Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh would be the 9th largest consumer market by 2030 with the government working with the goal of overtaking many established markets in the world. “We’ve been working with a goal so Bangladesh could surpass established markets like the UK and Germany, and the current high-growth countries Vietnam and Thailand at that time. We’ve this effort,” she said. The premier said this while inaugurating the 60 years’ celebration and Investment Expo, 2023 of Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Hotel Radisson Blu in the city. “There are some 17 crore people in our Bangladesh. Besides, we’ve strengthened connectivity with our neighbouring countries. We think Bangladesh would become the world’s 9th largest consumer market by 2030,” she said. Noting that Bangladesh has a large population, she said the government is developing them as skilled manpower for its better utilization. Read: Bangladesh to become world’s 9th largest market by 2030 overtaking UK, Germany: PM Hasina  The PM said the number of growing middle class and rich people will be 3.40 crore by 2025 in Bangladesh and the estimated GDP per capita will be 5,880 US$ by 2040. “Due to its strategic geographical location, Bangladesh can be the hub of the regional market of 3 billion people,” she said adding that her government has taken steps to strengthen the connectivity with this region. Hasina said her government has successfully been able to bring a significant change in Bangladesh after assuming office in 2009. “Bangladesh has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the last 15 years,” she said. Noting that Bangladesh is now considered as the 35th largest economy in the world, she said they have raised the GDP growth rate to 7.25 percent now due to strong macroeconomic fundamentals and trade consolidation. The PM, however, said the growth rate was even higher during the pre-Covid period as the government raised it to 8:10pc before the pandemic. Read: Only votes can change govt: PM Hasina The government has successfully increased per capita income to US$2,793 from only US$ 543 and raised the GDP size to Tk 50.31 lakh crore now from Tk 4 lakh crore in 2006, she said. During this period, they brought down the poverty rate to 18.7 percent from 41.1 percent, while extreme poverty rate to 5.6 percent from over 25pc, she said adding that her government has given the most importance to the development of the rural economy. In the last 15 years, the Awami League government took multifaceted measures for the development of the business sector of the country. So, the private sector has become stronger and more developed. Bangladesh is currently the second largest garment exporter in the world, she said. “Bangladesh is expected to be the 20th largest economy in the world by 2037,” said Sheikh Hasina, adding that the country will be transformed into a developed and prosperous Smart Bangladesh by 2041. Mentioning that the government is setting up some 100 economic zones and established 39 hi-tech parks throughout the country, she said those economic zones and parks are kept open for foreign investment. If any country can want land singly, seek land under joint venture or public private partnership (PPP), the government would allow them and provide them with lands, she said. Read: PM Hasina collects nomination form for national election  The premier said one stop service has been introduced in investment development agencies to facilitate investment. “We have undertaken plans to make all offices providing investment services fully online and digitized,” she said. In Bangladesh, there is a scope to develop USD 350-billion infrastructures in the energy, water, logistics and transport sectors. “By 2025, the logistics sector alone is expected to become a US$90 billion market,” she said. The prime minister said they want to raise private investment to 31.43 percent of GDP by 2031.She said Bangladesh has become an attractive destination to many countries around the world for investment, industrialisation and export due to various reasons including its economic growth, structural development programmes, investment-friendly policy, large domestic market, strategic location, high profitability and large workforce. Talking about the FICCI’s celebration, she said the chamber has stepped into 60 years this year since the inception of its journey in 1936. As a leading chamber, FICCI represents investors from 35 countries in more than 21 sectors of Bangladesh. “FICCI represents 90 percent of the country's inward FDI, which carries special importance to the overall development of our country,” she said. The premier extended sincere thanks to all former and current members of FICCI on the occasion of the celebration of its 60 years. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, among others, spoke at the function, while FICCI President and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Naser Ezaz Bijoy delivered the welcome speech. The premier also unveiled a research book titled ‘Catalyzing Greater FDI for Vision 2041’, which was published by FICCI.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, has said the Global Development Initiative (GDI), a twin sister of BRI, is aimed at supporting the timely achievement of all 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by revitalizing global development partnership and promoting stronger, greener and healthier global development. “We hope that Bangladesh would make good use of China’s aid, preferential loans, and the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund to actively carry out policy dialogue, experience sharing, capacity building and practical cooperation,” the envoy told UNB during his first interview  since his arrival here late last year. Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward GDI at the United Nations in 2021. Rohingya Genocide Case at ICJ: US shares info with The Gambia The Global Development Initiative promotes international cooperation in eight priority areas, namely poverty alleviation, food security, pandemic response and vaccines, financing for development, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity in the digital-era, said the ambassador. “All these are also the focus of Bangladesh in its Vision 2041 perspective plan,” he said. According to the United Nations, over 100 countries and international organizations have expressed their support to the GDI and 68 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI at the UN. In July, the first high-level meeting of the Global Action Forum for Shared Development was held in Beijing, with more than 800 guests from 158 countries and international organizations attending online and offline. Minister of Planning MA Mannan took part in the event on behalf of Bangladesh. China bans seafood from Japan after the Fukushima nuclear plant begins its wastewater release Priorities Ahead Bangladesh and China will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025. “It would be a perfect occasion to review achievements in the past and map forward for the future,” the ambassador said. He promised that China would do its part to help Bangladesh graduate from the LDC status by 2026, and fuel joint development to achieve respective national dreams which are “well-connected”. “Practical cooperation is the cornerstone of China-Bangladesh relations. While implementing projects agreed during high-level visits back in 2016 and 2019, we will take the initiative with Bangladesh to figure out more under the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative on connectivity infrastructure, renewable energy, blue economy, digital empowerment, so on and so forth,” said the Chinese envoy. China to support Bangladesh in joining BRICS: XI tells Hasina during talks In terms of trade, he said, local exporters are encouraged to fully leverage China’s 98 percent zero-tariff treatment for Bangladeshi products and showcase the “Made in Bangladesh” brand on expositions held in China, such as China International Import Expo, China-South Asia Expo and Canton Fair. The Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Chattogram should eye high-end and high-value industries to serve the Smart Bangladesh development strategy as well as the high-quality development paradigm of China, he said. “We’d encourage Chinese entrepreneurs to increase investment in promising fields like new energy, ICT, advanced manufacturing, and agri-product processing,” Ambassador Yao said, adding that he would also push forward the cooperation on disaster management and relief, military exchanges, law enforcement coordination and maritime cooperation during his tenure in Dhaka. “Of course, as the Chinese ambassador, I’d play my role in mediating between Bangladesh and Myanmar to facilitate early and sustainable repatriation of displaced people from the Rakhine State,” he said. Producing Green Energy Responding to a question, the envoy said China, a key contributor to the Paris Agreement, pledged to peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. “By 2035, China will broadly establish eco-friendly ways of work and life, lower carbon emissions after reaching a peak, improve the environment and largely accomplish the goal of developing a ‘Beautiful China’,” he added. UN Security Council, minus China and Russia, condemns Myanmar military's killing of civilians Bangladesh also faces critical challenges of environmental degradation and climate change. “Fortunately, the country has become well aware of the gravity of these issues, and has taken plausible actions,” the Chinese envoy said, noting that the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) adopted in 2020 plays a key role in guiding the country’s development paradigm into the track of green transition by 2030. “As Bangladesh and China converge on environmental goals, significant potentials emerge for the two countries to synergize on green development strategies, thereby building a shared human community in harmony with nature,” said Ambassador Yao. “In fact, we’ve already kickstarted cooperation in this regard. When I visited Cox’s Bazar a few months ago, I saw photovoltaic panels of Chinese brand on top of many roofs. A wind farm project is also being built there by Chinese contractors,” he added. Next Generation of Green Traffic It was reported that Bangladesh had its first electric vehicle (EV) charging station installed in Dhaka earlier this month. “I read it in the newspaper. But there are only 35 EV registered in Bangladesh for the time being. That is a negligible amount compared to the 170 million population of Bangladesh,” he said. China is a key designer and manufacturer of EV. There are over 16 million EV and mixed-fuel vehicles running on the roads in China, and the number is still soaring. “We would encourage more Chinese EV manufacturers to come to Bangladesh, explore the local market, and meet the demands of Bangladeshi people, thereby helping Bangladesh transit towards the next generation of green traffic,” said the ambassador.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the government has adopted a plan to increase the number of ships, equipment and manpower for Coast Guard as per the Vision 2030 and Vision 2041 modernisation plans for ensuring blue economy and security at sea.   “Procurement of four more OPVs, nine replacement vessels, two maritime version helicopters for deep sea patrols has been approved,” she said. The Prime Minister said this while speaking at the 28th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Medal Giving Ceremony held at the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. In order to modernise and strengthen the Bangladesh Coast Guard, the Prime Minister said that advanced technology ships, maritime surveillance systems, hovercrafts and high-speed boats are going to be added to this force very soon.   She mentioned that an initiative has also been taken to establish a digital connection with Bangabandhu Satellite-1 to bring about a revolutionary change in the communication system of the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the deep sea.  Also Read: Help people in villages in cultivation activities: PM to Ansar and VDP Hasina said that in continuation of this, from 2009 to 2022, various types of infrastructures including Coastal Crisis Management Centres have been built at Coast Guard stations and outposts in coastal and remote areas of the country to make the Coast Guard skilled and stronger. She also said that vessels of various sizes have been constructed.   “Under various development projects, accommodation, barracks and administrative buildings have been constructed in the zones of the Coast Guard,” she said. The Prime Minister mentioned that training capacity of the Coast Guard manpower was also enhanced by setting up its own training base in Patuakhali, named BCG Base Agrajatra'.   She said inshore patrol vessels, floating cranes, tug boats and various types of high speed boats have been developed for the Bangladesh Coast Guard under various developmental projects.   “Combat uniforms have recently been introduced for the force, which I believe will help boost morale for all members.” Hasina said that a dockyard is being constructed at Gajaria in Munshiganj district to increase the repair and maintenance capacity of this force. Read More: Sustainable Development: Separate ministry for blue economy proposed She said that Coast Guard has been playing a special role in the economic development of the country by ensuring the proper use of marine resources in Bangladesh waters. In this connection, she said that the motto of this force is ‘Guardians at the Sea’. The meaning of this is to establish it as a true friend of the people in the sea and coastal areas. The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh Coast Guard has already shown itself as a true friend to the innocent and oppressed people in the coastal areas of the country by preventing wrongdoing and misdeeds.   She said that every member of this force is now strong in the spirit of patriotism and liberation war. She also mentioned that members of Coast Guard are working tirelessly for the interests of the country when risks are there.  She said that this force gives security for the  sea ports, prevent drug smuggling, arms smuggling, human-trafficking, illegal and unregulated fishing, control and prevention of sea and river pollution and piracy.  Earlier, the Prime Minister handed over the medals to Coast Guard members for their bravery and special achievements. Read more: Blue Economy: Dhaka calls for joint efforts to harness marine resources A video documentary on the activities of the Coast Guard was screened on the occasion. She witnessed a colourful cultural programmes and planted a tree sapling. Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the newly constructed Laxmipur Coast Guard Station through unveiling its plaque virtually from the coast guard headquarters end. At the function, the Prime Minister also handed over Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal, President Coast Guard Medal, Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal Sheba and President Coast Guard Medal Sheba among selected members of the Coast Guard including its Director General Rear Admiral Ashraful Haque Chowdhury. Read More: Blue Economy Dev: Govt to take project on Tuna, similar pelagic fishing in deep Sea

