Benoit's econometric study encompasses data analysis from 44 less developed countries (LDCs) during 1950 to 1965. The findings show a strong positive correlation between defence spending and growth rate in those countries.

Janne E. Nolan, a defence economist, asserts in his book The Military Industries in Taiwan and South Korea (1986) that, "At the most basic level of political economy the process of national defence and development are inextricable: the former exists as a condition for the later. This is true because secure borders provide the modicum of stability necessary for economic endeavour."

In fact, defence spending not only sustains and promotes development activities of the nation by preserving freedom and securing borders, it also generates economic and socio-cultural benefits. Such findings are equally applicable in the context of Bangladesh too.

The defence spending in Bangladesh creates new jobs and renders welfare to millions of people by increasing the purchasing power of those whose earning members are employed in the military services. Military training and education also immensely contribute to the development of human resource. Most of the money spent out of defence budget-- like pay, pension and purchase of stores-- gets recycled into the mainstream economy.

Over the last decades, parts of the country were developed as townships and economic/ commercial activities were being generated in those places following establishment of cantonments. Instances of poverty in the vicinity of military garrisons are few and far between all over the world.

The World Bank and The Asia Development Bank Document of May 2003 on Bangladesh Public Expenditure Review notes that, "The role of Bangladesh's defence forces in the international peace keeping is a source of significant foreign exchange resources (about US$200 million a year)."

In the budget speech for FY 2002-2003, Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman noted that the receipts from the United Nations on account of Armed Forces services and use of military equipment was Tk. 601 crore [The Daily Star, June 7, 2002].

That aside, disaster-coping mechanism in Bangladesh is now much stronger, as can be seen from the reduced impact of catastrophic disasters in recent past. Despite the scale of damage, normal life could be restored quickly and the development process sustained. A substantial part of this success may be reasonably ascribed to the armed forces.

Bangladesh Army has also executed numerous programs for the socio-economic and infrastructure development in the CHT region, besides maintaining order. At different times the Armed Forces assisted the civil administration in restoring law and order in the country, curbing smuggling, combating terrorism and unearthing illegal arms.

Bangladesh Army has been conducting counter-narcotics operations over last couple of years to combat illicit drug production and trafficking in greater Chittagong. The benefits derived from military's deployment for law and order stabilization and to rein in anti-social activities can not be measured in terms of money alone.

A strong deterrence to anti-social elements is itself a long-term investment. Foreign investors' knowledge of our ability to curb in hooliganism and extortionist activities helps building our image as a credible nation.

Money saved by reducing the instances of smuggling and poaching in the land and sea borders of the country is a staggering amount, if one must believe the volume of illegal trading in bordering areas. While a lot needs to be done to stop such activities, much progress has been underway. The cost of captured smuggled goods is Taka 15,000 crores per year, according to some estimate.

Soldiers of Bangladesh Army are now constructing or reconstructing 15 roads (500 km) under four projects at a cost of Tk 600 crore, which is much less than the costs estimated initially by other organizations.

Bangladesh Army personnel have also helped in the construction, re-construction and protection of a number of embankments, including the Dhaka Flood Protection Embankment and the Dhaka-Naraynganj-Demra (DND) Embankment.

In the industry, Bangladesh Armed Forces have been making vital contributions to national welfare since the inception of the nation. Sena Kalyan Sangstha (SKS), a self-financing welfare organization of Bangladesh Army, renders very commendable services to the nation by producing quality consumer goods, depositing large amount of taxes in the government exchequer every year and providing employment to the people of different classes.

Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) was handed over to the Bangladesh Army management on 4 July 2000 in the face of recurring losses incurred by this leading engineering enterprise of the nation. Under army management, the factory has turned into a cash cow in two years' time, repaying its outstanding debt of Tk. 443.48 crore [The New Nation, 11 June 2003].

Similarly, Khulna Shipyard Limited, another loosing enterprise, turned into a profit-making concern under the management of the Bangladesh Navy.

Following military deployment in 1998, the revenue income from Chittagong port increased by Tk 700 crore and the military's deployment in PDB stations in 1998 increased daily production of electricity from 1788 megawatt to 2680 megawatt.

The Bangladesh Navy has had a vital role in resisting smuggling and piracy, checking drug trafficking, policing illegal fishing in our marine zone and curbing Jatka catch. Since March 2003, Navy alone has recovered goods worth about Tk 44 crores by launching anti-smuggling drives in our territorial waters.

In addition, contributions of Bangladesh Armed Forces in the promotion of education, health care, conservation of environment, development of forest resources and construction of dwelling houses for the poor people are major moves toward socio-economic development.

The military also serves as a vocational institution for the nation by improving the human development index of its personnel. The technical skill imparted to every soldier adds to our overall national skill.

As defence spendings have reinforced national development in many fields over the years, investing in national defence has become an integral part of our overall development strategy.

Lt. Col. Md. Nazrul Islam is Director of Inter-Service Public Relations Directorate (ISPR).