Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali today said that after
forming of the present government through the January 7 polls,
Bangladesh has been able to move to a much better position within a
short period of time braving different obstacles.
"I think we've been able to move ahead within a short time and it's
not at all unthinkable and unimaginable. Rather we've now been able to
move in a better position," he said.
The Finance Minister was addressing a session on "Industry, Education
and Health" under the seminar titled "Unpacking the Economic Manifesto
of the Awami League: Trends and Challenges for Tomorrow's Bangladesh" as
the chief guest held at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies
(BIDS) Conference Room in the capital.
Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, PM's
Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi
Chowdhury, PM's Education and Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr Kamal Abdul
Naser Chowdhury spoke as special guests.
Presided over by BIDS Director General Dr Binayak Sen, Sabbir Ahmed,
member, drafting committee of Awami League's manifesto, spoke as
distinguished discussant.
Besides, four separate presentations were made by BIDS research
director Dr Kazi Iqbal on "Aspiration and Reality: Election Manifesto
2024 and the Industrial Sector", BIDS research director Dr SM Zulfiqar
Ali on "Quality of Education", by BIDS research fellow Dr Badrun Nessa
Ahmed on "Educated Unemployment" and by BIDS research director Dr Md
Abdur Razzaque Sarker on "Universal Health Coverage: Prospects and
Challenges".
Noting that many new investments are coming to the country while many
such investment offers are awaiting, Ali said many countries like
Germany, Korea, UAE are ready to make fresh investments and there is
nothing to worry about. "We're moving ahead," he added.
Since independence, the Finance Minister said Bangladesh has been
able to reach its highest peak under the dynamic and able leadership of
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"Bangladesh is eyeing towards the next stage...although there are
some barriers, but there are clear indications for availing support from
various development partners. It's the expectations of the countrymen
that the country remains in the right path towards its next stage of
development," he added.
The Finance Minister said whatever the new government has been able
to deliver to the nation within this short period is not bad, rather it
is good while the foreign currency reserve is now gradually increasing
ruling out all the speculations by the vested quarters.
He also hoped that the Offshore Banking Act which was passed in the
last session of Jatiya Sangsad would help to boost further the foreign
currency reserve through creating confidence among the concerned
stakeholders.
Ali reiterated that multilateral development agencies like Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are ready to provide any kind of
support to Bangladesh alongside other multilateral and bilateral
development partners. "So, we won't experience the situation like Sri
Lanka."
Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman said that
the Awami League government seriously own its election manifesto while
the government would try its best to implement the election manifesto
after making it time befitting from time to time.
He also emphasized on increasing further the quality of education and
thus making the youth folk skilled for coping with the changing world.
Prime Minister's Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr
Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said had there been no Russia-Ukraine war, then
Bangladesh could have been in a much better position now in all
aspects.
In response to the criticisms of some on the growing income
inequality, he said that the poorer section of people have been
benefitted much in Bangladesh over the years adding, "There has been
development in the overall standards and lives of people and that has
been equitable," he added.
Considering various macroeconomic indicators, the Adviser said that
Bangladesh is performing better compared to its neighboring peer
countries. He also suggested for making more investment in maternal nutrition to build a healthy future generation.
Prime Minister's Adviser on Education and Cultural Affairs Dr Kamal
Abdul Naser Chowdhury said that education is a very important medium in
transforming the nation to Smart Bangladesh from Digital Bangladesh.
Noting that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
had nationalized the primary education, Dr Naser said in continuation of
this the Awami League government has duly put emphasis on education and
so far distributed over 400 crore books free of cost among the students
which indicates the capacity of the government.
The Adviser also laid emphasis on continuous monitoring for
implementation of the election manifesto as declared by the Awami League
government.
The speakers at the meeting also underscored on forming a team to
review the timely implementation of the pledges as envisioned in the
election manifesto alongside putting due emphasis on health, education,
industry and agriculture sectors apart from taking prompt steps by the
government in maintaining the macroeconomic stability.