NN Online
Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), emphasized the importance of prioritizing the economic wellbeing of the populace to ensure ambitious reforms and a successful national election. Speaking at the Distinguished Lecture Series titled “The State of Bangladesh Economy: What Is To Be Done?” on Thursday, Dr. Debapriya called for a sensitive and dynamic approach to tackling the economic challenges facing Bangladesh.
“If you want to achieve ambitious reforms and conduct a fantastic national election, the economic situation must be addressed with greater care, energy, and sensitivity,” Dr. Debapriya said during the event, organized jointly by the Bay of Bengal Institute and Cosmos Foundation at a city hotel, reports UNB.
Dr. Debapriya, who also heads the interim government’s White Paper Committee, highlighted concerns shared by international stakeholders, including investors and development partners, regarding the continuity of projects and reform measures. He urged the government to integrate these concerns into its mid-term plans, upcoming budget, and development initiatives to restore economic stability and public confidence.
He stressed the need for economic stability alongside law and order to ensure the success of reforms. “People will become unsettled and uncomfortable without comfort in the market and security in their social lives,” he warned.
Cosmos Foundation Chairman Enayetullah Khan, in his welcome speech, reflected on Bangladesh’s untapped potential and the need to overcome challenges such as poor governance, low productivity, and lack of investment in research and development. “We lost the urge to tap into our potential, creating a vicious cycle,” he remarked.
Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, President of Cosmos Foundation and former foreign adviser, highlighted the importance of people-centric policies. “Economic growth must consider those without access to resources. Policies should prioritize the interests of the people,” he said.
The White Paper, spearheaded by Dr. Debapriya, outlines a two-year economic plan addressing corruption, inflation, inequality, and governance issues. Participants in the discussion, including Dr. Mahfuz Kabir of BIISS and Parvez Karim Abbasi of East West University, supported the call for reforms to ensure socio-economic progress and secure Bangladesh’s position as a rising Asian economy.
The lecture underscored the urgency of inclusive economic measures to meet both domestic and international expectations, paving the way for stability and development in Bangladesh.
