Business Desk :
Eminent economist and former governor of Bangladesh Bank Professor Dr Atiur Rahman believes that Bangladesh’s quantum jump from a war-ravaged country to a role model of inclusive and sustainable development can be an eye-opener for the rest of the world.
He said this yesterday while presenting the keynote paper at the seminar titled “From Ashes to Prosperity: Bangladesh’s journey towards inclusive growth” held at the Council Chamber of Redbridge Town Hall, London, reports BSS.
The event was organized jointly by the Mayor’s Office of London Borough of Redbridge and the Centre for Upholding Spirit of Liberation War. Leader of Council, London Borough of Redbridge- Councillor Jas Athwal Chaired the session, while Redbridge Mayor- Councillor Thavathuray Jeyaranjan were present as an esteemed guest, said a press release.
Among the esteemed speakers were- Saida Muna Tasneem (Bangladesh High Commissioner to UK), Freedom Fighter Mahmud Hasan MBE (Chief Executive of Apasen International), and Dr Selim Jahan (former Director of the Human Development Report office of UNDP).
Current and former Council Members of Redbridge, academics, representatives from charity organizations and other British-Bangladeshi dignitaries were present at the event.
Saida Muna Tasneem welcomed the initiative of inviting Dr Atiur Rahman to speak about Bangladesh’s amazing macroeconomic transformation within fifty years of the country’s independence.
She added that the values of secularism, inclusiveness, equal rights, and social justice have worked behind Bangladesh’s success as a country.
Mahmud Hasan, MBE, in his remarks, emphasized Bangladesh achievements in terms of inclusive development and expressed the commitment of British-Bangladeshis to work towards strengthening the bond between UK and Bangladesh.
While presenting the keynote Dr Atiur Rahman began by pointing out that Bangabadhu wanted not only political freedom for the people of Bangladesh, but also their economic freedom.
“That is why under his aesthetic leadership Bangladesh was well on track of inclusive development and within less than four years of the country’s independence the per capita income almost tripled to $273,” he added.
Dr Atiur added that Bangladesh got derailed from this path in 1975 when Bangabandhu was murdered. However, after much struggle, the country got back on track under the prudent leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter- the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
