Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Ziauddin has said Bangladesh is destined to become a vibrant economic hub of the region, reports UNB. He said Bangladesh’s economy is moving at a fast pace to become a middle-income ‘Digital Bangladesh’ by fulfilling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision 2021 and also a developed country by 2041. “To attain those goals, there is a strong emphasis on increasing export, remittance and foreign direct investment as well as establishing a physical multimodal connectivity with all countries in the region and beyond as a bridge between South and South East Asia,” he said while inaugurating the ‘Asian Festival 2015’ in Kansas, USA recently. Mayor of Olathe, Kansas, White House representative, diplomats, corporate representatives and high-profile businessmen were present on the occasion, said a press release here on Tuesday. The diplomat said the advancing innovations of information and communication technology followed by the ever-increasing flow of trade and investments, goods and services and peoples, is transforming the world into a global village. “Thus cultures, traditions, customs and norms are inevitably mixing freely and creating better understanding among the peoples of the world,” he said. ‘Asian Festival 2015’ is the largest yearly celebration for the 15 Asian nations in Kansas organised by the Mid-American Asian Cultural Association (MAACA). MAACA is an umbrella Association of 15 South and South East Asian diasporas in Kansas. The diplomat said in the process of such celebration peoples of different ethnicity, religions and beliefs are learning to understand and respect one another and adjust to living together in peace and harmony. “Asian nations should be proud of their ancient heritage and culture, they’re not only integrating well among themselves also merging gracefully with the larger socio-cultural fabric and pluralistic democratic society of the United States,” the Ambassador added. He said Bangladesh diaspora is contributing to the socio-economic growth of both their countries, to their home of origin they are sending remittances, which are doing wonders in transforming the lives of those they have left behind and on the other hand merging smoothly with the culture and values of their adopted home. The daylong ‘Asian Festival 2015’ was swamped by the Asian diasporas and Americans. The Festival started with the introduction of 15 national flags of the Asian countries. Bangladesh and other South-Asian countries showcased traditional cultural performances, indoor games, yoyo tricks and traditional stage parade etc. Bangladesh and other South-East Asian countries also opened individual food stalls in the festival.
