Bangladesh needs to focus more on quality development: foreign envoys

Bangladesh could be a development role model in the South Asian region by utilizing its potential and opportunities_ acknowledging the challenges and investing more in quality development_ foreign envoys said at a discussion on Saturday.

They said_ the country needs to focus more on the quality development including emphasising clean and green environment as it is set to graduate from LDC to a developing country.

The envoys made the suggestions while speaking at a session titled "re-exploring Bangladesh for the New World Order" of a daylong discussion_ marking "50 Years of Bangladesh: Pathways and Trajectories".

The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) organised the programme at a city hotel.

Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki said_ Bangladesh needs to have the best possible environment and competitive investment climate to attract foreign and local investments in the special economic zones.

He also expressed the hope that Bangladesh could be a development role model in the world by following the Japanese development model.

"Japan is now focusing on the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth-Belt (BIG-B) Initiative to develop quality infrastructure along Dhaka-Chattogram and Cox's Bazar."

Mr Naoki also said there would be new infrastructure projects including MRT in Dhaka opening partially at the end of this year.

"Japan is very happy to be a development partner of Bangladesh."

The Japanese ambassador suggested that the country should focus on climate and environmental issues while graduating from least developed country status to a developing country.

Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Usman Turan said Bangladesh could be re-branded with its many competitive qualities and achievements.

"A country's image could be re-branded without hiding anything rather acknowledging both problems and challenges."

Bangladesh is a resilient country which should be put on at the front during re-branding_ he said_ adding that Bangladesh could be a manufacturing hub in the region due to its growth.

The envoy also said the country would obtain its position as 'it deserves not only in the region but also in the whole world.'

Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Sudipto Mukherjee said_ "We all are planetary citizens and we have planetary responsibilities."

It is not possible to graduate from LDC if everybody doesn't feel graduation_ he said_ adding that Bangladesh should usher in green and clean business climate to attain its aspiration for more trade and investments.

"Unless these changes are made_ development would not be sustainable."

Mr Mukherjee further said the country also has to be prepared for facing the challenges during the post-Covid-19 period.

The UNDP representative suggested that Bangladesh should invest in human capital for an LDC graduate society including reining in inequality.