Staff Correspondent

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said according to a report of IMF the average GDP of Bangladesh will be more than average GDP growth of the world.

“The world is reeling on recession and the growth is downward. According to a report of IMF, the average growth of the country will be more than the average global GDP. Now I’m waiting to hear that what will say BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir after the report,” he said.

The minister told reporters replying to a query after addressing a meeting with leaders of Bangladesh Editors’ Forum at his secretariat office.

The minister said according to the IMF global economic growth will come down to 3 percent in 2023 from 3.5 percent in 2022 and 2.9 percent in 2024.

So, Bangladesh’s growth rate is much better than other countries, he said adding that price hike of essentials is now a global phenomenon.

Dr Hasan said common people are sufferings due to the price hike of essentials. But the government is trying to reduce their miseries by providing one crore families with rice and other items through TCB, he said adding for this there is no distress among people.

After starting of the Russia-Ukraine war many western countries was gripped by shortage of essentials, the minister said noting that people of the European countries were not allowed to buy more than one liter oil, six eggs and other essentials. People were in queue to purchase essentials and many items were sold in rationing system, he said.

But, he said, there was no such crisis in Bangladesh. The position of Bangladesh was third among the 20 countries which achieved positive GDP during the COVID-19 situation, he added.

Replying to a query over the arrest of BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Dr Hasan said anybody having arrest warrant can be arrested. Awami Leaders were also arrested if there is a warrant, he added.

Chief advisor of the forum and the Daily Observer editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, leaders of the forum Azizul Islam Bhuiyan, Sarif Shahabuddin, Belayet Hossain, Rafiqul Islam Ratan, Faruque Ahmed Talukder, Riman Mahfuz, Mafijur Rahman Khan Babu, Shamim Siddique, Mahbubur Rahman, Dipak Achariya and Nazmul Alam Towfiq attended the meeting.

Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury demanded for shutting down underground newspapers and illegal IPTV to protect the dignity of the mass media. Action against those media should be continued, he added. Everyone should raise voice against termination of journalists without any prior notice, he said.

As convenor of the forum Rafiqul Islam Ratan presented some demands, the minister assured them to look into the matter. The minister sought cooperation from the mass media.

He said it is possible to move ahead if everyone including the government and mass media is work in together. The government is believed in freedom of mass media as a vested group is hatching conspiracy against the next election and they want to create a situation.

“For this, we are seeking your cooperation so that none can create instability in the society,” said Dr Hasan.

Later the minister joined a meeting with Awami League leaders of Rangpur and Dinajpur districts at AL central office in city’s Bangabandhu Avenue.

AL Presidium Member Shahjahan Khan, MP, Commerce Minister Tipu Munsi, AL organizing secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, central members Advocate Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia, among others were present.

In the meeting, Dr Hasan said Bangladesh Awami League is a party of common people and the root level leaders and activists are lifeline of the party.

He said Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina is serving as the prime minister for three consecutive terms combating all conspiracy and challenges.

Urging all to remain alert against all conspiracy, the information minister said the country would reach to its cherished goal if the people give chance to Awami League again to run the country.