BANGLADESH 2019 EDITION BECKONS The Art of Bangladesh: Embodiment of Social and Political Changes Social and Economic Progress of Bangladesh Bangladesh: An Ideal Destination for Foreign Investment Doing Business in Bangladesh: An overview Going Digital: Realizing the Dreams of a Digital Bangladesh for All Bangladesh: A Fascinating Tourism Destination A COMMEMORATIVE PUBLICATION BY THE HIGH COMMISSION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH, SINGAPORE CONTENTS 2019 EDITION 1 Message from Hon’ble President 33 Opportunities of Investment in Power and Energy Sector in Bangladesh 2 Message from Hon’ble Prime Minister 39 Opportunities of Investment in Leather 3 Message from Hon’ble Foreign Minister Industry of Bangladesh 4 Message from Hon’ble 42 Going Digital: Realizing the Dreams of State Minister for Foreign Affairs a Digital Bangladesh for All 5 Bangladesh-Singapore Relations: 47 The Art of Bangladesh: Embodiment of Prospects and Priorities Social and Political Changes 9 Economic and Social Progress of Bangladesh 51 Bangladesh – A Fascinating Tourism Destination 14 Rohingyas in Bangladesh: The Crisis in Numbers 55 Activites of the High Commission in Pictures 19 Bangladesh: An Ideal Destination for Foreign Investment 27 Doing Business in Bangladesh: An overview Chief Patron Members Articles and Photo Cover His Excellency Khaja Miah Sabbir Ahmed Contribution Painting of Artist Md. Mustafizur Rahman Samia Halim Md. Rafiqul Islam High Commission Shahabuddin Ahmed A.K.M. Azam Chowdhury Morioum Begum Sworna of People's Editor Mohammad Ataur Rahman Republic of Bangladesh Md Faruk Hossain PROPERTY OF HIGH COMMISSION OF THE PEOPLE'S OF BANGLADESH #04-00/#10-00, Jit Poh Building, 19 Keppel Road Singapore 089058 Tel (65) 6255 0075 Fax (65) 6255 1824 URL www.bdhc.sg This publication has been prepared by the High Commission of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in Singapore commemorating the 48th Anniversary of Independence and National Day. The information contained herein has been made available by the Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore. The opinions, pronouncements or views expressed or implied in this publication are those of contributors or authors. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher cannot be liable for loss incurred in any way whatsoever by any company or person relying on the information contained herein. BANGLADESH BECKONS The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Message from Hon’ble President Today is 26th March, the Independence Day of Bangladesh. On the occasion of our great Independence and National Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to my fellow countrymen living at home and abroad. On this historic day, I recall with profound respect the architect of our independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I pay my deep homage to the martyrs and valiant sons of the soil, who made the supreme sacrifice in the war of liberation. I also recall with deep reverence our four National Leaders, valiant freedom-fighters, organizers, supporters, our foreign friends and people from all walks of life who made immense contributions to attain our right to self-determination and the war of liberation. The contributions of all would be written in other. Jatiya Sangsad and the government have started the golden letters in the history of our independence forever. new journey after the eleventh parliamentary election. We have achieved our hard-earned independence Collective initiative is necessary to implement the through huge sacrifices. Bangabandhu always cherished a development ideas of the government and make the dream of building a happy and prosperous country along with parliament meaningful. I hope that National Parliament would achieving political emancipation. Immediately after the be the centre of hopes and aspirations of the people. For independence, he had taken all out steps in rebuilding the this, the ruling party as well as the opposition would have to economy of the war-ravaged country. Keeping that in mind, play constructive role. Present Government has set ‘Vision 2021’and Vision 2041’ respectively to materialize the present Government has been rendering untiring efforts in Bangabandhu’s dream of transforming Bangladesh into materializing the dream of Bangabandhu. After long struggle ‘Sonar Bangla’. Sincere and collective efforts are imperative Bangladesh is now moving towards development and to implement the programmes. prosperity. Besides, the overall development, the Imbued with the spirit of war of liberation and implementation of mega projects like Padma Bridge, Metro democratic values, let us work together irrespective of party Rail and Nuclear Power Plant are going on. With the affiliation to make our