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BDF 2020-CLOSING, ONE
BDF 2020 calls for effective partnership for implementing 8th FYP
DHAKA, Jan 30, 2020 (BSS) – The two-day long Bangladesh Development Forum
(BDF) 2020 ended in the capital today with a call for effective partnership
between the government and development partners for implementing the 8th five
year and long-term sustainable development plan of the country.
During the forum organised by the Economic Relations Division (ERD), the
government shared the broader strategies of the upcoming 8th Five Year Plan
with the development partners and other major development actors.
The forum ended with a number of recommendations, including developing a
BDF 2020 outcome document based on mutual accountability that sets shared
objectives and targets, agreed actions of the outcome document will be
followed up through the Local Consultative Group (LCG) Government-DP Plenary
and the 8th Five-Year Plan will guide the discussion on the LCG Working Group
reform.
The government ministries also presented their mid and long-term
development plans in various priority areas like quality education, inclusive
healthcare, innovative financing, rural transformation, sustainable
urbanisation, climate financing, private sector engagement and trade
facilitation.
Sharing the outcomes of the BDF 2020 at the closing ceremony at the
Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), Finance Minister AHM
Mustafa Kamal said the government held this BDF at a time when the 7th Five
Year Plan is going to end this year while the next 8th Five Year Plan will be
formulated.
“The suggestions from this BDF will definitely be helpful for formulating
the next 8th Five Year Plan,” he said, adding that this plan will be
completely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said a paper would be published within a month based on the outcomes of
the forum.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Prime Minister’s Economic Affairs
Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, ERD Secretary Monowar Ahmed and UN Resident
Coordinator and LCG Co Chair Mia Seppo spoke at the closing ceremony.
Later on, they gave answers to the queries of the journalists at a press
conference.
Like the MDGs, Bangladesh would be able to deliver the SDGs before many
countries of the world, Kamal said, adding following the path of 2030
development agenda, Bangladesh is poised to become a developed country by
2041.
Referring to the concerns of the development partners to some extent over
the country’s less private investment and over the low tax-GDP ratio, he said
the government from the next year would keep an estimation as to what extent
it gives various types of exemptions to the industries and businesses like
tax holidays and other benefits.
“If these are taken into account, then you can see that the tax-GDP ratio
will be very much comparable to other countries of the world
………..through effective enforcement, we’ll be in a better position to
deliver according to our desired objectives,” he added.
Referring to the draft 8th Five Year Plan, the Finance Minister said the
plan projected to raise the GDP growth to 8.51 percent in FY25 from 8.23
percent in FY20 while the poverty rate is expected to come down at 12.1
percent in FY25 as well as the extreme poverty rate at 5.28 percent.
Besides, he said the plan eyes on generating some 10.5 million employments
both at home and abroad while efforts will be there to raise the tax-GDP
ratio to 15 percent.
Answering to a question, Kamal said Bangladesh is an ideal place for making
investment while the country has never been a defaulter while repaying its
debt.
Replying to another question, he said the government has no apprehension
right at the moment about the implementation progress of the Chinese funded
projects.
MORE/ASG/GM/RY/1855 hrs