Economy to fare better amid challenges: Finance Minister Mahmud Ali

UNB, Dhaka :

New Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has pledged to tackle economic challenges of the country and overcoming the first test in controlling prices of essentials in the upcoming Ramadan.

“There are challenges in the economy and we will work together on the challenges,” Ali said after taking charge of the office in the Secretariat on Sunday.

“We all know about the challenges. Now these (challenges) have to be resolved. But we have to take up the task of price control during the fasting month as a priority,” he pointed out.

Journalists asked that since the commerce ministry monitors the market then how they will coordinate the work with the finance ministry. Mahmud Ali said, “We must work together; The Ministry of Finance cannot do it alone”.

Regarding the prevention of money laundering and the depreciation of local currency, the finance minister said, “Let’s see what can be done about this.”

Ali said, “I see the problems, I am trying to understand it, I will try to solve it; I am not a sitting person”.

“There is a major devaluation of the currency in many countries; We didn’t have that much. But taking action on these issues will take time; I will solve all the problems with responsibility and no work will remain pending,” Ali said.