Staff Reporter :
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed stated yesterday that the rising inflation rate accurately reflects the economy, dismissing allegations of data manipulation.
He emphasised that the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) was instructed to release available data transparently, with no attempt to conceal information.
Speaking at the launch of the sixth edition of the Banking Almanac at Dhaka’s CIRDAP auditorium on Saturday, Salehuddin acknowledged past discrepancies in inflation and gross domestic product (GDP) data.
He attributed these to both unintentional errors and deliberate efforts by policymakers to obscure information.
He clarified that the interim government’s primary focus is addressing inconsistencies in economic data from the past 15 years, rather than showcasing its competence.
According to him, the government is prioritising the establishment of a centralised, reliable information source, which he stressed is a fundamental right of citizens.
Despite successive interest rate hikes, Bangladesh’s inflation rate has continued to rise, reaching 11.38% in November, up from 10.87% in October. Salehuddin explained that this translates to a basket of goods and services costing Tk 100 in November 2023 rising to Tk 111.38 in November 2024.
Addressing the same programme, renowned economist Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman highlighted the urgent need to address oligarchic market dominance, which he described as having reached unprecedented levels over the past 15 years.
Rahman, the acting chairman of the Banking Almanac board of editors, noted that despite visible steps taken to manage the economy, oligarchic powers remain a significant challenge.
Both speakers emphasised the importance of tackling systemic economic issues to restore stability and ensure transparency in Bangladesh’s financial framework.
