Dhaka: The government on Thursday launched a five-day programme to celebrate Bangladesh’s eligibility for graduation from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) to a developing one.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially opened the programmes at a function at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city in the evening.

As part of the programmes, the Economic Relations Division accorded a reception to the Prime Minister at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city’s Agargaon.

At the programme, Finance Minister AMA Muhith handed over the UN certificate conveying the announcement on the country’s graduation from the LCD group to a developing one to the Prime Minister.

Different ministries, divisions and government offices brought out processions in the city holding colourful banners and festoons.

The processions met at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the evening joining a gala function there. A laser show and a cultural function will be held there on the occasion which was kept open for all.

Besides, people from all walks of life, including government officials, took out rallies across the country to celebrate the day.

On Friday, a seminar will be held at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden while in the evening, a laser show and water display will be held at Hatirjheel Lake.

Bangladesh has recently officially received the confirmation letter from UN’s Committee for Development Policy (CDP) about attaining the three graduation criteria to consider for graduation from the group of least developed countries to a developing one.

According to the UN’s graduation thresholds set at the triennial review in 2015, gross national income (GNI) per capita of a country has to be $1,242 or above. Bangladesh’s GNI per capita rose to $1,610 at the end of fiscal year 2016-17.

The GNI per capita is the value of a country’s final income in a year divided by its population. It reflects the average income of a country’s citizens.

On the other two indexes—human assets and economic vulnerability—a country has to score 66 or above and 32 or below respectively.

Bangladesh’s score in the human assets index stood at 72.9 and the economic vulnerability index is 24.8, meaning the country meets all the criteria.