The development activities have gained tremendous momentum in the last
decade by the dynamic leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina. The indicators of an exceptionally strong development record have
inspired the country to aim even higher. The country now aspires to reach the
upper middle income status by 2030. Sound and effective development
policies and advantage of the hugely abundant supply of labour, a very fertile
land, plenty of water and monsoon rains have laid the foundation of this
achievement in the recent past. The Bangladesh Delta, the largest dynamic
delta of the world, along with a large and growing population base,
presented many advantages that the people and policy makers converted
into opportunities to secure the above development gains. Yet, the same
delta and high population density presents many development challenges.
With a population of about 160 million crammed into 1,47,570 km2 including
rivers, Bangladesh having at about 1,200 people per square kilometer is one
of the most densely populated countries in the world. Owing to the deltaic
formation of the country, the configuration of the rivers and climate change,
Bangladesh has been ranked as the 6th most vulnerable country in the world
in terms of risks from natural hazards. Tidal surge, salinity, flooding, river
erosion and cyclones are regular features of the country. These features pose
a continuous challenge to food security for the country and livelihood for a
large part of the rural population. These delta-related challenges are just one
source of challenge. The country faces other challenges from growing
urbanization, declining land availability, infrastructure shortages, energy
supply constraints and dearth in labour skills. The interface of these multiple
challenges with limited public resources and a constrained public sector
capacity define the policy and institutional challenges of lower middle income
Bangladesh. Even so, past track record gives confidence that with strong
determination and effort, the country has the capability to overcome these
challenges.