Interim govt 90% successful in carrying out responsibilities: Press secy

The interim government achieved 90% success in carrying out its responsibilities, chief adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said today (15 February).

"Our goal was to put the country back on the right track through reform and stability. I think we have been 90% successful in achieving that goal," he said while speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy following the final meeting of the Advisory Council.

Shafiqul Alam said the government took office amid a fragile economy and an unstable situation.

"On 5 August, the country was in a situation akin to wartime conditions. It could easily have descended into chaos. However, that situation was contained and peace and stability were restored," he said.

He said the government set three key priorities, reform, stability and good governance.

Referring to trade and foreign policy, he said a reciprocal tariff agreement had been concluded with the United States and an Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, which would expand market access for Bangladeshi products.

Highlighting economic indicators, he said foreign exchange reserves had risen to $29 billion from $15–17 billion, with gross reserves at $34 billion.

He added that the exchange rate, which had reached Tk127 against the US dollar, is now stable between Tk123 and Tk124.

He also claimed better-than-expected growth in revenue collection.

Referring to the repeal of the special law in the power sector, he said it had enabled project approvals without competitive bidding, fostering crony capitalism and causing financial wastage.

The law was repealed within a week and reforms were introduced in the energy sector. On food security, he said the country currently holds its highest food stock and has enough reserves to cover nearly six months of import expenditure.