BSS-51 Election manifestos should highlight steps for becoming developing country: CPD

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ZCZC

BSS-51

CPD-UNCTAD-REPORT

Election manifestos should highlight steps for becoming developing country: CPD

DHAKA, Nov 22, 2018 (BSS) – The Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) today underscored the need for keeping specific initiatives by the political parties in their election manifestos to make sustainable the infrastructural transformation of the country’s economy.

The civil society think tank also said that the party or alliance which is going to take over power for the next five years through the ensuing general election would have the scope for witnessing infrastructural transformation of the country’s economy.

As being an LDC country, the CPD said the next party or alliance would take over power and form the government, but when they would end their tenure, Bangladesh would become a developing country.

These observations and suggestions came from a publication ceremony of “The Least Development Countries Report-2018’ by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held at the BRAC Inn Center in the city’s Mohakhali area.

Moderated by CPD executive director Dr Fahmida Khatun, CPD’s distinguished fellows Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya and Dr Mustafizur Rahman spoke on the occasion while CPD’s research director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem made the key-note presentation.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Debapriya said graduating from the LDC status is not the last destination for development rather a smooth and accessible path should have to be created for graduation.

“The best way in this regard is the structural change of the economy and through this the productivity of industries will increase. There is also a need to increase the use of technology and for that there is a need for good governance,” he added.

Noting that a good relationship has now been forged between the businessmen and politicians, the eminent economist said that the businessmen are now feeling more encouraged getting involved in politics while many businessmen are now also getting tax holiday facilities as well as licenses for running various businesses due to their political affiliations.

Under the circumstances, he suggested the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to make public the wealth information of the candidates side by side with making public the information on the loan defaulters and tax evaders.

Mustafizur Rahman said all the development works are unleashed through political economic process and for this the political parties would have to highlight, in their election manifestos, the possible graduation process from the LDCs.

“For this the entrepreneurs will have to be given life cycle support alongside providing them with necessary fund support and other support to make them competitive,” he added.

Dr Khandaker Golam Moazzem stressed the need for grooming small entrepreneurs to transform Bangladesh as a developed economy.

Dr Fahmida Khatun suggested the political parties to incorporate their possible steps on reducing inequality and generating employment opportunities in their election manifestos.

BSS/ASG/TRANS/RI/GM/KU/2004 HRS