Stock Market Development and Economic Growth in Bangladesh: An Empirical Appraisal

This article seeks to examine the impact of the Bangladesh's stock market development on its economic growth from the period of 1989-2012. We have used Johansen Cointegration test to estimate the long-run equilibrium relationship between the variables and the Granger causality test was conducted in order to establish causal relationship, while the model was estimated using the error correction model (ECM). Johansen co-integration test results show that the Bangladesh's stock market development and economic growth are co-integrated. This indicates that a long run relationship exists between stock market development and economic growth in Bangladesh. The causality test results suggest a unidirectional causality from stock market development to the economic growth. On the other hand, there is no “reverse causation” from economic growth to stock market development. The evidence from this study reveals that the activities in the stock market tend to impact positively on the economy. It is recommended therefore that stock market regulatory authority should therefore address policy issues that are capable of boosting the investors' confidence through improved policy formulation and creation of awareness.