TIB failed to see interim govt's real reform efforts: Finance adviser

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has said the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has failed to recognise many of the interim government's practical reform initiatives, accusing the organisation of focusing narrowly on laws while overlooking process-level improvements.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (3 February) after a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Government Procurement at the Secretariat, he made the remarks in response to TIB's recent claim that actual development and reform have not matched the government's visible activities, reports Prothom Alo.

"TIB only looks at laws and regulations. We have simplified many processes, but they are not seeing those changes," the adviser said, adding that while reforms may not be fully automated, several procedures have been made easier.

He cited the example of foreign wage-related projects, saying approval processes that previously required lengthy permissions have now been simplified.

Responding to a journalist's comment that he had previously praised TIB but was now critical of it, Salehuddin said he was not attempting to discredit the organisation. "I am only pointing out the fundamental issues that deserve attention. Those unwilling to see progress often ignore it."

When asked whether bureaucratic resistance was the main obstacle to reforms, the adviser said bureaucracy was part of the problem, but flawed laws also played a role. He referred to past changes in banking regulations that allowed multiple members of the same family to serve as bank directors, calling such decisions a step backward.

Salehuddin claimed that after one and a half years in office, the interim government left the economy in a "satisfactory" condition. "The economy is stable. The next government will not face the kind of fragility that existed before," he said.

Responding to concerns about rising unemployment, he acknowledged that job creation remained a major challenge. He said the lack of funds and limited expansion of small and medium enterprises had constrained employment generation, despite efforts by the Bangladesh Bank.

Clarifying his use of the term "satisfactory," Salehuddin Ahmed said it referred to economic stability rather than exceptional performance. "The situation is no longer shaky. It can be taken forward by the next government," he said.

On loans, the finance adviser said while the interim government had taken significant loans, it had also repaid a record amount. "We repaid $6 billion. Government activities must continue, and some previous restrictions on borrowing were lifted," he added.