Wares Ali Khan :
Rangpur Division consists of a total of eight districts and the number of Upazilas is 58. The population of the division is over one and a half crore. But the truth is- this northern region is the most neglected in terms of development. The economic plight of the people of Rangpur Division- which has been largely dependent on agriculture since ancient times- has remained almost unchanged in the last five decades since independence.
As greater Rangpur is rich in agricultural lands, this region is called the storehouse of agro-based crops. The mass people here are mainly work-oriented and the contribution of the peasant brothers to grow crops indeed praiseworthy. The abundance of various types of agro-products is a unique feature of the division and there is a great possibility of developing agro-based industries. Hence, to ensure a fair price for the produced crops for the farmers is a primal issue. In this regard, the communication system needs to be developed in a greater context.
The existing Dhaka-Rangpur-Dinajpur National Highway near Sirangonj District is very narrow as well as the width of the highway is significantly short. We know, an exclusive requisite for the economic development of any region is the availability of fast travel by road, rail, and river with the capital of the country. Therefore, the ongoing four-lane expansion project to upgrade and modernize the Dhaka-Rangpur Highway has to be accomplished soon.
This region is far behind in terms of industrial establishment. Industrialization has not been flourished due to a lack of proper planning. It is to refer that four of the ten most poverty-prone districts are situated in Rangpur division. For the promotion of balanced economic development, the demand of prioritizing this region in the national development plan is long-standing. The development planning concerned with the greater Rangpur is not reflected in the Annual Development Program (ADP). This northernmost division lags far behind the ADP regarding development allocation. Even, there is no fast-track project in the Rangpur division for infrastructure development.
Due to lack of infrastructural facilities, the uncertainty of uninterrupted power supply, lack of gas supply through pipelines, etc., stakeholders and business entrepreneurs do not feel encouraged to set up large and medium-scale industries here. On the other hand, the gas-based urea fertilizer factory, ceramic industry, pharmaceutical industry, readymade garment industry, automobiles assembling industry, etc. have not been developedhere. So, the ongoing government project of gas supply seeks prompt execution for industrial expansion following its projected timeframe.
There are policies to incentivize industries, mills, and factories in the country. Considering the economic reality entrepreneurs and business initiators in this region will have to be subsidized. As the garment industry is a labor-intensive industry, the available cheap labor of the Rangpur division is much congenial and can boost this industry in a significant manner. By the way, the establishment of the garment industry in this area will augment employment and improve the standard of living of the poor people here.
Poverty might not reduce in the region or sector lagging in economic development as inter-divisional or inter-regional inequalities have not been trimmed down with the growth rate of the economy. The number of economic units in the Rangpur division is truly minimal and subsequently, the unemployment rate is very high. It is needless to say, unemployment and poverty are on opposite sides of the same coin. On the contrary, the higher the number of economic units the higher scope of economic activities.
Nine special economic zones are supposed to be set up in the Rangpur division. If these special economic zones could establish on time, then the youth of the region somehow would have engaged in entrepreneurial ventures getting training and credit assistance. Thus, unemployment and prevailing impoverishment might considerably cut back.
In the industrial policy of 2016, all the eight districts of the Rangpur division had been identified as underdeveloped districts in respect of the industrial establishment. Bangladesh’s trade policy does not provide any incentives for this underprivileged area. And no classified benefits have been provided for this region in any industrial policy. As a result, the manufacturers and investors in the region fail to compete with others.
The division enormously requires having sustainable infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable expansion of industries and innovations. IT Park, ICT assistance, Hi-Tech Park, Incubation Center are necessary to be constituted in this locality. The establishment of an agricultural university centering on the Divisional Headquarters might cater to the pathway of agro-research opportunity in this region.
(Mr. Khan is a Teaching Professional)
