Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday stressed the need for a trained population to transform the country into Smart Bangladesh by 2041, urging all concerned to make the training curriculum up to date and time befitting keeping technological advancement in mind.
"Training is solely required for the development of a nation. The world is ever-changing. This time is an era of technology. We have to march ahead coping with technological advancement,” she said.
Attending the eighth meeting of the National Training Council (NCT) held at Ganabhaban in Dhaka, she said her government is taking plans to turn the country into a developed and Smart Bangladesh in line with the Vision 2041.
Mentioning that questions are often raised about what is Smart Bangladesh, the prime minister said, "We will build a smart population by giving technological training. Our economy will be Smart Economy based on technology. Even our health and agriculture will also be technology-based and mechanised. We want all these things to be smart."
She said they want to make society and the government smart ones utilising technology.
Sheikh Hasina said the NCT has been entrusted with formulating the training policy alongside reviewing and evaluating and making it time befitting.
"We have to march ahead in phases. We want to prosper by involving the entire population. None will remain backward and we will step towards prosperity with all."
The prime minister said she believes that Bangladesh will march towards socio-economic development at an indomitable pace.
She said Bangladesh's advancement has been made despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
"We have been able to reduce the poverty rate to 18.7 per cent and the hardcore poverty rate to 5.6 per cent. InshaAllah, there will be no extreme poverty in Bangladesh."
The prime minister said Bangladesh has reached a dignified position due to her government's tireless efforts as the world is currently showing honour to Bangladesh. "And this is the biggest achievement for us."
The prime minister said Bangladesh has reached such a dignified position as her government is running the country following the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has almost materialised the dream of the Father of the Nation to build “Sonar Bangladesh” free from poverty and hunger.
The prime minister said Bangladesh had witnessed miraculous development in every sector such as trade and commerce, education, health and technology whenever political leaders were in power. "No country can prosper without political decisions and management."
Bangladesh never witnessed such advancement under direct or indirect military dictatorships, she said, adding, "The countrymen should realise it."
"I can claim that the unprecedented development from 2009 -2023 has taken place through political decisions," she said.
