Despite thousands of challenges, Bangladesh continues to move forward on the path of development and prosperity. It grew from a low-income country to a middle-income country in 2015. If the per capita income of the citizens of a country is 1045 dollars or less, it is considered a low-income country. At the end of 2021, its per capita income exceeded $2,500.
Eighty percent of the country’s export earnings are being earned from the garment sector. After the garment sector, the highest income is coming from the remittances sector. At present, about 8 million Bangladeshis are working abroad. In 2020-2021, they sent nearly 246 million. The country is also moving forward in the leather industry.
Its success in the pharmaceutical industry is enviable. The internal market value of the drug is Rs 15,000 crore. It is fulfilling 98 percent of its own demand. Bangladesh now exports medicines to about 127 countries of the world. It has achieved a lot in the field of bicycle exports. Bangladesh is also leading in the export of plastic products and baby toys.
The good days of jute are coming back again. Bangladesh has received a patent for jute recently. The attractive jute bags that were handed over to 15,000 participants at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2011 were made in Bangladesh. The use, demand and export of jute products is increasing with time.
Bangladesh is also the fourth largest freshwater fish producer in the world now. We have also achieved success in the production of Hilsa. Besides exporting fish, we are also exporting crabs. The country is additionally moving forward in fruit production.
Bangladesh is now seventh in the world in guava production and eighth in mango production. Apart from these, it is also exporting vegetables. It is almost self-sufficient in broiler chicken and egg production as well.
A number of mega projects are expected to accelerate the ongoing development of Bangladesh. Rooppur Nuclear Power Project, Padma Bridge, the Metro Rail in Dhaka, the Bangabandhu Industrial City in Mirsarai, the Bangabandhu Tunnel under Karnafuli River in Chittagong, Korean EPZ, China Economic Zone, the Deep Sea Port in Maheshkhali, Maheshkhali Coal Based Power Project in Chittagong from Cox’s Bazar to Rail Line project, Cox’s Bazar Airport Upgradation Project to International Airport and the Chittagong Port Bay Terminal Project are some notasble examples.
Among these mega projects, the construction of Padma Bridge and the Metro Rail and tunnel will be completed by 2022 and traffic will start moving through them.
The dream that Bangladesh will become a developed country by 2041 is not unrealistic or impossible at all. An improved communication system is essential for the economic development of any country. With the launch of Padma Bridge, Metro Rail and Tunnel, the whole picture of the communication system of the country will change and it will enter a new and improved era in communication.
The Chittagong Port Bay Terminal, a priority project of the Prime Minister, is being constructed on 2500 acres of land on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, adjacent to Portlink Road, in the Ananda Bazar area of Halishahar, Chittagong. If the construction of this port is completed, the performance of Chittagong port will increase manifold, which will accelerate the overall economic development of the country.