“Telling Bangladesh’s Economic Story to the World”

Md Kamruzzaman, widely known as Babu Kamruzzaman, is a Special Correspondent at News24 Television and a distinguished Bangladeshi business journalist. He recently covered the 2025 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., where he was the only Bangladeshi TV journalist from a major national network to conduct exclusive, in-depth interviews with key policymakers. Now based in New York, Kamruzzaman continues his reporting across global and diaspora platforms, including recent expert appearance on U.S.-based Bangladeshi community television channel and newspaper. In this exclusive interview with one of the leading and country’s first online business news portal Arthosuchak, he shares insights from his conversations with the Bangladesh Bank Governor and the Finance Adviser, and reflects on Bangladesh’s evolving role in global economic diplomacy.

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Arthosuchak: You were the only TV journalist from Bangladesh’s mainstream media to conduct exclusive interviews at the Spring Meetings. How did that opportunity come about?

Md Kamruzzaman: It was an outcome of preparation, credibility, and trust. While one or two other Bangladeshi TV journalists were present, I was the only one representing News24 Television who conducted special, in-depth, on-camera interviews with both the Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur and the Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed. These weren’t brief statements—they were full-length conversations that gave valuable insight into Bangladesh’s economic position at the meetings.

I believe it’s part of my responsibility as a journalist to bring back these global narratives to our national audience in a way that is contextual, detailed, and impactful.

Arthosuchak: What did you learn from these exclusive interviews?

Md Kamruzzaman: These interviews revealed a balance of ambition and caution. Bangladesh secured a $950 million package from the World Bank—targeted at key infrastructure, budget support, and social safety initiatives. But discussions with the IMF were more sensitive. They’re asking for reforms on exchange rate flexibility and tax structure, while our officials are emphasizing economic stability.

It’s not just about funding—it’s about how Bangladesh positions itself in a shifting global order. Capturing that story was essential.

Arthosuchak: You’ve long covered major international financial forums. How has that shaped your career?

Md Kamruzzaman: Covering global economic diplomacy has been a central focus of my work. Before Washington 2025, I reported on the 2022 World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings and the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva. These experiences gave me a front-row seat to how international decisions affect trade, aid, and development policy in countries like ours.

I don’t just follow the events—I actively engage with high-level stakeholders, analyze agreements, and interpret their implications for the public. That’s what business journalism should do: connect the global with the local.

Arthosuchak: You’ve also appeared recently as a guest expert on community media in the U.S. Tell us more.

Md Kamruzzaman: Yes, during my current stay in New York, I was interviewed as a guest expert on a Bangladeshi community TV channel. We discussed the IMF-World Bank outcomes and what they mean for Bangladesh’s economic path. For diaspora audiences, it’s important to understand the country’s evolving role, especially from someone who was there on the ground.

I see it as an extension of my role—educating, informing, and bridging international developments with our people abroad.

Arthosuchak: You’ve made complex financial stories accessible to the public. Why does that matter?

Md Kamruzzaman: Because policy only works when people understand it. My job is to decode the technical — IMF conditions, WTO decisions, budget breakdowns — and explain how they affect jobs, prices, stability, and growth.

Good economic journalism isn’t just informative; it’s a form of public service. The public deserves clarity, not jargon.

Arthosuchak: What kind of recognition or impact has your reporting received?

Md Kamruzzaman: I’ve received responses from economists, business leaders, and even officials who’ve engaged with or cited my work. Some stories have helped prompt follow-ups in policy forums. I also mentor emerging journalists, especially in business reporting, to carry forward this standard of work.

When viewers say they finally understood an issue because of your report — that’s the real validation.

Arthosuchak: What’s next while you’re in New York?

Md Kamruzzaman: I’m continuing to follow global economic developments and building new connections for future international reporting. I’m also developing multimedia stories that showcase Bangladesh’s economic diplomacy in international platforms. There’s more to tell, and more ground to cover — literally and journalistically.