Speakers at a discussion have opined that foreign currency earnings have increased significantly, and Bangladesh will be a rich country by 2040 in terms of its currency reserves if the existing significant increase continues.
Bangladesh Progressive Columnist Forum organized the discussion at the Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday.
President of the organisation, Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman said, “We are developing. A lot can be said with recent statistics. We have become self-sufficient in food. We have witnessed a great development in the garment industry. Our technological advancement in agriculture is also noticeable. If this situation continues, we will become a rich country by 2040 in terms of dollars”.
“There is so much criticism at home and abroad, many writings uploaded on Facebook. Has anyone said that people are starving? No. Because we are on the path of development. We will be a rich country in 2040 that will be in terms of dollars. We will achieve that,” he added.
He said, “Bangladesh is rich in the spirit of liberation war, the word liberation is much more significant here. The speech delivered by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu on March 7, 1971 is the declaration of independence. The whole speech is now part of the world heritage. He used the word freedom once in this whole speech. And he used the word liberation five times.”
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University vice chancellor Prof Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed said, “According to a 2019 report by the UK’s Center for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), Bangladesh is the 41st largest economy in the world. According to them, Bangladesh will be the 24th largest economy in 2033. Bangladesh is advancing not only in the index of economy, but also in the index of good governance democracy.
In the Global Gender Equality Index, Bangladesh now tops South Asia (48th), followed by India at 108th and Pakistan at the bottom of the list.”
“Today, the foreign exchange reserves are USD 50 billion and the per capita income is USD 2,500. The average life expectancy has increased to 75 years. In a word, the once bottomless basket has turned into a development role model. And all this has been possible due to the visionary and prudent leadership and tireless work of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Today Bangladesh is a country with a stronger economy than India and Pakistan,” he added.
Columnist and general secretary of the forum Professor Milton Biswas gave a welcome speech. Besides, the main article was presented by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Vice Chancellor Prof. Sharfuddin Ahmed.
Jahangirnagar University Treasurer Professor Dr. Kamaluddin Ahmed was present as a special guest, vice-president of the forum Professor Dr Rashid Askari, President of the All-European Awami League M Nazrul Islam, Editor of the Daily Bhorer Kagoj Shyamal Dutta, and Sampriti Bangladesh Member Secretary Prof. Dr. Mamun Al Mahtab were also present at the seminar.