The people of the country will see a political government next year, Planning and Finance Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud has said. "Personally, I believe we will see an elected government next year," he said while speaking at the opening session of the Annual BIDS Conference on Development (ABCD) at a hotel in the capital on Saturday. Bangladesh "unfairly portrayed" in int'l media, parliamentary hearings in influential nations: CA's Press Secretary The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) organised the event.   Dr Mahmud, however, pointed out that income inequality remains one of the country’s most pressing concerns. "To tackle this disparity, quality education is paramount, an area where Bangladesh still has a long way to go," he said. Diplomats of 27 European countries to meet CA Dec 9 As Bangladesh transitions from its status as a Least Developed Country (LDC), Dr Mahmud referred to the ongoing efforts to retain some benefits associated with the LDC status. “We no longer have the option of remaining an LDC. Discussions to sustain certain privileges from developed nations are ongoing, with positive responses from many,” the adviser said. Homeless protesters block highway in Natore alleging corruption in housing allocation In a separate session, Indermit S Gill, Chief Economist at the World Bank, provided insights into how Bangladesh could escape the middle-income trap. Investment and job creation should be the focal points, he stated, urging the country to foster entrepreneurship and expand the use of technology.

Experts on Tuesday urged the government to increase prices of tobacco products in the upcoming budget to deter users from using them and generate additional revenue.