http://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/bangladesh-without-foreigners-1267627
One of the natural results of the recent terror attacks in
Bangladesh is contemplation. Some are
rightly focused on the immediate need to understand how these unprecedented
acts of violence could happen, and how to stop them. But the fact that one major attack targeted
foreigners in Bangladesh makes me wonder, what would Bangladesh be like without
the foreigner presence?
I first came to Bangladesh in 2002, and have lived in the
country for several years and visited numerous times since then. This is the first time in memory that many of
my foreigner friends and colleagues in Bangladesh are hesitant to stay in or
visit the country. As we foreigners count
our blessings that we were not among the victims at the Holey Bakery, we also
recognize that it could have easily been us that night. The fear is amplified by both the brutality
and the utter lack of sense behind the attacks.
In the recent past, few major areas of economic and social progress
that would have happened without a partnership with a foreign individual or organization
with a presence in Bangladesh, even if all progress was completed with
Bangladeshi leadership. The main markets
for the garment industry are the US and Europe, whose buyers have large offices
in Dhaka with other buyers visiting the country frequently. The aid industry supports many government
programs, as well as the enormous NGO system in Bangladesh. Academic partnerships have similarly been
crucial in creating life saving health institutions such as ICDDR,B, involved
in life-saving interventions that include ORS. Foreigners,
particularly from Sri Lanka and India, contribute greatly as skilled employees
for a number of industries, particularly garments. This is not to say that the record is
perfect, with numerous disastrous aid projects and imposed, destructive
policies, amongst other negative effects; but the partnership has been positive
on the whole.
As we look to the future, these areas of progress have been firmly
established in the country, so even if many foreigners would depart, it is
difficult to imagine they would vanish.
But one wonders, which other partnerships for progress are
endangered? Where are the major new areas
where a partnership with foreigners in Bangladesh can make further
contributions? I would argue that four
areas are vital to maintain growth and ensure Bangladesh progresses further as
a Middle Income Country.
New Businesses
While the garment industry is strong, sustained growth requires
the development of new sectors. Export
of light manufacturing goods is one of the most promising sectors, but as with
garments, this requires the presence of buyers in the country, who will provide
business opportunities and work with manufacturers to improve their
capacity. Similarly, the growing technology
sector of Bangladesh should be greatly enriched through international business
and the exchange of ideas. Reliance on
the garment industry to sustain growth is a risky approach for the
economy.
Investment
To continue developing, Bangladesh requires major
investments in infrastructure. Everyone
knows the current infrastructure in Dhaka is woefully inadequate. Indeed, several of the victims of the
terrorism were reported to be visiting Dhaka to advise the government on the
construction of a badly needed metro system.
Foreign governments and other institutions are needed to both provide
advice and financing for infrastructure.
A Skilled Labor Force and Higher Education
Most large businesses in Bangladesh identify the lack of
highly skilled, well-educated employees as a key constraint, leading many to offer
such jobs to Sri Lankans and Indians.
These foreigners play a critical role in meeting this need. At the same time, it is clear that Bangladesh
needs to further develop its higher educational institutions. While foreign investment in universities has
been limited, exchange with foreign universities will play a critical role in
producing critical research for the country, as well as improving the quality
of higher education.
Climate Change
Bangladesh has received worldwide attention as one of the
main victims of climate change. While
some progress has been made, adapting to this challenge will require large-scale
programs, with cooperation on a number of fronts. The West should rightfully bear the costs of
many of these programs. At the same
time, their presence is required to offer these resources, as well as cooperate
to produce technical analyses to understand the varied effects of climate
change.
The need to prevent terrorism in Bangladesh is obvious, but
it’s important to keep in mind what is at stake. As if a general sense of fear and sadness
isn’t enough, there are also grave threats to the partnerships that have
yielded economic and social progress of the country. Re-establishing a general sense of security
in the coming months and years may prove to be pivotal to the future of
Bangladesh. The country may continue its
current, admirable progress or see that progress grind to a halt.
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