Kolkata IT fair

Only the other day we commented on Bangladesh having featured in the US securities and investment firm Goldman Sachs' list of Eleven Economies with a high potential for growth through investment. The Goldman report has termed Bangladesh as a tiny economy capable of making an impact on global economy in its own way.

There is more good news. The ADB has identified Bangladesh as the potential regional hub of communications and transport. The bank is ready to put money up-front to help build the key infrastructures provided the issue of transit rights is sorted out within the region.

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So, Bangladesh watchers are sending positive signals about us though the country is grappling with political turmoil and rise of religious extremism of the most violent kind.

The lesson to be drawn here is that our potential is being recognised through the smokescreens of the recent image-denting incidents. The performance of Bangladesh in some sectors against stunning odds breeds confidence in the minds of investors about how much more the country could have done without the troubles facing her. Bangladesh is valued for its intrinsic worth and the task on our hands is to make the most of the new-found interest in us.

IT is one sector where the country's future is bound to be bright given some built-in advantages we have over most other developing countries. Our boys and girls have knack for computers and a great emphasis is laid on IT education in the country. The recognition that came from Kolkata should inspire our professionals to excel further in the software business with an eye on outsourcing prospects.