BD to become Asia\\\'s next economic tiger, hopes Mozena

International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) accorded a reception to Dan W. Mozena, the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh and his spouse Ms. Grace Mozena recently at Gulshan Club in the city.
The outgoing U.S. Ambassador said in his remarks that he is very fortunate to represent USA in Bangladesh, a moderate, tolerant, secular, pluralistic country, according to a statement issued by IBFB.
He said, Bangladeshi people are hard working, creative, generous, entrepreneurial, resilient, and they are the greatest asset of the country.
The outgoing U.S. ambassador pointed out some remarkable achievements of this country especially in the fields of agriculture, health and family planning, industrial growth etc.
He said, "We saw the fruits of an agricultural revolution that has defied all the odds, that none of us ever predicted.  We saw Bangladesh's progress in achieving food security through expanded food production and greater access to food.  Bangladesh is exporting 50,000 tons of rice to Sri Lanka this year … what an achievement for a country once famously described as a basket case!  Bangladesh is no bottomless basket; in fact, it is an overflowing basket of agricultural bounty.  Who imagined that Bangladesh would be on a trajectory to achieve food self-sufficiency?  I am proud that America has been Bangladesh's partner in this great success".
The Ambassador also mentioned, Bangladesh is on a trajectory to achieve its Millennium Development Goals by already slashing maternal mortality by over 60 per cent and child-under-five mortality by nearly two-thirds.  Bangladesh has made so much progress in defeating infectious diseases that drowning is now the number one cause of death of Bangladeshi children between the ages of one year and five years.
Regarding improved family planning in Bangladesh he said, the fertility rate has declined from 6.3 live births per woman in 1971 to around 2.2 today. Further reductions could take the rate to replacement level of 2.1 lives births next year. He opined that Bangladesh has the greatest opportunity to maximize its position in the world market by enhancing its capacity in the fields of apparel industry, finished leather products, generic pharmaceuticals and information technology.
Ambassador Dan Mozena said, this country has every potential to become the Asia's next economic tiger, although there are some challenges like quality education and infrastructural development that are required to be improved. He opined, good governance is a major concern for development of Bangladesh that includes corruption, bureaucratic red tape, lack of rule of law, and the threat of political instability. He also said, although these challenges are serious, but they are resolvable with sufficient commitment and good will from the government and other stakeholders. Once these challenges are overcome, massive inflows of trade and investment both from domestic sources and overseas including America will become a reality in Bangladesh. He endorsed his strong beliefs that IBFB can continue to play an important role in addressing and overcoming such challenges.
The Farewell Dinner was also attended by distinguished leaders and personalities from different sectors including political leaders, civil society, journalists, business leaders, dignitaries from different diplomatic missions. Among other, Mr. Tofail Ahmed MP, Commerce Minister, Dr. M. A. Moin Khan, Standing Committee Member of BNP, Mr. Noor-e-Alam Siddique, Mr. A.S.M. Abdur Raob, Mr. Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Mr. Ruhul Amin Howlader MP, Advocate A.F. Hasan Ariff, former Law Adviser to the Caretaker Govt. Mr. Abdul Matlub Ahmed, Founding President of India Bangladesh Chamber, Mr. Matiur Rahman, former President of DCCI were present, among others, on the occasion.
In addition, Mr. Iqbal Hussaiyn, IBFB Director, Ms. Lutfunnisa Saudia Khan, IBFB Director, Mr. Mohammad Ali Deen, IBFB Director, Mr. Md. Atiar Zaman, IBFB Director, Mr. Syed Mustafizur Rahman, IBFB Director, Mr. Mohammad Ershad Hussain Rana, IBFB Director, Mr. M.S. Siddiqui, IBFB Director, Ms. Priti Chakraborty, IBFB Director, Mr. Azfar Ali, IBFB Director, Mr. A. K. Chowdhury CA, Chairman of IBFB Industry Leadership Committee, Mr. ASM Mainuddin Monem, Vice Chairman of IBFB Industry Leadership Committee, Mr. Md. Anwar Shahid, Vice Chairman of IBFB Economic Development  Committee of IBFB Finance Committee, Engr. Sakhawat Hossain, Chairperson of IBFB Chittagong Chapter etc. also attended the event.
Md. Omar Shafayat Kausar, IBFB Vice President presented a souvenir of National Monument to Mr. Dan Mozena and Mr. Iqbal Hussaiyn, IBFB Director presented a traditional Bangladeshi embroidered quilt named Nakshi Kantha to Ms. Grace Mozena.
Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President of IBFB facilitated the whole event.