Dhaka, Feb. 5 -- Bangladesh needs institutional reform to overcome economic challenges, but undue influences of the powerful quarters thwart the process, said the country's noted economists on Saturday.

They were also skeptical about the implementation of a set of reforms tagged by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with its $4.7 billion credit programme to Bangladesh.

They came up with the observations at the SANEM'S (South Asian Network on Economic Modeling) 6th economic conference held at the BRAC Centre Inn in the capital. The economists also questioned the country's quality of growth as it cannot create jobs and reduce inequality.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the conference, renowned economist Wahiduddin Mahmud said Ba...