Bangladesh

Bangladesh is going through a very tumultuous time at this moment. The Prime Minister of the country, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned and fled the country amidst massive protests against her government. These protests erupted initially as a result of people's dissatisfaction with the quota system in jobs but gained mass proportions in the form of a movement for the resignation of Hasina herself.

Unfortunately, these protests have been very violent, with hundreds of people losing their lives and many more being injured. The situation got so bad that the UN has stepped in, asking everyone to stay calm and for a peaceful transition to a new government.

Now, it is at a loss as the country tries to decipher what comes next. First, there has to be the putting in place of an interim government, but the problems post–January 6 are enormous. These range from social divisions and economic problems to justice and fairness, all of which give an indication of how complex the problem is going to be. How the military would be involved in this transition is also a matter of concern.

_notifications_ As 2024 unravels, Bangladesh finds itself in that critical juncture. The country is mired by a confluence of political, economic, social, and environmental challenges while the country opens up its arms towards opportunities for growth and development. This paper surveys the current situation in Bangladesh, in effect, providing a snapshot of the issues facing the nation and the prospects ahead. Political Bangladesh's political scenario remains dynamic and full of contention. The country is gearing up for general elections, likely in December 2024. The ruling party is that of the Awami League, headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; it has been at the helm since 2009. The major opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Khaleda Zia, has been holding persistent demonstrations across the country, seeking free and fair elections by way of reform in the electoral process and dissolution of the existing government. The political situation has still remained tense, and sporadic protests and demonstrations have continued all over the country. The international community is closely watching the developments and has called on the government to ensure a transparent and participative electoral process. Thereafter, the event will profoundly affect the political stability of Bangladesh and its relations with the neighboring countries and international partners. Economic Challenges and Opportunities The economy has shown some resilience against the background of global uncertainties.

 The country's economy has maintained its steady growth; in 2023, the GDP growth rate stood at about 6.5 percent, driven by strong exports, remittances, and domestic consumption. RMG has been the back bone of the economy while it is considered to contribute a lion's share both to export earnings and employment. The challenges faced by this sector are rising production costs, tough competition from other countries, and compliance with international labor standards. Not only that, there are worries over inflation as well, as consumer price indices have risen by the raising prices of food and fuel. Accordingly, the government is pursuing a policy of price stabilization and the management of public debt. At the same time, diversification of the economy is being ensured by promoting such sectors as information technology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

Its geographical location offers prospects for trade and connectivity with the neighbors, more so under such initiatives as the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor. In this regard, investment in infrastructure and technology becomes very imperative in grabbing these opportunities and sustaining economic growth. Social Issues and Human Development Bangladesh has progressed much in the areas of human development, especially education and health. It has increased the literacy rate and achieved gender parity at primary and secondary education. However, challenges remain in terms of quality and equities with regard to coverage, especially for the most marginalized and vulnerable populations. Second, access to health has increased but still faces resource, infrastructural, and human capital constraints to the system. The government is extending and promoting better universal health-care coverage, mainly in rural areas. Poverty remains a priority, and it has necessitated the implementation of different social safety net programs for the poor and weak in society. However, huge barriers to social cohesion and stability remain from income inequality and unemployment, especially among the youth.

By Palak Srivastava