Bangladesh is a role model for other LDC to emulate ! 

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Dos and don'ts for Bangladesh's development | Print Version
Dr. Shakuntala Bhabani        14 March 2023

Least Developed Countries (LDC) Conference was held in Doha, Qatar. Currently 46 least developed countries are working with the United Nations. Since 1980, the United Nations has been organizing this conference regularly every 10 years. Due to covid this time the conference was delayed by two years after 12 years. Happily, Bangladesh was at the center of discussion in this conference. It has been said that Bangladesh is a role model for other less developed countries. Because Bangladesh has achieved LDC graduation capability in just 12 years. Not only that, Bangladesh is far ahead of other countries in all the indicators required to achieve graduation, which is a surprise to everyone.

It was a very extraordinary thing, in this conference, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was called ‘transformational leadership’ by drawing everyone’s attention. Which means, a leader will motivate everyone by setting new and innovative goals with his talent and skills. At the same time, fix future goals with a long term plan to solve any problem. Not only ‘transformational leadership’, Sheikh Hasina has been called, ‘True Leader’, ‘Visionary Leader’. Because, she is leading a country in the right direction through long term planning. Which is really a matter of pride for a country.

Bangladesh has repeatedly been called the ‘Leader of List of Developed Countries’. Why is it said – that answer also came up in the conference.

First, the economic progress of Bangladesh is astounding. its GDP has been steadily improving. When the world is suffering due to global economic recession and corona, we have been able to fight through the dangers due to competent leadership.

Second, its progress in human development is remarkable. All its initiatives have been successful in increasing average life expectancy, reducing maternal and child mortality rates, and increasing education rates. For example, according to World Bank data, our average life expectancy in 1971 was only 45 years. According to the data of 2021, it has been 72 years. The main reason for this is the health system, production of nutritious food and socio-economic development.

Thirdly, Bangladesh is exemplary for many countries in disaster management.  The government takes various steps to deal with other natural disasters like floods, cyclones, heavy rains, droughts.  The government has also been able to play a role so that the victims can quickly return to normal life.

Fourthly, the government has been conducting extensive activities for social progress. Besides, we all know about the role of this government in preventing child marriage.

Lastly, Bangladesh has played an active role in international cooperation and has received significant support from the international community in its efforts to achieve economic and social development.

These factors have contributed to Bangladesh’s reputation as a leader among LDCs. Despite numerous challenges, Bangladesh has shown remarkable resilience and progress, which has certainly made it a model for other developing countries to emulate.

Also, in 2009, the Bangladesh government started efforts to build ‘Digital Bangladesh’ with the aim of transforming the country into a knowledge-based society by 2021. This initiative includes various projects such as the Access to Information (a2i) programme. One of the objectives of which was to improve public services using digital governance and ICT.

The National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy is playing a major role in the development of the ICT sector.

The government has established more than five thousand digital centers across the country. Whereas initiatives have been taken to provide various digital services to citizens including e-governance services like online tax filing, e-passport services and e-procurement to improve efficiency and transparency.

Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership are full of praise

Bangladesh is also gaining capacity in the field of education. According to UNESCO data, the education rate was 53 percent in 2001, which has reached 73 percent in 2018. Bangladesh government’s various steps including creating infrastructure for education, reforming education policy deserve praise.

A business summit was also held at the initiative of the Security Commission in this conference on least developed countries. A lot of enthusiasm about Bangladesh has been noticed among many investors in Qatar here. Apart from this, a major chapter has been initiated under the Military Cooperation Agreement between Bangladesh and Qatar. Where several army members from Bangladesh are said to be taken in Qatar’s military. Who will get opportunity to work on deputation in Qatar pay scale and rank. Initially, 1129 people had an agreement. Through these 1129 people, an opportunity to receive remittances of 3.5 million dollars per month will be created from the beginning. I think that it will be able to play a big role in increasing the reserves of Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister has also repeatedly said that infrastructure development has been and is happening at a massive rate in Bangladesh. which will attract foreign investors. At the same time, this government is also working to prepare their work area. It is not just that the infrastructure is being developed. Bangladesh has also prepared an Economic Zone, Investment Friendly Policy, One Stop Service and Special Economic Zone. These initiatives will surely attract foreigners.

One of the objectives of this conference was to make an effective plan for the next 10 years and work accordingly. Bangladesh was very important in this conference. Because Bangladesh will transition from the list of least developed countries in 2026. Its final recommendations have also been approved. Therefore, as a less developed country, Bangladesh will not be present in this future conference. So many people said there, if Bangladesh is not there, they will miss a role model. What can a country get bigger than this?

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