Bangladesh a model for developing states

They said Bangladesh now stands as a model for many developing countries for its economic development in such a short time.

The speakers pointed out that despite natural disaster, corruption and mismanagement, the survival tactics of the commoners is exceptionally challenging.

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They attributed the failures of the successive governments to misuse of power, corruption and mismanagement.

The dialogue on 'Bangladesh: Dysfunctional state versus real perspective' was organised by the Centre for National and Regional Studies (CNRS) at the IDB Bhavan in the city.

The speakers said there is no such particular issue for which Bangladesh could be described as a dysfunctional state.

In fact, they said, the failures are not of the state but of the institutional mechanism that works to execute power by the politicians.

Referring to the positive changes that took place in last 30 years in Bangladesh, Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive director of Power and Participation Research Centre, said, "If we consider failures, it is primarily the failures of the elite society."

He said, " We generally tend to give no attention to the rural elite who make up more than two-thirds of the population. They make up a crucial part of the economy."

"We have established a strong economic pillar and it is the effort of millions of individuals who are the driving forces behind bringing about the changes," he added.

Moazzem Hossain, editor of the Financial Express, said, "Despite natural disasters like flood and cyclone we have been able to make substantial progress in economic sector".

Barrister Mainul Husein, Golam Quader MP, Dr Mahbubullah, Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul and Dr Aftab Ahmed also spoke.

Enayetullah Khan, editor of the New Age moderated the dialogue while journalist Afsan Chowdhury presented a keynote paper.