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the new generation will take the country to a great height as youths are the soldiers of the Vision 2041. “The new generation imbued with the spirit of patriotism and the ideology of the Father of the Nation will steer Bangladesh towards prosperity,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said this while unveiling the covers of 11 books published in the 'Mujib Year' through a colourful function at the auditorium of the International Mother Language Institute (IMLI) in the capital. She joined it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. Hasina said the government has laid out the Vision 2041 to build Bangladesh as a prosperous and dignified country. “The new generation will be the soldiers of that and take forward the country. We'll gradually become a developed country from the developing one.” Also read: Make overseas employment process transparent, PM asks ministry She said it will not be a difficult job to make the country a developed one by 2041. “That won’t be that much difficult. Inshallah, we’ll be able to do that.” After the country’s independence, Hasina said, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman wanted ‘Golden Human Beings’ to materialise his dream of establishing Bangladesh as the ‘Golden Bengal’. “The Golden Human Beings are getting ready and that’s the most significant matter [for us],” she said. She said the Awami League government has been able to bring massive changes in the country from 2009 to 2022 through reducing poverty levels, improving literacy rate, and ensuring food and nutrition security. “We’ve given importance to the use of modern technologies... and we’ve been successful to that end.” Hasina said today people are using technologies, and the whole world is now taking advantage of that. “People are availing themselves of that opportunity to know the world. Bangladesh no longer falls behind in the dark now as the brilliant students of the country can now introduce themselves with pride everywhere in the world because of their knowledge. This is the biggest contribution of knowledge.” She said today development is no longer urban centric since the government focuses on development from the grassroots level.

