Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad organizedthe day-long 4th National Development Fair at Hotel Serena, a local 5-Star hotel, in the Capital city of Pakistan on 6th October 2018 in a befitting manner and with much festivity. The event was focused on apprising the expatriate Bangladeshis and foreign diplomats as well as the local elite of Islamabad about progress and development achieved in Bangladesh in last one decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in various socio-economic sectors.
The venue was tastefully decorated with a coloufulbanner and a good number of poster-sized framed photographs and display boardsportraying the achievements of the present government, particularly in social-economic development as well as infrastructure development with mega projects.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Tarik Ahsan, in his welcome speech,recalled the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of establishing a ‘Sonar Bangla’ that would be a country of peace and prosperity for all citizens. He added that the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been leading the nation to achieve inclusive development to attain that Golden Bengal. He highlighted extraordinaryprogress over last one decade in reducing poverty rate by 20%, increasing literacy rate to 72.9%, enhancing life expectancy to 72 years, increasing GDP growth rate to 7.86%. He mentioned that Bangladesh is the second most gender-equal country in Asia. He also indicated that Bangladesh is demonstrating signs of good economic health for its comfortable reserve, stable currency and low debt to GDP ratio.He remarked that, after commendable achievements in socio-economic development, Bangladesh has now turned to larger infrastructural development for accelerating economic growth. The High Commissioner highlighted Bangladesh’s developmental perspectives under Vision 2021, Vision 2041 and Delta Plan 2100 towards ensuring a developed future for generations to come.
The Tunisian Ambassadorin Islamabad Adel Elarbi, who is the senior most of the concurrently accredited Ambassadors to Bangladesh from Pakistan,delivered goodwill remarks on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, prominent development worker and human rights defender of Pakistan Tahira Abdullah acclaimed Bangladeshfor surpassing her major South Asian neighbours in many social indicators, particularly in respect of women empowerment. Both the speakerswished Bangladesh continued progress in socio-economic arena.
After the discussion session, a number of documentary videos on the achievements of Bangladesh in different sectors were screened.
Later, a brief cultural show comprising two dance performances to the tune of patriotic Bengali songs sung by renowned singers Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin were presented by a Bangladeshi expatriate lady dancer. The guests were enthralled by the dance numbers and the melodious songs that set the festive tone of the event.
A good number of handicraft items and an array of home decoration items made from wood, pottery, metal and bamboo were displayed at the venue. The guests showed keen interest in the exhibited handicraft which reflected the rich, unique tradition of Bangladesh’s distinctive culture.Besides, booklets, leaflets and magazines on Bangladesh’s development initiatives and tourism were also put on display. The guests gathered latest information and data of Bangladesh’s development from these publication materials and from the framed posters and display boards. Each of the guests was given a copy of the‘coffee table’ book titled ‘Bangladesh: The Rising Delta` published by the High Commission.The High Commission also arranged a Photo Exhibition themed-“Socio-economic development of Bangladesh” at the corner of the venue which was one of the main attractions of the guests.
Finally, the guests were entertained by a buffet dinner.
The hosting of the event was highly appreciated by the guests. Itwas quite successful in enlighteningthe diplomatic community, Bangladesh expatriate community and enlightened cross-section of the host society on the developmental success story that present-day Bangladesh is.
Quite a number of Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Defence Advisors, friends of Bangladesh, educationists, representatives of think-tanks, businesspersons, Bangladesh expatriates and officials of Bangladesh High Commissionattended the function along with their spouses