German newsman pens a book on Bangladesh’s development

The economic transformation of Bangladesh is all the more remarkable particularly when it comes to emerging as a global manufacturing hub and sustaining an exceptional economic growth fighting all odds, observed Daniel Seidl, a German journalist.

The observation came at a book launching ceremony Seidl wrote under the title -- Celebrating 50 years of Bangladesh. The book was unveiled at a press conference on Saturday at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) in Dhaka.

Seidl shared his experiences of his 25-year stay and work in Bangladesh before and after the Rana Plaza building collapse in April 2013 when he was the executive director of Bangladesh German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The newsman described Bangladesh as a model of economic progress witnessing a surge like that from rags to riches.

Since its inception 50 years ago, the country has already been known to the world as the wonder of development, and is now in a rising state in terms of most economic and socio-economic indicators, said the former business news anchor for CNN Germany who was awarded the distinction “Brand Ambassador of Bangladesh” by the Bangladesh Ministry of Commerce for promoting and branding the country for decades.

Seidl touted Bangladesh’s garment factories as one of the safest workplace destinations in Asia or in the world after the remediation based on the recommendations by the two foreign platforms – Accord and Alliance.

“It should not be a blame game, rather it should be a common game. Many are cynical about Bangladesh, but I say you should be positive about the country. We need to grow together,” said the journalist.