Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud has said, “We do not know whether we are functioning like NGOs or like a political government. What kind of government this is has not yet been clearly defined. Taken together, such a government has never existed in Bangladesh before.”
He made the remarks on Wednesday (January 28) while speaking at a seminar titled ‘Economic Stability and Challenges for the Next Government’ and an ERF scholarship award ceremony at the National Life Insurance Limited auditorium in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.
Wahiduddin Mahmud said improving administrative efficiency remains a major challenge. “The problem of educated unemployment, the frustration of young people, and the deterioration of the youth sector have cost us a great deal of time. Today’s new voters are the future. Whether it is the current interim or so-called NGO government, these problems cannot be solved in a day. Everything cannot be resolved within a year. Many challenges will be left for the next elected government.”
He added that even without a mass uprising, the banking sector could have collapsed and remittance inflows would have declined, eventually leading to the fall of the government. “Overall, we see some signs of reaching a stable position, but there are also many uncertainties. Still, there are indications of recovery. GDP growth has increased slightly this time. Growth in industrial raw materials is good, and external transactions remain stable.”
Claiming that inflation is declining, the planning adviser said it has not fallen as much as required but is easing to some extent. “Wages have also increased alongside inflation, which is a positive sign. A 7 percent inflation rate is not particularly significant. In my view, private-sector credit flow declined last year and has fallen even further this year. As a result, inflation will come down naturally.”