The per capita income will be at least $12,500 and less than three percent of people will be below the poverty line in a ‘Smart Bangladesh’—targets to be achieve by 2041, said Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal.

He made the statement while delivering his budget speech for the 2023-24 fiscal year in Parliament on Thursday.

“In our 'Smart Bangladesh', the per capita income will be at least $12,500; less than 3 percent of people will be below the poverty line and extreme poverty will be reduced to zero; inflation will be limited between 4-5 percent; budget deficit will remain below 5 percent of GDP; revenue-GDP ratio will be above 20 percent; and investment will be 40 percent of GDP,” he said.

In the past decade and a half, under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made unprecedented progress in all areas, including economic, social, political, cultural, scientific and infrastructure, and laid a sustainable foundation for a developed and prosperous ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.

“It is on this basis that by 2041, we will have 'Smart Bangladesh' as envisioned by the Honourable Prime Minister.  The dreams of ‘Smart Bangladesh’ will be realised based on four main pillars --(1) Smart Citizen (2) Smart Government (3) Smart Society and (4) Smart Economy,” he said.

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In the smart Bangladesh, Bangladesh will achieve 100 percent digital economy, and science and technology-based literacy. “Healthcare will reach everyone's doorstep. All the services required by the citizens will be at their doorsteps, including automatic communication system and sustainable urbanisation. A paperless and cashless society will be created,” he said.

Most importantly, a society based on justice and equality will be established in Smart Bangladesh, said the Finance Minister.

“One of the pledges of our election manifesto for the current term is to ensure sustainable and inclusive development. The Prime Minister has already set the target of building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by 2041. Now she has laid bare a noble vision for establishing ‘Smart Bangladesh’, which will ensure maximum welfare of the people,” he said.