A new report titled ‘Bangladesh: The Journey of Indomitable Development’ was launched on 22 February at the UK House of Lords by Study Circle, a London-based Bengali research organisation.
The launch was held in the Attlee and Reid Room and presided by its Chairperson, Syed Mozammel Ali.
Syed Mozzamel Ali, in his opening remarks, said while Bangladesh has many challenges, the present government is progressing in every sector of Bangladesh. However, the news of this development isn’t reaching beyond Bangladesh. He noted Bangladesh’s tremendous economic growth. At 6.9% last year, this outstripped even the so-called ‘tiger’ economies of South Korea and Singapore.
Chief Guest Gowher Rizvi, International Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh said the report gives an extraordinary picture of all round development that has taken place in Bangladesh. But, still, for this to have been achieved, we needed political stability, continuity, equitable development, and constant eyes on what the public wants and needs. He added that political stability could not exist unless development and democracy go hand in hand. And that is what has happened in Bangladesh.
Others who spoke at the event in praise of Bangladesh were Lord Popat, Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Commonwealth, Rushanara Ali MP, UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh, Baroness Uddin, and Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem. Conservative MP for Northfield Gary Sambrook, and Labour MP for Brent Central Dawn Butler, were also among the guests, as were London Assembly Members Marina Ahmad and Unmesh Desai and a significant number of local councillors of Bengali heritage, including Mayor of Camden Nasim Ali, Brent Councillor Parvez Ahmed and Camden councillors Samata Khatoon and Shah Miah. Former London Assembly Member Murad Qureshi and former Camden councillor Abdul Hai were also present. The event received well wishes from many other parliamentarians, including Labour’s Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Catherine West MP. The event was also an early outing for the UK’s High Commissioner-designate to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, who will replace current British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton-Dixon after Ramadan in late April.
The report summarises statistical information in most sectors of Bangladesh, covering education, transportation and communication, women empowerment, health, including tackling Covid-19, power generation, agriculture, housing, employment, commerce & Industry, EPZs and ten ongoing mega projects. According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) of the UK, Bangladesh will graduate to the 24 largest economies by 2036 owing to its ability to attract large foreign investments, the rising RMG demand, and macroeconomic stability. In a word, the success of the current government in various sectors, including education, health, communication, transport, agriculture, industry, and trade, is outstanding. This progress of the government is taking Bangladesh towards a new future.