Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today affirmed that Bangladesh will become a middle-income country within the next three years before the targeted 2021 since the country has already stepped into that stair through becoming a lower middle-income country.

"We've already stepped into that stair as Bangladesh has been declared a lower middle-income country. I can assure you it won't take until 2021, before that time we would be able to establish ourselves as a middle-income country from a lower-middle income one. Perhaps it would take 2-3 years… I've that conviction," she said.

The premier was addressing a function at her official residence Gono Bhaban after opening the Cox's Bazar International Airport construction project through videoconferencing.

Hasina said barriers often come while accomplishing any task and her government has to overcome so many odds and obstacles.

In this connection, she mentioned the BNP-led 20-party alliance could not slow down the pace of development despite carrying out countrywide arson attacks, vandalism and burning people to death.

The prime minister said Bangladesh has already been declared a lower middle-income country. "Bangladesh doesn't want to stay at the lower ladder… it wants climb to the peak and we'll do whatever is necessary for that."

For further development of an independent and sovereign country like Bangladesh, Hasina said, all will have to work from their respective positions and fields with utmost sincerity.

Noting that Bangladesh is moving ahead on all fronts and continue to move, she renewed her vow to turn Bangladesh into a peaceful abode in South Asia.

According to the World Bank, Bangladesh has become a lower middle-income country with the Gross National Income per capita (GNI), joining those with annual incomes of $1,046 to $4,125.

The World Bank in a posting on its website says it revises the income classification of the world's economies every year on July 1 through calculation using the World Bank Atlas method.

About the upgradation of Cox's Bazar Airport, she said her government wants to make it of international standards considering the security of the vast maritime areas that Bangladesh gained over Myanmar and India.

Noting that Cox's Bazar Airport could be a hub between the East and the West, she emphasised further stretching of the runway to 10,500 feet to facilitate the flying of much larger aircraft alongside making arrangements for refueling. "Landing of international aircraft is not only important from tourism perspective, but also for refueling purpose."

She said the countries of East Asia and Asia could choose Cox's Bazar Airport as a hub of communication in the future and that is why the government is upgrading this airport.

Hasina said her government has taken steps to rehabilitate those affected due to the upgradation of the airport so that they could lead a better life.

Mentioning that livelihood options in Cox's Bazar are limited, she said efforts are there so that these people could maintain their livelihoods in an honest way.

The premier said it was her initiative to establish road connectivity among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) and with the signing of the Motor Vehicle Agreement among these countries, she hoped that this road connectivity would be materialised within the next six months.