Bangladesh: Country Portfolio - Essay Example

Portfolio (Bangladesh Portfolio (Bangladesh) Titus Rock Manickam Order No. 222602 29 April 2008 Portfolio (Bangladesh) 1. Level of (under) development and perception of development for Bangladesh. A cursory look at the statistics showing the level of progress or lack of it in Bangladesh does not strike any impression. If anything, it shows that the picture is gloomy as ever. Refer to any index: Corruption Perception Index (156 out of 163 in 2006 and 162 out of 179 in 2007), Economic Freedom Index (143 out of 157 in 2007 and 149 out of 157 in 2008), Global Hunger Index (109 out of 115 in 1999 and 99 out of 116 in 2003), Human Development Index 137 out of 177 in 2004 and 140 out of 177 in 2005), etc. In every respect, the status of the country falls within the lowest quarter of the world's index list. Progress, if any, is marginal and has taken long time to achieve. For instance, Global Hunger Index has shown an improvement of approximately 9% between 1999 and 2003, a gap of four years. (Bangladesh Development Research Centre) The country has witnessed some stability on the political front from the start of the 21st century as compared to the 1990s when political turmoil and military interventions were the order of the day. Corruption and nepotism is widespread in the entire sub-continent. So the only way to make perceptible all-round progress happen is political will to discipline the bureaucracy. The only silver lining to the general average or below average economic and social performance is the micro-credit scheme introduced and managed by Nobel prize winner, Muhammed Yunus. Also, women in Bangladesh appear more enthusiastic about participation and progress whether it is economy or population control drive. (Progress towards Millennium Development Goals) 2. Summary of an article, news report, etc that discusses how any institution(s) involved in international development has tried to assist Bangladesh The tolerance and compatibility shown by Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and Awami League, the two main political parties, towards each other in the past decade is one of the key factors in contributing to whatever growth has been perceptibly witnessed during this time. Bitter political rivalry between these two parties and their exploitation by the military since independence in 1975, have been the main causes of the country's woes. The presence of the United Nations and countries like Japan in Bangladesh serves to ensure accountability and order. It also provides the advantage of technological know-how and the scope for its application in the environs of Bangladesh. Poverty alleviation and reduction in infant mortality rates as of now are inextricably linked to projects undertaken with the help of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, international agencies like the United Nations Development Program and donor nations like Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, etc. (Masudul Hoq Chowdhury) Japan has played major role not only as a donor nation but also as nodal agency for other donor nations and NGOs in the efforts to mitigate Bangladesh's domestic obstacles in the areas of agricultural development, basic human needs, human resource development, infrastructure for investment and export promotion, and disaster management. Another factor playing a major contributory role in the country's progress is its increasing participation in world affairs. Bangladesh has been participating in UN-sponsored peace keeping operations in various disturbed regions in the world by pro-actively contributing its military personnel in these efforts. Bangladesh has also been making efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with its neighboring countries and other nations all over the world. It is also a source for good, cheap labor. (Japan's Country Assistance Program) 3. Traditional and new/novel remedies to promote development for Bangladesh. Traditionally, the country's major source of income used to be the jute industry, rice cultivation and fish farming. However, availability of alternative synthetic material for packing has badly hit the jute industry. Jute is bio-degradable. Hence, with the process of development and research, it is possible to revive the jute industry in its new synthesized version, as one of the better packing sources. (Jute industry) Socially, the country has suffered with ravages of nature and social and economical deprivation for ages. Most of the country is low lying area. This makes it vulnerable to the vagaries and ravages of nature. Torrential rain, floods and cyclones every year between June and September leave a trail of devastation and death. However, the floods also make the soil fertile and ideal for agriculture purpose. (Flooding in Bangladesh) Bangladesh along with West Bengal in India is home to Sunderbans, the largest delta in the world and home to rich and diverse flora and fauna. Home to tigers, crocodiles, spotted deer, and a wide assortment of birds and animals, the region is ideal for tourism. (Rajdeep Bhattacharjee) To boost economy, small and medium-sized industries for manufacture of readymade garments and processing fishes and shrimps are coming up. The topography and environment of Bangladesh are suitable for