Staff Correspondent

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today reiterated that the country’s economy on the whole is not in a bad shape.

“Perhaps, a section of people may be suffering to some extent, but on the whole, the country’s economy is not in a bad shape,” he said.

The finance adviser was responding to the queries of reporters after chairing two separate meetings on the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase held at the Cabinet Division Conference Room at Bangladesh Secretariat today.

He said perhaps, there is a bit sloth in the trade and commerce activities while the source of income of people might have been affected to some extent.

“But, it’s not like that the economy is on the verge of destruction, rather we’ve recovered it from falling further,” he noted.

Dr Salehuddin said it is true that the pace in new employment generation is a bit slow and the government is now focusing to bring more infrastructure projects at the ECNEC.

“Besides, we’re also trying to boost the trade and commerce activities,” he added.

The finance adviser said that he was lauded by a chamber for directing the Bangladesh Bank for giving more loans to the CMSMEs.

“I acknowledge that the people are suffering to some extent from the current situation and we’re also vying for ensuring more income generating activities for people.

We’ve already revised the ADP and we’ll bring more projects in the ECNEC…” he added.

He said they are also trying to create alternate employments opportunities.

Dr Salehuddin, also the former central bank governor, said that they are still providing cash incentives to the RMG sector, adding that the RMG sector on the whole is in a good shape.

Asked whether there would be any crisis in energy situation during the upcoming summer, he said that the government has special attention to this sector and they are importing LNG to meet the growing demand.

“We’re trying continuously and we’ll also ensure the supply chain in the businesses and to the livelihood of common people,” he said.

Replying to another question on the implementation of projects under the Indian Line of Credit, he said that they are discussing and reviewing the progress while being delay does not always mean that the project works remained stopped.

He said the projects, which were framed no matter under which government, would continue…. “But, we’ll review the progress of those projects which saw minimum utilization…but, we don’t have any intention to stop their implementation right at this moment.”

Replying to another question, the adviser said he was satisfied with the current market management according to its capacity. “It could have been better if the management could have improved further. Please compare the prices of essentials with the previous year … we’ll have to see the dynamics,” he added.

The finance adviser also suggested all concerned to keep an eye on the inflationary trend as it could reduce further like the previous months.