BSS-19 ERD informs cabinet of preparedness for post LDC status

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ZCZC

BSS-19

CABINET-LDC-REPORT

ERD informs cabinet of preparedness for post LDC status

DHAKA, Jan 22, 2018 (BSS) – Three prime economic indicators suggested
Bangladesh’s preparedness for graduation as a “developing country”,
discarding its status of a “least developed” one or LDC by 2025, the ERD said
in a presentation to the weekly cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting when the Economic
Relations Division placed the report referred to the indicators — the per
capita Gross Net Income (GNI), Human Assets Index and Economy Vulnerability
Index (EVI) — and said the country was ready for its elevated status by
March 2025. “The standard GNI of a country should be US$ 1230 for graduating
from the LDC group which, in case of Bangladesh, is now US$ 1272 according to
CPD and US$ 1271 according to the BBS,” the report read.

It said the standard of human assets index of a country needs to be 66 or
above for elevation from LDC status which is 72.8 according to CPD and 72.9
according to the BBS for Bangladesh.

In case of EVI the standard index is 32 or less which is 25 in Bangladesh
according to the CPD and 24.8 according to the BBS, meaning Bangladesh is
much ahead of the standard index in all aspects.

Cabinet Division’s secretary for coordination and Reforms NM Ziaul Alam
briefed reporters at Bangladesh Secretariat after the meeting saying the
analysis came as the ERD informed the cabinet about the country’s
preparedness for the ascension.

Earlier, the Cabinet Division presented a comparative report on the
progress of execution of cabinet the decisions during October-December 2017
quarter and October-December 2016 quarter.

According to that report, 53 out of 68 decisions, taken by the cabinet in
eight meetings during October-December 2017 quarter, were executed by now
while the process was underway to implement the rests. It said during the
period, the cabinet adopted one policy and drafts of eight agreements and
memorandums of understanding (MoU) with foreign countries while the
parliament passed three laws.

During the previous October-December 2016 quarter, the cabinet had held 10
meetings and took 116 decisions, out of which 80 were implemented while the
rests were being executed.

During the period the cabinet had framed five policies/strategies and
signed eight agreements/MoUs with foreign countries while the the parliament
passed 11 laws.

At the meeting onset, the premier inaugurated a memorial postage stamp of
Taka 10 denomination along with a cover of Taka 10 and a data card of Taka 5
and a special seal marking the International Customs Day 2018 tomorrow.

BSS/AKH/AR/1730 HRS