In July 2024, Team Bangladesh was getting ready for the big travel — their first on-site participation in the IEO since 2019 — when the country faced an unprecedented crisis: Bangladesh was engulfed in political unrest, resulting in a nationwide lockdown and a complete internet blackout just a week before their departure. Amidst this uncertainty, Al Amin rallied participants from across the city, navigating military checkpoints to reach the airport.

In an extraordinary feat, they managed to secure visas within a week — a process that typically takes much longer. Despite the odds, the contestants successfully boarded their flight, marking a triumphant moment for the team. Al Amin described their journey as a rocky adventure filled with uncertainty, highlighting the resilience and determination of the participants who were unsure if they would even be able to compete.

During the IEO, the contestants experienced mental trauma due to communication barriers caused by political unrest in their home country. For days, they were unable to connect with their families, heightening their anxiety. Fortunately, the IEO 2024 Steering Committee managed to provide some comfort amidst this chaos.

Upon returning to Bangladesh on August 1, the situation deteriorated rapidly, culminating in a government collapse just four days later. The country faced a lockdown and widespread uncertainty, with military presence on the streets and sporadic internet blackouts.

In a positive turn of events, a new interim government was formed, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a renowned economist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his work in microcredit. According to Al Amin, the new leadership marks a shift towards a more qualified and economically-focused administration, bringing hope for stability and progress in the nation. Also, the background of the new leader makes Al Amin believe that it will be easier to promote financial literacy and economic education since the government has a better understanding of the influence these fields of knowledge have over the youth's success in life.

A new chapter has begun for the Bangladesh Economics Olympiad. After years of networking and establishing agreements, Al Amin now faces the challenge of starting from scratch. He must seek recognition from the new government and secure sponsorship for the upcoming season. With the success of the BEO, he aims to elevate economic education in his country to new heights.

For the upcoming season, Al Amin is planning to revamp the outreach strategy for partnerships. Previously, the BEO sought sponsorships from private companies; however, it became clear that these companies were primarily focused on enhancing their own brand through the event rather than supporting emerging economists. As a result, the Olympiad offered little beyond branding opportunities, leading to minimal investment from these firms.

Now, Al Amin's main objective is to cultivate goodwill with the government. The government's key responsibility is to ensure the welfare of its citizens by promoting beneficial initiatives in social sectors, including education and talent development. Given the current administration's priorities, Al Amin believes they will be receptive to the project. He has already engaged in discussions with a prominent financial advisor from the government, who has pledged support in promoting the competition.

Al Amin underscored the importance of aligning the Olympiad's objectives with the national strategy, citing financial literacy and inclusion as key examples. He also proposed that integrating the Olympiad into the national curriculum would be advantageous for both the country and the competition: it would produce more financially literate citizens while increasing participation in the Olympiad, as economic and financial education would become more accessible to students.

The current challenges include a need for funding and a shortage of manpower. To address the latter, Al Amin is enhancing the Olympiad's image by inviting prominent individuals to join its governing bodies, which in turn attracts volunteers and support from various institutions. However, he occasionally finds it difficult to discern the genuine intentions of those who offer help, as there have been instances where volunteers sought to exploit their roles for personal gain. As a result, he is now more selective in choosing the organizing team and relies on a few trusted individuals to oversee key operations.

The Bangladesh Economics Olympiad demonstrates resilience and a commitment to growth despite facing significant political and systemic challenges. The organization actively seeks solutions through strategic partnerships, government advocacy, and international collaboration.