A century ago, the residents of Dhaka city used to dream of seamless journeys from Uttara to Motijheel. South Bengal’s people yearned to cross the Padma river safely, especially after enduring its stormy currents. Travellers fantasized about a train ride to Cox’s Bazar. Today, these dreams have become reality. The Metrorail, the Elevated Expressway, the Padma Bridge, and the Cox’s Bazar Rail Line stand as testimonies to Bangladesh’s remarkable progress.
In the last era, Bangladesh has made significant strides in sync with global advancements. Once deemed a “basket case” post-independence, the nation has transformed into a role model for development. In the fiscal year 1972-73, Bangladesh’s per capita income was a mere $88, the second lowest globally. Today, it stands at $2,784. One striking example of this economic leap is the completion of mega projects amidst global challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, while also initiating new ventures.
Bangladesh is advancing on all fronts. The Delta Plan 2100 envisions a developed Bangladesh over the next century, with a focus on climate resilience. This comprehensive plan encompasses education, healthcare, food security, and finance, among other sectors.
Tourism still poses a significant challenge and opportunity for Bangladesh’s future. Despite being densely populated, the country boasts immense natural beauty with its green landscapes, mountains, and sea, Sundarbans, and Bhawal forests. The tourism sector is further enriched by the country’s cuisine, folk art, handicrafts, and tribal arts.
According to the Bangladesh Tourism Board, foreign tourist arrivals peaked at 621,131 in 2019. However, the sector remains underdeveloped due to inadequate promotion and infrastructure. To fully realize its potential, Bangladesh must enhance travel, accommodation, and dining facilities, alongside promoting its culture globally. Public awareness and engagement are crucial for tourism to play a pivotal role in the national economy.
Technological advancements and urbanization are reshaping Bangladesh. The Padma Bridge, funded domestically, exemplifies this progress. However, dependency on foreign expertise persists. The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) approved 15,128 foreign work permits in the fiscal year 2021-22, an 87.32% increase from the previous year. Over the next century, the goal is to reduce this reliance on foreign experts by developing skilled local manpower.
Environmental sustainability is also a pressing concern amidst the rapid urbanization. Bangladesh must adopt integrated strategies for effective water management, disaster resilience, and climate change mitigation. Long-term ecological stability can be achieved through greening and afforestation, ensuring water and food security.
The lifestyle of the people in Bangladesh has modernized at a remarkable pace. Over the past decade, the transformative power of technology has swiftly elevated both urban and rural areas, equipping them with facilities comparable to those in developed countries. During the Covid crisis, Bangladeshis adeptly leveraged their technological advancements to sustain their way of life.
Most global technological innovations find their way into Bangladesh at some stage. The rapid increase in smartphone and internet usage is notable, with the country transitioning from 3G to 4G and now eyeing the rollout of 5G networks. Additionally, the Bangabandhu-1 satellite, a state-of-the-art technology, is operational in space, effectively managing various crucial technological tasks and reducing reliance on foreign entities.
Bangladesh stands unique among developing nations for achieving such extensive digitization independently in such a short time. It is essential to maintain this momentum while remaining vigilant about the potential negative impacts of technology.
Sports have seen significant achievements in the last decade, with many world-class players emerging from Bangladesh. The women’s national teams have sprung to the top recently, which demonstrates one side of our progress towards gender equality. Nonetheless, investment in proper sports infrastructure is still lacking on all fronts. To further grow players, grassroots sports infrastructure must be developed to nurture new talent continuously.
Bangladesh is poised to become a developed country soon, provided it addresses the challenge of coordination. Development projects often suffer from a lack of synergy among government stakeholders, leading to delays or inefficiencies. Achieving effective coordination will be vital in the coming century to ensure Bangladesh stands tall as a developed nation.
Bangladesh’s journey over the next century will be marked by challenges and triumphs. With strategic planning, sustainable practices, and coordinated efforts, the nation is set to achieve unprecedented growth and development, transforming dreams into reality.
ASM Rafad Asgar is a Research Associate, Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management.
