Economic experts and global leaders at a seminar in the USA praised Bangladesh’s transformation from a bottomless basket to the 35th biggest economy.

The magical development of the country was centre point of a seminar at Columbia University. The largest Bengali daily Bangladesh Pratidin organised the seminar styled ‘Bangladesh Economy: Opportunities and Challenges’.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen was the special guest while Bangladesh Bank former governor Dr Atiur Rahman delivered keynote speech at the seminar. Prof Dr Birupaksho Paul of New York State University conducted the session while Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam chaired it.

Former head of United Nations Development Research Team Dr Nazrul Islam, Farida Khan of Colorado University, environmental and water scientist Sufian Khondker, Professor Golam M. Matbar of Monmouth University and Prof Michael Steckler of Columbia University took part in the panel discussion.

State senators Sheikh Rahman, Masudur Rahman, state representative Abul B Khan and Milborne Mayor Mahbubul Alam Taib addressed the seminar.

Dr Atiur Rahman, Emeritus Professor of Dhaka University and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, said the story of the extraordinary transformation of the economy of Bangladesh is really amazing. The beginning was very challenging. In fact, Bangladesh has grown from the debris of the 1971 Liberation War. The country started its development journey with empty hands.

He said the great asset for the nation was the inspiring aesthetic leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

It is the fighting spirit of this leadership given to the nation that pulls Bangladesh on the highway of development, he said, adding the country took no major wrong decision in economy and politics from 2009 to 2023.

Bangladeshi-origin American Abul B Khan, who has been elected House of Representative at New Hampshire State in the USA, said Bangladesh has made tremendous socioeconomic strides.

“It is a long way and this progress has not been made overnight. Bangladesh has achieved a success in major areas, including food security and women empowerment,” he said.

Hailing Bangladesh Pratidin for organising the event, he said Bangladesh is no more a bottomless basket. “We have removed stigma after coming a long way,” he said.

BDST: 1647 HRS, SEP 22, 2023
MN