small, medium-scale and cottage industries. Consistent planning and execution of educational schemes must be in place if the country has to catch up with the moderate economies of the world. (Trade and Gender in Bangladesh) 4. Obstacles to development for Bangladesh. Poverty, illiteracy and corruption are the biggest obstacles to the process of development in Bangladesh. The awareness of human rights and law and order issues is low. There is little tolerance for free speech and criticism, although the government swears by reformation in public administration and judicial system. The rich, influential and powerful are too busy with their own affairs and survival to spare a thought for the milling population and their daily ordeals. By far, the biggest hurdle to progress is the population size. With population density of 1000 people per square kilometer, Bangladesh is beset with the daunting responsibility of feeding a growing population with obsolete and inadequate resource. To top it, the nation has to educate and provide with means of living every one of them. The situation is grim and even considering some progress being made in the areas of child education and reduction in infant mortality the odds against sustaining a steady growth pattern is too difficult to manage without concerted assistance by the outside world. (Country Strategy for Bangladesh) In a scenario where people are bound by traditional, social and cultural customs and accustomed to exploitations the prospect for progress and enlightenment is dim. It is like the proverbial country of blind men where the one-eyed is the king. Ideally, the media is in the right position to inform and educate. However, harassed and gagged by the powers that be, the media is unable to perform its role independently and professionally. The threat posed by fundamentalist forces compounds the misery for the common man. (Ainoor Naher) 5. The role of business/multinational companies in international development for Bangladesh. Bangladesh is opening up to business and multinationals who have vital role to play for the transformation of the country's economy. The handloom sector, in particular, is doing well and deserves consideration for boosting turnover and employment. The country is also opening up to foreign collaboration in the power and energy sector whose presence is necessary for industrial growth. Telecom sector and e-commerce are another important business prospects under consideration for private players. Policies are forthcoming to facilitate imports of computer hardware, aluminium scraps and second hand vehicles. However, these are rudimentary and only to meet the bare minimum levels. (Weekly Business Brief) The time is not yet ripe for multinationals to set shops in Bangladesh. It can happen in special zones but only when the political will and system is strong enough to counter threats from the fundamentalists. The economic situation is at a nascent stage in Bangladesh and attempt at quick turn-around is akin to upsetting the proverbial applecart. It will cause more harm than good. Simply put, the role of business and multinational companies is limited to the tolerance level of the local business community and the people at large. A bold and aggressive economic approach cannot work in Bangladesh either in the present times or in the foreseeable future. As of now, the role of business is so very limited that it is meaningless to even think about the country as a global player. (Volatile Bangladesh) Bibliography: Ainoor Naher, Department of Ethnology, South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, December 2005, Gender, Religion and Development in Bangladesh, http://www.zef.de/module/register/media/262d_AN_Diss_final.pdf. Bangladesh Development Research Centre (BDRC), Bangladesh's Progress and Relative Ranking, http://www.bangladeshstudies.org/ranking.html. Country Strategy for Bangladesh: 2002-2005, countryanalyticwork.net/caw/.../$file/udCtryStratBangla02-05.pdf. Flooding in Bangladesh, Earth Observatory, New Images, http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3img_id=17066 Japan's Country Assistance Program for Bangladesh, Government of Japan, May 2006, http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/region/sw_asia/bangladesh.pdf. Jute industry, Jute News, WorldJute.com, http://www.worldjute.com/jute_news/news_industry_01.html. Progress towards Millennium Development Goals (MDG), www.mdgbangla.org/country_progress/index.htm Masudul Hoq Chowdhury, Community Based Environmental Education for Sustainable Development: The Case of Bangladesh, http://www.ceeindia.org/esf/download/paper12.pdf. Rajdeep Bhattacharjee, Sunderbans Once Again, In Bangladesh, Escape from America Magazine, EscapeArtist.com, http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/77/Travels_In_Bangladesh.html. Trade and Gender in Bangladesh, A Legal and Regulatory Analysis, USAID from the American People, August 2006, http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-cutting_programs/wid/pubs/Bangladesh_TIRLRA_August_2006.pdf. Volatile Bangladesh, The Hindu, Opinion, Friday, 11 February 2005, http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/11/stories/2005021102301000.htm. Weekly Business Brief, Bangladesh info.com, http://www.bangladeshinfo.com/business/weekly_brief01.php. Read More