DHAKA, Dec 8, 2022 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has put emphasis on maintaining stability to sustain the ongoing development endeavor. 

"Regional peace and stability must be maintained to sustain the development and progress that we have achieved," he said 

The foreign minister was speaking as the chief guest at a publication ceremony of the book titled "An Economy on the Move: Bangladesh at Fifty" at a city hotel on Wednesday, a press release said here today. 

"If there is regional peace and stability, other problems can also be solved," he said. 

Referring to the unprecedented progress of Bangladesh in various fields, the foreign minister said, in the 70s, the country's per capita income was about 100 US dollars, now our per capita income stood at around $2,900. 

Highlighting the progress of various countries due to peace and stability, the foreign minister said, in the last 52 years, due to the presence of a stable government in Singapore, they have been able to make unforgettable progress. 

Since 1996, Rwanda has had a stable government and the country is making remarkable progress, he added. 

Referring to Iraq, Iran and Libya, Momen said that these countries were once in a very good position but their economies are facing disaster due to lack of regional peace and stability. 

"So if we can maintain regional peace and stability, our development will continue," he observed. 

Bangladesh Bank's Chief Economist Md. Habibur Rahman also spoke on the occasion. 

Nymphia Publication has published the book compiling articles of 12 renowned economists of the country. 

The authors of the book are State Minister for Planning Shamsul Alam, Mostafa K Mujeri, Niaz Mujeri, Salim Raihan, Zayedi Sattar, Abdur Razzak, Bajlul H Khondkar, Ahsan H Mansoor, M Roknuzzaman, Sarwar Jahan, Shibli Rubaiyat ul Islam and Sadiq Ahmed. 

The book is edited by Sadiq Ahmed, Fakrul Alam and Ziaul Karim.