Photo: Collected
Finance adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today emphasized the ensuring social justice, social security, social welfare as well as equitable and inclusive growth. "Not just economic growth, in Bangladesh we're working for ensuring social justice, social security and social welfare and this is our dream," he said.
The adviser was speaking at the 'Validation Workshop on Bangladesh's National Smooth Transition Strategy' as the chief guest held at a hotel in the capital. He also hoped that the international agencies would also come forward to provide all kinds of support so that Bangladesh can reach the goal not in the distant future, but in a definite time period.
Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah, Principal Coordinator (SDG) Lamiya Morshed, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were present as special guests.
Member of the UN Committee for Development Policy Taffere Tesfachew attended the event as guest of honour with ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky in the chair.The finance adviser said even if Bangladesh moves towards a middle income country or developing one, there would be challenges which are to move faster, the challenge for an equitable growth, inclusive growth adding, "my dream is for a welfare oriented Bangladesh".
Despite having a huge population, limited land mass, and limited resources, Dr Salehuddin said Bangladesh has progressed remarkably, especially towards LDC graduation and in mid-income country.
"So, that's not a mean achievement and I must congratulate the business people, common people, workers, female workers and garment workers, the credit really go to them," he added. He went on saying, "No we have a challenge to go further. Off course, in graduating from LDCs, we might lose the GSP in exports, but I don't think we will lose much because without concession, our garments can still export to EU and other countries".
The adviser said there are challenges, but the country can also pass the challenges. "My eyes are stuck up with the macroeconomic stability ...and rightly I think so and this is what we need. We've achieved a kind of stability right now, but there are challenges in the foreign exchange market ...thanks to the Bangladesh Bank's efforts for also the reserves which are not depleting anymore," he added.
The finance adviser said they faced a lot of questions while negotiating with the World Bank and the IMF as they knew everything that had happened to Bangladesh. "Luckily we could answer their queries and that is why we got a very good response from multilateral financing agencies, bilateral agencies and other international agencies including some financial NGOs," he said."
So, that proves that we're moving towards the right direction," the adviser added. Mentioning that all would have to look forward with a proactive attitude, he said, "We assure you that this government is competent and they are backed by the peoples support and backed by the multilateral and bilateral agencies also...we got the impression and they are still with us."
Citing that there may be some short-term problems, Dr Salehuddin, also a former central bank Governor, said whatever reforms the interim government is doing right now would leave some footprints to the future government also.
"We'll not possibly do the long-term reforms, because those are for the elected government ...we'll definitely try to implement some of the short-term reforms...," he said.The finance adviser also urged the business community to try to increase the productivity as because productivity in Bangladesh is a little bit low compared to international measurement.
He also urged all concerned to try to provide decent work to the people, ensure labour rights, and remain open to the new technology and automation system. "You've to move towards automated system and technology, otherwise you can't survive and our march forward won't be meaningful," he added.
Messenger/JRTarek
