"We will start preparing the working paper for UN LDC IV conference and take advice from all quarters," he said at a three-day international dialogue on Exploring a New Global Partnership for the LDCs in the context of the UN LDC IV.
The programme was organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and the OECD Development Centre, Paris. It was chaired by professor Rehman Sobhan.
Bangladesh will continue to enjoy all the benefits of an LDC for about 10 years even after graduating itself to a middle-income country, Mr Muhith said.
He said 'low-income country' terminology does not mean anything. India falls into the same category, but it is one of the economic giants.
The minister stressed on human resource development for economic progress and said the country needs a digital revolution for higher growth.
"Empowerment in the country is done through digital revolution and it will help eliminate corruption," he said.
The major deterrents against corruption are e-governance and digital revolution, and the government would pursue that, he added.
CPD senior fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya in his presentation said Bangladesh has demonstrated considerable structural progress under the economic vulnerability criterion.
Economic vulnerability, human asset and low income are the three criteria used to measure the status of country as an LDC and if a country performs satisfactorily in two areas, it will graduate to the status of a middle-income country.
"Bangladesh should go to Turkey with a strategic graduation plan for becoming a middle-income country instead of asking for more support from the developed world,' he said.
Human asset and income level are the two other areas where the country's performance has been less than satisfactory and it needs to be improved, he said.
The country might have to wait until 2027 if the government wants to become a middle income country, he said adding if resources are diverted to the development of human resources it can reach its target by 2021.
CPD executive director Mustafizur Rahman said the country needs a sustainable graduation from its present status.
"LDCs have made important, and often impressive, strides forward since 2001 in terms of GDP growth, global share in export and remittance," he said.
There are 49 LDCs in the world and Samoa, the Maldives and Equatorial Guinea are expected to graduate to middle-income status by 2010 to 2012.
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Quelle/Source: Financial Express Bangladesh, 25.11.2010
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