Smart People Needed to Build a Smart Bangladesh

Over the past 12 years, Bangladesh achieved remarkable economic and social progress. This achievement of Bangladesh has been internationally acclaimed. In 2015, Bangladesh transitioned into a lower middle-income country. During this time, there has also been a significant reduction in poverty, child mortality, maternal mortality rates, malnutrition, and improvement in women's empowerment in Bangladesh. The ultimate goal is to transform into a developed country by 2031 and join the league of advanced nations by 2041.

Simultaneously Establishing a Smart and Welfare State. "Throughout the successive eras, a consistent national policy framework has been favorable to various classes and professions (farmers, laborers, entrepreneurs, administrators, etc.) who, through their labor, have contributed to their own and the country's progress. If this continuity is sustained in the future, the envisioned goals for development can be achieved, propelling the nation forward. In a country where its people fought a liberation war to free it from invaders, it is unacceptable to hold them back. In the realm of moving forward, there is a need for proper leadership and inclusive diplomacy."

In the 2008 national elections, the Awami League had a special commitment, namely the establishment of Bangladesh as an 'inclusive, non-communal, progressive, and democratic welfare state.' Currently, a prominent ethical commitment underpinning the country's sustainable development agenda is that no one will be left behind or excluded from the journey of progress. This commitment is also part of our consciousness from the Liberation War.

After 21 years since the tragic assassination of Bangabandhu, the Bangladesh Awami League returned to national power in 1996. The development picture during these twenty-one years is illustrious. Food insecurity was prevalent in the country, prompting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to take initiatives to eliminate this food deficit. A decision was made to prioritize self-sufficiency in agriculture to address the food shortage. Although various national and international agencies reported assistance for development, it was not accurately acknowledged. Consequently, Bangladesh achieved near self-sufficiency in food production after the year 2000.

Following a change in government in 2001, the momentum in progress in various sectors, including agriculture, was disrupted due to a lack of continued support. As a result, Bangladesh faced challenges in maintaining the pace of development, particularly in the agricultural sector. Upon returning to power in 2009, the Awami League renewed its commitment to development, including agriculture, and adopted policy-driven and incentive-based measures to achieve those goals."

In 1971, when Bangladesh achieved independence, the population of the country was around 70 million. During that time, extreme food insecurity prevailed in the country. Now, Bangladesh's total population has grown to approximately 170 million. However, the amount of arable land has significantly decreased due to various reasons. Despite these challenges, the overall food security situation in the country has been reasonably ensured through a substantial increase in agricultural productivity.

Due to extensive success in the agricultural sector, Bangladesh is currently able to remain free from the global food crisis. The current high inflation in Bangladesh is not solely responsible for the crisis. Various problems in the food distribution system are also contributing factors.

Apart from the impact of the Ukraine war, which is responsible for the current inflation in the country, it is no longer as crucial because the prices of the internationally traded goods that we import in significant quantities have risen to the levels seen in or near Ukraine a few months ago. Therefore, the presence of a vicious circle among business entities in Bangladesh, especially in the internal distribution system, and the pursuit of illegal financial gains, are contributing factors to the current high inflation. Steps have already been taken to control inflation, and if effective measures are taken to control the activities of the dishonest circles, success will come, and its sustainability will be ensured.

The proliferation of information technology is highly significant in the current global scenario. The use of information technology is widespread, not only in cities but also in rural areas across the country. Many individuals residing in rural areas of Bangladesh are engaging in freelance work, building their careers, and earning a good income. The number of freelancers and the scope of their work are steadily increasing. This field plays a crucial role in reducing unemployment among the youth. The government has undertaken various initiatives to promote prosperity and expansion in this sector.

In the context of the consciousness inspired by the liberation war, there are various crucial initiatives aimed at transforming the country into a welfare state. These include the elimination of social inequalities, eradication of communalism, and the development of skills, particularly among the youth, to foster ethical values and awareness among them. Further efforts and strategies need to be more pragmatic and grounded. It is essential to maintain an effective and consistent system until satisfactory success is achieved.

The goal of building a Smart Bangladesh is outlined through four pillars. Firstly, there is the concept of "Smart Citizen," meaning every citizen of the country should be smart. Here, being smart implies having modern knowledge and technological literacy while thriving in human qualities. Secondly, there is the need to create a "Smart Society." Members of such a society must be smart, and for the benefit of both themselves and others, advanced social norms, institutions, and the dissemination of culture are essential.

Thirdly, it has been emphasized that the economy will be smart. In the economic sector, there are various fields and subfields that are often interconnected in many aspects. To plan effectively, it is necessary to consider these mutual relationships in different depths. Otherwise, actions taken to achieve any targeted economic goal may have unintended consequences elsewhere and may deviate from the adopted program.


In recent times, efforts have been made to gradually control the depreciation in the foreign currency reserve by focusing on reducing imports and expenditures. However, it has been observed that along with other goods, the use of raw materials and machinery in industries has also decreased due to this approach. As a result, concerns arise about the decline in production in related sectors and a potential decrease in overall domestic production. Therefore, before making any decision, it is essential to consider whether the adopted plan will have any adverse effects on other sectors. If such possibilities exist, alternative arrangements must be made to mitigate the impact in other areas.

The process of inclusive development in Bangladesh has been indicated by sustained dynamism since 2010, with continuous progress in various economic and social indicators. Despite the setback caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the momentum of economic and social progress has been resilient. Within the framework of the concept of smart economics, attention needs to be directed towards further accelerating development in Bangladesh and ensuring the equitable participation of all citizens. The fourth pillar of this strategy is the "Smart Government." For the establishment of an advanced and smart welfare state, the government must carefully consider and adopt these principles.

Here, among the necessary actions, include combating corruption, eradicating corrupt practices in various sectors, addressing economic and social inequalities, establishing good governance in banking and various financial sectors, maintaining control over inflation, initiating a universal healthcare system, eliminating disparities in the education sector, and empowering the youth to contribute significantly to their chosen professions with integrity and skill. Implementing the required measures is crucial for achieving these objectives.

Simultaneously ensuring women's equal participation at all levels of national and state life and coordinating efforts for the effective and timely implementation of adopted programs and projects, creating alignment between different ministries and institutions towards specific goals, and establishing adept leadership in various fields are essential steps for advancing towards a cohesive and smart welfare state.

All these measures need to be properly organized and implemented to pave the way for building an advanced smart welfare state. To advance along this path and take on leadership roles, capable individuals are sought. It is worth mentioning that Bangabandhu once said, 'To build the Golden Bengal, we need the golden people.' This is the essence – to achieve the set goals, we need such individuals who can lead and take responsibilities at various levels for effective implementation.

Author: Economist and Chairman, Dhaka School of Economics.
Transcribe: M A Khaleque