Fahmida Khatun

The question of deferring Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status has predictably resurfaced following the formation of the BNP government.

The election came after years of severe distrust in the electoral process, questions over legitimacy, and institutional strain, so the poll’s successful conduct has reinforced trust in the process as well as the principle that governments derive authority from the consent of the governed.

Bangladesh’s GDP in the fiscal year 2025 was $461.63 billion. If the country aims to reach a $1 trillion economy by FY2034, the economy would need to more than double over nine years.

The incoming government will have to make austerity a top priority at the leadership level for fiscal consolidation. Enhancing accountability mechanisms is essential to improving expenditure efficiency. Parliamentary oversight of public funds must be strengthened.

The Ninth National Pay Commission formed by the interim government recently recommended a salary increase for government employees in the range of 100-142 percent.

The Global Risks Report 2026, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), presents some of the stark realities of the world today. 

The upcoming parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12, is of exceptional political and economic significance for Bangladesh.

Over the 55 years since Bangladesh's independence, the processes of state-building, political transformation, and economic reconstruction have unfolded in deeply interconnected ways.