Bangladesh's image abroad 'very good', says finance adviser

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has said Bangladesh's image abroad is currently "very good", urging all stakeholders to remain vigilant so that no dangers hinder the country's progress in the years ahead.

Speaking at the inauguration of academic programmes of the ERF Institute and a seminar on "Financial Transparency in the Corporate Sector", held at the ERF Auditorium in Dhaka on Sunday (29 September), Salehuddin, also a former governor of Bangladesh Bank, acknowledged that the interim government has "both positive and negative aspects", but stressed that development partners, including multilateral agencies, now hold Bangladesh in high regard.

He called for stronger auditing, greater transparency and improved practical training for journalists and investigators in order to protect the country's economic interests and strengthen public trust.

"Our people are very hardworking and intelligent. We have patriotism and, if we can put in the hard work, then certainly we can move forward in a speedy manner, taking everyone along," he said.

Salehuddin criticised what he termed "clever manoeuvres" by certain actors who siphon funds abroad, stressing the need for robust oversight by Bangladesh Bank and other regulators, alongside more rigorous, evidence-based auditing.

"The problem is not only that money moves, but that it moves in ways that evade ordinary scrutiny," he warned.
"Audit can't be a paper exercise, it must verify where numbers come from and how they were generated."

He urged the formation of specialised social auditors and investigative teams capable of looking beyond paperwork to "follow the money".

Salehuddin also criticised media coverage that, in his view, sometimes amplifies narratives that undermine government or empower authoritarian actors.

He called upon journalists to remain constructive and measured, presenting verified facts rather than chasing fleeting headlines.

"When we speak positively about what is working, that helps build confidence; reckless narratives do the opposite," he said.

Highlighting the importance of investigative journalism, he recommended short, practical training programmes focusing on verification, analytical methods and case studies. He argued that journalism education should prioritise hands-on reporting—interviewing farmers, tracing supply chains, and validating statistics—so reporters can produce credible, long-lasting stories.

Citing agriculture as an example, he recalled a columnist's field reporting with farmers and experts that exposed both the achievements and the shortcomings of agricultural initiatives.

"If the numbers aren't verifiable, the story loses credibility," he added.

Salehuddin also praised the dedication and patriotism of many professionals in both public and private sectors, urging institutions and media organisations to strengthen internal discipline and verification systems.

Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder lauded the contributions of economists and analysts in shaping pragmatic fiscal policy, recalling how their recommendations influenced the preparation of the national budget.

He said that last year, when the government debated between adopting an expansionary or contractionary stance in the face of inflationary pressures, expert analysis and media reports played a decisive role.

"We had initially thought of going for a larger budget, but based on your recommendations, we opted for a more realistic and relatively smaller budget. This credit goes to you," he said.

Mozumder stressed that while direct interaction with economic professionals may not be frequent, the government values their inputs and will continue to take their suggestions seriously in fiscal planning.

Highlighting the establishment of a modern training institute as an example of progress, he said such initiatives demonstrate Bangladesh's growing capacity and commitment to strengthening its institutional frameworks. He expressed optimism that closer engagement with experts would further enrich the country's governance and policymaking.

Other speakers included FRC Chairman Md Sajjad Hossain Bhuiyan and ICAB President NKA Mobin. The event was presided over by ERF President Doulot Akter Mala, with its General Secretary Abul Kashem moderating.