Middle-income status in three years: PM

FE Team | Published: July 03, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina affirmed on Thursday that Bangladesh would become a middle-income country within the next three years before the targeted 2021, reports UNB.
The country has already stepped into that stair through becoming a lower middle-income country, she said.
"We've already stepped into that stair as Bangladesh has been declared a lower middle-income country. I can assure you it won't take 2021; before that time we would be able to establish ourselves as a middle-income country from a lower-middle income one. Perhaps it would take 2.0-3.0 years… I've that conviction," she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing a function at her official residence Ganobhaban after opening the Cox's Bazar International Airport construction project through video-conferencing.
Sheikh Hasina said barriers often come while accomplishing any task and her government has to overcome so many odds and obstacles.
In this connection, she mentioned the BNP-led 20-party alliance could not slow down the pace of development despite carrying out countrywide arson attacks, vandalism and burning people to death.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has already been declared a lower middle-income country. "Bangladesh doesn't want to stay at the lower ladder… it wants climb to the peak and we'll do whatever is necessary for that."
For further development of an independent and sovereign country like Bangladesh, Hasina said, all will have to work from their respective positions and fields with utmost sincerity.
Noting that Bangladesh is moving ahead on all fronts and continue to move, she renewed her vow to turn Bangladesh into a peaceful abode in South Asia.
According to the World Bank, Bangladesh has become a lower middle-income country with the Gross National Income per capita (GNI), joining those with annual incomes of $1,046 to $4,125.
The World Bank in a posting on its website says it revises the income classification of the world's economies every year on July 01 through calculation using the World Bank Atlas method.