Bangladesh is a development surprise for the rest of the world. It proved many myths wrong. Global development thinkers like Professor Amartya Sen lauded overall progress of Bangladesh. Professor Sen underlined that Bangladesh has progressed much more in development sector compared to many developing countries of the world. At an early stage of Millennium Development Goals (MDG) implementation, Bangladesh adjusted its development plans to the MDG framework. Bangladesh wanted the MDG targets to help in realizing the national aspiration. The country has already achieved or is on track to meet almost all the MDGs. Key to success of Bangladesh was political commitment and people's inspiration to make 'Sonar Bangla'. Bangladesh also mobilized its national resources and enhanced capabilities; empowered people; engaged in partnership with wide range of local and international actors.

During this period, Bangladesh reduced extreme poverty by half. Bangladesh improved access to basic education, health services, water and sanitation. During the last six years, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Bangladesh grew at over 6% despite global slowdown. Over the past decade, exports of Bangladesh grew by more than three times; foreign exchange reserve has risen around seven times. This year, Bangladesh graduated to the World Bank's lower-middle income status. Bangladesh is on course to become a Middle Income Country by 2021. Commitment of Bangladesh Government has always been to ensure well-being of people. The government is working to protect vulnerable people, including migrants and persons affected by climate change, autism and other forms of disabilities. These come from the vision of the nation to build an inclusive society.

Bangladesh has decided to take technology to people's doorstep. The vision of 'Digital Bangladesh' is bringing results in lifting people's lives and livelihoods. People in Bangladesh receive over 200 services from 5,275 Digital Centres. Over 16,500 IT-connected Community Health Clinics and Union Parishad Health Complexes extend basic health care services. To realize demographic dividend, Bangladesh invested heavily on skill development of younger population. Present Government emphasizes much on education and health for all, particularly of women and girls.

To ensure food and nutrition security, Bangladesh has scaled up its investment in agriculture. Bangladesh agriculture has fast transformed to be a driver of development. Technology and innovation is hallmark of present-day agriculture in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Government has developed stress-tolerant crop varieties to adapt to the changing climate. She has achieved self sufficiency in food production and now exporting rice abroad. Bangladesh wants to sustain the momentum of the MDGs, build on their successes. Bangladesh has set its 'Vision 2021 -to emerge as a Middle Income, knowledge-driven digital economy. These are to realize the dream of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to build a 'Sonar Bangla', the land of Golden Bengal.