hard- earned independence more meaningful. Let this be the pledge on the Independence and launching of Bangabandhu Satellite, we have cemented our National Day. place in the space. We are dreaming of a developed Bangladesh by the year 2041. Bangladesh is now being Khoda Hafez, May Bangladesh Live Forever. branded as a role model for outstanding success in socio- economic development. In pursuing our diplomatic objectives, the government has been consistent in upholding the principle of “Friendship to all, malice towards none” as enunciated by Father of the Nation. Our achievement in international arena is also commendable. Our expatriate Bangladeshis have also been making significant contributions to our national economy through sending their hard-earned remittances. Nevertheless, we have to go a long way for achieving the desired goals of independence. We must ensure good governance, social MD ABDUL HAMID justice, transparency and accountability to make the development people oriented and sustainable. President The People’s Republic Democracy and development complements each Of Bangladesh BANGLADESH BECKONS 1 Message from Hon’ble Prime Minister I convey my heartiest greetings and congratulations to my countrymen as well as all expatriate Bangalees on the occasion of the great Independence and National Day of Bangladesh. The 26th March is the day of earning self- identity of our nation. It’s the day of breaking the shackles of subjugation. On the eve of the Independence Day, I recall with deep gratitude the greatest Bangalee of all times, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under whose undisputed leadership we earned our coveted independence. I pay my deep homage to the 3 million martyrs and 200 thousand women who lost their honour in the War of Liberation. I also pay my tributes to four national leaders who steered the War of Liberation in the absence of Bangabandhu. My homage goes to the valiant freedom fighters, including the wounded ones. I unfinished work of the Father of the Nation. We have achieved extend my sympathies to those who had lost their near and expected developments in every sector during last 10 years. dear ones, and were subjected to brutal torture during the war. I Bangladesh has become the ‘Role Model’ of socio-economic recall with gratitude our foreign friends who had extended their development in the world. Our government is maintaining ‘zero whole-hearted support and cooperation for the cause of our tolerance’ policy to tackle militancy, terrorism and drug menace. liberation. For the first time in the world, we have formulated a hundred The Bangalee Nation had fought against Pakistani rulers’ year plan named ‘Delta Plan 2100’. Bangladesh is one of the five oppression and deprivation for long 23 years under the top countries in the world in economic development. Ninety leadership of Bangabandhu. They were compelled to hold percent of development work is financed by our own resources. general elections in 1970. Bangladesh Awami League led by We have executed the verdict of the trial of the killers of Bangabandhu won overwhelming majority in the elections. But Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman establishing the rule of the Pakistani rulers instead of handing over the power to the law. The verdicts of the trials of the war criminals are also being majority party in a democratic way; they launched repressive executed. The trials of war criminals will be continued as per our measures against them. Bangabandhu in his 7th March historic pledges to the nation. Due to the continuation of the Awami address at the then Racecourse Maidan declared, “The struggle League Government, grassroot people are now getting the of this time is for emancipation, the struggle for this time for our dividend of the development. Bangladesh is moving forward and independence, Joi Bangla.” He instructed the Bangalee nation it will continue. The next generation will get a prosperous to resist the enemies. Bangladesh. The occupation forces unleashed a sudden attack and The people made Bangladesh Awami League victorious started killing innocent and unarmed Bangalees on the black in the recent 11th parliamentary elections. We will fully honour night of the 25th March 1971. They killed thousands of people the huge mandate that the people of our country have given us. in cities and towns, including Dhaka. The Father of Nation We will turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021 Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formally proclaimed the and a developed-prosperous one by 2041, InshaAllah. independence of Bangladesh at the first hour of the 26th March Let us come and uphold the development and 1971. Bangabandhu’s proclamation was spread all over the democratic spree being