Goldman list inclusion good cheer

Now comes the heartening news, almost like an extended but more elaborate vindication of the trust reposed in Bangladesh by Bill and Ted early on: Goldman Sachs, a prestigious US-based investment banking and securities firm has placed Bangladesh on its 'Next Eleven' list in terms of potential as an investment destination. It brackets Bangladesh as a key member of the group that includes Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam.

The 'Next Eleven' takes its place after G7 and the BRICs i.e. economies encompassing Brazil, Russia, India and China. What a sense of elevation! The overarching consideration is that this is the Asian century and that the tiny economy of Bangladesh could 'power' the world economy in whatever modest way it might be. Bangladesh meets the criteria of macroeconomic stability, polity, openness of trade and investment policies and quality of education. As we can understand, comparison is the basis for value judgement.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Obviously, investors would be looking for booming economies, swelling populations and fast developing markets -- Bangladesh fits into the frame. That is all very good, but how much more we would have drawn the global attention had corruption been contained to tolerable limits and the insecurity brought on by the bombings been headed off. This is the challenge before us and it's through a combined political will reached through a national dialogue that we must strive to meet the world's expectations.