Dhaka, March 21 – The government has taken all preparations to celebrate the graduation of the country from the group of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to developing country with elaborate programmes across the country including the capital today.Different government ministries, directorates, departments will celebrate the event through elaborate programmes to mark the day.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will be accorded a mass reception for her success for the developing status at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital.
Besides, different ministries will also display various development works done during the tenure of the current Awami League government at the BICC.
In addition, jubilant processions will march brought out across the country to celebrate the day when mass people including the government officials will take part in it.
To mark the day, observance of the ‘Service Week’ will be held from March 22 to March 26.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan while talking to reporters at his ministry on Thursday said, “The Prime Minister earlier announced that she will change the country and she has lived up to her commitment. Country’s graduation from the LDC status now awaits a formal announcement.”
The minister also said that the security measures will be beefed up across the country for the smooth celebration of the day.
In a press release of Home Ministry, it is said that no one is allowed to carry bag, arms, sharp weapons, etc. while entering into the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital.
Ministry of power, energy and mineral resources will bring out a procession from Shilpakala Academy premises to mark the day.
Colourful rallies by different ministries and divisions will be brought out from nine strategic points of the capital highlighting the Bengal’s heritage, culture and development.
Under the coordination of cultural ministry, a cultural programme including LASER show, fireworks will be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the evening.
On Friday, an international seminar will be held on the issue at Hotel Radisson Blu under the coordination of economic relations division. Later, a cultural programme including water fountain show, LASER show and fireworks will be held in the evening on the same day.
Youth and sports ministry will arrange different sports competition including boat race, stick game, football, Kabadi and Cricket in division, district and upazila level on Friday.
There will be exhibition organised by information and technology ministry at division, district and upazila level.
Besides, the government has taken programems from March 20-25 on publication of various writing on the print media on roundtable discussion, editorial and informative writing on government success.
Arrangement of TV talkshow, theme song will be aired on TV, Radio and other electronic media. The government will also carry out its achievement on social medial like facebook, tweeter and blogs.
The capital Dhaka will be decorated with banners, festoons, LED lighting, colourful flags on the occasion.
A United Nations panel on the committee for development policy (CPD) made the announcement at the UN headquarters in New York on country’s eligibility to the graduation.
He CPD measures the LDC category on the basis of per capita income, a human assets index and an economic vulnerability index and a country must exceed two of the three criteria at two consecutive triennial reviews to be considered for graduation.
It means Bangladesh has met the graduation criteria for the first time but would need to meet the criteria for a second time at the next triennial review in 2021 to become eligible to be considered for graduation.
Bangladesh was included in the LDC group in 1975 and for the first time Bangladesh has been able to fill up three criteria. If Bangladesh fulfill the two of the three criteria in the next triennial reviews in 2021, CPD will recommend to Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as a developing country. ECOSOC will then recommend it to UN general assembly. Then after three years in 2024 Bangladesh will formally come out of the LDC group. – Staff Reporter
