This month, Bangladesh reaches the milestone of 50 years of independence as a nation. From 1971 to 2021, through insurmountable odds and challenges, Bangladesh has emerged as a shining example of perseverance and grit -- qualifying to shed its tag of being a least developed nation, and on its way to fulfill the ultimate ambition of becoming a developed nation.
Yet, while our remarkable economic progress, particularly over the past 12 years or so, cannot be denied, there is much more that goes into becoming a developed nation.
As Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh said to the Dhaka Tribune, simply registering impressive economic growth is not sufficient to become a truly developed nation.
Indeed, what good will economic growth do if such growth is neither equitable nor sustainable? Bangladesh, of course, has committed to fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and it is important that, while it may be tempting to often prioritize economic growth as a developing nation over all else, we remain committed to achieving that growth in an equitable and sustainable manner.
On that note, there are so many areas that Bangladesh can make significant improvements in -- some of which are ensuring the availability of quality health services, education, an efficient and safe transport system, and finally, equal rights and a safe environment for women, the minority communities, and the most marginalized in the country.
The next few years are pivotal for Bangladesh, as these are the years where Bangladesh will truly arrive on the global stage as an emerging economy. To that end, we must keep our eyes on the ball, strengthen our regional partnerships, and march forward.
