Region: South-Central Asia

Capital: Dhaka

Population: 141 340 476 (July 2004 est.)

Surface area: 143 998 square km

Currency: taka

GDP per capita: $1 900 (2003 est.)

Background:
Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.

Economy – overview:
Despite sustained domestic and international efforts to improve economic and demographic prospects, Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and ill-governed nation. Although half of GDP is generated through the service sector, nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product.

Economic reform is stalled in many instances by political infighting and corruption at all levels of government. Progress also has been blocked by opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups. The BNP government, led by Prime Minister Khaleda ZIA, has the parliamentary strength to push through needed reforms, but the party's political will to do so has been lacking in key areas. One encouraging note: growth has been a steady 5% for the past several years.

United Nations Membership date: 17 September 1974

New York Mission:
Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to the United Nations
227 East 45th Street, 14th Floor
Neww York, N.Y. 10017-3520, USA
Telephone: 212-867-3434
Fax: 212-972-4038