DHAKA, March 24, 2024 (BSS) - Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali today said that after forming of the present government through the January 7 polls, Bangladesh has been able to move to a much better position within a short period of time braving different obstacles.

"I think we've been able to move ahead within a short time and it's not at all unthinkable and unimaginable. Rather we've now been able to move in a better position," he said.

The Finance Minister was addressing a session on "Industry, Education and Health" under the seminar titled "Unpacking the Economic Manifesto of the Awami League: Trends and Challenges for Tomorrow's Bangladesh" as the chief guest held at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Conference Room in the capital.

Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, PM's Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, PM's Education and Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury spoke as special guests.

Presided over by BIDS Director General Dr Binayak Sen, Sabbir Ahmed, member, drafting committee of Awami League's manifesto, spoke as distinguished discussant.

Besides, four separate presentations were made by BIDS research director Dr Kazi Iqbal on "Aspiration and Reality: Election Manifesto 2024 and the Industrial Sector", BIDS research director Dr SM Zulfiqar Ali on "Quality of Education", by BIDS research fellow Dr Badrun Nessa Ahmed on "Educated Unemployment" and by BIDS research director Dr Md Abdur Razzaque Sarker on "Universal Health Coverage: Prospects and Challenges".

Noting that many new investments are coming to the country while many such investment offers are awaiting, Ali said many countries like Germany, Korea, UAE are ready to make fresh investments and there is nothing to worry about. "We're moving ahead," he added.

Since independence, the Finance Minister said Bangladesh has been able to reach its highest peak under the dynamic and able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"Bangladesh is eyeing towards the next stage...although there are some barriers, but there are clear indications for availing support from various development partners. It's the expectations of the countrymen that the country remains in the right path towards its next stage of development," he added.

The Finance Minister said whatever the new government has been able to deliver to the nation within this short period is not bad, rather it is good while the foreign currency reserve is now gradually increasing ruling out all the speculations by the vested quarters.

He also hoped that the Offshore Banking Act which was passed in the last session of Jatiya Sangsad would help to boost further the foreign currency reserve through creating confidence among the concerned stakeholders.

Ali reiterated that multilateral development agencies like Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are ready to provide any kind of support to Bangladesh alongside other multilateral and bilateral development partners. "So, we won't experience the situation like Sri Lanka."

Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman said that the Awami League government seriously own its election manifesto while the government would try its best to implement the election manifesto after making it time befitting from time to time.

He also emphasized on increasing further the quality of education and thus making the youth folk skilled for coping with the changing world.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said had there been no Russia-Ukraine war, then Bangladesh could have been in a much better position now in all aspects.

In response to the criticisms of some on the growing income inequality, he said that the poorer section of people have been benefitted much in Bangladesh over the years adding, "There has been development in the overall standards and lives of people and that has been equitable," he added.

Considering various macroeconomic indicators, the Adviser said that Bangladesh is performing better compared to its neighboring peer countries.

He also suggested for making more investment in maternal nutrition to build a healthy future generation.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Education and Cultural Affairs Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury said that education is a very important medium in transforming the nation to Smart Bangladesh from Digital Bangladesh.

Noting that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had nationalized the primary education, Dr Naser said in continuation of this the Awami League government has duly put emphasis on education and so far distributed over 400 crore books free of cost among the students which indicates the capacity of the government.

The Adviser also laid emphasis on continuous monitoring for implementation of the election manifesto as declared by the Awami League government.

The speakers at the meeting also underscored on forming a team to review the timely implementation of the pledges as envisioned in the election manifesto alongside putting due emphasis on health, education, industry and agriculture sectors apart from taking prompt steps by the government in maintaining the macroeconomic stability.