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Bangladesh 2020 : A Long-Run Perspective Study/The World Bank and Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies Vedams Books 9840514504

Contents: Foreword. 1. A vision for the future. 2. The future economy: creating growth and jobs. 3. Investing in people. 4. The urbanized future: strategy and infrastructure. 5. The sustainable development challenge: environmental and natural resources management. 6. Managing water resources. 7. Building infrastructure for rapid growth. 8. Financing the future. 9. Conclusion. Appendixes. Bibliography.  "This study presents a vision of Bangladesh in the year 2020. In articulating that 'vision', the authors,--all Bangladeshi scholars--have chosen the path of 'cautious optimism' by recognizing the enormous potentials on which to build a prosperous future, but warning that unless Bangladesh is fully prepared to face the challenges of a highly competitive world of the 21st century, accelerated growth and poverty alleviation could remain a dream.  "The challenge--be it in urbanization or human development, in promoting exports or creating a dynamic manufacturing sector, in managing our water resources or building infrastructure for the future--quite simply, is to redefine the role of the state from one of control and dominance to one of facilitation and regulation of private enterprise, forge new partnerships between the public sector and the institutions of civil society, institute accountable delivery of public services, ensure the protection of the poor and the environment, and enforce the rule of law.  "By thinking clearly about where a nation wants to go, one can make wiser decisions about what to do now. This study is thus an attempt to examine long term possibilities and opportunities in order to help policy makers take better decisions today. It is offered as a first step in what should become an ongoing process of analysis and reflection."