Salehuddin calls for united effort to tackle economic challenges
NN Online:
Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed on Friday called for collective efforts to address the ongoing challenges facing Bangladesh’s economy.
“We are in the midst of various economic challenges,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at the national finals of the Bangladesh Economics Olympiad (BEO) 2025, held at Dhaka Residential Model College.
The event was chaired by Hossain Zillur Rahman, Chairman of the BEO Organising Committee and former adviser to the caretaker government.
Prominent figures in attendance included Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director Dr. Fahmida Khatun, City Bank Managing Director Masrur Arefin, Dhaka Bank MD Sheikh Mohammad Maruf, and Pubali Bank MD Mohammad Ali.
Addressing the gathering, Hossain Zillur Rahman emphasized the need to popularize economics from the school and college levels, noting, “Economics is an applied science. This year, over 20,000 students participated, making the Olympiad a growing point of national interest.”
Dr. Fahmida Khatun pointed out that although Bangladesh’s growth rate has risen by 1% each decade, the benefits have not reached all sections of society.
“Inequality has widened. Employment growth has been insufficient, and youth unemployment is rising. Over the past two and a half years, high inflation has burdened the public. When economic management becomes politically one-sided, society suffers,” she cautioned.
Delivering the keynote, Masrur Arefin stated that irregularities in the banking sector have significantly declined in recent months.
“Corruption and money laundering have been curbed—a major achievement. However, the resurgence of political unrest poses a new concern,” he added.
The seventh edition of the Bangladesh Economics Olympiad saw five finalists selected from 20,000 participants nationwide. They received smartphones and laptops as awards and will represent Bangladesh at the International Economics Olympiad in Azerbaijan later this year.