“Bangladesh to be established as high-middle-income country by 2031”

Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina said, "Bangladesh will be established as a high-middle-income country by 2031 and a developed, prosperous, smart one by 2041 by the Bangladesh Awami League, the bearer of the spirit of the Liberation War, if the people once again allow us to serve them by voting for the Boat, the AL's electoral symbol."

The AL chief said if the people of the country vote for the AL, her party will give them development, peace, and prosperity.

Sheikh Hasina, also the prime minister, made the remarks after unveiling her party's election manifesto at a city hotel this morning (December 27), just 10 days before the 12th parliamentary election slated for January 7.

The slogan of the AL's election manifesto is "Smart Bangladesh where Development Shines, Accelerating Employment" as the manifesto has given priorities to 11 issues.

In the manifesto, the AL vowed to show zero tolerance against corruption and terrorism, alleviate poverty, create employments, ensure service-oriented and accountable administration.

The AL manifesto also put more focus on infrastructure development, freedom of press and the practice of transparency, accountability, good governance as well as strengthened democratic values in all aspects of state management.

It, as well, promised to be tougher against money launderers, to eradicate bribery and corruption at all levels of the state and society, to establish a universal health system, and introduce health insurance.

Sheikh Hasina has made an impassioned appeal to the voters to forgive her party's past mistakes, if it is, since assuming office in 2009 with a "forgive eye".

"We are responsible for all the mistakes during the last 15 years of her government. Success is yours. Look at our mistakes with a forgiving eye. We promise to learn from past mistakes and conduct future activities according to your expectations," she said.

Right now, Bangladesh is standing in a transitional period and the country is going to join the ranks of developing countries from the list of least developed countries, she said, adding that this transition is an honor on one side and a huge challenge on the other hand.

"The government to be formed by the January 7 election must have the capacity to face this challenge. Only the Awami League can face this challenge and take the country to new heights," she said.

Looking forward to the twelfth election, Sheikh Hasina said they have once again appeared before the countrymen with the election manifesto of Bangladesh Awami League.

"As a continuation of the past, this time, we have prepared an implementable election manifesto by setting specific targets. The continuity of the long-term action plans announced in the 2008, 2014, and 2018 election manifestos has also been maintained in the twelfth election manifesto," she said.