Praising the nation for realizing the Vision 2021, Prime Minister's ICT Advisor Sajeeb Wazed has urged the countrymen to channel all their efforts to make Vision 2041 a reality.In a victory-day post from his verified Facebook page, he wrote, "From realizing Vision-21 to building engineering masterpiece Padma Bridge, we made our 50th anniversary a gem in the history. Now is the time to channel our efforts to make Vision-2041 a reality."According to the Vision 2041, spelled out by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh would earn the high-income status by the year 2041, ensuring a per capita income of 12,500 USD. Also read: Sajeeb Wazed Joy pays tributes to martyred intellectualsPinning his hope on the youth force of the country for working out Vision 2041, he wrote, "With time, Bangladesh is getting younger - more vibrant with the indomitable youth force."Sajeeb Wazed Joy, whose birth coincided with the year of the country's freedom, also wrote, It’s time to hold our head high, march ahead, and excel ourselves to set newer heights. That would be our biggest tribute to the war heroes and heroines who made the sun of freedom rise through ashes and blood"."Let the country be younger in the days to come. Let's build Sonar Bangla, a wonder for the world. Vision 2041 is yours!" he concluded. Also read: Sajeeb Wazed Joy bags leadership award in IT

Foreign Direct Investment, or FDI, remains a critical enabler for Bangladesh to attain its aspirations of becoming a developed country by 2041, as well as to secure positive development outcomes including more and better jobs, and economic diversification.

 

Industries Secretary KM Ali Azam urged the officials and staff of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) to play a vital role in achieving the goal of building an industrialised Bangladesh free of hunger and poverty by 2041, as announced by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The government has chalked out a series of programmes to enter a new era of taxation from 2020-21 FY in the run-up to achieving Vision 2041 and reaching the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. "We must gear up revenue mobilisation and streamline the financial sector of the country," a senior official at the Finance Ministry said. To this effect, he said, the government has no other choice but to set up a strong, functional and transparent Income Tax Department.

In the post Covid-19 era, renewable energy could be the best suitable option for Bangladesh to reset its power sector development policy to come out of the obligation for capacity payment to idle power plants, says a recent study.