Dhaka, 31 March 2022: Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that Bangladesh should march ahead in the path of development to retain the dignity achieved through LDC graduation.

She said this while speaking at a daylong event organized in Cox’s Bazar on 31 March 2022 to celebrate Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC status. Hon’ble Prime Minister joined the event virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence.

“We have already attained the status of a developing country. Now we need to move ahead to retain the dignity achieved through LDC graduation so that we can build up a prosperous Bangladesh dreamt by the Father of the Nation”, the Honorable Prime Minister said in her speech.
“Nothing can stop Bangladesh now. Bangladesh will march ahead”, she added.

Honorable Finance Minister Mr. A H M Mustafa Kamal, FCA, MP said in his speech, “Pakistan subjugated us through exploitation for years. However, under the successful leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has successfully overtaken Pakistan in every single socioeconomic parameter over the last twelve years and has attained a place of dignity at the world stage”.

Hon’ble Minister of the Ministry of Land Mr. Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, MP; Hon’ble State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Mr. Nasrul Hamid, MP; Hon’ble State Minister for Shipping Mr. Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, MP; Hon’ble State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mr. Md. Mahbub Ali, MP; and Honble State Minister for Youth and Sports Mr. Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel, MP delivered speeches on the ongoing local development schemes during the event. Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Chair of the National Committee on LDC Graduation Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the session.

Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Ms. Fatima Yasmin delivered the welcome speech of the event. She said, “Under the able and prudent leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has advanced at a rapid pace over the last thirteen years to fulfil the vision of building a prosperous nation. Simultaneously, the country has transformed from an aid dependent country to a small-scale lender”.
Senior officials from various government ministries, divisions and agencies; officials from district administration as well as representatives of private sector and civil society organizations participated in the event.

Development fair and cultural programs were organized at the Laboni sea beach as part of the daylong awareness event. In addition– music, art, poem recitation, and essay competitions were organized at the school level.

Bangladesh met all the criteria for LDC graduation for the second consecutive time during the latest triennial review of the Committee for Development Policy (CDP) of the United Nations back in February 2021.

CDP also recommended providing an extended preparatory period of five years for Bangladesh spanning from the year 2021 to 2026.

The recommendation had been duly endorsed by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations on 08 June 2021.

Consequently, United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution of ECOSOC’s recommendation for Bangladesh’s LDC graduation on 24 November 2021.
Following the five-year long period recommended by the United Nations, Bangladesh will formally graduate from the LDC category in November 2026.
It is notable that Bangladesh is the only country that has been recommended for LDC graduation by fulfilling all three criteria set by the United Nations.

Graduation from LDC status is a testimony to the incredible socioeconomic progress that has taken place under the prudent leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In this context, the celebration event was organized to commemorate this historic milestone and also to raise awareness about this historic achievement at the local level.

The campaigning event also played an effective role in raising awareness about the major development schemes of Cox’s Bazar like Matarbari Power Plant, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, Asrayan project and the extension of railway up to Ghumdhum while sensitizing people about the potentials of the local tourism industry as well as the cultural heritage of the local indigenous population.