Better communication to stimulate growth, boost development 

With the opening of the much-anticipated Padma Bridge, there is a general sense of jubilation and euphoria among the masses as the bridge will reduce time needed to travel from the southwest part of the country, adding a much needed impetus to trade, commerce and business.

The PM recently said that the government is committed to ensuring state of the art communication facilities to boost business. The statement of the premier is definitely heartening because worldwide it is an accepted fact that swift communication is the pivot on which economic growth revolves.

Looking at the Padma Bridge, we see not only an imposing structure but also a catalyst for nationwide economic boom. For too long the southwestern part of the country was lagging behind due to lengthy and cumbersome communication.

The bridge will address that, making transport of goods from the southern part to the capital swifter. This will also bring a revolutionary change to lifestyle in parts, which were once deemed a ‘backwater’. 

Tourism structures will expand, creating much needed employment for rural youth while faster communication will work as a major pull factor for investors who had been shunning the southern districts due to slow communication.

The other advantage of the bridge is urbanisation, featuring digital applications that are usually concentrated in urban areas.

That the Padma Bridge will bring tremendous positive changes is well accepted although what is imperative is the right branding of facilities in the southwest region. If communication is one pillar of economic progress then right branding is the other one.

From a realistic point of view, potential investors will not immediately run to set up businesses outside the capital unless they are presented with a thorough idea about the benefits.

For this, the government needs to chalk up and pursue a strategic trade and business development campaign, keeping the Padma Bridge as the centre point.

Possible steps can include, holding business seminars and exhibitions in the southwestern part where top local and international brands can be invited.

Since several foreign automobile manufacturers expressed interest to set up motor assembly plants in Bangladesh to make vehicles affordable, inviting leading car brands to southwest parts for an assessment can be a first step.

The same can apply for other industries trying to enter the Bangladesh market with competitive rates for their products.Naturally, plants in southwest parts will bring down production cost while ensuring employment for countless youths.

The government’s other communication megaproject is the metro rail, aimed to ease traffic congestion and make commuting faster.

Surveys have shown that in Dhaka, the average time wasted on the road is above two hours per day. The metro rail will connect two ends of Dhaka city in less than an hour, coming as a great relief for city residents.

The metro rail will also boost urban commercial operations since this will allow entrepreneurs living in Uttara to expand their business to other parts of the city.

The Karnaphuli River tunnel is another communication project, aiming to take connectivity to the next age.

The opening of the bridge, the ongoing work on the metro rail and the river tunnel create an image of hope although our expectations and aspirations need to be peppered with practicality.

The world economy is slowing down due to war in Europe with economists predicting recession. Such grim prognosis should act to make us determined to use the communication infrastructures to the hilt.

Heartfelt plaudits for the government for the communication mega projects and keeping the possible ramifications of the Ukraine war in perspective, it will be a prudent move from the authorities to go for the right branding of the southwest part of the country which can now turn into a new trading hub through strategic planning.