, 2026 · Ashfaq Zaman

   Economic diplomacy is no longer optional for Bangladesh (opens the original)

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   For most of its history, Bangladesh has approached the world through a fairly traditional lens—political ties, development partnerships, and multilateral diplomacy. That approach has served us well, bringing in goodwill, aid, and strategic friendships at moments when we badly needed them. But the world has changed, and so has what diplomacy needs to deliver. The countries that will do well over the next decade won't necessarily be the ones with the biggest populations or the cheapest labour. The

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