Economic Impact of Rohingya Exodus on Bangladesh

Abstract

Rohingyas of the Rakhine state of Myanmar have earned the status of migrants while escaping from mass killing and torture. Bangladesh has been their close destination since the first attempt to migrate and it has welcomed them. This study aims at uncovering the economic impact of the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, which has faced the first wave of the influx, through understanding the changes in its economy. The Rohingya exodus may not have affected the economy yet but it has already caused enough trouble to its only touristic region, Cox's Bazar. The business intervention of China and Myanmar has a significant role in creating the current crisis. Thus, Rakhine state under the surveillance of the Myanmar military witnessed torture and persecution of Rohingya Muslim community for decades. Therefore, the international community has to come forward immediately and force Myanmar to resolve the crisis and help recover Bangladesh from great distress.

Impact of the geopolitical status quo vis‐à‐vis the Rohingya crisis on the social, economic, and political aspects of Bangladesh

“…Bangladesh faces the threat of revenue losses from the tourism sector because of the Rohingya influx into this area (Cookson, 2017; Myat, 2018). Hotel reservations decreased by 40% in 2017 compared to the previous year (Yilmaz & Talukder, 2019). Another tourist spot in Cox's Bazar, Saint Martin Island, had a low tourist turnout because of apprehensions about holidaying near the Bangladesh–Myanmar border and government security restrictions (Babu, 2020).…”

“…In addition, the locals in Ukhiya and Teknaf face losses of income and often become unemployed, which leads to deteriorating livelihoods for many locals (Chakma, 2019). As mentioned, 2000 locals became unemployed when the social forestry project ceased due to competing demands from the Rohingya settlements (Yilmaz & Talukder, 2019). The unemployment of locals, in general, is a continuous threat to Bangladesh's economic growth and sustainability (K. Yasmin, 2017).…”

“…The ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and China's global capitalist business plan in Myanmar can be seen as two sides of a coin (Yilmaz & Talukder, 2019). China has significant strategic and economic interests in Myanmar.…”