Economic prosperity can drive out terrorism

FE Report
Former Indian President and eminent missile technologist A P J Abdul Kalam said sustainable economic growth and prosperity can help a country reduce the risk of terrorism-the most pressing problem now troubling different corners of the world.
"People get involved in terrorism out of frustration and failure to meet their economic needs," he said in Dhaka Saturday.
Only a sustainable economic development of a country can put an end to terrorism, the scientist emphasised in what he offered an alternative cure for the problem at a time when the western world is conducting a ruthless 'war on terrorism'.
Addressing an interactive programme with leading businessmen, professionals and entrepreneurs, the former Indian president suggested finding out the root cause of terrorism and looking for the proper remedial measures.
"Spur the economic growth, the lower will be the terrorism," he told the function of a leading trade body.
The discussion meeting with professional groups was arranged as part of the 110th founding-anniversary programme of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Apart from professionals and businesspeople, politicians, members of civil society and distinguished personalities also attended the meeting.
Earlier, he had attended the inaugural programme of the two-day celebrations that kicked off Friday with his dialogue at a local hotel with science students from various universities.
Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith attended Saturday's programme as chief guest while MCCI President Rokeya Afzal Rahman presided. The function was also addressed by Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Prime Minister's foreign affairs adviser Gowher Rezvi.
Mr Kalam, popularly known as the 'missile man of India', spoke about the challenges that India, Bangladesh and the world were facing and emphasised the role of leadership in tackling these issues to ensure socioeconomic advances.
Replying to a query from a businessman about the terms like "Ethics and Creativity" which he said bear little significance in this rough-and-tumble marketplace, the former Indian president forced him to swear that he would practise ethical business.  
The scholarly man asked the businessman to repeat the swear words as he recited: "I promise to do business with integrity and succeed…"
Citing Bangladesh and India's friendship as a natural one, sharing so many common things, Mr Kalam said that trade between the two countries is likely to cross UDS10 billion thresholds by the year 2018.
At present, he said, fifteen percent of Bangladesh's imports are from India and Bangladesh is now India's largest trading partner in the subcontinent.
To attain the goal, he said that efforts from governments and industries from both sides should reach out to each other.
Terming jute a very prospective agricultural product for both the countries, he stressed the need for developing the jute industry through innovations and proper policy supports.
This rejuvenation of the glory of jute will help develop the economies, he said.
But Bangladesh, according to him, is lagging far behind to be able to reinvigorate the ailing jute industry.
"As new products are coming we need to find how technological advances in jute industry can help empowerment of jute manufacturers in Bangladesh," he said, stressing the need for free flow of knowledge and skills between the two countries.
"You have the jute, we have the technology; together we can develop the industry to a new height.
"For India and Bangladesh it is a great opportunity to take a visionary action to replace and eliminate plastic products throughout the world by technology, development and marketing."
He also had a suggestion for reducing pressure on the capital, Dhaka, by economic means.
He said reinvigorating the rural economy through bringing urban amenities to rural areas would prove the solution.  
"Providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA) is one such system which I suggest will help in providing opportunities through cooperative working of resources and social entrepreneurs in the rural areas," A P J Abdul Kalam told the Dhaka elite.    
"PURA is the creation of physical, electronic, knowledge connectivities leading to electronic connectivity of rural regions."
With this combined and planned intervention of infrastructure, digital technology, information and enterprise, a cluster of about 20 to 50 villages can be selected to share core competencies and be empowered through using local enterprise.
For doing this he attached topmost importance to leadership quality. According to him, a leader must have the organizing capacity and the capacity to disseminate his objectives.
Besides, a leader must create new posts and must know how to manage success and failure. Above all, a leader must show honesty in all management work.
The ex-president of India called on the audience to dream first, then transform the dream into thoughts and translate the thoughts into actions.
He said if the youth could not acquire the right knowledge, their aims in life would not materialise. "Knowledge will give you greatness."    
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