Bangladesh’s Journey from Aid to Trade—A Story of Progress

Over the past 50 years, Bangladesh has made impressive strides in both economic and social development. What was once an aid-reliant economy has successfully transformed into one driven by trade. This transformation has propelled Bangladesh to become the world’s second-largest exporter of ready-made garments. Extreme poverty has also dropped significantly, nearing single digits. Today, global development partners celebrate Bangladesh as a remarkable success story—far from the days when it was labeled a "bottomless basket" by the West.