The Dhaka Global Dialogue will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss and debate the core developmental issues in the Asian century where all nations can gain from partnership and collaboration.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Hon’ble Chief Guest, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Hon’ble Ministers, Members of Parliament, Other Dignitaries from home and abroad
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Assalamu Alaikum and Good Morning
At the outset of this august gathering, may I express my deepest respect to the architect of independent Bangladesh and the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. May I also pay my profound homage to the martyrs of our great liberation war who, on the call of our Father of the Nation, gave their life for the independence of Bangladesh.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you all to the ‘Dhaka Global Dialogue 2019’ which is co-hosted by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and Observer Research Foundation (ORF) of India. We are deeply honoured and privileged that Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is present here today as the Chief Guest. We express our heart-felt thanks and gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for her gracious presence amongst us, and giving us consent and guidance in organising this Dialogue.
Distinguished Guests,
Bangladesh has performed phenomenally in economic development. In the last 10 years, the country has unlocked immense socio-economic development, business potential, built conducive infrastructure to facilitate growth, and harnessed the power of ICT to propel the country to the next phase of development. For several consecutive years, the country has maintained over seven per cent growth. According to Asian Development Bank, in 2019, Bangladesh exhibited the fastest growth among the Asia-Pacific economies. It forecasted that in the fiscal year 2019-2020, Bangladesh’s economy will grow at 8 per cent, which would be the highest in Asia. Bangladesh is now a model of how a populous country can transform its population into human resources by taking advantage of technology in combination with far-sighted policies. All this was possible due to the prudent leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Excellencies and Distinguished Audience,
This rapid growth and development requires greater engagement with the world. Bangladesh’s progress has been recognised as an economic miracle that placed it ahead of many other emerging economies. The country is expected to be an upper middle-income country by 2021 and as a developed country by 2041. This internal change needs to be commensurate with the country’s external outreach. Therefore, it is imperative to engage more deeply at the regional and global level. Because, Bangladesh has a lot to contribute in terms of partnership and sharing experiences.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The future of Bangladesh is tied closely with its greater neighbourhood. Therefore, the future of the Indo-Pacific region which happens to be the confluence of two great oceans, lies in conceiving conducive regional architectures that are broad-based and inclusive. The ‘Dhaka Global Dialogue’ will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss and debate the core developmental issues in the Asian century where all nations can gain from partnership and collaboration.
Distinguished Participants,
Bangladesh was born with a great vision under the leadership of our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He had a dream to develop Bangladesh as “the Switzerland of the East”. After long and challenging trajectories, the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the helm of the country to materialise that vision of Banghabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Her strong and able leadership is transforming Bangladesh’s outlook and global stature.
Before I conclude, may I very humbly say a few words to the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Hon’ble Prime Minister, you are the architect of 21st century Bangladesh. You have given us the vision to be a developed country. We assure you that we all are ready to march behind you for making Bangladesh a happy, prosperous and developed country.
Thank you Hon’ble Prime Minister and thank you ladies and gentlemen.
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