Bangladesh survived many mistakes during the past several decades because growth was strong enough to absorb them. The next decade may be different. The countries that prosper in this new world will not necessarily be those with the smartest experts.
Bangladesh cannot end the war in the Middle East. Nor can it prevent the next pandemic, commodity shock or geo-political disruption. What it can do is decide how exposed its citizens will be when the next shock arrives.
The foundations of a prosperous nation are not built in the cloud. They are built on the ground, in plants and workshops and export zones, by people who make things the world needs. It is past time to look down from the screen and begin.
Corporate success is increasingly measured by size rather than substance.
Financial inclusion cannot be measured solely by account ownership. It must be judged by whether a vendor can access 10,000 taka at 2 AM at a known cost, without humiliation or hidden charges, and with a pathway to better finance.
