Rice varieties BRRI cultivated on more than 80% of the country's land where paddy is grown. These varieties account for more than 91% of the country's total rice production.

developed by are

Mangal Shovajatra, a festival close to the heartof Bengalis, has been inscribed on UNESCO'sRepresentative List of Intangible CulturalHeritage of Humanity.

BANGLADESH IN DEVELOPMENT TRAJECTORY:GRADUATING AS A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

Since her independence in 1971, Bangladesh has traversed a long distance. Bangladesh is now on course of graduating from the Least Developed Country status, propelled by increased human assets, lower vulnerability and a burgeoning economy. This month, United Nations assessed Bangladesh on three criteria, namely per capita income, human assets, economic vulnerability; and officially notified that Bangladesh would qualify for graduation if she sustains her progression on these counts for two consecutive periods (of three years): from 2018 to 2021, and then from 2021 to 2024.

SOCIAL & HUMAN CAPITAL

CULTURE & HERITAGE

“Resilient export and remittance flowshave bolstered growth and

external stability of the economy”

“The country ranks fourthin growth

in economicallyactive population”

“Bangladesh economyis a rising star of economic

growth and fiscal discipline”

“Clearly the preferred next stop or the sourcing caravanAnd the list goes on....”

“Bangladesh is in ‘Next 11’ listafter the BRICS nations”

Aims to eradicate absolute poverty by 2021

Ranked 47th in terms of gender equality globally. Advanced25 notches from earlier position, topping among the South Asian countries. [Global Gender Gap Report, WEF, 2017]

Bangladesh ranked as the 84th peaceful country in a ranking of 163 countries. Ranked the third most peaceful country in South Asia [Global Peace Index (GPI), 2017]

Ranks 4th in growth in economically active population[JP Morgan Chase]

Bangladesh is now the 44th most valuable nation brand in the world.

INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE,SERVICE

Seven out of 10 top greengarment factories scorersin the world are in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is now self-sufficientin animal protein production.

INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE & RANKING

Net electricity production (including renewable energy)increased to 57,276 million kWh in FY2016-17 from 52,193 millionkWh in FY2015-16.

Bangladesh will be the 38thlargest economy in 2022,improving from its 45thposition in 2017

The Sundarbans, the Largest Mangrove: The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal, located in the delta region of Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra river basins recognized in 1997 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bangladesh, is the abode of the exotic and mighty Royal Bengal Tiger.

Cox's Bazar Beach, the Longest Natural Beach: The beach in Cox's Bazar is sandy and has a gentle slope; with an unbroken length of 120 km (75 mi), it is the longest natural sea beach in the world, holding immense potential for tourism and hospitality industry. It is located 150 km (93 mi) south of the industrial port of Chittagong.

21 February, the Language Martyr's Day: As a global recognition of the martyrs who sacrificed themselves on 21 February, 1952 during the language movement in favor of Bangla as the State Language, International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February to promote awareness on linguistic and cultural diversity and promote multilingualism.

Historic 7th March Speech, World's Documentary Heritage: The UNESCO on October 30, 2017 recognized the famed speech of the 7th March, 1971 by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman instigating the nation to prepare for the fight of Independence, as part of the world's documentary heritage.

Sheetol Pati, Cultural Heritage: 'Sheetol Pati' a unique traditional handcrafted mat produced in the low-lying villages of Sylhet in the North East of Bangladesh has been included in the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

GI Products: The delectable Hilsa Fish, and the intricate Jamdani Saree, among others have officially been registered as products with Geographical Indication (GI) in Bangladesh.

2nd largest Global Apparel Supplier: Net export revenue from Apparel was US$ 28.15 billion [In FY 2016-17] (81% of total exports).

67 USGBC LEED 'green' Apparel factories: Highest number of green factories, globally.

280+ more factories in pipeline for green certification.

5th largest freshwater fish producing country, globally [FAO, FY 2016-17]: 4.1 million MT inland fish produced.

4th largest rice producer, globally. Total cereal (rice, wheat, maize) production increased four times (1971–2017) since independence.

5th largest vegetable producer, globally.

Jute renaissance: Jute genome decoding to open up industrial use/applications in an emerging green world e.g. BMW, Boeing et al using jute.

250+ jute products registered to date.

89% Bangladesh households have access to electricity, including solar [FY 2016-17]. Aims to generate 23,000 MW to cover 100% households by 2021.

(Installed) electricity generation capacity increased three-fold (12,771 MW) [during FY 2008 – 17]

Nuclear power plant [2x1,200 MW] to be operational by 2023

Largest solar nation globally: 4.5 million+ solar household systems installed – covering 13 million users.

Mega infrastructure projects e.g. (6.9 Km) Padma Bridge, Metro-rail, Elevated Express Way altering connectivity, economic landscape, supply chains over the next few years.

Going DigitalLaunching the first Bangladeshi geo-stationary communications satellite, operated by Bangladesh [April 2018]77 million internet subscribers (including 72 million mobile internet subscribers) [2017]

21st most attractive off-shoring destination globally; 9th best-outsourcing hub in Asia [Global Services Location Index, A T Kearney]

35% of Annual Development Budget is implemented using e-procurement platform [FY 2016-17]

INFRASTRUCTURE,CONNECTIVITY,POWER & ENERGY

Per CapitaNational Income

Gross Investment

2015-162016-17

Per Capita GDP

Cur

renc

y (U

S $)

0

1000

2000

1500

500

0

25

Gro

ss In

vest

men

t (%

) 35

15

$1,3

85

$1,5

44

$1,4

65

$1,6

10

30.5

1

29.6

5

Cur

renc

y (U

S $)

0

1000

2000

1500

500

2015-162016-17

2015-162016-17

Only five countries, including Bangladeshof the 45 Least Developed Countriesachieved economic growth at 7 per centor higher in 2017.

Source: UNCTAD

A premier and the oldest trade body in the country, takes this opportunity to highlight some of the recent achievements and recognitions of Bangladesh.

MACRO-ECONOMYUS$ 686 billion GDP (at PPP) [2017]

To be a trillion dollar economy by 2022 i.e. 30th largest economy globally [by 2022].

FOREX Reserve: US$ 33 billion [2017]Remittance inflow: US$ 12.8 billion [2017]Exports US$ 35 billion [2017], of US$ 77+ billion Foreign Trade [2017]

Enjoying macro-economic stability for a decade, strong political leadership steering economy.

Economy growing @ an average 6%+ for a decade (2008-2018). FY 2016-17: economy grew @ 7.28%

Per Capita GDP risen to US$ 1,544 [FY 2016-17] from US$ 1,385 [FY 2015-16]31% of GDP: from (gross) Investment: almost all sectors open to FDI.27% of GDP: from private Investment

Ranked 99th position out of 137 countries [Global Competitiveness Index, 2017] - from 106th [2016]

Ranked 34th out of 74 emerging economies [Inclusive Development Index, IMF, 2017] – from 36th [2016]

44th most valued 'nation brand' globally [Nation Brands Report, Brand Finance, UK, Oct 2017]

100 Special Economic Zones (30,000 hectares) open for investment by 2030