http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/7 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:24:17 GMT 2026-04-19T17:24:17Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4824 SKILL GAP ANALYSIS OF THE MIGRANT WORKERS OF BANGLADESH Islam, Md Shahedul Bangladesh, the eighth most populous and most densely populated country in the world, faces severe challenges as its population exceeds the available land and resources. This imbalance has resulted in widespread unemployment and underemployment, placing immense pressure on the economy, social safety nets, basic human needs, and the Human Development Index (HDI). In response, large-scale migration for employment began in the 1970s, primarily toward Middle Eastern countries. Today, overseas employment has become a critical driver of foreign currency earnings, contributing approximately 27 billion United States dollars (USD) in 2024, or 5.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This trend is expected to accelerate. However, the overseas employment sector has long faced numerous challenges, exacerbated by the rapid rise of automation and digitalization in the era of Industry 4.0, as a large proportion of Bangladeshi migrant workers remain unskilled and less educated. Skilled workers earn significantly more than unskilled workers, enjoy greater job security, and benefit from improved working and living conditions. This study explores the critical skill development needs in the service sector of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for skilled and semi-skilled jobs, identifying both the skill needs and skill gaps among Bangladeshi workers. The research employed an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative data from 12 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with quantitative analysis based on surveys of 100 employers and 408 workers. Grounded in Human Capital Theory, which asserts that investments in skills directly improve productivity and earning potential, the study followed a systematic analytical process involving reliability tests (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.944), sample adequacy tests (KMO = 0.911), and correlation and regression analysis (R = 0.940; R² = 0.883). The findings reveal significant skill gaps among Bangladeshi workers, including lack of experience, inadequate educational backgrounds, absence of professional technical skills, poor language proficiency, and deficient communication skills. Statistical analysis shows that technical training (Beta = 0.684, p = 0.000) and work experience (Beta = 0.224, p = 0.000) are strong predictors of higher earnings. English-speaking and writing proficiency, educational qualifications, ICT skills, manners and etiquette, cultural awareness, and basic knowledge of legal aspects were also found to influence wage earnings. 8 To develop the aforementioned skills among Bangladeshi workers, the study recommends strengthening the vocational and technical education system, improving ICT skills, enhancing language proficiency, and developing soft skills such as communication, manners and etiquette, and cultural adaptability. Furthermore, the study advocates for the establishment of a standardized national certification system aligned with GCC market requirements. These measures are expected to improve the skill levels of Bangladeshi workers, ultimately enhancing the employability and earning potential of Bangladeshi migrant workers. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4824 2026-04-19T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4823 Transmission Mechanism of Monetary Policy: The Effect on Bank Competition Abedin, Sultana Shahida The changes in monetary policy affects the channel of bank lending directly as by the change of interest rate banks are given the signal of lowering the flow of loanable funds to the prospective borrowers if the interest rate is set higher by the policy makers. Some recent studies have confirmed that in the economy where banks are competitive with each other, the lending channel has comparatively minor adversity by the interest rate change. The primary objective of this study is to find out the effect of the change of monetary policy on banks when they are competitive among themselves. To obtain this objective, the measures of bank competition would be calculated and then they would be tested via empirical model to find out the effect interest rate change on banks when they are in a competitive situation. Finally, there will be comparative analysis between Western and Eastern regions‟ banks. In this study, 10 countries were selected, a mix of developed and developing, to see whether the banks are competitive or monopolistic and finally how the demand for loanable funds gets affected by the monetary policy change. To measure the competition Panzar- Rosse H statistics were calculated and the bank level data are collected from Bankscope. To analyze the impression of competition on bank lending channel the empirical model of Ehrmann et at (2003) was adopted, which is been followed by many other studies as well. As the data covered the global financial crisis era, to check whether the banks‟ competition could have the same impact on bank loan supply through and afterwards the catastrophe, the samples were divided into two groups – during and after the crisis, and the model was tested again. Interestingly the countries where there is monopolistic competition show less sensitivity compared to those which have no competition among themselves for interest rate change. It was observed that, during global financial crisis, bank competition cannot perform strongly to x | P age xi | P a g e combat the policy rate changes by ensuring their loanable funds‟ demand to be fulfilled smoothly and banks of eastern region needed more time to heal even after the crisis period. The study overall proves that the monetary transmission mechanism gets weaker when the banks are competitive in a country and suggests the policy makers to come up with some alternatives to preserve the true intention of Monetary Policy Change. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4823 2026-04-19T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4812 Impact of Climate Change and Financial Risks on Coastal Tourism in Bangladesh Nowreen, Samshad Bangladesh is embedded with diversified natural attractions, seasonal beauty, and different physiographic characteristics. Moreover, the country has a long coastline in the south with three major types of distinct land formations and biodiversity. These salient features of natural attraction ramify nature-based tourist destinations in the world. However, natural calamity along with the major threat of climate change induces natural disaster that threatens the top tourist destinations of Bangladesh, such Cox’s Bazar or Kuakata or the Sundarbans. It hinders the tourism growth of the neighboring countries of Bangladesh. Therefore, the research identifies the climate change impact on coastal tourism of Bangladesh, and the financial risks in coastal tourism arising from climate change. To conduct this research, mixed-methods research design that is predictive and explanatory in nature. Three distinct study areas had been selected for the research based on their physiographic condition. Two types of data were collected and analyzed: secondary data on climatic variables and images of vegetation coverage of the study areas, and financial data from five banks, all obtained from authentic and reliable sources. Moreover, a primary survey for an in-depth interview with 20 respondents had also been conducted. After triangulating and analyzing time series, results show that slow, gradual climate change is occurring across all climatic elements, triggering different types of calamities in the study areas. The Tourism Climate Index (TCI) model was used to analyze and predict future comfort seasons for travel in the study areas. Mostly, though the trend of rising temperatures is very low at present, it would be higher in the near future if Business As Usual (BAU) continues. As such, among the three regions, the top outdoor tourism and recreation destination of Bangladesh would experience the greatest rise in temperature, with prolonged and higher precipitation rates. Furthermore, the rise in hot weather has spread across the area over the last forty years, with a declining trend in v vegetation coverage across the whole area. There is an increasing rate of depositional landforms. Furthermore, TCI model shows that although Cox’s Bazar is the top-ranked outdoor tourism destination at present, it would gradually decline as it becomes less favorable to tourists because of the shrinkage of the tourist season, and the excellent tourist season would become moderate to tourists as climatic conditions will have higher temperatures, more cloudy sky, an increased rate of precipitation and windy weather. Consequently, analyzing credit risk by developing a model of TCI risk factors for bank loans, it has been identified that the risk factor for Cox’s Bazar will be the highest. Different banks will have different types of credit risks based on the model developed for the “Tourist Climate Index Value at Risk (TCI-VaR)”, which has found that credit lending for a prolonged maturity period would entail greater credit risk, which is currently neglected. It would be between 2.62% and 3.71% for 10-year and 5-year debt (10 million BDT), reflecting the impact of climate change. Kuakata would have a very low, rising trend in temperature and precipitation, though it is negligible at present. There is also widespread hot weather across the area. After using the TCI model to analyze tourists’ comfort in the study area, it shows that, though the tourist season would shrink, Kuakata would remain a more favorable place for outdoor or beach tourism, with excellent climatic conditions from November to March. In terms of investment, Kuakata would be least affected by climate change, as the TCI risk factor has been identified as negative. Thus, TCI-VaR credit risk will be -0.05% per 0.1 million BDT in debt for tourism. However, most banks do not lend money for tourism or recreational projects for tourists in this area, as Kuakata, as a tourist destination, is still neglected. Finally, the temperature and precipitation in Shatkhira show a rising trend upto year 2100. Moreover, the vegetation coverage has been gradually declining with wetlands. However, if other variables remain as control variables (such as deforestation, land encroachment, and vi hunting) due to climate change, this area would remain favorable for tourists, with very good climatic conditions from December to February, for the next eighty years. Furthermore, in terms of investment, the Sundarbans would be less affected by climate change, as the TCI risk factor has been identified as moderate. Likewise, Kuakata has also been neglected and has not burgeoned into a tourist destination. Banks would have to face a credit risk of 0.40% over 3 years for a 0.1 million BDT loan, which has been neglected as a aftermath of climate change. Therefore, from the research, it is clear that different study areas require different policy formulations for investments and tourism development zoning. The top tourist destinations in Cox’s Bazar are in a high-risk position for investment in outdoor or beach tourism due to climate change. Conversely, this research identifies other coastal destinations that would remain comfortable for outdoor tourism-based activities over the next hundred years. However, there might be other factors that degrade the destination; yet, policy formulation to keep the destination rich in natural resources is very urgent at present for sustainable tourism development. Besides, Cox’s Bazar, which is considered the top revenue-generating destination of Bangladesh, should be slowly transformed into an amalgamation of man-made and natural destinations to sustain development and preserve its top position. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4812 2026-04-13T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4797 EVALUATION OF PRICING STRATEGIES IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL SECTOR OF BANGLADESH HOSSAIN, TAHMINA The high price of pharmaceutical drugs remains a critical issue in Bangladesh, where a large portion of the population struggles to afford essential medicines. This study investigates the underlying causes of high drug prices, focusing on the pricing strategies of the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical sector. It analyzes financial data from 26 companies listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange, representing over 76% of the market, to examine the relationship between cost of goods sold (COGS) and net income (NI). Quantitative methods, including Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis using STATA 14, assess how COGS impacts profitability. In addition, stakeholder perspectives were collected through structured surveys using a Likert scale and analyzed through frequency distribution. The findings indicate a positive correlation between COGS and net profit, reflecting the dominance of cost-plus pricing models in the sector. This suggests that lowering production and supply chain costs could help reduce drug prices. However, the study also identifies key obstacles such as inefficient supply systems and unethical marketing practices, which further inflate prices and limit access. To address these challenges, the research recommends strengthening regulatory oversight, encouraging local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), supporting contract manufacturing, and implementing cost-control policies. These steps aim to enhance affordability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability of essential medicines in Bangladesh. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4797 2026-03-03T00:00:00Z