The government is ready to celebrate Bangladesh’s graduation from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) to a developing one with elaborate programmes across the country, including the capital, today.

Different ministries, directorates, and government departments will celebrate the event through elaborate programmes.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be accorded a mass reception at Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) in the capital for her success in ushering the “developing status” for the country. Besides, different ministries will showcase the various development projects executed during the tenure of the current Awami League-led government.

In addition, processions with scores of people, including government officials, will be brought out across the country to celebrate the day. All processions in the capital will meet at Bangabandhu National Stadium and later a programme will be held there to celebrate the occasion.  In a press release, the home ministry said no one would be allowed to carry bags, arms and sharp weapons while entering the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital.

To mark the event, the days from March 22 to March 26 will be observed as “Service Week”. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told reporters yesterday: “The prime minister had earlier announced that she would transform the country. She has fulfilled her commitment. The country’s graduation from the LDC status now awaits a formal announcement.” He said that security measures would be beefed up across the country to ensure smooth celebrations.

The power, energy and mineral resources ministry will bring out a procession from Shilpakala Academy to mark the day. Colourful rallies by different ministries and divisions will be brought out from nine strategic points of the capital, highlighting the country’s heritage, culture and development.

Under the coordination of the cultural ministry, a cultural programme, including a spectacular laser show and fireworks, will be held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the evening.

On Friday, an international seminar, coordinated by the Economic Relations Division, will be held on at Hotel Radisson Bl. Later, a cultural programme, including a water fountain show, laser show and fireworks, will be held in the evening on the same day.

The youth and sports ministry will arrange different sports competitions including a boat race, stick games, football, kabadi and cricket at division, district and upazila levels on Friday. An exhibition will be organised by the information and technology ministry in all divisions, districts and upazilas across the country.

Moreover, the government has taken up programmes from March 20 to March 25 to publish various articles on the topic of graduating to an elevated status in the print media. TV talk shows will be organised and a theme song celebrating the country’s upgrade will be aired on TV, radio and other electronic media.

The government will also highlight its achievements on social media like Facebook, Tweeter and blogs. Dhaka will be decorated with banners, festoons, LED lights and colourful flags.

A United Nations panel on the Committee for Development Policy (CPD) announced the country’s eligibility for the graduation at the UN headquarters in New York, the US. The CPD measures the LDC category on the basis of per capita income, a human assets index and an economic vulnerability index. A country must exceed two of the three criteria in two consecutive triennial reviews to be considered for the graduation.

Bangladesh, which was included in the LDC group in 1975, has been able to fulfil the three criteria for the first time in its history. If the country fulfils two of the three criteria in the next triennial reviews in 2021, the CPD will recommend to Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that Bangladesh be treated as a developing country.  The ECOSOC will then recommend it the matter to the UN general assembly. Then, after three years, Bangladesh will formally come out of the LDC group in 2024.