Bangladesh has met all the three criteria for graduating out of least developed country (LDC) status, and is waiting for the meeting of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (UNCPD) to confirm that, according to Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal.
The UNCPD will sit in its second meeting in February to assess Bangladesh’s progress on graduation out of LDC, he said, adding that the government is hopeful of the country’s successful passage. This will be the second meeting of the commission. The first one was held in 2018.
Kamal made these remarks while talking to reporters after the virtual meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase on Wednesday.
Kamal said the three issues that the UNCPD will evaluate are economic vulnerability index (EVI), human asset index (HAI) and the per capita income.
“We have fulfilled the requirements as our point for EVI is 27.3 against required 32, a little short of target, while HAI is 75 points against the required 66 points and our per capita income is $1640 against the required $1210,” he said.
The Finance Minister said the government is hopeful of coming out of the LDC and entering the next level of development.
If we succeed, we will dedicate our success to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and also to the 3 million martyred who sacrificed their lives, 200,000 women who lost honor for the cause of independence, he said.
He noted that this will be a historic moment for the nation in the year when the nation will celebrate 50 years anniversary and also the birth centenary of Father of the Nation, who dreamt of economic emancipation.
“We have nothing to do for them but to pray to almighty for peace of their departed souls. But through dedicating the achievement we can get relieved of the debt made to our great people,” he said.
