Finance adviser rates own performance at '70 out of 100'
"We wanted to do many things, but we couldn’t," he says
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed today (10 February) said he would rate his own performance in the interim government at "70 or close to it" out of 100, citing unfinished work and structural constraints.
Responding to reporters after a meeting of the Advisory Council on Government Purchase, he said, "I will give it a 70 or close to it because I am pragmatic. I don't beat my own drum. We wanted to do many things, but we couldn't."
Noting that several initiatives remained unfinished, Salehuddin said, "Why should I give myself 100 marks? Seventy or 80 is fair. What we initiated was in the public interest, with no hidden agenda, and I have told political circles that these steps will not be easy to roll back."
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Asked about the challenges facing the next government, the adviser said the foremost task would be to energise trade and industry. "Without a dynamic trade and commerce sector, employment will not grow. Without jobs, people's purchasing power cannot increase."
He noted that Bangladesh's industrial base remains weak, with heavy dependence on exports and a predominance of small and medium enterprises.
"We need to move towards large industries," he said, adding that inflation control would remain another major challenge. "Inflation cannot be managed through monetary policy alone; it has multidimensional causes."
Turning to the financial sector, he said the banking system has been reorganised, but deeper problems persist.
"Some difficult steps will still be necessary. The governor has taken measures gradually, but that is not enough," he said, noting that while credit flow remains low, public confidence is slowly returning.
He also flagged challenges in the capital market, warning that excessive reliance on banks would hinder business growth.
"In most countries, equity participation comes from the stock market," he said, adding that the insurance sector also needs reform.
Salehuddin said, "Energy is the biggest challenge. Although a master plan is in place, failure to expand solar energy would worsen the situation."
On recovering laundered money, the adviser said some information has been identified, but recovery is difficult.
"When we approach other countries, they first want to know what actions we have taken. Mutual Legal Assistance is complicated, and the money was laundered with the help of skilled professionals," he said, adding that authorities have identified who moved money and to which countries.
He clarified that not all funds held abroad by Bangladeshis are illicit, noting that many have legally transferred money and hold foreign passports.
Asked what advice he would give the next government, Salehuddin said existing work should be consolidated.
"There is no need to reinvent the wheel," he said, urging stronger coordination among government agencies.
"There is a clear lack of coordination, and that must be addressed," he added.
