VISION 2041: BANGLADESH PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Bangladesh is on the brink to become a developed nation by 2041. Despite the
contestation over identity, poor governance, repeated retreat from the path of
democracy and natural disaster, the country has made remarkable economic
progress, especially since 1991. On February 5, 2014, the Prime Minister, Sheikh
Hasina, declared in the national parliament that her government would revise its
Vision 2021 as Vision 2041 by updating a number of targets so that by the year
2041 Bangladesh can become a prosperous and developed place after crossing the
status of a middle income country. There have been many discussions on how
the developed country status can be achieved, which, given Bangladesh’s present
position in global economy, seems a difficult, if not an impossible, proposition.
Bangladesh is also making big strides in Human Development Index (HDI)
ratings and is maintaining steady growth in agriculture and industrial production. Bangladesh’s record in attaining Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has
been commendable and the country is well poised to take on the challenges of
realizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the expiry time line of
2030. Skeptics however, believe that Vision 2041 will not be achievable mainly
because of a lack of highly skilled workforce, and the less than satisfactory state
of our education and human resources Bangladesh needs to attain a relatively high
level of economic growth and a consistently top of the line performance in HDIs
from now on until 2041. Also to ensure professionalism and responsiveness in
civil service by freeing the civil servants from undue interference and influence. A
robust and clear foreign policy is a catalyst for achieving the vision of Developed
Economy by 2041. The Foreign policy philosophy of Bangladesh was articulated
by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman –“Friendship
to all and malice towards none”. This will continue to guide the aspirations of
Bangladesh. The study has holistically analysed the challenges, prevailing global
indicators, projected trends, and impediments faced by Bangladesh’s to arrive at a
possible methodology to guide Bangladesh to achieve ‘Vision 2041’