Socio-Economic Analysis of Informal Business Activities: A Case Study on Central Business District Area of Dhaka City

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the present status of informal business activities of Central Business District (CBD) area of Dhaka, capital city of Bangladesh and issues regarding socio-economic development of it. Data for the study is collected from a sample of 153 informal business workers within Motijeel area, the CBD of Dhaka city. A semi-structured questionnaire is used to generate survey data and then analyzed through simple statistical methods. Demographics of the respondents show that most of them are young and middle aged with limited educational qualification. They face shortage of capital as majority relies on their own savings. Moreover, maximum workers have monthly income below than BDT 15,000. However, almost all of them are willing to expand current business, though many find it competitive enough. The study will be useful to the policy makers for improving present status of the informal workers. From the government level, policy can be initiated for better environmental planning as well as improving socio-economic conditions of the informal business workers. However, the study opens the scope for further comprehensive study in related development areas.

Keywords: Informal Sector, Informal Business Activities, Central Business District, Socio-economic analysis, Bangladesh