Ensuring a fair distribution of income among all classes of people is of utmost importance for the interim government, writes Sardar Al Imran
THE student movement seeking reform in the quota system for public services, leading to the downfall of the Awami League regime, brought Bangladesh at a critical juncture. Students and ordinary citizens sparked this movement, leading to the resignation of the government and the subsequent formation of an interim government under Nobel laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus鈥檚 leadership. However, many people are left wondering: What lies ahead?
It is evident that Bangladesh has experienced significant growth over the past two decades. In addition, Bangladesh is making progress towards graduating from the UN鈥檚 Least Developed Countries by 2026. Among other Southeast Asian countries, Bangladesh has made mentionable progress since the liberation war. This is a collective effort that showcases the contributions of people of all ages, both within and outside of Bangladesh. If a country鈥檚 economic growth and development go hand in hand, it can be considered a developed nation. When examining Bangladesh, one cannot help but notice the economic growth it has experienced in recent decades. However, it is important to question whether this growth has translated into overall development for the country.
Pause for a moment and consider the remarkable economic growth our nation has witnessed in recent decades. Although the growth may be impressive, it is important to reflect on whether this prosperity has been distributed equally among all individuals. Did you find the overall quality of life satisfactory? Opinions on these thoughts will differ. Now, it鈥檚 time to reassess how to enhance development after this period of reform. Simply achieving economic growth is not enough to meet the criteria for development. Collaboration and coordination are crucial for achieving development. It is imperative that individuals unite and work together towards a common goal. Also, it is important to engage the wider community, especially the younger generation, as Bangladesh has a substantial percentage, over 38 per cent, of its population below the age of 18. This offers a chance to tap into the potential of this demographic and transform it into a valuable resource. According to the Fund for Peace, the brain drain index was nearly 8 in 2019, significantly higher than the global index of around 5.5. The situation of brain drain in Bangladesh is alarmingly high, and it seems that in the near future, the youth will be reluctant to participate in the country鈥檚 development.
In order to achieve continuous development, it is crucial for every institution to prioritise accountability and fairness above all else. Constructive feedback can be a valuable tool for personal, institutional, and professional growth, and it presents an opportunity for the government to embrace positive change. If every institution鈥檚 implementing agency can effectively read and consider criticism, it can result in a significant boost in development. Developed nations often face a shortage of various resources, leading them to rely on imports to sustain their development. It is clear that citizens bear the burden of import costs through taxes. Therefore, whenever the government undertakes any development, they prioritise fairness and accountability in every penny spent for the benefit of their citizens. According to the European Public Accountability Mechanism, Germany has seen a significant increase in its monitoring and oversight of financial disclosure accounts from 2012鈥�2020, scoring 19 points. Germany has a transparent and responsible approach to financial disclosure for its citizens, as indicated.听
Ensuring a fair distribution of income among all classes of people is of utmost importance. We should make efforts to enhance the quality of life so that individuals can access services without facing discrimination. Specifically, in Germany, every citizen has equal access to high-quality medical care. What鈥檚 even more remarkable is that citizens don鈥檛 have to pay for treatment upfront, thanks to the health insurance fund. Even though citizens are required to make monthly payments to the health insurance company, the cost is minimal and differs the amount for all income brackets. In addition, it is crucial to establish a job market that is equitable and recognises individuals for their qualifications and skills. So, it is important to prioritise the quality of education rather than solely investing in educational infrastructure.
Development is the outcome of different aspects working together within a broader context. When it comes to Bangladesh, there are various crucial areas that require attention, including education, health, communication, and finance. It is imperative to make investments in enhancing the quality of these sectors. Considering Bangladesh鈥檚 current development status and the challenges it faces, it would not be prudent to invest a large sum of money all at once. Instead, focussing on strategic sectors could yield better results. For instance, investing in education could improve the quality of education, expand job opportunities, and reduce brain drain. Similarly, investing in healthcare could enhance treatment quality and provide equal access to medical services, potentially reducing the need for costly foreign treatments. So, this approach to investing or thinking could bring about a public-oriented development at this moment, as development should be a primary focus for Bangladesh, along with achieving favourable economic results.
In the coming years, Bangladesh has a crucial task that is to meet the necessary criteria to transition out of the Least Developed Countries category. In addition, there is a goal to reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and Bangladesh has made noteworthy advancements in this area. As measured by Purchasing Power Parity, there has been a decrease in the poverty rate from 11 per cent to 5 per cent in 2010鈥�2022. In addition, there have been significant accomplishments such as a decrease in infant mortality, a rise in literacy rates, and enhanced availability of electricity. Bangladesh possesses the capability to assume a pivotal position among the nations of Southeast Asia due to its strategic geographical boundary and natural resources, so by revisiting its approach and policies towards development. As the interim government included development enthusiast people and also has no fixed period of time to abolish this structure, it could be a possible turning point for Bangladesh to focus on investing in real-time development. To maintain this competitive edge, the interim government should embrace a forward-thinking approach and prioritise well-planned investments.
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听Sardar Al Imran, a doctoral researcher in the Geography and Resource Management Department at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
