In his best-selling book, Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilizations, Parag Khanna states, “It is time to re-imagine how life is organized on Earth. We’re accelerating into a future shaped less by countries than by connectivity. Mankind has a new maxim – Connectivity is destiny – and the most connected powers, and people, will win.”
Connections with other nations must start through connecting amongst ourselves. As a nation, we have worked on the advancement towards a middle-income country, the fight against diseases, and women’s empowerment. Our endeavor to fight against climate change and eradicate poverty has been recognized by the World Bank. However, the lack of transparency and the failure to complete numerous mega-projects have led to a loss of faith in the government. What is the point of such development if it cannot better the lives of those it was made to serve? We must consider the access to these benefits, stop policy logjams, and improve our infrastructural condition in order for each and every person to reap these benefits.
As Mahbubul Alam, President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry, has poignantly stated, this connectivity starts with utilizing the potential of the commercial port hub of Chittagong; the city is located in a unique part of Asia that allows it access to the Bay of Bengal and the inland of South Asia. Starting from the port on the South to the North, we must connect within the nation and extend this beyond the border. The South Asian region is one of the most poorly linked regions in the world. We strive to create economic relations and trade benefits throughout the world but we have failed to focus on nurturing the mutual relationship with our surrounding nations. The initiatives to connect South Asia for the progress of every nation in the region has been brought to light; now, the time has come for us to become a beacon for one another.
