Dhaka lags behind Colombo in regional dev indicators

Bangladesh has done well in most of the development indicators of the SAARC only behind Sri Lanka.
The country, however, has become a star performer in total fertility rate, which was 2.2 in 2011. Fertility rate is defined by the number of children born per woman.
GDP per capita on purchasing power parity basis, life expectancy and sanitation are other major indicators of the SAARC Development Goals (SDGs).
This was revealed in the latest report on the SDGs, launched in the city Sunday.
The report said Bangladesh has been persuasively moving towards achieving some goals, while some of the goals can be attained with enhanced efforts. However, achievement of some goals may require more resources or time.
The report emphasised on the current trend of achieving the goals and future policy intervention in attaining the set targets.
In terms of GDP per capita purchasing power parity, Bhutan is the star performer followed by Sri Lanka while in case of access to improved sanitation, Sri Lanka is the star performer followed by Bangladesh.
Regarding life expectancy at birth (years) in 2011, Sri Lanka was the star performer with 75 years, followed by Bangladesh and Nepal 69 years, Bhutan 67 years, and India and Pakistan 65 years.
According to the report, in terms of infant mortality rate (per 1000 live birth) in 2011, Sri Lanka is the best performer with 11, followed by Bangladesh 37, Nepal 39, Bhutan 42, India 47 and Pakistan 59.
GED member Shamsul Alam said Bangladesh has demonstrated its capacity in achieving the goal of poverty eradication within the target timeframe, though attaining hunger and nutritional targets still remains a "huge" challenge.
He also said that Bangladesh aspires to achieve the SDGs and MDGs in an accelerated way, where regional cooperation and understanding can play a vital role.
Speaking as the chief guest, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the government aims to free the country from hunger by 2030 when Bangladesh would turn as a knowledge-based country.
He stressed on ensuring external resource mobilisation and efficient use of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to accelerate this progress.
"Our Country Development Strategy should particularly focus on MDGs/Post 2015 MDGs set by the development partners and mobilise resources accordingly," he said.
He said "Our government is committed to achieving the SDGs and will continue to invest in social and human resource development incorporating this commitment in every national planning process."
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said Bangladesh is well on its course to attain the targets of MDGs as well as many of the targets under the SAARC Development Goals (SDGs).
He said the present government is working with all the countries in South Asia to pool resources together to fight the common enemy - poverty.
Terming poverty and underdevelopment a challenge for South Asia, he said SAARC is making its efforts to turn it into a poverty-free, stable region.
PM's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi emphasised on the regional cooperation for the balanced growth in the region.
"We've done exceptionally well in achieving the SDGs. But there is no scope to be complacent as more progress could be achieved," he said.
Citing remarks of the World Bank, JP Morgan and Citigroup, he said that the country's economy is moving toward the right direction.

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