2009-2010 - BIDS

It is with great pleasure that I write this message for the BIDS
Biennial Report 2009-2010. In line with the glorious past, BIDS has
been striving hard to achieve its goal of conducting policy-relevant
research to help shape policy debates, promote research excellence,
and strengthen partnerships for development in Bangladesh. In
the process, BIDS has made valuable contributions in the field of
knowledge generation and in improving the quality of policies
through research and other activities. It is encouraging to note
that BIDS is providing a unique, relevant, and valuable service
to the policymakers, and has reaffirmed its full commitment
to work towards promoting a shared and sustained
development in Bangladesh.
Message
from the Chairman of the
Board of Trustees
Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) A K Khandker
Honourable Minister
Ministry of Planning
Government of the People's Republic of
Bangladesh
As the Biennial Report 2009-10 indicates, BIDS
provided analytical input and technical support in
a number of critical policy issues during the period
under review. As the think tank with the mandate to
assist the policymakers, BIDS suggested credible
domestic policies to face the global price hike of
food commodities and ensure food security in the
country. Moreover, the global financial crisis and
the consequent global economic recession had
considerable impact on the Bangladesh economy
with adverse economic and social consequences.
This brought out the need to give a fresh and critical
look to the impact of the crisis on our development
policy and performance in the context of
globalization and economic integration. It became
crucial for Bangladesh to mull over this question
at this point in time when Bangladesh is charting
out a new course of development through framing
the long term Perspective Plan (2010-2021) and
the Sixth Five Year Plan (2011-2015) with a view to
realizing the Vision 2021. I am pleased to note that
BIDS has played its due role in these activities.
At this time, it is only natural to expect that BIDS, the
country’s premier think tank, will re position itself to
play a more pro-active role in shaping the future agenda
in the coming days not just for the government but for
everyone concerned with the theory and practice of
development in general and of Bangladesh in particular.
Looking ahead at the coming years, I am confident BIDS
will continue to serve the cause of sustainable and inclusive
development in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the developing
world.
Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) A K Khandker, BU
BIDS Biennial Report 2009-2010
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