‘Political stability must for economic growth’
June 13, 2008
Speakers at a post budget view exchange meeting yesterday laid emphasis on political stability for smooth growth of the country’s economy. They said that political stability and government accountability is important for business confidence building and containing the prices of essentials to a tolerable level.
Their observations came at a view exchange meeting with the media on ” Nature of Bangladesh Economy: Shamunnay’s review” and fourth publication of Bangladesh Economic Outlook at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city. Unnayann Shamunnay, a centre for research and development organised the programme.
Dr Atiur Rahman, Chairman of the centre, presided over and AKM Moksudul Alam, coordinator of the organisation moderated the programme. Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud was present as chief guest and Maj Gen (Retd) Amjad Khan Chowdhury, Chief Executive of PRAN group was also present as special guest.
Dr Selim Raihan, Associate Professor, Economic Department of Dhaka University presented keynote paper.
They said that there was a need to bring efficiency in the allocation and disbursement of subsidies. There are many cases where subsidies do not reach to the intended beneficiaries.
They said that genuine farmers do not get government-subsidised diesel and local vested interest groups enjoy that benefit.
There is a need to reassess this programme and government has to support programmes to minimise the cost of fuel price rise.
They also called upon the government to ensure the agriculture inputs to the farmers.
Dr Atiur Rahman said the budget deficit might increase the price inflation. He said the food price inflation might exacerbate the misery of the poor section.
He called upon the government to strengthen and widen the food security and social safety net programmes.
Mentioning the recent increased cost of living Prof Wahiduddin said the marginalised farmers and garment workers should get the benefits of government food and social safety net programme.
“We need to increase our food production to cope with the ongoing demand and price hike,” he said and suggested to form a task force for assisting to increase the agriculture production.
On the issue of fuel price he said it was imperative to hike the price. He, however, said that farmers should get the diesel with government-subsidised price for producing more food.
Prof Wahiduddin said the growth of national income has increased in recent years despite the fuel price hike and natural disasters.
Maj Gen (Retd) Amjad Khan Chowdhury stressed on corporate development in the country. He said that bureaucratic tangles need to be removed for accelerating the economic growth.
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