Most industries in Bangladesh spend less than Tk 500 per year on research and development (R&D) per worker, according to the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) [26c710a0]. This low level of investment in R&D could hinder Bangladesh's goal of becoming a manufacturing hub and a developed nation within the next two decades [26c710a0]. R&D and innovation are crucial for increasing competitiveness, productivity, and sustainable wage growth, as well as creating jobs and staying ahead of competition in export markets [26c710a0]. However, in Bangladesh, overall R&D investments accounted for only 0.03 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022-23, significantly lower than countries like Vietnam (0.54 percent), India (0.70 percent), and China (2.55 percent) [26c710a0].
The low spending on R&D in Bangladesh raises concerns about the country's ability to keep up with global advancements and maintain its competitiveness in the long run [26c710a0]. Without adequate investment in R&D, Bangladesh may struggle to develop innovative products, improve productivity, and attract foreign direct investment [26c710a0]. This could hinder the country's economic growth and hinder its aspirations of becoming a developed nation [26c710a0]. The government and industry stakeholders need to prioritize and increase investment in R&D to foster innovation, enhance competitiveness, and drive sustainable economic development [26c710a0].
According to the Sustainable Development Report 2023, Bangladesh has an SDG index of 65.9, ranking 101st out of 166 countries [5a4bc31c]. The report highlights major challenges faced by Bangladesh in achieving several SDGs, including poverty eradication, zero hunger, good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, and industry, innovation, and infrastructure [5a4bc31c]. The report also notes that there has been no progress in SDGs related to gender equality, decent work and economic growth, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action [5a4bc31c]. SDGs related to life below water, life on land, and peace, justice, and strong institutions have regressed [5a4bc31c]. Only SDGs related to quality education and responsible consumption and production are on track [5a4bc31c].
The low tax-to-GDP ratio in Bangladesh limits public spending on social sectors, which hinders progress in achieving the SDGs [5a4bc31c]. Weak institutional capacity, bureaucratic inefficiency, and corruption also pose challenges to the implementation and monitoring of actions to achieve the SDGs [5a4bc31c]. The Sustainable Development Report 2023 emphasizes the need for critical institutional reforms and a different mindset to effectively work towards achieving the SDGs in Bangladesh [5a4bc31c].
Bulgaria, on the other hand, experienced a significant increase in research and development (R&D) investment and workforce in 2022 [214932d5]. The total expenditure on R&D activities reached 1,265.6 million BGN, a 17.8% increase from the previous year [214932d5]. The R&D workforce expanded to 27,090, reflecting a 7.8% increase compared to 2021 [214932d5]. This growth demonstrates Bulgaria's commitment to scientific and technological advancement [214932d5]. When compared to global trends, Bulgaria's R&D growth stands out, as the UK saw a decrease in private R&D investment in 2022 [214932d5]. The surge in R&D investment and personnel in Bulgaria positions the country favorably on the global stage and may attract more international collaborations and investments [214932d5]. The growth in Bulgaria's R&D sector suggests a bright future, with the potential for the country to become a significant hub for research and innovation in Europe and beyond [214932d5]. Investing in R&D is crucial for national development, economic growth, and global competitiveness [214932d5].
The Bangladesh Reference Institute for Chemical Measurements (BRICM) has launched an initiative to domestically manufacture disease detection kits, including those for dengue, chikungunya, hepatitis B, malaria, and Covid-19 [9efba6d7]. The initiative is part of a Tk144 crore project aimed at producing diagnostic devices and establishing state-of-the-art laboratories [9efba6d7]. The medical device market in Bangladesh is currently valued at $442 million, with an annual growth rate of 13% [9efba6d7]. By 2025, this figure is projected to reach $820 million, with a 93-95% dependency on imported devices [9efba6d7]. BRICM aims to reduce the country's reliance on imported diagnostic devices while strengthening the healthcare infrastructure [9efba6d7]. The locally produced kits would be cost-effective and enhance accessibility to critical medical resources [9efba6d7]. BRICM officials believe that with coordinated efforts, import dependency on test kits could be eradicated within 4-5 years [9efba6d7]. The project proposal has been submitted for approval and is awaiting final approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Eecnec) [9efba6d7]. The project includes the development of kits for diseases such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2 virus detection [9efba6d7]. Additionally, BRICM aims to extract collagen and gelatin from fish scales, reducing import dependency and potentially opening avenues for export [9efba6d7].
The World Health Organization (WHO) supported the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe with training for 986 nurses in antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) testing to address the staff shortage at rural health centers [0a9f6d09]. Additionally, 44 laboratory personnel were trained in cholera culture [0a9f6d09]. Prior to the training, only 2,090 antigen RDTs and 2,250 culture tests were conducted across 10 health centers [0a9f6d09]. After the training, the number of antigen RDT tests increased by 371% to 9,853, and culture tests increased by 184% to 6,386 [0a9f6d09]. The success of the program is attributed to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including UNICEF, Higher Life Foundation, JHPIEGO, World Vision International, and WHO [0a9f6d09]. Funding for the training activities came from the Health Resilience Fund, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, and the United States Department of State [0a9f6d09]. WHO continues to play a critical role in strengthening Zimbabwe's laboratory response to the cholera pandemic [0a9f6d09].