The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh has shown considerable improvement in curbing corruption and improving the environment of its economic freedom, according to a recently release report of a US government corporation.

In its report for the year 2009, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) mentioned that Bangladesh has moved upward in curbing corruption from 11% to 25% during the year under review.

The report said that in improving economic environment, Bangladesh has notched 45% against 43% of the previous year. Bangladesh has also scored fairly well in three governance indicators-government effectiveness 54%, rule of law 57% and voice and accountability 51%. In the 'investing in people' category, Bangladesh scored above the median on immunization rates 70% while scored below the median in health expenditures 14%, primary education expenditures 27%.

In the last category of 'economic freedom', two indicators such as 'business start-up' 61% and inflation 34% were rated above the median.

The report also suggested improvement in other indicators such as 'regulatory quality' 45%, land rights access 17%, 'trade policy' 4% and 'fiscal policy' 25%.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is designed to work to reduce global poverty through the promotion of sustainable economic growth.

Bangladesh could make itself an MCC eligible country if it could maintain upward movement of the criteria covered by the MCC report, said a press release of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.