South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM)

Energy Outlook | April 2026 | Vol 2 Issue 4:
Bangladesh’s Renewable Energy Supply Chain: Gaps, Barriers, and the Path Forward.

In this issue of Energy Outlook, we unpack the structural challenges shaping Bangladesh’s renewable energy transition and the urgent need to build a resilient, end-to-end domestic supply chain.

The first article, “Powering Bangladesh’s Future: Why the Renewable Energy Supply Chain Must Be Built at Home”, argues that developing local capacity across manufacturing, finance, logistics, standards, and skilled labor is critical for energy security and sustainable industrial growth. The second, “How Import Duties and Taxes are Shaping Bangladesh’s Solar Energy Future”, examines how inconsistent and high tax structures are raising costs, weakening local competitiveness, and slowing solar adoption. The third piece, “Bangladesh’s Renewable Energy Transition: A Missing Link in Quality Assurance”, highlights how gaps in testing and certification infrastructure are creating inefficiencies and risks within the sector. The final article, “War, Energy, and Bangladesh’s Missing Solar Workforce”, explores how a shortage of skilled workers and weak vocational systems are constraining the country’s renewable ambitions.

Finally, the last page presents key figures capturing trends and challenges across Bangladesh’s renewable energy supply chain.

Read the full issue. Link in comments.

If development is leading us toward a cliff, can it still be called progress?

At Breakout Session 21, Mr Owais Parry of UNDP Bangladesh underscored that current industrialisation patterns are accelerating climate change making it critical to redesign growth pathways that are truly sustainable.

Speakers at the Panel Session on “Strengthening ESG Practices in Bangladesh” emphasized that ESG must move beyond compliance and reporting to become a strategic framework shaping Bangladesh’s position in the global economy.

Strengthening ESG is no longer optional but central to sustainable growth and global competitiveness.

At Breakout Session 17 on Social Protection at , Ms. Shrayana Bhattacharya of the World Bank highlighted a critical imbalance, while Bangladesh has made notable progress in cash transfers, social insurance and labour market interventions remain significantly underdeveloped.

Addressing this gap requires strengthening social insurance systems and ensuring their long-term sustainability through greater industry participation.

At the Plenary Session “Romancing the Reform: The Bangladesh Story” at , speakers highlighted a critical reality- reforms are often mistaken for external prescriptions, while the real challenge lies in implementation, institutional capacity, and public perception.

From questioning the framing of reform agendas to emphasizing ex*****on gaps and the need to invest in skills and systems over mere infrastructure, the discussion underscored that meaningful reform goes beyond design, it demands delivery.

Call for Papers | The Indian Journal of Labour Economics (IJLE) invites submissions for a Special Issue on: “The Future of Work in Transition: Technology, Green Transition, and Gender Balance”

Seeking contributions from scholars, practitioners, and policymakers on:

→ Digitalization & automation
→ Platform & gig work
→ Green jobs & just transition
→ Gender, care & wage gaps
→ Informality & migration

📅 Deadline: 16 August 2026
📖 Journal IF: 1.1 | Peer-reviewed | Springer Nature

Guest Editors:
• Dr Selim Raihan
• Dr Balwant Singh Mehta
• Dr Dev Nathan

Tag a researcher who should apply!

Details and submission link in comments.

Warm congratulations to Nafis Mubarrat on becoming a Research Associate.
Here’s to greater achievements ahead!🎉

Moving beyond the “women vs men” narrative, Breakout Session 18: Gender Economics II at highlighted how gender inequality is deeply rooted in societal norms and learned behaviors.

As Sharmin Islam noted, engaging men and boys is essential, making empowerment a shared journey toward inclusive development.

At Breakout Session 16 of , Dr. Sakib Bin Amin of North South University highlighted a key gap in economic thinking- while labour and capital dominate, energy remains overlooked as a core factor of production.

Reframing energy as central to productivity is essential for sustainable growth.

At Breakout Session 15 on Health Economics at , a powerful message emerged - health spending must be seen not as a cost, but as a long-term investment in national development. Strong evidence and research only matter when they translate into better policies, stronger institutions, and real improvements in people’s lives.

A healthier population is not just an outcome - it’s a foundation for sustainable growth. The time to rethink our priorities is now.