DHAKA, June 26, 2024 (BSS) - State Minister for Information and Broadcasting

Mohammad Ali Arafat today said that the Annual Performance Agreements (APAs)
will help build public confidence in ensuring transparency and accountability
of the government.

"The APAs will contribute to ensure good governance. By signing these
agreements, one kind of promise or commitment is being made, which are
documented evidence. These agreements will help ensure more accountability,"
he said.

The state minister said this while addressing the APA signing ceremony
between the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and its 13 subordinate
bodies for fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25) aimed at inspiring the organizations to
perform 'result oriented' activities. Information and Broadcasting Senior Secretary Dr.
Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker chaired the ceremony.

Noting that the government's steps on good governance need to be circulated
more among the people, Arafat said, "We want to publicize the issues of the
annual performance agreements through the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting".

The publicity of the issues related to APAs will create confidence among the
common people about the government's initiatives to ensure transparency and
accountability, he added.

Information and Broadcasting Senior Secretary Dr. Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker and
chiefs of the 13 affiliated bodies of the ministry signed the agreements on
behalf of their respective sides.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker said the government has
a pledge to the people, which is the election manifesto.

This manifesto will surely be evaluated in the annual performance agreements,
which will be signed among the government offices in the next five years, he
added.

Besides, the SDGs, Perspective Plan and 8th Five Year Plan will also be
manifested in the APAs, Humayun Kabir said, adding that highlighting
government programmes, disseminating those and creating public awareness are
the major responsibilities of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

These responsibilities should be fulfilled smoothly through annual
performance, he added.

Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Abul
Kalam Azad signed the APA on behalf of the national news agency.

Additional Secretary (admin) Syeda Salma Jafrin delivered the welcome address
at the event while Deputy Secretary Mohammad Azizul Islam moderated it.