A year on the road to progress

The June 12 1996 election was a milestone in the annals of democratic polity in Bangladesh. The Awami League victory reflected the democratic aspirations of the people and their unshaken loyalty to an accountable and propeople government.

Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership, free-market economic policies are being implemented by the government alongside development of institutional, legal and trade and investment infrastructure. These include, among others, provisions for setting up Export Processing Zones by the private sector, facilities for tax holidays, duty rationalization, 100 percent foreign investments and repatriation of profits.

In line with past experiences and the economic needs of the present, privatization of state-owned enterprises has been geared up. During the current fiscal year, five enterprises have been privatized. That of another 10 is likely to be completed soon and shares of nine have been offered on the stock market.

Hasina has expressed firm determination to eradicate illiteracy from the country within the next 10 years. The education sector has been granted maximum allocation with that goal in mind.

The main thrust in the development strategy of the present government has been to develop human resources to raise national productivity. Primary and Mass education is receiving maximum attention along with technical and vocational education. An education commission has been set up to provide policy guidelines to the education sector to face challenges of the 21st century.

Health care facilities are also being rapidly expanded. A national nutrition policy has been launched by the government to raise the people's nutritional status.

The women's council was recast in January, 1997. The government announced a national women's development policy, whose principal goal is to improve conditions for women throughout the country.

A 25-member children's council has also been reconstituted for developing and protecting children's rights.

In continuation of the policies formulated by the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the daughter of Bangabandhu -- Hasina -- has been striving to further strengthen the armed forces, the sentinels of the country's independence and sovereignty. They are making valuable contributions in development programs and tackling natural disasters. They have earned worldwide acclaim for their role in UN peacekeeping operations.

On the diplomatic front, the government has been pursuing an active and aggressive policy mainly for economic ends. Hasina addressed the 51st session of the UN general assembly last year. Her chairing of the world microcredit summit in Washington DC in February, 1997, is a matter of great pride for Bangladesh.

Efforts to strengthen South Asian Cooperation through SAARC received new momentum due to the pragmatic role played by Hasina at the Male SAARC Summit in May 1997.

Bangladesh is strengthening bilateral and subregional ties with neighbors, especially in trade, commerce, investment, transportation and tourism. This will have tremendous positive impact on the economy. In a globalized world economy, Bangladesh cannot afford to lag behind in seizing opportunities for regional and subregional cooperation for rapid socioeconomic growth.