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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has painted a rosy picture of Bangladesh's economy.
"Bangladesh is now on the highway of development. Bangladesh is now a role model of development," Hasina said in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday night.
"On the basis of GDP, Bangladesh is the 45th economy in the world while it achieved the 33rd place on the basis of the purchasing capacity."
Hasina addressed the nation to mark the second anniversary of her government assuming office. Private TV channels and radio stations broadcast the speech live.
The country attained a 6.5-percent growth in the last fiscal year, she said, adding that the average growth rate in the last five years was 6.2 percent.
In the third U.N. global conference on disaster risk management, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, "Bangladesh has created an instance in world in disaster preparedness and management."
"Now Bangladesh is a brand name in the U.N. peacekeeping mission which is very much glorious for us. "
In 2006, Hasina said the rate of ultra poor was 24.2 percent, which has declined to 7.9 percent.
People's income and employment opportunities have increased, she said, adding, "We have provided public and private jobs to 15 million people."
The average life expectancy was 66.5 years, which rose to 71 years when the child and mother mortality rates reduced, she said.
The country's current rate of literacy is currently 71 percent, she added.
She said nearly 4 million workers got overseas employment during her time since 2009.
Remittance income in 2006 was only 4.80 billion U.S. dollars, which increased to 15.2 billion in the fiscal (July 2014 to June 2015).
In the same period, the foreign exchange reserve increased from 3.48 billion U.S. dollars to 27 billion. Export income increased to 32.2 billion U.S. dollars in the 2014-2015 fiscal.
Hasina said power generation capacity has also increased.
"Currently, 12,000 megawatt is being generated. The number of power stations surpassed 100. Forty-four lakh solar panels have been installed."
"About 75 percent of people are getting electricity. We will reach electricity to every house by 2021, Insha Allah. The daily production of gas was 1,600 million cubic feet in 2006."
"One hundred economic zones would be set up in the country. Of those, work is going on for 16. We have carried out extensive development in the transport sector."
Hasina said Bangladesh is currently ahead of India and Pakistan in terms of internet use.
"The 3G service has already been introduced, and the 4G service would also be launched by this year. The work for transforming 8, 000 post offices into digital centers across the country is on progress."
"Insha Allah (by the grace of Allah) make Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed and prosperous nation by 2041 with the support of the people who are optimistic and determined."
