May 08, 2014
Bangladesh on the Global stage
International Recognition: for Bangladesh’s Stance against Violence and Terrorism
Commonwealth lauds political stability of Bangladesh
US State Department’s Country Report on Terrorism (2013) noted with recognition the “remarkable successes” Bangladesh has achieved in the task of combating national and transnational terrorism. The Report noted that the government’s “political will and firm commitment to combat domestic and transnational terrorist groups, and its counter terrorism efforts made it harder for…terrorists to operate or establish safe havens in Bangladesh”.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague lauded Bangladesh for endorsing the global declaration that calls countries to end violence against women in conflict. The Declaration contains a set of “practical and political commitments” to end the use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war, which terrorizes and destroys communities during conflict.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized the need for joint initiatives by Bangladesh and Myanmar to halt human and arms trafficking.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon SAARC member nations to work together to fight transnational crimes.
TRADE AND INVESTMENT
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Bangladesh has made significant improvements in trade liberalization in recent times due to numerous policy reforms. The country's trade-GDP ratio reached 47.1 percent in fiscal 2012-13, up from 30 percent in fiscal 1999-2000.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) Investment Policy Review (IPR) reflects the desire of Bangladesh to build a successful investment framework and policy environment that attract not only foreign investors, but also promote domestic private sector development.
Bangladesh, the world’s third largest cotton importer, is on a mission to topple the top importer China. Recently, Tau Investment Management, a New York-based growth-equity venture investment firm, has launched a venture worth $200m in Bangladesh’s textile companies.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
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The KPMG Index of Change Readiness shows Bangladesh securing an overall rank of 54th, with a balanced scorecard: 55th in enterprise, 54th in government and 66th in people/civil society, unlike its neighbours which display a heavy tilt towards one dominant pillar.
Bangladesh emphasized on integrating climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in all relevant sectors and sought ‘adequate and predictable’ financial support of the development countries to pursue low-carbon growth plans.
With the Prime Minister instructions to Ministry of Power to build another nuclear power plant in the southern part of the country to meet country’s growing demand for electricity, the country looks poised to achieve self sufficiency in power generation.
Bangladesh government has taken steps to provide technical education for 260,000 people to meet the growing demand for skilled manpower. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project of Bangladeshi Taka 10500m to train up the manpower.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY
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Bangladesh advances by six spots to secure 130th position in a global survey covering 178 countries, showing the country's status in saving and improving the lives of mothers and children.
The banking sector of Bangladesh lent Taka 3950m to 3,317 new women entrepreneurs in last year; banks and financial institutions have been instructed by Bangladesh Bank to set up 'help desks' for women entrepreneurs and create provisions for collateral-free loan, of up to Bangladeshi Taka 2.5m per entrepreneur.
Bangladesh Awami League