The Planning Commission has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to incorporate the vision of establishing a Smart Bangladesh into the government’s Medium-Term Development Plan, as revealed in an official document obtained by UNB this week.
Currently, the focus lies on formulating the Ninth Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) under the auspices of the General Economic Department (GED) of the Commission. The forthcoming plan aims to align with overarching objectives such as realizing “Vision 2041” and fostering the development of a technologically advanced “Smart Bangladesh”.
Among the pivotal goals outlined in the Ninth Five-Year Plan are overcoming the challenges associated with transitioning from least developed to upper middle-income status by 2031, achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and ensuring regional balance and planned urbanization.
Moreover, the plan underscores the integration of promises outlined in the 2024 election manifesto of Bangladesh Awami League, alongside strategies for inclusive growth, employment generation, and poverty alleviation.
The document emphasizes key thrust areas including affordable healthcare, universal pension inclusion, and sustainable agriculture practices, all underpinned by modern technological advancements.
Reflecting on the government’s developmental trajectory over the past 15 years, the document highlights the successful implementation of long-term and medium-term plans, contributing to Bangladesh’s recognition as a global model for development.
Key milestones include the elevation of Bangladesh to a lower-middle-income country in 2015, driven by robust economic growth during the Seventh Five-Year Plan (2016-2020).
Furthermore, strategic initiatives such as the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, aimed at addressing climate change impacts and promoting sustainable development, are emblematic of the government’s forward-looking approach.
The ongoing realization of “Vision 2041” underscores the commitment to catapult Bangladesh into the league of developed nations, underpinned by digitalization and poverty eradication.
As the Eighth Five-Year Plan (July 2020-June 2025) unfolds, aligned with the goals of the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the government remains steadfast in its pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development, epitomized by the motto “development with everyone, leaving no one behind”.
